Viet scam

We’ve just returned from a short, but delightful family holiday to Vietnam. Two occurrences on the trip did cause wry smiles. After a couple of good, but not great, meals in Hoi An (a Google score of 4.9 based on 2500-plus reviews, hello?), we twigged that many Vietnamese restaurants and hotels are cleverly gaming the Google review system by incentivising customers. Gifts, a parting drink and the like, were not uncommon as long as you agreed to write a review – and presumably review well. I imagine it probably occurs in many tourist-focused countries.Dan Happell, Brighton East, Vic

Letter of the week: Sensory splendour

Colin Hobson’s account (Traveller Letters, July 18) of a Hindu ritual in India, with its “brilliant display of flames, smoke, lights and music”, recalled a journey of my own to Kokopo, Papua New Guinea, capital of the country’s East New Britain province, where similar sensory splendour unfolded. I arrived during the mask and fire dance festivals which were informative showcases of indigenous culture. The trip was rounded out with impressive snorkelling, fishing and an immersion in poignant World War II history. The journey there is undeniably arduous, but for the intrepid traveller, Kokopo rewards every ounce of effort.Albert Yuille, Scone, NSW

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Beg to differ

I read with interest the recent praise for China Airlines (Traveller Letters, July 11). As an Emerald frequent flyer with this carrier, I too used to champion its flagship A350 fleet and stellar crews. My recent Melbourne-Taipei flights, however, felt like a bewildering hardware downgrade. The route is currently serviced by a dense, un-refurbished, leased ex-Sichuan Airlines aircraft showing significant cabin wear. Personal space has shrunk drastically; business class seat width is cut by 20 per cent, while economy drops to a tight 31-inch (78-centimetre) pitch and an uncomfortable 17.5-inch (44-centimetre) width.

Furthermore, the complete omission of a premium economy cabin eliminates the option for both cash-paying passengers and loyalty upgrades. While Sydney and Brisbane passengers continue to enjoy the flagship A350 service, Melbourne is uniquely penalised with a subpar regional product. Management shouldn’t exploit a direct-route monopoly to maintain premium pricing while treating our city as a dumping ground.Henry Yao, Kew, Vic

Price isn’t always right

In response to Margie Cook’s recent disappointing trip to Algeria (Traveller Letters, July 18), we have just completed a wonderful two-week small-group trip to Algeria with Native Eye, an English operator we have used previously in Tunisia. We familiarised ourselves with the itinerary before booking. It was well thought out, including visits to Roman sites, historical locations from the many conquerors of Algeria and desert areas.

We had one day of long travel, in a comfortable small bus, across the desert, stopping at roadside cafes along the way. All our hotels were very comfortable, in good locations, and we felt safe the whole time. Most meals were included and were of excellent quality. At no stage were we accompanied by a police escort, but our driver did have to stop occasionally to show his papers. No one in the group had to show their papers at any time during our trip (except at hotel check-ins). Our tour guide and driver were very knowledgeable and friendly. We even got to meet their families. My advice would be to do your homework before travelling and don’t just choose a tour by price.Joye Walsh, Roseville, NSW

No way, Norway

Norway has long been our go-to country. Its scenery, easy transport, history, fabulous food and welcoming people have long been a drawcard. No longer. I was appalled by Trade Secret: The Polar Bear Market, a documentary, screened on SBS (and available on SBS On Demand), about Norway’s treatment of polar bears, a species whose existence is threatened by climate change. I have had first-hand experience with polar bears in Churchill, Canada, coming so close to a wild polar bear that, had my head not ruled my heart, I could have reached out and patted. That Norway treats these beautiful animals as virtual target practice is shocking and offensive. I had hoped for one more visit to the Viking Ship Museum outside Oslo, but, no thanks. My love affair with Norway is over.Genevieve Milton, Dulwich Hill, NSW

Cocoa nuts

I was delighted to read Julia D’Orazio’s review of The Literary Man hotel in Obidos, Portugal. I have lovely memories of this area of Portugal and recommend that it’s well worth the detour. On my last visit, it was October and the town was celebrating its chocolate festival. Groups of schoolchildren were gathered around the chocolate stalls on the way up the hill to the castle. I will never forget the excited chatter as they selected their treats. Unfortunately, my accommodation in Obidos was not as fascinating as The Literary Man but comfortable, nevertheless, and a bit cheaper.Llieda Wild, Eastwood, NSW

Putting the “ouch” in voucher

Your writer Michael Gebicki’s column on hotel check-ins reminded us of our frightful three-night stay at a Lusaka, Zambia, hotel. Before leaving Australia, we prepaid all accommodation and transport costs and took printed copies of the relevant vouchers. When we straggled in, exhausted at 8pm, we were asked how payment for our room was going to be made. Production of the voucher did not convince the gentleman who then assured us that he would have to investigate this issue.

The next morning, we realised that it had not been resolved as a woman at reception declared that we could not leave until payment was made. Eventually, after an international call was made to South Africa, the reception staff relented and ushered us to the hotel airport shuttle but not without again stating that we had not paid for the service. A voucher had again to be produced. Unfortunately, we had to return to this hotel on two more occasions in the following weeks.Susan Chee, Brighton, Vic

Minors detail

I empathise with John Lithgow’s frustration at being told he couldn’t put his grandchildren on a Jetstar flight home to Melbourne from the Gold Coast (Traveller Letters, July 18), particularly after he says he contacted the airline to confirm requirements, and they had already been allowed to fly from Melbourne. It’s not clear from the letter precisely what the problem was, but Jetstar’s website states that children under 12 cannot fly unaccompanied by an adult; so while the 13-year-old technically could have travelled, the 11-year-old could not. Qantas appears to allow kids under 12 to travel if registered as an unaccompanied minor. Of course, that still doesn’t explain why Jetstar allowed them both to travel alone to the Gold Coast, or why Jetstar should have a different rule to its owner, Qantas, in relation to the same domestic route.Ross Duncan, Potts Point, NSW

Tip of the week: Time is Monet

If you intend to visit Monet’s Garden in Giverny, France, we recommend that you book a timeslot. We did not do this and upon our arrival at the gardens, we faced a two-hour wait, even though it was worth it in the end. On the same trip, we also visited Bordeaux which is a great city to spend time in, especially for the food and wine. While at the tourist office, we found out that the No. 7 tram takes you directly to the airport for the equivalent of only two Australian dollars.Barry Stubbs, West Hobart, Tas

Free plug

Despite being an EV owner who’s comfortable charging away from home, I still plan to hire a petrol car when I travel to the UK in September (Traveller Letters, July 18). Different apps to pay, as well as a lack of chargers in the area that I am visiting has put me off. However, for those that choose or find themselves with an EV, a little planning with two free global apps will ease the pain. Plugshare shows you chargers in an area and comments from users (which you can add to); the free version of a Better Route Planner (ABPR) will also help you plan your trip with charge stopsKen Palmer-Jones, Epping, NSW

Oh, for an ouzo

If you visit the beautiful Greek city of Nafplion, pop into the Karonis Distillery and Museum. A small and old family-run business, it’s about a 20-minute rural walk from town. The owner gives a fascinating talk on the distilling process which is followed by generous tastings of ouzo, tsipouro and mastika. You can also buy these at reasonable prices. The tour costs €10 ($16) a person and you need to book.Nadia Wright, Middle Park, Vic

Falsely Malaysia

In response to James Manning’s article on why we tend to ignore Malaysia as a destination, there is a fairly good reason. Malaysian resorts are difficult to get to, and are definitely not cheap once there. Malaysia places the third-highest tax on alcohol in the world, and that can make an afternoon cocktail by the pool as expensive as Singapore or Dubai. In-hotel food offerings come with eye-watering mark-ups, especially if the resort is not near a town. A modest mark-up is to be expected, but some are having a laugh. And that’s before the “plus, plus” GST and service charge taxes get added to the bill. Resorts in Malaysia are indeed lovely and peaceful – and, mercifully they don’t have nightclub music at 3pm of the sort a Thai resort likes to pump out – but they are seriously costly once inside. Kuala Lumpur has an abundance of superb hotels at bargain prices, but after two days the city has little to offer beyond frustrating traffic and shopping malls.Nick Inatey, Singapore

Chaos central

I wholeheartedly agree with Alan Pead’s comment (Traveller Letters, July 18), that Istanbul Airport has zero customer service. On a recent three-day stopover on our way back from Europe, my disabled wife and I, using “assistance”, were seated in an area surrounded by agitated passengers complaining about the likelihood of missing their flights. We ended up abandoning “assistance” and exited by ourselves, only to discover that we were so late, our luggage was no longer at the designated carousel. We have made two return trips to Europe in the last year, both times with Turkish Airlines. It’s a carrier I’ve been very impressed with, but sadly never again for us, as it would mean having to endure the chaos of Istanbul Airport.Ken Hawke, Annandale, NSW

Sounds amazing

I’m confused. Alan Pead recommends taking the free over-65 lounge-to-gate buggy service at Istanbul International, which can save a 25-minute walk to the gate at an airport “with zero customer service”. That sounds like an amazing service and great innovation, for an airport “with zero customer service”.Neale Meagher, Malvern, Vic* *

The Letter of the Week writer wins three Hardie Grant travel books. See hardiegrant.com

The Tip of the Week writer wins a set of three Lonely Planet travel books. See shop.lonelyplanet.com