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Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers  

Here at Exodus we thrive on feedback from our customers. It’s the only way we can ensure our trips continue to be the best they can be. So, for the real tales, twists and turns of the trip you’re interested in, look no further than the reviews from our previous travellers.

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182 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Reviews

Vietnam Adventure

We were getting together as a family on this trip and it proved perfect – a really great group of people of all ages, and such a wide range of activities and visits. We really enjoyed cookery school and street food, we loved meeting the very friendly people, and appreciated starting to understand the complex history of the country and seeing its dynamic growth now. The traffic is a nightmare, we kept getting lost in Hanoi and the language baffled us, but the country is fascinating.

Most Inspirational Moment

We really enjoyed cycling through the rice paddies to visit a market and find out about rice processing, and eating with a family in their home in Hue.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was extremely good - very organised, friendly and diplomatic, knowledgeable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Probably wise not to take too much stuff as we were moving on alot and had several nights with just overnight bags. Anyway its good to save some space for all the really good and cheap things to buy. We had no worries about mosquitoes or insects, and bottled water is provided everywhere. The food is amazing and all so fresh - lots of fish and vegetables, and French pastries. No problem finding ATMs in the cities.

A journey through a beautiful country

This is a thoroughly rewarding experience through a beautiful country. Still coming to terms with the 150 years of occupation and war, the trip took us from North to South in a hectic but fascinating two week trip. You’ll learn a lot about the recent history which still effects the country today. The people make this trip, from it’s busy markets, the millions of scooters to the smiling children playing on the streets its hard not to be totally charmed by the place and it’s culture. The country is stunning, halong bay being an obvious highlight, but the temples, pagodas, beaches, jungle and rice fields all help make this trip one of the best I’ve been on.

Most Inspirational Moment

The highlight was kayaking at Halong Bay while the sun set. I was unsure about doing this, but went for it and certainly didn't regret it. Paddling through small caves into areas larger boats can't go, we found ourselves completly alone in a most beautiful place. If you go on this trip, make sure you do it !

Thoughts on Group Leader

Linh was our tour leader and he was an absolute star. It was a few days before we realised all the phone calls, quiet chats with locals were all about organising us (the group). He was amazingly efficient at getting us at the right place at the right time. His stories about life in Vietnam were one of the highlights of trip, giving the tour a personal touch that would otherwise have been missing. I couldn't commend Linh enough and congratulate him on helping create a really rewarding trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be aware you may not spend as much as you think ! Food and drink is really cheap and I ended up with a fair bit of cash left over. You may be surprised at the standard of the hotels, they are on the whole really good, all come with air conditioning (with the exception of the home stay) and with wi fi. Breakfast at the hotels can be a bit lacking though and I think that's probably the case across the board. The rest of the meals you will have are exceptionally good, Vietnamese food is amazing !

Vietnam Adventure

The trip was an opportunity to experience the full range of differences that this remarkable country has to offer. From the cities of Hanoi, Hue and Ho Chi Minh to the outstanding beauty of HaLong, the coast near DaNang and the huge expanse of the Mekong Delta, this was a remarkable and never to be forgotten adventure. There wasn’t a day that went by when I wasn’t thrilled by what I was experiencing. The cycle rides through the country and experiencing the local culture cannot be adequately described other than breath taking. There was so much to see and experience that the time went over so quickly. Eating Vietnamese food in so many different restaurants and a local street market was quite an education. Our group got on remarkably well which added so much to the trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

The cruise in Halong Bay was a real treat, it's so beautiful and the boat very comfortable and clean.The sights and the lovely Vietnamese people were an inspiration for me. Eating a tremendous meal cooked by a Vietnamese family in their home and their children singing to us afterwards is something I'll always remember. Together with the boat ride in the Mekong Delta and overnight stay in the homestay which again was unforgettable.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Anh Nguyen, our group leader was excellent. He was attentive , informative and with a great sense of humour. He was instrumental in helping our group gel together. He always went 'that extra mile' to meet our needs and cared for each and everyone of us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't take too many clothes as they're cheaper to buy in Vietnam than in the UK. Don't be afraid to try Vietnamese food - it's great.

Fabulous Vietnam

A fantastic trip from start to finish. Having done a few Exodus trips before, this didn’t disappoint. Everyone was fantastic and I really enjoyed it.

Most Inspirational Moment

Where do I start?! Halong Bay was great, all what you expect it to be (apart from the volume of other sailing boats). The surprising moments were the bustle of old Hanoi & its traffic, the overnight sleeper train (which was really quite comfy), Hoi An which is a really pretty & friendly town, the Cu Chi tunnels and the Mekong Delta.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Anh was great. He was knowledgeable yet honest. If there wasn't something he knew immediately then he would always find out and come straight back to us with an answer. He was approachable, friendly and a great leader. An asset to the company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For both Halong Bay and the Mekong Delta you will need to pack an overnight bag, so make sure you have a small bag you can use.

Fabulous trip!

This trip was everything I was hoping for and more! It was was first visit to the east and my first Exodus trip. Both more than met my expectations. Each city we visited was totally different from the one before but equally fantastic.

Most Inspirational Moment

Toss up between My Son, the Mekong Delta home-stay and the War Remnants Museum in Ho Chi Minh City (although it made me cry)

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader was Anh Nguyen what a great guy. Knowledgeable, fun and always there when he was needed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't think about it...........DO IT

A fantastic time....

This is a late review but I wanted to add the avalanche of positive reviews for this trip.

Vietnam is not one of the ‘main’ tourist destinations, but it should be. Its a lovely country with a rich history and a friendly people.

Most Inspirational Moment

Halong bay - the postcard pictures you may have seen don't do it justice. We also by chance (while visiting Ho Chi Minh's stilt house in Hanoi) bumped into some war veterans (in full military uniforms) who were paying their respects. With our guide as translator we asked them about that time and their feelings about westerners today. They told us they hold no grudges and warmly welcomed us as visitors to their country. It was quite a refreshing experience - totally different to what I expected them to say. One last thing to include - the war remnants museum. The visit made me feel quite somber but I thought it important that I had visited. The Vietnamese pull no punches when they show the events of that time but you leave the museum with a feeling that while they remember the past, they look hopefully to the future too.

Thoughts on Group Leader

I have been on a few trips like this (both with Exodus and other similar operators) and I have to say without doubt that our guide Anh was hands down the best guide by far. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble for him, the trip logistics were handled with ease, he was fountain of knowledge for the many questions the group had on Vietnam's history and culture - and he did it all with a smile. Everyone in our group got on great (we 'gelled' as they say) and he was a part of our group... a friend.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack light, there is plenty of opportunities to get laundry done very cheaply - and it leaves more luggage space for the tailored clothes you will want to buy in Hoi An.

Suzy Hargreavez

To travel from north to south seeing the total diversity of Vietnam was amazing and breathvtaking.

Most Inspirational Moment

Ha Long bay and Mekong Delta, plus unexpectedly the food.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cong was so attentive and always there to point you to the best bits.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Totally safe for singles, family and couples, the Vietnamese such friendly people. Just be wary crossing roads :)

Vietnam Adventure Sept 2014

This trip was much better than the brochure describes. It was a real adventure from start to finish. The guide was very knowledgable and helped make this trip memorable.

Most Inspirational Moment

Several - Halong bay for the scenery, the optional cycle ride in Hoi an. The overnight train journey even though we didnt sleep too well. The Mekong Delta and Cu Chi tunnels

Thoughts on Group Leader

Outstanding - everthing ran like clock work. He was very efficiant, knew the best resaurants in all the locations we visited. Excellent service

Advice for Potential Travellers

Visit now before it becomes a popular destination

Vietnam Adventure

What a brilliant trip. As a single woman joining this trip I was a bit anxious about going, but as it turned out, I felt totally secure throughout, met a great group of people and had an amazing experience. The trip was well organised and full of interest, giving a taste of city life as well as the country side and Vietnamese values and culture.

Most Inspirational Moment

This is hard to choose. Mekong Delta was really beautiful, but also thought the historical experiences like the War museum and Cu Chi tunnels very moving and informative. Trips out to see village life were a refreshing break fro city life. I went by Cyclo rather than biking and arrived in style!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cong was a first class guide and took great care of us. He gave us some great advice on where to eat, provided some really enjoyable optional experiences, even arranged a hot take away to be delivered to the train for our overnight journey! He is friendly, intelligent and resourceful, you are in safe hands with him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are hesitating about this trip, don't. Just go. You will have an amazing time.

Everything about this tour as advertised - apart from a terrible guide

I travelled on this trip to celebrate a milestone birthday, the group comprised husband and wife with daughter in 20’s, young couple, 25 yr old Canadian backpacker and a solo male and female in their 50-60’s. Vietnam is a friendly and welcoming destination and the trip, transfer and accommodation were exactly as described. The whole experience was spoilt by our guide ‘Ha’. Who after the first couple of days became moody and disengaged, at times even bored with the group. He actively split the group at mealtimes insisting on sitting with the younger members of the group, using the excuse that four of us were vegetarian. The highlight of the trip for me was the visit to the Meekong delta and home stay, cooking over a wood fire with the family and watching the children catch fish. Our local guide was full of enthusiasm and information – excellent!! Unfortunately our own guide seemed rather jealous of the reception and warm thanks our group showed her. On day 8 as we walked through the case at the Marble mountains Ha took it Upon himself to physically mimic one of the ladies in the group who was walking a little slower that the rest of us and as we descended some steep stone steps appeared to find it amusing that we were having to take care negotiating the descent. I have a knee injury and was walking with the aid of a trekking stick. Neither of us delayed things unduly. On the journey to Danang he decided that we would stop at a local bakery for lunch. There was something of a language barrier and limited choice of choice for the non meat eaters in the group. Nobody made a fuss when he helped himself to a dumpling and left to eat it and left ignoring mine and two others request for help, meaning our half of the group was trying to explain their needs to bewildered staff. I am a seasoned traveller and traveled solo internationally on many occasions, less frequently in organised tour groups. On occasions that I have travelled with Exodus before including most recently I have had nothing but praise for staff support and trips themselves. Finally after the experience in the caves I contacted customer support from my hotel via email and was told to provide feedback after I had returned. We were only half way through the tour. In the light of this unpleasant experience it is highly unlikely that I will be travelling with Exodus again.

Most Inspirational Moment

Meekong homestay

Thoughts on Group Leader

Terrible, moody and petulant. Certainly demonstrating no empathy for members of the groups with slight mobility issues.

Advice for Potential Travellers

See my comment in the 1st section of my feedback

Review Centre
Reply from Exodus

We would like to thank Heather for her review, although we are very sorry that she was so disappointed with her tour leader. As we normally receive very positive feedback about our leaders in Vietnam, further to receiving Heather’s feedback our local operations manager met with the tour leader to discuss the comments raised; we are confident that further to this meeting future clients will not be equally disappointed, but we regret that Heather’s experience was not so positive.

Megan Devenish – Trip Manager for Vietnam