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We are planning our debut trip to Vietnam for March 2026, traveling as a pair (possibly a trio).
I’ve done comprehensive research on tour companies but have struggled to locate a set itinerary that perfectly matches our interests. Though I generally dislike group tours, at 60, I initially considered it the simplest solution, especially for handling inter-city transfers.
However, I’m now keen on organizing a private, tailored journey through a Vietnamese travel agency.
Vivu Travel is one agency that has frequently received high praise. Has anyone utilized their services before? More broadly, how does this method generally compare in terms of price to trips offered by international operators like OAT, Road Scholar, or Exodus? Thank you in advance!
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I totally agree with the first post. Years ago, I used a travel agent for all my arrangements, but these days I typically handle flight and accommodation bookings myself. If necessary, I then utilize local tour operators for particular excursions. However, this does require you to dedicate some time to the planning process.
Vietnam is extremely straightforward for arranging trips. The ease of booking flights, hotels, and similar services online is immense. Booking spontaneously in Vietnam is also quite simple; in 2022, I was securing flights, lodging, and activities just three days ahead of time, even for our group of four.
That said, perhaps you prefer having everything settled and organized by a tour operator. This approach certainly has its advantages: everything is confirmed and set before you even leave for the airport—which is exactly how I plan to handle my China trip next year. The main drawback, though, is often the fixed itinerary of such packages. For instance, you might be rushed to move on after two and a half days, even if you’d prefer to extend your stay. Self-organizing grants you that freedom. Using a tour operator will invariably cost more, but that’s generally the reality of the situation. The decision is yours.
My three friends and I completed this exact trip last year (we’re all in our early sixties).
Although we typically arrange our own travels, we decided to book this one via a travel agent recommended by a mutual friend.
She utilized the services of Wide Eye Tours, a local Vietnamese operator.
As a result, the following were pre-arranged for us: flights, airport-to-hotel transfers, all accommodations, a sightseeing jeep tour and a food jeep tour in every city, an overnight excursion in Ha Long Bay, and all domestic flights. We had two weeks in total, with plenty of free time otherwise. The agent offered numerous other options, but we preferred to manage our own schedule for the most part.
The arrangement was ideal for us, and you can certainly customize it by adding as many activities as you like. Have a fantastic journey! The people and the cuisine are simply incredible.
You may receive some input here from people who have booked structured tours or utilized travel agencies, but this community mostly comprises independent (DIY) travelers or those who arrange their plans spontaneously.
That being said, exploring Vietnam independently is quite simple and easy, provided you are realistic about the necessary travel time involved.
Hope this provides some assistance.
You’re free to handle flight and accommodation bookings on your own. For the areas you plan to visit, I highly recommend using local guides. These local tour companies or guides are well-equipped to arrange all your transportation needs, such as trains, buses, private car and driver services, and airport transfers either to or from their city. Furthermore, your accommodations can often assist with many of those same arrangements, including local sightseeing tours.