22 Days Indochina Highlight Vacation

Route : Bangkok – Hanoi – Halong Bay – Hanoi Hue – Danang – Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh – Can Tho – Rach Gia - Phu Quoc – Chau Doc - Phnom Penh - Siem Reap – Bangkok
Nationality : (UK)
Travel Consultant : Andrew
Travel Date : 2011/12/01-2011/12/22

Dear Andew

We are happy to share our experience with you

1. What do you think of our guide service?
All the guides were very helpful and knowledgeable - their english was generally good. Our favourite guide was Dieu in Saigon, and Phon in Siem Reap and Quet in Hanoi were also excellent. Phong in Hue /Hoi An was very cheerful and good humoured but we were a little disappointed that when he had a wedding to go to he wasn't open with us about his plans - we would have been happy to have agreed that he could leave early to get back home in time but felt we had been a little mislead by not being told at the beginning

2. What do you think of our driver service?
Again we had no complaints about any of the drivers - we were especially impressed with the driver in Hanoi who was very calm in traffic and good at avoiding dogs running into the road and the driver in Hoi An who spoke good english and was able to pick us up and take us to the airport when Phong was not available

3. What do you think of the hotel service and their breakfast?
The hotel in Hanoi was very noisy for the first night - although they were able to reassure us that the construction work would not reoccur again at night for the rest of out stay. The room was good but the breakfast was limited - although this was a cheap hotel. We were a little disappointed with the buffet meals on the Emotion junk in Ha Long bay - the second night menu was exactly the same as the first night - they had not really made any effort for those passengers who were staying for the extra night. The muzak playing in the corridor was very loud and one night came on in the middle of the night - we think this was worse for us as our cabin had a speaker right out side our cabin. In addition to this, there was no-one on duty in the night to sort this music out.
Hue - hotel and breakfast OK.
Hoi An - there was a problem with our check in which took 1 1/2 hours - they didn't seem to have our booking. Phong kept on telling us that nothing was wrong when clearly it was - we would have appreciated a more honest response at the time. Once checked in, the hotel was excellent and it was great to be right in the middle of Hoi An in the evening.
Saigon - our room in the hotel was initially poor with wires poking out of the wall, electrical equipment not working etc. After we had complained however they upgraded us to one of the old rooms which was good - although we did have a problem with the door not being locked when we returned to it - there seemed to be some fault with the mechanism. We would not want to return to the Grand.
Can Tho - hotel really nice, and we wanted to stay longer, but the food in the restaurant was over priced and not very pleasant - very greasy. Breakfast was OK though.
Phu Quoc - Only criticism would be lack of air conditioning - although there were fans, they were noisy to keep on all night. The bed itself was very hard. Beautiful surroundings and excellent food and cocktails.
Chau Doc - hotel was comfortable - we were upgraded to a river view. Food in the restaurant was disappointing for the price - we should have tried outside!
Phnom Penh - excellent hotel in very good location and very comfortable. Excellent breakfast.
Siem Reap - hotel was beautiful and staff very friendly and helpful - our favourite. Breakfast was Ok but not outstanding.

4. Which meal makes you memorable? Please name the reason why you like or dislike it?
Our most memorable meals were: Lunch on the day trip in Ha Long bay - the captain of the bout was also the cook and presented a wonderful meal with additional carved decorations.
Our first dinner in Hanoi - a restaurant recommended by the guide - Quan Ngon.
Lunch in Hue - excellent food, beautifully presented in a lovely surrounding.
Hoi An - we ate in Morning Glory - a good meal but not outstanding. We also ate in Mango Rooms - fusion food which was expensive for Vietnam but a very memorable and excellent experience.
Saigon - we recommend drinks in the roof top bar of the Rex hotel. We also ate in Lemon Grass restaurant - on the 15th floor great views.
Phu Quoc - the food at Mango Bay was very good - the sea views of the sunset made cocktails and dinner even better.
Phnom Penh - the lunch at restaurant Titanic next to the dock where we disembarked from the boat from Chau Doc was excellent.
Siem Reap - for our last night we went to AHA restaurant in pub alley - expensive compared to other local restaurants but the food was very good.
.
Nick and Suzy