If you like a little adventure in your itinerary we have the perfect guide in Southern Vietnam for you. Friendly, engaging and highly knowledgeable Mr.Hai is a guest favourite for those looking to actively explore the Mekong Delta and Southern Vietnam …
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Name: Hai Phu Nguyen
Age: 33
How did you become a guide?
During my 3rd year at University in 2002, I became a trainee tour guide for a cruise ship tour group by chance as part of my university degree work experience. Although my major was in Hotel Management and Hospitality, the trip left me with such a positive impression, that I decided to attend an international tour guide license course after graduating in 2003. I have been guiding ever since.
What do you like about being a guide?
I feel proud to be able to share and explain my country to other people. Guests are fun and have very different needs and experiences. This means that every tour is unique to me too.
What is your favourite part about being a guide?
I love travelling to different places within Vietnam and would love to travel further overseas one day. Bringing my culture and heritage to life for others is very inspiring.
What is the most challenging part about being a guide?
There are 3 main daily challenges that get easier with experience.
- Coordinating behind the scenes discreetly whilst looking after guests — a great relationship with the office and provider teams is critical.
- Reading and building an easy rapport with guests quickly and understanding their needs. While we learn about our guests before arrival, it is also important to trust our intuition to help guests feel the most comfortable and happy when they are with us. I understand that a holiday is very important and should bring added value and best experience possible.
- Staying calm when things go wrong. In Asia sometimes things simply don’t always go to plan. It is important to be flexible and keep smiling. Guests don’t need to know what’s going on unless it is really important and becomes an impact.
What is your favourite thing to show guests?
If possible I try to introduce as much of the culture to guests as I can so that they understand what is special about my country, how it is different to their experiences and understand how far Vietnam has come with progress. This may be through interacting with families and people we meet along the way or popping in to a school. It depends on the guest and what they would find the most interesting to them.
What kind of things do guests ask you/ want to talk about?
The clients are always interested in the deep history and rich culture of Vietnam and often feel pleased about the answers of a person being born and brought up locally. Besides, guests are also concerned about religion and cuisine.
What food / restaurants should guests try?
I would love to recommend my clients to try Com Nieu, “ Flying Rice”, which is literally overbaked crispy rice cooked in clay pot and served with delicious sesame sauce. Besides, the deep fry snapper fish and the sweet and sour soup cooked with shrimp are also my favourite dishes and typical of southern Vietnam.
What should guests coming to Southern Vietnam know?
I really love the Mekong Delta with the mighty Mekong River and its intricate waterways system. I always enjoy cycling or motor biking through the scenic back roads along the rice paddy fields or under the trees surrounding fruit orchards. There are still many unspoiled and untouched places off the beaten track to explore in this region. On top of that, my family originated from the Mekong Delta; therefore I have been bought up and influenced by the Mekong Delta peoples’ style. I love to share my knowledge and passion about this area to visitors.
Most memorable guest?
I have so many, but I would say that my most memorable guest is one who really lets go and gets involved and takes on board in a positive way all that they come across. It is such fun to wander through the bustling alley ways and try local food along the way such as sweetened porrigde, banana fritters and so on. Special spots that give an unexpected insight in to our country’s past and present also create interesting conversations. For example – Pho Binh which was the Vietcong Commando base during the Vietnam War. The hidden room on the 2nd floor was where all the weaponry was rallied and later on used as an alter dedicated to the deceased Communist heroes. For many the biggest surprise is our coffee culture…and how strong the coffee is!