has anyone use danang-hotel.com for a private tour?

[upontheCs]

they have some interesting itineraries (although i think i'll avoid the river cruise from Hoi An after the 'dog' discussion on another thread) and good prices.

 

are they reliable?

 

thanks!

[greatam]

they have some interesting itineraries (although i think i'll avoid the river cruise from Hoi An after the 'dog' discussion on another thread) and good prices.

 

are they reliable?

 

thanks!

 

From DaNang, there are two tour options-HoiAn or Hue. HoiAn is very old-the ancient seaport. The town is small and easily walkable in about 2 hours. After the "tour" you will be escorted to various shopping venues-especially those that the guide gets a commission from. IMHO, if you want to go to HoiAn, take a taxi from DaNang, get yourself a good guidebook (the Lonely Planet series is excellent) and DIY. You can get to the best of China beach by going to the Furama hotel-great place to have a drink on their patio. And every taxi driver will take you to Marble Mountain.

 

Hue is the ancient capital almost destroyed during the Tet Offensive in 1968. Purple Palace, Citadel, the Perfume River. For Hue, I do not recommend DIY only due to the narrow, twisty turn-ie hwy.

 

The website you posted appears to cater to backpackers due to the numerous references to "guesthouses". There are so many new tour companies in Vietnam-EVERYONE wants a few bucks from foreign tourists. There are many who have not a clue what they are doing-they make up a website and hang out their hat. They also "job off" a lot of their business to the established companies, making a few bucks along the way (really acting as a booking agency). Be VERY careful-there are backpacker tours which cram a LOT of people in a bus, with the kids partying the whole time. NOT an experience that most cruisers will enjoy. Then there are private tours, which SHOULD ONLY be booked with a reputable agency. Otherwise, you may book with an agency, THINK you are getting a private, personalized tour and you get "jobbed off" to one of the established backpacker agencies. You paid twice as much, but still get the standard backpacker tour. 20 something backpackers comprise the majority of tourists in Vietnam/Cambodia.

 

Be aware that you MAY run into dogs for sale for food/dog meat on a menu/people eating a dog anyplace in Asia. It is NOT a pleasant thought for Americans. But it is the Asian

culture. Has nothing to do with rivers. But the further off the beaten path you are, the more likely you are to see it, except in large city markets that have dogs for sale. The governments try to keep it away from the major touristy areas, but you never know when you may run into the situation. Just be prepared mentally that this IS a possibility. Turn your head and get the h*** out of there as fast as possible.

 

Enjoy!!!

[upontheCs]

i can respect the 'dog thing' being part of their culture, but i certainly wouldn't want to order one (much like when i saw horse on the menu in italy).

 

can you recommend a good service. i do prefer a private tour. thanks!