Trip Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Hue. Visit Hue City including Imperial Citadel, Thien Mu Pagoda, Thuy Bieu village and meeting with local families.

Day 2: Hue off the beaten path including wood-block painting and Dam Chuon Lagoon.

Day 3: Hue- Hai Van pass- Hoi An. Tour Hoi An with a famous historian and writer Mr. Nguyen Ngoc.

Day 4: Visit Hoi An, lunch with a local family in their organic garden.

Day 5: Hoi An- My Son Cham tower sanctuary- My Lai memorial- Sa Huynh beach.

Day 6: Quang Ngai- Mang Den- Kon Tum. Overnight at Hnam Chang Ngeh Hospitality training center and hotel.

Day 7: Visit Kon Tum church, Konhngokotu, Pleitonghia, Konrobang of the Bahnar people. Gong show and lunch with a Bahnar family.

Day 8: Hiking to YaChim village of Ja Rai people and Konjori and Konkotu of the Bahnar people. 

Day 9: Drive to Po Y border to Laos with visit to some battle fields during Vietnamese war: Dak To and Slope of Skull.

Group picture infront of a Rong house (communal house) in Kon Tum

Overall experience

As a tour operator, I described the emphasis on local people and culture we desired. Handspan responded superbly, including having staff go to some of our desired destinations and creating new opportunities to meet people. You were willing to "hand tailor" (customize) our trip, even though it was an extra effort. We are most grateful.

 

Favorite Memory

There are many! But a top one was a spontaneous visit to Ham Chang Ngeh Hospitality Training Center, an English language school located next to the restaurant where we were getting out of the bus for dinner. We met the teacher/principal, Mr. Hiem, who invited us into his school to speak with the students, and we did so after having dinner. We continue to cover fees for several students.

Drinking wine in a local village in Kon Tum

Restaurants

I indicated "4" instead of "5", not because the quality was not good. It was consistently. I think sometimes the restaurants were too "high end." 

Instead of having simple food, we sometimes had more "banquet," fancy style food on a couple of occasions. We like meals at simple restaurants, with everyday dishes, with an occasional "upscale" place.

We are very pleased. If it appeared that we were not quite understanding each other, we worked together to clarify. Thao U in Hoi An was very helpful in this, as was Mr. Hoang. Note: Thao U had taken a personal trip to the Central Highlands just before we proposed going there, and she had specific knowledge to share and did so. 

Thanks to Handspan, Hoang and his staff, and Thao U.

Locals playing gongs in a Konkotu village near Kon Tum

Arrangements

We are very pleased.  If it appeared that we were not quite understanding each other, we worked together to clarify. Thao U in Hoi An was very helpful in this, as was Mr. Hoang. Note: Thao U had taken a personal trip to the Central Highlands just before we proposed going there, and she had specific knowledge to share and did so. Thanks to Handspan, Hoang and his staff, and Thou.

Dancing around the fire place at Ham Chang Ngeh Hospitality Training Center and Hotel

Other comments:

Another "series" of favorite memories have been the conversations with staff, and in some cases, members of their families.  

For over ten years, Handspan has provided truly excellent service to both our small group trips and to individuals and couples that we have referred. We have never had a bad experience and, in fact, some of our travelers have been back several times and used Handspan services. We have made some dear friends with Handspan staff, and for this we are grateful. We plan to come again when Covid 19 allows.

In the meantime, we wish everyone at Handspan and the business itself, safety, health and a good year ahead.

Thank you,   

Roger Harmon, Worldviews 2000, Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA