For the same trip, some requests receive multiple good quotes, while others receive no replies. The difference often lies in how the request is written. Guides need enough information to know whether they are a good fit and how much they should quote.
1. Title: who, where, and how long
A good title answers three questions: what language the guide should speak, where the tour takes place, and how long it will last.
| Not ideal | Better |
|---|---|
| Need a guide | Looking for an English-speaking guide for a 2-day tour of Ho Chi Minh City and Cu Chi |
| Looking for a tour guide | Looking for a Korean-speaking guide for a group of 18 guests in Da Nang and Hoi An for 3 days |
| Urgent Hanoi guide | Looking for a Vietnamese-speaking female guide for a family of 5 visiting Hanoi Old Quarter on October 12 |
2. Itinerary: the more specific, the easier it is to quote
List the places you want to visit, along with the expected start and end times. For example:
Day 1: Pick-up at the hotel in District 1 at 8:00 a.m.; visit the Independence Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon, and the Central Post Office; have Vietnamese food for lunch; visit Ben Thanh Market in the afternoon. Finish at 5:00 p.m.
Day 2: Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels in the morning and return in the afternoon. A private vehicle is already arranged; only a guide is needed.
The final line is very important: clearly state whether you already have a vehicle, who will pay the entrance fees, and whether the guide will eat with the group. These are the factors that create the biggest differences in quotes.
3. Group information
- Number of adults, children, and infants.
- Guests’ nationalities or main language.
- Whether there are elderly guests or people with mobility difficulties.
- Purpose: tourism, business, conference, pilgrimage, photography, etc.
4. Budget: provide an actual figure
If you are not familiar with current prices, read the article on guide rental rates in the Articles section of the site. In general, a guide’s service fee depends on the language, licence type, number of working hours, and travel season. Stating a reasonable budget range helps you receive more realistic quotes than selecting “Negotiable.”
5. Require only what is truly necessary
Every condition you select—gender, years of experience, licence type, or skills—reduces the number of people who may be able to accept the request. Choose only what is genuinely important. For example, foreign visitors touring historical sites should prioritize an international licence and language ability, while gender can be set to “No preference.”
Common mistakes
- Posting too close to the travel date. Post at least 5–7 days in advance, or 2–4 weeks ahead during peak season.
- Leaving out the pick-up point. Guides need to know where to pick you up in order to calculate travel time.
- Entering the wrong end date. For a one-day trip, the start and end dates should be the same.
- Leaving the notes blank. A few lines describing the group’s preferences help guides suggest a better itinerary.
Sample request
Title: Looking for a French-speaking guide for a 2-day tour of Hue for a couple
Dates: November 15–16
Pick-up point: Hotel near the Perfume River
Guests: 2 adults, French nationals, visiting Vietnam for the first time
Requirements: International licence, French language skills, and storytelling skills in history and culture
Budget: According to the market rate, per day
Notes: Would like to visit the Imperial City, two royal tombs, and Thien Mu Pagoda, and try imperial cuisine. Private transportation is already arranged. The guest enjoys photography.
Finished writing? Post a request to find a tour guide now.
