About us

Our service

Here you can find what we do and how we proceed, some extra information about us and frequently asked questions.
These days a lot of travellers search the net and book many accommodations and excursions by themselves. Although we prefer to cover the whole trip, we can also assist you with certain parts of it, or give you free advice how to handle certain aspects of your upcoming holiday.
See our services below or send us an email with any questions that you have. 

What is it that we do?

Golden Tortoise is a full-service travel agent specialized in travel to Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos offering Western style services at local prices.

This means that we cover all the needs of our visitors from the moment they set foot in Southeast Asia to the moment they pass the immigration gates to go home. We work with Tour Operators and Travel Agents as well as with individual tourists.

How do we work?

We like to provide for all the aspects of a trip in Asia to ensure consistency, quality control and get the best deals available for our clients throughout their whole journey. A classic package would include itinerary planning, visa services, transportations, food and accommodation, guide services, sports, cultural or entertainment activities.

Usually, we don’t provide single services, such as visa services only or transportations services only but depending on your request, we can sometimes also adapt our services to your specific single needs, on a case by case basis.

Our offices are based in Hanoi but we provide services in Vietnam from North to South and everywhere in Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos.

How do we proceed?

Because every client is different and should be treated exclusively, all our tour packages are custom-made.

We are a human size company and we cherish the proximity we can establish with our clients. We consider it our duty to take the time to know our customers better to be able to propose them innovative itineraries, adapted to their wishes and budget.

The best way to proceed is to contact us, through the contact form found on this website or by email (info@golden-tortoise.com) so that we can understand your expectations and desires and find the most suitable way to answer them. We are very reactive and will get back to you in the blink of an eye.

About us


Golden Tortoise is a Western managed local travel agent with over a decade of hands-on destination management and travel experience in South East Asia. Our business is to provide international travelers with a range of comprehensive services, at local prices. We specialize in Vietnam and Cambodia, and in these countries, on our turf, Golden Tortoise will definitely get you the best deals for your money!

Based in Hanoi, Vietnam, we take pride at being a “human size” company oriented towards customers’ satisfaction. Our team is composed of experienced travel professionals and outstanding specialists who have been living, traveling and working in the area for many years.

Thanks to our extensive network of friends and travel experts across the region, we’ve developed fantastic new destinations as well as innovative circuit formats to explore the more classical locations. We organize and implement all aspects of a tailor-made trip with professionalism, expertise and a flair for exclusive remote spots, which are part of our trademark to guarantee that everything will be a success.

Ready for the 10 keys points to define us?

1 Top quality/price ratio

we find you the best deals available thanks to our experience of the local market and extensive network of friends and travel professionals

2 Over a decade of experience

Over a decade of experience in South East Asia. We know the place, the people, the way of doing things, what’s to see and what’s to do. And we know how to share this with you at the best rates.

3 A reactive and flexible team

We work fast because your time is precious and adapt our services to your wishes because it is your journey.

4 Open minded and friendly

Communication is a two-way street and at Golden Tortoise we know that to appreciate discovering new cultures and locations, you first need to feel welcome and deal with people understanding who you are and where you’re coming from, open minded and friendly, just like our experienced guides and staff.

5 Exclusive spots and circuits

We guide you where others don’t go so that you enjoy the experience of a lifetime and benefit from the most distinctive souvenirs of the region.

6 Our network is our strength

To make sure things run smoothly, we like to know the people we’re dealing with. This is why we rely on an extensive and solid network of professionals and friends, with whom we share trust and respect to ensure you the best services for your money during your trip in Vietnam and Cambodia.

 7 Comprehensive services & packages

We take care of all aspects of your journey from arrival to departure (visa, tours and circuits, transports, accommodations, food, entertainment,…) to ensure all your needs on the ground are provided for.

8 Flexible and creative

We’re used to adapt to the wishes and expectations of seasoned international travelers. Because every client is different and should be treated exclusively, we want your trip to be custom-made for you and for sure, we do not try to fit you in a ready-to-go package tour.

9 A multi-cultural team

At Golden Tortoise, the success is in the mix. Western business know-how and Vietnamese understanding of the land and its people makes the perfect combination to manage your holidays.

10 Your satisfaction is our success

At Golden Tortoise, customer’s satisfaction is paramount and each one of us is dedicated to it.

Questions?Shoot!

FAQ


Do you only sell tours in North Vietnam?
No, of course not. Our offices are in Hanoi, but we cover the North, the Center and South regions of Vietnam, as well as Cambodia. We can count on guides, friends and business partners virtually all over these countries to help us out, which enables us to guarantee you a smooth tour wherever you go.

We only have 10 days to visit Vietnam. Where should we go?
If your time is limited, I think you should focus on discovering one region rather than try to see it all (less is more!). There are so many differences between North and South Vietnam that you can almost regard them as 2 different countries. With the exception of Hoi An, most visually interesting places are in the North. The South might be less spectacular but on the other hand, people are friendlier, the food is better, the climate milder and so on…. In general, we like to start our tours in Hanoi and make our way down to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh-City), but we can offer tailor-made itineraries anywhere anytime.

When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
Usually, March, April and early May are dry, warm and a good time to visit Vietnam. But during this period in Cambodia, it’s very hot and wet. Late October early November are fine if you avoid the central region (Hue-Hoi An), where it’s typhoon season and might well be flooded then. July and August are okay if you can support the heath, and a good time to take pictures, as the skies are usually bright and blue, untill the afternoon showers begin.

Can I drive a car or motorbike in Vietnam?
Currently tourists are not allowed to rent and drive themselves a car in Vietnam. This might change soon. Personally, I would discourage people to drive in Vietnam because traffic rules might be the same but are interpreted totally differently than at home and many deadly accidents do happen every day. Renting a motorbike to explore the scenic north is a good idea though, and generally traffic police will not bother you. In case of an accident it is always handy to show them your national or international driving license (even if not valid) and you can always negotiate the fine and damages with the police.

Do I need to take malaria tablets?
Personally I would not recommend taking anything against malaria, as prevention does not always help and many side-effects might occur. Moreover, chances are actually very small if even non-existent that you might be bitten by mosquitoes carrying malaria.

Should I bring a mosquito net?
No. Most hotels have air-con and/or mosquito nets.

What should I pack?
As little as possible. You can always buy what you need locally at much cheaper prices than at home. And maximum allowed check-in luggage weight on internal flights is 20 kg.

Is it safe to eat raw vegetables, put ice-cubes in my drink or eat at local foodstalls?
In Vietnam it’s quite safe to do this, and often very tasty. As long as raw vegetables or fruits are peeled or if the food is cooked, there is no problem. Be careful though with raw meat and mineral water in refilled bottles. But in Cambodia, I would recommend not to be too adventurous because hygiene standards are much lower.

How much should I tip the guide or driver?
This is always a tricky question. If you are not satisfied with their services, you should not tip. On the other hand, if you tip, then tip well because they might be offended otherwise. 1 USD per person per day can be used as a guideline.

Should I bring cash in USD or Euros? Are there any ATM’s?
USD and Euros can be easily changed anywhere, so if you live in a EU country, bring Euros. These days you can find ATM’s almost anywhere.

Can I arrange hotel and transport by myself and only buy a 2-day trip to Halong Bay with your company?
Requests like this will be answered on a case by case basis. Generally, in order to assure overall satisfaction, we prefer to take care of your trip as a whole.

How clean and comfortable are the trains in Vietnam?
If you want to visit Sapa or avoid taking too many flights, you might have to travel on the night train. Trains in Vietnam are not as plush and clean as in your own country, but for one night they might be a good deal.

Is the Vietnamese New Year (Tet) a good time to visit Vietnam?
Since the whole country is off for about 1 week to celebrate the Tet at home with the family, I would avoid this period if possible. Services are minimal and overpriced and many shops and restaurants are closed.

Can I get a visa on arrival?
You can easily get a visa on arrival at the airport in Cambodia. But you can get a visa on arrival at the airport in Vietnam only if you have an authorization stamped by the Immigration Department of Vietnam. You can obtain this through a travel agent in Vietnam. You should also know that you can’t get a visa on arrival at an overland border crossing.

Is Sapa too crowded with tourists?
Sapa is indeed very popular with local and foreign tourists, and the local minority people are very much used to see tourists. However, it’s still a very charming small mountain town that is well worth the visit if you have enough time. It is also a hub to access many locations in the area. Best too avoid during the summer and week-ends though.

Can I go diving in Vietnam?
Yes, in the South there are some good diving spots, like Con Dao, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang where you can dive all year long. In Hoi An you can dive at Cham Island from April to September.

Which company to choose for Halong Bay?
There are many local agents offering tours to Halong Bay and other places. Quality and prices differ. You can always contact us for advice. Be careful though with info on websites like “Trip Advisor” and others, since many recommendations and testimonials are placed by local operators, especially in Hanoi.

What is the best souvenir to buy in Vietnam?
Lacquerware, local paintings, embroidery and other craftwork might be a good deal. But there are no such things as antiques, which you can’t take out of Vietnam anyway, and many items are fakes or copies, so you should bargain hard.

Can we pay you by credit card?
It’s possible but not the best solution. We prefer you transfer the total amount shortly before your arrival date in Vietnam or Cambodia. We will only ask for a deposit if we need to issue tickets in advance.

Do we get a refund if any activity canceled or delayed?
This will be examined on a case by case basis. If we cannot offer any alternative or if our standards did not meet your expectations due to our mishandling, we most likely will refund or compensate you.
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