We can’t say enough good things about Rachel and Asia Pioneer Travel. From our initial outreach to plan our 2+ weeks stay through the follow up once our trip ended, Rachel was consistently in touch ensuring every inquiry, request and detail was handled meticulously. We truly felt like we had a partner vested in our experience every step of the way. Every tour guide was knowledgeable and helpful, every driver was courteous and on time and every transportation vehicle was roomy, comfortable and clean, very much delivering on what we hoped and expected. We had started our trip with a few days in Ho Chi Minh City, followed by an AmaWaterways cruise up the Mekong Delta into Cambodia. From there we travelled to Hanoi, then Halong Bay and back to Hanoi. Our original plan included DaNang and Hoi An, however, Rachel smoothly adjusted the itinerary to accommodate our concern about the weather on the central coast and our wish to spend a night on a cruise of HaLong Bay. The Stellar of the Seas ship Rachel booked for us was so impressive (food, suite, staff) and the beauty of the area so breathtaking, we opted to stay a second night, prompting yet another significant change to the schedule, all of which Rachel handled with utmost professionalism. We loved the hotel choices she made and particularly staying at the Allure Hotel in the Old Quarter of Hanoi; highly recommend that to experience the vibrancy and liveliness of the city in a lovely boutique hotel. The authentic Vietnamese meals arranged for us were perfect in letting us taste high quality, beautifully prepared pho as well as a multi-course meal in a casual but upscale-styled restaurant (Lan Ong in Hanoi). We appreciated both the presentation of multiple excursions each day, and even more, the flexibility to pull back so that we had time for R&R. In Hanoi, we visited the Ho Chi Minh complex, sat cafe-side as the train passed by on Train Street (the guide knew the schedule and exactly where to situate ourselves!) and the Hao Lo prison. All were very much worth our time though we were forewarned that 60% of the prison was undergoing renovations; still glad we saw it. In Ho Chi Minh City, we toured the War Remnants Museum, the Post Office and walked around Notre Dame; all very worthwhile.
We will recall the endless scooters and the dizzying traffic circling major intersections efficiently; the bustling neighborhoods; the countless storefronts and sidewalk cafés where locals sat on low stools chatting, eating pho, and yes, looking at their cell phones. But above all, we will remember the smiles, the warm welcomes, and the joy with which the people of Vietnam and Cambodia shared their storied and rich heritage and often heartbreaking history. Truly the trip of a lifetime, thanks to Rachel and Asia Pioneer Travel.
