The Experts Have Spoken
In an era of TikTok influencers and paid “Top 10” lists, it can be hard to know who to trust. Anyone can buy a Google Ad. Anyone can pay for a sponsored post. But you cannot buy your way into Fodor’s.
That is why we are incredibly proud to announce that Tonkin Travel is featured in the new Fodor’s Essential Vietnam guidebook.
Several new clients have approached us this month saying, “I found you in the book.” For us, this is the highest form of validation. Here is why this mention matters—and what it means for your trip.
1. The “Fodor’s” Standard (You Can’t Buy This)
Fodor’s is one of the oldest and most respected names in travel. Unlike many online platforms, their writers work undercover. They don’t announce themselves. They don’t ask for free trips. They don’t accept payment for listings. They simply test the service. If it’s excellent, it goes in the book. If it’s not, it doesn’t.
Being selected for the guide means we passed the test of a professional travel critic who looked at our:
Response Time: (We aim for under 24 hours).
Local Expertise: (We don’t use templates).
Reliability: (We have been here since 2001).
When you wear the flag, you aren’t just a tourist anymore—you’re part of the family
2. Why They Picked Us: The Human Touch
In the listing, the guide highlights the value of using a local specialist. While big international booking sites rely on algorithms, we rely on people.
We are founded in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2001
We are a family-sized team, not a call center.
When you email us, you are talking to a specific travel consultant who will be with you from the first draft until you fly home.
The smiles say it all. 😊 This is why we do what we do
3. “I Found You in the Book”
We recently had a couple from the UK contact us. They had spent weeks overwhelmed by online forums. Then they bought the guidebook, turned to the “Resources” chapter, and saw our name. They told us: “If Fodor’s trusts you, that’s good enough for us.”
They just finished their 14-day trip through the Northern Highlands, and they told us the reality was even better than the book.
Sharing a laugh with our founder – Ms. Hue at Trang An boat ride
4. A Safety Warning: Beware of Copycats
With recognition comes a downside: Imitation. Because Tonkin Travel has built a trusted reputation over 24 years, we have seen a rise in “copycat” companies attempting to use our name to confuse travelers. They often use similar URLs or branding to trick clients into thinking they are booking with us.
We are actively working to mitigate this. Our team is constantly monitoring the web and working with legal authorities to report and remove these impersonators. However, the internet is vast, and new sites can pop up quickly.
How to verify you are talking to the real Tonkin Travel:
Check the Website: Our official home is www.tonkintravel.com.
Check the Email: We only communicate via official @tonkintravel.com email addresses.
Check the History: We were established in 2001. If a company claims to be us but was registered last year, it is a fake.
If you are ever unsure, please contact us directly through our official site.
No filters needed—just perfect timing and the right plan
The Verdict
We don’t do this for the awards, but we appreciate the recognition. To the writers at Fodor’s: Thank you. To our future clients: You don’t need to buy the book to get the expertise. You just need to send us an email.
or drop us a message on our Facebook and Instagram page
