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active 35 mins ago

Ha Dinh

I was born and grown in Thai Binh Province, a coastal place that is the hometown of many famous Vietnamese writers and scientists. It is also the motherland of water puppet theatres and music theatre Cheo. Since I was a child, I have always been interested in the culture and arts, and exploring cultural sites together with nature getaways is still my favorite travel style.
I have always been passionate about traveling. Discovering and trying something new is the most exciting part of my life. I have extensively traveled around Vietnam and other Indochina countries. In many respects, these countries have many similar things, but the beauty of each is still very different. My biggest dream is to travel the world and see the diversity of our planet. At this moment, I fulfill my dream by meeting and talking with people from around the world and helping them to make their dream of seeing the world come true.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"I specialize in various activities in the Indochina region. I am happy to help clients with any trip idea they have. I love to spend time outdoors and explore cultural sites, so I can always arrange a trip, which will show the country from different sides to make it the most memorable experience for you. "

How did you get involved in travel?

"My career in travel started with working as a travel guide. I got this idea from my university groupmates. Every time we were going to the museum or just walked around the city, I told them the story of each place. And when it came to choosing the job, I decided to try. And I have never regretted this decision. I have met so many different people, and my days were filled with exciting emotions. After three years, I decided to try something different and try myself in travel consultancy. And I find it enjoyable. Now I can be with my clients for the entire trip, not only for one of a few days."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"My most memorable trip was a few days trip to Pu Luong Nature Reserve. I had the biggest splash of my life there. After leaving busy Hanoi, I immersed myself in the endless mountains, fertile valleys, and pristine jungle. I could listen to the waterwheels and forest sounds, walk along the cultivated rice terraces, and snap pictures of the greenery and wildlife. For me, it is the most beautiful part of Vietnam.
The part I loved the most was joining the activities in the local craft workshop. Pu Luong is the home of Thai ethnic minorities, and they still preserve their timeless traditions. It is like stepping into a different world compared to modern and busy Hanoi. I so much enjoyed spending time there and learning more about the culture of the people of my country. I still use the basket I made there.
This experience was enormously valuable for me.
The part I loved the most was joining the activities in the local craft workshop. Pu Luong is the home of Thai ethnic minorities and they still preserve their timeless traditions. It was very lovely and interesting to spend time with them and know more about the culture of people in my country. I still use the basket I made there.
This experience was enormously valuable for me."

Ha is part of the following groups: Vietnam Travel Agents
Top itineraries and travel advice
Family itineraries

Recent trip reviews for Ha

My review in three sections: Realistic Asia, guides and KimKim.
Vietnam | Nov 16 - Nov 30, 2024

D
Dan F.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Dec 08, 2024
I am dividing this review into three sections: 1. Realistic Asia and their agent Ha; 2. The tour guides and drivers who we met on our trip; 3. The KimKim web site and the information that is communicated there. 1. Realistic Asia (Ha)
We greatly appreciated Ha's hard work in customizing the trip to our requests. My wife and I have been through a hard year with many major life events and had no time to plan something ourselves. Ha provided us with a clear and thoughtful menu of options...
Read more

I am dividing this review into three sections: 1. Realistic Asia and their agent Ha; 2. The tour guides and drivers who we met on our trip; 3. The KimKim web site and the information that is communicated there.

1. Realistic Asia (Ha)
We greatly appreciated Ha's hard work in customizing the trip to our requests. My wife and I have been through a hard year with many major life events and had no time to plan something ourselves. Ha provided us with a clear and thoughtful menu of options to choose from. We went through 7 or 8 versions of the itinerary and in the end, I think it was probably 85% to our liking. That is an excellent match to our desires and expectations and far better than the outcome if we had planned it ourselves. I think the areas where it could have improved include fewer destinations/more time in each location (we already did a lot of editing, but this was hard to accomplish with our time table.). More time outside of Hanoi would also have been enjoyable, but we were very jet lagged on arrival, so the time in the city was useful for recovering from travel. Nothing is perfect, but this was very close!
I think the only point where things could be improved would be in the communication. When we arrived on Cat Ba island, there was a transfer from the driver (who spoke no English) to the guide who took us on the hike in the national park. From what I could tell, this information was not in the itinerary and it was a bit worrying to be driven down back roads (damaged by the recent typhoon) without knowing where we were going and why (I thought we were headed to the hotel first.). In any case, this was minor and quickly solved once we met our guide.
2. Guides and drivers
I would rank these mostly excellent, with some variability. First the good: Hieu (Cat Ba) was great to travel with (for the hike). He was relaxed and adjusted quickly to our pace. We didn't feel like he made anything too easy for us (we like some challenge), and took us to places in the park that were quite memorable. He also provided us with good information about what to do during our day off.
I would say the same about Mr Narong (Cambodia). Although we only spent a day with him, I would recommend him to friends and family if they want to visit Siem Reap. He was informative but also easygoing. When we visited Angkor Wat at dawn, he understood that we wanted to take photos and he left us to explore, telling us where we would meet up for the next stage of the tour. The information he provided during our transfers between sites was also informative and thoughtful. We appreciated his honesty about his experiences growing up in Cambodia, which was a privilege to hear.
Finally, Thanh, our main guide in Vietnam (for the first week), was helpful, very knowledgable and took us to many places that we enjoyed. That said, I would like to offer some (hopefully) constructive feedback. It was clear to us that she had a hard time understanding what we needed and sometimes she was providing too much information. This was mostly a challenge on the first day of our tour in Hanoi, when we were still jet lagged and adjusting to the temperature and humidity. We had a feeling that she was reciting a long list of information, almost from a script, concerning the history of modern Vietnam. (I began to wonder if this information was a requirement for tour guides in Vietnam.) After the first day, we settled into a better routine and she began to understand what we wanted. My suggestion (for the future) is that she ask more questions at the outset to see how much information and talking is desirable and that she pause to allow the tourists to ask questions (or simply to look around and absorb the beauty without talking.). Not everyone wants all of the information in a constant stream; some people just want to look around and absorb the beauty of the environment.
I want to emphasize that, after the first day, she adjusted to our pace and travel style. She knows a lot about the places we visited and we enjoyed all of the people we met through her, including the local guides, the families who served the food during our hikes and the history of the various locations. She is very talented and will become, I think, much better at her job with some minor adjustments to her approach.
Finally, I want to thank all of the drivers and local guides, most of whom spoke little or no English (I wish I spoke some Vietnamese to thank them in person.). They were a wonderful group of people. In particular, our driver from Hanoi, up into the mountains and then down to Cat Ba, was exceptional at his job!
3. Some feedback about the KimKim web site. Although it is detailed and elegant, some parts did not work as I might have hoped. In particular, the exported version of the itinerary (the one I printed out and carried with us) lacked a lot of details that were present on the web site. Additionally, it would be helpful if the information could be exported as a table, not just a PDF, to make it easier to edit (to add information that is not there, like our plane reservations.) The itinerary is something that we share with family, and that was difficult (or of limited value) with the PDF from KimKim. Finally, the web site seemed to have some times that were inaccurate, including the departure times for flights. These were listed by the pick up times for the driver, not the departure or boarding time. It is confusing to know that the plane is leaving at 3:15pm, but to see that line listed at 11:30 am (the pickup time). This could be a lot clearer.

Otherwise, this was an amazing experience overall. We thank everyone involved for helping us experience both of these beautiful countries.

Hotel Reviews
Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Hanoi

Truly exceptional. Expensive, but worth it, in our opinion.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Avana Retreat

This was a wonderful experience. I would have added a day here, just to relax, if we could.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pu Luong Eco Garden

This was less enjoyable. Not bad, but certainly the least enjoyable of the places we stayed.

Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hidden Charm Ninh Binh
Ninh Thang, Hoa Lu, Ninh Binh

This was OK for one night. Clean and comfortable. Very convenient.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hôtel Perle d’Orient Cat Ba

Beautiful hotel with an incredible view!

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Mon Cheri Cruise
Ha Long city

Clean, comfortable, well run. My only complaint was the day trip to the village on Cat Ba. The village seemed to exist only as a stopping point for tourists. That part of the day trip was not very enjoyable. However, the kayaking and boat ride itself was great.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Ducky, our waiter/concierge was fantastic!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Some odd flies (about the size of fruit flies) in our bedroom the first night. They didn't bight, but there were a lot of them. I believe they came from the house plant in the bathroom and disappeared when I put the plant out on the balcony.
May De Ville Luxury Hotel
Hanoi

Clean, well run and good location in the old quarter.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Saem Siem Reap Hotel
Siem Reap

A truly beautiful hotel. We would have stayed an extra day if we had time.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Cat Ba National Park Trekking
Cat Ba National Park Trekking
Vietnam

Great guide! Thank you Hieu!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore the Complex of Angkor
Explore the Complex of Angkor
Siem Reap

Mr. Narong was a wonderful guide. This is a place of exceptional beauty and he provided us with valuable information to enhance our experience. He was also responsive to our requests in real time, making it easy to modify our plans (like starting out before dawn to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat, which was not in our original plans.). Thank you Mr. Narong!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore The Beauty of Hanoi - Full Day Sightseeing
Explore The Beauty of Hanoi - Full Day Sightseeing
Hanoi

Too much time visiting the Mausoleum. The afternoon at the Temple of Books was wonderful.!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Walk The Mountain Trails in Xa Linh Village
Walk The Mountain Trails in Xa Linh Village
Mai Chau

Our guide was great. He spoke no English, but he took us on a beautiful walk.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
 Mai Chau - Pu Luong - Trekking to Kho Muong  and Uoi Villages
Mai Chau - Pu Luong - Trekking to Kho Muong and Uoi Villages
Vietnam
Hanoi Evening Walking Street Food Tour
Hanoi Evening Walking Street Food Tour
Hanoi
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ha Dinh
Ha
Ha Dinh
Local specialist in Hanoi | Replied on Dec 09, 2024
Hi Dan, Thank you for your detailed feedback! We're so glad to hear that you enjoyed your time in Vietnam and Cambodia. Your comments about the guides and drivers are greatly appreciated. We're happy to hear Hieu, Mr. Narong, and Thanh all contributed positively to your experience. We’ll take your suggestion for Thanh into account, ensuring future guides can better gauge when to provide information and when to allow guests more space to absorb their surroundings. Thank you also for your... Read more

Hi Dan,

Thank you for your detailed feedback! We're so glad to hear that you enjoyed your time in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Your comments about the guides and drivers are greatly appreciated. We're happy to hear Hieu, Mr. Narong, and Thanh all contributed positively to your experience. We’ll take your suggestion for Thanh into account, ensuring future guides can better gauge when to provide information and when to allow guests more space to absorb their surroundings.

Thank you also for your insights on the KimKim website. We understand the importance of clear, detailed itineraries and will work on improving the exportable itinerary format, as well as ensuring more accurate flight details.

We truly appreciate your thoughtful feedback, and we’re glad we could help make your trip memorable. We hope to work with you again in the future!

Safe travels and warm wishes for the year ahead!

Love,
Ha Dinh

I had a personal solo trip as I had a free we...
Vietnam | Nov 18 - Nov 24, 2024

H
Herman J.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Nov 29, 2024

I had a personal solo trip as I had a free week. Had a personal guide and driver for almost all the time. The experience was great. Was taken to sites and street food shops that gave a great view of Hanoi today. The guides were personable and informative. It was like traveling with friends rather than an impersonal guide. Would go on a similar trip again.

Local specialist: Ha Dinh
Ha
Ha Dinh
Local specialist in Hanoi | Replied on Nov 29, 2024

Hey Herman,

That sounds like an amazing trip! I’m so glad to hear you had a great time in Hanoi, and it’s awesome that Mr. Cuong made the experience feel more like traveling with friends. It does make a big difference when you have someone who knows all the best spots, from the food stalls to the sights.

I’m sure you’ll be looking forward to your next adventure now. Let me know if you’re ever planning another trip—I’d love to hear all about it!

Take care,
Ha from Realistic Asia

Excellent tour director and guide = perfect vacation!
Vietnam | Oct 21 - Nov 1, 2024

Colin
Colin M.
Chicago, IL | Reviewed on Nov 07, 2024
Our tour director, Ha, was excellent at creating a tour that met our interests perfectly. The Vespa food tour at night in Hanoi was unforgettable! The trips outside Hanoi included hiking, cycling and kayaking making this an active vacation, which was very important for us. And our guide, Huy was superb in every way: knowledgable, informative, punctual and super friendly and upbeat. We recommend this team without any reservations! Read more

Our tour director, Ha, was excellent at creating a tour that met our interests perfectly. The Vespa food tour at night in Hanoi was unforgettable! The trips outside Hanoi included hiking, cycling and kayaking making this an active vacation, which was very important for us. And our guide, Huy was superb in every way: knowledgable, informative, punctual and super friendly and upbeat. We recommend this team without any reservations!

Activity Reviews
Hanoi Vespa by night food tour (N)
Hanoi Vespa by night food tour (N)
Hanoi
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Day Trip to Ba Vi Countryside & Cooking Class
Day Trip to Ba Vi Countryside & Cooking Class
Hanoi
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hanoi to Mai Chau & Activities
Hanoi to Mai Chau & Activities
Mai Chau
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ninh Binh - Biking trip to Tho Ha village, Nho Quan
Ninh Binh - Biking trip to Tho Ha village, Nho Quan
Ninh Binh
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cuc Phuong National Park
Cuc Phuong National Park
Ninh Binh
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Boarding cruise in Ha Long Bay
Boarding cruise in Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ha Dinh
Ha
Ha Dinh
Local specialist in Hanoi | Replied on Nov 08, 2024

Dear Colin,

Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear about our great and memorable time in Vietnam with Ha, Huy, and our team. We'll be sure to pass along your kind words to Huy as well; he will be so happy to know you enjoyed his guidance. We appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you back for more unforgettable adventures in the future to Vietnam and other Southeast Asian countries!

Take care and we are looking forward to welcoming you back one day!

With my best regards,
Ha

Definitely exceeded expectations!
Cambodia | Mar 20 - Mar 27, 2024

Abigail
Abigail R.
Jollyville, TX | Reviewed on Mar 29, 2024
I was flabbergasted that our whole trip went off without a single hitch. So many details to coordinate, so many different tours and guides, and all were great! Kim Kim did a super job (thank you, Ha!) with managing all these items. We were always picked up from the airport by a friendly smile and cold water, every morning when we met our guide for the day he/she was always early, and they always explained what would happen. They went above and beyond when we needed help (to find a lost... Read more

I was flabbergasted that our whole trip went off without a single hitch. So many details to coordinate, so many different tours and guides, and all were great! Kim Kim did a super job (thank you, Ha!) with managing all these items. We were always picked up from the airport by a friendly smile and cold water, every morning when we met our guide for the day he/she was always early, and they always explained what would happen. They went above and beyond when we needed help (to find a lost phone, to visit the pharmacy)—really a great experience. A friend recommended I use Kim Kim, and now I will recommend it for others!

Hotel Review
Saem Siem Reap Hotel
Siem Reap

Really great! The best service. Sochin, the manager, greeted us with juice and a cold towel and showed us the family room, as a better option for our group than two separate rooms. The pool was lovely, as was the bar. Definitely the best hotel and staff we experienced in all of Cambodia!

Authenticity & Character
Location
It’s far away from Pub Strewt
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Ha Dinh
Ha
Ha Dinh
Local specialist in Hanoi | Replied on Mar 29, 2024

Dear Abigail,

I am thrilled to hear you had such a great and memorable time with me and our team in Vietnam and Cambodia. It's wonderful that we had good discussions from the beginning to the end, which helped prepare you and your family well for the trip.

On behalf of the Realistic Asia team, we truly appreciate you taking the time to share such wonderful reviews. If you ever have the chance to return to Southeast Asia someday, we believe you'll love it even more.
Thank you again, and we look forward to assisting you again in the future!

All the best,
Ha

Nice Family Tour
Vietnam | Dec 21 - Jan 4, 2024

Carolyn
Carolyn O.
Austin, TX | Reviewed on Jan 13, 2024
Ha was wonderful and very attentive. Overall, our family of four enjoyed our 16 days in Vietnam. Having been to southeast Asia before, I was a bit wary of signing up for a tour. There tends to be a "conveyor belt" quality to the other tours I've been on, and I didn't want to be a part of that again. With this tour, there was a mix of some "conveyor belt" activities (many of the tours), and some we felt were a bit more special (street food tour in Hoi An with John, and Ha Long bay cruise).... Read more

Ha was wonderful and very attentive. Overall, our family of four enjoyed our 16 days in Vietnam. Having been to southeast Asia before, I was a bit wary of signing up for a tour. There tends to be a "conveyor belt" quality to the other tours I've been on, and I didn't want to be a part of that again. With this tour, there was a mix of some "conveyor belt" activities (many of the tours), and some we felt were a bit more special (street food tour in Hoi An with John, and Ha Long bay cruise). The lodging was mostly great, and we appreciated having all of the logistics taken care of. We had a representative pick us up at all the airports, which we didn't really feel was necessary. Just a driver would have been sufficient. Highlights for us included the beach and our resort on Phu Quoc, the hotel in Hoi An, the street food tour and cooking class in Hoi An, and the Ha Long Bay cruise.

Hotel Reviews
Thanh Kieu Beach resort
Kien Gianh

We loved our time on the beach at Thanh Kieu Beach Resort. We were there for Christmas, and really appreciated the holiday spirit created by the staff. The bungalows were very clean and nice, the breakfast was our favourite, the large beach with chairs and the pool area were great, and all the staff was very friendly. We didn't love the town area that is walkable, but otherwise thought the location was good.

Authenticity & Character
Location
There aren't many good places to walk to.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Aluna Ben Thanh Hotel

Aluna Ben Thanh Hotel was good...not great...not bad. The location to everything in the city was great. The rooms were comfortable enough. The bathrooms were nice. Our only complaint was with the breakfast room, which is quite small and was usually full when we arrived. The food was okay.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Silkotel Hoi An
Hoi An

We loved our time at Silkhotel. The staff was amazing, and the rooms were very nice. We even used the pool and the gym at the hotel. The breakfast buffet was huge and delicious. And, the location was ideal. Couldn't have been better!

Authenticity & Character
Location
One block from the entrance of old town.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
San Boutique Hotel Hanoi

We only stayed at San Boutique for one night. We stayed at San Premium for the other two. Overall, the staff was wonderful, but the rooms were a bit shabby. The location of San Boutique was good as it is near the lake and walkable to most things.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Pandora Cruises
Hai Phong

We really enjoyed our time on the La Pandora Cruise. The staff was wonderful, and the boat was nice. I thought our rooms were comfortable and the bathroom was nice. There was an upper deck for happy hour at night and the dining room was nice. The food was just okay, but there was a lot of it! There were definitely much nicer boats around us, but I thought everything about this boat was good.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Ho Chi Minh city tour - Cu Chi tunnels  - Joint in tour
Ho Chi Minh city tour - Cu Chi tunnels - Joint in tour
Ho Chi Minh City

This tour wasn't great for our family. We have two kids, 7 & 11, and a 10 hour day was just not something they could do. We stayed for the first half of the tour in town, then the kids and I went back to the hotel while my husband went on the hours long drive to the Cu Chi tunnels. I should have separated the tour into two days to make it better for my children. The Ho Chi Minh tour was good for the adults, but didn't really capture the interest of my children. We were first taken to a post office and a church that was under construction. I'm not really sure what we were supposed to do there. Being with a group is always a little harder with children, and this was no exception.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cable Car & 4 islands by speed boat (Joint in tour)
Cable Car & 4 islands by speed boat (Joint in tour)
Phu Quoc

We actually asked to leave this tour early. We were excited for a lot of snorkeling, which is what was described. Instead, after being taken to the pearl factory for the first hour, we were taken to an island where we were told we could swim or have our pictures taken. We decided we would swim, but when we got to the island, the water in the bay was filled with trash. We spent an hour watching our guide take fabricated drone footage of people on the beach. Then we went snorkeling...for 20 minutes. They didn't have any equipment for kids, so my 7 year old, who was VERY excited to go snorkeling, had a leaky mask much of the time because it was too big. We then went to an island with about 60 other boats and hundreds of other tourists to have lunch and again get a fabricated drone video laying on a paddle board...but didn't actually get to do any paddle boarding. We decided the swimming at the beach of our resort was way better than anything we had experienced on the tour and asked to go back.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hoi An Ancient Town Walking & Street Food tour (N)
Hoi An Ancient Town Walking & Street Food tour (N)
Hoi An

We had rain the whole time in Hoi An, but we still enjoyed our time there. John, our tour guide for this tour, was really wonderful. He was so optimistic and accommodating. We walked through old town, and even took a boat ride to release our wish boat. That was all fine, but our favorite part was the street food tour. We went to a few great places, one of which we went to the next night as well.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hoi An Local Market, Basket Boat, Fishing & Cooking Experience
Hoi An Local Market, Basket Boat, Fishing & Cooking Experience
Hoi An

We started the day at the market, which was fun to see. The basket boat was a total "only for tourists" type of activity, but our kids enjoyed it. "Fishing" was a bit of a stretch. They gave a little stick with a string to the kids to catch crabs. It definitely wasn't a bit part of the overall activity. The definite highlight was the cooking class, which was one of the best we have done in six months of travel. The kids really got to engage in making the food, and everything was delicious.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Morning Hanoi Half Day City Tour
Morning Hanoi Half Day City Tour
Hanoi

This tour included a tour of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum (although the actual Mausoleum was closed) and the Temple of Literature. Dicky, our tour guide, did a good job of relaying a lot of information about what we were seeing. It was nice to have a private tour.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ha Long Bay - Lan Ha Bay (La Pandora)
Ha Long Bay - Lan Ha Bay (La Pandora)
Vietnam

We loved kayaking around the bay, and our highlight of our time in Ha Long Bay was swimming. It was beautiful and unique. I think we would have liked it more if there hadn't been 10 other boats doing the exact same thing, but such is the nature of the beast.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dark and Bright Cave - Ha Long Bay (La Pandora)
Dark and Bright Cave - Ha Long Bay (La Pandora)
Vietnam

We woke up very early to get to the cave before all the other boats. In the description of this tour, it shows kayakers going into a cave. As it turns out, that cave has been closed for a number years. So, we just got onto a boat that someone rowed and went through a large tunnel to a type of inlet...then rowed back. It was maybe a one hour excursion and I didn't feel as though we were able to see much. We had a very rushed breakfast before heading out in the morning, so much suggestion is to save breakfast until after the tour.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ha Dinh
Ha
Ha Dinh
Local specialist in Hanoi | Replied on Jan 17, 2024
Dear Carolyn, I hope you are having a good time in another wonderful part of Asia and will have more exciting journey ahead till July with full excitement and happiness!
I really appreciate your time to share your feedback about your recent 16-day holiday through Vietnam. We are delighted to hear that you and your family enjoyed the experience overall, and we appreciate your thoughtful insights.
I am on cloud nine to hear your kind words. Your family and the kids are so wonderful and kind to...
Read more

Dear Carolyn,

I hope you are having a good time in another wonderful part of Asia and will have more exciting journey ahead till July with full excitement and happiness!
I really appreciate your time to share your feedback about your recent 16-day holiday through Vietnam. We are delighted to hear that you and your family enjoyed the experience overall, and we appreciate your thoughtful insights.
I am on cloud nine to hear your kind words. Your family and the kids are so wonderful and kind to us. We are very happy and grateful to meet you.
Your specific mentions of the street food tour in Hoi An with John and the Ha Long Bay cruise as standout experiences are heartening. We strive to offer unique and memorable moments, and it's rewarding to hear that these aspects of the tour resonated with you.
I also understand your concern about the "conveyor belt" experience that can sometimes accompany tours, and we're pleased that our itinerary struck a balance for you.

Once again, thank you for choosing our tour for your Southeast Asia adventure, and we hope that the memories you've made in Vietnam will be cherished for years to come. If you ever decide to explore another destination with us, we would be honored to assist in planning another exceptional journey for you and your family.

Safe travels and warm regards,
Ha Dinh

Excellent service
Vietnam | Dec 22 - Jan 1, 2024

Cheri
Cheri H.
Walnut Creek, CA | Reviewed on Jan 02, 2024
Ha was very attentive and helpful. She responded to my messages quickly. I enjoyed working with her. Read more

Ha was very attentive and helpful. She responded to my messages quickly. I enjoyed working with her.

Hotel Reviews
Bespoke Trendy Hotel Hanoi

The service was outstanding! Everyone was very kind. The breakfast was excellent. Loved the location.

Authenticity & Character
Location
It’s in a little area that is quiet.
Staff
Super kind, helpful, prompt
Cleanliness & Comfort
Very clean hotel
Au Lac Charner Hotel

They put us in a room with only one bed. We were supposed to have 2. They brought a roll out bed with an extremely uncomfortable mattress. The service was inconsistent.

Authenticity & Character
A French colonial character
Location
Staff
We couldn’t find one of our our plastic room cards when we checked out and they charged us $10. This seemed ridiculous.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Roll out bed very uncomfortable
Saem Siem Reap Hotel
Siem Reap

Very beautiful space, excellent customer service, amazing spa, fabulous food

Authenticity & Character
Location
It’s a bit out of town and you need to get transportation to get into town. But it’s quiet and worth it!
Staff
Top of the line customer service. Everyone was completely service focused and so friendly and kind!
Cleanliness & Comfort
Super clean!
Activity Reviews
Day Trip to the Mekong Delta (Ben Tre)
Day Trip to the Mekong Delta (Ben Tre)
Ho Chi Minh City

Excellent experience

Quality of Experience
Food
At the restaurant we went to, we had specifically asked for no fish or seafood but were given it anyway
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Dinner at Spoon Cafe & Restaurant
Dinner at Spoon Cafe & Restaurant
Siem Reap

Loved the restaurant and the food. Would love to have heard from someone at the restaurant about more about the restaurant’s special mission.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Prompt and on time
Transport
Hanoi Evening Walking Street Food Tour
Hanoi Evening Walking Street Food Tour
Hanoi
Quality of Experience
Food
It’s “street food” and it was all exceptional
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Guide was excellent!
Transport
It’s a walking tour
Day Trip to Ba Vi Countryside & Cooking Class
Day Trip to Ba Vi Countryside & Cooking Class
Hanoi

Loved the bike ride ! Really enjoyed the cooking class! Loved talking to the War veteran and seeing his green tea farm!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Excellent guide!
Transport
Tam Coc - Hoa Lu - Rural Village - Thai Vi Temple (N)
Tam Coc - Hoa Lu - Rural Village - Thai Vi Temple (N)
Vietnam

Beautiful area. I wish we could have rowed our own boat. I wish we would have learned more about the area

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cu Chi Tunnels by Speedboat
Cu Chi Tunnels by Speedboat
Ho Chi Minh City

Excellent. However, I don’t understand why the Cu Chi tunnels would have a shooting range there with people shooting at targets. It’s such an emotional experience to learn and go through the tunnels, so to have people practicing shooting seemed really strange and kind of took away from the experience.

Quality of Experience
Excellent except for the shooting range. Loved going to the tunnels by speed boat!
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide for the day was a nice guy but really didn’t have a lot to offer regarding our questions. He was very young and just beginning as a tour guide. It was clear how inexperienced he was.
Transport
Loved the speed boat!
Siem Reap – Angkor Wat
Siem Reap – Angkor Wat
Siem Reap

Fabulous!!!

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Hero Rats at APOPO Visitor Center
Visit Hero Rats at APOPO Visitor Center
Siem Reap
Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ho Chi Minh Sightseeing By U.S Jeep
Ho Chi Minh Sightseeing By U.S Jeep
Ho Chi Minh City

Excellent! Especially liked the war remnants museum

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ha Dinh
Ha
Ha Dinh
Local specialist in Hanoi | Replied on Jan 02, 2024

Dear Cheri,

Happy New Year to you!

Thank you so much for taking the time to share your feedback! I'd be delighted to hear your kind words about me. I am on the night cloud now

Surprising Vietnam in all the best ways!
Vietnam | Oct 25 - Nov 15, 2023

Linda
Linda O.
Davis, CA | Reviewed on Dec 31, 2023
Our 18-day trip was titled "Vietnam: History, Art, and Nature". History is essential to understanding Vietnam -- all our guides were well-versed and shared in a meaningful way. The American War was won by North Vietnam, of course, and the people are proud of defeating a powerful imperial country; this contributes to the pride they feel in how the country has been rebuilt, both North and South. Our understanding was greatly enriched by this. And then the Art part of our trip was also evident... Read more

Our 18-day trip was titled "Vietnam: History, Art, and Nature". History is essential to understanding Vietnam -- all our guides were well-versed and shared in a meaningful way. The American War was won by North Vietnam, of course, and the people are proud of defeating a powerful imperial country; this contributes to the pride they feel in how the country has been rebuilt, both North and South. Our understanding was greatly enriched by this. And then the Art part of our trip was also evident everywhere, from formal art museums to the design of lovely tourist items for sale: weavings from the ethnic tribes of the Sapa region and grass place mats from the Mekong Delta. We were introduced to incredibly beautiful Nature in the mountainous region of Sapa as well as in HaLong Bay. Driving between these sites were also spectacular.
Our trip arranger -- Ha, a resident of Hanoi -- listened carefully to what we wanted to experience on our trip. She was easy to communicate with and creative in solving some of the conflicting priorities.
Truly, memories of this trip will last our lifetimes!

Hotel Review
La Siesta Premium Hang Be Hotel
Hanoi

The staff was extremely helpful, friendly, accomodating. The breakfast buffet was spectacular. Loved all the different options! Our room was very comfortable. We stayed in 2 different rooms (with a trip to Sapa in the middle) and each was excellent. VERY comfy beds and high-quality linens. We also appreciated/enjoyed the rooftop bar.

Authenticity & Character
The design and colors were so relaxing... somewhat "old Vietnam" in spirit but all modern facilities.
Location
In the Old Quarter so convenient location. Quiet rooms.
Staff
The woman who was head of staff was genuinely caring and that spirit extended to all staff. So helpful!
Cleanliness & Comfort
We stayed in about 6 excellent hotels during our 20-day trip. Of those urban hotels, this was the best.
Local specialist: Ha Dinh
Ha
Ha Dinh
Local specialist in Hanoi | Replied on Jan 02, 2024
Dear Linda and Grady, Happy New Year to you <3 Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful feedback about your "Vietnam: History, Art, and Nature" trip. We are thrilled to hear that the historical aspects were well presented by our knowledgeable guides, providing you with a meaningful understanding of Vietnam's rich history, particularly the impact of the American War and the subsequent pride in the country's remarkable reconstruction. Besides, it's fantastic to know that the artistic... Read more

Dear Linda and Grady,

Happy New Year to you

Best of Thailand - Perfect Itinerary for a Family
Thailand | Nov 18 - Nov 26, 2023

Lindsay
Lindsay H.
Italy | Reviewed on Nov 27, 2023
We decided to squeeze in as much variety as possible in our 9 days in Thailand, hitting city, beach and jungle! In Bangkok, our awesome guide Mr Sam was very experienced and knowledgeable as he took us around the city and ensured all our activities went smoothly. We loved our Bangkok bike tour - great way to adjust to jet lag by getting outside and moving. The Floating market was fun and we also loved visiting a coconut farm and seeing the beautiful temples and Thai palace. In Phuket, we... Read more

We decided to squeeze in as much variety as possible in our 9 days in Thailand, hitting city, beach and jungle! In Bangkok, our awesome guide Mr Sam was very experienced and knowledgeable as he took us around the city and ensured all our activities went smoothly. We loved our Bangkok bike tour - great way to adjust to jet lag by getting outside and moving. The Floating market was fun and we also loved visiting a coconut farm and seeing the beautiful temples and Thai palace. In Phuket, we had a fun day island hopping. We stayed at Patong Beach, which was fine, although maybe not particularly “family-friendly” (nothing crazy it just seems Patong Beach was more of a party beach) - that said, we spent most of our time out on a speedboat and were happy with our island excursions. The highlight of the week was our jungle experience - so amazing to stay in a treetop lodge followed by a raft house lodge! Khao Sok National Park was beautiful. Our guide, “O” was so upbeat, flexible and just great with our family. We felt so lucky to have him! In retrospect, I probably could have upgraded our accommodations a bit in Khao Sok, but the setting was so beautiful that we spent most time outside anyway. Our kimkim travel specialist - Ha - just absolutely nailed this trip planning for our family (2 adults, then 17 and 12 year old children). Thank you Ha for putting together and amazing experience and for ensuring it went so smoothly! Thailand was worth the 21 hour flight time from the US and we made memories to last a lifetime.

Hotel Reviews
The Laguna Chiewlarn
Surat Thani

This was the first raft house stay for our family of 4 (2 adults, 2 teens). The raft house experience and location were incredible and the highlight of our week in Thailand. The food was great at this location. However, if I were to return I would stay at a different property. It may be that we should have adjusted our expectations for a raft house stay - but the bedding was very minimal/basic, and the bathrooms somewhat rustic. If I compare it to camping, I’d consider it “glamping” but if I compare it to a hotel, it was a bit more rustic than we expected. Our guide said this property is “middle” in terms of raft houses on Cheow Larn Lake - if I went back I’d go with the higher grade ones. That said, amazing experience!

Authenticity & Character
Very cool to be ON the lake in every direction - lovely at night
Location
Beautiful!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Bedding and bathrooms were more basic
Novotel Bangkok Ploenchit Sukhumvit

Our family of 4 (2 adults and 2 teens) stayed here. Overall, we were pleased with the hotel. Gym was well-equipped, breakfast was good, and services (laundry, etc) were fine. It is near some shops, a metro stop, and a 7-11 which is useful.

Authenticity & Character
It is a modern hotel so has all the amenities but no particularly notable character
Location
Near metro and 7-11
Staff
They were responsive and helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Cleanliness was good and as expected.
Novotel Phuket Resort
Patong

Our family of 4 (2 adults, 2 teens) enjoyed this resort. Location is convenient to Patong Beach - within walking distance although down a reel hill and maybe 200 yards to walk along the street. We appreciated the onsite restaurants. We didn’t have time to use the pool but it looked nice. The gym was adequate.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Near Patong Beach and walking distance to restaurants etc
Staff
Very helpful
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Damnern Saduak Floating Market Tour Grand Palace and Wat Po
Damnern Saduak Floating Market Tour Grand Palace and Wat Po
Bangkok

Very cool - didn’t really understand this experience until we did it! But so glad we did it. The market was crowded but amazing images to see how canal life works.

Quality of Experience
Very unusual!
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Mr Sam was great!
Transport
Bangkok bike tour 5 hours - Joint in tour
Bangkok bike tour 5 hours - Joint in tour
Bangkok

Perfect first activity for our family of 4 after arrival. The pace intensity was fine for our 12 yo and the guides easily helped us navigate all the nooks and crannies of Bangkok!

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
They helped us navigate small areas and arranged for fun snacks and a great lunch.
Transport
Swimming & Snorkeling on the Phi Phi Islands (Join speedboat)
Swimming & Snorkeling on the Phi Phi Islands (Join speedboat)
Phuket

We enjoyed the snorkeling and swimming the best! We had sufficient time at each stop and a great lunch.

Quality of Experience
Food
Lunch buffet was lovely and the setting on the beach was beautiful
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our boat guide Cooper was great!
Transport
Jungle Trekking - Cheow Larn Lake Visiting by long tail boat
Jungle Trekking - Cheow Larn Lake Visiting by long tail boat
Khao Sok National Park

Our Jungle Trek was so cool - our guide spotted lots of animals and plants along the way.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Our trek guide (Aim?) was terrific. Our overall guide “O” was wonderful!
Transport
Experience Elephant Bathing Program & Canoe in Khao Sok River
Experience Elephant Bathing Program & Canoe in Khao Sok River
Khao Sok National Park

Seeing the elephants was a trip highlight - we had read a lot about responsible elephant tourism and this location seemed, overall, humane and respectful, with the “retired” elephants well-cared for. The canoing was great fun - we wore bathing suits and had fun swimming along the way!

Quality of Experience
Incredible scenery, easy to navigate, fun to swim! Our kids loved the Monkey Temple visit too!
Food
They made us coffee and tea in bamboo cups to keep!
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ha Dinh
Ha
Ha Dinh
Local specialist in Hanoi | Replied on Nov 29, 2023
Dear Lindsay, Thank you for sharing your incredible 9-day journey through Thailand! We're thrilled you enjoyed the diverse experiences from the vibrant streets of Bangkok to the lively beaches of Phuket and the enchanting Khao Sok National Park.
We appreciate your feedback on accommodations in Khao Sok, and we're delighted the breathtaking surroundings compensated. I am over the moon to hear your kind words about me and our local guides who always try our best to give you an interesting...
Read more

Dear Lindsay,

Thank you for sharing your incredible 9-day journey through Thailand! We're thrilled you enjoyed the diverse experiences from the vibrant streets of Bangkok to the lively beaches of Phuket and the enchanting Khao Sok National Park.
We appreciate your feedback on accommodations in Khao Sok, and we're delighted the breathtaking surroundings compensated. I am over the moon to hear your kind words about me and our local guides who always try our best to give you an interesting experience throughout the trip.

We hope the memories last a lifetime. We look forward to assisting you with future adventures!

All the best to you and your family,
Big love from Ha

An eye-opening but fun trip to Southeast Asia
Thailand | Jul 31 - Aug 10, 2023

Claudine
Claudine G.
the Philippines | Reviewed on Aug 14, 2023
We took a quick 10-day, 3-country, 4-stop Southeast Asian holiday and Ha Dinh made us the perfect itinerary. The boutique hotels she got us in Ho Chi Minh, Siem Reap, Bangkok and Chiang Mai were all up to standard and very central in their location. The guides in each destination all made our trip quite informative and definitely memorable, slightly bittersweet in Cambodia as we learned about their political past and present. A score of 10 for Ha Dinh as she opened the communication with us... Read more

We took a quick 10-day, 3-country, 4-stop Southeast Asian holiday and Ha Dinh made us the perfect itinerary. The boutique hotels she got us in Ho Chi Minh, Siem Reap, Bangkok and Chiang Mai were all up to standard and very central in their location. The guides in each destination all made our trip quite informative and definitely memorable, slightly bittersweet in Cambodia as we learned about their political past and present. A score of 10 for Ha Dinh as she opened the communication with us when we got to our first destination (Vietnam) and was there every step of the way. She looked after us so well we felt secure, confident and safe in this trip.

Local specialist: Ha Dinh
Ha
Ha Dinh
Local specialist in Hanoi | Replied on Aug 15, 2023

Dear Claudine,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. We are so glad to know that you have enjoyed your trip to 3 Southeast Asian countries - Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand and that everything went smoothly. It was a big pleasure for us to organize your holiday. Thank you again for trusting our company, and we hope to see you again!
Wish you all the best,
Ha

Cambodia and Vietnam Trip
Cambodia | Mar 4 - Mar 14, 2023

Ganesh
Ganesh N.
Australia | Reviewed on Mar 21, 2023
Except for few glitches which were due to small non communication all other arrangements were great and we enjoyed our trip. Read more

Except for few glitches which were due to small non communication all other arrangements were great and we enjoyed our trip.

Hotel Reviews
LCS Hotel

Very centrally located with excellent views. Great facilities. We enjoyed our stay here.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Angkor Holiday Hotel
Siem Reap

Very nice hotel located right in the centre of Siem Reap. Bit old building and facilities.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
The Chi Boutique Hotel

Located in Old Quarter. Rooms were spacious. Located in a narrow road and bit congested apartment block.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Amazing Sapa
Sa Pa

Located at very centre of Sapa. Very nice hotel with good facilities. Good views from the rooms.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
La Pandora Cruises
Hai Phong

Nice cruise ship.

Authenticity & Character
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Local specialist: Ha Dinh
Ha
Ha Dinh
Local specialist in Hanoi | Replied on Mar 22, 2023

Dear Ganesh,

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. We are so glad to know that you have enjoyed your trip to Vietnam and Cambodia and that everything went smoothly. It was a big pleasure for us to organize your holiday. Thank you again for trusting our company, and we hope to see you again!

Best regards,
Ha