We are Baby Boomers who have always travelled independently BUT for the first time we are taking the Smartours Trip to Bangkok, Siem Reap and Vietnam (Saigon, Hue, Hoi An and Hanoi). Leave L.A. on December 27.
Thoughts about the good and bad of the tour - what to add in free time and maybe what to miss, if you have taken a trip with Smartours.
Love seeing "non touristy" areas if possible, will take probably 150 pictures a day.
Love being pampered from time to time - massage - spas?
We love great food, wonderful ambience and dinners and won't mind going to a great restaurant and miss eating with the group at the hotel.
In February we organized a three week tour ourselves and another couple through northern India, so know the "ins" and "outs" of travel.
Thanks.

It looks like you only have one full day in Bangkok...for more info you should post the itinerary and the hotels..

A nice spa is Bellissima, on Hang Bun street (I can't remember the number), but it's on the east side of the street and has a lavender exterior. Skip massages in Vietnam unless you really aren't picky, as they are cheap but unskilled (very mechanical). Facials can be a nice, especially if you've been wandering the streets in the dust and humidity.

On food, I don't know where your tour is eating, but most groups go to the same tour bus circuit where you don't eat the best Vietnamese food. There are great restaurants in Hanoi. For most authentic Vietnamese, try Highway 4--there are 3 locations and they have a website with a map. Quan An Ngon is also a wonderful "all the street food of Vietnam gathered in one place" stop, if time is short. That's at 18 Pham Boi Chau. There are countless upscale Vietnamese places, but in most of them you pay for the ambiance and decor, not for the quality of the food.

The best food is on the street. You must have a bowl of beef pho, of course, but my favorite Hanoi noodle dish is bun cha, which is crispy grilled little pork patties (or pork slices) which you dip in a mild broth with rice noodles and herbs. Besides small snacks, you can also get a full fledged meal on the street. I love getting fresh seafood steamed up (and eaten with a simple lemon, chili and salt dip) on Ton Duy Tan street (semi pedestrian street next to the train track between Tran Phu and Nguyen Thai Hoc). My next favorite thing is grilled chicken on a stick (you've got to waive your bird flu worries to eat happily) at Ly Van Phuc street, a small alley off of Nguyen Thai Hoc. Hanoi is a very small town so everyone will know these streets.

If the street food part sounds appealing, there is a website that has a lot more information on what/where to eat: http://www.savourasia.com. The site also has photos, which will help you identify what you see as you wander around.

We are going on the same trip with Smartours on Feb. 18th. How did you like it - any advice for us?
I think we would the same things that you asked about.

My frineds just returned from their second Smartours to Vietnam..I THINK this time Thialand/Vietnamn.

They said for the money a great value. One thing they did emphasize is that in general the group is very much a flock being led with no forsight or incentive to do anything but follow . So sometimes the guides will gage the groups on this. They are very experienced travelers who research everthing and get up extra early to see the sunrise in the ruins etc. So if you let the tour guides know you are more adventurous they will respond and offer helpful suggestions. She also said the was a big difference in the various guides.Hit & miss. Must be assertive, ask about the excursions & show you are not just one of the sheep..
Otherwise she said she felt a good value in general.

ams

We asked the question - then posted a Trip Report - Vietnam Discovery. Read it - if you want.

The comment by AMSDON is right on.

The "squeaky wheel gets the grease".

I am not shy about asking questions and insist on my questions being answered.

If you ask questions and let the guides know what you want - you will be rewarded - travelling is part of life.

Speak up - don't follow - like a flock of sheep. We didn't and the guide realized that most of the tour didn't - to the point that we voted once or twice to add or subtract things from the itinerary.

We got up to see Sunrises - went places to see sunsets - went to people doing Tai Chi around the the lake in Hanoi - going to local restaurants - museums not on the tour BUT what we wanted to see - "Patpong after dark" - night markets - that is what we would have done if we were not on a tour - and that is what we did on the tour.

You can as I have said on the other post - leave the tour for a night - an afternoon - even a day.

It is not jail - you don't have to follow.

Enjoy.