aznredneck

So I did the Best of Vietnam a few years ago with G Adventures. This is basically how it works:

You go on the website and look for a area and trip style that you might interested in. They have various styles and budgets ranging backpacker type trips to luxury booze cruises.

All the trips have a basic itinerary of what you will be doing over the course of the trip.

Basically, you are paying to have that safety net and insider knowledge (which is available if you want to research the places yourself) as a guide is also with you. You will be with a group of other people who have also selected this trip.

The price includes a guide, all your accommodation, transport, day trips costs, usually at least 1 meal a day.

So they usually recommend you bring a certain amount of money to cover things not included on the trip, other meals, stuff you wanna buy. Also tipping, is also not included and expected.

Air fare to the destination is not included in the trip price.

It was a really great experience for me as it was first big trip. However after just doing a solo backpacking trip last month in SEA, it is quite pricey in my opinion.

I would use their website to plan out trips and just do them on my own, or do one of the mini trips that they offer.

Hey,

I just wanted to say congrats on being able to have a wonderful life.

My dad also fled from Vietnam during the American withdrawal. He was a lieutenant in the ARVN and was also sent to a “re-education” camp after the fall of the South Vietnamese government. He was released after a couple years and made his way to a red cross refugee camp in Malaysia(I think) where he met my mom. They have him the option of immigrating to Australia, New Zealand, US, and Canada. He ended up choosing Canada as my uncle, his oldest brother was already somewhat established there. He ended up immigrating in 1979, and I was born a couple years after. He’s 66 years old now. He went back for the first time several years ago, and visited his home town (I forget the name) and ended up finding an old army buddy. After going back to his place to catch up, he surprised my dad of an old photo he kept of my dad in his dress uniform. He was soo happy he had lost everything he ever had during that time of his life. He ended up giving him whatever money he had in thanks, that picture is now hanging in my living room. He still has a lot of animosity to the “North” for what they did, and he never step foot outside of “South Vietnam” during his travels. I went backpacking there a couple years ago, starting from the north all the way to the south of the country. Let me tell you it is a beautiful country to visit. But also there are some things you see there that will break your heart. It really makes you appreciate the life we are able to live in North America. I think my dad still has all the refugee documents from his journey to Canada, and of course his army photo, I would be happy to post them if anyone was interested to see them. Say thanks for your mom for sharing and having the strong will to get through such and ordeal :)