About Haivenu
What is the Haivenu?
Our People
Some of our guides
Company Details
What is the Haivenu?
It's a tiny orchid that grows only on the craggy limestone cliffs of the islands in Ha Long Bay in north-east Vietnam. Its botanical name is 'paphiopedilium concolor', known in Vietnam as the 'yellow slipper orchid' after its dainty blossoms. Despite its diminutive size, it's a determined survivor, clinging tightly to niches in the rocks faces defying baking sun and torrential rain.
We chose the Haivenu as our logo partly for its striking beauty, but mostly it expresses the qualities that we want for our company.
The Haivenu is rare and unique to Vietnam. We're one of a tiny number of travel companies that can offer you a genuine tailor-made luxury private tour or holiday at an affordable price.
Like the Haivenu, we're tenacious. Nothing is too much trouble for us: we apply the highest standards of quality to everything we do.
Having the Haivenu as our logo also reminds us of our commitment to conserving the environment of our beautiful country. We avoid 'ecotourism' in environmentally sensitive areas and encourage our customers to travel with light footsteps. Viet Nam is a beautiful country with a rich culture: we want to keep it that way.
We are a young Vietnam tour operator, committed to providing top-quality, personalised service and fully sustainable tourism. Our mission is to provide you with a memorable experience of the real Vietnam by avoiding the usual tourist routes in favour of unspoilt landscapes, unusual attractions and the fascination of the daily life of ordinary people. We want you to carry home the image of the Haivenu to remind you of our remarkable country - exciting, exotic, safe and friendly.
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Our People
At present, we have twelve specialists who work as a tightly-knit team totally committed to responsible tourism. Apart from our housekeeper, all are university graduates and all speak fluent English.
Managing Director: Ha (Ms. Vo Thi Bich Ha, B.A. English, Dalat)
After several years in the tourism business, Ha founded Haivenu on Christmas Day, 2000. Since then, she has established it as a successful international tourism company and Vietnam's leading specialist tour operator. Apart from running the business and training the staff, she's an excellent swimmer, a talented painter and an aficionado of rock music. She has ambitious plans for Haivenu - she's already opened a branch in Ho Chi Minh City and plans further offices in the UK, Cambodia and Thailand. She runs the company as a family, but insists on the highest standards of professionalism.
Deputy Director: Huong (Ms. Le Diem Huong, B.A. English, B. A. Tourism Management, Hanoi)
With great patience for details and never satisfied until everything is perfect, Huong is an able administrator. Firmly independent and with a passion for classical music, when she is not at work you’ll find her travelling, reading, or honing her skills at singing, dancing and photography. Huong is full of fun, but treats her work very seriously. For her, customers and colleagues alike are fast friends. "The more I work in this industry, the more I love it," she says. In 2005, she set up Haivenu's branch office in Ho Chi Minh City. Since then, she has completed her MBA degree, returned to Hanoi, and is now Haivenu’s Deputy Director.
Branch Office Manager: Phong (Mr. Phan Ngoc Truong Phong, B.A. Tourism, Ho Chi Minh City)
Originally from Sa Dec, a small town on the Mekong Delta, Phong moved to Ho Ch Minh City in 1998 to gain his qualification and now lives there. After spending a few months training in our Hanoi headquarters, he returned South to work as a tour operator in Haivenu branch in Saigon. He describes his ideal activity for relaxing as "escaping the city with a group of friends to find a quiet beach with a cool breeze". Despite his good looks, soft voice and impeccable manners, Phong is still footloose and fancy-free! Phong has been appointed as our Branch Office Manager in July 2010.
Sales Manager: Thu (Ms. Duong Minh Thu, Hanoi) Thu is a cheerful soul, who is a welcome addition to our staff. She hails from the coastal city of Hai Phong which is the gateway to Halong Bay and home to an astounding variety of Vietnamese foods. Cooking and cuisine are a particular passion for Thu, and she loves to learn new dishes and sharing her culinary skills with new friends. She and her loving husband have a new baby which has brought both unexpected challenges and joys. She loves the travel industry for introducing her to other peoples and cultures, for the chances to see other parts of the world and for making her a more self-confident, optimistic, and thoughtful person.
Product Executive: Dung (Ms. Pham Thi Kim Dung, Hanoi) From the Red River Delta province of Thai Binh, Dzung is a country girl with fond memories of growing up with two sisters among the green rice fields. In her second hometown, Hanoi, she finds contentment in visiting cafes with friends, watching the flow of life passing by, and exploring the world of Hanoi street food. There’s nothing she won’t try! She chose her career carefully, and is proud of the travel industry here. Her destination of choice, for peace and nostalgia, is Central Vietnam’s ancient town of Hoi An. Always eager to welcome travellers, she says, "You help us treasure what we have here."
Tour Operator: Thu Ba (Mrs Hoang Thu Ba)
Thu Ba is a native Hanoian, born and bred. Married with two young children, her days start off bright and early with her biggest challenge – waking up her daughter in time for school. Her unusual name indicates she is the third child and born in autumn, her favourite season. She was especially proud that her son arrived in time for Hanoi’s Millennial Anniversary in October 2010. She loves to cook and welcomes visitors with Hanoi specialties pho or bun cha. In tourism for ten years and now part of the Haivenu family, she looks forward to working out all the details of your trip.
Tour Operator: Hang (Ms Nguyen Thi Thu Hang, B.A. English, Hanoi)
Hang has been with us for couple of years and during that time she's acquired a husband and a baby in quick succession. "He's a wonderful man, faithful, hard-working and romantic" is how she describes her spouse.
As well as being a tour operator, Hang is our 'Queen of the hotels' - setting up contracts, managing our comprehensive database of Vietnam's hotels, and updating the information on our web site. She's careful, methodical and has a good memory, vital qualities for dealing with around 200 hotels and resorts.
Tour Operator: Nham (Ms. Do Thi Nham, B.A in English - College of Foreign Studies, Hanoi) Nham is a worker bee, letting the results of her efforts do the talking. Devoted to family, Nham relishes meals at home and also looks forward to trips to her village in Thai Binh Province. Her family there always puts on a feast of home-grown veggies, fruits, fowl or fish, and she is never quite ready to head back to the city when it is time to go.
Joining Haivenu in 2010, she appreciates (and adds to) the family atmosphere in the company. She is tireless in providing detailed, informative assistance to colleagues and clients alike, and loves to meet guests when given the opportunity.
Tour Operator: Nhu (Ms. Le Thi Thuy Nhu, B.A in Tourism - Hanoi Open University, Hanoi) From a small hamlet in Hanoi’s outskirts, Nhu is firmly rooted in the natural life of Northern Vietnam’s countryside. These roots are behind her deep appreciation for Vietnam’s beauty and culture, and her dream to work in tourism – a dream that kept her going for five years at Hanoi Tourism University. With a constant smile, she thrives on the intensity of her work now at Haivenu, saying, “The focus on getting things ‘just right’ makes it satisfying.” When not working, you might find her singing karaoke, or spending time with children – she loves helping to plan special events and still enjoys children’s literature.
Tour Operator: Kim Thao (Ms. Cao Kim Thao, Ho Chi Minh City) Kim Thao is in love with life. Known as “Sweet Cake” by her friends, she is infectiously joyful and eager to introduce her homeland. Growing up in Saigon, she knows the city’s fascinations as only a native can, and spent childhood holidays among the pine forest hills of Dalat, or in the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre. Previously intending to become a French teacher, she is now delighted to be in the travel industry. Touring Vietnam and Cambodia has only added to her passion for travel. She greets every challenge with a smile, and aims to have every client smiling all the way home.
Tour Operator: Vinh (Mr. Nguyen Quang Vinh, Ho Chi Minh City) As a child in Ho Chi Minh City, Vinh dreamed of traversing the world by hot air balloon. Now with a degree in English and tourism management, extensive knowledge of and travel experience throughout Southeast Asia, and still dreaming of voyages further afield, it’s easy to see his dedication to the industry. A well-rounded character, you might find Vinh listening to jazz, practicing Tai Chi, or putting on a rock show at a local nightspot. He values the inventiveness and professionalism at Haivenu Tours and is happy to share his knowledge of the complex cultures, cuisines and histories of our destinations with clients.
Tour Operator: Thanh Ha (Ms. Ngo Thanh Ha, Ho Chi Minh City) Ha’s family home is a typical Mekong Delta house, with a garden by a canal. However, her family moved to Ho Chi Minh City when she was a child, where she grew up with two sisters and one naughty little brother. Everyone in her house says just what they are thinking, a trait to which she attributes the closeness of her family. With a respectable collection of romance and detective novels, she says reading warms her heart. Her thirst for travel is unquenchable, and in her position at Haivenu Tours she takes great pleasure in working one-on-one to design the optimal itinerary for every client.
Tour Operator: Quang (Mr. Nguyen Tan Nhat Quang, Ho Chi Minh City) Born in Ho Chi Minh City, Quang grew up nurturing the childhood dream of being a nomad, a dream he followed straight into the travel industry. Music, movies, cooking and photography are his hobbies, but travel is his passion. For Quang, travel is not only for the fun and the scenery, but also to experience rural life first-hand. He spent time working as a fisherman, and a farmer, and says, “That was when I truly recognized the beauty of my country and people.” His goal for the future is to run a small restaurant and introduce the world’s best food (his mom’s) to his customers.
Accountant: Hanh (Ms. Pham Thi Hanh, Ho Chi Minh City) Hanh graduated from the University of Finance & Accounting in Ho Chi Minh City and joined Haivenu in 2008. She loves her work as an accountant, although even she occasionally gets a headache from all those numbers. After the numbers are in their proper places, she enjoys music, coffee shops and going out with friends for karaoke or a movie. When she has a chance to escape the city, she heads for the beach, or rounds up her friends for a tour. “The more we travel, the more we learn,” she says; a guiding ideal from her childhood world travel dreams to her work today.
Accountant: Giang (Ms. Bui Thi Giang, Hanoi) Giang joined Haivenu as an accountant in 2010. Originally from Nam Dinh Province, she now lives about 40 minutes from Haivenu’s head office in Hanoi, along with her husband, who she says is “honest, level-headed and in love.” Hard-working and optimistic, she enjoys going for walks, playing badminton, listening to music and reading. She appreciates the professional and supportive environment at Haivenu Tours, and always looks forward to the chance to travel together. In her accounting tasks she is dedicated and careful, never missing an opportunity to support her colleagues.
Accountant: Nguyet (Ms. Tran Thi Thu Nguyet, Ho Chi Minh City) Thu Nguyet, a graduate of the University of Finance and Marketing, is a 7 year resident of Ho Chi Minh City and loves the friendliness of the city’s inhabitants. Ho Chi Minh City is her second home; every couple of months she goes back to visit her parents in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai. When stressed from her work as an accountant for Haivenu, she finds a chance to travel, appreciating the special beauty and lifestyles she finds at each destination. She intends to spend more time discovering the rest of Vietnam, and travelling abroad to explore other cultures and gain experience.
Customer Relations: Mai Sen (Ms. Nguyen Thi Mai Sen, Hanoi) Mai Sen was born in Bac Ninh Province just outside Hanoi, home to many temples and traditions, perhaps most notably Quan Ho folk singing. As it happens, Mai Sen is a passionate singer of Quan Ho. These folk melodies express the range of human emotions, and she won’t miss an opportunity to perform Quan Ho for visitors. Her name combines the words for apricot and lotus blooms; beautiful and artistic. Travel has long been her hobby, and she thrives in the disciplined work environment at Haivenu. Like most truly excellent performers, she is also a careful listener – and a perfect fit for Haivenu Customer Relations.
Cashier/legal adviser: Sam (Ms Nguyen Thi Quynh Sam)
Sam another arrival straight from University in Phu Yen, a province nearly a thousand kilometres away to the south. A couple of months ago, she decided Haivenu was the only company for her and moved to Hanoi to join us. Unusual in Vietnam, she's fiercely independent. She travelled north alone and refused all offers of help from her family in finding accommodation - not bad for a young lady who hadn't been much further than her home town. Sam has already settled into city life and is making new friends. She's currently improving her English in evening classes - she's ambitious as well.
Housekeeper: Chi Be (Ms Bui Thi Ha)
Chi Be means Mrs. Small in Vietnamese. Her real name is Ha, the same as our Managing Director, so to avoid confusion she's acquired a highly accurate nickname - she's tiny (but also has the loudest voice!).
Chi Be is our only staff member without a degree, but is one of the most important employees - she keeps the offices spotlessly clean, provides excellent meals, supplies plants and flowers (and keeps them alive) and, using her tool box, makes running repairs as well as a host of other tasks.
Tourism Development Consultant: Len (Mr. Leonard Tooke, M.A., B.Ed. London)
Len is the retired ex-principal of a large UK secondary school. Arriving in Vietnam as a volunteer teacher in Ha Long Bay, he later worked as the Resident Consultant to UNESCO before joining Haivenu. Len is now a registered Hanoi resident and assists with training and tourism development.
He's also a singer with our Vietnamese rock band, rides a bicycle and plays squash regularly. At 62, he's by far our oldest employee and proud of his status as the oldest rocker in town, and probably in Vietnam. His ambition is to grow old disgracefully - he's well on the way to achieving it!
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Company Details
Haivenu's registration details, licence to operate, and company information:
Haivenu Vietnam:
Haivenu is a registered Vietnamese company affiliated to the Vietnam Tourism Association (VITA), the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA - Vietnam Chapter), and the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA). We are a private business, one of the first travel agents to be granted an official international operating licence by the Vietnamese government. Our registration details are below.
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Company Registration |
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Company registration number |
01020001719 |
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Date of Registration |
25th December 2000 |
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Registration authority |
People's Committee of Hanoi City, Dept. of Planning and Investment, Business Registration Office |
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International Licence |
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International Operator Licence number |
0086/2002/TCDL-GP LHQT |
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Date of issue |
21st June 2002 |
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Issuing authority |
Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) |
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Bonding Account |
0010000240122 |
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At |
Vietcombank |
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Company contact details |
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Company name |
Haivenu Company Limited |
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Head office in Hanoi |
12 Nguyen Trung Truc, Ba Dinh, Ha Noi, Vietnam |
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Telephone |
(++84) 4 39272917 |
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Facsimile |
(++84) 4 39272916 |
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E-mail |
enquiry@haivenu-vietnam.com |
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Web sites |
www.haivenu-vietnam.com |
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Branch office in HCMC |
15B/98B Le Thanh Ton Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam |
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Telephone |
(++84) 8 3827 2992 |
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Facsimile |
(++84) 8 3827 2994 |
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E-mail |
hcmc@haivenu-vietnam.com |
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Notes for direct dialling:
a) - When dialling from outside Vietnam , use your country's international dial prefix (e.g., 00 in the UK or 011 in the USA ) before dialling the above numbers. For example, customers dialling Hanoi office from the USA will need to dial 011 84 4 3927 2917.
b) - When dialling from within Vietnam but outside the town you wish to dial, use the local area code only, adding a zero in front. For example when dialling Hanoi office from elsewhere in the country, you will need to dial 04 3927 2917.
c) - When dialling from within the city or town, use none of the codes. For example when dialling from within Hanoi , the head office number will be 3927 2917. Please note, however, that when using a mobile phone, you will have to also dial the local area code as in the example (b) above.
d) – When dialling to a mobile phone in Vietnam from abroad, use your country's international dial prefix and Vietnam's national code only. For example, customers dialling from the USA will need to dial 011 84 913123456. If calling a mobile phone from within Vietnam , regardless of location, simply dial the mobile number itself (eg 0913123456).
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