Trails of Vietnam

Customer Reviews

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  Cathy

  · December 2nd, 2023
  Our guide Ha was fabulous. His knowledge was very good and informative. He gave 110% all the time. The tour gave us an authentic experience of the different minority groups with the 3 home stays and dinner with a family in Hue. The food was superb. The hiking could be completed my most people. The bikes were near new and the 60kms over two days were enjoyable. The locals often greeted us with waves and broad smiles as they don’t have tourist is their villages. Could not fault the tour.
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  Exodus Adventure Travels commented on this review

  We are so happy to hear that you had a great time on our Trails of Vietnam tour and we really appreciate you sharing your thoughts and providing us with feedback. We are thrilled that Ha was so wonderful and we know our local team will be happy to hear... Show more
  
  Trip date: November 2023
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  David Gristwood

  · January 29th, 2012
  Vietnam is a fascinating place, and this trip really covers it, from north to south, taking in all the sights and all the places you would expect. All very slick, very smooth, good locations, and a fascinating tour guide. The only downside
  Trip date: January 2012
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  Andy Smith

  · January 23rd, 2012
  An intensive introduction to a wonderful country. Hikes and bikes took us off the beaten tracks. Very well organised and we were well looked after. Thoroughly recommended.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Cycling through back paths on the Mekong delta, where kids rushed out to see us, (as they don't see tourists there), showed us the contrasts of the country, but also how naturally friendly the people are, even those not trying to make a living out of tourists.What did you think of your group leader?Never without a smile, efficient and solicitous, he gave us confidence, and his knowledge of the whole country and its history made the necesary long distances interesting.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Cold in the North, very hot in the South. Tell the guide if you get a dicky tummy, ancient ginger will fix it better than our drugs.Is there anything else you would like to add?Vietnam is a strange country when you first arrive, especially if you start in Hanoi. Relax and you will quickly find your feet.  Walking was not arduous, cycling stepped up the gears later, but the bus was always around if it got too strenuous. Most of us were mere leisure cyclists, and coped admirably.
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  Trip date: January 2012
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  Helen Paine

  · January 22nd, 2012
  An excellent trip, a great way to see the highlights of the country. A pleasing mix of activity and sight seeing.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Halong Bay has to be one of the highlights; fabulous views and a fantastic lunch on board on the first day.  However. Hue was also a beautiful place with wonderful shopping!What did you think of your group leader?He was really well organised, full of interesting information although sometimes a little too much for my taste.   It was sometimes difficult to understand the plan for the day and therefore what we needed to have in our day packs.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Pack your clothes in bags in your main bag, helps to keep thigs organised as you do not spend many nights in the same place!  Have your insect repellant to hand at the Cu Chi Tunnels - we didn't!Is there anything else you would like to add?Some of the walks and cycling were less than the itinary sugested - this was an issue to some on the trip.
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  Trip date: January 2012
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  Rafik Taibjee

  · January 18th, 2012
  A great way to see Vietnam, with a little activity thrown in. Vietnam had it all with history, culture, friendly people and amazing food too!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Kayaking in Halong bay was amazing - tranquil waters with incredible island scenery and the sun setting, and seeign the moneys on the cliff aboveWhat did you think of your group leader?Thuy was great.  He was attentive to the needs of the individual group members sorting out little issues when they arose.  He was passionate about the history of his country and this showed.  He made sure we had fun on new year's eve and it was agreat night out, and the group stuck together til 2am.  He also got us singing karaoke on our halong bay cruise.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?leave space in your suitcase to bring stuff home.  I had a suit had in hoi-an which is lovely and i'm pleased with - for £200, also lots of opportunity to buy paintings and embroidery, and with all the amazing foods we tried most people wanted to take home something, even if it was coconut toffee or banana chips or fish sauce.The internal flights officially limit to 20kg but in reality don't really get too stressed if you are at 23 or 24kgIs there anything else you would like to add?The trip notes sound like there will be more walking and cycling than there actually was.  There was nothing that was wrong on the notes but one needs to understand there is a lot of travelling on the bus on this trip which then limits the amount of time doing activities like the walking and cycling.Of all the things we did, I was least inspired by the stay in mai chau, as we all had to share one room sleeping on mattresses on the floor, and there wasn't much to do (we paid some local teenagers to put on a show and drank lots of rice wine which made for a good night in the end).  I think a tour of the same length but without mai chau might be better as then could spend more time in halong bay or hue, for example.
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  Trip date: January 2012
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  Timothy Brooks

  · November 1st, 2011
  A rapidly modernising country with a wealth of culture, history and architecture. Wonderful food, friendly people and a scenic country, but sadly not much wildlife - it's all been eaten or caged.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?The boat trip and kayaking in Malong Bay, a World Heritage Site.What did you think of your group leader?Our group leader was organised, supportive and wore his heart on his sleeve. He was conscripted by the communists to fight in the army and was made to fight in the jungle, where he saw dreadful atrocities and lost some dear friends. Thankfully, he's now happily married with two daughters. He demonstrated that despite the dreadful times he'd suffered, the human spirit shines though.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Make sure you bring a spare bag, or some room in your main bag. I'm not a shopper, but the quality and price of made-to-measure clothes in Hoi An is something one can't pass up. I got two beautiful suits made for work, and some of the ladies on the trip got some great leather boots made for them.Is there anything else you would like to add?Don't be scared about eating in corner street restaurants, or even on the street. If the Vietnamese are eating there, you can bet it's good (just stay clear of the dog, rats and snake ;-)). The cuisine is excellent, fresh ingredients and prepared safely - none of our group suffered any upset stomachs. You should definitely try the Pho (noodle soup). The seafood is also wonderful. Not so sure about the blended wine though, better sticking to beer!
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  Trip date: November 2011
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  Neil Hayward

  · August 23rd, 2011
  An interesting and actvie tour of vietnam. The guide was informative and funny, and the vietnamese people warm and friendly. A great country, and a great way to see it!What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?There were many inspirational moments, from visiting Ho Chi Min in his mauselium, to drinking Granny's "special" rice wine. From a visit to a buddist orphanage to scrambling along the cu chi tunnels to cycling in the Mekong delta. Lots of great memories!What did you think of your group leader?A highly amusing and knowledgable group leader, who kept us all in check!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Expect to come back a few pounds heavier, as vietnamese food is fresh, tasty, cheap and plentiful! Is there anything else you would like to add?Expect to get wet, as the rain can get heavy, but also to have the sun cream ready for when the suns out. And it can be very, very humid, so keep drinking water, local beer or rice wine!
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  Trip date: August 2011
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  Katherine Millward

  · April 10th, 2011
  Loved Vietnam, beautiful food, stunning scenery, fascinating history. The trip was hectic, perhaps too hectic at times and does not allow enough time in each place to really soak in the local atmosphere or to explore on your own. Felt like we were on a strict schedule which could not be altered
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  Trip date: April 2011
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  Elizabeth Fox

  · December 7th, 2010
  Excelllent holiday, well run tour with lots of different experiances. Quite a lot of travelling but worth it to see the wonderful sights.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?I can't narrow it down to one so ...Halong Bay is magical, and cycling in the Mekong delta in monsoon rain was fun and  the hospitality of the homestay's was wonderful.What did you think of your group leader?Knowledgable and keen to meet the needs of all the group.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?The travel notes really cover all advice needed, medical advice supported not taking anti-malerial tablets and I was fine just used plenty of mosquito repellent.Is there anything else you would like to add?The holiday was B/C grade however it did not meet my previous experiances of a challenging rating. the weather rather than the acitvities may have made it nearer a C , but I believe the grading needs reviewing. 
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  Trip date: December 2010
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  Paul Pavli

  · December 7th, 2010
  Action packed introduction to an amazing country. A really full programme, loads of variety,stunning scenery,fabulous food, tranquil beauty and mad city life. Worth it just to learn how to cross over a Saigon road ! Will go again ! What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Well mad as it sounds learning how to trust other road users to avoid you when you are crossing the road opened up an almost buddhist sense of the interelationship of everybody to each other and the need to trust other people.What did you think of your group leader?Group leader was great-hap[py to organise and be flexible as well-history is taken very seriously here though-be warned the talks are intended to be listened to!Do you have any advice for potential travellers?  Anti-midge cream!  Dont be afraid of getting wet-its like having an outdoor shower! Is there anything else you would like to add?Would be great to take longer-could easily be a 3 week tour.
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  Trip date: December 2010