An unforgettable holiday
Vietnam | Feb 19 - Mar 11, 2023

John
John P.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Mar 12, 2023

Ashley was wonderfully responsive and helpful throughout, from the planning stage to the last day of the holiday. She would respond to messages and questions quickly and helpfully and would send us reminders of meeting times and the names of our drivers for each new destination. The organisation was flawless and seamless. At each destination in a complex itinerary we would be met with guides who were impressively knowledgeable as well as friendly and helpful. I guess Johnny stood out as exceptional; he showed us the Cu Chi tunnels, Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta. He fleshed out our understanding of the Vietnam war (locally known as the ‘American war’) with many human stories of how individuals lived through it. Also, he was such good company! Funny, warm hearted and erudite. But actually every guide was great. Even Ms Huong who only spent a few hours with us, picking us up from the airport on the last day, took the trouble to find out our plans and gave us much useful advice about where to do the shopping we planned. It was actually a privilege to get to know these guides as their stories really gave us an insight into the life and culture of Vietnam and Cambodia.

Hotel Reviews
Salinda Resort Phu Quoc Island

This was very nice. It was on the beech. There was never a problem about enough chairs, the Vietnamese food in particular was really good and the staff were attentive and friendly.

Authenticity & Character
It was lovely, the Vietnamese food was amazing, but it could have been in Thailand. Did it need a Pizza and Indian restaurant?
Location
On the beech, lovely palms, well kept and clean.
Staff
So warm and friendly. They couldn’t do enough for you.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Indochine Palace

This felt so spacious and luxurious. Everything was perfect. This was actually my favourite hotel of the trip.

Authenticity & Character
It captured something of the French Indochine feeling of Vietnam.
Location
Near the the citadel.
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Victoria Can Tho Resort

This was very comfortable. Lovely pool, lovely environment. We wish we could have stayed longer.

Authenticity & Character
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Adora Art Hotel

Very well located in Zone one of Ho Chi Minh City. But actually a bit tired in some respects. The rooftop bar and pool (small) were nice, but the ‘gym’ was one running machine and one bike. It felt like a three star hotel.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Very close to the central market.
Staff
Very inflexible. Not able to offer even half an hour extension on check out. We’ve never experienced this before. Apart from the door staff not particularly warm or welcoming.
Cleanliness & Comfort
Palm Garden Resort Hoi An
Authenticity & Character
Location
On the beech
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Hotel Somadevi Angkor Resort & Spa
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Saigon By Night - Vintage Vespa Street Food Tour
Saigon By Night - Vintage Vespa Street Food Tour
Ho Chi Minh City

This was really great. The two young men who were our drivers spoke good English, were very safe as drivers, and took us to some very interesting places. I would definitely recommend this. The Vespas were actual Vespas and were authentic from the sixties.

Quality of Experience
This was a real close up of Ho Chi Minh City, seeing many aspects you would not normally see. Really colourful. We saw the flower market and saw how people lived in that part of town. It also included a visit to an old Viet Kong weapons store and hide out in the heart of the city.
Food
Visiting various street market food venues. Making up our own soup! Being shown how to make a proper serving of Vietnamese coffee.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Lam was very knowledgeable about Vietnam history. Also friendly and fun to be with.
Transport
Old Vespas! The real deal.
Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels
Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels
Ho Chi Minh City

Anyone who has an interest in the Vietnam war really needs to see these tunnels. It is really worthwhile to have a well informed guide for this visit.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover the Mekong Delta (Ben Tre and Can Tho)
Discover the Mekong Delta (Ben Tre and Can Tho)
Vietnam
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Chansar village & Wat Thmey (Killing Field)
Visit Chansar village & Wat Thmey (Killing Field)
Siem Reap

The exhibition at Wat Thmey is relatively small but still devastating in its impact. Visiting the village was just lovely. They gave us the best lunch, cooked by someone who was also the village hairdresser. Seeing the village and understanding something about their way of life was very memorable. The welcome was so warm.

Quality of Experience
Food
The lunch was served and cooked in a shelter in the forest surrounding the village. It was without a doubt the best food we had in Cambodia. The wile experience was really charming.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Ho Chi Minh City Half-Day Tour
Ho Chi Minh City Half-Day Tour
Ho Chi Minh City

Really nice introduction to the city, covering the main sites. Well managed by the guide.

Quality of Experience
Food
Lunch was really good. Hoa Tuc restaurant is in what used to be an opium factory. The food was outstanding. We went back later when we came back to Saigon.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
The guide was so well informed. He also managed the tour very well so we saw a lot but were not tired by the end.
Transport
Touch the History of Former Imperial Capital - Hue Full Day Sightseeing
Touch the History of Former Imperial Capital - Hue Full Day Sightseeing
Hue

This was fun. The guide gave a a great insight into the imperial way of life before the arrival of the French. The summer residence (and burial place) of one of the emperors was very beautiful. all the stories about the imperial dynasty (kindly provided by our entertaining and knowledgeable guide) weee fascinating.

Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Ms Thao was well informed and organised and relaxed and pleasant company.
Transport
Very courteous and attentive driver. Also very safe.
Banteay Srei - Angkor Wat - Apsara Dance Show
Banteay Srei - Angkor Wat - Apsara Dance Show
Siem Reap

Angkor wat is astonishing. The dance show was a bit so so, bothe for quality of food and music. The hotel we stayed at did it better.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Discover Angkor Thom, Preah Khan & Ta Prohm Temples
Discover Angkor Thom, Preah Khan & Ta Prohm Temples
Siem Reap

I think we scheduled too many temples in this trip. It was a long and hot day.

Guides, Drivers and Staff
Always helpful and courteous.
Private Cooking Class With Local In Hoi An
Private Cooking Class With Local In Hoi An
Hoi An

This was really good fun and I came away with at least one delicious dish that I could do in Wales.

Quality of Experience
The mango salad!
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visiting the Floating Villages on Tonle Sap Lake
Visiting the Floating Villages on Tonle Sap Lake
Siem Reap

This was really fun and interesting. The floating schools and villages and a way of life built around a lake that floods the surrounding country for miles every year. The crocodiles were also fun to see. Who knew that they do not have a tongue and that the inside of their mouth is bright yellow?

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Ashley Nguyen
Ashley
Ashley Nguyen
Local specialist in Hanoi | Replied on Mar 13, 2023

Dear John,
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us! We’re over the moon to hear that you and Jenny are happy about your holiday! Your feedback is highly appreciated, as it enables us to further develop our services and organize memorable trips for our future clients.
Trust me, you’ve made our day immensely better by sharing your experience.
Thanks again for the review and for being such a great guest.
Best wishes!
Ashley