As an American who grew up in the 60s, the American war in Vietnam was a painful episode in our history. The trip by this tour company did not shy away from some the sites that caused me some personal pain. That said, I welcomed the reflection. For me it was not a trip entirely about lounging, great food and shopping. And I am grateful to our gracious guide for that; and the amazing Brits who were my traveling companions.
This tour delivered beauty and savagery in equal measures. The scenery varied between flat rice fields as far as the eye could see and dense jungle. The local countryside dwellers were happy and busy turning food crops into a living. The cities were traffic nightmares where cars and scooters came at us from all directions. Distant history was displayed in all its magnificence, while the barbarity of more recent history was laid bare for all to see.
The bikes and hotels were good and the leadership was both accommodating and supportive. It was a truly brilliant experience for all that.
Vietnam Adventure beginning 17 November 2018 This was a fantastic trip, which covered a lot of distance and a wide variety of sights, activities and modes of transport. Our excellent leader, Cong Nguyen, managed the whole trip exceptionally well, ensuring that we had sufficient free time to allow us to relax from the busy schedule of travelling and activities. He was also knowledgeable and genuinely enthusiastic about the history and culture of Vietnam. We learned a lot from him. The standard of accommodation throughout the fortnight was excellent and the friendliness of the Vietnamese people was so welcoming. We even learned how to cross the street - a task which turned out to be a lot less dangerous than it first appeared (well, OK, a little less dangerous!) Finally, everything you ever heard about the fantastic food is correct!