First Visit to Vietnam (Hanoi and Halong Bay)
Special thanks to Monica Mo from Asia Highlights, for being understanding that I am travelling with my father, who wants to take the trip slow and easy, and keeps changing his requirements. Hence she is accommodating towards my ever changing requests and recommends suitable sight seeing places for us. I have given 4 stars, instead of 5. I feel there could be better coordination between Asia Highlights and the Vietnam tour agency. 1) The local tour guide was changed without informing me beforehand; I was looking out for a male guide instead of a female guide. There was confusion, coupled with worry that I may follow the wrong guide. 2) On the 2nd day of my tour, I compared my itinerary with the tour guide; she had something slightly different. Nonetheless, both of us were able to align eventually on the places to go 3) On the last day of the tour, I was supposed to have another guide. This guide waited for us at 8:30 a.m. at the hotel reception, instead of 10 a.m. as stated on the itinerary. We had a call from the guide through the receptionist around 9 a.m. when the guide did not see us show up. Orchid Cruises to Halong Bay was enjoyable. Surprise birthday celebration for my father; the guide took additional care of my father during the cycling trip due to his age. Overall a relaxed trip for us, despite the minor hiccups mentioned above.