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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  juliette Halliday

  VIETNAM ADVENTURE

  

  Written April 2013

  A brilliant country to visit - beautiful and very welcoming. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  We were lucky that the sun shined on us at Halong Bay and Hoi An was a lovely destination i would go back to,Mekong Delta was beautiful We took the options to cycle and those were some of the best moments of the holiday with the chance to see the countryside and villages and interact with local people. Laughter yoga at 6am in Hanoi an experience not to miss !

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Hai was a great leader -he was endlessly jollyn and he worked very hard to keep a diverse group of people all happy. His choice of restaurants every day were great and gave us a great diversity of different food. His recomendations through out the holiday were always spot on which meant he never got a night off from us !!

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  In the cities - just go for it when crossing the roads ( and repeat ' oi choi oi ! ' continuously ) as you stare down the bikes ! Travel light - there are laundry options as you travel. Last night in Ho Chi Minh City - cocktails at the Rex Hotel are a must!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  I had a brilliant holiday but - The train was truly as bad as i had been warned by fellow travellers over the last year. I had looked at organising my own transfer via inland flight and it would have been easily done without needing to involve Exodus in any extra work.However on phoning them i was told it was not too bad a train - basic but ok and anyway everyone spends time in the bar carriage. The truth is the berths were filthy,you have to sit on the bottom beds to eat , going down to the bar involves trying to wade your way thru 10 carriages crammed with people in the walkways to a bar only able to take a few people- and the berths can never be left unattended so someone will always be left behind.. I am a traveller used to basic conditions but this was not a pleasant experience. There were several people who would also have chosen to spend extra to fly Hanoi to Hue and pay the extra involved. The hotel in Hoian needs to get room safes sorted out - its a complete pain keep going to reception and having to recount your money in front of the public everytime you want to take money out of their safe.

   
• 

  John Cundill

  VIETNAM ADVENTURE

  

  Written April 2013

  This was an amazing introduction to the variety that is Vietnam - every day had its special memories so it is impossible to identify a single highlight.  The guide, Chinh, was brilliant and his passion for his own country was contagious.  The peoples of Vietnam must surely be the most charming, friendly, smiling and laughter-filled peoples in the world! 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  As is obvious from the above, picking out one individual memory above all others is impossible.  Should it be the Marble Mountain Pagoda?  The homestay and preparing (or at least attempting to be of some help with our efforts) the evening meal, the war museum in HCM City, or the ready laughter and good humour of the Hanoi shop keeper as my wife attempted to haggle a bargain price?  Or the Cu Chi Tunnels, Halong Bay, the overnight train from Hanoi to Hue, the ...?  I can't choose. 

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Absolutely excellent in every regard.  He was instrumental in creating this memorable holiday and a large factor in so many of the warm memories we carry from it.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Pack light.  Buy any extra clothing you need when in the country.  You'll be glad you left room in the case for your purchases.  And don't be put off by accounts of the traffic and road-crossing experience.  It's actually quite exhilerating.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Exodus don't over-sell their holiday in their information sheets and notes.  If you like what you read about what is on offer on this trip, I can guarantee the reality of the experience will be so very, very much greater than your expectations from the brochure text - so go for it!

   
• 

  Sheena Gilby

  VIETNAM ADVENTURE

  

  Written April 2013

  This is an amazing trip from the North to the South of Vietnam. You manage to visit Cities, sail in Halong Bay, travel by overnight train and get to experience some wonderful countryside. It's hectic but there is time to rest and relax and enjoy the amazing sights. A fantastic trip. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Too many to single out one thing.

  The night on Halong Bay was lovely.

  Hoi An is an amazing place with its lovely buildings and river.

  Sailing through the Mekong delta canals being rowed by a little old lady.

  The peace and quiet of the homestay.

  Cycling in Hoi An was great. Too windy to go to the beach, but we had a fantastic cycle through the countryside, rice fields and seeing where all the local vegetables were grown. Followed by a barbeque on a quiet river bank - bliss.

  Cocktails on the 50th floor of the building with the helipad in Saigon.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Thuy was great. He really looked after us and took us to many lovely restaurants. We were very fussy eaters which I think proved a bit of a challenge at first but Thuy managed to make sure we were well catered for. Very knowledgeable and kind - a great representative for Exodus.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  As others have said laundry is cheap and easy to get done. So travel light as there are so many beautiful clothes to buy or get made out there.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  My only problem was the fact that you don't fly directly to Vietnam but have to go to Kuala Lumper then on to Hanoi on the outward journey. It made the journey so much longer especially as we were delayed on both legs going out. However Malaysian Airlines are very good so maybe it's better to keep the quality.

  I love the fact that with Exodus you do so many different things on holiday. I feel that i've done so much it feels more like i've been away a month. The mixtures of cities and countryside is great - you get such a good feel for the country.

   
• 

  Jennifer Panter

  VIETNAM ADVENTURE

  

  Written March 2013

  A wonderful introduction to the history, culture and present day life in Vietnam.  However, it was quite city based and we felt that it would have been good to have had more opportunity to experience the countryside as well. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Halong Bay - even though it was misty!  This added to the atmosphere in a strange sort of way.

  I loved Hoi An.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Excellent - very knowledgable and good fun. He sometimes spoke a little bit too fast for our aging hearing.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Be prepared for quite an intensive agenda, but above all enjoy it!

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  The organisation and planning was second to none and we felt in very safe hands.

   
• 

  Michael Usherwood

  VIETNAM ADVENTURE

  

  Written February 2013

  Wow, what a country to visit - Go before it all changes!  This trip was well structured and everyday brought a new experience; Hanoi is a 100% culture shock with its own sound track - the horns of a million mopeds, Halong Bay was a cool break from the city, the train south was memorable - just don't order room service!  Hue and Hoi An were full of new sights, sounds and tastes, Ho Chi Min City was crazy and chaotic and the Mekong homestay was a tranquil respite to end the trip. 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

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  My highlights:

  Halong Bay overnight - No sign of 007, but what a memorable location.

  Mekong homestay - Sipping a cold beer in a hammock on the veranda, looking forward to a delicious dinner of fish and seafood. Yummy!

  Hue - cycling into the country and watching the duck farmers shepherding their flock down the canal.

  Hoi An - bartering for two new handmade shirts in one of the many tailors.

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  What did you think of your group leader?

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  Hai was a great trip leader; always ready to help and to ensure we were enjoying the trip.  Our safety came first - it's been a while since I was helped across the road! Beware his sense of humour.

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  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

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  Treat the Vietnamese with respect and they will welcome you with a smile. Go with the flow.  Don't expect western standards everywhere, although you'll be surprised by how the arrangements all work seamlessly. 

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• 

  Jan Butterfield

  VIETNAM ADVENTURE

  

  Written February 2013

  Vietnam by wheelchair - interesting!! (But very do-able)Beautiful Country, wonderful food and very friendly and helpful people 

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  Vietnam is not what you expect - what did I expect...I don't know. It was very beautiful especially Hoi An, Saigon is gobsmacking and really takes you by suprise - more like New York than how I visualised Saigon. The best bit... going on a San Pan and staying at the home stay in the Meekong Delta, lovely... being part of a large family, cooking the dinner and relaxing in the open air on a very pretty veranda.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Our group leader was excellent, yes we did have a couple of blips but we had some very strong personalities in our group, a partially sighted lady and my husband in a wheelchair... but we all came out unscathed and the tour guide really thought ahead, if we couldnt do it, he had already planned an alternative...  that may have been a different route in or out of a place .e.g slope, lift etc instead of stairs or a different activity.. I went up into the caves my husband did Kyaking

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  Lots and we have written a guide called' Travel tips for wheelchair users in Vietnam', which we have sent to Exodus. A few tips to think about...

  • Walk in the road, go slow and dont rush
  • Only consider Vietnam if you have a little mobility - you will need to get in and out of your wheelchair as every where has a step or two, but once you are in - fairly flat
  • Let people help you - they are only too willing
  • Be flexible
  • Be prepared for half measures of disability awareness - lovely assessible toilet with grab rails - up 4 steps...
  • Saigon you can use the pavements - they have ramps - but they are not parallel to each other you have to look for the next one - so you will go down a ramp go across the road and find you are facing a high pavement edge
  • It can be hard at times but worth it
  • Make the most of your free time to recharge your batteries

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  If you are going to visit and are taking a wheelchair with you the two places that are no no's are My Son, all ruins and totally inassessible and the tour round the Meekong Delta Home stay Village, quite hairy by foot, impossible by wheelchair.

  You will not be disappointed with the Vietnamese people they were so friendly and helpful, even if you didnt ask they will see if you are ok

  Vietnam is easy to navigate and very safe to wander around on your own - great holiday... Thank you

   
• 

  Sharon Harris

  VIETNAM ADVENTURE

  

  Written January 2013

  A good way to see the highlights of Vietnam.  

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  What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?

  There were a number of inspirational moments on this trip - I personally loved the boat trip on Halong Bay, the Historic town of Hoi An and waterside living in the Mekong Delta.

  What did you think of your group leader?

  Khiem, the group leader, looked after us all very well and took us to fantastic restaurants. Our group was diverse but he was very inclusive and patient. I'm especially grateful to him for keeping me safe on the roads.

  Do you have any advice for potential travellers?

  This is not a physically demanding holiday in terms of hiking and climbing mountains but an awful lot is crammed into a short time and there is no time for relaxation. There are 2 very early morning flights and I felt very tired a lot of the time. Make sure you get a good nights sleep before the flight to Vietnam.

  Is there anything else you would like to add?

  Vietnam is changing very quickly!

   

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