Hassle free customised Vietnam tour ..
We booked a tour from Bangkok for a week in Vietnam Hanoi with 2 nights on board a cruise in Ha Long bay Odyssey handled everything for us ncluding return transfers hotel to / from BKK airport. We were met by our guide Trinh on arrival at Hanoi airport and taken to our hotel in the centre of Hanoi old Town (La Siesta Trendy). The staff here were great and the room was spacious clean with great facilities. Breakfast was comprehensive and relaxed. We had a 1 day tour of Hanoi with Trinh whose knowledge of Hanoi and the history of Vietnam is encyclopaedic.She was so helpful and keen to make sure we covered everything we expected to see and do. Days 3-5 were aboard one of the Lavella cruise ships. Again this was all organised by Odessey and Trihn escorted us the 3 hours drive to the ship. The crew were also really friendly and attentive remembering our names and cabin. There were only 25 or so passengers aboard and the whole atmosphere was incredibly relaxing. Our cabin was sizable with a king bed and outside balcony with large picture windows. Meals were included our only extra costs were drinks which were reasonably priced and the cocktails were expertly mixed! Our only minor point was that on day 3 of the cruise we weren't able to take the tender a second time to Titop island as apparently we only paid for one visit. Overall we had a really relaxing time amongst stunning scenery. Trinh met us from the cruise and escorted back to Hanoi LaSiesta the staff remembered us which was a really great touch. We had a different room in what may have been an older (west wing) part of the hotel and this wasn't quite up to the previous rooms standard (shower partially blocked and air con was a bit rattly) Our last full day was to Bahdinh temple complex and the Tran Ang lake and caves. During the 2 hour drive Trinh kept us informed of sights on the way and of aspects of Vietnamese culture. At alltimes Trihn checked with us if there was anything we wanted to know and liased with other local people to ensure we made the most of our short time. Overall a really great experience and value for money. We would certainly book again with Odyssey.