Budget on the open road in Vietnam
HO CHI MINH CITY – Budget Car Rental has launched World-Class Drives in Vietnam.
The new programme, which is modeled loosely after the brand’s offering by the same name in Thailand, features 15 short trips originating out of Ho Chi Minh City and seven more that allow for excursions further afield.
It also permits customers to build their own itineraries.
“World-Class Drives bridges the gap between completely independent travel and full-on packaged tours where you’re told where to eat, sleep and shop,†said Dan Cohen, Budget Vietnam’s general manager.
“You see Ho Chi Minh City and the surrounding areas on your own terms, your own schedule, in the comfort of your own vehicle.â€
Unlike the World-Class Drives programme in Thailand, the Vietnam version includes the use of a driver. The country’s roads are often congested with motorbikes — the primary mode of transportation for most Vietnamese — that can make those thoroughfares feel frenetic to foreigners.
Budget Vietnam’s chauffeurs also function as travelling concierges, complete with strong English-language skills and knowledge of the immediate region.
“These itineraries not only aim to provide access to destinations that are off the beaten path, but unrivalled insight into those places once you get there, in the form of a walking, talking encyclopedia,†said Cohen.
He added: “Going to Cu Chi, for example, should be about more than just seeing the tunnels. It should be about visiting the surrounding areas, going to a non-tourist restaurant to dine, soaking up the essence of the local culture. That idea is at the core of this programme.â€
Among the other half- or full-day trips World-Class Drives offers are journeys to the Mekong Delta, the seaside resort town of Vung Tau and the Binh Chau Hot Springs.
There are also short tours specially designed for war veterans, cooking buffs, families and golfers.
Long-haul options include Ho Chi Minh City to Cat Tien National Park and the former French hill station of Dalat to a number of coastal destinations.
“Many tourists don’t like having a guide by their side all the time,†said Cohen. “In fact, it can be a nuisance.
“Our drivers give you the benefits that a guide offers without the drawbacks. They understand discretion, they speak great English and are well-versed in the drives.â€
Cars are priced from US$99 to US$249 per day and come equipped with amenities such as mobile phone, international newspapers and magazines, chilled water and towels and 24-hour customer-service support.
Ian Jarrett
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Strike action set to cause travel chaos at Brussels airports
Digital Travel Reporter of the Mirror totally seduced by HotelPlanner AI Travel Agent