Vietnam

Honestly, Vietnam was never on the top of my list of places to visit. However, the opportunity recently arose for my husband and I to meet our daughter there for a few days. I am so glad we did!

I planned the trip through Trails of Indochina, who provide customized travel services in Southeast Asia and are based in Vietnam. They not only met our expectations, but exceeded them in attention to detail, guides/drivers, and luxurious accommodations.

Our first three nights were at the Park Hyatt in Ho Chi Minh City, more commonly called Saigon. Located in the center of Saigon within walking distance of many tourist attractions, it is a beautiful property with large modern rooms, great restaurants and over-the-top service! I have traveled extensively, and the Park Hyatt Saigon is definitely one of my favorite city hotels.

In and around Saigon we visited many sights including the Former Presidential Palace, Thien Hau Temple, the War Remembrance Museum and the outdoor market. We drove out to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a complex tunnel system dug in 1948 for the guerrillas to hide during the French and American wars.

We then flew to Danang where we were taken to the ancient town of Hoi An. It has been declared a World Heritage Site due to its beautifully preserved town center. My daughter and I were quick to visit a local tailor to have inexpensive fine silk dresses made within a couple of hours! If you enjoy shopping for fine silks and traditional crafts, you can find them in Vietnam for a very reasonable price.

The Nam Hai Resort, located on an amazing stretch of China Beach a few miles outside of Hoi An, was our home for a couple of nights. This is an all-villa property with gourmet dining, a tropical spa beside a lagoon and three beach front swimming pools. The gorgeous villas and the very romantic setting are highly recommend for honeymooners or even for those wishing to recapture the magic with a 2nd honeymoon.

Experiencing a day with the local people was the highlight of our trip. Our day started with a bike ride through the countryside to a large garden in a farming village. We learned local techniques for farming vegetables and rice. We then took a private boat trip to visit a fishing village to learn about traditional fishing methods and tried our luck at casting a net and catching some fish—it’s hard work! One of our best meals in Vietnam was lunch prepared on the boat from the fresh vegetables and fish we gathered during the morning. It was a great day!

The scenic drive to Hue took 3 ½ hours. Its summit offers a spectacular panoramic view of the central coast. Our tour of Hue included a visit to a restored home of a descendent of the Royal Family, a cyclo ride to the Imperial Citadel, as well as a boat ride on the picturesque Perfume River. We stayed at the lovely La Residence Hotel & Spa, had a great meal in their restaurant, before returning to Saigon.

Vietnam is a fascinating country with exceptional people, scenery, and also food. Because of all this, I am already thinking ahead to our next visit to Southeast Asia!

- Wendy Studt, T100G Travel Consultant