Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

There were too many different things to do and see. I enjoyed the optional cycle tour in Hoian where I tried to weave mats, samples rice wine and made rice paper. The bamboo theatre show in Ho Chi Minh was an excellent entertainment on our last evening. The tunnels in HCM City are terrifying, and although I baulked at going down with the group, I did manage a solo scamper. The thought of people crawling through and living in tunnels a quarter of the size that we went through is terrifying but inspires admiration. My advice? take part in everything so that you can experience everything.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ashley was beyind excellent. I arrived a day earlier than the trip start and she responded immediately with recommendations of activities for the morning. Throughout the trip she was well-organised and calm. She has a grear sense of humour and sense of fun and showed that she really cared that we had a good time

Advice for Potential Travellers

Try as much as you can and join in! The treks are not arduous and the cycle rides are short with plenty of rest opportunities

Most Inspirational Moment

There are so many inspirational moments. I particularly enjoyed the boat trip around Halong Bay. You won’t see such an amazing sight anywhere else. The contrast between Hanoi and Saigon, while not inspirational, is definitely an experience not to be missed. In both cities, the scooter is king of the road and the sheer number of them on the go at any time of the day or night is not to be missed. The Cu Chi Tunnels were extremely interesting and if you can manage it, definitely worth going down them.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Tu Vu was the best group leader I’ve ever had. Nothing was too much trouble for him. All he seemed to want was for us to have the most brilliant time ever and be safe at all times. He was a constant source of information telling us so much about Vietnam that you can’t get from a book. Tu also was very funny and we spent a number of evenings playing cards together having a great laugh. After 2 years of no tours, he seemed to just step straight back into the role as if there had been no break. He is also the youngest group leader I’ve ever had and had endless amounts of enthusiasm and energy. When monsoon rain caused flooding in Hue and Hoi An, our planned activities had to be cancelled. Tu very calmly made alternative arrangements with Exodus and kept us informed of these at all times. There was no sense of panic or not knowing what to do by him, just a very professional approach.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for constant traffic in both Hanoi and Saigon especially scooters. It’s an experience to be enjoyed not feared. Go with an open mind and you’ll have the most wonderful time. This is not a trip with a lot of difficult physical activity. If you can manage it, go to Cambodia as well but do check flight times as five days can be only three and a half days in reality.

Most Inspirational Moment

There was so many great moments but really meeting locals was just fabulous. Hearing the guide being so honest with us, and answering our questions about the life and culture was just amazing

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tu the group leader was amazing, he went far above and beyond what was necessary. His knowledge was so impressed and he was so friendly and easy to have a laugh with

Advice for Potential Travellers

No, I think all the trip notes and the guide really make it so easy

Most Inspirational Moment

Really difficult to answer, but I really enjoyed the boat trip from the second homestay to Thung Nai, the scenery was beautiful. I also enjoyed the optional bike ride out of Hoi An, and the cookery class. I would definitely recommend doing these if you can. It's just a great trip and there are too many highlights to mention!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Ashley is a legend!! The most professional, organised, knowledgeable and fun group leader you are going to find. She works so hard, we were lucky to have her lead this trip.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's a busy trip, but the rewards are great! Embrace all the opportunities, even if it means an early start (the floating market).

Most Inspirational Moment

Hard to say; there were so many. Experiencing the street life in Hanoi where traders carried their wares on paniers balanced on their shoulders as they wove between the traffic. Sharing a long house with all the other members of our group on only the second night of the trip. Wondering why there was a large boat travelling towards an end of the Da River reservoir and then later finding in moored by our homestay and discovering it was the mobile supermarket; stocked with almost anything you might wish to buy. Kayaking amongst the rocks in Ha Long Bay. Eating in a restaurant across the road from our hotel in Hoi An where we were the only western diners, live fish swam in plastic bowls at the side of the restaurant and we enjoyed the best seafood noodles of the trip (and we had enjoyed quite a few) Trying the many variations of Pho. The cooking lesson in Hoi An and helping to prepare dinner at our wonder Mekong Delta homestay ……………………………...

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tuyen was fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble. He opened his country up to us with great enthusiasm and supported all of us throughout the trip. The mix of history, culture, food and personal experience was amazing.

Advice for Potential Travellers

I ignored advice from other travellers to take your own bike saddle and regretted it as I couldn't cope with the narrow saddles and had to give up after a few miles; which was a shame as I had been very much looking forward to the bike rides.

Most Inspirational Moment

Halong Bay boat trip.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Sometimes difficult to understand what he said, but he was very hard working.

Most Inspirational Moment

My favourite part of the trip was the homestays. To experience local /rural life with friendly people is such a contrast to the chaotic, bustling cities

Thoughts on Group Leader

Cong was great and his English is excellent. He managed to keep a group of 15 all together and heading to the right places and excursions on time. The itinerary was very busy but ran smoothly thanks to Cong.

Advice for Potential Travellers

As the trip notes suggest these items are very useful: refillable water bottle, day pack (for shorter day trips), overnight bag (for 2 or 3 nights away from your main suitcase), sleeping bag liner (for the sleeper train & homestays), insect repellent, sun cream, small hand sanitiser. Personally I wouldn't pack (but this is up to each individual): cycle helmet (this is provided), walking boots (I was fine with walking trainers), sleeping bag (unless colder months).

Most Inspirational Moment

Halong Bay has got to be up there as an all time highlight, the kayaking was brilliant too! Along with the guest-house in the Mekong delta and the cycling tours through the countryside Hanoi on a Saturday night for tired, jet-lagged brits who had only been in the country a few hours was a bit overwhelming but Saigon was a dream!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Unfortunately this is where the trip fell short of 5 stars. Having travelled with exodus before and only experienced amazing, intelligent, organised and inspiring guides full of knowledge and humour, perhaps I was a little spoilt. Linh was both disorganised and overly-regimented in his planning. He constantly failed to tell us vital information regarding the days structure ahead which meant that an already packed trip was full of confusion. He was indecisive but at the same time failed to take on suggestions from the group about what they wanted to do. We were given very little freedom or flexibility with regards for activities and he had a very odd idea of time eg City tour in Hoi An was supposed to take 1 hour, ended up taking 3 hours then straight to dinner then another tour after dinner = very tired tourists. He also showed no interest in conversing with any of the group and preferred to lecture us in the coach (very interesting if a little egotistical at times) yet was not open to any two-sided discussion over dinner. In my experience, exodus guides have been quite the opposite and this is just a one off (for anyone reading who has now been put off!). I was also under the impression that Linh did not often take the 'trails' group and usually did the cycling tour - perhaps that is his real forte!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes lots! When going to the home-stays with the village tribes, pack lots of clothes and socks (you will need them) and also all the young girls in the villages were desperate to have their nails painted! So bring a pot, it won't take up much space and will really brighten their day! (Wish I had had this advice before going) There won't be many opportunities for buying souvenirs etc so make sure you take time in Hoi An to do that. If you're at all travel sick then stock up on pills - the coach journeys have wonderful scenery but that comes at a cost! You don't need to bring many clothes either, laundry services are cheap and quick and so are the clothes if you need an extra t-shirt or something. The food has a reputation for being dirt cheap, however the places we were taken to were cheap compared to British standards but don't go expecting dinner to cost £5 If you go in August it is constantly hot and sticky, lots of sun cream, lots of DEET, expect to be a sweaty mess most of the time!

Most Inspirational Moment

It is hard for me to choose one, but I am inspired by how welcoming and friendly the people are and their resilience.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide, Tung, had an amazing knowledge of the region and always ensured everyone was in their happy place 😊. Vote Tung for guide of the year!!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Stay an extra day or two after the tour ends, to rest. Although the tour is well paced it is still tiring if you are not used to the busy city travel.