My husband and I returned from this excellent, fascinating tour last week. I think it is a well thought out tour and the hotels and food were outstanding.
On tour flights were handled very well. With one exception, bags were checked in and boarding passes handed to us upon arrival at the airport. We did not need to claim bags - they were taken to the Hotels. And we frequently were quickly escorted through expedited lines. We had two flights on Vietnam Airlines, one each on Air Cambodia, Thai Smile and Bangkok Airways. The flights were timely, comfortable and short.
Weather: For the most part, excellent. Not too cold or hot in Hanoi. We had some rain in Central Vietnam, to be expected during rainy season. Some, but minimal, impact on touring (we were lucky). And the partly cloudy skies kept it cooler. Very good weather in Cambodia and Thailand - not too hot.
Pretour: We arrived two nights prior to the start of the tour. Really nice room. The morning after our arrival, we had time for a leisurely breakfast and a walk around the area of the Sofitel and the hotel itself. At 9;30 a.m. we were picked up for our pre-arranged day tour to Halong Bay. It was a beautiful day and we enjoyed our own boat, a cave visit, a great lunch and lovely views. We were happy that we came an extra day early to enjoy this tour. After we arrived back at the Sofitel, we enjoyed a light dinner and drinks on the 7th Floor (access included with our Tauck rooms).
Day 1 of Tour: Prior to the start of the tour at 6:00 pm, we enjoyed independent time in Hanoi. At 7:20 am, we were picked up for a pre-booked Backstreets Jeep Tour. It was excellent, including touring the City by jeep, walking some back streets, stops at Train Street and the B52 Museum (outside only) and an excellent lunch. We had enough time back at the Hotel to enjoy the nice pool and then met our group for cocktails and then a very good dinner at Le Beaulieu, the French restaurant at the Sofitel.
Day 2: Morning buggy (electric carts) ride through the Old Quarter. Then an interesting visit to the Hanoi Hilton and a very good lunch at Le Club. Afternoon visit to Ba Dinh Square, site of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, where we saw the changing of the guards. Then a nice walking tour of the Botanical Gardens and by the Presidential Palace, a visit to the House on Stilts and the One Pillar Pagoda. We then went to the Water Puppet show, which was cute. Back to the Sofitel, where we had time to swim and then another light dinner on the 7th Floor. Some folks did go out to dinner to various restaurants. This was the one night when we had to have luggage out the night before our early morning flight.
Day 3: A 6:00 am departure for a 7:45 am flight to Danang. Then we drove to Hue, and had an interesting walking tour of the Tomb and Summer Palace of Emperor Tu Duc. There was sporadic light rain, so a travel umbrella and light weight rain jacket were handy. Then check-in and very good lunch at the La Residence Hotel. Lovely property with attentive staff. At about 3:00 pm, we left the hotel for a fun cyclo ride (in the rain) to the citadel and Forbidden City. There, we had an excellent walking tour. That evening we enjoyed the cocktail lounge at the Hotel and included dinner at prearranged reservation times.
Day 4: This morning, the group was unable to take the planned dragon boat cruise to the Tien Mu Pagoda and Buddhist monastery, because the water levels in the Perfume River were too high for the boats to make it under the bridges. So we went to the Pagoda and monastery by bus and had a very nice tour (again, on and off rain). There were ramps and steps and some of the group skipped this visit. The group then drove to Danang for our two night stay at the beautiful Furama Resort, where we had beachfront rooms. Lovely rooms and we had left the rain behind us. My husband and I enjoyed a long walk on the beach (too rough to swim) and then a swim in the Lagoon pool (one of two pools). Included dinner at one of the three restaurants. We ate at the Asian restauant, which was very good. Most of the group went to the steak restaurant.
Day 5: Enjoyable morning tour of local farming village, including visit to former Mayor's house. Then, a fun tour of Hoi An, first by cyclos and then a walking tour and visits to the Assembly Hall and the Merchant House. We had independent time to walk around, have lunch, shop. While there, we observed that the River was rising. We returned to the Hotel and had time to take another long beach walk, go for a swim, and work out. That night, we (and most of the group) had dinner in the Asian restaurant, because Friday night is fish buffet night. It was outstanding - point out what fish you want, and it was cooked fresh for you.
Day 6: A 7:45 am departure for an 8:55 am flight to Saigon. Upon arrrival, we drove to the Cu Chi tunnels, eating a boxed lunch on the way. A very good time saving and traffic minimizing strategy. Loved the tunnels visit - very interesting, and a few of us did go down into and walk through the last section of the tunnels (not very far). Afterwards, we drove to the beautiful Park Hyatt Hotel. Lovely room and enough time for a swim in the very nice pool, have a cocktail in the beautiful bar and enjoy included dinner at the Square One restaurant at the Hyatt (I had delicious lobster). Because it was Saturday night, some key streets near the Hotel were designated pedestrian only, so we took a nice walk after dinner, enjoying the lights, the buskers and lots of people watching.
Day 7: A very full and fun day. We had a walking tour of the Ben Tanh market and the Presidential Palace (familiar to many for the tanks crashing through the front gates at the end of the Vietnam War). Then we went to the area of Notre Dame Cathedral (closed for restoration work) and the Post Office. We had time to take photos of the former American Embassy, famous for the helicoptor lifts from the roof, and to visit the beautifu Post Office Building. Then back to the Hyatt for an included lunch at the Opera Restaurant. I understand that because it was Sunday, it was even more special than usual.
That morning, our local guide had offered the group the option of visiting the War Remnants Museum after lunch. Four of us took her up on that offer and at 2:00 pm she accompanied us by van to the Museum, oriented us, and waited for us (about a 45 minute visit). I had read about this museum and was glad to have the opportunity to visit. It was an worthwhile visit, and sad. A very interesting section focusing on journalists who died during the War, a gallery dedicated to Agent Orange and its impact on the Vietnamese peope as well as the U.S. soldiers. Afterward, the local guide accompanied us back to the Hotel.
We had time to for another quick and refreshing swim before our 6:00 pm meeting time for the VESPA foodie and nightlights tour. This was a blast. Much to my surprise, I was not at all hesitant or frightened. It was fascinating driving amongst all of the scooters. People were waving and smiling at us. Our first stop was a rooftop bar for a drink and photos of the City lights. Stop 2 was at an outdoor restaurant for Vietnamest food (including frogs) and a beer. On the way to stop 3, another restaurant, it started raining. The drivers pulled over and provided us with rain ponchos and, like everyone else, kept going. The second restaurant, also outside, but covered, was also good. At that point, some of the group went back to the Hyatt (one person had skipped the entire Vespa experience). Five of us continued on to the final stop, a night club with live music. The visit was not very long, but we had one beer, enjoyed two different bands and some dancing. A very memorable evening! To be continued...
