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Employee Reflections: Vietnam

Posted by April on (Updated: )  |  Leave a comment

Our Vietnam team consists of offices in the North, Center and the South of the country that work together to ensure that the quality of each guests experience remains consistent…

vietnam

Vietnam is a beautiful and varied country. With so many different varieties of holiday destinations — from the hills of Sapa to the bustling streets of Hanoi — we appreciate having our own experts on the ground. Here are our colleagues from our Vietnam’s offices reflect on being part of Team Journeys Within.

Michelle Nguyen:

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Michelle, next to Andrea on the far left, with all the Journeys Within children and crew.

What are your thoughts about Journeys Within now?

I believe that Journeys Within has its vision and all the ears and eyes established and in the right place to develop, plan and deliver great experiences to guests.

What are your thoughts on the next ten years (or just the future) for Journeys Within?

The countries that Journeys Within hosts are gradually emerging from difficult times. The positive interaction that Journeys Within promotes through guest itineraries visibly crosses borders and helps everyone impacted to learn and share hope for the future.

What is your favorite memory working with Journeys Within?

I have so many wonderful memories, but my favourite is of the Journeys Within conference in 2012. Children are a real inspiration to us all.  The children from 6 countries, different languages and life situations spent quality time together. I am sure everyone who observed them would agree that they did not bring expectations, they lived in the moment and embraced their experience wholeheartedly. I am positive that they all came away with a better understanding and appreciation of other people and places following their opportunity. So, I would like to say that the “little JW team” are amazing too!

Binh Houng:

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Binh in Hue with some of her most memorable guests.

What are your thoughts about Journeys Within now?:

I had many nice trips with Journeys Within’s clients. With me, I always think that I am not just only tour guide for their trip but also their local friend. I am happy to share with them about Vietnam’s culture. So since I have worked for Journeys Within, I has many good friends.

What are your thoughts on the next ten years (or just the future) for Journeys Within?:

I think with modern thinkings and well-prepared services by the way we are doing now, more and more people will know and want to travel with Journeys Within.

What is your favorite memory working with Journeys Within?

I had a nice time guiding for a Journeys Within client who came to volunteer at the Hue hospital and help cancer patients there. He traveled with his wife and two sons and they were very nice.

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Khoa, always smiling!

Khoa Dinh Nguyen:

What are your thoughts about Journeys Within now?

Journeys Within is not only a unique company. It is a more than that. It is a family that works together professionally with laughter and fun to give everyone the best experience both the team and guests that travel with us.

What are your thoughts on the next ten years (or just the future) for Journeys Within?:

I can see and feel that Journeys Within is growing and expanding more in different areas. I can’t wait to see more of its success and brighter achievements.

What is your favorite memory working with Journeys Within?

April and Andrea came with me to spend some time with a wonderful Cu chi Tunnels veteran in the northwest of Sai Gon. We had lots of wonderful food cooked by his family, great conversation and probably a little too much rice wine! However, we learnt a lot and everyone had a lovely time.

“Tracy” Le Thi Thu Thuong:

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Tracy cycles through a village outside of Hanoi

What are your thoughts about Journeys Within now?:

Journeys Within is an incredible company, it is getting stronger as of it’s great works

The team is getting bigger but getting along very well, Journeys Within is really “ Six countries One team”  that makes the company being stronger and having great services to any client I am very happy being a part of Journeys Within.

What are your thoughts on the next ten years (or just the future) for Journeys Within?:

I strongly believe Journeys Within will grow fast and being a truly STAR for Southeast Asia travel destinations.

What is your favorite memory working with Journeys Within?

My favorite memory working with Journeys Within is working with local families those we bring our guests to visit and experience the local cultures and having lunch with the host.

 … Read more »

Top Ten Tips for travelling Southeast Asia

Posted by Andrea on  |  4 Comments

Here are some Journeys Within tips to making the most of your Southeast Asian holiday…

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Top Ten Tips to make the most of your holiday

Orient yourself  — When you leave your hotel pick up a hotel card to give to a taxi or tuk-tuk driver for your return trip. It usually has the name of your hotel and directions to get there in the local language as well as in English.

Haggle with a smile — Remember to bargain, it is a way of life throughout Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar and can be fun! Smile and give haggling your best shot, keeping in that 25 cents may not be much to to you, but to a local it can cover the cost of a meal.

Trust your gut — Don’t believe everything you hear. Tuk-tuk and taxi drivers have been know to tell visitors that where they want to go is ‘closed’, has a bug infestation or bad reputation; they might be planning to take you to an outlet where they get commission. Tourist hot-spots are susceptible to scam, so a little skepticism (and maybe a quick Google search) can be a healthy thing.

Kindness of strangers — That being said, don’t assume everyone is trying to rip you off; most locals are honest and want you to enjoy their country. The Golden Rule applies everywhere — treat others the way you want to be treated.

Keep cool — Asian isn’t always as organized or logical as we would sometimes like — try hard no to lose your temper, or even raise your voice, it is counterproductive. Believe us, Andrea has tried! Hot tempers will embarrass the locals while calmer heads will always prevail.

Keep your eyes peeled — The most photographic moments are often the ones you don’t see coming. Have your camera with you and ready at all times. You never know when you will catch the elusive 5 guys or family of 7 on a single motorbike.

Be prepared … with wet wipes — Hand-sanitizer, bug-spray, toilet paper, feminine products (if applicable) – don’t leave the hotel without them. The more remote the location the less likely you will be able to find the essentials. Wet wipes are the key to handling dusty roads and long days touring.

Stay hydrated — Only drink bottled water and drink lots of it. You don’t want to wait until you are dying of thirst or suffering from headaches before replenishing the liquid lost during the hot tropical days.  Dry the bottle if it has been kept cool in a tub of water; who knows where that water came from!

Befriend a local — Don’t hesitate to ask questions, directions or for help. Locals are generally eager to lend a helping hand, much the same way you would be if you came across someone lost in your neighborhood. Plus, it is surprising how much can be communicated with body language!

Accepting Asia — Everyday life, sight and smells will be very different in Southeast Asia compared to home. Go with the flow – the unexpected makes the best stories when you get home!

And one important extra…

Walk slowly and nap often, the locals do!… Read more »

Special Occasion Restaurants: Saigon Edition

Posted by Andrea on (Updated: )  |  1 Comment

For guests celebrating a special occasion while on the road, here are some Journeys Within suggestions on restaurants that can make any meal the focal point of your celebration …

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The Deck

Arrive by boat from the city centre directly to this river-side restaurant. Only 15-minutes from the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, the elegant, open air restaurant offers up a stylish and relaxed atmosphere — the perfect setting for any special occasion.

Serving up contemporary fusion food and a smart cocktail list the dining area is surrounded by water and leafy trees, broad skies and in the evening a beautiful sunset — a romantic setting sure to impress.

Insider Tip: Let them know in advance and they will arrange to bring you right to your dinner table by boat. When you have a location as good as theirs, its the best way to arrive!

Eon 51

This 51st floor restaurant serves up global cuisine. This is a classic fine-dining restaurant for those looking for a view.  Located in the Bitexco Financial Tower, this restaurant uses its stunning views of the Saigon city scape at night and mood lighting to create a romantic, urban atmosphere.

The food is inspired by global cuisine and the restaurant boasts an impressive wine list. Eon 51 also boasts the ability to create VIP dinners for groups of all sizes.

Xu Restaurant Lounge

Xu offers modern Vietnamese dishes that are designed to be shared, an intimate touch for a special evening out. As new dishes are brought to the table through out the meal, you will have an opportunity to enjoy a tasty twist on classic Vietnamese favourites.

Insider Tip: If you are looking for something extra exclusive, private rooms are available.

 … Read more »

Spring Vietnam Discount — Book Now!

Posted by Andrea on (Updated: )  |  Leave a comment

Journeys Within is having a sale on spring trip to Vietnam…

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Bangkok is no longer Southeast Asia’s only destination hub — as demonstrations continue in Thailand’s capital city both Saigon and Hanoi are open and ready for business! As some travelers choose to steer away from protest plagued Bangkok, Vietnam has ramped up business at their airports and is ready for travelers looking for a care-free Southeast Asian adventure.

To celebrate, Journeys Within, the premier boutique Southeast Asia tour company and a leader in philanthropic travel, has just announced discounts on their Vietnam Spring Tours for 2014!

A hefty 14% discount is available to all guests who book a Vietnam Spring Tour in 2014. Take advantage of our discount on either the Vietnam Active Spring Tour or the Vietnam Family Spring Special.

Work your way through Vietnam’s beautiful landscape, getting off the beaten path along the way or take your family on a spring vacation holiday they will never forget.

If you have any questions on the Spring specials or the latest on the Bangkok situation, please give us a call at 877-454-3672 or visit archive.journeys-within.com for more information.

Thanks so much!

Andrea Ross

 … Read more »

International Women’s Day- Vietnam

Posted by Andrea on  |  1 Comment

By: Michelle Nguyen- Vietnam Country Director

Across Southeast Asia, 8 March is celebrated as International Women’s Day.  In Vietnam, this means that men and children throughout the country take over the chores for the day, give the women in their lives (from teachers to wives and mothers) gifts and generally pamper them to show them their respect, love and thanks. All the florists are bursting with amazing flowers and fragrant bouquets and flower sellers are seen along the streets to remind passers-by that it is a special day.

Streetside Florists in Saigon- A perfect reminder for forgetful husbands

It is also common for school children to take a small gift to their female teachers and bring home something handmade from their day at school.

Many choose to say 'Thank you' with flowers

Here’s a peek into  how some of our staff celebrate this special day:

Saigon

This year my husband and I just took some time out of our busy lives simply to have a walk in the park and relax at a coffee shop, just the two of us without kids in tow.  My 4 year old daughter brought home a beautiful paper flower she had made and decorated at school for me and in the evening my husband treated my daughters, mother-in-law and I to a meal out so we didn’t have to cook. Wonderful!

Around the city the coffee shops all have special occasion treats on offer and restaurants or hotels host events too.

Hue

Mrs. Binh is one of our amazing guides and such a gentle woman with a wonderful sense of humour. She told me her young sons bought her some flowers and that they visited her husband’s village to spend some time and take a gift to his mother. In the city of Hue itself there were music and dance shows performed by students.

Hanoi

Mrs. Thuong is one of the stars in our team. She works very hard behind the scenes with us to give you the special holidays you ask for. This year she spent her day celebrating with the team in Hanoi and in the evening she went out for dinner with some friends and her family.

I learnt something new this year- Mrs. Thuong let me know that in addition to the public music shows, normally, if you are a member of women’s organisation, you will be invited to join in a meeting and music show at the city cultural hall for a few hours.

So it goes to show that there is always another layer of this culture to peel back and discover, no matter how long you are here…

Want to see more pictures of how Women’s Day was celebrated at our office?  Click here

https://picasaweb.google.com/106918216642947937960/ITLMARCH8TH2012

 … Read more »