Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

 Staying in a traditional homes with Vietnamese families was a definate highlight. Brushing my teeth watching the mist rise off the rice fields, reading my book swinging in a hammock on the banks of the Mekong Delta, watching traditional village dancing whilst sampling the local rice wine and returning "home" after a long day treking to the luxury of a warm shower, a cold beer and delicious food.  Better than any hotel.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Unfortunately our first leader had to leave us after the first week but the handover to a new leader was done seemlessly with minimal disruption to the tour. Both guides were extemely friendly, helpful and knowledgeable with excellent English and a hint of humour. I was amazed at the lack of thinking I needed to do as everything ran effortlessly thanks to these two hard working guides. Very, very impressed.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I did not feel this trip was as active as you are led to believe. We only did two decent bike rides and one full days hike. However, a lot is packed into the itinerary so if you want to see it all I guess you have to expect to spend a lot of time travelling.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling on the crazy roads in Hue - it works though!The hospitality of the locals - especially in the rural areas. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thom was fantastic - enthusiastic, helpful & knowledgeable.   He went the extra mile to ensure everyone was happy and had a good time.  He became part of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Probably don't require malaria tablets in the low season.Ask to be told about all additional costs upfront so your expectations were managed (all of these I felt were reasonable e.g. tips/extra trips) Double check you understand the daily schedule -especially when hiking so you know what to take / leave behind (sometimes you can take your bigger bags as you drop them off at the accommodation before hiking)Try the local food - yum!If you have enough holiday, consider extending a week to do independent travelling into Cambodia or to the beach in Vietnam - 2/3 days rest to reflect and get your energy back were definitely beneficial before heading home. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Waking up on the boat in the middle of Halong Bay. Kayaking round islands and seeing the monkeys leap from tree to tree. Learning to cook by imitation and gestures in the Mekong Delta. Walking through emerald green paddy fields, up steep hills. Sleeping on a bamboo floor in a traditional Thai longhouse. Handling a python in the snake farm. Being entertained by local dancers, and being dragged up to dance the finale. Cycling through villages on windy canal paths, with little children rushing out to shout "hello!". 

Thoughts on Group Leader

A wonderful story teller, full of interesting anecdotes and insights into Vietnam history and culture. He even got out his guitar on occasion and entertained us with some of his songs!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for lots of travel, by coach, rail, road, boat, kayak, and air. Bring earplugs and a jumper, as Vietnam can dip below 20 degrees in the evenings. Be ready for all sorts of extras not necessarily on the itinerary. Don't worry about the Cu Chi tunnels: the bit you walk through is only right at the end and easily omitted if you're claustrophobic - the rest of it is fascinating. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Halong bay was my favourite part of the trip, kayaking from the boat to a lagoon then watching a monkey sitting the rocks eating. Hoi an was a close second with cycling at six in the morning to watch the sunrise over the spice fields (helped by the fact it was snowing in England at the time).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Pheong was a brilliant fella, informative with a deep love of his country, always cheerful and amazingly patient, one morning even giving a meditation lesson for those who were interested and not only all that also a fantastic pool player.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be warned Hanoi and northern Vietnam can be colder than expected, although my trip was in January so maybe I should have been better prepared. Don't overpack you can get your laundry done at lots of different places on the trip. Also shopping is very good out there I bought a north face jacket for 45 dollars which is'nt too bad.

Most Inspirational Moment

The people were so friendly and relaxed.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Great. Giang,s calm and ever willingness to help make him a strong candidate for leader of the year.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack light as it is hot in the south. the north can be cool in the winter but the payback is the dry season. Saigon is the best local beer!

Most Inspirational Moment

The overnight stays in the stilthouses were great fun,and a great way for us all to get to know eachother.Also the cycling in the Mekong Delta was pretty special.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mao was the best group leader I've had when doing many of these trips.He started as our leader and left as our friend! He made a great trip brilliant,a true asset to Exodus which I hope will be recognised.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared to be flexible with the itinary,as the weather can be very unpredictable,unfortunatly.

Most Inspirational Moment

The hiking through the hills out from Mai Chau was great even though it was incredibly hot. Very interesting visiting the tribes and hearing their stories. Also the boat trip in Halong Bay - the seafood dinner, the kayaking, the swimming, the relaxing on the ship's deck, the scenery. Awesome. Cu Chi tunnels. Really interesting while also a little freaky experience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Linh was great. Organised us really well, and looked after us well with pointing out good restaurants etc when going to be on our own, and taking us to really good restaurants when with him. We ate REALLY well! Was really informative, explained a lot about how the hill tribe people live and their past etc. Ended up telling the same things a couple of times, and sometimes would go off on a tangent, turning a piece on the pagoda etc we were at into a long winded story of his childhood. But mostly told good stuff. Is a little quirky, which made it entertaining with some of his songs. Has a lot of character, which has left us with a great memories to retell amongst group members. Overall, Linh was really great value.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take a light weight jacket with you in case it rains at any moment (even though it'll likely only be brief). Say so at the beginning if you don't like fish (or anything for that matter), you'll get well catered for with other food for you. A few people on our trip didn't say so until halfway through, after a number of entrees and meals with fish, so didn't eat as much those times.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant, totally brilliant!

Advice for Potential Travellers

You don’t need malaria tablets – the trip dossier is wrong!

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through back paths on the Mekong delta, where kids rushed out to see us, (as they don't see tourists there), showed us the contrasts of the country, but also how naturally friendly the people are, even those not trying to make a living out of tourists.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Never without a smile, efficient and solicitous, he gave us confidence, and his knowledge of the whole country and its history made the necesary long distances interesting.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Cold in the North, very hot in the South. Tell the guide if you get a dicky tummy, ancient ginger will fix it better than our drugs.

Most Inspirational Moment

Halong Bay has to be one of the highlights; fabulous views and a fantastic lunch on board on the first day.  However. Hue was also a beautiful place with wonderful shopping!

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was really well organised, full of interesting information although sometimes a little too much for my taste.   It was sometimes difficult to understand the plan for the day and therefore what we needed to have in our day packs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Pack your clothes in bags in your main bag, helps to keep thigs organised as you do not spend many nights in the same place!  Have your insect repellant to hand at the Cu Chi Tunnels - we didn't!