Thua Thien Hue

The guide spoke slowly and in detail, making sure we could hear even in the noisy surroundings, which allowed us to enjoy sightseeing while learning about the background. There's quite a bit of walking involved, so I recommend wearing sneakers. Lunch was more Vietnamese than Hue cuisine, but it was delicious.

Even in the whole wide world, I don't think you'll find many hot springs that are as authentically Japanese as this one. In Japan, it would be ranked as a luxury ryokan (around 20,000 yen per night), and the cleanliness and hospitality surpass even Japanese ryokans. There are three open-air baths, all with free-flowing hot spring water. There are baths with different temperatures ranging from 36°C to 40°C, and unlike Japanese hot spring ryokans, fewer people soak for long periods, so the baths are usually not crowded, which is a plus. It's a cloudy white sulfur spring, and the indoor bath even has a jacuzzi and sauna. The strong sulfur smell lingers long after you get out, making it irresistible for sulfur lovers. The changing rooms have lockable lockers and free water. There are cute and stylish sweets in the relaxation area after your bath, with cakes and jellies costing around 500 yen. Getting there is easy with Grab (around 170k), but getting back requires some skill. It's quite out of the way, so you basically have to catch a ride back from a car used by a guest who checked in here. Unlike in Japan, there are a fair number of guests who only book a room without meals included, and there's a rush of guests checking in around 7 PM after having dinner in town, so if you call a Grab at that time, you can get one immediately. KKDAY doesn't provide a QR code, so you have to verify by number and name.

The lush green scenery of Vietnam seen from the slowly moving train is magnificent.

I highly recommend this tour. I was anxious because it was my first time abroad and my first tour, but I was grateful that I could contact the tour staff via WhatsApp right after booking. Although it took a few days to reply, I was relieved when they arranged to pick me up at my hotel. I missed the meeting point on time due to a misunderstanding, but the guide found us. I was also worried about finding a restroom, but they guided me to one as needed, so there were no problems. The other customers were all kind, even though they were from different countries, and although lunch was shared, it was a fun time. The Hue cuisine was delicious. Our guide, Miss Banana, took pictures of us at the tourist spots. Miss Banana's detailed explanations and funny stories on the bus were the best. You can enjoy it even if you are not fluent in English. Thanks to Miss Banana, it was a great day.

I considered taking the train, but this was faster, so I chose this option. The return trip went very smoothly. Thank you. However, on the way there, I was waiting at the agreed-upon hotel, but the car didn't come even after the scheduled time, which was very confusing. In the end, I was kept waiting for an hour and a half.