This was the worse tour I have been on unfortunately. In my life...and I have done many tours and never had to write a bad review. I usually dont write reviews and when I do I really must have loved it. The reason I am writing is not because they were an hour late to pick us up and our hotel had to call them or because they did not even check our booking. But because it is just not as described in the reviews I read and in the describtion. It is not like they suggest in the pictures of the tour AT ALL. Dont get yourself fooled. So this tour needed a recent review to help others with making their decision. The choice is yours.
The tour was done by two guys, from which one did the speaking and guiding. We went to couple of places. First one not so far from where picked up the scooter beside the water to see some tourist boats docked. Next a bit further where some rice papers where drying beside the road. We stopped looked at it drying and 5 minutes later moved on. Then a at someones place they were making slippers for the market. 3usd wholesale they said and then 10 usd on the the market, the whole situation felt just to make us buy something. Looked for 5 minutes and moved on. Next stop you go to some place, where you can choose to look for 5 minutes how she cuts the textile on the lantern..or you can do it yourself, if you pay 5 usd for it...
Next stop at some boat repair place, outside where you pass by and see some random guys working on a boat..
And then we went to a tailor where the idea is that they try to show what they can make...and of course you can choose to have something made..but you can do this everywhere in hoi an so dont bother and dont let them push you in to something. Because they start making an invoice at the same time when you put your ass on the couch.
After we got a banh mi we went to the beach got a beer and then shortly we already were being pushed to leave the beach and go back. We arrived 12.15 back at the hotel. So it took less than three hours and basically we had to say no on everything because we did not want to buy anything. And the guide wanted us to tip the other driver at the end. I just dont know what for exactly.
We know for fact that renting a bike on your own is not expensive, so what we were expecting is some extra information and real country side experience etc. Even then we thought it was overpriced, but because of the reviews we were giving it the benefit of the doubt. But this is so not worth your money. You just stay within 1km radius from the center. No Countryside...In comparison We paid 40 usd and 50 usd for the halong Bay tour and ninh binh tours which takes you the whole day with great stories and experiences. 8-10 hours tours.
My advice, rent a bike for 10 usd or bicycle from your hotel for free and just go by yourself looking at stuff. Or just spend 50 usd on taxis (or less) and you are still better of then this tour. Because 130 usd for two persons for three hours, is an expensive lesson we have learned. Everything they showed you can do it by yourself without the negative vibes if you dont buy something.
Afterwards we took a cab back to the beach around 70.000 dong to relax and just chill which we should have just done in the first place.
Hope this will help some people out. Good luck to y'all.