Above: Ha Long Bay - HIEN PHUNG / ADOBE STOCK

We recently tried something new. Gohagan & Co., a tour operator specializing in chartering small luxury ships, offered a complimentary Vietnam cruise to the Andrew Harper editorial team. Ordinarily we don’t entertain such proposals. But with encouragement from our long-suffering accountant, I accepted the offer with the caveat that I would not hold back from criticism in my review. The Gohagan office was aware of my identity, but as far as the other passengers, local guides and cruise staff were concerned, my traveling companion and I were ordinary guests.

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