Reviews

Most Inspirational Moment

The whole trip was fantastic Halong bay, Hoi An,Cu Chi Tunnels to name a few.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our leader was very good, looked after you very well. Loads of information and took use to some great restaurants. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

Watch out for bag snatchers mounted on scooters

Most Inspirational Moment

- Halong Bay-WOW! - Hoi- An -what a lovely town - Chi-Chi tunnels- so interesting - Mekong Delta- an amazing experience

Thoughts on Group Leader

Our guide was Lam who was so attentive to everyone's needs and very knowledgable.

Advice for Potential Travellers

It's quite an active holiday- not a problem for us, but a couple of the group found some of the activities too strenuous. Make sure you have a reasonable level of fitness.

Most Inspirational Moment

The overwhelming presence of scooters and motorbikes, often carrying large freight objects and livestock or 3 and even four people; this coupled with a driving style with no rules. Crossing the street is an art form to be learned, but seemed to be safe; just don't stop.What little of the rural life we saw on this town and culture based holiday was very interesting. We would have preferred more of the rural and to have had time to see and even photograph the somewhat limited and shy wildlife.We also found the museum relating to the war very moving and informative.The Homestay in the Mekon delta was another enjoyable feature because it was closer to the real Vietnamese.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Long was excellent and his company very enjoyable. He made good contact with each of the group and established a good spirit. He took us to many shops and markets and bought local specialities for us to try. He was very good with the locals.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Be prepared for the very very long flight of 13 to 13 and a half hours London to Kuala Lumpur and then the flights to Hanoi and back from Saigon. The internal flights, being shorter were less demanding and seemed roomier.

Most Inspirational Moment

I particularly loved our overnight stay in a wooden boat touring Halong Bay, soon after our arrival in Hanoi - and also enjoyed the leisurely 3 nights in Hoi An: a historical centre and a shoppers' paradise!

Thoughts on Group Leader

Nguyen was a gem - very enthusiastic and knowledgeable and full of energy!  He was a mine of information about all things historical and did his best to enable us to have an excellent holiday.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Watch your personal possessions!  Leave valuables and passport in the hotel safe. Muggers are about in the major cities!  Also take care to check your change - mistakes (sometimes intentional!) are made.

Most Inspirational Moment

Where do I start! From the bustling streets of Hanoi to the tranquillity of Halong Bay everywhere we visited was inspirational.  But, to pick one place, it would be Hoi An.  The beaches, the market, the river, the restaurants and all the charity work that happens there from the Streets cafe to the handicapped workshop making silver jewellery and embroidery. The old town, where we could walk and chat to the residents about what they were doing.  Everybody was friendly and welcoming.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Thang was a very informative group leader and gave a vast amount of knowledge about all aspects of Vietnamese culture and history.  He was friendly and fun and gave great insight into how the Vietnamese live and what they have been through to get where they are.  He is very passionate about his country and I wouldn't have known 90% of the information without him.

Advice for Potential Travellers

Don't take too much clothing, or too many dollars.  ATM's are available everywhere, and so is WIFI. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Halong Bay is amazing.  We were there when the rain was pouring down and then when the sun was shining.  It's one of those places that you have to stop and really appreciate where you are.  Unforgettable.  Equally unforgettable, but completely different, was being pedalled around Ho Chi Min city on a three-wheeled bicycle.  The motorcycle traffic that envelops you for the whole journey is indiscribable - you'll just have to try it for yourself. 

Thoughts on Group Leader

Priceless.  Linh, is a great team leader who works tirelessly to make your holiday as perfect as it can be.  However, what sets him apart from most other guides is his ability to explain things from a very personal perspective.  You can read as many books as you like, but none of them will provide Linh's personal touch.  He also takes you to places you'd never find in a guide book - restaurants that are tucked away on a back streets and the homes of local people.  

Advice for Potential Travellers

Take enough clothing for a week and wash it when you get there.  It costs about £1 per load.  That will give you plenty of luggage allowance to buy a super cheap suitcase in Hoi An and fill it with ridiculously cheap tailor-made clothes.

Most Inspirational Moment

Cycling in the beautiful countryside of Hoi Ann, past paddy fields, shrimp farms and banana plantations, spotting water buffalo, local dwelling places and fishermen along the way. A true snapshot of real Vietnamese life. Don't forget your camera and plenty of water!  Also the water puppets in Hanoi and the lantern festival in Hoi Ann were spectacular. The cottage industries were very interesting (you can see rice paper, coconut candy and much more being made and then you get to sample the finished products!).

Thoughts on Group Leader

Linh was fantastic. Nothing was too much trouble. He was extremely well organised, yet sensitive to the group's needs. Humerous and with an impressive command of English, Linh went way above and beyond expectations to ensure that everyone had a good time and was well looked-after. His knowledge and expertise of the country was second-to-none and his interesting and informative talks gave me a real insight into Vietnamese history and culture. We were all enchanted by the impromptu singing moments!

Advice for Potential Travellers

I travelled in August, so it was very hot and very humid, with short occasional bursts of rain, so pack accordingly. Vietnamese people dress modestly (I didn't once see a local lady wear a skirt) so slacks, T-shirts and long-sleeved light tops go down well. A brolly is great because you can use it for rain or as a parasol (if you're a lady)! Walking sandals were fine for most occasions. I didn't have a problem with mosquitos but I did take precautions so that's probably why! Crossing the road: much has been said about this and it's all true! Pandemonium in Hannoi and slightly more rdered chaos in Saigon. Fear not! Cycles and bikes WILL make a path around you - but keep an eye out for cars and vans, which are less forgiving!! Don't be phased by the incessant horn-beeping: you haven't done anything wrong - it's just their way of telling you they are there...! And if in doubt, cross with a local! You can get your laundry done very cheaply at Hoi Ann or Nha Trang (local family, NOT at the hotel which is expensive!), so pack lightly. You'll probably be taking back more clothes than you brought because you can get clothes made to fit in Hoi Ann at very good prices. Contrary to previous reviews, the Mekong Delta homestay is NOT communal sleeping - you will be in threes or fours and couples are given their own 'room'. The rooms are clean and comfortable and I had one of my best night's sleeps there! Mosquitos nets and bedding are provided so no need to take your own. Enjoy the experience - it's one I'll never forget! Oh- and do take US dollars (as well as GBP) as you get a better rate of exchange and it's widely accepted. 

Most Inspirational Moment

Almost too many to mention: Halong Bay, the Cu Chi tunnels, Hoi An- buying tailor made clothes, the cookery class there and cycle ride to the beach- the general melee of the traffic (especially in Hanoi and Saigon), the War Remnants Museum, a visit to Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and finally, for my daughter, the Water Puppet show in Hanoi.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Trong was great- friendly, knowledgeable, helpful and well organised. This was an unusual trip in that the group consisted of our family alone (parents plus "kids" aged 22 and 18) and Trong was able to relate to each of us well and was good fun to be with. He had lots of local contacts and recommendations for us and generally helped us to make the best of our time. 

Advice for Potential Travellers

You don't need too many dollars- we took 50% of anticipated spending which was too many. Agribank ATMs will allow you to draw 4, 000, 000 VND (about £120) for a 20,000 VND( 60p) fee-plus UK fee of course- other banks seemed to restrict the amounts to 2,000,000 for the same fee. You don't need a sheet sleeping bag for the Mekong Delta, though I am not unhappy with the beautiful silk ones I bought for 75000 VND each.Eating out etc is surprisingly cheap!If you are thinking of tailor-made clothes take photos from home if you particularly like any designs- the tailors are expert in making them.If you like milk in coffee you could consider taking some powdered milk since usually condensed milk is supplied.July was very humid and hot especially in the north but we had far less rain than anticipated and simply jumped into taxis (also v cheap) if it poured. Personally I was not troubled at all by mosquitos though my husband would disagree! We were fascinated by our visit to Ho Chi Minh's mausoleum, almost a pilgrimage for some Vietnamese and perhaps evidence of the influence of Communism, even today. This is not on the tour but well worth a visit.We found the laundry services at the hotels quite expensive, plus some things stretched and others shrunk........you have been warned!   

Most Inspirational Moment

Everything.............the trip was so diverse, couldn't mention one thing  that we didn't like. This trip has something for everyone.

Thoughts on Group Leader

Tom was fantastic and such good company too. There wasn't anything he wouldn't do for us. He went far beyond the expectations of your normal travel rep.

Advice for Potential Travellers

don't take too many clothes, or pack lightweight clothes. Plenty of places to buy more and there are two places to do laundry, one in Hoi an the other in Nha Trang. You don't really need Dollars, we took some and if you do take any exchange it to Dong as soon as you arrive in the airport in Hanoi ATM's everywhere so as long as you have a visa/debit you can use that but remember all the charges.....you can draw out normally 2,000,000 dong a time........about £60 ish plus your bank charges, their bank charges and the exchange rate but its still a handy option. If you are on the group flight and go via Malaysia get some local currency or Dollars for drinks and food.Take Malaria tablets, Deet 50 or 100 spray and long sleeved shirt and long trousers for the mekong delta as there are loads of mosquitos oh and a sleeping bag liner although the lodge is very good quality.(the only dodgy accommodation on this trip is the sleeper train although you aren't in it overnight, the journey is about 10 hours and you are in a 4 berth sleeper)a fantastic trip, well planned with no hassel........the guides are fantastic.....only negative, vietnam is poorer than thailand and tourism is in its infancy, near some of the hotels and sights there are the usual postcard, fruit sellers shirt sellers etc....they can be quite pushy but just be polite and patient and walk past them and they won't cause you any issues you will love it....enjoy