Travel Review: Luxury Trip to Vietnam, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh, Mekong Delta, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh, Biking, Local Cuisine

Choice or Vietnam and this travel company turned out to be very good holiday decisions. 

My wife and I have just returned from 19 days in Vietnam - arriving Hanoi and then working our way down the country to HCM city. 

After considering several travel agencies we choose this company largely based on our discussions with our agent who was outstanding in pre-game planning, intra-trip execution and post game (I left my phone in van and our agent quickly found it and had it mailed to me within a few days).  Our class of service was Luxury which largely effects your choice of hotels. This said we were quite impressed with quality and breadth of selection of hotels. We staid in some very interesting and sometimes grand hotels and were never disappointed with rooms, amenities or food. 

The trip itinerary was a collaboration. Our agent and this company suggested an itinerary based on our interests (some culture, some biking, some hiking, good food, good hotels--and as many 'authentic' moments as possible interacting with locals. We elected on a three stage trip - North, Central and South. Our agent was also very good in being clear when he though we were going to take on too much. For example we thought perhaps a side trip to Laotian capital - Our agent loved the destination but made it clear we would be compressing our plans to a point of uncomfortableness - same with a trip to Saba in the north. We elected to get our trekking and biking elsewhere so we would not have our heads on a different pillow every night). 

The travel company arranged all transportation, drivers, guides, intra-country air travel, app. most of our meals, entrance fees etc. In addition our travel agent was very good about giving us pre-trip information, taking care of visas, cultural reading etc. A quick note we enjoyed street food several times and were glad we did. Street food in this context means a sit down restaurant (yes often on a busy street) that locos patronize. Each selection was great. We were generally careful about H2O and the usual cautions about how to eat and drink in Vietnam but candidly we did take a few chances (wonderful ship pancakes with three different types of greens and multiple types of mint) and did not suffer. 

I provide the basic itinerary below. I would change almost nothing but have a few recommendations that I shared with our agent. 

I would take 2 nights in Ha Long Bay. It is one of the most spectacular and beautiful places we have ever been two The boat team did a great job in making our overnight feel fun, intimate and relaxing but it you could squeeze out one more day I would do - providing budget allows (time on the bay is expensive and you do need to get the right boat as there are a myriad of choices. Even though its a tourist destination the bay is so big and so broken up with limestone karsts you don't feel your in a crowd). 

I would think about how you want to approach the Mekong Delta. You have a bit of a drive to and from HCM city and you want it to be worth it. We went on bike ride along Mekong tributary, visited the floating market and a fruit farm, and had some good food - all within 36 hours. Felt a little rushed. Mr V indicted if you had an extra day he would have you use on a bit farther into the delta and get a bit deeper into the countryside. Worth thinking about. 

We had three principal guides on our trip (North, Central, South) along with guides who would lead individual excursions (float through a nature preserve, day out in the country on bikes etc). Two of the three guides we rate an 8/10 and the other we give a 7/10. All guides spoke English, had a good sense of humor and had a good command of their local area). English is their second language so on occasion both parties need to say something another way for absolute clarity - but this was part of the fun and never posed an obstacle. The excursion guides were all very good and some were outstanding. The guides made sure all logistics we're well managed, that dining options and logistics were managed with zero stress on our part and were open to changes on the fly. Twice we called for an early day to go enjoy our wonderful hotel or we indicated we would rather do A vs B - never a problem. 

One thing not to miss is a private Cam Tru performance. This is in Hanoi. Its a traditional Vietnamese music form, almost gone, and the evening we had was quite special. A mother, daughter and mothers sister played and sang for just the two of us for over an hour. The music is quite foreign to an American ear but the experience was refreshingly authentic  - fun and quite inexpensive. 

We loved Pu Long - it was quite chilly when we were there and not heaters in the room but the eco lodges are wonderful, have great views from top of a small mountain overlooking rice fields, and the walks through the local villages a pleasure - people friendly, inquisitive...But do make sure you take a look at temps before you go - we both would have welcomed another sweater. I am told it was unusually cold this particular season. But don't skip it. 

We loved Ha Long bay. Magical and is the Vietnam postcard of beauty. 

We loved our bike rides. Took two longish ones 20-25 miles and a one shorter ones. They all bring you into contact with people out in the country. Terrain is largely flat. We had good bikes 2 of the 3 trips. Make sure to pay attention to your bike fit. We swapped out bikes once. I am 6' and the frames at one place were too small. They found me a larger one. I think some discussion with the agent on bikes if you are avid cyclist would be worth it. Lock in some good gear. Lots of outfitters so should be no problems finding what you want. 

Surprisingly we liked HCMC more than Hanoi. We were only in Hanoi a short time so got a feel for the city which I appreciated but its a big sprawling city with some road chaos. HCM city is more populated but infrastructure is much more mature and the city quite prosperous. Easy to walk around- have a beer, a coffee, do some window shopping. I think having HCM city come at the end of the trip is the right pacing. see the country and then take a day to unwind in HCM city before going home. 

We loved street food - guide recommended.

we climbed the 500 steps to late Kings tomb in Hoi An. At top you get a view and are met by a 94 year old women who lives locally and takes care of the tomb- she serenades you with confucian poems and quite open to talking about her life. We loved her and the experience. Her two friends, age 90, are a 1/3 and 2/3 of the way up - hardy stock, 

We loved the people - friendly, open, happy to talk, happy to show you what they do. We spent some time with villagers, traditional ship builders, farmers, herders, fisherman etc. All easy to talk to. 

Overall a great trip made possible by this travel company - I have no reservations recommending them for your own planning. I bombarded our agent with Q&A pre trip and all of this back and forth produced the itinerary below.  Bill & Chris G

Snapshot

Day 1

Hanoi Arrival: pickup and driven to hotel to relax

No Meals

Day 2

Experiencing Daily life in Hanoi: A full day to explore Hanoi as a local and visit some highlight sights of the capital.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3

Duong Lam Ancient Village Exploration/Tu Phu Show: visit an authentic rural village, to experience rural life and enjoy a very special show with the theme of the traditional Vietnamese practice of spirit incarnation.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 4

Hanoi/Pu Luong Discover: enjoy your sightseeing driving by car to Pu Luong – Vietnam Natural Reserve

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5

Pu Luong Hiking time : do your hiking, rafting to the natural sightseeing and get the close touch with local people

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6

Pu Luong/Ninh Binh: depart to the beautiful mountain landscape for your visit and explore the nature

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 7

Ninh Binh Discover: another day to explore this wonderful natural sightseeing

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 8

Ninh Binh/Ha Long Bay: drive to Ha Long Bay and enjoy the 2 days – one night cruise to experience yourself in the marvelous landscape

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9

Ha Long Bay/Hanoi/Danang/Hoi An: return to Hanoi for your flight to Danang. Then drive to Hoi An Ancient Town where you’ll spend your night.

Meals: Brunch

Day 10

Hoi An From Farmer to Fisherman/Ancient Town: Today you will have an experience about Vietnamese local life with lots of dynamic activities plus enjoy the walking tour to discover the Ancient Town

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 11

Hoi An Vespa Explore: discover the countryside on your vespa scooter

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 12

Hoi An/Danang/Hue: you will leave for Hue – the old capital where you can learn more about the history of the the last feudal dynasty of Vietnam.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 13

Hue Heritage Tour: another day in this serenity city

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 14

Cycling to the Real Local Life: A most interesting way to discover the charms of the ancient capital of Hue is to take a cycle ride around the surrounding countryside and villages.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 15

Hue/Ho Chi Minh City: take your flight to Ho Chi Minh city – center of the south

Meals: Breakfast

Day 16

Ho Chi Minh City/Cu Chi Tunnels/Orientation- Discover the Night Life: enjoy the dynamic city via your visit some of special sites including the Tunnels.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 17

Ho Chi Minh City/Mekong Delta biking/Can Tho: enjoy your biking day to the Mekong Delta to see the rural life, get in touch with local people and relax in the heart of Mekong

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 18

Can Tho- Soft Biking/Ho Chi Minh City: visit the floating market before continue your pedal and get back to the city where you’ll spend your night.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Day 19

Ho Chi Minh City Departure: your time will be yours until the departure flight time to get back home

Meals: Breakfast