Helena Tenne
HELENA TENNE, UK, HALONG BAY AND THE RED RIVER, JAN 2017
The boat is of the highest standard, and the crew were there to make sure we had everything we needed
It is fifty years since I first wanted to see Vietnam, and I have now accomplished my long time wish. I chose Pandaw Cruises because your values are similar to mine, and I also wanted to avoid using the known tourist routes.
The boat is of the highest standard, and the crew were there to make sure we had everything we needed. The trips to the various villages were an experience, walking or cycling along the dykes to get to the village. There we met so many genuinely friendly people, only too eager to show their gardens, houses or meet their families. I felt privileged to be there. Our tour guides/translators were tremendous, they weren't just tour guides, We discussed the many facets of life in Vietnam and they also shared their family backgrounds with us. The ship crew were another cultural experience. Our mainly Cambodian crew were so attentive, friendly, fantastic cooks and again they were willing to tell us about themselves and their families and about their country.
Not everyone has a chance to witness a country the way I did, being respectful of the people and their way of life and I look forward to being a passenger on other Pandaw cruises.
Helena Tenne