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...
Vietnam is very populated country. There are people everywhere: children, weddings, and specially mopeds. It is loud. Anytime of the day, anywhere there is a moped next to you : wwwuuuuu, you hear. And everybody pushing the horn, biiiii .... in Europe it is a sign of danger, in Vietnam it means: look, I am coming. People are nice yet they speak limited English. Landscape is superb and very diverse. The trip was very well organised. The things I disliked - they took us to restaurants that rather offered wanna-be western food rather than local, some were real tourist traps- 3 of 4 leaders did not speak English - would have been nice to talk to them more, only Chi our main guide did (he was a very good guy though)
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Cycling full pelt downhill for 30km in about 50 minutes.......starting in the mist, rain and cold weather at the top of the mountain and ending up safe and sound at the bottom with the biggest smile on my face!
What did you think of your group leader?
Chi was the leader - what a great chap....couldn't have wished for a better tour leader.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
If you go in March, the temperature difference between south and north is very noticeable. The mountains outside Dalat are colder than you will probably pack for.........and Halong Bay was a bit nippy too. Take a fleece and a light rain-proof jacket. Oh, and the coach will not have heating....just air con. No issues with mozzies, the hotels are great. Look out for the old propaganda posters to buy in Hanoi.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
My second cycling trip with Exodus - the previous was Cuba - and this was better. As ever, it's the group that makes the difference, and I was lucky enough to have a great one.
This was an amazing holiday, a trip of a lifetime, a real assault on the senses in every way. I have been very lucky and have travelled a lot and been to many different countries and experienced lots of different cultures and this has got to be the most fantastic holiday and experience of them all. I would highly highly recommend this trip.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
All of it!
What did you think of your group leader?
Chi was a fantastic leader, he was very informative, helpful, chatty, all round excellent. We had a couple of bad incidents, one lady came off her bike and broke her leg and we were involved in a road accident. Chi was fantastic with how he dealt with both incidents, we could not have asked for more in a guide.
Vietnam is a country of amazing contrasts - cities of smog and incessantly blaring horns to countryside vistas of immense beauty and peace.Visit soon before all the vast numbers of new resorts get built and spoil the coastline
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
The Vietcong Tunnels, the My Lai Massacre village and museums all bring home the awful truths of the recent American war but the reality is that Vietnam has never been independent; China, Japan, France have all left their mark to give a variety of historical moments in a truly inspiring way.
Completely different experience but no less stunning - swimming in the South China Sea around the Karst outcrops of Halong Bay at 6am. Just such a "can't believe I'm here experiencing this" feeling. The thoughts of cold weather at home seemed a planet away from reality.
What did you think of your group leader?
How can you describe this man? He was always helpful, put himself out for us at every opportunity, was incredibly patient with our constant questions, had a great sense of humour and an obvious pride in talking about his country and its history. He did lose his smile and his wide grin on one occasion, but that's because he wasn't quite able to out cycle a couple of our speedy boys and so was having to work hard to keep his place! Superb leader and just a joy - Mr Lam and his team made our trip very special.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
A couple of things spring to mind:-
If you don't like cockroaches then you'll not like the train - its an experience though that's great fun. Most people had about 8 in their compartment - we however, had none!
If you want an out and out cycling holiday this is not for you. There is quite a lot of coach travel because there's such distances to travel. But we didn't feel cheated on the days we did cycle.
Try the local restaurants over any touristy ones - the local ones may not be as highly decorated or smart, but the food will be inexpensive and far more typical. We also found touristy restaurants only had tourists in them so no local worth their salt was going in them.
Leave space in your luggage - there are lots of things which are so delightful that you'd wish you'd got more room to take them home.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Always pick your Exodus trip to find a couple of sociable livewires - we met Hannah and Maeve who pulled us together from being a group of random individuals into a bunch of friends who want to meet up again (weekend already booked!)
Hannah Delaney
CYCLING VIETNAM
Written
A superb holiday - exceeded all expectations and provided many unforgetable experiences. The holiday was a great mix of cycling, culture, cuisine, activity and relaxation.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
I can't decide...from the cycling, and seeing rural Vietnam, the friendly people, fantastic food, swimming in the South China Sea, cocktails on a roof terrace in Saigon to beer & cheese sandwiches on the overnight train. The contrasts were continuous throughout the trip... never a dull moment.
Halong Bay was magical, the mopeds in Saigon & Hanoi were crazy, the scenery breathtaking and the rain torrential...overall fantastic.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader Lam was 1st class. Enthusiastic, helpful and genuine throughout the trip. He could not do enough to support all 18 on the trip...either managing to keep us together on the roads of Hue, special instructions to keep a bar open, ensuring we all had maps and clear instructions to get back to the hotels when out & about, errands to a pharmacy, currency exchange etc....and always smiling. Nothing was too much trouble The hospitality from Lam and his support team (driver & mechanic) was amazing.
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
It is an action packed holiday to cover the distance and all activities in 2 weeks. There are some rest days but be prepared with plenty of space on your memory cards for hundreds of photos!
Patricia Bradley
CYCLING VIETNAM
Written
A very exciting emerging country, we had a very full itinery with not much free time but we needed to pack everything in to enable us to see the whole country.
What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?
Cycling downhill in a monsoon (probably wasn't a monsoon but felt like it!), meeting the local people and seeing Halong Bay.
What did you think of your group leader?
Our group leader Chi was exceptional, for such a busy trip nothing was too much trouble for him and he was always there if needed. He also knew everything about everything, and you can't get much better than that!
Do you have any advice for potential travellers?
Visit Vietnam now before it becomes too spoilt and expensive. Get yourself fairly bike fit before you go so that you get the most out of your cycling. Be prepared for a very busy schedule and a lot of bus journeys! (necessary to be able to see the whole country)
from 73 reviews.
