Aurora Travel

Dear Ms Lisa Le,

I am sorry for the delay in answering the email. Our teaching responsibilities take up a lot of time.

We thoroughly enjoyed our tour with Aurora Travel. First, Mr. Pham was very attentive to our questions. It was first time we had booked a tour and he was very helpful.. When we asked to add another day in Hanoi, he immediately added it. Also, when we asked for a change in HCMC he again helped us.

Neither one of us eat meat of chicken. We let Mr. Pham know before we arrived and each meal we had used only vegetables, fruit, seafood, and fish. It was delicious. I had also asked if we could eat at KOTO and we thoroughly enjoyed the food and the waiters and waitresses. All the meals were outstanding except the one on the Mekong Delta. It was a charming site but the food was not that good. It seemed to us that they didn't know how to prepare a fine lunch for people who did not eat meat or chicken.

Our guides were knowledgeable about the history of Vietnam and the people, which was important because we have a great interest in history. Even though two were young, they shared with us the stories of their families during the war with US. Before we went to some sites they did say that we might think some of the pictures or explanations were too critical of the French and the Americans. We did not think it was propaganda but we appreciated their care of us.

A typhoon had just hit Hoi An two days before we arrived. This made it more difficult for our guide but he showed us many sights. In my letter that I gave him as we were leaving from the airport, I noted that we would have preferred to go to less places that tried to sell us something. We had told him this the day before and he immediately made sure that we went only to sights such as the Temple. I particularly liked the Cham museum in Danang. He provided us with interesting information and gave us time to roam and take photos. It was a wonderful experience.

We were fortunate to be in Vietnam during the harvesting of the rice. When we asked to take photos, both the drivers and the guides were very attentive to helping us. Also, in the south, we asked to know more about the rubber plantations and to take photos, which was immediately done. We liked the trips that took us out of the cities and into the countryside.

The hotels in Hanoi and in Hoi An were wonderful. Our room in Hoi An had a balcony and looked out over the river. We thoroughly enjoyed the pleasant restaurants in these two cities in which we had delicious breakfasts. We were disappointed in the Metropole. The first morning as we were taking the elevator down to the restaurant, a cockroach ran across the floor of the elevator.

In all three cities the guides and drivers made sure that we were at the airport at the time we requested. I want to complement the drivers. We always felt safe. They drove with skill in what we thought were difficult driving situations.

To everyone with whom we have shared our memories of Vietnam, we also share our positive experience with Aurora Travel. Again, Mr. Pham provided us with guidance and was always available to answer questions, including guidance on tipping. It was wonderful to be able to meet him when we were in HCMC.

As I noted earlier, this was the first time we had booked a tour. It took us a short while to adjust to having a guide with us to immediately answer questions, to get tickets and escort us to our sits or act as a guide at a museum, or, with the help of the driver, to get us from one sight to the next. We had hoped to see and learn a lot about Vietnam in the few days we had and this tour made it possible.

If you have specific questions, please contact us.

Thank you, Gail and Robert Craig