Hotel Dengan bar di Provinsi Ninh Bình, Vietnam

This is a heartwarming story of a lost and found. This trip itinerary covered three places: Hanoi --＞ Ninh Binh (2.5-hour drive) Ninh Binh --＞ Ha Long (3-hour drive) Ha Long --＞ Hanoi Airport (2-hour drive) For two nights in Ninh Binh, I stayed at a place called ”Mai Luxury Hotel.” Judging by the name, it sounds grand, but in reality, it was more like a family-run, small-scale single-building guesthouse. However, the room was of 4-star hotel quality, so it was acceptable. After checking out, I had been on the way to Ha Long for about two hours when I realized I had left my Insta 360 camera in the hotel lobby. Knowing there was no way to go back and get it, I had to wait until I arrived in Ha Long before calling Mai Luxury Hotel. After confirming with them that I had indeed left it at the hotel, we started looking for a solution. Initially, they followed me on IG (their hotel IG only had 4 followers). We chatted via DM, and then they added me on WhatsApp to discuss. Originally, they wanted to find a driver that very evening to bring it to my hotel in Ha Long Bay. But because it was a holiday, they couldn't find a driver. Later, they found out I would be leaving Vietnam the next day, so they started looking for any drivers heading to the airport the following day. Not long after, they actually found a driver. They even sent me the driver's and vehicle's details. They also said they had already wrapped it up securely. At this point, I was inclined to believe they genuinely intended to return it. However, if the driver turned out to be dishonest, it could still go missing. On the final day, I arrived at the airport around 1 PM and received a message from the driver. After that, I didn't hear from him again. I grew increasingly anxious inside, thinking maybe he was still driving? Or perhaps he had already kept the camera for himself. Around 4 PM, I finally received a call from the driver. He even captured a photo of my anxious expression while waiting for him. As previously arranged with the hotel, I was to pay him 500,000 VND (about 150 HKD). At that moment, the driver actually handed me back 200,000 VND. Before I could react, he had already gotten back in his car and left. When I looked at the returned item, I could hardly believe it! The hotel had used a ”Happy New Year” bag to hold a ”Happy New Year” box. Upon opening the box, the camera was wrapped in cloth. The level of care and thoughtfulness was truly perfect. The feeling of joy from recovering something lost is truly indescribable. Of course, I wouldn't dare say that everyone in Vietnam is good, but at least on this trip, whether it was the hotpot restaurant owner, the tour guide on the boat, or the hotel staff, they all made me feel the warmth and kindness of the local people.

Best hotel we stayed in Vietnam. Gorgeous room, amazingly helpful staff and a view that rivals none. Could not have asked for more. Thank you for making our stay in Tam Coc memorable!!