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Dated: May 26, 2018

From: Rick Fredericksen

Subject: Visiting Vietnam

Tim Bodle, forgot to mention that I posted numerous photos from Vietnam on the AFVN Facebook page, and my own Facebook page during the month of Feb.
Rick Fredericksen

Visiting Vietnam - Making Plans

May 2018

Dated: May 24, 2018

From: Nancy Smoyer

Subject: Visiting Vietnam

I'd say a group, but here are considerations: a group it makes it so much easier to get around and not have to make your own decisions. BUT it should be a vet group, not a tourist group that doesn't get it. And find one that goes where you want, or go on your own.
Nancy

Dated: May 26, 2018

From: Jim White

Subject: Visiting Vietnam

Tim, Send me (Webmaster@AFVNVETS.net) as many photos as you like, but try to keep it under 100. Jim W

Dated: May 24, 2018

From: Tim Bodle

Subject: Visiting Vietnam

I'm finally at a point that I can take the time to go to Viet Nam. Would it be best to go in a tour or book everything on my own? I may take a friend with me. She knows her way around the country.

Dated: May 26, 2018

From: Rick Fredericksen

Subject: Visiting Vietnam

Tim, if your friend is Vietnamese, that will help immeasurably. Even so, if you want to travel around a lot that requires boocoup set up for travel, accommodations, etc. Lots of pitfalls unless your friend has the time and experience to jump through hoops. One alternative is to do both: a tour first, for the upcountry travel, then spend add-on time on your own.
In February I traveled with a Vietnamese friend from Hong Kong to Da Nang, Hue and ending in Saigon, After she left, I stayed on in Saigon alone and got along fine doing my own thing for another week. I saw very very few veterans.
Nancy is right to pick a western, or veterans tour. Asian tourists have their own destinations, hotels and food choices. I booked some of my own hotels in advance and was sorely disappointed: big Chinese/Asia groups creating all kinds of noise all hours, hollering down the hallway to each other, etc. Western groups would probably eliminate the kids and cheaper tour groups that don't have to travel as far. Paying more for a room is worth it.
It is a hassle--but the memories and nostalgia is numba 1. With a Vietnamese speaker I saw much much more with few headaches.
Rick Fredericksen