Reviews

Your Words – We tell it like it is! Holiday Reviews by previous Exodus travellers  

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.

Simply use the selector below to search our trip reviews and start reading real feedback from real Exodus travellers who have ‘been there and done that’!

Lots of our clients also like to post handy tips and advice about their travels. It’s great to know what to expect on an Exodus adventure before you go, so make the most of their experience and you’ll make the most of yours!

Haven’t posted your review yet? Here’s how to do it…

Once you return from your Exodus adventure holiday, you will be emailed a link to add your review. Any feedback collected is posted onto our website, totally unedited.

Alternatively you can navigate to the relevant trip page and add your review via the Reviews tab.

Reviews

Charles Howie

Reviewed August 2016

Vietnam Adventure Holiday

I thoroughly enjoyed this holiday. I have been working at universities in the Mekong Delta Vietnam intermittently since 1999, but this was my first holiday and I was apprehensive about how it would be presented. However, no problems.

Most Inspirational Moment

Many. I found Hue a most inspiring city which I would like to visit again. When we were in Ha Long bay I used a canoe and swam, great feelings. Halong Bay hosts several spectacular limestone caves. I would like to go back again to bustling Da Nang, thrusting and developing fast. The war museum in Ho Chi Minh City is always a very strong reminder of what happens when another nation invade an ancient civilisation like Vietnam, immense resilience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had an excellent guide who fully accepted that I had my own knowledge of the country, and we had good conversations. He was very sympathetic and accommodating to the wide range of interests and backgrounds of our party.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Borrow a bicycle, visit beaches, wander in back streets, always be polite and try all the foods

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Helen Sparling

Reviewed August 2016

Wonderful Vietnam Adventure

A really good tour of what Vietnam has to offer, lead by a great tour leader. A full-on trip starting in the hustle and bustle of Hanoi, learning the ‘crossing of the road’ technique (important throughout the trip!), discovering the food and culture along the way, with insights that only a local guide can give you. There was a good balance of interest and activity which engaged the whole group, from age 19 to 69.

Most Inspirational Moment

We loved: The boat trip in Halong Bay and kayaking in the lagoon at dusk. The Mekong Delta home stay ... Wish we could have had longer. The cycle ride from Hue along the river to Thanh Toan bridge and market ... Beautiful scenery and snapshot of rural life. The War remnants museum and chu chi tunnels ... A sobering reminder. Picturesque Hoi An with its tailors and vibrant shops. Oh and My Son too ... Well, all of it really!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Djan Nyguen was brilliant. Extremely well organised so that everthing ran seamlessly. His enthusiasm for his country was evident and his sense of humour and laugh was infectious. He really went the extra mile to ensure that everyone felt included.

Advice for Potential Travellers

We went in July/August and it was very hot and humid. You will need to drink plenty and definitely need a hat. The train journey was fine. You don't need a sleeping bag liner. Just remember to take food for breakfast on the train as you launch straight into the tour of he Imperial Citadel ... No stopping for breakfast. Anyone who is interested in dressmaking should ensure there is sufficient space in their luggage for the amazing fabric on offer in Ben Thanh market in Saigon ... The quality is great and it is so cheap; we bought lots!

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Anthony James

Reviewed April 2016

Vietnam Adventure Holiday

Excellent holiday, thanks especially to our tour leader

Most Inspirational Moment

Museum of war horrors, Saigon

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent

Advice for Potential Travellers

Need to advise on any extra travel needs for the boat visit and overnight train - i'e none

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Julie Clarke

Reviewed April 2016

Brilliant Experiance

First solo trip and with Exodus. I had a fantastic trip, Mao looked after very well and felt we did more than the itinerary said. Feel that I want to do the trip all over again.

Most Inspirational Moment

The cycle rides, rickshaw just to name a few trips that showed a different side of Vietnam.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mao, was very knowledgeable about his country and took us to some off the beaten track restaurants that excelled my expectations.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes, buy travelling mosquito, and suntan lotion. And take the water given on the internal flight.

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Martin Gould

Reviewed April 2016

Great Trip

This gave us a really good overview of Vietnam and exceeded our expectations, as we have previously only been on Exodus trekking holidays and were surprised by the high standard of accommodation. There is a lot to see and do, plus plenty of free time.

Most Inspirational Moment

Too many to mention, but meeting and photographing an old couple during the free afternoon in Hoi An. I would also say, that having grown up during the era of 'The American War' , I was overwhelmed by the photographs in the War Remnants Museum in HCMC and so pleased to see how the country has recovered.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mao Long is a very good guide , who looked after us very well. He is a great ambassador for both his country and Exodus

Advice for Potential Travellers

Do not forget that it can be cold and wet in the North, so pack a fleece, waterproof top, hat and an umbrella is useful for the rain and sun. Travel plug adaptor is 2-pin round European. I enjoyed all of the optional trips and would recommend them to you.

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Vicki Delany

Reviewed March 2016

Marvellous Trip

I had a wonderful time on the Vietnam adventure. The group was great and our guide, Mao was helpful, charming, and very friendly.

Most Inspirational Moment

Everything was great. The land, the people, the sites. Particularly loved being in Hoi An during the Lantern Festival.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Mao was enthusiastic, friendly, charming, and very knowledgeable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Hanoi and Ha Long Bay were cool. Saigon very hot. So pack accordingly.

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John Lowe

Reviewed March 2016

Vietnam Adventure

I am not an unbiased reviewer as I have long been interested in Vietnam and its culture. I was not disappointed. Flying into Hanoi was a full on Asia experience. Loved Ho Chi Minh City with its mixture of cultures. Ha Long Bay beautiful. Mekhong less so but atmospheric and friendly,
Food good, hotels much better than I expected, people friendly and plumbing works. I want to return.

Most Inspirational Moment

Crawling along 25m of the tunnel at Cu Chi complex brought it home to me how difficult this war must have been. No wonder the Vietnamese were able to defeat the mighty US military if they could live in these conditions.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very knowledgeable, friendly and helpful.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Sign up now, fascinating trip.

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Christine Lewin

Reviewed March 2016

Vietnam Adventure

An excellent holiday – once we got there! It was great – everything from the variety of activities, the culture, the food – and learning so much about the history to modern day life in Vietnam

Most Inspirational Moment

So many to choose from - from the history of the country, the madness of vying with the motor/scooter cyclists, the beauty of the countryside and colour of the people, fabulous food - through to modern day life in a country which has had ndured so many changes

Thoughts on Group Leader

Absolutely fabulous. Kien Le went over and above to educate our group about his beloved Vietnam and to integrate a diverse solo travellers group. He treated us with huge knowledge of the country - everything from history, the politics (from a cultural view point based on facts) - through to food - we experienced everything from smart restaurants to real street food based on his recommendations. There were a few times when one or other person had personal problems. Kien was both sensitive and caring and ensured that their concerns were dealt with and that they could move on to feel that they were once again part of the group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Check age groups of travellers before booking to ensure that at least you have something in common with the people in your group. If for example the main group is in their 30's and you are the only one in your 60's then select a different date - the group leader can only work with the people he is presented with.

Reply from Exodus

I would like to thank Christine for her review, although I am sorry that she was disappointed with her flight arrangements and the subsequent flight delay she regrettably experienced. Whilst we have recently opted to use Vietnam Airlines for our group flights, flights with Malaysia Airlines had already been booked for this departure and they were considered a suitable option given that travelling with another airline would have increased the clients’ overall cost of this departure, and we have received positive feedback about the service provided by Malaysia Airlines. Our sales team are happy to discuss all available flight options with clients at the time of booking, but we genuinely regret the inconvenience Christine experienced. We understand that although luggage labels are usually distributed to our clients, some group members did not receive these on this occasion; we have taken this issue up with our marketing team, which we trust will help prevent similar situations recurring.

Megan Devenish, Trip Manager for Vietnam

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Ashley Mee

Reviewed February 2016

Great Holiday

A well organised itinery which allowed us to see a lot of what Vietnam has to offer, in the company of an interesting bunch of people, and an excellent guide

Most Inspirational Moment

Several: New Years Eve in Hanoi Halong Bay The friendly bustle of Hoi An The cycle ride in Hue

Thoughts on Group Leader

Fantastic Organisational and logistics skills, always a step ahead

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book up and enjoy the experience!

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Paul Sullivan

Reviewed February 2016

Vietnam Adventure: Sojourn in an S-shaped country

A great itinerary taking in the majority of the country’s highlights at a steady pace, allowing some time to linger in frenetic Hanoi, scenic Halong Bay, historic Hue, atmospheric Hoi An, buzzing Saigon and the tranquil Mekong Delta. Everyone in our group very much enjoyed experiencing what this special country has to offer, not least the great food and welcoming locals.

Most Inspirational Moment

The contrast between the places we visited will long stay in the mind, particularly Hanoi, Hoi An and the Mekong. For me, the enticing food options were a personal highlight, only surpassed by the unfailingly delightful people who look positively to the future in striving to consign a troubled and traumatic couple of decades to the past.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Phat was an ever smiling ambassador for his country, always willing to share his knowledge and give advice. Calm and resourceful, he was certainly someone we could rely on.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The region certainly has plenty to offer the traveller, in terms of culture, history, variety of landscape and meeting the people ... but for me, Vietnam scores very, very highly on all these points. I'd therefore not hesitate to recommend visiting the country, particularly on such an itinerary which covers so much ground in just two weeks ...

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