I am a US veteran, who returned to Vietnam with wife, adult son and daughter to show them the Central Highlands (4th Infantry Division A/O). I had fallen in love with the mountains and the people in 1969-70.
The guide and driver picked us up at the Pleiku airport at sunset after a many hour flight delay, took us to the wonderful HAGL Hotel and returned next morning to begin touring HWY-19, which I had frequently convoyed during the war. This time my son and I documented the beautiful mountainous route with hundreds of photos. We took HWY-19 west past Dragon Mountain to Duc Co and then returned to Pleiku to tour the beautiful new pagoda. Then we took HWY-19 east from Pleiku through Mang Yang (formerly Le Trung), the Mang Yang Pass, Hong Cong Mountain, An Khe (including a great lunch spot picked by our guide), the An Khe Pass, its switchbacks, and on to Quy Nhon for the overnight on the ocean.
Next day we were again picked up at our hotel and were taken to Phu Cat airport; back in the day, I could only see the Air Force Base from a mountaintop. Our guide and driver took us along back roads to get closer to that mountain. In time we headed for HWY-19, again, back to the foot of the An Khe Pass, where Road 637 goes north to Vinh Thanh, the former site of LZ Hard Times. Vinh Thanh has overgrown the old, ugly firebase and has become a beautiful town. A bridge now crosses the Song Con there.
Then after another wonderful lunch spot, they took us to the Quang Trung Museum and Cham Towers at Quy Nhon before returning us to the ocean resort.
Our guide and driver were either most familiar with the Central Highlands or they studied carefully in order to take us exactly where we wanted to go. I can’t wait to return with my younger daughter and her husband. We will definitely use More Fun Travel again.
My brother, his wife and I have just completed a wonderful holiday in Vietnam which, largely thanks to the extremely efficient and reliable service of “more fun travel”, was totally stress free! We had an idea of the places we wanted to visit and some of the hotels we wanted, as my brother had been to Vietnam twelve years ago. Ngoc took these bare bones and turned it into a very well organised, informative and relaxing holiday. The guides were great, friendly and willing to answer our many questions. The transport was safe, reliable and efficient. Couldn’t have asked for more and the price was the best we got from any of the travel companies we contacted! We can heartily recommend More Fun Travel to anyone wanting to visit Vietnam!
We enjoyed 10 days cycling in North Vietnam, in the mountains with Phong and his team. It is a fantastic place to cycle, the scenery is wonderful, roads quiet (apart from mopeds laden with several people, children, animals). We saw someone with a fridge on his moped, and someone else carrying a live pig! The road is mostly well surfaced, and winds through the hill villages with its inhabitants wearing their stunning traditional outfits and head dresses.
I wanted to thank you for all your wonderful care and attention on our bike tour. The organisation was brilliant, cycling was fabulous and we really appreciated the effort you went to sort out vegetarian food for us both. The food was a real highlight for us. You made it seem so effortless to organise but I’m sure the reality was quite different.
You and your team worked so hard to make it a great experience for us, and it was clear that you are all proud to show us the best bits of your country. Phong you really are a great tour guide, really knowledgeable, helpful, fun and not a bad cyclist as well! All the team were fantastic, our driver Hoa, bike mechanic and helper Ming all pulled out all the stops for us to have a great time. We have lovely memories of the countryside, great people, food and a cold Beer Hanoi after a hard days cycling.
Ngoc and “More Fun Travel” arranged our extra days in Hanoi, transfers, and our 2 day trip to Halong Bay. Everything went really well, we enjoyed the 2 day cruise aboard the Chinese Junk. Ngoc had let them know that we are veggie and they provided a feast for us. The kayaking was a highlight, as was watching the sun setting over the Karst Islands.
Thanks again for a memorable holiday, and we hope to come back again to explore more of Vietnam, and would recommend “More Fun Travel”.
I highly appreciated the flexibility More Fun Travel had to offer. I could cancel or add parts of the trip as it was a private tour. The knowledge of the guides about Vietnam (history, daily life, economy, politics) is extensive.
They were also very helpful in any situation and their knowledge of the English language was beyond everything I’ve ever experienced in the South-East Asian region. I surely will book again with More Fun Travel.
I just wanted to thank you for a wonderful tour of the Mekong you organised for us. It was a jam-packed couple of days, but the whole experience was amazing, and we couldn’t have asked for a better guide than Hung. The boys loved him, especially his harmonica playing through his nose!! He was also very thoughtful in organising purchases, or experiences that we wanted (boys – hammocks, me – pork steamed dumplings).
The tour was as we wanted to experience the Mekong, away from the popular tourist areas. I think we saw only one other tour group in the time we were there. And Hung went above and beyond to show us things that were in addition to what was originally listed, such as the Crocodile Farm, and dropping into a local school.
We have found the whole experience of working with you in planning this tour very professional and going above and beyond what we expected, and what we received of other services in Vietnam. I will definitely be recommending Fun in Vietnam to others when they would like to visit.
Ngoc at Fun in Vietnam organized every aspect of our 17-day trip in August 2015 to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, Mekong River Cruise and Siem Reap, Cambodia. The five-star hotels, cruise ship and guided tours were fantastic. We felt like we had a chance to glimpse cultures foreign to our own, and yet, after an exhilarating day of touring, had many of the “comforts of home” to return to. The guides were especially friendly, informative and prompt and allowed us to see and learn more than we ever would’ve on our own. We would heartily encourage anyone considering an adventure in this part of the world to rely on Fun in Vietnam to guide them through the many choices in these exotic locales.
In the last years we’ve visited Vietnam two times: in 2008 and in 2009. Both trips were arranged by you and your company; a young company – that’s true – but you have showed that More Fun Travel is a company with spirit, knowledge and job involvement of the employees.
First we want to say a few words about the way our both trips are composed: we’ve written you subjects we are interested in (nature, cultural environment and – for us the most important – all things about the French war in 1946 – 1954) and we have asked you to make a suggestion for a good trip. So you did – and your suggestion showed us your professional competences. For us it was also very important that it was possible to give our own input in it: when we would change some in the planning – you always had a possibility to arrange that; so together we’ve made an itinerary that was interesting, from the first day to the last minute. In that you was able to take account of our personal situation; medical reasons required certain standards for our accommodation and the way we were transported, and you arranged that excellent. Above that: it was also possible to make some changes during the journey.
The expertise of MFT reaches further than Vietnam alone: in 2009 we also went (arranged by MFT) to China. When we had a problem with our plane in Chengdu and our Chinese guide couldn’t solve the problem (she had forgotten to confirm our flight), one telephone call to MFT (on Sunday!) was enough to change our flight so, that we were at the good moment on the right place!
The prices MFT have calculated us gave us a good value for the money we’ve paid for it – of course, not too cheap, but absolutely not too expensive; and – for us it was important because in our country there are several general insurances which are recommended for every traveler. (ANVR and SGR)
Our 2008-trip was through North and South Vietnam; so we got a good overview from the history, the way of living and the way of working in the country. Because we were particularly interested in all things from the French War (1946 – 1954) we’ve asked you to arrange a second tour through the North, from which was that war the most important part. In that last trip, MFT gave us in Vietnam our personal guide and your own car (of course: with driver). With them we’ve visited all interesting places in Hanoi, Dien Bien Phu, Son La and so on. The trip was wonderful. Home again, we must conclude that it was wonderful; from the first to the last moment and we don’t have any critical note – that’s remarkable because we are rather critical…
For us a few things are clear: when we’ll make another trip in South-East Asia, including China, More Fun Travel is our partner!
China and Vietnam Holiday 21 days (July 2009)
I cannot say enough good things about the 16 days my father and I spent in Vietnam under your superbly planned Itinerary. You made it very easy for us to enjoy ourselves without worrying about the normal travel problems. Every one of your guides and drivers were knowledgeable about the area they took us to and the local areas and customs. I apologize for such little notice I had given you to create such a detailed itinerary however there is not one thing you didn’t cover. My father served in the army during 1969/1970 and with such little information we were able to give you, you were able to research areas that even he barely remembered. I have to admit how skeptical I was during our first few conversations that plans were coming together so easily but with your constant updates and suggestions it turned out to be amazing. We will be using you again in the future and will also pass your information along to other veterans looking to “go back” for the first time. Again hats off to you and your excellent staff for such a well planned vacation. Please feel free to give my phone number out as a reference to others who wish to use your agency. Definitely a 10 out of 10. Thanks again…
It’s really funny how it worked for me, as it was by pure luck that I hooked up with More Fun Travel and Ms. Ngoc.
My main reason for coming to Vietnam was to tour the places I was at while with the 101st Airborne Division in 1970-1972. We basically set the tour up in a matter of a week or so. She planned it perfectly and it would not of been the same without here input. Our tour guide was a real unexpected treat. He was stationed as an interpreter at Camp Evans during the same time I was in country. I could not of been assigned a more knowledgeable or kind guide for this portion of the trip. He was able to take me to Camp Eagle, FSB Birmingham (B-Ham), Bastogne, and to the A Shua Valley. We actually were able to walk on a portion of the original Ho Chi Minh trail. Saw Eagles Nest from the valley and was also able to see FSB Veghal. Ms Ngoc did a terrific job. I can’t say enough to convey how well every detail was handled. From the moment I picked up my luggage at customs in Hanoi to the trip back to the airport to depart. I would highly recommend her company for all your planning needs. She has got it down pat.
101st Airborne Division 1970-1972 Returned July, 2009
Please! let me start out by expressing my personal thoughts & feelings about Ngoc Nguyen from Hanoi, Vietnam. Miss Ngoc became my tour specialist back in November 2006. After going over a long list of tour agents & companies. I made a decision to work with Ngoc on my quest to Vietnam. Sending many emails back & forth to each other. I quickly became quite comfortable with her. Always giving me answers straight & forward. If she did not have answers right then. Ngoc soon gathered them within a day or two, always getting back to me.
As you will read ahead the reasons I had to be so picky & needed perfection. My brother John Wayne Roberts U.S.M.C was K.I.A back on October 14, 1967 somewhere in the Quang Tri Province. Wondering for over 40 years where is that Province he was laid to rest & why? Back here in the United States the Vietnam 3/4 scale traveling Dignity Memorial Wall arrived at Springpoint, South Portland Maine on August 12, 2006. John being one of 12 killed in Vietnam from South Portland. At this time the family was asked if my brothers Purple Heart Medal could be placed under the apex of the WALL on its stay here for 3 days. A tradition that is used in every town the Wall visits, giving the Wall a Heart along with the Hearts of 58,000 man & woman who sadly gave their lives in the Vietnam Conflict. Five million Vietnamese lives were lost. With all this going on motivated me to research more into John’s death. That week I was interviewed by the Portland press Herald on my story of me being a “Soul Serving Son” (The last one standing to carry the family name on). Also my willingness to research my brother’s death. Plus! my involvement on building the Wall.
Getting the Wall ready to present to the some 10,000 people who paid their respects, visiting such a scenic ocean view. Needless to say that much of these news reports were being read across the country. At this point phone call, email and U.S mail connected me with several U.S Marines knowing of served with Johnny & spoke to him prior to his death, also how he lost his life. Most contacts were Marines involved in “Operations Medina” making them the “Lions of Medina”. All so overwhelming for me.
Now! I knew getting to Southeast Asia was a priority for me. Staying in touch with Miss Ngoc briefly. Until now that I had so much info to share with her in finding out where Johnny may have lost his life and his mission. This is when Miss Ngoc showed much interest in helping me fulfill my request. Also feeling that immediately she was very inquisitive about the “American War” and wanting to help me. It took several months trying gather information to make sure all was correct and put things into perspective.
Wow! Things were really looking up for me. Come on! It’s been 40 years. Staying positive most of the time. When I’d leaned to the negative side. Ngoc was always there to pull me back, knowing that this was a big step for me. With the help from the U.S.M.C. & Ngoc. We were there and pretty much narrowed down… John’s KIA spot. Ngoc furnishing me with some maps and also making a trip herself to the C-2 bridge and DMZ area. Informing things to me on her return trip back to Hanoi.
She met Miss Carol (John’s girlfriend 1967) and myself at the airport. We were off to visit Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hai Phong. Moving on to Central Vietnam visiting Danang, Hue city. Finally the moment came that we were able to enter and visit the small village of Hai Son, Quang Tri province where John had been killed. Taking a moment to wander off by ourselves to pray. A feeling after forty years that I can’t explain or put into words. Two countries coming together.
Remember this is a small military story. It took almost a year to prepare and the ending results are beyond believe. I am a much better and happier person today after suffering for 40 years on what happen to my only brother back in October 1967. So if Miss Ngoc can do this for me. I see no problems booking that honeymoon, Military Tour or just that wonderful vacation to see the beauties and cultures of Vietnam. There will always be a special place in my heart for the Vietnamese people.
