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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323 Reviews

4.8 out of 5

Peter James

Reviewed December 2014

Fantastic Holiday

I booked this holiday right at the last minute and was nervous that I had made the right decision – I am so glad I did! This was my first cycling holiday and the first time I had been on a bike in 5 years. It was tough but great fun.
The whole holiday was organised to perfection from start to finish.
Great to meet new people and experience Vietnam on 2 wheels.
Vietnam was beautiful and the people so friendly.
I would recommend this holiday to anyone – I wish I could go again tomorrow!

Most Inspirational Moment

Aside from the great company, beautiful country and people, it was amazing to see a country that had been through so much in recent history and, although not wanting to forget the past, looking forward to their future with no bitterness of past events.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Mot Hai Ba .....Yoh! "oi choy oi" Long was great fun, full of knowledge and nothing was too much trouble

Advice for Potential Travellers

Although I hadn't been on a bike in 5 years, I wish I had done some practise. Not for fitness reasons but my backside was oh so sore for a few days!

Lynne Tyson

Reviewed December 2014

Awesome. Best holiday ever. Just do it!

Can’t praise Exodus enough. Felt like I’d been away a month we packed so much in! It was fantastic. Stunning scenery, great people, ‘undulating’ cycling, quiet early morning roads, water buffalo, paddy fields, mountains, hilarious nights out and on trains, sooo much good food and (occasional) beers. I’ve come home with so many great photos and memories and am already thinking about my next trip. The cycling was always a comfortable pace.The bus journeys, whilst long, were fine…(and I don’t normally do buses). Halong Bay took your breath away.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many...getting up Hai Van pass unaided and cycling every mile of course. But really it was the people, so unfazed by the unfairness of the country's past, always looking forward without regret or anger. The children coming out in droves to bring flowers and give high fives brought a tear to the eye and the memories will remain with me for ever. Halong bay was the most beautiful place I've ever seen. So many other things...Fresh fish in Hoi Ann. The beer foray through 3rd class on the train. 30km down in the cold and the rain. Food, food, food.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Dhan was absolutely brilliant, so extremely well organised, hard working and knowledgeable as our leader and proud of his country's history. He never stopped working, but was great at socialising too (rice wine night and Dhan's bar!) The bike team were excellent too, with mangos, nuts and the famous lemon juice within seconds of stopping.....and the lump of ice they gave me near the top of Hai Van pass was very welcome indeed. Great team!

Advice for Potential Travellers

The support was so good you don't need bike tools, energy drinks etc. I took them all and only used the high 5 zero tabs to add to my water. Don't expect toilets and changing facilities when cycling...the jungle is all purpose. Do take baby wipes, sanitiser! Take a big suitcase, there is a North face shop that's cheap, plus tailors and baggy pants to buy! Don't take too many clothes, you intend changing to travel after cycling but no one does! Nighttime is casual and laundry services are excellent anyway. Cycle a bit before you go.

Reviewed November 2014

A fantastic way to see Vietnam

If you want to really experience Vietnam, this is the way to do it. Riding through villages that have little exposure to tourism was what this trip was about for me – seeing how the rural Vietnamese live and work. The immense skill and ingenuity when it comes to fishing and farming. The highly excited children wanting to wave or ‘high five’ (careful though as some do it with enthusiasm), adults waving and saying hello, the absolutely beautiful landscape and fantastic food. I spent the entire trip with a huge grin on my face.

Most Inspirational Moment

Every day brought another fantastic experience. My favourite day included taking a mid morning dip on a remote beach we cycled to. The water was warm, sand fine and golden, big waves to play in and apart from the rest of the group, not another soul in sight. Jumping back on the bike afterwards I just felt exhilarated and energised, despite the heat that day.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We couldn't have asked for a better group leader. Long Le was our ultimate host, guide and friend. The support team were amazing too. Always on hand to help, even if you didn't realise you needed it. For example, water bottles were filled magically at each stop whilst we were stuffing our faces with snacks, treats downed with the cold lime drink the team made for us.

Advice for Potential Travellers

If you are not particularly fit, this could be a challenging holiday. The 'undulating' (aka hilly) parts of the rides are made more difficult by the heat and humidity. Also, because this holiday crams in so much there are long periods on the bus so make sure you bring along some distractions for the longer journeys. Oh, and don't expect a lie in, in the mornings!

Reviewed November 2014

An undulating trip that is great for libido

Did I think I could cycle some 300 miles around Vietnam? Never!
Would I go back and do it all again tomorrow? Yes, in a heartbeat. A wonderful trip to an amazing country which truly has given me (and others) such joy. Very well organised by Exodus.

Most Inspirational Moment

So many to choose from but cycling through villages where children are just so excited to come out and say hello and high 5 you. Others include just immersing yourself into their culture and dont get me started on the food - it was incredible.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Words cannot praise Long Le enough. From the first moment, he took away all the stresses of travelling and being in a new country and allowed the group to relax and enjoy themselves. His smile and infectious happiness was a joy to behold. His team were also equally magnificent and the 4 of them worked seamlessly together. Long Le is a special person, and to be treated to lunch with his family says so much about the generosity and spirit of the man. Nice painted toe nails as well!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Go there and get involved and enjoy this wonderful place. Re: the cycling, do some training as the heat can sap you of energy so preparation is important. You can get money anywhere from ATMs so that is not an issue either. Allow yourself some additional time at either end of the holiday to enjoy the area even more.

Reviewed November 2014

Best holiday of my life! Book it!!!

Words can’t really encapsulate why this trip is so so brilliant …. Vietnam is an amazing country! From lush green countryside to stunning white sandy beaches, the scenery is breathtaking. And what better way to see it than on the back of a bike?! Everybody travels by two wheels in Vietnam, including us! But it’s not just the scenery that makes this a special country.. It’s really the people. Happy happy people who love to see you cycling through their villages (i think really they think we’re all bonkers cycling in the heat!) – the kids run out of their homes to shout hello and try to catch a high five! I knew it was going to be a special trip from the get go when a Vietnamese lady who’d been sitting near me on the plane came over at the baggage carousel to give me a hug goodbye! That’s typical of the Vietnamese people – full of joy. And that really was probably my favourite bit of the trip, the people. Of course, Halong Bay is stunning, and riding 30km downhill through a beautiful valley, have also been imprinted on my memory too! In fact, I wish I could experience it all again right now!

Most Inspirational Moment

Making it to the top of 4 giant undulations (hills, but I think the leaders think undulations sound less scary!) without getting off my bike. My gears were on 1-1 and I was puffing and panting and sweating but I made it to the top without walking. Gave a little sob amongst the gasps for air when I got there!

Thoughts on Group Leader

What can I say about Danh apart from amazing, amazing, amazing! The very best tour leader we could have wishes for - we wanted for nothing. The bikes were brilliantly looked after, snacks and drinks on offer at stops, water bottles mysteriously refilled etc etc, and all of this organised by Danh. His knowledge of Vietnam was brilliant and I really think he showed us the real Vietnam. He avoided tourist trap restaurants and took us to local places which were brilliant. I can't say enough about Danh really, he's a credit to Exodus and a credit to Vietnam.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Start training!! This is a fitness holiday, not a mooch on flat backroads. The trip notes need to be updated, on one day we cycled 114km, which is no mean feat! Vietnam is not flat, it's hilly, and you will be cycling sometimes on main roads with trucks flying past you. Exodus have given this trip a moderate rating but I'm reasonably fit and I'd say it's more than moderate. But don't let this put you off, just get on your bike before you go and do some uphill rides! And don't forget a padded gel seat cover or your own saddle!

Reviewed October 2014

Cycle Vietnam

An excellent ride amongst stunning scenery, beautiful food and very friendly and welcoming people

Most Inspirational Moment

I think riding and reaching the high point of the trip

Thoughts on Group Leader

Chi was excellent- he was very knowledgeable about Vietnam with history, culture and customs, had a very easy personality and lead us very well.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Hire the excellent bikes there - really well maintained , exceedingly suitable for the often rugged roads and always maintained by the mechanic and the other drivers Take advantage of the food kitty idea for morning tea etc- cold clean drinks and water always on hand plus lots of nuts and fruits. Saves a lot of effort to find the snacks yourself Temperature in October still really hot (eg 35 deg celcius) and would want it hotter!

Reviewed October 2014

Cycling Vietnam MOV

One of my best holidays ever. The whole group (there were 7 of us) were looked after from the moment we arrived in Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) to when we left Hanoi at the end of the trip. The scenery, organisation, accomodation, food and cycling were superb. I have stayed in some good hotels in my time but the ones chosen by Exodus for this trip were simply superb

Most Inspirational Moment

The trip around Halong Bay in the boat and the kayaks was truly fantastic and we were lucky enough to be lead by Danh (who must surely be the best tour leader ever) and he helped us to find the monkeys which inhabit some of the rocks in Halong Bay:- we were lucky enough to see them virtually at arms length.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our tour leader, Danh, was truly inspirational. Nothing was too much trouble, he organised absolutely everything and we really did not need to think for ourselves as Danh had already thought of it for us! When we went to the local restaurants for dinner we didn't reallyhave to look at the menu as Danh had already found out from the chef what was the best to eat and we simply had to pick up our chopsticks (you do get used to they quite quickly) and get stuck in! He made us feel totally safe when we were cycling and we had no worries at all whilst cycling either through the busy streets or up the steepest inclines (undulations he used to call them). We also had Li as our mechanic and he was a saviour to some in the group as he gave them a helpful push up some of the inclines. Danh's knowledge of the route and the history of his country was huge and he truly enjoyed himself during our trip. Exodus should be very proud to have him in their team he is an asset to your company.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't take too many clothes!! You will not need them. T-shirts and shorts are really the order of the day. I took 2 pairs of long trousers, 2 long sleeve shirts and 2 pairs of proper shoes and did not need them at all.

Reviewed October 2014

Excellent introduction to a fascinating country

This is a great way to experience a lot of Vietnam in very short period of time. Using the bikes allows you to get to parts that you simply wouldn’t get to on a more conventional coach-based tour; small lanes and roads that are just about wide enough to get a bike through. The trip shows aspects of recent and ancient Vietnamese history in equal measure and, if you ask the right questions, you can get a feel for life is like in Vietnam in the here and now.

Most Inspirational Moment

Climbing the pass in the middle of the second week was certainly an achievement for everyone on the trip, even the hardened cyclists.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The leader on our trip, Long Le, was fantastic and probably the best leader of the four Exodus trips I've done. Nothing seemed to be too much trouble and he was equally attentive to all in the group. His walking tours around the food markets were excellent and allowed us all an opportunity to try food we'd never get back in the UK - duck brain and tongue anyone? He was incredibly organised and efficient in checking us in and out of the hotels and getting us moving in the morning.

Advice for Potential Travellers

This is a pretty full on trip with early starts almost every day. Breakfast was usually at 6am with cycling or coach journeys starting an hour later. A few of the days include quite long bus journeys, either getting to the start of the cycling or at the end to get to the hotel, so take an iPod or a book to read. There were a couple of opportunities to get laundry done so don't over pack; it's very cheap - about $1USD per kilo of washing. Just embrace everything that there is to see and do and you won't go wrong on this trip.

kai ng

Reviewed October 2014

A great holiday

This was a great holiday that combined the best of so many things: cycling in the mountains, villages and sea front, tours around beautiful UNESCO sites and visits to some war museums, tunnels and (independent/self paid) Ho Chi Minh mausoleum; they were very interesting to learn and experience. The food is really good too especially the simple staple (and always cheap) phos and noodles, go easy on the chilies!

Most Inspirational Moment

Halong Bay is a beautiful place to go to. Photos just don't do it justices. You need to surround yourself among the sea and mountains to feel the atmosphere. Cycling though the villages was touching; many of the local children and some adults often welcomed us with cries of "hello" and hi-fived us with smiles as we cycled by.

Thoughts on Group Leader

The group leader, Chi, is friendly and knowledgeable. He is able to answer all sorts of questions like local culture/life, country/continent politics, food and of course the logistics of the holiday in an interesting way. Ask him about the HCM Vietnam song that is taught at schools.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Generally clue yourself up on the common sense / street sense things like; bartering is a way of life for them (do it friendly and calmly) and be aware (but not too paranoid) of the list of scams that can happen. The exchange rate is a crazy big number, find ways to quickly do mental calculations and get use to the extra zeros (10,000 dong is about 30p). Crossing the roads in the cities is crazy too. There's lots of mopeds and hooting. It's not aggressive, but just a "I'm here, be careful" message. Just walk across slowly and they will just calmly go around you.

Philip Crist

Reviewed September 2014

Vietnam August 2014

Our best holiday ever. We were looked after from the moment we arrived in Ho Chi Minh to when we left Saigon. The scenery, organisation, accomodation, food and cycling were superb. Having visited many Asian countries before, Vietnam is definitely my favourite. This was our first cycling holiday and also our first group tour and we will definitely be back for more.

Most Inspirational Moment

It is impossible to come up with one inspirational moment as there were so many of them. High Fiving children in villages and the shouts of Hello from them has to be up there, along with the open air dentist surgery we passed. Perhaps the most surreal moment was when one of the local farmers stopped working to take a photo of us - shows how few tourists travel on some of these routes

Thoughts on Group Leader

Lam was great. His enthusiasm, sense of humour, passion just shone through. He was very safety conscious but did not let it get in the way of us having fun . His recomendations of places to eat and dishes to try were always spot on. His knowledge of the route and the history was huge and he was also patient enough to teach us some key vietnamese words and phrases. Credit also has to go to the rest of the Exodus team who were always welcoming us with much need refreshments at every stop

Advice for Potential Travellers

Think about how you carry your camera so that it is quickly accessable whilst riding without getting in the way and make sure the camera battery is fully charged for the start of each day.

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