As an American, you will be pleased by the warm welcome you receive throughout the country from people who are eager to learn about the United States. You will also be especially impressed by the superior qualities of the guides and by the wonderful food. They have traveled throughout Vietnam many times and have their own network of friends and contacts to introduce you to along the way. Our family's guide, Kha, even got involved in cooking meals on our trek. There are a lot of petty bureaucratic details concerning permits, tickets, hotel registration and other matters in Vietnam, but with a competent guide you will not even notice.
Vietnamese cuisine is much richer and more varied than many cultures.
Hundreds of shops in the markets specialize in particular genres of spice, sauce, seafood, pickled products and gift food items. Seafood is abundant, tasty and inexpensive. There is always seasonal fruit, thick soup and delicious fresh french bread. Food is often used in ceremonial worship and gift giving, and it is rare to encounter a Vietnamese at home or work without being invited to at least partake of tea. During the trek, Will joined a group of neighbors sharing a bottle of freshly prepared hot corn liquor with fresh wild honey.