LIKES

• Enjoyed the hospitality of the Vietnamese people especially at Aira Hotel, staff on Peony Cruise and Alba Wellness Center.
• Aira Boutique Hotel was very comfortable and staff were very responsive in every way – from the bellboy to all the restaurant staff.  The restaurant provided variety and the staff were always smiling.  We appreciated that very much.
• Our guide Vinh was pleasant, knowledgeable and communicated well.
• The motorcycle tour of old Hanoi was both interesting and a bit harrowing since we are not used to the traffic, but we saw places we probably would not have seen otherwise.
• We enjoyed the peace and serenity of Ha Long Bay.  The Peony boat was very comfortable, the staff were extremely attentive and polite.  The food was delicious.
• The Alba Wellness resort was the absolute BOMB.  We enjoyed the treatments, the organic food and drink and of course the staff.
• Our guide Sau was exceptional- knowledgeable and sensitive to our needs.
• Hoi An was beautiful and we especially enjoyed the night market and shopping.  The room at the Bel Marina was large and very comfortable.
• We enjoyed the location of Nam Bo Boutique hotel in Can Tho and especially enjoyed the private tours on the Sampan.
• Our guide Jimmy was kind and went out of his way to assist us with a visit to a clinic.
• The floating markets were a highlight, something totally new to us.
• The guide and motor bike riders from Vespar tours were exceptional.  Van communicated well and was very knowledgeable.  

SHORTCOMINGS

• Jimmy, our coach in Can Tho and Saigon did not have a great command of the English language and many times we did not understand each other.
• Many items were repeated – eg:  the explanation of the process of the lacquer/eggshell/mother of pearl work
• Too many visits to temples especially when we had expressed that we didn’t want this.
• Market visits were repeated which were not necessary because they are all very similar.
• The Nam Bo hotel was comfortable but wonder if it was a 4-star hotel.
• The Icon Saigon with its ideal location did not serve dinner and room service was not very simple.

GENERAL OBVERSATIONS

For 2 of the larger hotels – Icon and Bel Marina, the staff, with exception of the front desk and bellmen, did not have a command of the English language.  I am aware that it is not their first language but considering the tourist sector that they are a part of, communicating and understanding English is most important. 

Shelly Gellineau