Our group met up at Heathrow in the airport lounge (tour leader was available at check in to answer any questions) ahead of the long flight - long but a good airline and comfortable. We arrived in the old capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, the next day and met our local guide - we had 3 guides for 3 sections of the tour and they were all wonderful! On the first evening, we had a welcome dinner at one of the best restaurants in Hanoi - one of the first of many delicious meals we had in Vietnam. Vietnamese food is non spicy/not hot but contains very fresh ingredients - lots of fresh veg, herbs and fish - it is a true delight. It is delicate and tasty but not overpowering. In short, it is fantastic. Hanoi was lovely - we went out in cyclos, we saw a water puppet show, we saw Ho Chi Minh's resting place. The next highlight of the tour, and it's a big one, was the overnight cruise on Halong Bay. As a group, we were divided onto 2 boats - if anyone is worried about this, don't be! The boats were sensational, lovely wooden junks, soft beds, great facilities, very safe, amazing seafood served during the cruise, beer a reasonable price! It was one of the most amazing travel experiences in my life! Nothing can compare to sailing along slowly through amazing rock formations while sipping a cool beer on the deck of a wooden ship....

From north Vietnam, you do a short internal flight to central Vietnam, to stay in Hue and Hoi Ann. Again, what delights, what amazing places. One of the highlights which almost everyone did was the optional bike ride into the countryside. Hoi Ann is on the coast of Vietnam which is spectacular. Then it was finally on to Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon for the last 3 nights. Busy city, loads to see. I recommend the optional day trip to the amazing Cu Chi tunnels. While based in Saigon, there's also an included day trip to the Mekong Delta for a boat cruise - I'm running out of adjectives here! How fantastic!

In all, this was by far the best trip I've been on - it was so well organised, great tour manager and local guides, very good standard of hotels, meals included were fab (please note though - there's a lot of sharing dishes among typically 4 people, they put a plate down to share between 4 - that's how the locals eat, and chopsticks are the norm in Vietnam altho' the restaurants will always give you a fork if you ask!!!).

I have to say, I was a bit nervous about booking the Vietnam tour - I thought 'heavens, I don't know much about Vietnam'. But I'd been to Thailand with JY and knew they would look after me - and I was not wrong! It was THE BEST trip ever. Totally amazing as a travel experience.

Anna

It has decided me to book for next March. :thumbup:

John

Thanks

Lois

best wishes, Nicola

I too intend booking this trip for either March or April 2012, having read your review! I was considering either Peru or the Silk Road to Samarkand, but your enthusiasm for this trip has convinced me that Vietnam is where I want to go this time. Thank you for taking the time to write such a comprehensive review.

Lois

Hi Lois

Was just wondering if you had actually booked this trip? I've booked the April 29th tour.

Best Wishes...Caroline

No, I haven't booked yet. I shall probably book the April 18th tour to Vietnam as I have an engagement the day after the 29th tour returns, and my body clock will need longer to readjust! I'll let you know if I do book for the 29th though.

Enjoy your trip! Lois

I am now thinking of Vietnam and after your review will deffinately book it. I was wondering about the Cambodia add on can anyone let me know what they think.? I was thinking of September or October any thoughts?

the Vietnam trip is now very close to the top of my list, seeing as the good folk at JY have added the option of a Cambodia add-on! It sounds truly fantastic! I am waiting for a friend to get back to me about going to China next Sept, but if that doesn't work out I'll be hopefully doing Vietnam and the Cambodia extension next autumn, so maybe our paths might cross then!

Best wishes,

Bob

Hi everyone at JY. I did the Vietnam tour in April 2011 and very much meant to write a review of it sooner. Better late than never and hope it helps people thinking of booking it and for a start I would say -DO!!! It was the best trip I've done so far with JY (and it was my 5th) - Vietnam is a truely beautiful and amazing country and the JY tour covers everything and in such a well organised fashion, it was a joy from start to finish. The Vietnamese people are absolutely lovely - so friendly and charming.

Our group met up at Heathrow in the airport lounge (tour leader was available at check in to answer any questions) ahead of the long flight - long but a good airline and comfortable. We arrived in the old capital of Vietnam, Hanoi, the next day and met our local guide - we had 3 guides for 3 sections of the tour and they were all wonderful! On the first evening, we had a welcome dinner at one of the best restaurants in Hanoi - one of the first of many delicious meals we had in Vietnam. Vietnamese food is non spicy/not hot but contains very fresh ingredients - lots of fresh veg, herbs and fish - it is a true delight. It is delicate and tasty but not overpowering. In short, it is fantastic. Hanoi was lovely - we went out in cyclos, we saw a water puppet show, we saw Ho Chi Minh's resting place. The next highlight of the tour, and it's a big one, was the overnight cruise on Halong Bay. As a group, we were divided onto 2 boats - if anyone is worried about this, don't be! The boats were sensational, lovely wooden junks, soft beds, great facilities, very safe, amazing seafood served during the cruise, beer a reasonable price! It was one of the most amazing travel experiences in my life! Nothing can compare to sailing along slowly through amazing rock formations while sipping a cool beer on the deck of a wooden ship....

From north Vietnam, you do a short internal flight to central Vietnam, to stay in Hue and Hoi Ann. Again, what delights, what amazing places. One of the highlights which almost everyone did was the optional bike ride into the countryside. Hoi Ann is on the coast of Vietnam which is spectacular. Then it was finally on to Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon for the last 3 nights. Busy city, loads to see. I recommend the optional day trip to the amazing Cu Chi tunnels. While based in Saigon, there's also an included day trip to the Mekong Delta for a boat cruise - I'm running out of adjectives here! How fantastic!

In all, this was by far the best trip I've been on - it was so well organised, great tour manager and local guides, very good standard of hotels, meals included were fab (please note though - there's a lot of sharing dishes among typically 4 people, they put a plate down to share between 4 - that's how the locals eat, and chopsticks are the norm in Vietnam altho' the restaurants will always give you a fork if you ask!!!).

I have to say, I was a bit nervous about booking the Vietnam tour - I thought 'heavens, I don't know much about Vietnam'. But I'd been to Thailand with JY and knew they would look after me - and I was not wrong! It was THE BEST trip ever. Totally amazing as a travel experience.

I have booked this trip with the Cambodia add-on for next spring. I'm in my late fifties, which I guess is a 'tweenie'! I have been on 2 JY tours so far and, as most JY customers will tell you, ages range from 20s to 80s with the majority in their 50s and 60s. I holiday independently too, but have found JY tours great for seeing places, like Vietnam, where I wouldn't venture on my own. The tours are well organised, the tour managers look after you well and, as everyone is on their own, friendships are quickly made irrespective of age.

Lois