Trails Of Vietnam

Our Clients’ Reviews

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. Any feedback collected (Good or bad) from Exodus clients is posted straight onto our website - totally unedited. Read more...

1 | 2 | 3

• 

  Rafik Taibjee

  TRAILS OF VIETNAM

  

  Written January 2012

  A great way to see Vietnam, with a little activity thrown in.  Vietnam had it all with history, culture, friendly people and amazing food too! 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Kayaking in Halong bay was amazing - tranquil waters with incredible island scenery and the sun setting, and seeign the moneys on the cliff above

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Thuy was great.  He was attentive to the needs of the individual group members sorting out little issues when they arose.  He was passionate about the history of his country and this showed.  He made sure we had fun on new year's eve and it was agreat night out, and the group stuck together til 2am.  He also got us singing karaoke on our halong bay cruise.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  leave space in your suitcase to bring stuff home.  I had a suit had in hoi-an which is lovely and i'm pleased with - for £200, also lots of opportunity to buy paintings and embroidery, and with all the amazing foods we tried most people wanted to take home something, even if it was coconut toffee or banana chips or fish sauce.

  The internal flights officially limit to 20kg but in reality don't really get too stressed if you are at 23 or 24kg

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The trip notes sound like there will be more walking and cycling than there actually was.  There was nothing that was wrong on the notes but one needs to understand there is a lot of travelling on the bus on this trip which then limits the amount of time doing activities like the walking and cycling.

  Of all the things we did, I was least inspired by the stay in mai chau, as we all had to share one room sleeping on mattresses on the floor, and there wasn't much to do (we paid some local teenagers to put on a show and drank lots of rice wine which made for a good night in the end).  I think a tour of the same length but without mai chau might be better as then could spend more time in halong bay or hue, for example.

   
• 

  William Gilchrist

  TRAILS OF VIETNAM

  

  Written October 2011

  Well organised. Our guide was fantastic through out. The trip never flagged even though we had some long bus trips. The diversity of scenery and weather made every day interesting. Would go back. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Halong Bay was a place apart. Would happily have spent another day or so there. Loved the faded granduer oh Hoi An and ofcourse it is a shoppers paradise. Also thought Hanoi and HCM City were buzzing.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Best guide I have had in 30 odd years of travelling. Never met a guy so hell bent on making sure every one was happy. As I am over 60, the trek up the mountain(hill to younger mortals)was hard and exacerbated by the heat and humidity but I did it and that night as I happily lay on my mattress in the long house, Phong came over and gave me a resuscitating back massage! How is that for looking after your brood ?

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Drink more water than you think has satisfied you and don't overpack your suit case when you leave London other wise you will be ditching stuff to accomodate what you cannot resist buying in Vietnam.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I hope every one who undertakes this trip enjoys it as much as my daughter and I did.

   
• 

  Tim Brooks

  TRAILS OF VIETNAM

  

  Written October 2011

  A rapidly modernising country with a wealth of culture, history and architecture. Wonderful food, friendly people and a scenic country, but sadly not much wildlife - it's all been eaten or caged. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The boat trip and kayaking in Malong Bay, a World Heritage Site.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our group leader was organised, supportive and wore his heart on his sleeve. He was conscripted by the communists to fight in the army and was made to fight in the jungle, where he saw dreadful atrocities and lost some dear friends. Thankfully, he's now happily married with two daughters. He demonstrated that despite the dreadful times he'd suffered, the human spirit shines though.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Make sure you bring a spare bag, or some room in your main bag. I'm not a shopper, but the quality and price of made-to-measure clothes in Hoi An is something one can't pass up. I got two beautiful suits made for work, and some of the ladies on the trip got some great leather boots made for them.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Don't be scared about eating in corner street restaurants, or even on the street. If the Vietnamese are eating there, you can bet it's good (just stay clear of the dog, rats and snake ;-)). 

  The cuisine is excellent, fresh ingredients and prepared safely - none of our group suffered any upset stomachs. You should definitely try the Pho (noodle soup). The seafood is also wonderful. Not so sure about the blended wine though, better sticking to beer!

   
• 

  Mark Beland

  TRAILS OF VIETNAM

  

  Written October 2011

  A good way of getting a taste of a lot of the country.  Note: this means a lot of travel time. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The friendliness of the locals.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Excellent

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  The moderate/challenging rating applies more to the amount of travelling and number of excursions undertaken than the strenuousness of the activities.

   
• 

  David Gristwood

  TRAILS OF VIETNAM

  

  Written October 2011

  Vietnam is a fascinating place, and this trip really covers it, from north to south, taking in all the sights and all the places you would expect.  All very slick, very smooth, good locations, and a fascinating tour guide. The only downside – this was not the trip book, in the sense that the trip dossier detailed much more cycling and trekking than we actually did, so disappointing from that perspective, and either the brochure or the trip needs to change 

  Read full review

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Brilliant, totally brilliant!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  You don’t need malaria tablets – the trip dossier is wrong!

   
• 

  neil hayward

  TRAILS OF VIETNAM

  

  Written August 2011

  An interesting and actvie tour of vietnam. The guide was informative and funny, and the vietnamese people warm and friendly. A great country, and a great way to see it! 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  There were many inspirational moments, from visiting Ho Chi Min in his mauselium, to drinking Granny's "special" rice wine. From a visit to a buddist orphanage to scrambling along the cu chi tunnels to cycling in the Mekong delta. Lots of great memories!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  A highly amusing and knowledgable group leader, who kept us all in check!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Expect to come back a few pounds heavier, as vietnamese food is fresh, tasty, cheap and plentiful!

   

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Expect to get wet, as the rain can get heavy, but also to have the sun cream ready for when the suns out. And it can be very, very humid, so keep drinking water, local beer or rice wine!

   
• 

  Anna Walton

  TRAILS OF VIETNAM

  

  Written August 2011

  Well what can I say????Brilliant - not as hard work as expected, but think the rating is due to weather Hot and Humid and teh amount of travel that you do. 

  Read full review

  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Not sure if it was Halong bay that certainly had the WoW factor, cycling through the Paddy fields, Climbing the muddy slope in the rain (warm mind), the Mekong Delta or the Tunnels. It was one mind boggleing adventure after another. never a dull moment, but definatley planes, trains and automobiles, Oh with a few bikes and boats thrown in for good measure.

  Oh yeah and the highjack of a local boat to take us across the river as we were on the wrong side, classic...

  Spontinaity at it's highest

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Bonkers but great, especially as at one point it must have been like hearding cats. very good local knowledge. would stop and show you anything, although that did mean we tried a few wierd and wonderful things including snails and fish eyeballs; Beer corner with the loacls, sugar cane drinks and much more.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be prepared for lots of travel and sleeping on buses - grab the kip while you can, as you may not actually get it at night especially if the rice wine comes out.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Fab trip - if you look in the loney planet as to what you should see whilst in Vietnam be preparded to see most of it... and more

  Great - helps when you get a good group of like minded people. accomodation ranges from beautiful with pools to basic and communal but clean and nice. Have an open mind about the toilets, but the guide does do a good job in finding western style or local but clean where ever possible.

  Food was fabuolous go with the guide recomendations we did and were not disappointed at all

   

1 | 2 | 3