STRONG CUSTOMER SERVICE/ EXCELLENT COMMUNICAT...

Vietnam | Jun 1 - Jun 13, 2025

STRONG CUSTOMER SERVICE/ EXCELLENT COMMUNICATION

Hien helped us plan our Vietnam/Thailand trip from June 1 to 13. We packed a lot into this 2 week trip which Hien kept tweaking to our preference and satisfaction. Unbelievably organized compared to the last travel agent we used.
Throughout the whole trip, she kept checking on us and reminded us of driver/pick-up times (always punctual) and who our guide will be, etc.

When things didn't go according to original plan, she already had a quick back-up. For instance...Ha Long Bay Paradise Peak Cruise's air condition malfunctioned at last minute so she booked us on sister ship, Paradise Elegance. Although the room was smaller than our room on P.Peak's, she made it right by making sure our room had a large wrap around balcony and my husband got a free 60 minute massage. Additionally, we were supposed to have dinner cruise the following week on Manohra Cruise in Bangkok, but boat caught on fire. Hien was able to get us a refund pretty quickly since back-up dinner cruise ship could not accommodate us at a specific time.

Choice of guides were also great! KC (Kim Cuong), our Hanoi guide, took us on street food tour which included (per our request) a hunt for reasonably priced Kopi Luwak coffee beans (from movie "The Bucket List") and a perfect seat to watch the train's approach on Hanoi's famous Old Train Street.
Tim (Tipparat), our Bangkok guide, also went the extra mile. She picked us up at BKK airport. During our 1 hour drive to our hotel, she helped us make reservation at Michelin Star restaurant, R-Haan. She also got us seating at the famous Jay Fai " street food" restaurant prior to our actual street food tour. Not sure how she did it because Jay Fai does not take reservations. There is usually a long queue.

We went on many excursions, such as a hike in SaPa's rice fields, a trip to Ninh Binh (Mua Cave, Tam Coc), and my favorite, Chai Lai Orchid Elephant Sanctuary. All perfectly planned.

Hotels--Hien will work with your budget. We chose to stay at mid-luxury hotels.

Hanoi: Peridot Boutique Hotel is located in Old Quarter. Great location...we were able to walk to Hoa Lo Prison, the Water Puppet Theatre, Chinatown area, and Train Street. Great breakfast buffet.

Sa Pa: Topas Ecolodge-- we just stayed in a Premium Executive Bungalow and it had a great view. Food at Topas...breakfast buffet and dinner surprised us...actually quite good.

Sa Pa: Hotel de la Coupole -M Gallery --beautiful hotel. Absinthe Bar (Afternoon Tea) offers sweet and savory treats paired with tea and coffee. Chic Restaurant had great breakfast buffet but limited choices for dinner.

Chiang Mai: Tamarind Village-- great location in Old City. The Sunday night market is pretty much right in front of hotel. You can walk to the temples. Breakfast buffet was great.

Bangkok: Anantara Riverside --we had a great room with river view. Restaurants are very mediocre --Trader Vic's, Brio, Benihana--all these restaurants are in the US. Drinks at the bar (alcoholic and non) are very expensive even by US standards. Breakfast and dinner buffet also mediocre. Expected more from a luxury ( or mid-luxury?) resort. At least just about a 10minute Grab (Uber in SE Asia) ride to Iconsiam where you can find "air conditioned street food stalls" at bottom level.