About Golden Tortoise

Golden Tortoise is a Destination Management and Incentive Travel Company based in Hanoi, Vietnam. We specialize in Vietnam and Cambodia, and through our network of friends and contacts in the region we can assist equally well in Yunnan, Laos, Myanmar and Thailand. Our clients are tour operators, incentive houses and travel professionals from all over the world.

We are a small team of experienced travel professionals who have been living, traveling and working in the area for many years. We have an extensive network of friends and travel experts across the region and draft in local and/or expatriate specialists as required.

Golden Tortoise was the first Destination Management and Incentive Travel Company to use the tortoise name in Vietnam. At the time others laughed at it, but now there's a Green Tortoise travel business and a Golden Tortoise restaurant in Hanoi and no doubt others sprinkled across the Vietnamese landscape. While we have nothing to do with other tortoises you may come across in Vietnam we do wish them well.

About the Golden Tortoise team

Rene Vertonghen
Chief Executive Officer
Hailing from Belgium, Rene spent several years in the mid 1990's traveling the world before deciding to settle in Vietnam where he was seduced by both the people and the country. Ngan and Rene started Golden Tortoise together with Rene concentrating on business development and leading the occasional tour. Whenever time allows, Rene heads out into Vietnam's hinterland, further researching new destinations on his trusty Minsk motorcycle.
rene@goldentortoise.com

Nguyen Thi Ngan
Operations Manager

Always smiling and friendly, for many years Ngan worked with hotels and local tour companies, while simultaneously dealing with foreign visitors on a daily basis. These experiences allowed her to develop a thorough understanding of both sides of the relationship -- how the hotel and tourism industries operate in real world Vietnam and how the ever-shifting demands and requirements of foreign visitors can be best satisfied. As Golden Tortoise's Managing Director, Ngan divides her time between the business and caring for her two young sons, Nicola and Luca. When she does manage to pry herself away from the busy office, you're most likely to find her dashing out on an early morning market run or nibbling away at buffet lunches and dinners.
ngan@goldentortoise.com

Ngo Thi Ly Anh
Accounts Department Manager

The engine room of the Golden Tortoise business, Ly Anh runs the accounting and operating departments with an energetic passion for precision. Originally from an accounting background, Ly Anh's careful eye and attention for detail makes sure that both the tours and their respective paper trails run smoothly. Dealing with international clients and on-the-ground operators, Ly Anh's detailed grasp of all aspects of the business mean she's able to respond to clients requirements in no time at all.
lyanh@goldentortoise.com

Nguyen Manh Tuyen
Lead English-speaking tour guide

Golden Tortoise's lead English-speaking guide, Tuyen relocated to Hanoi from his home in Nam Dinh province when he was in his early twenties. Since that move, he's taken advantage of his fluent English and Chinese to rapidly develop a reputation as a tour-leader who really does go that extra mile. Preoccupied with making sure his guests are happy at all times, Tuyen is an ace at solving any hiccups that pop up along the way and his perpetual smile and fine sense of humor go a long way towards making sure the guests are comfortable throughout their stay. Tuyen also leads Vietnamese outbound tours further illustrating his flexibility, talents and desire for challenge.

Doan Minh Thong
Lead French-speaking tour guide

Quiet and discreet, French and English speaking Thong comes from Nghe An province (as did Uncle Ho) and moved to Hanoi to further develop his experience as a local tourist guide. Careful not to take centre stage during the trip, Thong steers his tours with a gentle hand from behind the scenes, using his vast knowledge in such a way that his guests often feel they discovered the destinations rather than their being guided there.