Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling the spectacular Hai Van Pass with stunning views. If you have a go pro then this would be the time to use it. It was hard work but I was so pleased I did it. It took about an hour to climb the 10k steep hill. Hoi An old town on day 9 was one of my favourite places to visit with the river, temples and shops. If you like tailored clothing you can have a suit made in a day here. Some members of the group had suits made and they were of outstanding quality and craftsmanship. Whale Island was also beautiful and peaceful and a welcome rest and recuperation destination.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were so lucky to have Long Le. He was so friendly right from the moment when we met at the airport. He was so professional, organised, knowledgeable, hard working, kind and thoughtful. He made sure everybody was safe and happy at all times. He found the best establishments to eat and drink and I trusted him and his team completely. His knowledge of his country was incredible and he always encouraged you to ask questions.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a large tub of chamois cream, it will become your friend as you will be cycling solidly for nine days in the heat and rain and by the end of the holiday the bike will feel like part of you. I recommend “udderly smooth” you can purchase it from Amazon for £8.99. A handlebar bag would be a good idea as I took a bum bag and it just got in the way when signalling to fellow cyclists behind you. Most people took their own saddles and gel covers for their seats. Lee, the bike mechanic will fit it all for you. I also took an “ass saver” mud guard for the back of the bike to prevent mud splashes on rainy days. You can pack it easily in your luggage as it’s lightweight and it comes as a flat piece of plastic that you shape and fit under your saddle with no brackets. You can buy it from Amazon for about £5. A good pair of padded gel sorts and gloves are essential as your hands and ass get quite sore after a few hours on the bike. A good waterproof high SPF sun screen as it’s a pain having to re-apply it at each stop. The sun can get unbearable at times and you can burn very easily. Incognito insect repellent is excellent and works well too, you will need it every day whilst cycling. I recommend taking a comfortable pillow for the long bus journeys so you can catch up on much needed sleep.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling up Hai Van Pass. I had almost not even tried but with support from Long Le, bike mechanic Lee and drivers Tan and Trin I knew that I could give it a crack and they would be there if I failed -but I succeeded and it felt great!

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had the chance to observe other tour guides along the way and in the cities we visited which emphasised to me that we had lucked out with the A team and an exceptional group leader in Long Le

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring your swim goggles-there are beautiful pools at every stop. Don’t be scared to bring your own peddles and other gear-bike mechanic will install and remove for you and super quick.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting to the top of the Hai Van pass - I'd never tackled anything quite so challenging on a bike, particularly in searing heat (the promised Sea Cloud in the name didn't materialise, which meant great views, but a LOT of sweat!). It was quite an emotional experience when I actually made it!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chi was absolutely first class. Always smiling, positive, helpful, knowledgeable, flexible, charming, amusing. He simply couldn't have done more to make our trip a success. He knows so much about his country, and was very willing to share it with us, but never bored. And if you mentioned something you'd like to see or learn more about, as if by magic, he made it happen - like stopping by the roadside and asking permission for us all to wander into someone's small-holding to look at the crops because we had asked about tapioca and turmeric. And his team (Sau, Can and Y) were charming and couldn't do enough to make sure we were all looked after, well, safe and happy.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just go! Take a gel saddle and padded shorts. Also a bag for your handlebars to avoid having to carry anything round your waist or on your back, and minimise the sweatiness!

Most Inspirational Moment

Reaching the top of the Hai Van pass having completed every available kilometre of cycling. Whilst I was a physical and emotional wreck on arrival I coul not believe what I had achieved. The cycling is very well structured and each day becomes a little harder so you build up gradually. The 100km day is actually not the toughest day as 30km is downhill from a pass that you have been largely driven up. The support from the Exodus team was superb and a major factor in my achievement- regular refreshment stops (the first hit of the ice cold lemon drink is amazing) with fruit, nuts and biscuits ensured no-one lost weight! The smiles of the staff as they directed us at junctions was great and those at the back had a great time with the engineer. The group was superb with a wide range of ages and everyone supported each other, no matter what their fitness or ability.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Loc was a fantastic leader and he was brilliantly supported by an excellent team. Nothing was too much trouble and he listened to us, informed us, entertained us and organised us superbly. He is clearly an excellent cyclist and an excellent cycling trip leader.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The scenery and greetings from the locals make this a great trip and a great way of seeing real Vietnam. I booked an extra night at each end to give me more time in the cities. If this is to be your only trip to Vietnam then I would strongly recommend this as there is little time to do normal holiday stuff. The cycling days are long so you won't get much time in places unless you are staying for 2 nights in a place. Some practice beforehand is sensible, especially if you are not a regular exerciser/cyclist, but the support staff are great and if you are struggling they are happy for you to drop out of parts of the route. The island is a great break, all the accomodation was very pleasant (and except for the train had wifi!) and often better than pleasant. Embrace the traffic and enjoy the chaos - they drive steadily and with a lot more respect than UK drivers.

Most Inspirational Moment

Stepping out of my comfort zone in a supported environment.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good. Worked well with group. Very organised .

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take part in the varied experiences. Take up challenges and 😊 enjoy.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling on the small roads and of the beaten path

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic could not have done a better job.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Expect the unexpected. Just enjoy the journey

Most Inspirational Moment

See above.

Most Inspirational Moment

I found the people to be most inspiring - they work so very hard and are accepting and welcoming.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Son was top notch - very organized - he made sure everyone was safe on the ride as well as provided insights into the culture, the towns/cities that we visited. His team did everything to insure that our holiday would be memorable. Loved the fresh fruit and lemonade provided on our stops. A must to prevent dehydration. Our bus driver, van driver and mechanic....kudos to them for working 24/7 keeping up with all of our activities and making sure we were comfortable and our bikes in good shape.

Advice for Potential Travellers

For anyone who has not been to Asia, Vietnam is so very special. It is perhaps not the 5 star beauty of Bali or the majesty of Angkor Wat or have the many awesome temples of Thailand, but it's own special charm grows on you as you travel through the country. Ha Long Bay!!! Whale Island ...two special places for me. The cycling was harder than expected mostly due to the heat and humidity. Also the traffic and noise in the busy cities may make it more difficult for some cyclists. I would definitely recommend training as we had some time constraints to finish each day's ride so that we could make it to our final day's destination.

Most Inspirational Moment

Halong Bay was quite amazing and we had a lovely over night trip on a boat, we went sea kayaking which was great fun. We had a trip out to an island TITOP ISLAND, and had fantastic views of the bay from the top. Cycling up the HAI VAN PASS was also a great experience and seeing everyone completing the ride when it was 33C. The group was excellent and we had lots of fun and laughs along the way, so that made the trip for me, along with sights and sounds of Vietnam.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lam our group leader was just excellent - so organised, pleasant, cheerful, always smiling and nothing was too much trouble for him. The mechanic Y was brilliant - the bikes were well maintained and kept clean, if there was a problem it was sorted immediately. The truck and bus drivers were always there to lend a hand, giving out drinks and food and always smiling. A great team.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to do some cycling before you go as it is harder when conditions are hot and humid, especially if you want to climb the HAI VAN PASS - a challenging 10km climb. Be prepared for crazy drivers both cars and scooters - there are thousands of scooters going in any direction and popping out from side roads, riding in the opposite direction so you have to be very careful on all roads, especially in busy cities. Not for the faint hearted. However, it is Asia and anything goes. If you want to spend time in Hanoi book an extra day, as we didn't really have time to explore the city.

Most Inspirational Moment

Getting up and over the pass after leaving Danang,and enjoying the descent that followed the climb.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lam was a delightful fellow,very thoughtful and informative with ever a wide smile.The same could be said of his three assistants.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the heat extremes if you are a northerly hemisphere resident,but the stops are frequent and refreshing.Commit to enjoying cycling in the city traffic,as daunting as it at first appears,I felt quite safe as all the other many road users are aware of one another and considerate.Lam, the trip leader exerted his presence as leader of a group cyclists,with good affect.