Vietnam with Ceylon Express International

Our group of four toured VIET-NAM in February ’05 on an 18-day trip (not counting travel days) arranged by Varini de Silva of Ceylon Express International (9542 Dumbreck Dr., Huntington Beach, CA 92646; phone 800/423-9566 or visit www.ceylonexpress.com).

We visited the Mekong Delta (Can Tho), Ho Chi Minh City, Da Lat, Nha Trang (stopping at Phan Rang to see the Cham towers), Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi, SaPa, Halong Bay and Thai Binh (to see the Keo Pagoda, Tam Coc and Phat Diem). The trip was superb.

We enjoyed our guides in each city, all of whom were very well informed and spoke excellent English. Almost all of the accommodations were 4- or 5-star, except for two that were 3-star. These latter two could have been improved by our having booked earlier; we were slightly late in our final decisions.

We found Vietnamese cuisine a real treat. There is a large variety with many subtleties of tastes. Prices for dinners, even in the highest-quality restaurants, were generally $10 or less per person, excluding wine.

Dollars are used almost everywhere. Converting travelers’ checks was easy in the hotels, but a 2% commission was charged. In the larger cities and tourist areas, ATMs, while not numerous, were available. The Vietnamese people were extremely friendly and pleasant. Most were not averse to being photographed when asked.

For me, the high points were Da Lat, SaPa and Hanoi, although Hoi An and Hue should not be missed.

The land cost was $2,685 per person and included hotels with breakfasts, all domestic Vietnam flights and ground transportation with guides. We were there during the Tet holiday. The Tet preparations and the colorful decorations added to the excitement.

I can highly recommend both the trip and the excellent help and planning by Varini at Ceylon Express International.

Especially recommended hotels are the Victoria Hotel, Can Tho; Majestic, Ho Chi Minh City (for its location); Dalat Palace, Da Lat; Hoi An Beach Resort, Hoi An; Saigon Morin, Hue; Metropole, Hanoi, and the Victoria (although we did not actually stay there) in SaPa.

— KARL ROBINSON, Saratoga, CA