Vietnam Adventure. (AOV). 19 Dec 2014. Broad ranging trip of almost the full length of Vietnam plus the Ankor Wat extention. From the riot of the Hanoi traffic to the calm of the Delta. From hot sunny weather to teeming rain. From the calm of a buddhist temple to budgie like noise of a Saigon Girly Bar. From the bumpy Cyclos' and tuk tuks to the smooth four wheel drive of Phonm Penh taxis. From the almost formal superb boat dinner on Hanlon Bay to the disgust of barbequed ducks tongues or baked silk worms. Variety Vietman has got it!
To repeat other reviews - action packed trip - more emphasis on cycling and not on sight-seeing like some other Exodus tours on offer. The distances, pace and elevations are rated moderate, but to some they would be challenging. The pace was faster than we normally go when touring - although there were frequent stops. Excellent organization and leadership from Lam and his team who refreshed us at regular intervals and kept our bikes in good shape. Their support couldn't have been better or more cheerful. Loved some of the quieter roads and villages but could have missed cycling through the city areas like Hue - unnecessarilly risky, in my view. High quality hotels all the way and some great meals. Not enough time to really see some overnight places like Da Lat. Overnight train trip an adventure but not for the faint of heart (toilets) or light sleepers. Great overnight boat experience in Halong Bay. We certainly saw the country from one end to the other.
Fabulous guide; wonderful country and people. Just do it! One of the best group trips (and I have been on quite a few) I have done simply due to the wonderful country, lovely warm locals, excellent guide and fun fellow travellers! We travelled on many modes of transport - bus, boat (motor, kayak, paddle), train, plane, bike, foot - saw a wide variety of landscapes - countryside, small villlages, big cities - learned (more) about the old and new history of this incredible country and experienced a wide variety of foods. We did visit some homes and centres where the locals showed us how they made items such as clay pots, toffee brittle, embroidery paintings etc; never was there pressure to purchase anything which made the experience that more enjoyable. This trip has everying - just do it!