Classic Vietnam Tour Holiday
To 53 degree North, G Adventures and Sunway I would like to say a very big thank you for giving me a wonderful holiday.
Well what can I say of my surprised win of the “Classic Vietnam 10 day Tour“. I could not believe my luck, never having won anything before when I got the call from Grainne in Sunway telling me I was the lucky winner. Vietnam had been on my bucket list for so long and now with great delight I have crossed it off.
What an adventure. It exceeded all my expectations and more. The trip was so well organised by G Adventures. Our guide Dat Nguyen was superb. His easy going and non intrusive manner, his gentle nature and sense of humour made for a great trip. He was well informed of local and national history. He guided and took us to authentic eating places, so that we could experience real Vietnamese life. He reflected the manner of the Vietnamese people we met and he made us feel safe at all times.
The trip took us by all modes of transport, plane, train, boat and bike from Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh city in the south via Halong Bay, Hue, and Hoi An. This trip for me was of making wonderful memories and reliving experiences of my younger days travelling.
It’s hard to say what the best experience was for me . Exploring the busy little shops in the old quarters of Hanoi where we stayed and taking our lives in our hands as we tried to cross its streets. Was it watching the sunrise and the sunset in Halong Bay embracing its tranquillity and Kayaking in its beautiful still waters .Cycling through the Paddy fields of Hoi An meeting the oldest man in the village at 94 where they grew acres’ of herbs, coriande , parsley thyme and spring onions. Whizzing through Hue on the back of a motor bike or trying to negotiate the tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City .
This trip was an adventure suited to all ages. Our group of Australian, South African, English Irish and a New Zealander ranged in age from the 30 years to 70 years. The group was divided equally which was a concern for me prior to going, would I fit in, in terms of age, me being 65, travelling on my own and would I be able to participate in the activities. I need not have worried .I was well able for everything even crawling through the tunnels in Ho chi Minh . I was safe and well looked after.
G Adventures are part of the Planeterra Foundation which is a non profit organisation that helps empower local people. To this end we dined in the “Street Cafe“a project G adventures are involved with. Young people are taught English given a training in the hospitality industry and can as a result make a career in this field.
Once again thank you to all who made this happen for me including the Universe who aligned me with ticking the box to say I would love a trip to Vietnam .I highly recommend this tour, to all who are thinking of visiting Vietnam. You will be well looked after by G Adventures 53 degree North and Sunway, you will be safe and travel with ease and you will experience a trip of a life time.
I have taken beautiful memories , friendships, experiences and a desire for more adventures away with me. Thank You once again to all involved in organising this great tour.
Ms Murphy
October 2018