Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Halong Bay - floating gently amongst beautiful scenery whilst being fed the most amazing seafood! Hoi An - wandering around this UNESCO town and having a suit custom tailored. Cu Chi Tunnels - the gradual dawning of the terrible sacrifice of the Vietnamese people and their sheer resilience and ingenuity when fighting the Vietnam war. The tunnels at Ben Dinh really brought home the conditions during the Vietnam war. Mekong Delta - sleeping in the homestay and being genuinely welcomed by the family we stayed with. The countryside was beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thuy Le was kind, considerate and had a great sense of humour. His English vocabulary was extremely wide ranging. Nothing was too much trouble and he always went the extra mile to make sure that the group were well looked after. His organisational skills were excellent - the arrangements always went without a hitch. He was knowledgeable and always happy to answer questions remaining patient and cheerful even when many questions were "same same but different"!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure that you have a smaller bag that you can pack into for the overnight trips to Halong Bay, the sleeper train and the Mekong Delta. The temperature difference between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is quite marked so bring a fleece for the first part of the trip.

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

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...

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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...

Most Inspirational Moment

Exploring Hanoi and Saigon Halong Bay Cycling through paddy fields and past water buffalo and egrets

Thoughts on Group Leader

The guide was very professional and conscientious and his passion for his country was infectious.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for a very busy holiday.