Reviews

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 ...

Most Inspirational Moment

Halong bay, Mekong delta also cycling away from the towns.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Very good leader, certainly passionate to do a good job, even rearranged new years eve a night later because we missed new years eve on the train.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Glad I had ear plugs for the noisy railway.

Most Inspirational Moment

No one inspirational moment stands out, but highlights included Hue, Hoi An, the My Son temples, the Cu Chi tunnels and the overnight homestay in the Mekong. Plus the cycling trips, both included and optional.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bien was a great leader. Organised, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about his country. Always willing to let us know about things we were seeing or passing, and an authority on most things we saw on the trip. If anything he was too willing to let us know about things, but it was generally a bonus. He made the trip go smoothly, and was happy to chat to us about the country, his family and the history.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It does get surprisingly cold and wet in Hanoi, don't forget some warm clothes and waterproofs/umbrella. The Hanoi/Halong bay part of the trip is fairly manic after you arrive, but it does calm down once you get to Hue. The cycling trips are worth doing, and the cookery was surprisingly good fun for a non-cook. The overnight train is defintely basic, but go along with it and it's a fun experience - and not so different to sleeper trains in other countries. The war remnants museum in Ho Chi Minh city is sobering but worth spending time in, and make sure you grab a drink in the bar in the Bitexco tower - not the easiest bar to find, but persevere and the views are great.

Most Inspirational Moment

Halong Bay boat trip and swimming in the Gulf of Tonkin

Thoughts on Group Leader

Excellent, nothing was too much trouble, lots of extra activities on offer, sorted out a birthday cake for my wife..

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go to Vietnam before it changes. Get up early at Angkor Wat to avoid the crowds

Most Inspirational Moment

There was many inspirational moments of the trip but I guess if I had to pick one it would be the homestead on the Mekong river.

Thoughts on Group Leader

He was a lovely man not 100% sure how to spell or the pronunciation of his name but it was something like Com or Cong. Anyway he was great took us to good restaurants looked after us and gave us a good insight to his home country.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go with the flow have a good look around the city's the local people are really lovely and so helpful. I for one will be going back.

Most Inspirational Moment

Difficult to agree on one aspect, but all aspect of Halong Bay trip and Mekong Delta homestay stand out - scenery, food, hospitality, management/information. Disappointed can no longer swim in Halong Bay.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Group varied greatly in age and expectation. Cong, our Group Leader, handled this challenge well. At restaurants learnt to take his recommendations - squid stuffed with pork at Hoi An outstanding!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Cycle ride may appear daunting for some - go for it. Well organised, mainly flat, good bikes (helmets included), super scenery, paddy fields, river fishing and local life.

Most Inspirational Moment

The boat trip around Ha Long Bay was fabulous - at first sight the boat looked a little worn , but when on board - the interior of the boat was beautiful - dark polished wood - and looked amazing when set up for dinner. The food was wonderful (although as a non fish eater I had a vegetarian option). Ha Long Bay was stunning - I could have happily spent several days cruising around. We did two cycle rides through the paddy fields , through local villages. This was fascinating as you saw the real life side of Vietnam - not just the touristy parts. Everywhere we went the locals were welcoming & friendly - and the kids loved to give you a wave. Hoi An is a lovely town - although very touristy - but a delight for shopping. My husband had two shirts made in Yally - and I had two dresses made in another (cheaper) local shop. When I collected them, I had another one made as they were so good & fitted well - my cotton dress cost about £12 & was made in a few hours. I would also recommend the cookery lesson in Hoi An.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Vinh Bui was a really great tour guide. He was always very helpful & informative - and even tried teaching us some Vietnamese words - and explaining about local culture, life, etc. Vinh took us to many local restaurants to sample the local dishes - not the usual tourist haunts or hotels - which were all very good. They were obviously good as they were full of locals not tourists !

Advice for Potential Travellers

Accept Vietnam as it is - a beautiful country & people - although I think it will change quite rapidly as there is a lot of development being done - so go before it's too late!

Most Inspirational Moment

Halong Bay was special for me as a scenery freak but the experience of the Cu Chi tunnels was also fascinating.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Leader was good and what he lacked in linguistic fluency he made up for in enthusiasm

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take the optional bike trips, they're a great way to feel part of the environment

Most Inspirational Moment

Halong Bay, the home stay in the Mekong Delta and our 3 day stay in Hoi An were all very special

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader Bien Tran was exceptional- he always went above and beyond what we expected and nothing was ever too much trouble and he was incredibly knowledgeable

Most Inspirational Moment

It is impossible to pinpoint as there were so many inspirational moments - pretty Halong Bay and Mekong Delta, crazy and busy but interesting Saigon with the cyclotour which was great fun, the fascinating Cu Chi Tunnels and various temples.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bien was a great leader, very interesting and a great sense of humour. Very enthusiastic and informative and managed not to lose anyone!!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take clothes for all weathers, travel light and enjoy yourself.