Classic Vietnam & Angkor Wat: Cambodia & Vietnam Cultural Holiday

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...

Average Review Rating: from 23 reviews.

Phil Risdale

CLASSIC VIETNAM & ANGKOR

Written December 2012
A very good highlights tour of an interesting part of the world with history (both ancient and modern) and an intersting culture - fascinating to see the contrasts between north, central and south Vietnam in a short time. For me Angkor Wat deserves more time so either extend your trip or choose another and be warned this trip has a lot of early morning starts.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
This is a trip of highlights and to choose just one would be wrong in my opinion - I was most looking forward to Ha Long Bay and Angkor Wat and was not dissappointed (except for the weather in Ha Long!). The most interesting thing about this trip for me was to just watch the locals go about their daily lives, both in the cities and in the country - and especially on their scooters!
What did you think of your group leader?
Both group leaders - Thanh in Vietnam & Chaana in Cambodia - were excellent. Always freindly, knowledgeable, informative and helpful - they were also both eager to learn about our lives at home which was fascinating to contrast.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
This is a very full trip but with a few afternoons for spare time, but be warned there are many early morning starts which does mean little socialising in the evenings and many early nights!
Take an overnight bag with you for Ha Long Bay & Mekong Delta when your main luggage is not taken with you - and note that on the transfer days you often get off the flight and go straight out sightseeing before checking into the next hotel & getting access to your main luggage (and remember large sun cream & mossie sprays have to be packed as they cannot go with you in the plane).
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Book your own direct flights (eg Vietnam Airlines) as the group flights are awful - flying to/from Kuala Lumpar is just silly when you don't have to; 3 hours airport wait going out and 9 hours on return. Just about every flight with Malaysia Airways took off and arrived late, the cabin crew were not very helpful, the food was terrible, movie choice poor and I've never been on such a cold plane in my life!
Hitesh Patel

CLASSIC VIETNAM & ANGKOR

Written October 2012
Both countries amazing, with wonderful people and cultures. The sense of humour, culture and history are well worth the trip and definitely warrant another trip at some stage.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Choosing one would not be easy, hence the following represent the best of both countries in terms of scenery, history, culture and the people of the countries.
Ha Long Bay
Hoi An
Cu Chi Tunnels
Angkor Wat + other temples
What did you think of your group leader?
Our leader (Bon) has been the best leader I have had on a trip. He was knowledgeble, funny, always had lots of stories, and was always prepared to do what we wanted to do as a group.
Bon is also very helpful with all things local and promoted the idea of us spreading our custom around a number of shops as oppose to all of us going to just one shop when buying things. He also made sure we as a group made the decisions on where to go or what to do, but also helped out if you wanted to do something different as a individual.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The only advice is be prepared for the humidity and heat in South East Asia, if you have a good guide then not much can go wrong. Also when crossing the roads, which look daunting, just keep walking slowly, as stopping in the middle of the road causes more confusion.
mark cummins

CLASSIC VIETNAM & ANGKOR

Written August 2012
The was a very enjoyable trip that was full of fun and interesting activities.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The trip to Halong Bay was particularly rewarding and the scenary and experience was fantastic.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our tour guide couldn't do enough to ensure we had a safe, comfortable and enjoyable trip. He recounted many personal and fascinating insights that made the trip and the places we visited come to life. A great guy and a pleasure to have his company thorughout the trip.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It is a long flight so be prepared ... bring plenty of insect repellent ... sign up to the extra activities that Linh arranges they are great fun ... expected it to be very hot and wet so bring change of clothes and take advantage of opportunities to get clothes washed
Is there anything else you would like to add?
This was a premium trip so flights were used instead of bus ... this is highly recommended.
Ian Sharpe

CLASSIC VIETNAM & ANGKOR

Written February 2012
This trip gave a good overview of the country, its history and culture. Doing a multi stop trip afforded us some quality time in each location, we were able to absorb the different atmosphere between north and south and see the things we most wanted to
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
difficult to decide on one, but enjoyed kayaking in Halong bay, looking around Hoi An, the Cu chi tunnels and war museums in Hanoi and Saigon. Angkor Wat complex was also clearly in a league of its own.
What did you think of your group leader?
Very friendly, helpful and wanted to help us make the most of our stay in his country.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Only to choose carefully between the different types of holiday available from Exodus in Vietnam. There are many ways to see the country and you have to work out your priorities and work this in with the travel arrangements
Romy in London
Comfort and variety, well paced

Written February 2012
I had wanted to do this trip for some time, and specifically chose it to avoid any long bus/train journeys. I enjoyed it greatly, particularly thanks to Dzung, the tour leader, who made an incredible effort to ensure we all experienced whatever it was that had drawn us to Vietnam.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Cycling for 4 hours in the countryside surrounding Hoi An in a small group with a local guide (organised by our TL) who knew his ways through the many waterside paths. It rained but that made it a truely Vietnamese experience.
The variety of food available. The cooking school in Hoi An was enjoyable and a nice inclusion.
Kareoke with some of the group in Saigon; organised by our tour leader in a private room place which also had good food and cheap beer.
The Mekong Delta - I knew little about it before going and the various boat trips took us to see a variety of industries and environs.
What did you think of your group leader?
Superb. Dzung is one of the best tour leaders I have experienced, and mature beyond his 26 years. He established early on what sort of experiences, food etc that we were all interested in and made sure we were given the opportunities we sought.
My only disappointment with the tour leading is that Dzung was left behind when we left for the last 2 days in Angkor and the "tour leader" in Cambodia was sub-standard - basically he was a historical guide who did not look out for us at all. It was a flat end to what had been a good tour, and given it was the most "deluxe" type of Exodus tour, it seemed mean not to keep the Vietnamese tour leader for the last 2 days to ensure the group ended on a "high".
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Don't expect Halong Bay to be the highlight; it's a mass touristy experience and care for the environment seems minimal. The water was full of floating rubbish and the boats didn't appear to have holding tanks or the courtesy not to run noisy generators all night.
Eating out in Vietnam is cheap so order more than you think you might eat and share some of your "finds" with others in your group.
Try to take lots of US$1 notes if you can get them as they are useful for tips, purchases etc
Don't sit at the front of the bus if you are a nervous passenger as Vietnamese road usage is scary!
I didn't take the group flights, and the others complained about them (seat size, route and stopovers). I paid a bit more to fly via Bangkok, but it saved me 8 hours travelling on the way home, so I thought was money well spent.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Earlier reviews mention going to a beach and it looks like Exodus removed that component, which we didn't miss at all. Personally I would have liked to spend another day in the Mekong Delta area as a contrast to Saigon and Hanoi, but overall the timings weren't bad, aside from the 2 days required to "do" Halong Bay.
This was a confortable tour with good hotels, nice breakfasts, a big bus (in Vietnam) and enough free time to do our own thing as well as see the "must see" highlights with the group.
Audrey Philbrooks
CLASSIC VIETNAM & ANGKOR

Written February 2012
A whilstle stop tour of the highlights of Vietnam - with each destination having its own character. Served with great food.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The best bits:
The trip was worth while for the food - which was very fresh and tasty. The market trips were very interesting
Shopping in Hoi An
The contrast of Angkar Wat
The Vietnam War Museum & tunnels in Saigon
Meeting the rest of the Group!
What did you think of your group leader?
Dzung was outstanding as a tour leader. He went the extra mile at every opportunity to make sure that everybodies expectations were met. He was immensely professional but also relaxed & smiley. Dzung made a good trip great and is a great ambassador for Exodus. Thank You.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
The trip is leisurely but there is a lot of travelling around so there is not much opportunity for a lie in.
The Vietnamese seem to get up early, so the hotels were often quite noisey first thing so bring earplugs.
Have lots of space in your luggage for the shopping!
Road crossing freaked a few people but you soon get the hang of it.
Consider booking your flights separately - the eight hour layover in KL made for a long flight home.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
The itinerary for the trip altered in line with feedback from previous trips - thanks to Exodus for listening.
Chris Smith

CLASSIC VIETNAM & ANGKOR

Written November 2011
An excellent introduction to fascinating countries. Vietnam was very special with wonderful people and great food. Cambodia and Angkor Wat was simply amazing. Guides great, very warm and welcoming and made the trip.
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What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The first glimpse of Angkor Wat
What did you think of your group leader?
In Vitnam the group leader made the trip and literally went the extra mile every day.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Travel light and take as few clothes as possible. Plenty of laundry opportunities
Is there anything else you would like to add?
We've already booked our next trip!