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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178 Reviews

4.7 out of 5

Susan Darling

Reviewed March 2017

Fantastic Vietnam Adventure

This trip is well named and proved to be a most enjoyable adventure from north to south Vietnam. We experienced so many different things from the hustle and bustle of Hanoi and Saigon to the peacefulness of Halong Bay. We walked a lot, climbed to get the best views, we cycled, we travelled by road, rail, boat and aeroplane. We stayed in excellent hotels, a very well run boat and a very welcoming home stay.

Most Inspirational Moment

Witnessing the resourcefulness, resilience and work ethic of the Vietnamese people, their smiles and how well they have built up their country after the horrific war. Arriving in the hustle and bustle in Hanoi with motorbikes every which way.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our group leader, Thuy le, was wonderful, very likeable and hardworking. Nothing was ever too much trouble for him. He gave us an informative insight into Vietnamese history and culture. He answered our endless questions with patience and ease. He had excellent organisational skills. Everything worked like clockwork. Buses miraculously appeared and tables were always laid up ready as we walked into a recommended restaurant. He made sure we tried a variety of different types of excellent restaurants and escorted us back to the hotel if that's what we wanted. He had a wonderful sense of humour which was contagious and made for a very happy group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

In February/March, bring warm clothes for the north and be prepared for very hot and humid weather further south. Bring rainwear as well. Travel light as laundering can be done locally very cheaply. Bring a small overnight bag for the boat in Halong Bay and the homestay in the Mekong Delta. Having clothes tailor-made in Hoi An (or elsewhere) is great so bring a picture etc of anything you want copied, although they do have their own catalogues to chose from

Helen Burrell

Reviewed March 2017

Vietnam Adventure

This truly was an adventure in Vietnam! From busy and interesting Hanoi to a lovely overnight in Halong Bay. The night train journey to Hue was an experience ; I slept well, though probably in the minority! Hue is a lovely city with its Citadel, and we had a delicious meal at a local family house. Hoi An is wonderful, a very walkable town and full of character and lanterns. We were glad to spent 3 nights there. Ho Chi Minh City is a fascinating city ; from there to a most enjoyable trip to the Mekong Delta and a homestay on an island. A perfect trip!

Most Inspirational Moment

Halong Bay My Son Cu Chi Tunnels

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was Thuy Le. We thought he was a lovely, warm and most informative guide. He was most efficient, everything went like clockwork, buses just appeared with no delays along the way. He gave us an interesting cultural insight in his country, also joining us for meals and putting us right on menus. A really good leader and popular guide.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book this tour! You won't regret it. Don't forget your camera charger, you will see so many photo opportunities, including the variety of goods one can bring on a motorbike! We saw a mattress, television, wheelbarrow, chickens, a ladder, and lots more. Bring a sleeping bag liner for the train. Bring tissues and hand gel, although many loos are fine.

Roger & Helen Pickard

Reviewed March 2017

Fantastic Trip

This was our first trip to Asia and it proved to be very special. We were taken care of from start to finish making for a worry free holiday and Vietnam turned out to be a gem of a country. The people, the scenery, the history, the experiences all combined to make a fantastic trip with a great group of people and a very special leader.

Most Inspirational Moment

The amazing streets of Hanoi, sailing in Hulong Bay even though the weather wasn't too great, and the Mekong Delta homestay. The gruelling history of the Vietnam war.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader Thuy Le was a star, he never tired of answering our endless questions, always with charm and a sense of humour. He went the extra mile on many occasions taking us to amazing restaurants lunchtimes and evenings that we never would have found on our own.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel light, we slept in 8 different beds in two weeks! Be prepared for the temperature differences between north and south and for living out of a suitcase for two weeks. Take some comfortable walking shoes.

Annie Holmes

Reviewed March 2017

Fantastic holiday:amazing people

This was an adventurous holiday: we got to try so many types of delicious food from street to best restaurants. We learnt from our guide Thuy all about the terrible conflict against the Americans and the devastation caused by Agent Orange. Despite the 20 year war the country appears to be on the up. We sailed around Halong Bay, traveled on the overnight train to Hue, cycled alongside paddy fields and stayed with a family in the Mekong Delta. It was hectic but exciting.

Most Inspirational Moment

I loved seeing all the families walking around the lake in Hanoi at the weekend, playing lots of games from tug of war to skipping. The food was marvellous, delicious and fragrant. And lastly how well the folk of Vietnam have managed after the horrific Vietnam War against the Americans.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thuy Le was superb and imparted so much knowledge of his county to us with it being over load. He even located a hat my husband left behind on a coach 400 miles away: nothing was too much trouble for Thuy.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The torches we were advised to take were not needed! If you want garments made up in Hoi An go with an idea or picture with you as this will save a lot of time. I wish I had taken a couple of smarter outfits to wear in Ho Chi Minh at the end of the tour. Thuy sorted out local folk to do our washing which was very cheap so you don't need to take as much. If you get the chance go to see a show in Ho Chi Minh at the opera house called AO its got a tremendous group of acrobatics performing using bamboo poles and huge whicker baskets. I took two old sheets to sleep in on the train and was glad I did. Water bottles are useful as you can fill up on the bus.

Helen Tinsley

Reviewed March 2017

Vietnam Adventure

A comprehensive tour of Vietnam covering most of the tourist favourites. The hotels were good, the train an experience I would only want to do once!

Most Inspirational Moment

Ha Long Bay even though cloudy and cold. Hoi An vibrant touristy but lovely. Cu chi tunnels for the ingenuity of the Vietcong. Mekong Delta being on the water and experiencing the local village.

Thoughts on Group Leader

We had an excellent leader Viet. He had great knowledge and humour. I had a problem with the internal plane ticket which he solved and prevented me from having to buy another ticket.He choose great local restaurant s and ordered shared meals for the first few days. He was supportive of the workers in the community using their guide services.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Halong Bay was cold in February. Take warm clothes for the boat. If you like a pillow take something to add to train and Homestay pillows which were very thin.

Laura and Gavin Jones

Reviewed March 2017

Vietnam Adventure

A varied trip which covers the highlights of Vietnam.

Most Inspirational Moment

Halong Bay - floating gently amongst beautiful scenery whilst being fed the most amazing seafood! Hoi An - wandering around this UNESCO town and having a suit custom tailored. Cu Chi Tunnels - the gradual dawning of the terrible sacrifice of the Vietnamese people and their sheer resilience and ingenuity when fighting the Vietnam war. The tunnels at Ben Dinh really brought home the conditions during the Vietnam war. Mekong Delta - sleeping in the homestay and being genuinely welcomed by the family we stayed with. The countryside was beautiful.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thuy Le was kind, considerate and had a great sense of humour. His English vocabulary was extremely wide ranging. Nothing was too much trouble and he always went the extra mile to make sure that the group were well looked after. His organisational skills were excellent - the arrangements always went without a hitch. He was knowledgeable and always happy to answer questions remaining patient and cheerful even when many questions were "same same but different"!

Advice for Potential Travellers

Make sure that you have a smaller bag that you can pack into for the overnight trips to Halong Bay, the sleeper train and the Mekong Delta. The temperature difference between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is quite marked so bring a fleece for the first part of the trip.

Barbara Shaw

Reviewed March 2017

Vietnam adventure

Brilliant a very full Itinary. Everything went smoothly.
Our guide Viet was great he always made sure that everything was sorted properly and we always knew what the plans were for each day.
His knowledge was amazing about the history of Vietnam.
Always helpful and pleasant and we had lots of laughs as a group.

Most Inspirational Moment

The military museum in Saigon as it made me realise how much the people had suffered. Also the Church tunnels were amazing how clever they were in creating them.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Brilliant couldn't fault him his knowledge was amazing always checked what the plans were the night before and time we needed to be He made sure that everything went without any problems. He was great any problems any of us had he made sure it was sorted out,gave us good safety advise to keep us safe.We had some fun times with him and lots of laughs.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Book with Exodus an excellant Company

Roger Furze

Reviewed March 2017

A comprehensive North to South tour of Vietnam

On previous trips with Exodus many people were saying that they were very eager to visit Vietnam next. So I thought I would see for myself if it was as good as people were thinking. A year earlier I had visited China with Exodus, and if I’m honest I would have to say that China is by far the better option in terms of things to see, food, and the tourist experience. Vietnam is a country being swamped by tourists but they are still only just learning how to cope with that influx, and are financially challenged in their efforts to do so. Having said all that, I would urge you to see Vietnam first rather than China, because if you see China first you may be unimpressed with Vietnam

Most Inspirational Moment

Hoi An is a gem of a place to visit. A relaxed little town with hundreds of colourful lanterns filling the streets markets and river areas. Visit Vys market restaurant, it's a real experience with good food and a large choice. The market is great to wander through and there are many interesting shops, galleries and temples. Many of the key streets get closed off to all traffic and having experienced the mindless hordes of scooter drivers who ignore all traffic signs and rules, that is a godsend... if you need glasses, wait until you get there. There is a 24 hour service at a fraction of uk prices I think I lost out by not going on an organised bike ride. everyone who went really enjoyed it. There is a beach not far away, don't try like I did, to walk there, get a taxi they are so cheap. You may never want to leave this town and your next destination HCMC (Saigon) is so totally opposite

Thoughts on Group Leader

Bon was working tirelessly throughout the trip, always with a cheerful smile and with a unique knowledge of the best places to see or eat at.

Advice for Potential Travellers

The water puppets in Hanoi we're overrated, ok for children, but then this isn't a children's trip. Walk around the lake in Hanoi and you will see a different side to Hanoi than the side where the hotel is in the old quarter. The motor cyclists in Vietnam have a complete disregard of any road regulations, most ignore red lights and pedestrian crossings and many use the pavement or the wrong side of the road. Follow your quides instructions and walk slowly, don't run or give way, across the road. Vehicles dont travel fast so will almost certainly go round you. Not for the feint hearted and you need to take great care as local papers tell of many accidents...

Mark Buxton

Reviewed February 2017

Vietnam Adventure

I first travelled to Vietnam back in 2005 and it was always my intention to go back at some point in the future to see how things had changed. 12 years down the line, and I thought that now was an ideal time to go back.

Most Inspirational Moment

The trip I did this time was pretty much the same as the one I did in 2005 (with the exception of a trek in the hilltribes in the North). The first thing I must mention is the food in Vietnam. Vietnamese food is amazing. Whilst this wasn't a specific food trip, our guide had some excellent recommendations for eating. Going back to Halong Bay was something pretty special. We were lucky enough to have some very sunny weather whilst we were there. The boat we stayed on was very comfortable too - and the food was pretty impressive as well. We had some unseasonably cloudy and occasionally rainy weather in the middle portion of the trip around Hue and Hoi An, but that didn't detract from my enjoyment of those particular places. I particularly enjoyed the homestay in the Mekong Delta. It was my birthday on the day that we were there and I was particularly humbled by the local band who played happy birthday for me and also the family at the homestay made me a lovely birthday cake as well.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hai was a fantastic tour leader. As per some of the recent reviews on here, his sense of humour was fantastic and fitted in very well with our group. He had excellent food recommendations and nothing was too much trouble for him. He was an excellent guide, leader and organiser. He also arranged laundry for us in each place (if we wanted it) at considerably cheaper prices than the hotels. He is a credit to your organisation.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for not much sleep on the train journey. The cabins are very cramped, especially when you factor in everyone's luggage as well. Take US dollars - it's the easiest currency to change and I got very reasonable rates by changing it at the hotels we stayed in.

Deirdre Newman

Reviewed February 2017

Vietnam Adventure

A great trip offering a very good insight into Vietnam, its culture and people. Very varied in terms of places visited.
Covered a lot in 2 weeks which meant it was quite hectic at times and lots of early starts.

Most Inspirational Moment

Loved the cruise on Halong Bay - it was the most scenic part of the holiday. Also thoroughly enjoyed overnight stay at the Homestay. The house we stayed at was delightful and the surrounding area very peaceful and serene. Also enjoyed the cycle rides through the paddy fields and to the local market.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Hai was a great guide. Nothing too much trouble for him. Recommended some great restaurants and eating places including street cafes and local eateries. Offered a good range of optional excursions and activities but never pushed them on us. Had a great sense of humour and bonded well with our group.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Travel as light as you can as there are several opportunities to get laundry done very cheaply by local people (our guide arranged this in Hue and Hoi An). Take dollars with you (especially 1 dollar notes) as they are accepted almost every where (even by the laundry people) and are often preferred to dong.

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