SOLO TOUR-VIETNAM, THAILAND, SINGAPORE--FANTASY REAL In mid-November 2019, I contacted Exotic Voyages via email relative to a solo trip to Vietnam and Thailand, which I wanted scheduled for late December 2019 - early January 2020. This was rather short notice to plan a trip of this duration and complexity. I received an immediate email response from Ms. Hoa Tran Thanh, with a very fast followup telephone call. She became my trip designer. During our initial conversation I explained to Hoa that I would be flying into Singapore from Washington DC, and that I wanted arrangements for Vietnam and Thailand. We spoke about budget constraints. I also explained that I am sixty plus years old, with some mobility issues. Vietnam was my main focus for this trip, with stops in Singapore and Thailand representing the “icing on the cake”, so to speak. With regard to Vietnam I had set the following objectives: Experience the cultural, historical, geographical and culinary diversity of the country, going from North to South, with some flexibility built into the schedule. Clean, safe, well-located, affordable lodgings. Not to be rushed and “herded” about in large tour groups Comfortable transport Competent, English-speaking guides From the time of our initial conversations, until I booked, almost four weeks later, Hoa stayed in constant touch. We collaborated on several iterations of the itinerary. Hoa was very informational and prompt in answering my questions which were myriad and detailed. She also followed up with me routinely during the trip. I booked the trip, which included hotels, five intra-asian flights, tours and ground transport on December 10; departure was set for 12/28. I obtained my Vietnam Visa online; the application was completed and approved and printable visa sent to me in about two days. Very easy. Taking into account my mobility issues, time and budget constraints the 26 day itinerary was as follows: Hanoi Ninh Binh Hoa Lu Tam Coc Ha Long Bay Hue Hoi An Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Bentre Cantho Bangkok Singapore (EXOTIC DOES NOT COVER SINGAPORE; DID MY OWN ARRANGEMENTS) I was 24 hours late arriving in Singapore, I missed my Hanoi flight connection and my luggage was lost. Hoa quickly arranged for me to get a later flight from Singapore to Hanoi; very reasonable cost for last minute repurchase of this ticket. I was met at the Hanoi airport by Annie, who provided terrific assistance relative to guiding me through the purchase of items needed to cover me until luggage was found and delivered. What a great guide and ambassador she is. Exotic tracked the luggage on my behalf and it was delivered to the hotel in less than twenty four hours. I had one group tour, the remainder were private; guide, driver and me. As part of the rate, breakfast was included at all hotels, and usually plentiful, well prepared lunches served on every tour, except one in Thailand. Standouts for lunches were Cam Thanh Village in Hoi An, Hua Tuc in Ho Chi Minh City, and Hai Ho in Ben Tre. Three of the hotels, Media in Hanoi, Eldora in Hue, and Royal Riverside in Hoi An were outstanding, offering proactive, service-oriented staff, and comfortable amenities for a solo female traveler. The Aristo in Ho Chi Minh City was adequate, save for a restaurant with lousy service and even worse food; Fortuneland Hotel in Can Tho, where choices are apparently limited, left much to be desired, although the breakfast buffet was very good. Gallery 12 Hotel in Bangkok was also acceptable, with a very accommodating staff, and free tuk tuk transport. Most of the hotels served large, varied and elaborate breakfasts buffet style. I toured Ha Long Bay overnight on the Peony. Beautiful ship with an incredible crew. Lots of activities--cooking class, kayaking, cave tour, night squid fishing. Nice food. Gorgeous cabin. Superlative experience. A highlight of the trip. Recommend highly!! All tours were well coordinated. Pickups were timely. Transport vehicles are very good. Each day I was provided with an itinerary update, from Exotic, which included pickup times, emergency numbers, and all other pertinent information. In general, guides were competent and accommodating. They took notice of my limitations and paced the days accordingly. All guides spoke English, some more understandable than others. Two guides, Vien in Hoi An and Dung in HCM City and the Mekong Delta were excellent and superlative, respectively. The very best days of the voyage were spent with them. The Hoi An street food tour with Vien and the Reunification Palace with Dung were particular standouts. It was also a pleasure to meet some members of Vien’s family. Do request their services. In Bangkok, visited the Palace Compound and did the Canal Tour. Also spent a quality day at the excellent Spa 38 (independent) and spnet a good deal of time at Chatuchak Weekend Market, as well as going to Old Siam and Chinatown (also independent). Flights on Thai and Vietnam Air were good. Clean planes; great services for me as a mobility impaired passenger. These services far exceeded the quality of those provided in the USA. Exotic was in touch daily checking on my well-being and comfort. Overall, I was favorably impressed with the professional guest services rendered by Hoa, Annie, Exotic Voyages and their vendors. The single problem that I encountered during the trip was resolved quickly and efficiently. I adored Vietnam, her people and can hardly wait to return. Bangkok also was a positive experience. Vietnam is an amazing and fascinating country. Her people are hospitable, resourceful, resilient, hard-working, creative and robust. The landscapes and scenery are varied and visually stunning. My favorite places on the itinerary were Hanoi, Hoi An and the Mekong Delta, but most especially Hoi An. Charming picturesque, with great shopping and restaurants. I bought back as souvenirs, placemats, t shirts (all tiny, tiny) custom tailored dresses and slacks, a bamboo outfit, coffee, custom handmade leather handbags and a silk lamp from Vietnam. I spent the most money in Hoi An. Spices, coffee, fabric covered notebooks, t shirts, jade and tea from Thailand. I got some inexpensive street handbags and jade at the Bougie Market in Singapore. Highly recommend Exotic Voyages, as well as Hoa, and Annie, their direct representatives. This tour was not inexpensive, as are many that one sees advertised, but was the kind of tailored, personal, customized experience that I had requested, met my objectives, and in many cases exceeded expectations. Costs stayed very close to the original budget discussed. If there were add-ons or changes necessary, no cost alternatives were offered. In all of my travels I have never been cared for in the way that I was during this trip. It was fantasy real. Thank you. I’ll be returning.