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!
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177 Reviews
4.7 out of
5
Reviews
Dana Valenti
Reviewed April 2024
Vietnam Adventure
Overall very well organised, a nice balance between history and cultural experiences, just wish more of the cultural/food experiences were included in the price rather then the historical ones as we had to miss out on some of them due to the additional cost.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Nhung was amazing, very knowledgeable, experienced and good fun. Dealt with any issues calmly and efficiently. 10 out of 10!
Advice for Potential Travellers
Great experience if you want to see a maximum in a short space of time.
Gail Madeley
Reviewed March 2024
January 2024 - Excellent Trip
A great variation from north to south Vietnam, but well worth all the travelling, as without it you wouldn’t get a feel for what Vietnam has gone through and what it has to offer.
Most Inspirational Moment
All of it, as it was so varied, including the food.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Quang was excellent and obviously devoted to his country and his family. He went the extra mile to ensure we experienced a value for money holiday.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Enjoy the experience. The bunks on the train are uncomfortable, but it was warm enough with just a sleeping bag liner, the toilet was kept clean throughout the night and you do get to sleep.
Carol Gladwin
Reviewed March 2024
Fantastic experience
The trip benefitted from an amazing bunch of like minded people and a brilliant tour leader. Add to that the backdrop of Vietnam and it couldn’t fail to deliver.
Most Inspirational Moment
The food! The food was AMAZING. I now love tofu. I never thought I would utter these words….
Thoughts on Group Leader
Tu was the best. He was a great communicator and very funny !
Advice for Potential Travellers
Take a lightweight sleeping bag for the train because you will need the quilt to lie on as the beds are rock hard. Laundry is easy to do everywhere.
Annette Cattermole
Reviewed November 2023
A new culture
Have never visited South East Asia before and was excited to learn about a new culture. This 14 day trip takes in all the major highlights starting in Hanoi and ending in Ho Chi Minh City.
Most Inspirational Moment
Hoi An at night with the lanterns and small boats going up and down the river. Eating with a Vietnamese family in their home.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Ashley was the perfect group leader. Organised, calm, full of information with a good sense of humour. Nothing was too much trouble for her.
Advice for Potential Travellers
It's pretty full on so be prepared for some early starts. Try all the different culinary experiences. Get some clothing handmade in Hoi An! The train from Hanoi to Hue is a bit uncomfortable but embrace the experience!
Elle Potts
Reviewed August 2023
A terrific trip, with all my thanks to Nhung Bui
A brilliantly organised trip with plenty of variation and a good balance between rest and exploration. I hadn’t quite imagined just how beautiful and exciting Vietnam would be, and so it exceeded each one of my hopes and expectations for this trip by tenfold. A lot of my praise for this trip can be credited to Nhung, who went above and beyond in her duties.
Most Inspirational Moment
The bike ride through the islands where we got to talk to local people and see how the sleep mats and wine were made. Really insightful and just a brilliant day out.
Thoughts on Group Leader
No words written here could truly do Nhung justice; she is radiant, witty, helpful, and just a wonderful person. It was her guidance and involvement which truly made the trip for me and I think she is a great credit to your company. I feel incredibly grateful to have had the privilege of meeting her in such a wonderful country.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don’t forget your mozzie spray!
Brian Simmonds
Reviewed June 2023
Our tour guide made a great holiday fabulous.
Cosseted from start to finish. Vietnam was amazing but the trip was made even better by our fabulous tour guide, Anh Vuoung. Hanoi was mad and needs to be experienced to be believed. Ha Long bay lives up to expectations, and despite being warned about lots of steps, the cave was not arduous but was spectacular. The Da Nang Reunification museum was a different take on the ‘American war’ and the spirit of reconciliation was obvious. I’m glad that we did it. Hoi An was amazing too, and very different from other Vietnamese places, a mini Hong Kong with LED coloured lights everywhere. One of my favourite places. The Mekong boat trip was an eye opener, the Vietnamese people are so resourceful and friendly. We had feared that the trip might be a bit too cultural for us, but it was fine, and we enjoyed the visits, and very happy to be educated. We did an optional bike & boat ride, it was a great respite from this town based trip, touring open countryside with a guide, meeting locals and tasting the home made products. No complaints about accommodation at all, nice hotels and lovely home stay – even the overnight rail trip was fine -earplugs essential. I’d recommend this trip wholeheartedly, Exodus delivered for us yet again and their star, Anh was incredible. rn with breezes was a welcome respite from the heat.
Most Inspirational Moment
Ha Long bay overnight boat trip. Comfortable and very clean small wooden boat with reasonable size rooms - with double beds and en-suite/shower! It was the most chilled out time of the trip, and being seabo
Thoughts on Group Leader
Wonderful Wonderful Wonderful Any minor hotel room glitches (broken hairdrier) were reported for us and dealt with swiftly. Nothing was too much trouble, Anh fitted local, cheap data SIM cards to our phones so the group could exchange pictures and receive last minute updates. She even reset our phones at the completion! Her manner was calm and knowledgeable, historical information was impartially delivered and presented in context. Food intolerances were easily catered for, Anh dealt slickly with these, and was often helping out the different restaurant staff so that we all ate at the same time. When we had non-inclusive meals she organised splitting the bill, no flaff, sorted.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Don’t take too many jumpers.. Earplugs for the train and boat advised Almost no rain during our trip, (middle of March) Take a light umbrella for shade Just do it. It was great.
Glen and Rob Whittingham
Reviewed February 2023
Marvellous Experience
Thoroughly enjoyed this trip, our guide Anh Vuong ensured every detail was covered and we packed in so much whether it be cultural, gastronomic or memorable experiences. Many additional activities on offer ie. Cooking class, street food tour, cultural island cycle ride to name a few, we believe we had a taste of every aspect of Vietnam life from north to south, contrasting city experiences, rural life and the amazing Mekong Delta and Halong Bay. All hotels were very good and we were welcomed everywhere we went from restaurants to peoples homes and places of work, Anh’s hard work and delightful personality was infectious and appreciated by all. The people of Vietnam have suffered so much yet they hold no ill will and are enthusiastic, warm and welcoming.
Most Inspirational Moment
The atmosphere Mekong Delta and Hoi An were excellent.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Anh was brilliant, her cultural and historic knowledge was very good and delivered with humour and sincerity, nothing was to much trouble and everyone felt great affection towards her within days.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be prepared for early starts and pack for multiple hotel changes.
Peter Stocker
Reviewed February 2023
A fascinating tour
From Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh in the south, a our through varying climates and cultures.
Most Inspirational Moment
Staying at a homestay in the Mekong Delta, delicious food cooked by the family and comfortable accommodation with en-suite facilities. The peacefulness of the countryside was a contrast to the busy cities. I also did the Angkor extension which I would recommend if you haven't seen the famous temples.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Bac Bui (BB) was excellent, very knowledgeable and helpful.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Make sure you have a selection of clothes for the different climates, cool in the north, hot in the south and cold in UK on your return. If you are doing the Angkor extension ,see below and be prepared.
Kay Burton
Reviewed February 2023
Excellent trip highly recommend
A brilliant tour of Vietnam, good company in the small group and an excellent, informative guide. Our first organised trip as have always arranged these ourselves, and we were not disappointed. Exodus staff were helpful from the start when booking the tour, responsive to our questions and staff in Vietnam went the extra mile to make sure everything ran smoothly. Would recommend and already considering where our next adventure with Exodus might take us.
Most Inspirational Moment
The diversity of activities and the knowledge of our leaders who provided so much information that we would not have got without their guidance. Absolutely loved our visit to Hoi An which was unspoilt by the war damage, and the difference in cultures between the north and the south.
Thoughts on Group Leader
Our leader was excellent. He provided lots of detail about the places we visited, about the culture in Vietnam and his own experiences when growing up. This detail greatly enhanced our experience. He was very attentive to people in the group and dealt with queries or problems efficiently. He was particularly helpful and supportive to us to make sure my husband's needs were met, as he had a knee injury at the time of the trip. He did this in a quiet, discrete way, just checking in if he was OK and if he wanted to maybe not participate in a full activity. We really appreciated his kindness and support. He was on hand throughout the tour and also provided us with helpful tips on where to eat and what the local delicacies were for the different regions. We thought our leader was an asset to Exodus and the tour.
Advice for Potential Travellers
If you want a very active trip then maybe look for a different Vietnam tour. This one was fine for us, just what we wanted, but those who like more walking or cycling would maybe prefer a different itinerary. Because of the internal flights and overnight train, do think about the size of the luggage you take. Large cases do not fit under the train seats!!
Rob S
Reviewed February 2023
'Vietnam Adventure' Says It All
A really fantastic insight into past and present life in Vietnam. The two week trip is packed full. Sights include temples, pagodas, paddy fields, caves, rivers, beautiful lanterns, war tunnels, war museums and spectacular sea views. Activities include walking, cycling, an overnight train journey, ferry rides, boat trips, including an overnight stay in a cabin, another night at a family Homestay; active participation in demonstrations of making reed mats, rice wine, rice noodles, coconut candy and incense sticks. The sheer volume of traffic and numbers of motorbikes all constantly sounding their horns whilst weaving around each other has to be seen to be believed, yet they are driven in a very non aggressive manner and somehow manage to avoid collisions. Bartering for holiday momentoes is great fun and the food variety is enormous and delicious with something for everyone. (You might well give sticky rice and noodles a miss for a few weeks once you return home!) So much more I could include, but go and find out for yourself, you won’t regret it.
Most Inspirational Moment
Very difficult to answer, but the sheer beauty of Halong Bay takes some beating, but I also loved all the activities involving the Vietnamese communities and witnessing their lifestyles. Cycling and boat trips on the Mekomg Delta River were fantastic experiences too.
Thoughts on Group Leader
BAC (BB) is a top man! His enthusiasm, vast knowledge, professionalism, humility, sense of humour and advice was first rate. Everything he organised ran smoothly, from minibuses turning up on time, to never having to queue for entrance tickets at venues. Every restaurant he took us too was a resounding success. As a group we all gelled really well and were privileged to have him as our leader. BB is a true credit to Exodus and his country.
Advice for Potential Travellers
Be assertive and purposeful when crossing the road, or you will wait forever, as nobody will ever stop for you!