Nha Trang Insurance Tour Group Review: Best Travel Protection in Vietnam
I recently joined an insurance group trip to Nha Trang with my mom, and I’d give it a 3 out of 5. My takeaway: keep your expectations in check and watch your wallet. Since the package included meals, accommodation, and transportation, I can’t really complain too much.
The itinerary was fairly standard. The first two days were all about fun and relaxation, featuring visits to the beach, swimming, diving, and indulging in mud baths. After that, we were taken to a jade store, attended lectures from the insurance company, and visited a treasure museum showcasing agarwood, giant clam shells, and pearls. We also stopped by a latex shop, where items like ivory, rhino horns, and Angong Niuhuang Pills were on offer.
Unfortunately, the weather wasn’t on our side. Most days were overcast and windy, which dampened the seaside experience. Sunshine is essential for the beach, as without it, the sky and sea appear gray, and the waves are too rough for a comfortable swim. Growing up by the coast, I found the beaches here not particularly impressive, similar to what we have back home.
The food was a mixed bag. One highlight was the fruit feast, where we could indulge in all kinds of tropical fruits, some of which I had never even heard of before! However, the tile-grilled meat on the first night was a letdown. Everything else was decent, though, generally quite light and refreshing.
When it comes to shopping, there was no forced buying, and if you kept your wallet closed, no one would pressure you. I wouldn’t recommend this trip for elderly folks traveling alone, as they might find it hard to resist the temptation to spend. The tour is clearly designed for Chinese tourists, and the sales pitches, especially at the latex shop, were incredibly convincing.
Before you go, prepare yourself and stick to buying just some local snacks and drinks. Items like latex, agarwood, pearls, and medicinal herbs can be purchased in China, so spending a lot of money in Vietnam on products with questionable brands, authenticity, and origins isn’t wise. They claimed that giant clam shells and ivory could be declared at customs, but I wasn’t willing to take that risk.
In the end, my mom and I bought a bunch of dried fruits and coconut oil. The tour guides and salespeople are masters of persuasion, and it’s easy to get caught up in their enthusiasm, counting your losses after the purchase [Holding Wall][Scared].
Overall, it was an okay experience, and since it didn’t cost much, it’s worth it for a change of scenery as long as you manage your finances and stay calm. Remember, it’s essentially a shopping tour. If you feel happy after a purchase, that’s great, but don’t go overboard. Being cheated and losing money is almost inevitable if you buy.
Finally, I want to give a big shoutout to our customer service manager, who took excellent care of my mom and me throughout the trip, even treating us to durian and waking us up early [Flying Kiss].
