Even though it was a short five-day vacation, I enjoyed it. Perhaps it was about leaving Singapore’s gruelling environment. Perhaps it was because I finally cruised Halong Bay, which I missed the last time I visited Vietnam with my daughter. Perhaps it was the many good things I experienced in this Chan Brothers tour.
Chan Brothers has a reputation for quality accommodation and food. I was not disappointed with the hotel accommodation. They were great to the point where I wished I had more time to enjoy them. Usually, we spend the night there, enjoy the international breakfast before we depart for the next part of the tour, and check into a new hotel.
We enjoyed most of the meals they arranged for us. However, the lunch and dinner during our land tour in Ninh Binh province were mediocre.
We were very comfortable with our travel companions, Jenny’s sister Amy, and Mike, her husband. They were easy-going, considerate and pleasant company.
The weather threatened to spoil our cruise. However, in the end, it was an overcast, cloudy day, followed by sunny weather the next day. We had a cosy, comfortable cabin with a tiny balcony from which we sat to enjoy the views. I was thrilled to be in a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site and took many photos and videos.
I must admit that the joy of photography was heightened by the locations we visited. I consulted Google about which camera gear to use and what Fujifilm simulations to use. I received very good advice about what to use in the various locations and weather conditions. I found the advice given by AI very sensible and useful. It spared me the mental turmoil of figuring out how to maximise my gear for photography.
One matter disappointed us: the vehicle they assigned us. It was an old van. The driver was skilled and safe, but the van had a shabby interior. When the afternoon sun beat down on us, the air-conditioning was virtually non-existent. It became humid and uncomfortable. We did not notice the air-conditioning was not functioning properly during the first two days because it rained and it was cool.
Nevertheless, we did not allow the let-down to spoil our vacation. On the whole, I was impressed with the beauty of Vietnam: the old city of Hanoi and its laid-back citizens, the natural beauty of Halong Bay and Trang An Grottoes along the river.
God willing, I would like to visit Vietnam again. I have gone to different parts of Vietnam before. To Ho Chi Minh City, to a monastery in Dalat for a silent retreat, and with my daughter to Hanoi and the Sapa highlands. God willing, Danang and Hoi An would be nice.