Husband and wife owners Nev Parrott and Penny O'Leary founded Kiwi Vietnam Tours after requests from friends and schools interested in touring Vietnam.
A frequent traveller to Vietnam for business, Nev extended his stays to explore this remarkable country and has since developed a passion for the people and their culture.
Penny and Nev are dedicated to providing tours that dispense tourist dollars to as many Vietnamese people as possible.
Penny and Nev are also joined by Mike Whiteman: our education consultant and professional videographer. Mike is one of our specialist School Group Tour Leaders.
Along with Mike, meet some of regular Vietnamese guides:
- Antony De, a senior guide from Saigon and a Tai Chi expert;
- Phuong (aka Zorro), based in Hanoi and a specialist on Northern Vietnam;
- Ky Nguyen, based in Saigon and always ready with a friendly smile.
“Kiwi Vietnam Tours have organised three school trips to Vietnam for St Peter's College, Palmerston North. Each time has been an unqualified success from not only my point of view, but from each member of the travelling party.
“Nev Parrott is thoroughly familiar with issues surrounding health, safety, personal security and other aspects of risk management.”
Tony Booker—Assistant Principal
St. Peter's College, Palmerston North
16 February 2005
“In Vietnam during April 2000, Nev guided us on our adventure. We quickly learnt that what is planned either happens or doesn't happen on time. This is when Nev really shone. He has amazing patience and knew how to interact with the Vietnamese so that no one lost ‘face’. Nev was so calm and reasonable throughout and unfailingly informative.”
Martin Sims—Teacher
Palmerston North Boys High School
“Vietnam was very different from anything I had ever experienced. The first thing that everyone noticed was the heat! Even at 3am it was 35 degrees. For people who had so little materially they always had a smile. We always felt welcome. My favourite times were the boat cruise in Nha Trang, shopping in Saigon and hiring mopeds in Hanoi.”
Karen Cresswell—Student
St. Matthews College, Masterton
“The main thing that impressed me, awed me, was the way the people in Vietnam deal with poverty. Instead of complaining and moaning about their poor living conditions and lack of good food, the Vietnamese shoulder their problems and get on with it.
“One waitress I talked to made less money in a year and a half than what I had in my pocket at that time, but was she angry or depressed? Not at all. She kept at her job and retained hopes and dreams of what would come her way if she studied constantly and kept working hard. We can learn a lot from the Vietnamese. I have.”
Tom Baragwanath—Student
Rathkeale College, Masterton
“In essence the trip was simply wonderful. So much was learnt about another culture but also about us. I suspect that for some the trip will be life changing. One thing is for sure the History books and Vietnam/American war films will make more interesting reading even if it's hard to imagine the Vietnamese as the enemy!
“When is the next trip, Sir?”
Grant Harper—Vice-Principal
“Something I would do again tomorrow. Apart from the diverse contrast of city life that we know, to the Vietnamese style of pushbikes, scooters, tooting horns and markets, my memories of the people themselves is that they portray a happiness with their lives that in many cases is hard to comprehend.
“The culture is so different, lifestyle is different, the country is Communist and the recovery from war so recently is still so evident. Vietnam has a long way to go before they could ever cater for tourists in large numbers. I am pleased to have gone and would encourage others not to bypass this country when looking for somewhere to discover rather than somewhere to just relax.”
Mrs Maxine Manley—Parent
