Published on Sep, 2024

We had a great experience on the private tour of Halong Bay. Ruby, our tour guide, did a wonderful job of organizing, arranging, and executing every aspect of the tour, from pickup to drop off. She was very knowledgeable and friendly, and went out of her way to make sure we enjoyed our time. It was a wonderful tour and I highly recommend it.

Published on Aug, 2024

My wife and I had the pleasure of experiencing a breathtaking tour of HaLong Bay with Hoa, whom we met through WithLocals. From the moment we connected with her, we knew we were in for something special. Hoa’s warmth and deep knowledge of the area were evident from the start. She curated a perfect day for us, taking into account our preferences while adding unique local touches that only someone with her insight could offer. The beauty of HaLong Bay is undeniable, but it was Hoa’s thoughtful guidance and genuine passion that truly elevated our experience. She effortlessly balanced providing us with fascinating information about the bay’s history and geology while allowing us the peace and space to soak in the stunning surroundings. Her stories brought the bay to life in a way that we could never have imagined. In addition to the awe-inspiring scenery, Hoa introduced us to some hidden gems, including a quiet spot where we enjoyed a delicious meal of fresh, local seafood, away from the more crowded tourist areas. It felt like we were experiencing a side of HaLong Bay that most visitors miss out on. Hoa was attentive, always ensuring we were comfortable and having the best possible time, but she also gave us the freedom to explore and take in the beauty of the bay at our own pace. Her professionalism, coupled with her warm personality, made us feel like we were spending the day with a friend rather than just a guide. If you’re looking for an authentic, enriching experience in HaLong Bay, we cannot recommend Hoa enough. She made our trip unforgettable, and we are so grateful to have met her. Thank you, Hoa, for sharing the magic of HaLong Bay with us!

Published on Jan, 2023

Ruby is an absolute star. She is fun, knowledgeable, and took many photos of us as we enjoyed our time in Vietnam. She enabled priority access for everything, no queues, and extra service alround. She made Vietnam special. Without her, we wouldn't have seen much at all. But we saw so much that we wouldn't have ever found alone. We visited Ha long city, ha long bay, old quarter hanoi, lotte tower, hidden cafes and quirky temples, even Trang An where they filmed king kong and so much more. We couldn't speak highly enough of Ruby or our amazing experience in Vietnam. Thank you so much.

Published on Nov, 2020

This trip was made in May 2019, so it was pre-Covid 19. This tour is a little more expensive as you get taken in a private car and the route taken is along the new highway which cuts down the journey time from 4 or 5 hours to just 2-3 hours. There was a short stop at a new motorway services where you can go for a loo break and/or get some snacks and a drink. We had to wait at the new terminal in Halong for the sailing. It is a huge place which looks more like a hotel lobby and reception. When our boat arrived, Loan had explained that we would be joining a boat with other groups. Each boat can take up to 40-50 passengers. Once on board, a sumptuous meal was provided. As there was only three of us, Loan had requested that we have a table to ourselves. There was more than enough of this delicious meal. We arrived in Halong Bay and were given the choice of kayaking ourselves or being taken in a boat by a local person. We chose the lazy option and were rowed to interesting parts around the bays and inlets. We got back to the boat after about 40 mins and were taken to another island where we could explore two limestone caves. Both were very interesting and awe-inspiring. We returned to the mainland around 4:30-5pm and our driver was waiting for us. We returned to Hanoi by 7:30pm. We found Loan, our guide, to be very pleasant . She was very helpful and always eager to please. There was good communication between Loan and us via e-mails and WhatsApp from booking through to pick-up at our hotel, when she informed us that she was running late. The traffic in Hanoi is really bad, and it was great to be updated. Her command of English is good and we can thoroughly recommend her

Published on Dec, 2019

Perfect organization from our local guide Loan. She was absolutely competent, spoke excellent English and was like a friend and not only a private guide. We highly appreciated her guidance to one of the most spectacular sight all over.