Vietnam with Asian Affair Holidays

Our trip to Ho Chi Minh City, VIET-NAM, and Bangkok, THAILAND, in March ’04 was grand. Darryll at Asian Affair Holidays (360 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Ste. 3008, El Segundo, CA 90245; phone 800/742-3133 or visit www.asianaffairholidays.com) made all the arrangements and planned each detail. Nothing went wrong. As independent travelers, we need to know all legs of our trip will work out. This was our second trip planned by Asian Affair Holidays and we highly recommend this company.

Flying Singapore Airlines from Newark, New Jersey, to Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City was a pleasure. Such service, meals and hospitality aboard!

The Renaissance Riverside Hotel (8-15 Ton Duc Thang St., District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam; phone 84-8-822 0033 or visit www.marriott.com/property/propertypage/SGNBR), a Marriott hotel, was lovely. The location was perfect, within walking distance of shops, restaurants and sights. Our large room had a view of the Saigon River, a park and the city. Also perfect were the hotel’s décor, staff and restaurant.

Transfers and city tours were by Indochina Service Company, Ho Chi Minh City (phone 848/846-8104 or fax 8105).

On to Bangkok and the Peninsula Hotel Bangkok (333 Charoennakorn Rd., Klongsan, Bangkok 10600, Thailand; phone 662/861-2888 or e-mail pbk@ peninsula. com). Our large room with a river view was well appointed and stocked with fresh fruit each day. The hotel staff, grounds and service were 100% perfection.

Tour East Thailand (phone 66-2-267-1400) provided transfers and city tours here.

In both cities we were met at the airport by a waiting guide, car and driver and delivered to the hotel. A guide, car and driver also took us on a tour in each city. Guides were well spoken, prompt and eager to answer questions and supply information about shopping and restaurants and what the city offered. They also confirmed airline reservations for the next leg of our journey and arranged for transportation from the hotel to the airport.

At both hotels we enjoyed beautiful, delicious buffet breakfasts the likes of which are unequaled in our experience.

The price per person for this trip was $2,500. This included all airfare, eight hotel nights, buffet breakfasts, transfers and city hotels.

We look forward to more flawless travel arranged by Asian Affair Holidays.

— VICKI DAVIS, Winston-Salem, NC