Looks like a little more than a year from now a whole bunch of us will occupy nearly half a plane to fly halfway around the world to see my in-laws. My family, my wife's family here in the states, my parents and bro's...looks like a grand total of 18 peeps will be making the long flight to the "old country". Most of us are going to see relatives who had remained in Vietnam (and in my case...will be seeing in-laws). Generally speaking, peeps flying home to see families in Vietnam tend to stay for as long as a month or more to get as much out of it as they can. My parents and bro's will probably spend a week or so with in town with the rest of us, but want to see the country/region in the remaining time they are there. I was wondering if anyone has been to the country before and know of any reliable bi-lingual tour agencies based out of Qui Nhon, Da Nang, or Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) that have a website I can explore. Perhaps even some phone numbers if a website is not available. I have run across quite a few websites already in my research, but would like to also lean on some recommendations. I was hoping a couple Aussies here have made arrangements in Vietnam before and have some agencies in mind. More or less this kind of touring would be for my parents and bro's. T and I are likely going to be more...anchored...by her family reunion, so will also probably be taking a different approach. It is fairly common for peeps to hire a car/van and driver to take them wherever the wish in-country. It's great in terms of cost-savings...not so great in that there's no guarantee the driver is any good as a tour guide once we get to certain places of interest (plus, less likely that a local driver will be bi-lingual for my benefit). Personally, I think this could end up being an "a-la carte" arrangement like out trip to Merida/Campeche. Buying tours out of cities serving as home base. Any local agencies you know of?
I don't know personally....but a few friends went to Vietnam on a missions trip 2 years ago....I'll see what info he has.
Tell me about it! No extended TR for that one...I just wish I could take some decent pics to post. I have a short list of "hot spots" I want to hit while there, in addition to what we can get to on short day trips from T's home town. Am already acquainted with many popular Vietnamese dishes thanx to my in-laws (pho, especially!) and know which to avoid...such as "Vietnamese pizza", which is basically congealed duck blood.
thanx, Tonya! My parents and I are also interested in seeing La Vang. Not as the site of a major battle in the Vietnam War, but sort of as a brief pilgrimage to a religious site.
