Bev and Ray, UK (feedback via Paradissa's partnered travel agency)

Good morning,
Bev and Ray are back.  The trip was fantastic!.  Some feedback for you:

1                     The organisation went like clockwork. No hitches.
2                     Our guides and drivers were always waiting for us before their due time.
3                     The guides were friendly, very informative and helpful.
4                     As I am interested in various religions, I found the perspectives of guides about Buddhism  and their answer to questions great.
5                     The vehicles used were all excellent and comfortable.
6                     We were impressed with the drivers’ ability to cope with the traffic conditions.
7                     The hotels were again excellently sited and our rooms were comfortable and hotel staff very helpful.  (For example in Hanoi we were able to stay in our room until we left in the afternoon.)
8                     Our programme balance was excellent.
9                     The authorities we had contact with in all three countries were efficient and helpful.
 
This was an excellent way to tour,  We felt very spoilt.  Thank you.
 
I thought some specific thoughts on places might be helpful for other people doing this tour.
 
1                     A highlight turned out to be Sunday morning in Hanoi when the streets in the lake area were closed and families came out to walk, play and watch group activities.  We were told this is a regular Sunday morning event.
2                     The Hill people show in the Saigon Opera house was in our opinion a stunning performance
3                     It is a worthwhile experience doing the tourist things in Hoi An  - cooking class and getting some clothes made.
4                     We enjoyed responding to the university students in Hue and Hanoi who wanted to talk with us for their English language practice.
5                     We wondered how we would find the found the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum experience.  However it was tasteful and helpful to understanding the Vietnamese respect for Ho Chi Minh.
6                     The water puppet show in Hanoi is a must see event.
7                     On our free day in Hanoi we visited Hoa Lu and Tam Coc.  This was an excellent experience.
8                     The Laos trip addition was very worthwhile.
9                     On our free day in Luang Prabang we visited the Kuangsi Waterfall. The waterfall and forest walk was indeed very beautiful and it was good to see something of the countryside.
 
Comment about sites
 
1                     All the sites we visited were very worthwhile.
2                   The only day I would recommend a programme change to was the Hanoi day where there was information overload – Mausoleum, Citadel, Temple of Literature, Military Museum,  Ngos Son Temple.  All great sites but perhaps best done over 2 days.
 
Thank you for all you did to organise this trip.  We need to thank Ahn too.  He did phone us and we phoned him once for a timing clarification – which he quickly sorted out.  If it is appropriate we would like to have his email so we can send him a thank you message too.
 
With much appreciation
Bev and Ray

............***..........

Hello Anh
Bev and I wanted to contact you to thank you personally for the excellent organisation of our recent tour.  Thank you for sorting out so quickly the one confusing timing we had.  I understand Al has forwarded our feedback to her on to you.  I hope it tells you something of our enjoyment.  If you are in contact with any of our guides and drivers please convey our thanks.  I hope we managed to do so ourselves as we parted from them in each city.    This was a great way to tour – a great experience.
With much appreciation
Bev and Ray