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Arnaldo Matutecomments about our tailor made trip to Vietnam by tnk travel
Hi all I write you just to comment our recent trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos. On Vietnam´s two legs of the trip, we asked tnk travel to organize for us some smaller trips : Mekong delta 2 days, out to Cambodia, Sapa 2 days, halong bay, and also little things like "we need a Hanoi - Hue train ticket". We combined all of this with our self-made own itinerary, and all worked fine, except halong bay (but for bad weather), and even then, they promtply called us and they looked for alternatives for us. Even saying we normally prefer to travel by ourselves, we found Tnk travel very helpfull and usefull for us Thanks a lot
Erotik DeppoErotikdeppo.com Saglik Urunleri
www.tnktravelvietnam.com is a great web site where you can find really good and quality tours. www.Erotikdeppo.com Friends
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)
montse marquèstrip to Vietnam
Hi, One year ago, we traveled to Vietnam through your agency. As we find that you did a good job, we recommended your servicies to some spanish friends, now those groups come back and they are also very happy with your job, I only want to say thanks to you. Last year we went to the south of Vietnam, because we only had one week. Now we are thinking to come again but north and central of Vietnam. I looked your web page and you have a lot of choise, but can you please send to me, which could be the more convinient route? If we decide to come we'll arrive on 2nd october and leave 7 or 8 (depends on flights tickets). Thanks in advanced Than, Montse
Henry OsbornThanks very much in advance for your help.
Dear Sir / Madam, I have been attempting to use your online service to reserve a room at the First Hotel Saigon (as featured on your hotel promotions section for USD50 per night), but keep on receiving a "Sorry an error has occurred" notice whenever I enter my details and click on the "send" button. Please could you kindly let me know the availability of deluxe rooms at the First Hotel Saigon from Sept 11 - Sept 15 (four nights) at the advertised USD50/ night promotional rate? If a deluxe room is available I'd like to book in advance by credit card. Thanks very much in advance for your help. Henry Osborn
Jerry&Leslie BeilmanVietnam TourThank you for the great guides you provided, we had a wonderful time in vietman and even though we had some problems we were extremly happy with our tour from saigon to hanoi we will be back for sure.
Carolyn LewisDear Mr Dzung Trinh
I am writing to thank you for organizing our wonderful Mekong Delta tour to Phnom Penh. (Lewis group..Sept 29th/30th/1st Oct.) We very much appreciated our tour guide Mr Pham Van Hai and our driver Duc. Hai's English was very good and we enjoyed all the informative snippets of information he had to share. His knowledge of the areas that we travelled through was extensive and we enjoyed finding out many things about Vietnam We came away with a better understanding of life in Vietnam and life on the Mekong. Hai answered many of our questions and we thoroughly enjoyed his sense of humour. We would all happily recommend Hai as a guide. I wonder if you could let Hai know that we have written to thank him. Kind regards
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
B. de VetDear Mr Dzung Trinh,
First of all we want to thank TNK travel very much for the great Tour we have had. Everything was perfectly arranged and the Hotels, drivers and guides were great. You are a very serious and reliable organisation and we will certainly recommend you to our friends and relatives. We have now a very good impression of your country thanks to all the places you made us visit with all the information given by the guides. One little notice: your man in Hanoi (or is that you??) told us that he did not have the information about our arrival flight and that he had asked us by mail and phone. But as you can see I had already given that information in my mail from April 15 (see under). But.... no problem our guide was waiting for us at the airport. Thanks again we had lovely and interesting holidays and all the included meals were delicious. Best regards
Bas and Martina de Vet (- van Deurzen) Bachrode 3 2717AL Zoetermeer The Netherlands
Terry LeachRe: Mekong Delta and Cu Chi tunnel tour
Dear Luu Vo
we are now back in Australia with many wonderful memories of our exciting trip to Vietnam.We wish to thank you personally for assisting us and organizing 2 tours whilst we were in Siagon. The trip to Mekong delta was an absolute highlight,a wonderful,skillful driver,Mr Hung and a most informative and capable guide Huy enabled us to have many great experiences.
Also the lady at the front desk who assisted me in printing out our boarding passes for the next day flights to KL and Melbourne was wonderful and most cooperative. It all added up to a memorable experience which we have no hesitation in recommending to other travellers. Many thanks and Kind regards to all at TNK Travel Terry and Deirdre Leach
The Mekong River is one of the world's 10th rivers in its river length and has great influences upon nature and societies of the Indo-china Peninsula. The name "MEKONG" originate in Thai language, Mae Nam Khong1). The source of the Mekong River is in Tibet mountains and is called Dza Chu River (River of Rock). After running through very narrow valley paralling Yangz Jiang and Salween River, the Mekong reach to Yung-Nan Province of China and is called Lancang Jiang (Turbulent River). Via Golden Triangle, the crossing of China, Myanmer and Laos boarder, the Mekong flow into Vientiane Plain. The term, Lower Mekong means downstream segment from the point. There are some notorious rapids for French navigation plan in colonial period before the Mekong get to Cambodia, and the last segment is the Mekong Delta in Viet Nam, which distributes grate influeces to agriculture, especially paddy fields there. According to a sketch on the right, we can see this long river with some segments hereinafter
Mekong River Fact sheet
The Mekong River is the heart and soul of mainland Southeast Asia. The 12th longest river in the world, the Mekong runs 4,800 kilometers from its headwaters on the Tibetan Plateau through Yunnan Province of China, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam.
Over 60 million people depend on the Mekong and its tributaries for food, water, transport and many other aspects of their daily lives. Its annual flood drought cycles are essential for the sustainable production of rice and vegetables on the floodplains and along the riverbanks during the dry season. Known as the Mother of waters, the river supports one of the world's most diverse fisheries, second only to the Amazon.
This vital ecosystem and lifeblood of the region is currently under threat. Over the past ten years, more than 100 large dams have been proposed for the Mekong basin by institutions like the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Mekong River Commission. Some of these projects have already been built.
One of the greatest threats is China s plans to construct eight dams on the Upper Mekong / Lancang. Two of these dams have already been completed, and construction on the third project, Xiaowan, began in January 2002. These dams will have widespread impacts on the livelihoods of Mekong communities and on the natural ecology of the river system.
The Mekong river is the dominant geo-hydrologic structure in mainland SE Asia. Recent rapid agricultural and economic development has led to increasing competition among water-using sectors and countries for these water resources. The main issue to be addressed is how to achieve sustainable agricultural, fisheries and economic development, while alleviating poverty and preserving the unique environment and biodiversity of the basin. This includes determining the prospects for increased agricultural, fisheries and livestock intensification, optimization of fisheries, farming and forest systems, measures for preserving unique ecosystems, such as wetlands and upland catchment areas, and identifying efficient, equitable and sustainable water allocation mechanisms for agriculture, fisheries, electricity generation, and urban and industrial use, acceptable to all basin stakeholders.
An Giang Province is on the western extreme of the Mekong Delta bordered by Dong Thap on the northwest; Can Tho on the southeast; Kien Giang on the southwest and 95 kilometre long border with Cambodia on the northwest. An Giang Province is defined by the Tien Giang and Hau Giang Rivers adjacent to the Cuu Long River. Geographically it has a few low mountains and lowland areas.
Bac Lieu Province is located on the southeast of the Mekong River Delta. It is bordered on the north by Kien Giang and Can Tho; on the northeast by Soc Trang; on the southeast by the South China Sea coastline; on the southwest by Ca Mau. Straddling the National Route 1, Bac Lieu has good land and water transportation, which augers well for developing agriculture, aqua-culture, food and foodstuff processing, garments and ship building industries.
Ben Tre Province geography is a plain of 1.25 metres above sea level combined with a 65 kilometres coastline and riddled with tributaries of the Mekong Delta. This makes it susceptible to flooding. It is bordered on the north by Tien Giang; on the southwest by Tra Vinh and Vinh Long; and the southeast by the South China Sea.
Four rivers dissect the province: Ba Lai, Co Chien, Ham Luong and Tien Giang.
Ca Mau Province is the southernmost tip of Vi괎am. Canals and rivers play important parts in the economy for both food and transportation. Ca Mau is bordered on the north by Kien Giang and Bac Lieu; on the south, east and west by the South China Sea with a coastline of 254 kilometres .
Can Tho The central Mekong Delta is Vietnam's richest, most prolific agricultural region. Covering some 41,632 square miles, it is one of the country's most densely populated areas. Can Tho, in the heart of the Delta, is a bustling market community. Lectures discuss Mekong River commerce, rice production in the Delta, and Khmer influences on Buddhism in Vietnam. We take a field trip to a local fish farming community and enjoy a boating excursion to the floating markets.
Chau Doc In this village on the Cambodian border, we learn about the ancient Cham civilization and its migration in Vietnam. We take a boating field trip across the Mekong and its canals to observe the floating market and view local industries such as rice paper production and brick making, and cruise along the Bassac River to observe Chau Doc's floating fish farms. We explore the Mien Pagoda, a Khmer Hinayana Buddhist temple, and a Khmer temple.
Dong Thap Province is located in the extreme south of VietNam bordered by Long An and Tien Giang on the northeast; Vinh Long on the southeast; Can Tho and An Giang on the southwest; a 52 kilometre border with Cambodia on the northwest.
Kien Giang Province is located southwest extremity of Vi괎am. It is bordered on the northeast by Dong Thap; by Can Tho and Bac Lieu on the southeast; by Ca Mau on the south; by 200 kilometres of Gulf of Thailand coastline on the west; by 54 kilometres border with Cambodia on the northwest. It also lays claim to 105 islands.
Phu Quoc Island, where Travellers enjoy year round beach facilities, is the largest island in VietNam that lies in the Gulf of Thailand, 45 kilometres from Ha Tien and 15 kilometres south of the coast of Cambodia.
Phu Quoc Island, part of Kien Giang province, is also part of an archipelago consisting of 22 islands of all sizes. The island covers an area of 585 square kilometres and is 50 kilometres long. It is also called the Emerald Island because of its natural treasures and infinite tourism potential.
Long An Province is in the Mekong Delta. It is bordered on northeast by Tay Ninh and Ho Chi Minh City/SaiGon; on the southwest by Dong Thap and Tien Giang.
Soc Trang Province, located in the Mekong River Plains, is bordered on the northeast by Tra Vinh; on the southwest by Bac Lieu; on the southeast by the South China Sea; on the northwest by Can Tho.
Tien Giang is located north of the Mekong Delta, adjacent to the Tien River. It is bordered on the north by Long An; on the south by Vinh Long and Ben Tre; on the east by Ho Chi Minh; on the west by Dong Thap. More than 70% of villages are on the electric grid.
Tra Vinh Province is situated in the southern plain region of the Mekong Delta, with the soil a mixture of sand and mud silt deposits. Tra Vinh has many sandy caves and has three water regions: salty, sweetish and fresh water, making cultivation and aqua culture the main economic lifeblood of the province. It is bordered on the north by Vinh Long; on the southwest by Soc Trang; on the southeast by the South China Sea; on the northwest by Vinh Long.
Vinh Long Province is situated between the Tien and the Hau rivers. Here the soil is rich in alluvium, favourable for rice and fruit cultivation. The majority of inhabitants engage in farming, the remaining on small enterprises. Vinh Long is close to the Tien River in the North. It is bordered on the north by Tien Giang; on the southwest by Can Tho; on the northeast by Ben Tre; on the northwest by Dong Thap.
The Mekong River is one of the world's 10th rivers in its river length and has great influences upon nature and societies of the Indo-china Peninsula. The name "MEKONG" originate in Thai language, Mae Nam Khong1). The source of the Mekong River is in Tibet mountains and is called Dza Chu River (River of Rock). After running through very narrow valley paralling Yangz Jiang and Salween River, the Mekong reach to Yung-Nan Province of China and is called Lancang Jiang (Turbulent River). Via Golden Triangle, the crossing of China, Myanmer and Laos boarder, the Mekong flow into Vientiane Plain. The term, Lower Mekong means downstream segment from the point. There are some notorious rapids for French navigation plan in colonial period before the Mekong get to Cambodia, and the last segment is the Mekong Delta in Viet Nam, which distributes grate influeces to agriculture, especially paddy fields there. According to a sketch on the right, we can see this long river with some segments hereinafter
The Mekong River is the heart and soul of mainland Southeast Asia. The 12th longest river in the world, the Mekong runs 4,800 kilometers from its headwaters on the Tibetan Plateau through Yunnan Province of China, Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Lao PDR and Vietnam.
One of the greatest threats is China s plans to construct eight dams on the Upper Mekong / Lancang. Two of these dams have already been completed, and construction on the third project, Xiaowan, began in January 2002. These dams will have widespread impacts on the livelihoods of Mekong communities and on the natural ecology of the river system.
An Giang Province is on the western extreme of the Mekong Delta bordered by Dong Thap on the northwest; Can Tho on the southeast; Kien Giang on the southwest and 95 kilometre long border with Cambodia on the northwest. An Giang Province is defined by the Tien Giang and Hau Giang Rivers adjacent to the Cuu Long River. Geographically it has a few low mountains and lowland areas.
Ben Tre Province geography is a plain of 1.25 metres above sea level combined with a 65 kilometres coastline and riddled with tributaries of the Mekong Delta. This makes it susceptible to flooding. It is bordered on the north by Tien Giang; on the southwest by Tra Vinh and Vinh Long; and the southeast by the South China Sea.
Can Tho The central Mekong Delta is Vietnam's richest, most prolific agricultural region. Covering some 41,632 square miles, it is one of the country's most densely populated areas. Can Tho, in the heart of the Delta, is a bustling market community. Lectures discuss Mekong River commerce, rice production in the Delta, and Khmer influences on Buddhism in Vietnam. We take a field trip to a local fish farming community and enjoy a boating excursion to the floating markets.
Kien Giang Province is located southwest extremity of Vi괎am. It is bordered on the northeast by Dong Thap; by Can Tho and Bac Lieu on the southeast; by Ca Mau on the south; by 200 kilometres of Gulf of Thailand coastline on the west; by 54 kilometres border with Cambodia on the northwest. It also lays claim to 105 islands.
Long An Province is in the Mekong Delta. It is bordered on northeast by Tay Ninh and Ho Chi Minh City/SaiGon; on the southwest by Dong Thap and Tien Giang.
Tra Vinh Province is situated in the southern plain region of the Mekong Delta, with the soil a mixture of sand and mud silt deposits. Tra Vinh has many sandy caves and has three water regions: salty, sweetish and fresh water, making cultivation and aqua culture the main economic lifeblood of the province. It is bordered on the north by Vinh Long; on the southwest by Soc Trang; on the southeast by the South China Sea; on the northwest by Vinh Long.
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