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Buffalo Tours has become one of the youngest sucessful brands in the Asian travel marketplace. The Brand’s backbone is its values centered around upkeeping the IDARE spirits, dare to do, dare to think.

In a natural way, Buffalo Tours had set the foundation for the destinations management business of Thien Minh Group (“TMG”), a holding company established by Kien in 2006 to set up the foundation for a multi-million dollars travel integrated business.

2006: TMG established Intrepid Vietnam joint-venture which now PEAK Vietnam, joint-venture with the PEAK Adventure Travel Group, partnering with one of the most well-known enterprises in the Adventure Travel field, TMG were able to serve more customers who are particular into adventurous journeys.

  • 2007: TMG established Thien Minh Transport
  • 2008: Established Buffalo Tours Sales office in Sydney, Australia.
  • 2009: Opened Buffalo Tours offices in Laos, Cambodia and Thailand.
  • 2010: TMG acquired majority shares in Cholon Tours, 100% shares in Asia Outdoors and established Buffalo Tours Sales office in London

Alongside with the consolidation and development of the destinations management business, TMG made its first move into hospitality business by launching Mai Chau Lodge in 2007, the first international standard hotel in Mai Chau.

Mai Chau Lodge offers not only hospitality services such as accommodations, meals, transportations but also provides unique local tours like trekking, biking, kayaking, and rock climbing, etc in bringing the unique characteristics of Mai Chau to international and local visitors.

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The first footprint of TMG in the market with the establishment and development of Buffalo Tours.

In the early years of the 90s, Tran Trong Kien was a young medical student who ran local tours to fund his studies as well as to satisfy his love for discovering the world.

Exposure to travels and tourism have him been on uncountable journeys, seen thousands of destinations, cultures, and people; Kien set his determination to bring Vietnam to the world for its many undiscovered beauties.

“Why Vietnam tourism is not on the map? Why can’t we beat other Asian destinations?” – were among those questions that Kien could not find an answer to himself. Above all this country with its rich culture, spetacular landscapes and friendly people could well be the most exciting place one could find heading East.

Kien established Buffalo Tours in 1994 for such beliefs which later on developed into a regional DMC network spanning across eleven Asian destinations.

From a humble beginning with a small office and three employees, Buffalo Tours has risen to a strong position in the Asian Tourism industry.

In 1994, Buffalo Tours was the first and the only private enterprise providing adventure travel products in Vietnam, which allowed us to gain a valuable foothold in this developing marketplace.

After ten years of operating in Vietnam (1994 – 2005), Buffalo Tours attracted a sustainable and increasing number of customers; as well as a credible image through strong values and memorable customer experiences. We have always aimed to design journeys of distinction, of memory where customers can experience the unique cultures and people that make our destinations so special.

The early success of Buffalo Tours and the increasing global awareness represent the first steps of the TMG journey.

TMG

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1994 - 2005
The Early Years
The first footprint of TMG in the market with the establishment and development of Buffalo Tours.
1994 - 2005
2006 - 2010
The Perfect Pathway
Buffalo Tours has become one of the youngest successful brands in the Asian travel marketplace. The Brand’s backbone is its values centred around upkeeping the IDARE spirits, dare to do, dare to think.
2006 - 2010
2011-2017
Explosive Growth
Beyond the boundary of destinations management industry, TMG explores hospitality, aviation, and online booking industries.
2011-2017
2017 - Present
Divestment For Growth

July 2018, TMG announced that it had entered into an agreement with Flight Centre Travel Group Limited (FLT) for the sale of their shares in Buffalo Tours, Cho Lon Tours, Go Vacation Vietnam, Asia Outdoors and Thien Minh Transport.

The divestment of Buffalo Tours and other brands within the destination management portfolio is part of the Group’s portfolio transformation strategy. This milestone divestment, along with an incredible pipeline of investment projects, would pay a key role in supporting TMG in creating a highly attractive, competitive and well-balanced business, with the leverage of scale, technical expertise and customer-centric culture, which offer considerable upside potential over the long term.

2017 - Present

DARE TO THINK
DARE TO DO
IDARE is a philosophy that motivates and drives TMG to grow continuously.

Aiming to bring customers journey of distinction for a lifetime, TMG understands the importance of partners who will go along with us in our mission for the highest successes.

During our establishment and development, we have always focused on finding partnerships with leading companies, enterprises, and groups in Vietnam, the Asian region, and all over the world. We created a strategic partnership with top companies in travel, hospitality, and transportations industry, to enhance our competitive competencies and to expand our markets. With this strategic journey, we have the conviction and drive to serve and create lifelong memories for our customers.

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