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Team of Local Vietnam
Behind Local Vietnam is a team of passionate travelers, locals, and tourism professionals who live and breathe Vietnam.
We are not a remote agency or resellers — we live here, travel constantly, and personally experience the places, people, and activities we recommend.
Our founders, Nhung Phung and Marnick Schoonderwoerd, combine deep local knowledge with global travel experience to create authentic, small-scale, and sustainable trips.
They are supported by a dedicated Vietnam Expert Team that designs and manages tailor-made itineraries, and a skilled Operations & Management Team that ensures everything runs seamlessly behind the scenes.
Together, we share one goal: to help travelers experience the real Vietnam — through genuine encounters, responsible travel, and honest advice from people who truly know the country.
Founders
At the heart of Local Vietnam are two people who have spent over a decade exploring every corner of the country — blending international travel experience with deep local knowledge to design authentic, responsible journeys.
Nhung Phung (Rose)
Co-founder & Managing Director
Nhung represents the local soul of Local Vietnam. After becoming one of Vietnam’s first solo female travel bloggers in 2013, she built a reputation for her courage, creativity, and understanding of how Vietnamese travelers — and later international visitors — want to experience the world.
From national TV features to mentoring new entrepreneurs in tourism, Nhung now leads Local Vietnam’s three pillars: the travel agency, tour-operator division, and community-based lodges. She continues to guide the company’s vision of genuine, small-scale, and sustainable travel.
Marnick Schoonderwoerd
Co-founder & Travel Expert
Originally from the Netherlands, Marnick moved to Vietnam more than ten years ago and has since explored every province of the country. With a background in tourism, experience in over 50 countries, and authorship of 1,000+ detailed Vietnam travel guides, he ensures that every Local Vietnam experience combines Western travel quality with true local authenticity. His focus is on honest, realistic travel advice and tours that connect visitors with Vietnam’s people, landscapes, and culture.
Vietnam Expert Team
Our Vietnam Expert Team is the core of Local Vietnam — passionate travelers who know the country from north to south, not just from behind a desk. Each team member designs and manages custom itineraries, tests new routes, and personally explores the hidden corners of Vietnam. Together, they bring years of experience, curiosity, and genuine love for local culture, food, and adventure.
Linh Bui
Sales Manager & Senior Travel Expert
Linh leads our expert team with a balance of creativity and precision. Born and raised in Hanoi, she has explored Vietnam from the Mekong Delta to the northern mountains. Her passion for adventure — from motorbike tours to paragliding in Mu Cang Chai — inspires the unique, tailor-made itineraries she builds for travelers who want more than the usual highlights.
Tra Huong
Travel Expert & Lodge Co-Manager
Tra is an all-rounder in tourism. She has worked in hotels, tour operations, and travel agencies before joining Local Vietnam. Now based in Ha Giang, she helps manage our lodge while designing authentic journeys for our guests. Her experience stretches from canyoning in Dalat to jungle trekking in Phong Nha, always searching for new local experiences worth sharing.
Tan Nguyen
Travel Expert for Dutch-Speaking Markets
Born in Ho Chi Minh City and now living in the Netherlands, Tan bridges the gap between Dutch-speaking travelers and our Vietnam team. Fluent in Dutch and deeply familiar with both cultures, she ensures that every itinerary matches Western expectations while keeping the authentic Vietnamese feel.
Dzung Nguyen
Northern Vietnam Specialist
A true northerner from Quang Ninh Province, Dzung has extensive experience organizing tours throughout northern Vietnam — including Ha Giang, Cao Bang, and Sapa. He combines logistical precision with local knowledge, making sure every route runs smoothly and every traveler gets a genuine regional experience.
Hien Nguyen
Senior Travel Consultant
Hien brings more than eight years of tourism experience and a calm, detail-oriented approach to every trip she plans. Originally from Bac Giang Province but long based in Hanoi, she enjoys exploring Vietnam by motorbike — especially the remote roads around Ha Giang and Dalat. Her on-the-ground experience helps shape realistic, well-balanced itineraries for travelers of all styles.
Operations & Management Team
Behind every Local Vietnam tour and lodge is a strong operations team ensuring everything runs smoothly. From business systems and financial management to lodge operations and on-the-ground logistics, this team combines international experience, local understanding, and a shared passion for responsible travel.
Duong (Ni) Phung
Co-Manager & Operations Coordinator
Ni is one of the trusted pillars of Local Vietnam and co-manager of our lodge in Ha Giang. After studying and working for several years in Poland, she gained valuable insights into European travel styles and expectations. Her international background and expertise in administration make her essential in streamlining processes across the company — from improving our tours to refining guest experiences. Outside work, Ni loves trekking and exploring Vietnam’s natural landscapes.
Xuyen
Finance & Administration Manager
Xuyen has years of experience managing finances for major companies before joining Local Vietnam. Originally from Pleiku, she divides her time between Pleiku and Ho Chi Minh City, ensuring every financial process — from guest payments to supplier coordination — runs smoothly and transparently. Her precise, reliable work behind the scenes keeps Local Vietnam strong and ready for sustainable growth.