Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers
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Wow, what a country to visit – Go before it all changes! This trip was well structured and everyday brought a new experience; Hanoi is a 100% culture shock with its own sound track – the horns of a million mopeds, Halong Bay was a cool break from the city, the train south was memorable – just don’t order room service! Hue and Hoi An were full of new sights, sounds and tastes, Ho Chi Min City was crazy and chaotic and the Mekong homestay was a tranquil respite to end the trip.
Most Inspirational Moment
My highlights: Halong Bay overnight - No sign of 007, but what a memorable location. Mekong homestay - Sipping a cold beer in a hammock on the veranda, looking forward to a delicious dinner of fish and seafood. Yummy! Hue - cycling into the country and watching the duck farmers shepherding their flock down the canal. Hoi An - bartering for two new handmade shirts in one of the many tailors.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Hai was a great trip leader; always ready to help and to ensure we were enjoying the trip. Our safety came first - it's been a while since I was helped across the road! Beware his sense of humour.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Treat the Vietnamese with respect and they will welcome you with a smile. Go with the flow. Don't expect western standards everywhere, although you'll be surprised by how the arrangements all work seamlessly.
This trip converted me from backpacking to organized tours, as a way of relaxing and getting to know a place. It was very well organized and covered interesting ground, at just the right pace. But far and away the best thing was our Vietnamese guide, Anh Nguyen, a consummate professional. He was unfailingly attentive and generous with interesting information, even about himself.
Most Inspirational Moment
Favourite tours were the tunnels, watching food being made in the Mekong Delta, home stay in the MeKong Delta, Marble Mountain's astonishing natural 'cathedral' and the magnificent giant Buddha hiding around the corner in a secluded magical sunbathed grotto.
Most inspirational were the wonderful scenes of Vietnamese people going about their business, giving us lip in the markets, and dealing with traffic. The winner on that score was the woman crossing the street in HCM City while about 15 motorbikes, cars, trucks and buses moved abreast in a wave toward her, while she carefully counted a wad of cash, a tiny baby sleeping on her shoulder, not even glancing at the traffic, instead letting it weave its way around her. SO Vietnam.
Another favorite moment was when Anh performed a song in the middle of a field, inspired by a flower there.
I have never been on an Exodus holiday before or anything that involved travelling with an organised group. I had a truly fantastic time and during 14 days I saw many places in Vietnam and had some great experiences.
Most Inspirational Moment
For me and my husband the food was truly superb. It was all so fresh, tasty, good quality and (for us) good value. Halong Bay was the most memorable place we visited. The thousands of motor bikes in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will never be forgotten! We also met some very nice and interesting people within the group. The Vietnamese people are also very polite, hospitable and welcoming.
Thoughts on Group Leader
The tour leader really made the trip a great and memorable epxerience. Zung was very knowledgeable, considerate and patient. It seemed very strange to leave him behind at the airport for our departure back home!
Advice for Potential Travellers
This is a very busy two week trip. There will be times when tiredness sets it as it is very 'full on'. If the land only tour is selected it may be a good idea to arrive a day or two before the actual tour date to get over the flight and get the batteries re-charged.
There were a number of inspirational moments on this trip - I personally loved the boat trip on Halong Bay, the Historic town of Hoi An and waterside living in the Mekong Delta.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Khiem, the group leader, looked after us all very well and took us to fantastic restaurants. Our group was diverse but he was very inclusive and patient. I'm especially grateful to him for keeping me safe on the roads.
Advice for Potential Travellers
This is not a physically demanding holiday in terms of hiking and climbing mountains but an awful lot is crammed into a short time and there is no time for relaxation. There are 2 very early morning flights and I felt very tired a lot of the time. Make sure you get a good nights sleep before the flight to Vietnam.
An excellent trip – a very well thought out itinerary and run at a good pace.Exodus staff could not have been more helpful in the planning stage and our first class tour guide(Anh Nguyen) ensured it was a really memorable holiday.
Most Inspirational Moment
There were severalHalong Bay - very dramaticHoi An - the markets, the river and those magical lanternsNha Trang - lovely beach, and great trip to the islands and swimming from the boatMeekong Delta - a fascinating experience
Thoughts on Group Leader
Anh Nguyen was an excellent leader.He combined a very professional approach with the right degree of fun and good humour.Very knowledgeable too, nothing was too much trouble.He helped to make the holiday a fantastic experience.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Pack as light as you can and remember that(on this particular trip) you are never very far from the products that you need.The traffic - if you have not been here before then you must keep an eagle eye on itUntil you are acclimatised,you need your wits about you 24/7 ..!
An amazing holiday from start to finish. The only negative is that we had to come home!
Most Inspirational Moment
Meeting such lovely people in Vietnam, an amazing country. Staying in the home stay was a high light and the locals seem to want to share part of their lives with us.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Tuyen-Vu was fantastic. Our group of 15 - aged between 30-75 all had different needs but he managed to look after us all and make sure we all had a great holiday. His knowledge was amazing and his social skills with organising taxi's, meals and cyclo tours second to none. Anyone who has Tuyen as their group leader are in for a great adventure.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Book yourself on the next trip and discover what Vietnam has to offer! If you book flights via Exodus request seats together, while they can't guarantee you will sit together it did work on all our long haul flights.Go with the flow - while we did stick to the trip notes a majority of the time sometimes opportunities come up that you have to grab.Take both Vietnam Dong and US Dollars- While at bigger stores, restaurants and the tour guide accept dollars some smaller places only prefer to take local currency. Don't always assume restaurants take debit/credit cards, they don't.
An amazing trip, beautiful scenery, numerous highlights and a fabulous group of people!
Thoughts on Group Leader
Mao was a great leader. Interesting, entertaining, friendly and very passionate about his job. He went out of his way to make sure everyone was happy and was very helpful if anyone had any problems during the trip.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Pack light and for hot humid weather. Take good insect repellent for the south. You don't really need to take malaria preventatives.
Beautiful country, amazing food & great group of people!
Most Inspirational Moment
Too many to name only one! Halong Bay was stunning & a wonderful way to start the trip. The boat was lovely & kayaking in the bay was great fun. Hoi An was fantastic, and it was good to have a few days there. The cycling trip in particular was a highlight, as was the Vietnamese cooking course. Mekong Delta was a great way to end the trip too, with the Homestay being much nicer than I expected, and the area itself was fascinating. To be honest, there were no days on the trip in which we didn't do or see something amazing!
Thoughts on Group Leader
He was great - well organised, friendly and was very attentive to the group and made every effort to ensure we enjoyed ourselves and saw the best of the areas we went too.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take a small rucksack for the overnight stay on the boat in Halong Bay & the Homestay in the Mekong Delta.
