Despite having been in Hanoi for nine weeks I haven't yet booked a trip anywhere. So, on Monday I ventured into the Old Quarter with my heart set on booking a day trip for Thursday. Prior to coming to Vietnam I had spent hours - and I mean hours - researching reputable tour operators. Thus, I knew exactly where I wanted to go and which operator I wanted to use - Buffalo Tours (94 Ma May Street). All the guide books give them great reviews, their website (www.buffalotours.com) is slick and professional... so what could possibly go wrong?
You know when you see a picture of a dish on a menu and then the meal comes and it's nothing like the picture? Well, Buffalo Tours is like the disappointing meal. The staff were not friendly and they certainly weren't helpful. I enquired about a day trip to Hoa Lu (The Ancient Capital) which is priced at a steepish US$65pp for a group trip. They laughed as they told me that not only did they have any group trips for the coming Thursday or Friday, but they had nothing for the next three weeks... However, they could take me on my own for the bargain price of US$135 (more than it would cost for TWO people). Look, I may be a foreigner, and by virtue of that I may have money at my disposal but that is beyond a rip-off. Enraged, I left, still tourless.
So, today (the day I had hoped to be in Hoa Lu), having done some more research, I ventured into ET-Pumpkin (89 Ma May Street - right opposite Buffalo Tours) and enquired about a trip to Hoa Lu. And this is what I got: Sure. No problem. When would you like to go? Next Thursday? Ok. You can join a group. That will be US$25. US$25?! When across the road I was being held to ransom for US$135?! It's a no-brainer. I booked and paid for the tour on the spot.
For service alone, never mind the price, I would highly recommend ET-Pumpkin (www.et-pumpkin.com). The staff were friendly and helpful, spoke good English and even gave me a receipt stating I'd paid in full, complete with cancellation details (cancellation possible up to 1 day before the trip. All monies paid refunded minus 30%). Next week I will let you know how my trip went...
You know when you see a picture of a dish on a menu and then the meal comes and it's nothing like the picture? Well, Buffalo Tours is like the disappointing meal. The staff were not friendly and they certainly weren't helpful. I enquired about a day trip to Hoa Lu (The Ancient Capital) which is priced at a steepish US$65pp for a group trip. They laughed as they told me that not only did they have any group trips for the coming Thursday or Friday, but they had nothing for the next three weeks... However, they could take me on my own for the bargain price of US$135 (more than it would cost for TWO people). Look, I may be a foreigner, and by virtue of that I may have money at my disposal but that is beyond a rip-off. Enraged, I left, still tourless.
So, today (the day I had hoped to be in Hoa Lu), having done some more research, I ventured into ET-Pumpkin (89 Ma May Street - right opposite Buffalo Tours) and enquired about a trip to Hoa Lu. And this is what I got: Sure. No problem. When would you like to go? Next Thursday? Ok. You can join a group. That will be US$25. US$25?! When across the road I was being held to ransom for US$135?! It's a no-brainer. I booked and paid for the tour on the spot.
For service alone, never mind the price, I would highly recommend ET-Pumpkin (www.et-pumpkin.com). The staff were friendly and helpful, spoke good English and even gave me a receipt stating I'd paid in full, complete with cancellation details (cancellation possible up to 1 day before the trip. All monies paid refunded minus 30%). Next week I will let you know how my trip went...
Loading recent content...
What do you think?
Add Your Comment!
Log in to leave a comment or Create an account
Thanks I will do, I am in HCMC now for 2 weeks working with orphans and after that do 3 weeks travel from HCMC to Hanoi
I've just done a trip with Hanoi Backpackers Hostel and they were fabulous. The only thing to bear in mind is that some of their trips look to be booze binges for youngsters. But the weekend Trip to Sa Pa was absolutely excellent. Will tell you about it when we meet up this evening!
Intrepid tours are also good!
Good tip - hope your tour goes well - look forward to hearing all about it!
» Comments RSS