I contacted Your Vietnam Travel for information and Lily responded promptly. She gave me some background on her company and then asked some questions:
How many days – at first 14 but recalibrated to 22
Approximate dates and timeline – October 22 – November 13
Level of comfort - 4 or 5 star
Private or group -private
With that she went to work and came up with a 14-day curated trip for Vietnam and Cambodia. I realized I wasn’t getting much beach time other than the two days in Hoi An, nor was Ho Chi Ming City on the two-week itinerary. So, I added a week, dropped Phnom Phen and the Killing Fields and added three nights in HCMC and another three at a lovely resort on Phu Quoc Island. The result, 19 days in Vietnam and three in Siem Reap, Cambodia for Angkor Wat all at a surprisingly low cost. I did ask further questions and she to me but essentially, I trusted her and left it to her to organize. She is a pro.
From the time I met my first driver at the airport in Hanoi until my last driver dropped me off at the airport in Siem Reap, I was for 22 days under her care and vigilance. Every hotel was better than the last. Drivers and especially my guides were top notch: charming, informative and professional. She scheduled my five flights within Vietnam She checked on me every day, I knew I was in good hands. The trip was smooth and flawless. The range and diversity of her itinerary will leave me with lasting memories. I think about my experience in Vietnam and Cambodia every day. The handover to the travel agency in Cambodia was so smooth I didn’t know I was now under the care of another company. Lily continued to be my contact.
I loved every bit of it: The temples, pagodas and museums of Hanoi and especially being situated in the heart of the Old Quarter, Beer Street; Sapa, Cat Cat Village, trek to Lao Chai; Ninh Binh/Tam Coc, Trang An Grottoes/Mua Cave/cycling tour; Ha Long Bay cruise and supernatural excursions; Hoi An (my favourite); Ho Chi Ming City, Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong River excursion; Phu Quoc Island resort and Siem Reap/Angkor Wat.
I have already been looking at flights to return next October and will add a couple more countries and a few more weeks. I’m excited to get started on the planning and will contact Lily soon.
My Vietnam Travel.com and agent Lily Pham come with my complete confidence and my highest recommendation.
Michael Portelance