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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  Hazel McBain

  VIETNAM ADVENTURE

  

  Written March 2009

  A whirlwind of experiences, with the people of vietnam making an everlasting impression they were so friendly. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Lying back in my kayak  gazing up at the limestone peaks in Halong Bay  certainly qualifies for a WOW moment. The elephant blowing through it's trunk crossing the lake, the cycling through Hoi An and seeing the real Vietnam.......I could go on and on there's too many to mention.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Treat was fantasic, his knowledge was never ending. The street cafe, the cooking lesson, all  modes of transport magically appearing and all put together with a great sense of humour

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

   Bring good mosquito repellent and nerves of steel for crossing the road!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  For the girls try the beauty therapy in the back steets of Hoi An. An absolute tonic, the ladies made me laugh so much it was the best 18 dollars I spent!

   
• 

  Margaret Topping

  VIETNAM ADVENTURE

  

  Written March 2009

  A great trip, plenty of variety, and always doing something interesting. The only negative for me , I felt I could have had some more real free time in Hoi An . 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Hau Long Bay was spectacular, enjoyed the whole experience, the boat, the food the kayaking, the swim.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Great person for the job, well informed, polite, tactful and fun

   
• 

  Cathy Eeles

  VIETNAM ADVENTURE

  

  Written January 2009

  A fantastic trip to see Vietnam in a fortnight.  You will want to go back for more!  Be warned there is a lot to cram in and it is exhausting. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  I really liked Hoi An and could have spent some more time there and the last homestay on the Mekong was delightful, good food, peaceful and beautiful surroundings.  Also enjoyed the Vietnamese cookery evening which our guide managed to set up for us, and this wasn't on the itinerary so a lovely surprise.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our group leader, Thang was outstanding.  His knowledge of the country was outstanding.  His English was brilliant and he had a good sense of humour.  His organisation skills were exemplary, we never had to wait for a bus, or hotel check-in etc.  He was constantly phoning ahead to make sure all the arrangements were in place.  He seemed always to be in control.  He was never off duty and he worked his socks off to make sure we had a holiday to remember.  And he never let us forget anything, constantly reminding us to make sure we had our passports, money and had emptied the safety deposit box etc  He was the BEST! 

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  There are some long days but as with any Exodus adventure holiday it is an adventure and invariably you will come back exhausted but hey! what memories and photos you will have to share.  There are some long coach journeys too but take your ipod and watch the world go by.  The buses were comfortable and spacious, more than can be said of the Reunification Express!!!  Unfortunately, we had a fortnight of rain, which we weren't prepared for and it was a lot colder in the north than we were expecting.  So we were wearing down jackets in Hanoi and waterproof ponchos, bought locally.  The strappy t shirts and shorts only got an airing in Saigon, where thankfully it had stopped raining and was much warmer.

   
• 

  Bron Jones

  VIETNAM ADVENTURE

  

  Written January 2009

  A fantastic, experience-packed two weeks, encompassing the contrasts that Vietnam has to offer. A brilliant way to decide which parts you want to go back and explore further next time- we are definitely going back! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  There were so many, but kayaking in Halong Bay was magical; cycling through Hue in the pouring rain was hysterical; staying with the M'nong people by Lak Lake and with Bahlin in the Mekong Delta were calming and humbling- their hospitality was wonderful; crossing the roads in Hanoi and Saigon are not to be missed; and my scooter ride with Mr Viet from Hoi An to revisit Marble Mountain was exhilarating! We loved learning to cook Vietnamese dishes with a chef in Hoi An- so delicious! The visits to Hanoi Hilton, Cu Chi Tunnels and the War Relics Museum in Saigon were deeply moving and left me with an enduring admiration for the capacity for forgiveness and hospitality that the Vietnamese people have.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  We were so lucky to have Thang Phuong as our leader: his kindness and generosity were evident in all that he did for us, from organisation of events, to creating contingency plans in the face of monsoon-like rain, to planning little extras such as restaurant bookings and birthday celebrations. We were in Vietnam for Christmas and New Year and Thang went to a lot of trouble to organise special evenings for us on both occasions. He was so knowledgeable about his country, its people and culture, and communicated so clearly and with enthusiasm and great humour- it was a pleasure to be with him for the two weeks. We have travelled a bit now, and Thang was the best guide we have had. We genuinely enjoyed his company and are delighted that he has stayed in touch with us. I cannot commend Thang enough- the quality of the holiday is so much to do with the quality of the guide. We had the best time thanks to Thang.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  We were very glad to have taken thick coats with us- it was freezing in Hanoi and Halong Bay- beautiful, but freezing! Do take waterproofs- when it rains....... my God it rains! Try the noodle soup and banana fritters from roadside stalls- they're delicious. Pack an extra bag inside your luggage for the stuff you buy on the journey! Take plenty of memory sticks- we took over 3000 photos and that was in the pouring rain- if the sun had been shining it would have been treble that amount!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  If you like the excitment of not knowing exactly what you're letting yourself in for, and learning about new peoples and places, this is the trip for you! If you only like luxurious spa hotels, this is not the trip for you. If you like a wide variety of experiences and the feeling that you're being really intrepid (when in reality our guide Thang had it all under control all of the time) then try this trip. We have raved about it so much that my Mum has booked to go in March! If you go, go on a cyclo and have a scooter ride through a city centre. I hope you enjoy Vietnam as much as we did- it is not our last visit!

   
• 

  Deborah Cowlishaw

  VIETNAM ADVENTURE

  

  Written December 2008

  A fully packed 16 days. a great way to see as much of the country as possible in a short space of time. Vietnam is a fantastic place to visit, this trip covered the main sights and allowed a couple of days off the beaten track to see the real Vietnam. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Kayak and elephant ride at Lak Lake - totally chilled out. The two homestays were very interesting!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Excellent, very enthusiastic!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Pack light to leave space for all those clothes you'll have made in Hoi An! Buy local "Pot Noodles" for the overnight train as they have hot water boilers.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Not worth going to Nha Trang at this time of year, not much to do when sun isn't out and sea is too dangerous to go in!

   
• 

  Sarah Critchley

  VIETNAM ADVENTURE

  

  Written April 2008

  It was a well organised trip, it contained something for everyone and to put it frankly, 16 days wasn't long enough.  If anyone is dithering about going to Viet Nam, dither no more, its the best kept secret in the world. The people are genuinely friendly and pleased to see you.  We didn't experience any real 'begging' and felt totally safe throughout our stay. A must - get out there before it becomes too commercialised.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  The contrast between Han Oi and Saigon is startling, but both are worth a visit.  If you think our roads are busy try crossing the road in Han Oi - its equal to a white knuckle ride.  Halong Bay was superb, as was the Mekong Delta, including the fruit plantation.  The beaches are clean and the Cu Chi tunnels are a must for those of you who don't mind confined spaces. The War museum in Saigon is worth a visit but not the end of the world if you can't find the time. A couple of winges, the women on the coracles tried to rip us off for a coconut drink so beware of them. We were a group of 10 and 9 of us enjoyed our stay at the Lak Lake homestay but my husband thought the night there was awful.  However he enjoyed the day at the village with the elephants.  9 out of 10 can't be wrong!

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Long was our guide and he was brilliant.  He stayed with us throughout and was very knowledgeable and his grasp of English is excellent.  He obviously enjoys his work and this comes through when he's talking to you. You'll find him helpful, so if you have any questions ask him!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  It is faily cheap by our standards but you must be prepared to barter.  We bought some shirts and they initially asked us for $125 dollars! They eventually settled for $30.  The milk for coffee is sweet and condensed, so you may want to bring some dry creamer out with you.  Pack light, go with a positive mind set and you will have the holiday of a lifetime.  Benidorm - where's that?

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  It was our first experience of this type of holiday and we will be doing it again.  Exodus know how to organise a trip, its full, busy and totally enjoyable.  Exodus - we will be back.

   
• 

  Craig Radford

  VIETNAM ADVENTURE

  

  Written April 2008

  A great trip. Vietnam has yet to be significantly changed by mass tourism and so the earlier you can go the better. The people are welcoming, the culture and history is extremely interesting and the food is excellent. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  A morning spent on the back of a motorbike in Hue travelling out to remote villages, through rice paddies, along rivers and taking lunch in a pagoda. Scenery was fantastic and being amongst the manic traffic was an experience to say the least!

  Dining at a local restaurant, sitting on small plastic seats on a street corner with locals and motor bikes all around. Traveelling indepentently I would have never eaten there but the food was delicious and the hosts were great fun.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Excellent. One of the best I have ever had. Very knowledgable and had lots of local contacts. He was very thorough and made sure that everyone knew where they needed to be, at what time and what we needed with us.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Go sooner rather than later before Vietnam becomes too popular.

   If possible, see if you can fly out earlier that the group flight as the first day is extremely tiring if you can't get any sleep on the plane. This will allow you to see more of Hanoi and feel frsh for the start of a hectic trip.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  We also did the Angkor Wat extension which was a great experience. The temples are everything you imagine and the genocide museum/killing fields in Phnom Penh are a thought provoking, though somber experience that i'm glad we did

   

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