Most Inspirational Moment
The Homestay in the Mekong Delta was wonderful, and gave the chance to meet some of the locals and experience life away from the hussle and bussle of the cities. I loved the Imperial city of Hue, and also relaxed Hoi An - unfortunately we had fairly wet weather whilst we were in the middle of the country, so maybe didn't see them quite at their best - we were lucky to get out on bikes in Hoi An which allowed us to experience the motorbikes and scooters at a different pace than just trying to cross the road - which really is an experience (check out some videos on Youtube before you go). We also got the chance to visit an orphanage in Hoi An which was quite moving, as was the War Remnants museum in Saigon. Halong Bay is stunning, and it was lovely to get out kayaking amongst the limestone karsts and the overnight boat trip was great. The train journey from Danang to Nha Trang, whilst long and perhaps a little uncomfortable allowed you to see much more scenery than you ever do in a coach, so great for photo opportunities.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Hai was extremely well organised, so all his arrangements went without a hitch and he was really keen to ensure that we all got to experience as much of Vietnam as we could in this busy trip. He was really knowledgeable, and had some great anecdotes to tell about all the places we visited.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Pack light, but be prepared that it might well rain a lot whilst you are there. Leave plenty of space for shopping as there are loads of opportunities through the trip to buy some great things. You can get washing done easily in Hoi An. If you are looking for a relaxing holiday, this might not be the trip for you, be prepared for some long days. As others have mentioned, be really careful of your possessions when you are out and about - it is very difficult for Vietnamese to leave the country, so our passports are very valuable to them as well as to us. Keep your wits about you in the big cities, but do visit the markets and bargain, you can get some fantastic deals. If you want to get clothes made in Hoi An, take some pictures with you to give ideas to the tailors, and be prepared to go for two or three fittings - persevere and as long as you have gone to a recommended tailor (ask your guide, they will know the good places) you will get a great result at the end.
Suggestions
The Homestay in the Mekong was more comfortable than we had all expected - we were in rooms of max 4 people, and couples got their own rooms. The food was delicious and the toilets/showers were clean and plentiful. I would have preferred to spend less time in the cities and more time out in the more rural parts of Vietnam, but if you are a city lover, you will love this trip. Remember, Vietnam is still very much a developing country, so standards might not be quite as good as you would get on a similar trip in say Thailand, but eating out and drinks are very good value, so you can get much more for your money whilst you are there. The food is fantastic too! If you want to visit Vietnam, I'd suggest you go soon, to experience it before it gets too developed and tourism spoils it!
