Vietnam Adventure

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...

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  Karen Sleightholm

  VIETNAM ADVENTURE

  

  Written February 2012

  A wonderfully varied trip with lots of fun activities and lovely scenery in a country with a complex and interesting history. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Impossible to decide on one moment as there were so many highlights.  I really enjoyed the various activities from the bike ride in Hoi An and the cyclo ride in Hue, to drinking coconut juice from a freshly cut coconut in the Mekong Delta.  There are plenty of boat trips and these were all superb.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Giang was excellent, he was very passionate and knowledgeable about his lovely country.  He was always willing to provide ideas and help sort out arrangements, even in his free time.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  It was very easy to get laundry done in Hoi An.  The hotel service was relatively expensive so our tour leader arranged for us to drop our clothes off at the bike shop!  Everything arrived back clean, fresh and pressed, all at a reasonable price.

  Like all Exodus trips this is a busy and active holiday, however, I did not find it too tiring.  The bonus of this type of holiday is that you come home with so many wonderful memories and photos.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The food was absolutely delicious.  I'm not a fan of spicy dishes so I was pleased to find out the food was not overly spicy.  Lots of fresh fruit and veg, endless seafood and of course plenty of rice and noodles.

  The group gelled very well and this just added to the enjoyment of the trip.

   
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  Lynne Given

  VIETNAM ADVENTURE

  

  Written February 2012

  Have been on many Exodus holidays but this is the best. A memorable trip which exceeded my expectations 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Mekong Delta was fascinating a community operating with resources immediately around them via little cottage industries.

  Visiting a nursery showing kids are the same no matter where you go- they just like to pose!

  Fresh food being produced out of nowhere on a small boat- fab

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Fantastic- receptive to the needs of every group member

  So organised and knowledgeable

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  When crossing the road just go for it and the traffic avoids you!

  Enjoy!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Have a ball!

   
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  David Lawn

  VIETNAM ADVENTURE

  

  Written January 2012

  A great overview of Vietnam, its cities, its countryside, its coast, its food and its people. It's what you go away for. 

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  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Watch out for bag snatchers mounted on scooters

   
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  Alan Parry

  VIETNAM ADVENTURE

  

  Written December 2011

  A good introduction to Vietnam today. It is changing fast with more Chinese investment in huge new developments.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The overwhelming presence of scooters and motorbikes, often carrying large freight objects and livestock or 3 and even four people; this coupled with a driving style with no rules. Crossing the street is an art form to be learned, but seemed to be safe; just don't stop.

  What little of the rural life we saw on this town and culture based holiday was very interesting. We would have preferred more of the rural and to have had time to see and even photograph the somewhat limited and shy wildlife.

  We also found the museum relating to the war very moving and informative.

  The Homestay in the Mekon delta was another enjoyable feature because it was closer to the real Vietnamese.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Long was excellent and his company very enjoyable. He made good contact with each of the group and established a good spirit. He took us to many shops and markets and bought local specialities for us to try. He was very good with the locals.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be prepared for the very very long flight of 13 to 13 and a half hours London to Kuala Lumpur and then the flights to Hanoi and back from Saigon. The internal flights, being shorter were less demanding and seemed roomier.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Being Country folk at heart this trip was not ideal for us, since it involved lots of towns, but some, such as Hoi An were charming. We would have enjoyed the cycling through the countryside had it not been for the monsoon rain! We also enjoyed the rather brief canoeing and could have spent longer exploring the limestone stacks and birdlife found there.

   
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  Alison Buchanan

  VIETNAM ADVENTURE

  

  Written December 2011

  An extremely comprehensive trip covering this inspiring country.  It was a real trip of contrasts, from the more conservative and overtly communist North to the more westernised South, so that you can get a real feel of what Vietnam is like today.   

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The Homestay in the Mekong Delta was wonderful, and gave the chance to meet some of the locals and experience life away from the hussle and bussle of the cities.  I loved the Imperial city of Hue, and also relaxed Hoi An - unfortunately we had fairly wet weather whilst we were in the middle of the country, so maybe didn't see them quite at their best - we were lucky to get out on bikes in Hoi An which allowed us to experience the motorbikes and scooters at a different pace than just trying to cross the road - which really is an experience (check out some videos on Youtube before you go).  We also got the chance to visit an orphanage in Hoi An which was quite moving, as was the War Remnants museum in Saigon. Halong Bay is stunning, and it was lovely to get out kayaking amongst the limestone karsts and the overnight boat trip was great.  The train journey from Danang to Nha Trang, whilst long and perhaps a little uncomfortable allowed you to see much more scenery than you ever do in a coach, so great for photo opportunities. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Hai was extremely well organised, so all his arrangements went without a hitch and he was really keen to ensure that we all got to experience as much of Vietnam as we could in this busy trip.  He was really knowledgeable, and had some great anecdotes to tell about all the places we visited.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Pack light, but be prepared that it might well rain a lot whilst you are there.  Leave plenty of space for shopping as there are loads of opportunities through the trip to buy some great things.  You can get washing done easily in Hoi An.  If you are looking for a relaxing holiday, this might not be the trip for you, be prepared for some long days.  As others have mentioned, be really careful of your possessions when you are out and about - it is very difficult for Vietnamese to leave the country, so our passports are very valuable to them as well as to us.  Keep your wits about you in the big cities, but do visit the markets and bargain, you can get some fantastic deals.  If you want to get clothes made in Hoi An, take some pictures with you to give ideas to the tailors, and be prepared to go for two or three fittings - persevere and as long as you have gone to a recommended tailor (ask your guide, they will know the good places) you will get a great result at the end.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The Homestay in the Mekong was more comfortable than we had all expected - we were in rooms of max 4 people, and couples got their own rooms.  The food was delicious and the toilets/showers were clean and plentiful.  I would have preferred to spend less time in the cities and more time out in the more rural parts of Vietnam, but if you are a city lover, you will love this trip.  Remember, Vietnam is still very much a developing country, so standards might not be quite as good as you would get on a similar trip in say Thailand, but eating out and drinks are very good value, so you can get much more for your money whilst you are there.  The food is fantastic too!  If you want to visit Vietnam, I'd suggest you go soon, to experience it before it gets too developed and tourism spoils it!

   
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  Julia Bowman

  VIETNAM ADVENTURE

  

  Written November 2011

  The holiday was everything I'd hoped for and more!  We explored the natural world alongside the archaeological, historical and religious splendours, all ably explained by our local guide Nguyen. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  I particularly loved our overnight stay in a wooden boat touring Halong Bay, soon after our arrival in Hanoi - and also enjoyed the leisurely 3 nights in Hoi An: a historical centre and a shoppers' paradise!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Nguyen was a gem - very enthusiastic and knowledgeable and full of energy!  He was a mine of information about all things historical and did his best to enable us to have an excellent holiday.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Watch your personal possessions!  Leave valuables and passport in the hotel safe. Muggers are about in the major cities!  Also take care to check your change - mistakes (sometimes intentional!) are made.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I'd recommend this trip, but it's 'full on' so you need to be fit enough to cope with getting on and off buses, boats, trains, bicycles, planes and walking on wobbly pavements!  Packing and unpacking is necessary on almost a daily basis!  However, that said the pace of the trip enables a truly memorable travelling experience.

   
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  Sarah Prince

  VIETNAM ADVENTURE

  

  Written October 2011

  I've never felt sad when leaving a country to come home, but I did when I left Vietnam.  What a wonderful and amazing place, full of history, fabulous food and a friendly culture. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Where do I start! From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the tranquillity of Halong Bay everywhere we visited was inspirational.  But, to pick one place, it would be Hoi An.  The beaches, the market, the river, the restaurants and all the charity work that happens there from the Streets cafe to the handicapped workshop making silver jewellery and embroidery. The old town, where we could walk and chat to the residents about what they were doing.  Everybody was friendly and welcoming.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Thang was a very informative group leader and gave a vast amount of knowledge about all aspects of Vietnamese culture and history.  He was friendly and fun and gave great insight into how the Vietnamese live and what they have been through to get where they are.  He is very passionate about his country and I wouldn't have known 90% of the information without him.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Don't take too much clothing, or too many dollars.  ATM's are available everywhere, and so is WIFI. 

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  This is the first time I have travelled with a group, generally I go alone, but this trip was a real eye opener for me to visit a country this way and have learnt so much more that I would have done otherwise.  I have fallen in love with this country and will be back at some point in the future.  The War Remnants Museum was hard to deal with but worth the visit, and the Cu Chi tunnels were amazing and it really made me realise what a resourceful people they are, and no wonder they won the war over the mighty force of the Americans.  Also, they are a generous people in their forgiveness.

   

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