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

Barbara Shaw

Reviewed March 2017

Vietnam adventure

Brilliant a very full Itinary. Everything went smoothly.
Our guide Viet was great he always made sure that everything was sorted properly and we always knew what the plans were for each day.
His knowledge was amazing about the history of Vietnam.
Always helpful and pleasant and we had lots of laughs as a group.

Most Inspirational Moment

The military museum in Saigon as it made me realise how much the people had suffered. Also the Church tunnels were amazing how clever they were in creating them.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant couldn't fault him his knowledge was amazing always checked what the plans were the night before and time we needed to be He made sure that everything went without any problems. He was great any problems any of us had he made sure it was sorted out,gave us good safety advise to keep us safe.We had some fun times with him and lots of laughs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book with Exodus an excellant Company

Roger Furze

Reviewed March 2017

A comprehensive North to South tour of Vietnam

On previous trips with Exodus many people were saying that they were very eager to visit Vietnam next. So I thought I would see for myself if it was as good as people were thinking. A year earlier I had visited China with Exodus, and if I’m honest I would have to say that China is by far the better option in terms of things to see, food, and the tourist experience. Vietnam is a country being swamped by tourists but they are still only just learning how to cope with that influx, and are financially challenged in their efforts to do so. Having said all that, I would urge you to see Vietnam first rather than China, because if you see China first you may be unimpressed with Vietnam

Most Inspirational Moment

Hoi An is a gem of a place to visit. A relaxed little town with hundreds of colourful lanterns filling the streets markets and river areas. Visit Vys market restaurant, it's a real experience with good food and a large choice. The market is great to wander through and there are many interesting shops, galleries and temples. Many of the key streets get closed off to all traffic and having experienced the mindless hordes of scooter drivers who ignore all traffic signs and rules, that is a godsend... if you need glasses, wait until you get there. There is a 24 hour service at a fraction of uk prices I think I lost out by not going on an organised bike ride. everyone who went really enjoyed it. There is a beach not far away, don't try like I did, to walk there, get a taxi they are so cheap. You may never want to leave this town and your next destination HCMC (Saigon) is so totally opposite

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bon was working tirelessly throughout the trip, always with a cheerful smile and with a unique knowledge of the best places to see or eat at.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The water puppets in Hanoi we're overrated, ok for children, but then this isn't a children's trip. Walk around the lake in Hanoi and you will see a different side to Hanoi than the side where the hotel is in the old quarter. The motor cyclists in Vietnam have a complete disregard of any road regulations, most ignore red lights and pedestrian crossings and many use the pavement or the wrong side of the road. Follow your quides instructions and walk slowly, don't run or give way, across the road. Vehicles dont travel fast so will almost certainly go round you. Not for the feint hearted and you need to take great care as local papers tell of many accidents...

Mark Buxton

Reviewed February 2017

Vietnam Adventure

I first travelled to Vietnam back in 2005 and it was always my intention to go back at some point in the future to see how things had changed. 12 years down the line, and I thought that now was an ideal time to go back.

Most Inspirational Moment

The trip I did this time was pretty much the same as the one I did in 2005 (with the exception of a trek in the hilltribes in the North). The first thing I must mention is the food in Vietnam. Vietnamese food is amazing. Whilst this wasn't a specific food trip, our guide had some excellent recommendations for eating. Going back to Halong Bay was something pretty special. We were lucky enough to have some very sunny weather whilst we were there. The boat we stayed on was very comfortable too - and the food was pretty impressive as well. We had some unseasonably cloudy and occasionally rainy weather in the middle portion of the trip around Hue and Hoi An, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of those particular places. I particularly enjoyed the homestay in the Mekong Delta. It was my birthday on the day that we were there and I was particularly humbled by the local band who played happy birthday for me and also the family at the homestay made me a lovely birthday cake as well.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hai was a fantastic tour leader. As per some of the recent reviews on here, his sense of humour was fantastic and fitted in very well with our group. He had excellent food recommendations and nothing was too much trouble for him. He was an excellent guide, leader and organiser. He also arranged laundry for us in each place (if we wanted it) at considerably cheaper prices than the hotels. He is a credit to your organisation.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for not much sleep on the train journey. The cabins are very cramped, especially when you factor in everyone's luggage as well. Take US dollars - it's the easiest currency to change and I got very reasonable rates by changing it at the hotels we stayed in.

Deirdre Newman

Reviewed February 2017

Vietnam Adventure

A great trip offering a very good insight into Vietnam, its culture and people. Very varied in terms of places visited.
Covered a lot in 2 weeks which meant it was quite hectic at times and lots of early starts.

Most Inspirational Moment

Loved the cruise on Halong Bay - it was the most scenic part of the holiday. Also thoroughly enjoyed overnight stay at the Homestay. The house we stayed at was delightful and the surrounding area very peaceful and serene. Also enjoyed the cycle rides through the paddy fields and to the local market.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hai was a great guide. Nothing too much trouble for him. Recommended some great restaurants and eating places including street cafes and local eateries. Offered a good range of optional excursions and activities but never pushed them on us. Had a great sense of humour and bonded well with our group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel as light as you can as there are several opportunities to get laundry done very cheaply by local people (our guide arranged this in Hue and Hoi An). Take dollars with you (especially 1 dollar notes) as they are accepted almost every where (even by the laundry people) and are often preferred to dong.

Dennis Jenkins

Reviewed February 2017

Vietnam Adventure and Angkor Wat

This was an excellent tour which enabled us to see and experience the many faces of Vietnam. It was fairly “full on” with some early starts but this was necessary in order to cover so much in the time. At the same time, it didn’t feel rushed and there were plenty of opportunities to explore on your own. The Angkor Wat extension, which 4 of us did from our group, was definitely worthwhile and certainly lived up to its reputation as one of the wonders of the world. It needed the nearly 3 days to do it justice. Being in Siem Reap and then Phnom Penh gave us chance to experience the differences between Cambodia and Vietnam. May be one extra day might have enabled some further exploration of other aspects of Cambodia such as the fishing villages but overall the balance was very good.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many experiences make it very difficult to highlight just a few. Halong Bay and overnight on the boat, the overnight train was interesting even if you wouldn't want to repeat it too often!,the bike rides, the Mekong and the homestay and getting to know the people. On a more sombre note, the visits connected with the war were a cause for reflection. This applied to Cambodia as well with the visit to the "killing fields" contrasting with the grandeur of the Angkor Wat sites.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hai was a brilliant leader with great enthusiasm and a sense of humour which went down very well with our group. He made sure that we got as much out of our visit as possible by giving us numerous opportunities to sample Vietnamese life in terms of transport, food, chatting with locals and imparting his sound knowledge of his country's history when it came to sightseeing. In Cambodia, both Sokhom for Angkor Wat and Thida for Phnom Penh were first rate guides.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Read the Travel Notes before committing. If you don't like early starts and and a busy itinery then this is probably not for you. However, if you want to experience as much as you can on a tour, then this trip would be no problem.

John Pickard

Reviewed February 2017

Vietnam Adventure

This holiday is breath taking fast moving culturally stimulating. A treat for the eyes and the mind as you experience the sights sounds and people of Vietnam. We then moved on to Cambodia Ankor Wat which has amazing history before sobering thoughts and memories of Phnom Penh.

Most Inspirational Moment

The northern part of the trip in Vietnam was just brilliant

Thoughts on Group Leader

the group leader in Vietnam was an outstanding leader, i hold him in the highest regard. The leader in Ankor Wat was a very considerate and caring. The leader in Phnom Penh let us down, we rushed the Killing fields we rushed the Museum and Royal Residents. he did not turn up to take us to the airport and the taxi he sent was late

Advice for Potential Travellers

travel light

Anton Cox

Reviewed January 2017

A well planned and varied introduction to Vietnam

An excellent introduction to Vietnam with a wide variety of activities and experiences. Beginning and ending with relaxing boat trips in Halong Bay and the Mekong Delta, the middle was a carefully planned tour of some beautiful locations. Lots packed in without feeling rushed, and with plenty of excellent meals.

Most Inspirational Moment

Sailing around Halong Bay on a great boat (with an amazing cook!) surrounded by spectacular views.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Trung was a great leader; absolutely committed to giving us the best possible experience, and always with a smile and with genuine enthusiasm.

Adrian Bevan

Reviewed January 2017

Vietnam Adventure - awesome

My wife and I booked this trip over Christmas and New Year to relax into experiencing highlights of Vietnam. We had heard a lot about how friendly the people were in the country and how amazing an experience it was to travel and tried to maintain no pre-conceptions in order to get the most from this trip. There is a good balance between different types of activities all along the route. We had experience of previous trips with Exodus and this lived up to the high standards previously experienced. It was our first holiday to South East Asia, and would love to visit again.

Most Inspirational Moment

It's hard to pin down just one thing that is inspirational about this trip. The journey out to Ha Long bay and trip into the Mekong Delta surrounded us with the natural beauty of two very different parts of the country. This contrast against the train journey and the chaos of the big cities left us being inspired at each turn. The museums that one visits as a part of the trip are interesting, very informative and provide much material for reflection.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader (Kien Le) was very well organised, enthusiastic and energetic. He was keen to impart knowledge of Vietnam throughout the trip and readily answered any questions posed to him. This helped us understand Vietnam as a country at a deeper level. Due to some unexpected heavy rains at one point in the trip he quickly organised alternative activiites at the request of the group. He was always willing to organise activities during free periods to help us maximise our time in this wonderful country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go there with an open mind and enjoy yourself. Plenty of opportunity for photography, cooking and eating...

Jennifer Durham

Reviewed December 2016

Vietnam Adventure

A wonderful whistle stop tour of beautiful and vibrant Vietnam. A very varied itinerary in a country with a fascinating history and culture, fantastic food and drink and amazing landscapes. The Vietnamese were so hospitable and kind .It was my best holiday yet- I loved it all.