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.

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177 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Roger FURZE

Reviewed January 2023

A great county to visit

The itinerary was good and varied. The sites visited are interesting and fun, my favourites was Saigon as there was so much to see and do followed very closely by Hoi An which was a really great riverside town full of many restaurants shops and market stalls. plus you could get clothes made to measure within 24 hours,,, Flights to Vietnam there and back are long haul flights involving stop overs on the flights so be prepared for sometimes long waits inbetween planes This is a great trip so much so that i have now been there with Exodus twice

Most Inspirational Moment

Marble Mountain was mentioned by many on the trip as an unforgettable place to visit with great views and caves. For the less willing there is a lift plus stairs and for the more able you can walk all the way to the top.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide, Tuyen was a really likeable guy who was always willing and helpful. He took care of all requests however trivial and tried very hard to ensure all guest were comfortable and had what they needed. If people wanted to explore sites on their own he ensured they knew when and where to meet up afterwards. He looked after the group very well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Yes, you do need a modicum of fitness to do this tour but not so much as you might fear. There were all ages in the group and everyone always found a way, even me! Clothing ? travel light and if you do find yourself needing an item of clothing, don't overpack your suitcase! prices in Vietnam are very very affordable

Fiona Savage

Reviewed December 2019

Best holiday!

This was my first trip out of Europe and really glad I picked Exodus to do it with.

The trip was well organised, plenty of places to visit and things to do, a great range of included and optional activities (which are all well worth doing!).

Our group leader was Phuong Le – she was amazing, gave us a lot of information about each place we visited, plus teaching us about the history and some of the language.

100% recommend this trip if you want to visit Vietnam!

Most Inspirational Moment

Visiting the local families and restaurants for lunch/dinner, and seeing Halong Bay in real life!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Amazing! Phuong Le was great, couldn't have asked for a better group leader. She gave us so much information about each place we went, taught us some of the language and took us to some amazing local restaurants.

Martin & Margaret W

Reviewed December 2019

Vietnam Adventure

A good start with the best coffee i’ve ever had by the lake nr Hanoi Hotel
The holiday was extremely varied, showing so many aspects of Vietnam – chaotic cities with ‘formation dancing’ motorbikes ignoring most traffic lights but managing never to collide – the peace and quiet of Halong Bay and the Mekong Delta.
The hotels and their buffet breakfasts were all top class, the ‘homestay’ was more like a basic ‘eco hotel’ , was in a peaceful spot and had bikes you could borrow.
The original itinerary bike trip in Hue was discontinued, but made up for in Hoi An, with a ride plus a coracle and boat trip and the bonus that bikes could be kept for the rest of the day.
I took advantage of this whilst Margaret went for the best massage she has ever had!
The Reunification Express was very comfortable and could only be improved on if you were allowed to hang out of the doors or ride on the roof.!
I could have done without the CuChi tunnels and would have preferred a 2/3 hr walk in quiet, scenic countryside as an option.
All in all – A great holiday with a great group.

Most Inspirational Moment

Bits of every day really

Thoughts on Group Leader

Phuong Le (pronounced 'Ful') was lovely - excellent English, always there and approachable, great sense of humour. Her organisational skills were outstanding - Bus, boats, train, bikes,restaurant tables, takeaways, always appeared as if by magic. She even managed to time the odd heavy downpour for when we were under cover. She gave us in-depth talks too, on subjects like driving, marriage etc

Advice for Potential Travellers

Our group used many different airlines, so check the options. We used Thai Airlines via Bangkok which looked considerably quicker than others.

Fiona Gardener

Reviewed September 2019

Fantastic trip to Vietnam and then to Cambodia (Angkor Wat extension)

This was our first ever group tour holiday so we didn’t quite know what to expect, however we loved every part of it. The itinerary is full to enable you to see what’s on offer in the region but it allows some down time. We wouldn’t have seen all that we did if we did it under our own steam. Having read previous reviews we took advice and went for all the optional extras that were offered, and thoroughly enjoyed them all, including kayaking in Halong Bay, the cyclotaxi ride, cycling and round boats, Vietnamese cookery course and the floating village near Siem Reap. The boat accommodation and food in Halong Bay was first class. The overnight train was an experience but was better than we thought it might have been, and we did actually manage some sleep. We also enjoyed the night in the homestay. We would totally recommend this trip and if you’re lucky enough to have Phuong Le as your leader in Vietnam you will be well looked after. We were also well looked after by our guides in Cambodia, albeit for shorter times and thanks to Johnny Temple we have some very creative photographs to remember our trip to the Angkor Thom complex.

Most Inspirational Moment

We would like to think that the most inspirational moment of our trip was our Vietnamese cookery course in that we would hope it will inspire us to try cooking Vietnamese recipes at home! However the most thought provoking moments had to be the trips to the Remnants of War museum in Ho Ch Minh city. the Cu Chi tunnels, and especially in Cambodia the trips to S21 and the Killing Fields.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Phuong Le is an excellent group leader. She was always on hand if we needed her and she did her utmost to make sure we enjoyed every moment. Her knowledge of the destinations, history and culture are excellent and she managed the right balance between taking to us and letting us relax on the various bus trips. She seemed very quickly to understand the characteristics of the various individuals in the group and has a great sense of humour which all helped the group to gel with one another. We will not forget her as a couple of her phrases have already made it into our daily vocabulary.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If travelling in August you won't need anything of the "slightly warmer in case it's chilly in the evenings" category, not even on the boat. Take plenty of lightweight tops as you might want to change during the day due to the humidity but there are options for laundry. We would recommend trying all the optional extras that are offered - nothing is expensive by UK standards. If you go to Cambodia you only need US dollars, not Cambodian currency.

Grant Sykes

Reviewed May 2019

The full Vietnam Experience

This was a great trip, taking in a multitude of sights across the length of Vietnam, right from Hanoi in the north down to the Mekong Delta in the south. The guide was excellent, very knowledgeable and friendly, helpful and funny. The food was amazing, the hotels all comfortable. The sleeper train is quite an experience. Don’t expect luxury – just a hard mattress and a bumpy ride. My group were well looked after the entire time.

Most Inspirational Moment

Just walking around the cities and seeing how people live a totally different lifestyle half a world away.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent. Very knowledgeable, friendly. Helpful, always ready to give recommendations on food options, restaurant choices or optional sights to go and see.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't book unless you can cope with high heat and humidity, and don't expect comfort and modernity from the sleeper train. Be prepared to go for some periods of time without access to a shower and for long walks. But it's all worth it to see the sights.

Stephen Gosling

Reviewed May 2019

Vietnamese

This trip lived up to what it promised from the start to the end. It was excellent value for money and provided a real insight into this wonderful country and it’s people. Our group consisted of 16 people, some couples, some travelling independently with a range of ages from the UK, USA and Spain. By the end of the two weeks we were all good friends. The weather started pleasantly warm, although very cloudy, in the north and steadily became hotter and sunnier the further south we travelled. Our group leader Anh Tran, who we knew as Viet, also helped to make this trip special as he worked hard throughout to provide us with information and guidance about the places we visited.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling through the Vietnamese traffic in Hue was daunting but very rewarding once we had survived unscathed. This was due to the support of the additional leader and Viet who ensured the group were able to safely negotiate the large number of scooters and other vehicles which weaved their way around us. The visit to the Cu Chi tunnels was also fascinating and it was good to hear about the Vietnam War from a different perspective and witness the conditions that these people had to live in. Seeing the good nature of the Vietnamese people and how they make the most from the limited resources they possess makes you realise how fortunate we are.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Viet was full of enthusiasm and was always keen to share his extensive knowledge of his country and it's culture to the group or to individuals. As we travelled from place to place Viet had everything in place at the right time ensuring the smooth running of the trip. He even provided us with additional hand written notes of recommended places to visit or eat in our spare time. Throughout he displayed a great sense of humour.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The train was a really good experience and although the noise and movement of the train was not an issue we did find the beds were very hard and the day that followed very long,

Carol Nolan

Reviewed May 2019

Amazing and hot!

Vietnam is everything you think it may be and everything you can never imagine! So opposite to your life in the western world, the country is a beautiful, absolutely chaotic, in your face and also serene at times. This is an extremely well organised trip and you will definitely get a flavour of Asia. Food is beyond amazing and our tour guide was unbelievable and a wonderful human!

Most Inspirational Moment

On a boat travelling down the Mekong river wearing traditional hat and savouring the quiet!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Joilee was beyond wonderful and professional and was also pretty funny! She cared for us in the group like her own and she was the most wonderful representative for her country of Vietnam

Advice for Potential Travellers

Bring lots of loose clothing, laundry wash as you will be changing your clothes a lot! Don’t bother with any make up or stuff for hair, within a day that all goes out of the window! Enjoy your rest afternoons relaxing, the tour is pretty full on and will get tired otherwise. And close your eyes at times, savour what you are experiencing

Lesley G

Reviewed April 2019

Vietnam Adventure

I had high expectations for this trip and I was not disappointed. The trip was perfectly described in the brochure and offers an unforgettable experience of this fascinating country.

Most Inspirational Moment

There were lots from watching in disbelief as mopeds carrying everything weave between each other in Hanoi, to the mysterious Halong Bay, to the beautiful lanterns in Hoi An to the vibrancy of Saigon. I particularly enjoyed being part of a group to share the whole experience with. And of course having a Vietnamese guide who gave us such an in depth insight into this country.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Tan Nguyen, made the trip. He gave us such an insight into the life and culture, as well as share some wonderful stories with us. His knowledge of Vietnam and his spoken English was excellent and everything was always done with a smile. We were never disappointed with his restaurant recommendations. On numerous occasions he guided us safely across the busy roads. Anyone who has been to Vietnam will know that this is no mean feat!

Advice for Potential Travellers

It is a hectic schedule with some early starts and a lot of travelling including the overnight reunification train. There is also plenty of walking in hot humid conditions. But if you want to see and really experience this country, I cannot think of a better way of doing it. Taking a silk sleeping bag liner for the train is very useful and a pack of cards to pass the time away with fellow travellers! Also, when changing cash in Hanoi, they much preferred new notes. They weren’t keen on my crumpled £20 notes!

Cindy Cochrane

Reviewed April 2019

Exceedingly Good Trip

it was a fantastic holidays exceeding all our expectations.

Most Inspirational Moment

The 2 cycling trips in Hui and Hoian were exciting and memorable. Cycling in busy Hui city was an experience compared to non. Visiting the organic farms in Hoian demonstrated the fundamentals and the source of the freshness and originality of the Vietnamese cuisines. The trip to Me Son visiting the Champa kingdom and seeing the ruins gave me a different historical and religious perspectives about the country which I knew little about before the visit.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Quan was an excellent tour guide and group leader. He provided second to non travel customer service. Travel and visits were arranged like a well oil engine, everything went smoothly. Although the itineraries were structured he listened and tapped into the needs and desires of our group and would alterer to suit. He was very generous with information. Apart from the factual historical facts he also accompanied these with his social commentaries giving a personal and fascinating perspectives into the country from someone who has lived through the tremendous political and social changes of his country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Fabulous and worthwhile experience for first time visit to Vietnam as the journey from Hanoi to Saigon gave a very comprehensive exploration of the country geographically, culturally, historically and politically not to mention the different and changing cuisine during the travel.

Mervyn Jupe

Reviewed April 2019

Don't understand this

Well organised and very good well informed guides. Very comprehensive trip.
Grateful for arriving a day early and leaving a day later arrangements – accommodation & airport transfers.
Excellent accommodation.
Very variable activities – some included (cycling) and some optional (kayaking, cooking)
Hoi An – too touristy.
Saigon – uninteresting.
Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, My Son, Tunnels, Mekong delta, Angkor temples, Floating villages – all excellent.
Phnom Penn s21 prison and nearby “killing fields” – very harrowing.
Meals – some were relatively expensive and I found with a good breakfast that I only needed a snack at lunchtime if eating a full meal in the evening.

Most Inspirational Moment

see above

Thoughts on Group Leader

see above

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't need passport photos for Angkor complex pass. They take your photo when getting your pass.

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