Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

We visited during the Vietnamese new year and it was so lovely to see all the vibrant colours of flowers, lights, and lanterns adorning every standing structure and building. The Vietnamese people are so lovely and welcoming!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Trung was outstanding! Very knowledgeable, engaging, patient(!), and took us to some extraordinarily beautiful places (not necessarily on the published itinerary).

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is a packed itinerary so pace yourself! Pack light, pack for the weather, read through the itinerary and trip notes carefully so you budget accordingly. All the advertised extras are worth doing!

Most Inspirational Moment

We visited during the Vietnamese new year and it was so lovely to see all the vibrant colours of flowers, lights, and lanterns adorning every standing structure and building. The Vietnamese people are so lovely and welcoming!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Trung was outstanding! Very knowledgeable, engaging, patient(!), and took us to some extraordinarily beautiful places (not necessarily on the published itinerary).

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is a packed itinerary so pace yourself! Pack light, pack for the weather, read through the itinerary and trip notes carefully so you budget accordingly. All the advertised extras are worth doing!

Most Inspirational Moment

So many to choose from...sunset on Ha Long Bay, the lanterns of Hoi An, the manic energy of Hanoi and Saigon, the tranquility of Hue, life on the water in the Delta. Vietnam is a beautiful country of great contrasts, where the ancient and modern worlds sit side-by-side. Inspiration is everywhere you look.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Win (aka Tan) was absolutely outstanding. He brought the history and culture of Vietnam vividly to life and has a real passion for what he does. Nothing was too much trouble for him and everything was approached with kindness and good humour. He has a lovely manner that made the whole group feel quickly at ease and was great fun to travel with - we laughed a lot.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel as light as you can - there are opportunities along the way to get laundry done overnight, supporting local vendors at the same time. There is a definite climate change as you move south. Hanoi was a bit chilly in the evenings - Saigon is hot and humid. Layering is the way to go and take a lightweight rain jacket. Take a bit of cash if you can to get yourself going - a lot of smaller vendors will prefer it and its helpful to have immediately to hand when you land. ATMs are fine to top yourself up, but look out for bank charges which vary from bank to bank. Credit cards are accepted widely in the cities but vendors often add a surcharge for using a card. Vietnam is great value for money, so even with a surcharge it will still feel like a bargain, but its just worth being aware of.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sailing for a day and a night through the breathtaking vistas of Ha Long Bay in a luxurious boat exclusive to our group, like a private yacht!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Huy Nguyen was a knowledgeable, engaging and highly efficient guide and organiser, who brought the places we visited to life, but on top of that he added a very special personal touch, in that he was alert to the needs of every individual in the group and went out of his way to respond positively to the specific requirements of individuals and to reassure individuals who were worried.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for very hot weather and (when we were there in November): very heavy rain

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tu was a wonderful leader. He always went the extra mile to make sure everyone and everything was taken care of. Entire trip ran smoothly and it was highly educational and also a lot of fun.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to choose one from so many….but I think the experiences in Hoi An were amazing; cycling through the countryside and seeing the lanterns at night

Thoughts on Group Leader

Huyen was perfect in every way. We all adored her. She was exceptionally well organised, generous with her time, nothing was too much trouble, knowledgeable, empathetic to our needs, funny and just a beautiful person.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We were glad we took thin blow up mattresses for the train. Getting VND currency was no problem from ATMs.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to choose one from so many….but I think the experiences in Hoi An were amazing; cycling through the countryside and seeing the lanterns at night

Thoughts on Group Leader

Huyen was perfect in every way. We all adored her. She was exceptionally well organised, generous with her time, nothing was too much trouble, knowledgeable, empathetic to our needs, funny and just a beautiful person.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We were glad we took thin blow up mattresses for the train. Getting VND currency was no problem from ATMs.

Most Inspirational Moment

The inspiring moments were marred by the intense traffic in Hanoi and Saigon (Ho Chi Ming city). There are literally millions of scooters and motor bikes churning our pollution and noise. They seem to have priority over pedestrians who have to walk in the road becauce the pavements are full of bikes. I found it a very stressful environment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader tried, but his english was limited, and other we got to a site where just churned out a lot of information which was difficult to follow.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Double check what the weather is going to be doing throughout your trip. The information we were given was largely all wrong. Think about staying for longer than absolutely necessary Hanoi and Ho Chi Ming city

Most Inspirational Moment

Our overnight on a Junk boat in Halong Bay

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader Nanq Nguyen ( aka Jolie) is exceptional. Exodus is fortunate to have her on their team. She is an organizational genius and genuinely cared for all of us. She also has a great sense of humor,

Advice for Potential Travellers

The overnight train trip from Hanoi to Hue, while it is a great experience, is uncomfortable and noisy. The amount of pollution in the Mekong Delta is unnecessarily large and the Vietnamese people seem to be unaware of the pollution.

Most Inspirational Moment

Spending the night in the Mekong Delta was amazing. The local family who opened their home were so friendly and genuinely happen to host us, it was so great.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Binh...there are no words to describe how great of a leader he is. His enthusiasm, knowledge, genuine care for his group, and in general everything he is about are great. He is not only an asset to his country, but also to Exodus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

you MUST go on this adventure. Do not hesitate, as it will be a magical experience.