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The Kane familyA wonderful experience with TNK travel (January 2009)
Our family of 4 just came back from first ever trip to Vietnam (18 days). We chose TNK Travel and it was a great trip. I wanted to thank TNK and to share our experience with future prospective travelers.
We started the planning almost a year ago. I must say we were hesitant at first and concerned about choosing a reliable travel agency. I read a lot on the internet (e.g. tripadvisor .com) before identifying a few prospective travel agencies. I then asked for an initial quote from my top 3 choices. TNK was the middle quote but what I liked about them was the level of detail in their initial proposal. I then looked at their guestbook and selected 17 people worldwide who recently travelled with them and emailed each of them to ask about their experience. Every single one of them responded and all were very positive about TNK. This made me comfortable with the idea of having to send money upfront to book a trip in an unknown country where I would have no recourse if dealing with an unethical company. With TNK, everyone assured me that once an itinerary is finalized, the company will do whatever is needed to deliver on its promises and to make it a pleasant experience, and they sure did in our case.
Over the following month, I exchanged several emails with Mr. Dsung Trinh, the Managing Director, to modify the original proposal based on my research about the sites we wanted to see. For example, we removed Sapa from the itinerary because the Northwest is quite cold in January, but added Phu Quoc Island instead. In the end, we agreed on a price for the revised itinerary, and I paid the customary 30% deposit by credit card (with a 3% fee). From that point-on, I dealt with Mr. Dac Dahn in their operations department who always promptly answered my numerous enquiries via email, and sent me hotel vouchers and e-tickets confirmation from air travel within Vietnam, as well as the invitation letter for the Visa. Fast forwarding to the end of the year when our trip began:
We landed roughly on schedule in Hochiminh on Dec. 31st in the evening and had to wait an hour or so (not ideal after a long flight from the U.S.) to get our visa on arrival ($25 per person in cash). Once we exited immigration and customs, our guide (J.J.) and driver were there to greet us with a sign bearing our name. They took us to our hotel. Because of the traffic, we ended up being in the center of the city near the cathedral at midnight, surrounded by thousands of motorcycles ringing their horns when the near year arrived (quite a cultural experience). From there on, the entire trip was very pleasant (I will post details on the hotels on tripadvisor.com). We visited Saigon (and stopped by the TNK office to pay the balance of the trip), the Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc, PanThiet/Mui Ne, Da Lat and Nha Trang by private van and boats with J.J. (who was excellent, paying attention all the time to what we liked and making sure we would always have it). We almost missed the speedboat from Rach Gia to Phu Quoc, because the itinerary was 30 minutes off. As a result, we couldn’t have a scheduled lunch, but TNK compensated us with an excellent previously unplanned dinner in Hue. J.J. ordered a van with more legroom when we returned from Phu Quoc to HCMC (we flew back), arranged for a small canoe to pick-us up and take us to our hotel in Cantho where we were stuck in traffic on the way to the ferry, etc…Then we flew to Danang and were greeted by our new guide Tui (Mr. Dac Dahn had kindly arranged for French speaking guides at the other locations at our request), and from there visited Hoi An, My Son and Hue, Tui was excellent as well, very knowledgeable and helped us solve an issue we had with a tailor-made suit. In Hoi An, the reservation was not a river view room, but after contacting Mr. Dac Dahn generously agreed to pay the difference and we were upgraded accordingly (we had insisted on 2 deluxe rooms with sea/river/lake views everywhere) and I had not noticed it was not the case at that location. We then flew to Hanoi which we visited with our last guide (Mr. Lan, who was OK but not as good as the first 2), and went from there to Halong Bay for a memorable 2-day cruise, then flew back to HCMC, stayed overnight near the airport and had an early morning flight back to the U.S. On returning to HCMC, no driver was there to greet us, we were told after we called the agency that he was stuck in traffic due to an accident. We took a taxi to the nearby hotel, and the driver who picked-us up in the morning for our return flight to the US. reimbursed us more than we had actually paid for the taxi. We didn’t have to pay a departure tax, it was apparently already included in our plane tickets.
Overall, a great trip thanks to the logistics, efficiency and professionalism of the TNK staff and agents. Food was excellent (though too copious for us, we always have festive lunch menus booked by TNK with 6 or 7 courses in nice restaurants (included in the price), nice buffet breakfasts in most hotels. The only problem (which is beyond TNK’s control) was insufficient hot water in many hotels for two people to take showers one after the other), a really bad road with big holes when exiting MuiNe to go to Da Lat and a third guide in the north who took us to a number of expensive stores along the road when we saw much cheaper prices elsewhere (we suspect he had a kick-back from these stores (but to his credit, he advised us to see the anthropology museum in Hanoi instead of a couple of extra pagodas, which we really enjoyed). Other than these minor opportunities for improvement, we had great hotel rooms with very nice views (important to us), good weather, good food, good guides and drivers (who seemed satisfied with the tips we gave them), and we were taken to all the places agreed-to on the itinerary. For those who do not feel adventurous enough to be on their own in Vietnam, we do strongly recommend TNK travel as an ideal, reasonably-priced solution. You can count on them for a memorable and pleasant trip. One final comment, although you can pay everything in Vietnam in US dollars or Euros, prices are cheaper if you pay in Dongs (local currency, FX at 17.3 VND/USD on the average during our trip, calculated at 15 by the stores if you pay in USD). Also a word of caution, Vietnam Airlines only allows 20 kg for a checked suitcase and 7 kg for a carry-on so travel light……
If you are thinking of going and have any question about our experience, don’t hesitate to contact me at dkane@mmm.com.
Our sincere thanks to MM. Trinh, Danh and the entire TNK staff for a wonderful trip. The Kane family (Austin, TX, USA)
Ron & Myra SuchThanks
We had a lot of dealings with Miss Hang Vo (TNK Travel) at De Tham Street, HCM City. We found Miss Vo to be the best Agent we have come across in Vietnam. She was very helpful in every way and helped us with any problems we had. We have travelled in Vietnam on 6 different occasions, and never had better service. We recommend Miss Vo to anyone worldwide for any dealings you have in South East Asia.. We met her personally in HCM and found her to be very charming, she is now a friend for life.
Ho Dac Nguyenthank you !
I knew TNK since 3 years.Just one word for those who read this message :You can really trust them !!!! Special thanks to Mrs Pham Nhu,Miss Thao,M.Duy !!! Rendez-vous to the next year ! Ho Dac Nguyen
Thom StephensThank you! (from Thom Stephens)
Hello,
I arrived back in the U.S. last night and wanted to send you a quick email.
Our trip to Vietnam was fantastic. Thank you very much! Everything was perfect-even the weather was beautiful while we were there.
The hotel was great, the tours were very good and Mr. Ha and Mr. Kong (driver) were very polite, punctual and informative.
Everything you arranged was perfect and I will be recommending TNK Travel to anyone traveling to Vietnam in the future.
Best regards / Mit freundlichen Grüßen
Thom Stephens
Anna LuedickeHello
Hello, I just wanted to say thank you very much for all that you did for us in our recent trip to Vietnam. We just had such a wonderful holiday, helped by expert administration by you. Everything went according to plan and was so slick. With 2 young children, it took all the worries away and let us enjoy ourselves. The quality of the cars and guides was very good and we wanted for nothing. We selected your company because of your competitive prices and now that we have seen that you have quality service to match, we will recommend you to our friends. Many thanks, Anna Luedicke
Tim BaldwinVietnam Group Trip - Thanks Ms Nhy (Kathy)
Having just returned from our trip to Vietnam, we would like to thank TNK Travel and particularly Ms. Nhu who has done such a wonderful job of organizing our group of 10 Aussies on a fantastic trip around this beautiful country. This is the second trip that Kathy has put together at my request and both times have been fautless. Nothing is too much for Kathy - changing arrangements on the go to suit our particular requirements and always in contact to ensure that we are having a great time. Fantastic also were all the TNK guides that we had the pleasure to meet and travel with. They are so passionate about their country and so knowledgable as well that we couldn't help but be fasinated by the scenery, the people and the culture. Thanks so much to JJ in Ho Chi Minh City, Quyen in Hanoi and the ever smiling Zoom Zoom in Sapa. We will keep in touch. Thanks again TNK - Your services and people are a credit to Vietnam - Cam o'n!
Joel NgVietnam travel services
Dear Mr Dzung Trinh,
our group will like to thank you and your team for the memorable trip in Ho Chiminh city.
JJ (our tour guide) was good and responsible, he took special care of the old and kids well.
Will sure recommend TNK Travel to friends visiting Vietnam.
Joel Ng Singapore
Rainer PassonTailormade trip to VIetnam & Cambodia
booked a tailormade trip Hanoi - Angkor Wat - Saigon with TNK; perfectly organised and all in all just great.
Go TNK !!
Heppy MoirasViet Nam - Southern package tour 6days/5nights June 30th -Jul 5th 2011
Dear Ms. Luu Vo It's a nice to meet you in Saigon and come to visit your country during the kid's holiday. Many natural place could be seen there and will be unforgettable memories for us. I do hope one day can visit your country again. Thank you for kindly services as I have given some feedback in the questionaire that you gave to me. Hopefully TNK Travel could be more success in the future. Pls kindly send my regard and thank you too to JJ and Mr. Thu for their service and accompanied us during the trips. Once again thank you so much and especially to your special gift or souvenir for me & my family. It's a wonderful dan nice gift. Pls keep in touch, you could reach me in my handphone number +62811123811. See you again, Sayonara, Cai Cien and HEN GAP LAI... Thank you, Arigato, Xie xie and CAM ENG, he.he... Regards, Heppy Moiras
Howard & Paula MyersMonth of BlissThe month long individualized tour in Vietnam was amazing. Instead of describing the details which were attended to with perfection, we must commend TNK for every aspect of this trip. Every day was a new and exciting experience. Suggestions that were made by TNK to modify our itinerary were fabulous additions. Trust them. Every connection, every hotel, every boatride, every flight, went off without a single glitch. I would recommend them without hesitation.
Tour highlights : This unique 21-day tour covers all the highlights of Vietnam (from north to south) and then transports you to Cambodia via the Lower Mekong River. Cruise up the Tonle Sap River, explore Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh, and finally experience the magic and majesty of Angkor Wat, known locally as the Seventh Wonder of the World.
Tour program : Vietnam & Cambodia Tour
Detailed itinerary : Ha Noi - Lao Cai - Sapa - Ha Long - Hue - Da Nang - Hoi An - Nha Trang - Ho Chi Minh city - Tay Ninh - Cu Chi Tunels - My Tho - Ben Tre - Can Tho - Chau Doc - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap Angkor - Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh city.
Day 1 : Arrival to Ha Noi ( D ) Arrive at Noi Bai international airport. Visa arrangements. Welcome by your local tour guide and driver. Transfer to your hotel in the city center. Take an orientation tour on the cyclos (if time permits). Welcome dinner. Overnight at your chosen hotel in Ha Noi
Day 2 : Ha Noi City Tour ( B/L/_) Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Ho Chi Minh Complex, containing the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts and the One Pillar Pagoda. Continue on to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university. Lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Hoan Kiem lake, Ngoc Son temple, Tran Quoc pagoda and Quan Thanh temple. Cyclo ride around the old quarter streets from Hang Dau to Hang Gai. Dinner on guest’s account. Transfer to train station for departure to Sapa on the night train (21:00 - 05:00). Overnight in an air-conditioned soft sleeper cabin.
Day 3 : Lao Cai - Sapa ( B/L/_ ) Arrive at Lao Cai station at 5:00am. Pick up at Lao Cai Station, then transfer to Sapa. Have breakfast and a shower in the hotel before the trip starts. Trek down to Lao Chai village to visit the Tay and Day tribes. Have a picnic lunch;then keep going along the Sapa valley to Ta Van village, which is renowned for its beauty. Return to Sapa. Dinner on guest’s account. Overnight at your chosen hotel in Sapa
Day 4 : Sapa - Lao Cai - Hanoi ( B/L/_ ) Breakfast at the hotel before travelling to Giang Ta Chai village of the Red Zdao tribe where you will have lunch. After lunch, check out and leave your luggage in the hotel, then head down to Cat Cat and Sin Chai villages of Black H'Mong tribe. Enjoy the waterfall in Cat Cat and admire the beautiful scenery along the way. Dinner on guest’s account. Transfer to Lao Cai for the overnight train back to Hanoi. Overnight in an air-conditioned soft sleeper cabin.
Day 5 : Ha Noi - Ha long ( B/L/D ) Arrive in Hanoi around 5:00 am. Pick up at the railway station. Transfer to a restaurant for breakfast. Then leave for Ha Long Bay. Arrive at Ha Long Bay and board the Huong Hai junk. Have lunch, then visit Ha Long Bay, Thien Cung cave, Dau Go cave, Tuan Chau island, Dog island, Sail island and Ti Top Beach. Have dinner on the junk whilst you watch the sunset. Drinks and overnight stay on the junk. (Optional: Kayaking).
Day 6 : Ha long - Ha noi ( B/L ) Have breakfast. Visit Man's Head island, Tortoise island, Toad island and Bai Tho mountain. Return and have lunch on the junk. Return to Ha Long wharf. Coach trip back to Hanoi. Dinner on guest’s account. Overnight at your chosen hotel in Hanoi.
Day 7 : Hanoi- Hue ( B/_/D ) Breakfast at the hotel. Free for shopping until transfer to Noi Bai airport for boarding flight VN 245 to Hue (12:40 - 13:50). Pick up and transfer to hotel. In the afternoon, visit Dong Ba market, the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945, and the ruins of the Purple Forbidden City. Enjoy a dinner cruise on the Perfume River to the accompaniment of Hue folk songs. Overnight at your chosen hotel in Hue.
Day 8 : Hue ( B/L/_ ) Breakfast at the hotel. Take a morning cruise on the Perfume River to visit the royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, Thien Mu pagoda and the mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang, in a setting of gardens and lakes. Free in the afternoon. Dinner on guest’s account. Overnight at your chosen hotel in Hue.
Day 9 : Hue - Da Nang- Hoi An ( B/L/_) Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning, drive toward Hoi An (about 4 hours). Drive along Lang Co beach and through Hai Wan Pass to Da Nang City. Continue to Hoi An, which was originally a Cham seaport influenced down the centuries by traders from various cultures. On the way, stop at the Marble Mountains. The charm of Hoi An makes it one of the most delightful places to visit in Vietnam. Dinner on guest’s account. Overnight at your chosen hotel..
Day 10 : Hoi An (B/L/_) Have an early breakfast at the hotel prior to visiting the morning market. Afterwards, stroll around the town, visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, the Pottery Museum, Tan Ky old house, the Cantonese congregation, the silk street of Hoi An and the Chinese-style temples and pagodas. In the afternoon, visit Myson holy land. Return to Hoi An. Dinner on guest’s account. Overnight at your chosen hotel.
Day 11 : Hoi An - Da Nang - Nha Trang ( B/L/_ ) Breakfast at the hotel. Free for shopping in Hoi An. Depart for Danang for a visit of Cham Museum, home to Vietnam's largest collection of Cham treasures. Lunch at a local restaurant before transferring to Da Nang airport for boarding flight No VN 337 to Nha Trang (14:10 - 15:30). Pick up at Cam Ranh airport and transfer to hotel. Free time for beach activities. Overnight at your chosen hotel in Nha Trang
Day 12 : Nha Trang and it offshore islands ( B/L/_ ) Breakfast at the hotel. Take the morning boat trip to visit the Tri Nguyen Aquarium, the off shore islands around Nha Trang including Mun Mot island. Free time for swimming and beach activities. Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch on Tam island. Return to Nha Trang. Dinner on guest’s account. Overnight at your chosen hotel in Nha Trang.
Day 13 : Nha Trang HCMC, City Tour (B/L/_) Breakfast at the hotel. Transfer to Cam Ranh airport for boarding flight No 451 to Ho Chi Minh City (8:15 - 9:30). Pick up and transfer to hotel. Take a sightseeing tour of the Reunification Palace, which was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until end of the war in April 1975, and some impressive French colonial structures including Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Central Post Office. Tour of Chinatown and Tien Hau and Quan Am pagodas. After seeing the Emperor Jade Pagoda and the War Remnants Museum, we end the city tour at Ben Thanh market where anything and everything is for sale. Dinner on guest’s account. Overnight at your chosen hotel in Ho Chi Minh city..
Day 14 : Ho Chi Minh city - Tay Ninh - Cu Chi - Ho Chi Minh city (B/L/_) Breakfast at the hotel. Drive west to Tay Ninh, headquarters of Cao Dai region. On arrival, attend the fantastic mid-day temple service when followers fill the hall wearing colored robes, a symbol of the curious combination of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. On the way back, visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an underground network of tunnels constructed by Vietnamese fighters during the struggle for independence. The tunnels contained hospitals, accommodation, etc. and were used as a military base for the Vietcong during the American war. Drive back to HCMC. Dinner on guest’s account. Overnight at your chosen hotel in Ho Chi Minh city.
Day 15 : Ho Chi Minh city - My tho - Ben TRe - Can Tho ( B/L/_) Breakfast at the hotel. Pick up at hotel. Depart for My Tho. Take a boat ride through the Bao Dinh natural canal, view the stilt houses and the fruit plantation along the river bank. Visit the My Tho wholesale fruit market. Proceed to Tortoise island and have lunch in the orchard. Enjoy a boat ride through Tan Thach natural canal in Ben Tre, cruising under the shadow of the water coconut trees. Visit a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle. After trekking through the fruit plantation in Thoi Son island, enjoy a rowing boat ride along the creeks before returning to My Tho by motorised boat. Proceed to Can Tho via Vinh Long and visit the snake market. Check in at hotel. Dinner on guest’s account. Overnight at your chosen hotel in Can tho.
Day 16 : Can Tho - Chau Doc ( B/L/_) Breakfast at the hotel. Take a boat trip to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong river (the Bassac river) and visit the Cai Rang and Phong Dien floating markets, which are the best in the region. You will have probably tried Vietnamese vermicelli soup, so now go and see how it is made. Then wander through the village and meet the local people. Learn how to cross the "monkey bridge" which is built from a single bamboo. Stop for lunch. Proceed to Chau Doc via Long Xuyen to visit the Thot Not Bird Sanctuary. Check in at hotel on arrival in Chau Doc. Admire the landscape from the Sam Mountain summit down the Vietnamese - Cambodian border and visit the carved pagoda. Dinner on guest’s account. Overnight at your chosen hotel in Chau Doc.
Day 17 : Chau Doc - PhnomPenh ( B/L/_ ) Breakfast at the hotel. Then take a rowing boat trip through the floating village to visit a fish farm to see how the inhabitants of the Mekong Delta raise fish. Visit a traditional Cham weaving village. Transfer to a speed boat for the journey to Phnom Penh. Arrive at Sisowath tourist dock in Phnom Penh at around 2pm. Pick up and transfer to your hotel. In the afternoon, take an orientation tour along the riverside and the renowned Wat Phnom. Dinner on guest’s account. Overnight at your chosen hotel in Phnom Penh.
Day 18 : Phnom Penh - Siem Reap (B/L/_) Breakfast at the hotel. Go on a City Tour to visit the National Museum of Khmer Art and the Silver Pagoda, in the grounds of the Royal Palace. Afternoon visit to Toul Sleng Museum and the renowned Central Market. Lunch at a local restaurant. Transfer to Pochentong airport for boarding the late afternoon flight FT 996 to Siem Reap (18:20 - 19:15). Pick up and transfer to your hotel. Dinner on guest’s account. Overnight at your chosen hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 19 : Siem Reap Angkor (B/L/_) Breakfast at the hotel. Visit Prasat Ravan, Banteay Dei, Srah Srang, Ta Prohm, Takeo, Thommanon, Chau Say and Tevoda. Tour the magical temple city of Angkor Wat, known locally as the Seventh Wonder of the World. View the sunset at Pnom Bakheng. Dinner on guest’s account. Overnight at your chosen hotel in Siem Reap
Day 20 : Siem Reap Angkor (B/L/_) View the sunrise at Angkor Wat. Transfer to hotel for breakfast. Then visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphoun, the Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King. In the afternoon, visit the Grand Circuit, including Pre Rup, East Mebon, Ta Som, Neak Pean, Preah Khan, Baksei Chamkrong and the South Gate of Angkor Thom. Dinner on guest’s account. Overnight at your chosen hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 21 : Siem Reap and departure ( B/_/_ ) ( Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh city ) Breakfast at the hotel. Free for your own activities until transfer to Siem Reap airport for boarding flights to Bangkok or Ho Chi Minh City.
Tour price includes :
• A/c private car/van/minibus for pick up, transfer & sightseeing as per program • English speaking tour guide • A/C private soft sleeper train ticket: Ha Noi - Lao Cai - Hanoi: ( 2 - 4 pax )/cabin • Domestic flights: Hanoi - Hue; Da Nang - HCMC (economy class) • Domestic flight: Phnom Penh - Siem Reap (eonomy class) • International flight: Siem Reap - Ho Chi Minh City or Bangok (economy class) • Shared cruise in Ha Long Bay • Private boat trips in the Mekong Delta • Kayaking paddles • Express boat ticket Chau Doc – Phnom Penh • All entrance fees • Hotel accommodation based on 2 guests sharing a Twin or Double room • Half board package meals as indicated (B = Breakfast; L = Lunch; D = Dinner) • Approved invitation letter for Vietnamese visa.
Tour price excludes :
• Travel insurance • Drinks & other meals not mentioned in the program • Personal expenses • Vietnamese & Cambodian entry visas
Proposed hotels list :
Day 1 : Arrival to Ha Noi ( D ) 
Day 3 : Lao Cai - Sapa ( B/L/_ ) 
Day 5 : Ha Noi - Ha long ( B/L/D ) 
Day 7 : Hanoi- Hue ( B/_/D ) 
Day 9 : Hue - Da Nang- Hoi An ( B/L/_) 
Day 11 : Hoi An - Da Nang - Nha Trang ( B/L/_ ) 
Day 13 : Nha Trang HCMC, City Tour (B/L/_) 
Day 15 : Ho Chi Minh city - My tho - Ben TRe - Can Tho ( B/L/_) 
Day 17 : Chau Doc - PhnomPenh ( B/L/_ ) 
Day 19 : Siem Reap Angkor (B/L/_) 
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