Hello
I have just returned from an amazing trip to Vietnam with a Cambodia add-on, over Christmas.
We arrived on Christmas eve in Hanoi to meet all 36 travelling companions. I have not been on a trip with so many people before and I have to say I prefer groups which are smaller in size. I didn’t manage to speak to everyone by the time we left Vietnam.
We did, however, have an amazing tour manager, Brian Croft, who I have experienced before as a tour manager and he didn’t disappoint. He is one of the best tour managers I have had with Just You.
I didn’t know what to expect in Vietnam or how they celebrate Christmas but it was lots of fun. We started the tour with a welcome meal. We were given a small gift, by the hotel and we even had an appearance from Father Christmas. The whole evening was very enjoyable.
Christmas day we went to the tomb where Ho Chi Minh is buried followed by a rickshaw ride through the town. This was the highlight of Christmas day and everyone enjoyed the ride. Next we went to water puppet show which is one of those experiences which you only need to do once.
Boxing Day we went to Halong bay to spend overnight on a junk. We had a great evening it was a wonderful atmosphere everyone seem to join in with all the fun. Sleeping on the boats was an experience. Some members of the group had real luxury with fantastic bedroom with lovely on-suite facilities. The rest of us were on real ‘junk boats’ they were very basic to say the least. We were very cold and the showers were an experience. Trying to hold the nozzle in one hand in a confined space between the toilet and sink, is very difficult. But you just need to go with the flow and enjoy the experience.
Halong bay was beautiful and we did an excursion to the caves, to see the stalagmites and stalactites which are amazing. After departing Halong bay we caught a plane to Hue, the former capitol of Vietnam.
We just had the one night in Hue and then we took a very scene’s drive to Hui An which was a delightful hotel close to the beach. We stayed for three nights and it was very relaxing.
Some of the group did a cycle ride and they all got soaked but they still thoroughly enjoyed the experience and a couple of the group got to sit on a water buffalo. The rest of us had a well-deserved lie-in before we went on a walking tour of the town.
Hue is very beautiful and picturesque with lots of shops, bars and restaurants. We saw inside a traditional house and watched the girls doing tapestries etc. There was also a chance to have some clothes tailored for us, which a few of the group did. We then had a boat ride back to the hotel, which was lovely, as was watching fishermen casting their nets. Our evening meal was taken back in the town, which was completely different at night time, all lit up with lanterns.
The next day was an excursion to My Son which was an interesting experience. We started with a dance show before exploring the ruins from the ancient Cham Empire.
On New Year’s Eve we flew to Saigon, where we stayed for three nights. Saigon is amazing with thousands of moped and bikes. We saw all sorts being carried on bike, from fish bowls containing goldfish to workman carrying lengths of steel, width ways. All missing each other more by luck than skill I think.
New Year eve started firstly with a meal then we went to the roof of the hotel where drinks and canapes were served. At midnight we had a wonderful fireworks display and all the waiters gave a small dance display and covered the place with tinsel, including the pool. It was a fantastic evening.
Next day we had to be up early, 6.30, to go to the Chu Chi tunnels. Although we were all tired it was an interesting experience. We all climbed through the first tunnel but as they got smaller and smaller only a few made it to the end. We then had an afternoon at the war remnants museum which was an eye opener, with some very disturbing images.
On our last day in Saigon we travelled to the Mekong Delta for a boat ride which was delightful. We had a fantastic farewell lunch where we said goodbye to all our friends who were leaving to fly home. Eleven of us then travelled to a lovely hotel, the Victoria, for the night.
Most of us got up really early the next morning to go and see the floating market, which was fascinating, watching the locals buying all their supplies. Back at the hotel we caught a boat which travelled along the Mekong to enter Cambodia.
Phnom Pehn was our first destination were we visited the Royal Palace and the National museum followed by the genocide museum, which was very sad. It reduced some of the women in the group to tears. You need to prepare yourself if you go here it is not for the faint hearted.
After a two night stay in our hotel we travelled by air to Siem Reap.
Siem Reap was the highlight of this trip for me. We stayed for three nights and visited various areas of the magnificent Angkor Wat complex. We managed to see the awe inspiring Angkor Wat temple and well as visiting different areas including the tomb raider, carved smiling face temples and the terrace of the elephants. It was amazing and we also managed a trip to see the temple at sunrise and sunset.
An afternoon excursion was included on our first day in Siem Reap to the Tonle Sap Lake to see how the Vietnamese boat people lived on their floating village, which was fascinating. It was lovely to see all the children at school enjoying themselves. Even though they live on the lake and the water is filthy they all looked spotless.
We had the next day at leisure before travelling home.
Overall it was a fascinating trip. We started in the North of Vietnam which is similar in parts to China and ending up in Camobodia which is not unlike Thailand. I would recommend this trip to everyone.
