A trip of a life time!

Teresa Beall Expeditions (here in the United States ) booked our trip to Vietnam with Absolute Vietnam Travel for our 10 day trip there. It couldn’t have been more wonderful. I highly recommend if you ever go there to book with this company. Here’s the many reasons why.
First two of the people in our group (we were a party of eight) had trouble with their visas. If we hadn’t booked with this company I truly don’t know what we would have done getting them into to the country, and then getting them also out. Somehow, Absolute Vietnam Travel worked their magic and worked it all out so they could enter and then leave.
Our tour guide for our trips name was Pham Tuan Son. Son was the most wonderful man. We all learned so much from him our time there about the culture, customs, history, food, etc. of Vietnam. He was always on time, (early actually) adaptable to whatever we wanted to do or change, and knowledgeable with our thousands of questions. He was also very protective of us (8 women). He would wait when we were shopping or having a massage even when we told him we didn’t need him to get back to our hotel. Plus, he’s always laughing.
The itinerary that Teresa Beall set up with them was perfect. In Hanoi we did a Scooter tour (with all female drivers). I so recommend this. I can’t say that it wasn’t a little scary at times, but it was such a thrilling experience. We went all around the city, stopping at different points to get off and learn about different things. Our tour guide that day was a gentleman named Thanh. He was so good at his job. We learned so much that day from him. One of the many highlights was having egg coffee at the place that invented it. Sounds weird, but so good.
After Hanoi we went on an overnight train trip up to Sapa. It was like being on the Orient Express from the 1950s. Such a fun experience. We stayed at one of the most beautiful hotels there Hotel de la Coupole. It had the most beautiful indoor pool I’ve ever seen in my life. Son took us on a tribe village walking tour while we were there. The country side and the people were just wonderful . Followed by a wonderful lunch up in the hills.
We also got some great shopping there. Great deals on duffle bags, warm jackets, vests.
The last days of our tour we were on a private ship in Halong bay. You can see why this is one of the world’s National Wonders. Huy, was our tour director on this trip. We went on a side trip to a floating village, a pearl farm, and also did a kayaking trip to some caves. Huy, was very knowledgeable about the area and the people who lived and worked there. We had great service from all the employees and all the meals were delicious too.
Before going back to Hanoi we got to go on a seaplane over the Halong bay. Seeing the incredible rock formations from the air was a wonderful way to end our time there.
I really can’t express that if you go to Vietnam you need to not do it on your own. The Absolute Vietnam people were right there when we arrived at the airport, and didn’t leave us until we went through security at the end of the trip. All their vans and drivers were top notch. We felt very safe with them. All the hotels we stayed at were 4 or 5 star.

Please see my review on tripadvisor via below link:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g293924-d6979391-r986740890-Absolute_Vietnam_Travel_Day_tours-Hanoi.html