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Vietnam Travel Guide


We live and work in Vietnam — offering genuine, firsthand knowledge and direct connections with trusted guides across the country.
From guides and drivers to hotels and activities — we help plan your full itinerary, not just one part of it.
Travel with one private guide throughout Vietnam or meet local specialists in each area who know every corner of their region.
Private, tailor-made tours at your own pace — adjusted easily to your interests and comfort.
Our tours support local communities and avoid mass tourism, connecting you with real people and culture.
Clear prices, quick replies, and 24/7 support from our local team. No hidden costs or surprises.
Share your travel dates, destinations, and whether you prefer a full-time private guide or local guides in each region.
Within one working day, we’ll send you a personalized plan — including suitable guides, suggested itinerary, and price options.
Review or fine-tune your trip. Once confirmed, we’ll arrange your private or escorted tour with a trusted local guide.
Here’s everything you should know before hiring a tour guide in Vietnam — from the different types of guided tours and costs to what guides do, where to find them, and how to choose the right one.
Exploring Vietnam with a private tour guide means more than just sightseeing — it’s about traveling with freedom, local insight, and comfort. A good guide helps you connect with the real culture while keeping everything organized and stress-free.
Private tours are perfect if you want guided experiences within your Vietnam holiday — like a one-day Hanoi city tour, a street food walk, or a multi-day adventure such as the Ha Giang Loop.
These tours are led by local specialists who know their region inside out. It’s a flexible, affordable way to add expert guidance to specific parts of your trip without having a guide the entire time.
Escorted holidays are designed for travelers who prefer one dedicated guide for the whole journey through Vietnam.
Your guide accompanies you from start to finish — helping with travel logistics, language, and cultural insight. This option is especially popular with couples, small groups, and older travelers who value personal service, continuity, and peace of mind.
An escorted holiday means traveling Vietnam with one dedicated private guide from start to finish. It’s a personalized, worry-free way to explore the country — combining comfort, cultural depth, and seamless organization. Your guide not only leads you through highlights and hidden spots but also takes care of the practical details so you can focus on enjoying the journey.
An escorted holiday is a fully guided trip covering your entire Vietnam itinerary — from arrival to departure.
Your private guide travels with you, arranging transport, hotel check-ins, and daily sightseeing. They handle communication, tickets, and timing, while providing context and local insight at every stop. It’s a structured yet flexible way to experience Vietnam without having to manage the details yourself.
This type of travel is ideal for anyone who wants a smooth, well-organized experience — especially:
Local Vietnam also designs custom-made trips — complete, door-to-door packages arranged entirely by our local team. You’ll travel independently but have everything organized: private transport, hotels, and local guides in each destination where it adds value.
Private tours are guided experiences that fit within your Vietnam holiday — from a few hours in one city to multi-day trips in specific regions. You can hire a local guide for a single day or for short regional adventures. It’s the most flexible way to explore with expert insight while keeping your freedom to travel independently before or after.
Below are the main types of private tours in Vietnam:

These tours focus on understanding Vietnam’s people and traditions. A local guide helps bridge the language and cultural gap — whether you’re visiting ethnic minority villages in the north, a rural market, or a traditional craft village near Hanoi or Hue.

Perfect for exploring places like Hanoi, Hue, or Ho Chi Minh City. A private city guide not only shows you the highlights but also hidden alleys, local eateries, and stories that most visitors miss.

Guides are essential when trekking through rice terraces, jungle trails, or mountain regions like Sapa or Ha Giang, where paths aren’t clearly marked. They ensure safety, handle logistics, and connect you with local families or homestays along the way.

For travelers with specific interests — such as food, history, photography, or the Vietnam War — hiring a specialized guide gives depth and context you can’t get on your own. From street food tours in Hanoi to historical tours in Hue or the Cu Chi Tunnels, these guides turn information into real understanding.
The cost of hiring a tour guide in Vietnam can vary widely. It depends on factors such as language skills, experience level, tour duration, and what’s included in your trip. Below are the main elements that influence the price.
Guides with fluent English or other foreign languages (like German, French, or Spanish) usually charge more than beginners or students practicing conversational English.
Professional, licensed guides with years of experience in cultural or multi-day tours cost more but also offer deeper insight and smoother coordination.
A short walking tour or food tour in one city is far less expensive than a multi-day journey through northern Vietnam.
Longer or more complex itineraries require more preparation, coordination, and time, which naturally increases the overall cost.
For multi-day trips, guides often need accommodation and meals — either included in your tour package or paid separately.
Before booking, confirm whether these expenses are already part of the price or reimbursed during the trip.
Tour prices can also vary depending on what’s included.
If you request a private street food tour, for example, the cost might cover the food itself. Similarly, if transport or entrance tickets are arranged by the guide or agency, they’ll be reflected in the total. Always check what’s included before confirming.
The cost of hiring a tour guide in Vietnam varies depending on the tour type, duration, and language requirements. Below is a general overview of what you can expect:
These ranges are meant as practical guidance — prices can vary depending on season, language level, and region — but they reflect what you can realistically expect when hiring a Vietnam tour guide through reputable operators.

Not every traveler needs a private guide. Many popular day trips and excursions in Vietnam — such as the Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta, Ninh Binh, or Halong Bay — are also available as join-in group tours. These tours include a professional English-speaking guide shared among several travelers, making them a good budget-friendly alternative to private options.
Group tours are less flexible but still a great way to see major highlights and meet other travelers. For those who value personal attention, local insight, and custom itineraries, a private guide or escorted holiday remains the better choice.
Check our Vietnam tours.

If you’re looking for a more adventurous and personal way to explore, consider hiring an Easy Rider — a local motorbike guide who takes you on the back of their bike through Vietnam’s countryside and mountains. Easy Riders are popular in regions like Ha Giang, Dalat, and the Central Highlands, where riding through remote landscapes is part of the experience.
They combine guiding and transport in one, stopping at viewpoints, villages, and hidden places along the way. It’s ideal for travelers who want flexibility, freedom, and local insight — without needing to drive themselves.
For a full overview of how it works, where to go, and what to expect, see our complete guide to Easy Riders in Vietnam.


Local Vietnam isn’t just a travel agency — we’re a team based in Vietnam, living and exploring the country year-round. That local presence means we work directly with trusted, licensed guides across all regions of Vietnam, from Hanoi and Hue to the Mekong Delta and Ha Giang.
What makes us different is how we connect everything around your guide. We don’t just arrange someone to show you around — we design complete, tailor-made experiences that include accommodation, transport, and activities built around your interests. Whether you need a private guide for a few days or a full escorted holiday, we handle every detail personally.
As travelers ourselves, both in Vietnam and abroad, we understand what international visitors expect — comfort, communication, and flexibility — while keeping the authenticity of local travel intact. That mix of local insight and international understanding is what makes Local Vietnam a trusted name for guided travel throughout the country.
