Travel is my greatest source of inspiration. Growing up in a challenging mountainous region, I've always dreamt of exploring the untouched beauty of nature, immersing myself in rich local cultures, and savoring the unique flavors of different places. I've saved money from part-time jobs to fund my travels, and each journey has left me with unforgettable experiences and valuable life lessons, especially from the people I've met and the places I've visited. In essence, for me, travel represents freedom, happiness, and the essence of an ideal life. Without it, life would lose its flavor and enthusiasm, leaving behind a bland and uninspiring existence.
I want you to also have the opportunity to experience the happiness and excitement of exploring the most captivating destinations in my homeland, and that's why I'm here to accompany you on your journey.
Welcome to Vietnam, welcome to Indochina, and welcome to these fantastic destinations.
What places and activities do you specialize in?
"We specialise in creating tours for Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar. Regardless of your preferred travel style, we excel in providing exceptional experiences. Whether you're interested in classic and cultural tours, honeymoon tours, off-the-beaten-path tours, food tours, adventure tours, luxurious getaways, or specialised MICE tours, we have them all covered."
How did you get involved in travel?
"After a wonderful trip to Ninh Binh with my best friend, I was inspired to help tourists, especially foreigners, when they visit my country. During a boat trip in Tam Coc, we met two foreigners who were exploring Vietnam on their own. They shared that they faced some challenges such as getting lost, language barriers, and hotels that weren't so great because they didn't have much information about the location. So, I gave them advice on the best places to go, good restaurants and hotels. It was a random encounter but by the end of the trip, they were truly grateful. They even gave me a special gift and we've kept in touch ever since. This experience sparked my passion to become a Travel Expert, with the hope that every traveller enjoys a wonderful and hassle-free experience during their explorations."
Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.
"For a wanderer like me, choosing the most unforgettable travel moments isn't easy. But when I think about it, my mind immediately goes back to my journey exploring Thanh Hoa province, right in the heart of Vietnam. It was a month-long visit to my friend's hometown, where I received an incredibly warm welcome from their family and the local community. Even though the village faced some tough conditions, the locals shared their hospitality and introduced me to unique dishes like "củ ấu," a local delicacy. They also guided me to untouched and secluded spots like Bai Dong Beach, which was a hidden paradise.
What struck me most was the genuine sincerity and warmth of the people, even in the face of life's challenges. Living like a local and immersing myself in their daily routines provided me with a deep understanding of their way of life. It was an eye-opening experience that I'll always cherish.
Without that trip, I wouldn't have discovered these serene places, tasted the incredible cuisine, or met such resilient and inspiring people. I'm incredibly grateful for these priceless experiences that have enriched my life in so many ways.
"
Doris's favorite itineraries and travel advice
Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries
Luxury itineraries
Recent trip reviews for Doris
The best way to plan a trip and travel out t...
Vietnam
|
Nov 2 - Nov 14, 2024
Brittany D.
Atlanta, GA
| Reviewed on Nov 16, 2024
The best way to plan a trip and travel out there!! We will definitely use KimKim again!! Having the ability to personalize our Vietnam trip with a local agent like Doris was so easy and stress free. She listened to our desires and made it happen! Any questions we had before we traveled and during, she answered! When we got in country, our personal tour guides, Thao and Long, were amazing!!!! So knowledgeable and added so much to our experience! Long went out of the way above and beyond to...
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The best way to plan a trip and travel out there!! We will definitely use KimKim again!! Having the ability to personalize our Vietnam trip with a local agent like Doris was so easy and stress free. She listened to our desires and made it happen! Any questions we had before we traveled and during, she answered! When we got in country, our personal tour guides, Thao and Long, were amazing!!!! So knowledgeable and added so much to our experience! Long went out of the way above and beyond to show us around, meeting us after our “tour” was over to make sure we knew places to go during our free time. Both sent us suggestion and messages throughout our stay even when they were no longer with us. We learned so much more than we ever would have had we traveled in a big group or without a guide. It was a trip of a lifetime and I’m so glad we used KimKim!
Activity Reviews
Pu Luong- Ninh Binh - Visit Hoa Lu, Vietnam's Ancient Capital - Trang An Grottoes Boat Trip
Vietnam
The temple and capital were great, but the Trang An boat trip was the Most beautiful place of the whole trip!
Halong Bay - Hanoi - Fly to Hue
Vietnam
Sung Sot Cave is worth the visit! It is massive and worth the time and the climb it takes to get to it!
Hue: Thuy Bieu Ecovillage, Cooking Class & Imperial Citadel
Hue
When we got to Hue, we got a new tour guide. Highly recommend having more than one tour guide if visiting different areas of a country! This gave us a whole new perspective of the country that we wouldn't have gotten with one guide the whole time!
The Ecovillage is completely worth it!!! They did an amazing job with the cooking class, the bike ride and even surprised us with foot massages after our bike tour! The village tour was fun too! Got to make some incense sticks with the local people.
Hanoi biking and city tour
Hanoi
This day was an experience :). I will say our favorite part of this day was the biking tour of Hanoi city, around West Lake (Ho Tay). There are so many scooters in the city and learning to bike through the city was something we will never forget!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Hanoi - Mai Chau, Valley of White Thai People
Vietnam
Such a beautiful area! During the bike tour, we were able to visited with some of the locals while they were working. This began to show us the benifits of having a local guide to be with you, which partnering with KimKim allowed us to do! Our tour guide Thao, had built relationships with the people and understood the culture. This allowed us to get up close and personal with the village people and work along side of them! Bringing us closer to the culture and the land around us! We even got to make our own chopsticks!
Quality of Experience
Our guide had made relationship with the locals which allowed us to get up close and personal with daily life!!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Tour guide had made
Mai Chau - Pu Luong
Vietnam
ONE OF OUR FAVORITES! We loved the rice field terraces. The beauty of this area is beyond anything I have ever seen. We were able to walk through a couple villages and make our way through the Rice fields.
Ninh Binh - Halong Bay Cruise - Overnight on boat
Ha Long Bay
Halong Bay is beautiful, but be prepared for the crowed that goes along with it! This was one of the days i was looking most forward to, but it was probably one of my least favorite, but still would do it again. This is the only way to really see the Bay fully and experience the vastness of the area. So just do it, but just be prepared.
Hue, Visit Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc - Hoi An
Vietnam
Great for those that love history! A lot of this day was focused on history and learning about the dynasties of Vietnam. The Ocean Cloud Pass was beautiful!
Hoi An: Cam Thanh Fishing Village & Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An
The Coconut Village was so much fun! we really enjoyed the casting nets with our boat driver! We had a private boat that took us to the village and during the boat ride, we each got to cast the net into the water and learn about their fishing processes!
The Coconut river and basket boats were a hoot! Lots of people, but you still felt like you were able to see and experience the river on your own!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our guide, Long was amazing! He went above and beyond to make sure we had a full experince, even when his "job" was finished, he joined us in the evening to make sure we knew where to go and what to do to get the full experience before the rain showers came the next day!
Day Free in Hoi An
Hoi An
Tour Guides know best!!! We asked our guide, Long, what we should do for a free day that wasn't already on our itinerary! He didn't steer us wrong. We did a craft village day with our free day. Doris, our agent was able to get us a private car to drive us to each of the villages. We filled a whole half day learning about different ancient art work and handmade crafts, while getting to participate and learn from each of them. We made wooden ordinates, pottery and lanterns throughout the day and only spent a total of $15 each!
Hoi An - Da Nang Airport - Fly to Hanoi
Vietnam
Train Street worth the hype! We visited Train street two different times, once at night (7:30pm) and once during the morning (11:50am). Very different experiences when you are on two different sides of the tracks! Great experience!
Local specialist: Doris Bui
Doris Bui
Local specialist in Hanoi, Vietnam
| Replied on Nov 19, 2024
Dear Brittany and Family,
Thank you so much for your detailed review, kind words, and beautiful pictures. I’m thrilled to hear that your trip was stress-free and enjoyable. Knowing that you had a great experience makes my work truly meaningful.
I will pass on your compliments to our tour guides, Mr. Thao and Mr. Long. They will be delighted to know they played a part in making your trip memorable and filled with interesting experiences.
Once again, thank you for choosing to travel with us....
Read more
Dear Brittany and Family,
Thank you so much for your detailed review, kind words, and beautiful pictures. I’m thrilled to hear that your trip was stress-free and enjoyable. Knowing that you had a great experience makes my work truly meaningful.
I will pass on your compliments to our tour guides, Mr. Thao and Mr. Long. They will be delighted to know they played a part in making your trip memorable and filled with interesting experiences.
Once again, thank you for choosing to travel with us. Wishing your family all the best in life! My team and I would be more than happy to welcome you back to our country someday.
Warmest regards,
Doris
Memorable trip to Vietnam
Vietnam
|
Oct 19 - Oct 31, 2024
Margarita L.
Canada
| Reviewed on Nov 03, 2024
We had an amazing trip to Vietnam! Doris was very helpful in organizing our iternerary and communication from beginning to end was excellent. Hotels were fantastic and tour guides very knowledgeable. So many beautiful moments. We enjoyed it all!! Thank you!
Read more
We had an amazing trip to Vietnam! Doris was very helpful in organizing our iternerary and communication from beginning to end was excellent. Hotels were fantastic and tour guides very knowledgeable. So many beautiful moments. We enjoyed it all!! Thank you!
Activity Review
Hanoi - Halong Bay - Overnight on Paradise Elegance Cruise
Ha Long Bay
Local specialist: Doris Bui
Doris Bui
Local specialist in Hanoi, Vietnam
| Replied on Nov 03, 2024
Dear Margarita,
Thank you very much for your kind review! I’m delighted to hear you enjoyed your trip to our country and were pleased with the beautiful places, hotels, tour guides and our services.
Wishing you many more amazing travels ahead! I would be more than happy to welcome you back to Vietnam and Indochina anytime in the future.
Warmest regards,
Doris
Doris was a game changer! Extraordinary.
Vietnam
|
Oct 14 - Oct 28, 2024
Corie B.
Israel
| Reviewed on Oct 29, 2024
Doris was a game changer for us! We had a limited amount of time and wanted to see several areas in Northern and Central Vietnam. It would have been impossible to plan alone. She planned everything perfectly down to every aspect and all we had to do was enjoy ourselves without any worry for coordinating, booking, searching etc. it was the best trip I’ve been on.
Moreover, she is extremely kind, proactive and giving the best service. We were even hit by a typhoon during the trip and she...
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Doris was a game changer for us! We had a limited amount of time and wanted to see several areas in Northern and Central Vietnam. It would have been impossible to plan alone. She planned everything perfectly down to every aspect and all we had to do was enjoy ourselves without any worry for coordinating, booking, searching etc. it was the best trip I’ve been on.
Moreover, she is extremely kind, proactive and giving the best service. We were even hit by a typhoon during the trip and she proactively booked us a new flight to make sure we were out in time. If it hadn’t been for her we would have been stuck for a few days.
I would highly recommend Doris to anyone traveling to this region!!!
Local specialist: Doris Bui
Doris Bui
Local specialist in Hanoi, Vietnam
| Replied on Oct 29, 2024
Dear Corie,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m glad that my planning made your trip enjoyable, worry-free and you had such a great time exploring Northern and Central Vietnam.
It was a pleasure to accompany your family on your trip to our beautiful country. Thank you again for travelling with us. Wishing your family all the best in life, filled with many more wonderful trips ahead.
Vietnam and I will always be here, ready to welcome you back whenever you wish to return!
Warmest regards,
Doris
We had an amazing trip in Vietnam, thanks to Doris and her team.
Vietnam
|
Oct 17 - Oct 22, 2024
Margaret A.
Canada
| Reviewed on Oct 25, 2024
Doris arranged a great personal tour for us. From pick up at the airport, drives to various hotels and locations and back to the airport for departure, all was pleasant and comfortable. Doris got back to us immediately if we had any questions. Our guide, Mr. Cau and driver, Mr. Huy were professional and caring. We had a wonderful stay in Vietnam. Our only regret is that we did not allow ourselves more time to explore this fascinating and ancient country.
Local specialist: Doris Bui
Doris Bui
Local specialist in Hanoi, Vietnam
| Replied on Oct 28, 2024
Dear Margaret,
Thank you so much for your wonderful review! We are so glad to hear that you enjoyed your time in Vietnam and that our guide and services helped make your journey smooth and enjoyable.
I can understand why you'd want to spend more time here—Vietnam has so many great places to explore. Whenever you are ready to return, we would be honored to help you dive deeper into all the beautiful and ancient parts of our country. Until then, stay safe and take care!
Best regards,
Doris
Oct trip to Vietnam and Siem Reap
Vietnam
|
Oct 11 - Oct 20, 2024
Tallat F.
West Lake Sammamish, WA
| Reviewed on Oct 21, 2024
We planned and booked our trip with Doris who provided seamless end to end service with great care, attention to detail and thoughtfulness. She was always available and very prompt. Last minute issues were handled to our satisfaction.
Mr Hui in Hanoi was patient and kind. Our itinerary included city tour with food tasting. Banh Mi was the highlight as it was absolutely delicious.
We were booked on Elite of the Sea for our visit to Halong Bay. It was absolutely one of the best...
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We planned and booked our trip with Doris who provided seamless end to end service with great care, attention to detail and thoughtfulness. She was always available and very prompt. Last minute issues were handled to our satisfaction.
Mr Hui in Hanoi was patient and kind. Our itinerary included city tour with food tasting. Banh Mi was the highlight as it was absolutely delicious.
We were booked on Elite of the Sea for our visit to Halong Bay. It was absolutely one of the best experiences of our trip. Cruise crew takes care of the smallest detail with a happy smile. Harry was funny , engaging and made us feel very special. It was difficult to say goodbye bye after our brief stay.
We did tour the pearl farm and bamboo/ silk center which was fine. The road trip to take us from Halong Bay back to airport in Hanoi had room for improvement.
Mr Loan in Ho Chi Minh was amiable , professional and very knowledgeable. His back ground in history was very helpful. We enjoyed the city tour to Post office and Cholon market. He was able to point out local highlights , explain the city district system and cultural nuances we observed. Cu Chi tunnels were a reminder of the resilience of the Vietnamese people against oppression and their efforts for freedom.
Our initial planned guide in Siem Reap was a poor fit and Doris quickly made arrangements to have Mr Sen replace him. Can I just say that Mr Sen was absolutely the best guide one can hope to have. He was very professional, engaging, knowledgeable and made us laugh with his humor. He took beautiful photos of our family on the tour as a bonus. Other visitors stopped to appreciate his commentary about the temples.
He was able to adjust the itinerary to maximize our tour for the brief time we had.
We feel fortunate to get a glimpse of the culture and history during our short visit and hope to come back for more in future.
Hotel Review
What an absolute stellar experience with the crew of the Elite of the Sea who took great effort to ensure we were comfortable. Harry was the best and made us all feel at home. It’s a 5 star experience like no other.
Location
Location where the yacht parked allowed us an unobstructed view of the Bay
Staff
They are absolutely fantastic at what they do.
Activity Reviews
Sai Gon Sightseeing - XO Saigon by Night - Experience Vietnam on Two Wheels (Group tour)
Ho Chi Minh City
This was the best part of our tour in Ho Chi Minh. Our riders were professional, knowledgeable and very kind. It was the first time riding on a bike for myself and I did not feel afraid. I was exhilarated with the experience and strongly recommend it for everyone. It’s the best way to experience the city.
Quality of Experience
Our humble, kind and engaged riders.
Food
It was great. I was afraid to enjoy it given my personal fear about travel sickness.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
They were absolutely the best!!
Transport
Best way to experience the city
Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta, Explore Ben Tre - Ho Chi Minh City
Vietnam
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ho Chi Minh - Visit Cu Chi tunnels - Fly to Siem Reap
Ho Chi Minh City
Food
The food was not the highlight, enjoyed the tapioca and tea served.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Siem Reap - Explore Angkor Complex Temples
Siem Reap
Please make sure to book the sunrise tour of the Angkorwat as it was the best part of our trip. Our guide knew the exact location to be situated in for the best shots.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Siem Reap - Banteay Srei Temple - Banteay Samre - Pre Rup temple - Fly to Ho Chi Minh
Siem Reap
Food
We actually opted to skip the food in favor of seeing another temple.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mr Sen was the absolute best. Our driver was very nice and helpful.
Local specialist: Doris Bui
Doris Bui
Local specialist in Hanoi, Vietnam
| Replied on Oct 24, 2024
Dear Tallat and Family,
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was an absolute pleasure to accompany your family on your trip to Vietnam and Cambodia. I'm happy to hear that you were satisfied with our services and hope to come back for more adventures in the future.
I will pass on your compliments to our tour guides and share your feedback with the Elite of the Seas cruise team, so they can know that their efforts contributed to making your family’s trip perfect.
We are always here and...
Read more
Dear Tallat and Family,
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was an absolute pleasure to accompany your family on your trip to Vietnam and Cambodia. I'm happy to hear that you were satisfied with our services and hope to come back for more adventures in the future.
I will pass on your compliments to our tour guides and share your feedback with the Elite of the Seas cruise team, so they can know that their efforts contributed to making your family’s trip perfect.
We are always here and more than happy to welcome your family back one day. Until then, please stay safe and take care!
Best regards,
Doris Bui
Best of Vietnam and Siem Reap,Cambodia
Vietnam
|
Oct 3 - Oct 17, 2024
Ricky B.
Los Angeles, CA
| Reviewed on Oct 19, 2024
After months of planning travel to Vietnam and Siem Reap,Cambodia .I decided to go through kimkim travel.It was a decision I was glad I made after all was said and done.My trip was a wonderful experience.Doris Bui was my travel consultant .She provided consistent valuable information prior to the trip.If I had questions ,Doris always responded in a timely manner.I really didn’t expect the trip would exceed my expectations but it did !The itinerary that we set up allowed me to see the...
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After months of planning travel to Vietnam and Siem Reap,Cambodia .I decided to go through kimkim travel.It was a decision I was glad I made after all was said and done.My trip was a wonderful experience.Doris Bui was my travel consultant .She provided consistent valuable information prior to the trip.If I had questions ,Doris always responded in a timely manner.I really didn’t expect the trip would exceed my expectations but it did !The itinerary that we set up allowed me to see the highlights in the cities I visited .I was also pleased with the hotels selected for me.Two stops I particularly enjoyed was the Can Tho ecolodge .It was a beautiful tropical setting.Great for relaxation .Another was the Metta Spa and residence in Siem Reap.Having the transportation and guides to make my trip easier was a key element for me!I wanted a trip free of headaches !I needed the expertise of those who know the country.I found them with kimkim.All the guides I used were friendly and informative.The Swan cruise along Halong Bay was another favorite of mine.Beautiful scenery with excellent dining.It was nice to have flexibility within the itinerary as well!Kimkim will set up a basic itinerary for you and you can customize to your preferences .As a solo traveler ,this was ideal!
Hotel Reviews
Great staff.Liked Kent’s enthusiasm !
Cleanliness & Comfort
A little hot in the bedroom .Air conditioning just ok
Eden Star Hotel & Spa
Ho Chi Minh City
Location
It was close to areas I wanted to visit
Metta Residence & Spa
Krung Siem Reap Siem Reap
Beautiful setting !Very attentive service !
Authenticity & Character
Lush green setting with a real tropical jungle feel !
Location
Need a ride to go to pub street.Hotel has tuktuk there but it stops at 8:00 pm
Staff
Attentive and friendly
Hai An Beach Hotel
Da Nang
Nice new modern hotel with ideal location across from the beach !
Staff
Very friendly from the time I entered the hotel
MK Premier Boutique hotel
Hanoi
A little noisy at night.Good location ,good breakfast brunch .
Just loved the setting here !Tropical feel with tremendous woodwork in the cottages !
Authenticity & Character
T
Location
Its secluded.This is not a resort if your preference is the nightlife!!!!!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Yes the property is meticulous !It’s great to just relax here! No television !
Activity Reviews
Da Nang - Ba Na Hills - Golden Bridge- Da Nang
Da Nang
Ms. Thuy was my guide.She was friendly and informative.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Siem Reap - Explore Angkor Complex Temples
Siem Reap
This was the highlight of my adventure !!!Mr. Sophea provided expert knowledge of the complex !!Its hard to comprehend the level of man and animal power to build these structures !
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Can Tho - Cai Rang Floating Market - Cycle to Local Villages - Transfer back to Ho Chi Minh
Can Tho
The Floating Market was an incredible experience. I absolutely loved it. It felt like being on a floating island. The hustle and bustle of the market were exciting and unique.
Local specialist: Doris Bui
Doris Bui
Local specialist in Hanoi, Vietnam
| Replied on Oct 24, 2024
Dear Ricky,
Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful experience! It was a pleasure working with you to plan your trip to Vietnam and Cambodia. I’m thrilled that everything exceeded your expectations and that you enjoyed the itinerary, accommodations, and the flexibility we provided.
Thank you so much again for choosing us and for always being such a friendly and positive client. Wishing you all the best in life!
We are always here and hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future!
Best regards,
Doris Bui
Doris, my travel specialist was an incredible...
Vietnam
|
Aug 31 - Sep 10, 2024
David H.
San Jose, CA
| Reviewed on Sep 11, 2024
Doris, my travel specialist was an incredible partner to me, not just helping me plan my trip but staying in touch with me regularly while I was in Vietnam. One notable moment took place when typhoon Yagi was scheduled hit Northern Vietnam while I was in Hanoi. Doris proactively called me with the option to fly out of Hanoi (to Saigon) a day early to avoid the Hanoi airport closure, which I agreed to. Doris then booked for me a new flight, hotel reservations and transportation to and from...
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Doris, my travel specialist was an incredible partner to me, not just helping me plan my trip but staying in touch with me regularly while I was in Vietnam. One notable moment took place when typhoon Yagi was scheduled hit Northern Vietnam while I was in Hanoi. Doris proactively called me with the option to fly out of Hanoi (to Saigon) a day early to avoid the Hanoi airport closure, which I agreed to. Doris then booked for me a new flight, hotel reservations and transportation to and from the airport. While I’m sure this was very time consuming for Doris, it was all seamless for me.
I had an incredible trip that included Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa and Saigon. Many thanks to Doris for a memorable trip!
Local specialist: Doris Bui
Doris Bui
Local specialist in Hanoi, Vietnam
| Replied on Sep 12, 2024
Dear David,
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was truly a pleasure to accompany you on your journey through our beautiful country. I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed the trip and were satisfied with the experience. Your satisfaction makes my job truly meaningful!
Thank you again for choosing us, and for always being such a wonderful, positive client, with that warm and friendly smile throughout the trip. I still remember your message: “This has turned out to be an exciting...
Read more
Dear David,
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was truly a pleasure to accompany you on your journey through our beautiful country. I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed the trip and were satisfied with the experience. Your satisfaction makes my job truly meaningful!
Thank you again for choosing us, and for always being such a wonderful, positive client, with that warm and friendly smile throughout the trip. I still remember your message: “This has turned out to be an exciting adventure” when typhoon Yagi was scheduled hit our country. Your understanding and patience were truly appreciated.
I wish you all the best in life and hope it’s filled with many more incredible adventures. Our beautiful country and I will always be here, ready to welcome you back whenever you wish to return!
Warmest regards from Vietnam,
Doris Bui
We fell in love with Vietnam!
Vietnam
|
Jul 15 - Jul 25, 2024
Jason H.
Los Angeles, CA
| Reviewed on Aug 01, 2024
Overall the trip was a dream. We have fallen in love with Vietnam and have already been speaking about returning someday soon. Our KimKim agent, Doris, is a local expert and planned such a a good vacation and stayed within our allocated budget.
We visited Hanoi, Hoi An, and Da Nang. All unique and beautiful in their own right.
We had a unique situation traveling with a 10 month old baby. We heard Vietnam was a good place to take young children, but we had no idea how amazing the local...
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Overall the trip was a dream. We have fallen in love with Vietnam and have already been speaking about returning someday soon. Our KimKim agent, Doris, is a local expert and planned such a a good vacation and stayed within our allocated budget.
We visited Hanoi, Hoi An, and Da Nang. All unique and beautiful in their own right.
We had a unique situation traveling with a 10 month old baby. We heard Vietnam was a good place to take young children, but we had no idea how amazing the local people would be. Pretty much every restaurant and hotel we had people wanting to hold our baby, help us with the baby, and just showing her so much attention and affection. It was so great.
We had two guides for this trip. Our second guide, Han, was exceptional in every way and an amazing help with the baby. We honestly became friends and will stay in contact beyond our trip. He lovingly earned the title “Uncle Han” due to our daughter having so much fun with him. We couldn’t be happier with our service.
The weather was something we were worried about going to Vietnam in July but has overall it cooperated pretty well. A couple inconvenient showers but really not too bad.
All of our hotels had breakfast included, which was really nice. The first two in Hanoi and Hoi An had outstanding breakfast buffets.
In our Da Nang hotel the service was great and the people working there were great but some mornings some of the food was cold. They did offer fresh omelettes but the sausage and bacon were not the freshest. But we have found some great local food options to enjoy throughout the day so not a huge deal.
We had one problem during the trip which was a driver that picked us up from the airport. He was sick and was coughing and sneezing a lot. We did now want to continue with this driver and messaged our agent, Doris, on WhatsApp and within 7 minutes she had another driver scheduled for the next day. Amazing service!
Overall everything has been A+ with our experience with KimKim and Vietnam. I would highly recommend anyone looking into the service to give it a try.
Hotel Reviews
Amazing buffet, breakfast and service team! Rachel from the front desk team went above and beyond to make sure our baby was cared for and felt comfortable and we had a great experience! You definitely don’t want to miss the spa here they have a sauna available that you can use before and after massages. Very unique! The hotel is also a very convenient location and very close to the lake where you can go out in the morning and watch everybody exercise and dance. That’s a must when you’re in Hanoi!!
Authenticity & Character
Close to cultural experiences.
Location
Very walkable. Good coffee nearby. And close to the lake where everyone goes for morning walks.
Staff
Rachel at Hanoi Pearl was exceptional!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very very clean. Staff takes off their shoes before coming in your room. So nice!
Such a high class and beautiful cruise! The staff were very accommodating with our young child. The excursions to go see monkeys and the bay were so worth it. You don’t wanna miss this one if you visit Ha Long Bay.
Authenticity & Character
Very high class. Felt like we were on a luxury cruise.
Staff
Excellent all the way.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Comfortable beds. Staff provided a crib for our baby.
Hoi An Delicacy Hotel & Spa
Hoi An
Very calm and serene experience. Excellent morning buffet. Walking distance to the shops. Rachel at the front desk went above and beyond to help us with our needs since we had a young baby she was holding the baby taking care of her so we can enjoy our breakfast. We beyond what we would expect but so nice!
Authenticity & Character
This is a newer hotel. Less than one year old at our time of stay. But very high class and luxury field everywhere you go.
Location
Very walkable location.
Staff
Everyone from the front desk, to the restaurant team, to our room service people were excellent. Would definitely recommend this hotel for anyone staying in Hoi An.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean and comfortable. Comfortable beds. The staff was very respectful and would take off their shoes before they came into your room. Towels were always available at the pool. And the buffet/restaurant was always clean and well kept up-to-date.
Hai An Beach Hotel
Da Nang
Overall, this hotel was good. The location is right across the street from the beach and you can walk out the back door of the hotel to experience more of the local restaurants and culture. The staff here was nice, but not above and beyond like our previous two hotels. It felt a little bit stuffy compared to our experience in Hanoi and Hoi An. It felt like more of a city culture versus the country culture, but it was still good overall. Our room had a great view and the location is convenient to walking and local food options. The best experience we had was with the staff in the restaurant. They were so nice and accommodating.
Authenticity & Character
It’s a nice hotel overall, but it’s right next to another hotel that is still under construction or maybe will never be finished. So when you look out the windows, you see a hotel that is not finished and so it’s not the best view.
Location
Very walkable and close to shops restaurants in the beach
Staff
Good staff overall. But a little quiet and impersonal compared to our previous to hotels we stayed in Vietnam.
Cleanliness & Comfort
It was a very clean hotel. Very comfortable overall.
Local specialist: Doris Bui
Doris Bui
Local specialist in Hanoi, Vietnam
| Replied on Aug 01, 2024
Dear Jason,
Thank you for sharing your delightful experience! I'm thrilled to hear that you have fallen in love with our country, and it's wonderful to know that you are already thinking about returning to Vietnam soon.
Your happiness and satisfaction are my top priorities. It makes my work more meaningful and fulfilling. I wish your family all the best and send warm wishes for your adorable baby.
Vietnam and I look forward to welcoming your family back in the near future!
Warmest regards from Vietnam,
Doris
Wonderfull trip to Vietnam
Vietnam
|
Jul 5 - Jul 10, 2024
André F.
Portugal
| Reviewed on Jul 25, 2024
I loved my trip to Vietnam, Doris (in the back office) and Hoang (the guide who accompanied us) were always very helpful and helped us discover several incredible places that we wouldn't have gone to without them.
We don't usually travel with a guide, but Hoang and Doris always gave us the necessary space so we didn't feel like we were on a traditional tour.
Everything went very well, and I highly recommend it!
Local specialist: Doris Bui
Doris Bui
Local specialist in Hanoi, Vietnam
| Replied on Jul 26, 2024
Dear André,
Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm glad to hear that you loved the trip to Vietnam. I will also pass on your praise words to Mr. Hoang - your tour guide. He will definitely appreciate the recognition.
Thank you once again for choosing to travel with us. I wish you all the best in life. Vietnam and I will always look forward to welcoming you back one day!
Warmest regards,
Doris
Monsoon? Mudslides? Missing wallet? No problem.
Vietnam
|
Jun 1 - Jun 14, 2024
TAWN E.
Ashburn, VA
| Reviewed on Jun 26, 2024
We visited in June, during rainy season. Although the weather gave us mudslides, rockslides and road detours and missed views, the locals gave us no regrets! The people of Vietnam gave us hand waves, friendly smiles, tasty food and so much pride in the country of our birth. Our consultant Doris offered patience as we sorted out our priorities and helped us finalize an itinerary that made everyone in our group excited. And when a flight delay kept us from activities the first day, Doris...
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We visited in June, during rainy season. Although the weather gave us mudslides, rockslides and road detours and missed views, the locals gave us no regrets! The people of Vietnam gave us hand waves, friendly smiles, tasty food and so much pride in the country of our birth. Our consultant Doris offered patience as we sorted out our priorities and helped us finalize an itinerary that made everyone in our group excited. And when a flight delay kept us from activities the first day, Doris offered alternatives to make up those activities. Our tour guide Hoàng was just fabulous. He took direction from multiple people and sometimes had to resolve conflicting directions (unbeknownst to us) - he handled it all with aplomb and professionalism. Never once letting on that another person in our group told him something different. We really should have one point of contact but Hoàng sorted it out and we had a fantastic time doing what we wanted and tailoring our day to accommodate requests as they surfaced. My brother left his phone at a roadside restaurant. Fortunately the driver had snapped a photo of the restaurant’s sign which had its phone number before we left. Hoàng called the restaurant and the owner subsequently drove 2 hours on his motorbike to deliver it to us at our hotel at the next stop. What an amazing save! I still can’t believe we squeezed in as much as we did in 10 days because Hoàng and the driver’s flexibility and willingness to adapt. Our driver was amazing (saved my brother’s phone which was also his wallet!). He was kind and so adaptable to detours and spontaneous photo stops for mundane countryside (but fascinating-to -us ) scenery. He indulged my love for terraced rice paddies. If you are looking for a tour company that listens and can be flexible on the fly, go Kimkim all the way.
Activity Review
If visiting the south, put Dalat on your must-stop list. When HCM is sweltering, escape to Dalat.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
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Local specialist: Doris Bui
Doris Bui
Local specialist in Hanoi, Vietnam
| Replied on Jun 26, 2024
Dear Tawn,
Thank you so much for your kind words! It was my pleasure to accompany you on your trip to your birth country. I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your trip. Your satisfaction makes my job truly fulfilling!
I will pass on your compliments to our tour guide and driver. They will be happy to know they helped make your trip incredible.
Thank you once again for choosing us. I wish your family a lifetime of happiness and many more amazing trips ahead. Our beautiful country and I will always be here to welcome your family back one day!
Warmest regards from Vietnam,
Doris Bui
