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May 21, 2011

I just completed my first trip to Vietnam. I did a lot of research on the Internet to try to maximize my positive experiences and minimize the negative. In the end, I ended up hiring a guide which really worked out well for me. I did a Google search and of course there are a bazillion guides to choose from. I came across a nice looking ad that made me curious, at www.privatevietnamtourguide.com. So I contacted Mr. Loc and we agreed on the daily rate and what it included.

Loc got to know me quickly after I arrived. I love adventure and did not want to be on a huge bus with a bunch of tourists. I’d rather spend less on lodging and more on adventure. He offered me a lot of cost saving alternatives and options during my visit.

I made hotel reservations in District 1 for about $65 per night. I know there were less expensive hotels (and a lot of more expensive too) but I decided on this one due to the TA reviews and location. Loc told me I could stay for $15 per night at a simple and clean hotel outside the tourist area. It was less than a 10 minute motorbike drive away. What a great deal and that worked out perfect for me.

He had arranged a hired car for part of my visit but said a significant cost saving option would be to just use his motorbike. I decided to take that offer and although it was not nearly as comfortable as an air-conditioned car, I saved money and it fit well into my adventurous nature.

I felt lucky to have found Loc. He is very professional, knowledgeable, honest, and has a great personality. Whether you want a luxurious, adventurous, or a budget tour, he can make your trip to Vietnam a great one.

Here’s how you can find him – www.privatevietnamtourguide.com.

Good luck and happy travels.

Steve Jennings, Texas, USA

 

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FROM HOUSTON, TEXAS, USA

March 2011

Dear Loc,

I cannot thank you enough for the wonderful day we spent touring Ho Chi Minh City together. I found you by simply doing an internet search for a private guide in Vietnam and read the reviews posted on your website.  Based on what I read, particularly from a woman traveling alone (I’m also a senior), I emailed you. After several emails back and forth, I realized I had struck gold!

You arrived promptly at my hotel and soon proved to be amazing. When I blanched at the thought of riding on your moped, you good-naturedly agreed to use taxis. You listened to my concerns and made suggestions. You introduced me to the history and culture of Vietnam as well as the everyday life of ordinary people. We visited markets, temples, pagodas, and museums. In every neighborhood we traipsed through, I learned something new.

We ended our wonderful day over ice cream at the hotel coffee shop where we shared stories about our lives and talked about raising our children. On a scale of 1 to 5,  you are a 10!

I hope to return to Vietnam some day and meet up with you again.

Best wishes,

Liz Morris – Houston , Texas

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ANOTHER HAPPY VIETNAM TRAVELER

 

I traveled with Bao Loc in August of 2010 along the coast of Vietnam for a week and found him to be an excellent guide. He was punctual in our meetings and quite reliable. He speaks English well and always made sure I was getting the best prices for hotel rooms and other services. He was able to arrange good discounts for me and I would recommend him highly. I hope to travel with him again in the future.   Kirk Steven Dutton

 

 

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DOUG JAMISON (says)

LOC HAS BEEN A VERY GOOD PERSON FOR ME . HE HAS HELPED ME IN MY BUSINESS AS AN INTERPRETER AND HAS A GOOD FRIEND. IN THE FOUR YEARS SINCE I HAVE KNOWN HIM HE HAS SAVED ME TIME AND MONEY. HE IS HONEST AND A FAIR PERSON. HE HAS COMMON SENSE. HE HAS TAUGHT ME A LOT ABOUT VIETNAM AND THE CULTURE.
I WOULD RECOMMEND HIM FOR ANY JOB OR TASK. ALSO HE IS A GOOD FAMILY MAN
DOUG JAMISON (AMERICAN) L.A. CA.
DOUGVIET@YAHOO.COM

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Sharon Simrin (says)

I visited Vietnam for the first time in April of 2009. A friend gave me Nguyen Viet Bao Loc’s name and number and really raved about what a great guide he was. I was told how much he would help me get around the country and show me the sights.

I made an appointment with Loc and he came to my hotel to pick me up. Loc was absolutely delightful and so very knowledgeable about his country, customs, and the language. Loc explained and pointed out so many things and places of interest to me as he gave me a detailed guided tour around Ho Chi Min City. He was extremely pleasant and was game for anything I wanted to do or where I wanted to go.

As a single woman, I didn’t have to worry about my safety and Loc was the perfect escort. He also provided transportation. We had a wonderful time and I laughed and talked and learned so much from him about Vietnam.

My group was in Ho Chi Min City for only two days before moving on to tour the rest of the country but the time with Loc was my favorite memory of my visit. I wish I would have had a different schedule to allow more individual time with him to see the Chu Chi Tunnels and more of south Vietnam. I enjoyed his perspective and insights.
sharon_simrin@yahoo.com

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Gearoid McSweeney (says)

To Whom It May Concern:

Loc assisted me with my landlords for almost two years in Ho Chi Minh City. He provided translation services and contacted the landlords when repairs were needed. In addition, when I was unable to pay bills due to time constraints imposed by work, I was able to entrust the task to Loc. He proved honest and trustworthy with money on all occasions. When I moved into my second apartment, Loc helped me with the sourcing of materials for the bedlinen and he also assisted me in getting good quality utensils for the apartment at a good price.

In my experience, Loc was always sincere and helpful. His honesty and reliability often helped to make my stay in Vietnam more pleasant.

Should you have any further queries, please email me at mikanmanjapan@yahoo.co.uk

Gearoid McSweeney

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Robert Nestor(says)

I am a commercial airline pilot visiting HCMC from Nov. 02 to Nov 09, 2009…although well travelled in living part time in Asia..I decided to look for an hire a guide because of many friends previous experiences in this very different yet exciting city….i contacted many who advertised on craigslist and other sites but decided to use Bao Loc after speaking with him on skype and the way in which he listened and came up with various proposals for my trip….I will follow with his contact link and practical examples of how Bao has helped me save time and money and see and experience HCMC that would not have been possible during several visits…
http://www.locinvietnam.com (Please our Contact Form)
that is his link and now i will give some practical examples:
1. Bao met me at the airport and DID NOT charge me for waiting for me…TIP to travellers…get a LANDING CARD before you get into the immigration line…you will have to get out of line and get one of the cards and get back into line…NO ONE TOLD ME THIS… but bao waited for me , hailed the taxi and we both got it and he made sure i was not overcharged with a direct route
2. Bao bought for me at his expense until i could pay him back a Viet sim card for phone..he preloaded it with the hotel name and number..police numbers, taxi numbers and HIS number …this is SERVICE ..he found the sim card for 2.00usd with 10 hours talk time…that alone saved a lot of money and time
3. Bao found my accommodations..i DID NOT want to stay in a HILTON type hotel…WHY would anyone? do that at HOME….bao found me a small modern CLEAN guest house in district 3 which is the local district where i could experience the true HCMC yet have access close by to the tourist traps…my guest house room was large, clean, air conditioned, free WI_FI in room, hot shower en suite, refrigerator, satellite tv with English channels….all for 17.00usd a day….a BARGAIN..i am so impressed i am helping the owner get listed on TRIP ADVISOR….
4. Bao charges 7.00usd an hour..and is available at YOUR REQUEST…i chose to use bao for 4 hours one morning and 4 hours one night…that way he helped me discover restaurants, shopping, and nightlife….bao is available as per your requested times
5. Bao has become a FRIEND..we now meet for lunch or dinner or drinks at NO charge..but when i need Bao for business, i make that clear and he charges me and i pay him
6. Bao is a family man with wife and child..however Bao is open minded and can point you in the right direction for OTHER activities…
please contact me should you need more information or wish to verify with me
do HIRE bao…really, he will save you TIME AND MONEY and you will have a GREAT time with a GOOD PERSON

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Gil and Theresa (say)

I am posting an ad to recommend a tour guide (Loc) that I hired while recently in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. I went to Vietnam with my fiance and Loc was able to help us with a lot of our wedding stuff. We wanted to get wedding photos done so Loc brought us to several different studios to compare prices. It was good to have him there to help in communicating and bargaining prices. He also brought us to several different places to get clothes made. Again, his help in translating was of big help. Without him, we would have really struggled!

Loc went above and beyond what a typical tour guide would do. He bought with his own money until I was able to pay him back, a sim card for my phone and an electrical converter outlet. When we were out shopping and I did not have enough Vietnamese money, he advanced some to me. Also, I asked him where I could find a place to do laundry. He actually took my laundry to the place himself and returned it to me clean and folded. Lastly, he helped me fine a good deal on a reasonable, clean hotel for $45 USD/night.

Loc is a very good, trustworthy person. He charges $7USD/hour but his nightly rate (after 6pm) is $12 USD/hour. I was not aware of the nightly rate until we had to pay him on one night so make sure you are clear on what he charges ahead of time. Nevertheless, I highly recommend him. He will ease your mind while travelling in Vietnam because not many people speak English in this country.

SINGAPORE GIRLS SAY: Singapore Girls Say:	"SINGAPORE CREW" with BAO
RORY and KATHERINE SAY:	RORY and KATHERINE with BAO

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