Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

Loved the kayaking especially in the rain.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader Lam was great. Good sense of humour, and the patience of a saint.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I think this trip is accessible to all. I would recommend taking an umbrella. Buying a waterproof case/pouch for phone for the kayaking. Pack of cards. Small hold-all for all the home stays. Most of us just had backpack which we needed to use for walking so ended up with stuff in platic bags.

Suggestions

Well worth doing. I got to see all of Vietnam in a short time.

Most Inspirational Moment

Not sure I could chose one but probably the war tunnels ..

Thoughts on Group Leader

Such fun from start to finish and worked tirelessly to ensure everything was good..so knowledgeable and passionate too...

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do It! .. ideal for single travellers too

Suggestions

2nd exodus trip and both have been amazing ..

Most Inspirational Moment

Not sure I could chose one but probably the war tunnels ..

Thoughts on Group Leader

Such fun from start to finish and worked tirelessly to ensure everything was good..so knowledgeable and passionate too...

Advice for Potential Travellers

Just do It! .. ideal for single travellers too

Suggestions

2nd exodus trip and both have been amazing ..

Most Inspirational Moment

LOTS of this trip was inspirational. All the food we ate was phenomenal - if you like cooking I would highly recommend the cooking class in Hoi An which was great fun and educational. Riding through the backwaters and villages of Central Vietnam and the Mekong Delta was wonderful - the best way to see 'real' life for the majority of Vietnamese people. If you get chance to do the additional cycling day then take it! Kayaking at Halong Bay was great fun and the best way to see the limestone cliffs. The people of Vietnam are truly inspirational having been through so much conflict and to be so open and welcoming to tourists.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cong was absolutely fabulous. He was engaging and knowledgeable, very proud of his country and wanting us to love it as much as he does. He really understood our group and our sense of humour making the (sometimes long) bus journeys more fun! He encourages us to make the most of our time ("you can sleep on the plane!"). Every recommendation he made for experiences, restaurants, laundry, shopping etc turned out to be excellent. We cannot thank him enough and he was a great ambassador for Exodus.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As our guide advised us... make the most of every second. Yes, it is a full on trip and you will sometimes feel tired. But the travelling was part of the experience for me and I learned a lot just by looking out of the bus window! Mosquito nets are provided everywhere. I only used my cotton sleeping bag liner on the train because it was a bit cold, otherwise it was not needed. Neck pillows did come in handy because of the amount of travelling. The bikes are reasonably good mountain bikes. I did use padded cycling shorts but my husband didn't to no real ill-effect. Don't take a lot of clothes... laundry is available very cheaply at several points on the trip. Almost everywhere we stayed provided soap / shampoo for washing you don't need loads of toiletries (if you are not fussy about what you use). Just take some for the first homestay in My Chau and on the train. They are provided on the boat and in the second homestay.

Suggestions

If you want to experience Vietnam, both touristy and non-touristy parts, and want to be a bit active whilst you are there, this is the trip for you. Make the most of every second!

Most Inspirational Moment

There were so many different and wonderful experiences in this fascinating country.What will stay with us, were the inspirational and continually cheerful people, the delicious food and the manic driving. Just crossing the road is challenging and as for the cycling .....we loved it.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We were SO lucky to have Tham Tu as our leader. What a remarkable young lady she is. So knowledgeable and passionate about her country. She always had a smile on her face, was brilliantly organised and nothing was too much trouble. She always went the extra mile to make the Trails of Vietnam a special experience. How could we forget her making cocktails for us on the train!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take Cycle shorts and / or a gel seat, but there is no need to take a cycle helmet, as those supplied were of good quality. Don't pack too much as there are plenty of opportunities to have laundry done very cheaply and you need the extra space for souvenirs and new clothes of course!

Suggestions

A brilliant trip with a great group of people and an exceptional guide.

Most Inspirational Moment

our group leader was great. well informed.

Thoughts on Group Leader

This tour was very busy with many long bus rides.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure you bring a padded bike seat!

Most Inspirational Moment

I think the local people were the main inspiration. They have turned their country around, stopped living in the past and are building a great place for people to visit and enjoy. The families at the home stays could not do enough for us and welcomed us with open arms in to their homes and were pleased to be able to show us how they lived and worked.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tham was amazing. She is one of very few female guides in her country and has had to work really hard to hold this position. She has done this with grace and a great deal of intellegence. She dealt with everything with ease and professionalism. She was also great fun and made sure we were all happy at all times.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a GoPro or something of that nature as you will not be able to describe the traffic in the cities or the beauty of Kayaking down the river. Photos just don't cut it. I have never seen so many motorbikes carrying so many different things as well as so many people. It is a sight to behold. Make sure you take padded cycling shorts and a gel seat if you have one. The bikes are good and there is no need to take your own helmet as the ones provided are good.

Suggestions

This was a fantastic holiday, full on but well worth it. Don't think twice just book it, you'll enjoy every minute.

Most Inspirational Moment

Hoi An was the loveliest town with its mixture of old France architecture, lots of street traders, great food, river estuary and good beaches. Get a silk dress or suit made overnight. Cycling in the Mekong Delta was a great experience, but HOT. The home stay on an island in the Mekong river was our most peaceful place to stay. Walking by rice fields in the north was great with the hills and mountains in the background. Halong Bay in the north was also beautiful - there are a lot of other boats , but you don't feel it is too touristy yet.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Amazing - Kien was the best leader I have ever had on Exodus. Full of interesting information about Vietnam , a great organiser, caring towards his group members and a great sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the traffic in Hanoi and Saigon - it is manic - it does not stop - but don't panic - walk steadily in a straight line and they will weave round you - they are not agressive drivers, but there are a lot of motor bikes.

Most Inspirational Moment

I found the Vietnames people very inspirational. It is only 40 years since there was almost total devastation in the war. People were very positive and enthusiastic and proud of Vietnam's achievements and that their economy is improving. We saw a lady making fashionable shoes on one the markets and she proudly told us that Vietnam used to import its shoes from China, but now they manufacture their own.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Trinh was excellent. One of the best leaders we've had. Very well organised and always went the extra mile to help and answer questions. He was also good fun.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The only thing I would mention that has not been covered by other reviewers or in the trip notes/advice is that it would have been a good idea to have a neck flap for the cycling. On one of our cycling days (Mekong) it was a sunny 35 degrees.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were loads of moments but in particular I loved the cycling round the Mekong Delta, lovely food, walking round vibrant Hanoi in the evening and the trekking in the Truong Son mountains. Will always remember singing our hearts out on the overnight train trip from Hanoi to Hue! Also the New Years Eve party in Hue was perfect, with games, karaoke and dancing.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ticked all the boxes! Bac was lovely and bent over backwards to get the most out of our stay in Vietnam.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go for it! It's not too strenuous activity-wise, most of us could have happily done more. I took a more comfortable saddle which I was glad about. In Hoi'An you can get clothes tailor-made for you, so if you have a favourite item of clothing, take it along so they can copy it. Also, laundry can be done at the various hotels so there's no need to take 2 weeks' worth of stuff. Wished I had stayed on a little really, which some members of the group did, as there are some beach resorts close by which are cheap.

Suggestions

Wasn't so keen on the hill-tribe homestay as it seemed a bit of a gimmick The village was a tourist trap,despite beautiful countryside, so why endure below standard bathrooms? Also a lot of time is spend on the coach and there's a lot of packing, unpacking but on the whole I think it's worth it as we saw such a lot and Bac organized lots of optionals, the cookery course in Hoi'An was a good idea to keep out of the rain.