Reviews

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

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179 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

wendy powell

Reviewed April 2014

Vietnam in 16 days

I’ve never travelled with Exodus before,but what I liked straightaway was not only the structure,but the freedom permitted on the trip. On other group trips with different companies this hasn’t always been the case. This trip was run by Bien, who made sure we were fully catered for and had an experience of a life time. We went from Hanoi to Saigon,by bus,train,boat and plane. We had two fantastic cycling trips of about 18 miles mingling with the locals, visiting the local markets. We kayaked in Halong Bay and were greeted by a group of monkeys! We were able to wander the cities on the odd afternoons off, catching in the sites and getting in the required amount of shopping! The weather was misty and grey for the first part of the trip which was a shame as Halong Bay was shrouded in cloud,but the weather bucked up as we travelled south. One thing I would say about this trip is how much I learnt about Vietnam. I thought I knew quite a bit but was totally overwhelmed and at times moved to tears by the plight of the Vietnamese people. We could have spent more time in the Remnants Museum it was so full of interesting artefacts and so very moving you needed time to take it all in.
This trip is full on and my only criticism is we could have done with an afternoon on a beach somewhere. The trip visits lots of busy cities that are full of traffic and it would have been good to just chill on a beach for an afternoon,apart from that it was amazing.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved cycling around the countryside,seeing how the local villagers lived and how they had survived so much and still had a smile and a story to tell. I thought the overnight train journey fascinating,and a great deal of fun sharing a compartment with 3 relative strangers!Walk a little way down the train and you will come across a bar compartment! Seeing Ho Chi Minn lying in state was mind blowing!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bien had an amazing grasp of Vietnamese history, and made sure we were all catered for. We did at times need to change money and although he didn't always fully understand the urgency of this in some cases he did make sure we knew how and where to do it. My only observation was the need to have more liquid on our walkabouts, and maybe more stops at local coffee houses.........maybe a British thing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

You can change dollars easily in Vietnam. Be prepared for the change in weather as it gets considerably warmer as you go South. Take a small bag for your two overnight stays. Pack a pair of long socks,great for your stay in the Mekong Delta,as you sit outside at night chatting the mossies can be about. Regarding mosquitos I wouldn't bother with malaria medication for this trip as we hardly got bitten,just wear the repellent at all times!

Reviewed February 2014

VIETNAM ADVENTURE

The trip was just perfect – an ideal combination of just enough cycling and just enough sight-seeing. I’m hooked.

Most Inspirational Moment

That both the Vietnamese and the Cambodians (we did the Angkor Wat extension) were the most dignified, welcoming and happy people you could imagine. There is no shirking of their recent tumultuous past, but the way they have dealt with the past is an object lesson in forgiveness and was deeply moving.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Long absolutely made the Vietnam trip as special as it was. Happy, funny, informative and incredibly welcoming and helpful. It was an honour to meet him. Our Pnomh Penh guide Smeay was funny and dignified too. His personal account of the killing fields was intensely moving and will stay with me forever.

Advice for Potential Travellers

All of it was special but we may go back to Vietnam with empty suitcases to buy made to measure clothes in Hoi An and top up with prescription spectacles and sunglasses - don't miss out! The food is excellent, and very good for the libido (or so we were told!)

Reviewed January 2014

VIETNAM ADVENTURE

A melting pot of hustle & bustle, calm & beauty Vietnam is a country which is in the midst of change, catch it while you can. From the busy street of Hanoi & Saigon which seamlesley functions with the grace of an ant coloney to the calm & tranquilty of Halong bag, Vietnam is as diverse as any country. It embraces & respects it’s past while looking to the future. The Chu Ci Tunnels were an ore enspiring example of the tenacity & resilicance of this fine country & a must see experience.

Most Inspirational Moment

Feeling the trappings of daily life wash away amongst the peaceful beauty of Halong Bay

Thoughts on Group Leader

As with all Exodus leaders a wealth of knowledge & enthusiasm for his country

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be ready to shop until you drop in Hoi An

Reviewed December 2013

VIETNAM ADVENTURE

I have never done a trip like this before and what a fantastic experience to start with. Vietnam was a wonderful country and I have learnt and seen so much. Our tour guide Hai was excellent and made sure we took as much away from the country as possible.

Most Inspirational Moment

The history of the country was fascinating and having travelled North to South you see and feel what a war torn history has done to the country. It is however only after a visit to the war remnants museum in Saigon that everything is hit home in a graphic and shocking form. What is most remarkable is that even after the turbulent lives a lot of the Vietnamese have lead they retain their resilience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hai was great, he made every effort to ensure we took as much away from the trip as possible. He was very witty and sociable and played a bit part in the experience.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with an open mind and a give it a go attitude, it is a developing country so you will see and hear things that may differ vastly to what you are used to. The optional activities were some of the highlights for me, if you don't do the bike rides your experience will be very different and less rewarding.

Reviewed November 2013

VIETNAM ADVENTURE

The trip far exceeded our expectations, one of the best trips we have had. Our guide Trung had excellent knowledge of history, the country, the best places to eat. His people skills are excellent, what a lovely character. You couldn’t wish for a better guide. He looked after us so well too.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many inspirational points, the country is so beautiful and the people so friendly. Many don't have a lot, but work hard to make a living and made us so welcome wherever we went. The Vietnamese people are an asset to their country. Halong Bay is beautiful. Hanoi is amazing but chaotic. The train journey was an experience. Saigon is a beautiful vibrant city. The Mekong is beautiful, as is the country from north to south

Thoughts on Group Leader

We couldn't have requested a better group leader. His knowledge of the history Vietnam was very good especially the Indo China wars. He had a balanced understanding of the effect of the wars had on the population. Trung led our group to excellent places to eat,it made it so enjoyable. Trung has excellent leadership skills, he handled the threat of the cyclone very calmly. The group were all older than Trung yet he inspired confidence whatever the situation. He has an excellent sense of humour and made us laugh so many times. Trung is caring and made sure that we were well looked after.He is an asset to Exodus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The trains are not as bad as some travellers have reported, but travellers need to be prepared that carriages need to be shared, as well as rooms in the Homestay.

Reviewed October 2013

VIETNAM ADVENTURE

An excellent couple of weeks skillfully and cheerfully orchestrated by Nam our local guide. What a beautiful country.

Most Inspirational Moment

Most inspirational moments were:++ sheltering from really monsoon rain near the cu chi tunnels++ celebrating the awesome Sai Gon rush-hour++ speaking (obviously nonsense) vietnamese to the nun in charge of a local orphanage++ capturing the most beautiful flowers on camera in a peaceful garden++ a new and untried fruit for lunch most days ++ Han Oi

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nam was ever cheerful, with enormous amounts of energy and lots of interesting tales to tell. He will make the trip for many who travel with him. Key phrase; 'are we feeling heavy?' - which you could take to mean;1. Do we need an exceptionally strong local coffee?or 2. Is it so long since we had a pee that we have acquired an additional 10Kg in weight?Huge thanks to Nam for his energy and good humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Key advice - dont take so much stuff with you!!!Oh - and - do visit the backpacker area in Sai Gon after dark if you like to see what the local (and international) folks get up to. A real treat to drink beer hoi and watch the hundreds of people sitting in the street.

Reviewed September 2013

VIETNAM ADVENTURE (+CAMBODIA EXT)

What a brilliant country! This was a wonderful trip for experiencing the landscapes, people, culture, towns and villages of Vietnam with the help of a well informed local guide. It was a great introduction which has whetted our appetite to go back and explore further!

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole holiday was full of amazing experiences so it’s difficult to single out one moment but here are a few of our favourites: Kayaking in Halong Bay – enjoying the tranquillity of this awesome limestone landscape The Old Quarter of Hanoi –the lively street life and managing to cross the road by ourselves Hoi An – the fun of the tailors, the lanterns at night, the bike ride– the exhilaration of hearing the wind rising in the banana trees before the monsoon rain descended on us Dinner with local people – the courtesy of our hosts and the wonderful food (but not the betel nut chewing – beware!)The Citadel at Hue – the monks’ music resonating around the courtyard of this splendid buildingGroup team building at Brown Eyes, Hue!!War Remnants museum – because it brings home how recently Vietnam and her people have experienced devastation and makes their optimism and sense of fun all the more amazing The Mekong Delta trip – all of it

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ha was terrific – very knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his country. He seemed to intuitively know how much information we needed and when. We were a small group and therefore had the bonus of spending a lot of time with him. This was brilliant as he was great fun to be with – full of laughter and fun – which made for a very happy holiday. He gave us the opportunity to have a wide range of experiences and to better understand and appreciate Vietnam and its people. An excellent representative for Exodus!

Advice for Potential Travellers

As others have mentioned do travel light . You don’t need to take a lot of clothes as the laundry facilities at Hue or Ho Ann are cheap so you only really need to take a week’s clothes for a two week trip. Leave sufficient luggage space to bring home souvenirs. If possible have an idea of a garment you’d like made at Hoi Ann – it’s really worth it and great fun. Take up all the optional excursions on offer– these provided some of our best experiences. Just go – go soon – and make the most of the experience!

Reviewed April 2013

VIETNAM ADVENTURE

This is an amazing trip from the North to the South of Vietnam. You manage to visit Cities, sail in Halong Bay, travel by overnight train and get to experience some wonderful countryside. It’s hectic but there is time to rest and relax and enjoy the amazing sights. A fantastic trip.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to single out one thing. The night on Halong Bay was lovely. Hoi An is an amazing place with its lovely buildings and river. Sailing through the Mekong delta canals being rowed by a little old lady. The peace and quiet of the homestay. Cycling in Hoi An was great. Too windy to go to the beach, but we had a fantastic cycle through the countryside, rice fields and seeing where all the local vegetables were grown. Followed by a barbeque on a quiet river bank - bliss.Cocktails on the 50th floor of the building with the helipad in Saigon.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thuy was great. He really looked after us and took us to many lovely restaurants. We were very fussy eaters which I think proved a bit of a challenge at first but Thuy managed to make sure we were well catered for. Very knowledgeable and kind - a great representative for Exodus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As others have said laundry is cheap and easy to get done. So travel light as there are so many beautiful clothes to buy or get made out there.

Reviewed April 2013

VIETNAM ADVENTURE

This was an amazing introduction to the variety that is Vietnam – every day had its special memories so it is impossible to identify a single highlight. The guide, Chinh, was brilliant and his passion for his own country was contagious. The peoples of Vietnam must surely be the most charming, friendly, smiling and laughter-filled peoples in the world!

Most Inspirational Moment

As is obvious from the above, picking out one individual memory above all others is impossible. Should it be the Marble Mountain Pagoda? The homestay and preparing (or at least attempting to be of some help with our efforts) the evening meal, the war museum in HCM City, or the ready laughter and good humour of the Hanoi shop keeper as my wife attempted to haggle a bargain price? Or the Cu Chi Tunnels, Halong Bay, the overnight train from Hanoi to Hue, the ...? I can't choose.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely excellent in every regard. He was instrumental in creating this memorable holiday and a large factor in so many of the warm memories we carry from it.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack light. Buy any extra clothing you need when in the country. You'll be glad you left room in the case for your purchases. And don't be put off by accounts of the traffic and road-crossing experience. It's actually quite exhilerating.

Reviewed April 2013

VIETNAM ADVENTURE

A wonderful introduction to the history, culture and present day life in Vietnam. However, it was quite city based and we felt that it would have been good to have had more opportunity to experience the countryside as well.