Chopsticks & Coconuts

14 Reviews

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  Anonymous
  Written on September 28, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  In my daughter's words 'exodus understand kids' brilliant mix of things geared towards adults, as well as things for childrenWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Realising we were kayaking in Halong Bay, and following waterways on sampans. Managing to climb over a monkey bridge ( slowly!) being watched by a 5 year old Vietnamese girl who was wondering what we were fussing over! Standing in a bus stop sheltering from the rain in Ho Chi Minh City- 10 minute rain shower, avoiding motorbikes on the pavement - unique !What did you think of your group leader?Bao was excellent he did everything he could for the group nothing was too much trouble.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Book now! Seriously though it was well worth it. I would go back again tomorrow ( and my daughter wants to live there now...) and recommend it to anybody. The journey can be tiring at times, but you get to see all of Vietnam pretty much. Take a day pack that is big enough for overnight stays ( halong bay and mekong delta) and a waterproof camera of some sort. Western food is available practically everywhere ( bar the mekong delta) if you have fussy eater, but even some Vietnamese options on the menus suit most fussy Western palates ( pork chop with rice for example) Fixed price stalls in the tourist market in Ho Chi Minh city are not fixed price! Delve deep in and bargain for all your worth. Be cheeky! You may get a proper bargain!Is there anything else you would like to add?It is worth every penny. Vietnam must be seen to be believed. There are cultural differences obviously, but itbwas amazing. The trip offered the best, and was well organised. Go and eat pho!
• 

  Anonymous
  Written on September 28, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  In my daughter's words 'exodus understand kids' brilliant mix of things geared towards adults, as well as things for childrenWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Realising we were kayaking in Halong Bay, and following waterways on sampans. Managing to climb over a monkey bridge ( slowly!) being watched by a 5 year old Vietnamese girl who was wondering what we were fussing over! Standing in a bus stop sheltering from the rain in Ho Chi Minh City- 10 minute rain shower, avoiding motorbikes on the pavement - unique !What did you think of your group leader?Bao was excellent he did everything he could for the group nothing was too much trouble.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Book now! Seriously though it was well worth it. I would go back again tomorrow ( and my daughter wants to live there now...) and recommend it to anybody. The journey can be tiring at times, but you get to see all of Vietnam pretty much. Take a day pack that is big enough for overnight stays ( halong bay and mekong delta) and a waterproof camera of some sort. Western food is available practically everywhere ( bar the mekong delta) if you have fussy eater, but even some Vietnamese options on the menus suit most fussy Western palates ( pork chop with rice for example) Fixed price stalls in the tourist market in Ho Chi Minh city are not fixed price! Delve deep in and bargain for all your worth. Be cheeky! You may get a proper bargain!Is there anything else you would like to add?It is worth every penny. Vietnam must be seen to be believed. There are cultural differences obviously, but itbwas amazing. The trip offered the best, and was well organised. Go and eat pho!
• 

  Anonymous
  Written on August 27, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  The holiday of a lifetime, absolutely superb in every way.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Every single day had an inspirational moment, its impossible to single one out. The range of transport was amazing - from cyclo rickshaw to overnight train,  to luxury cruiseship in HaLong bay with cycling and boats in between. What did you think of your group leader?Tom/Tho should be given an Exodus award for being the most enthusiastic, knowledgeable and endlessly patient group leader. He really went the extra mile to make sure that everything ran smoothly and that we had a great time. He was particularly good with the childrenDo you have any advice for potential travellers?make sure you get some clothes made in Hoi An - I came back wishing Id bought more.Is there anything else you would like to add?An amazing holiday for the whole family. We were lucky with the weather:  summertime is rainy season in the North of Vietnam and a typhoon arrived just after we had left which closed Ha Long bay.
• 

  Anonymous
  Written on August 27, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  The holiday of a lifetime, absolutely superb in every way.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Every single day had an inspirational moment, its impossible to single one out. The range of transport was amazing - from cyclo rickshaw to overnight train,  to luxury cruiseship in HaLong bay with cycling and boats in between. What did you think of your group leader?Tom/Tho should be given an Exodus award for being the most enthusiastic, knowledgeable and endlessly patient group leader. He really went the extra mile to make sure that everything ran smoothly and that we had a great time. He was particularly good with the childrenDo you have any advice for potential travellers?make sure you get some clothes made in Hoi An - I came back wishing Id bought more.Is there anything else you would like to add?An amazing holiday for the whole family. We were lucky with the weather:  summertime is rainy season in the North of Vietnam and a typhoon arrived just after we had left which closed Ha Long bay.
• 

  Anonymous
  Written on January 2, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  A great introduction to a wonderful country, the Vietnamese people are a delight, the food is great and the scenery varied and beautiful from the full-on buzz of Hanoi and Saigon to the peace and tranquility of Halong Bay and the Mekong DeltaWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Cruising amongst the Karst peaks in Halong Bay was amazing but the revelation for me was the Vietnamese people, so friendly and with an extrordinary capacity for forgiveness towards their former enemies.What did you think of your group leader?Zung was great, so enthusiastic, always smiling with a great sense of humour and particularly good with the teenagers. Do you have any advice for potential travellers?The food is great so don't worry about taking fussy children, you are bound to find something they will like. The War museum in Ho Chi Minh city contains some deeply shocking photos and accounts of atrocities - I would say it is essential that adults visit but it is tough and not suitable for younger childrenIs there anything else you would like to add?The holiday catered so well for the whole family with enough activities to keep the teenagers happy, kayaking, swimming, mud baths, snorkelling etc but also managed to fit in a few cultural and historical trips and as I've mentioned, the food is just fantastic, can't remember a meal that wasn't delicious!My only crticism was that the cooking class was very poor, we have attended cooking classes in China and Morocco and they were both great but the one in Hoi An was more of a cooking demo than a class, hardly involving the group, going so fast that you couldn't take it in and then there was such a long time between the demo and the food being served that we got the distinct impression that they were just interested in selling as many drinks to the tourists as possible! All the kids were bored stiff. I'm sure this could be easily remedied by Exodus choosing a different class as there seemed to be lots available. 
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  Anonymous
  Written on January 2, 2013

  5.0 - Excellent

  A great introduction to a wonderful country, the Vietnamese people are a delight, the food is great and the scenery varied and beautiful from the full-on buzz of Hanoi and Saigon to the peace and tranquility of Halong Bay and the Mekong DeltaWhat was the most inspirational moment of your trip?Cruising amongst the Karst peaks in Halong Bay was amazing but the revelation for me was the Vietnamese people, so friendly and with an extrordinary capacity for forgiveness towards their former enemies.What did you think of your group leader?Zung was great, so enthusiastic, always smiling with a great sense of humour and particularly good with the teenagers. Do you have any advice for potential travellers?The food is great so don't worry about taking fussy children, you are bound to find something they will like. The War museum in Ho Chi Minh city contains some deeply shocking photos and accounts of atrocities - I would say it is essential that adults visit but it is tough and not suitable for younger childrenIs there anything else you would like to add?The holiday catered so well for the whole family with enough activities to keep the teenagers happy, kayaking, swimming, mud baths, snorkelling etc but also managed to fit in a few cultural and historical trips and as I've mentioned, the food is just fantastic, can't remember a meal that wasn't delicious!My only crticism was that the cooking class was very poor, we have attended cooking classes in China and Morocco and they were both great but the one in Hoi An was more of a cooking demo than a class, hardly involving the group, going so fast that you couldn't take it in and then there was such a long time between the demo and the food being served that we got the distinct impression that they were just interested in selling as many drinks to the tourists as possible! All the kids were bored stiff. I'm sure this could be easily remedied by Exodus choosing a different class as there seemed to be lots available. 
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  Anonymous
  Written on September 3, 2012

  5.0 - Excellent

  Had a wonderful 2 weeks in Vietnam this summer on this trip. Our guide Zung was really excellent and the organisation was brilliant. Vietnam is beautiful, fascinating and inspirational. Truly recommend this trip, if you're considering it, just book it now.What did you think of your group leader?Zung honestly couldn't have been better. Gracious, calm, fun, informed, intelligent, organised, great company.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Book now!
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  Anonymous
  Written on September 3, 2012

  5.0 - Excellent

  Had a wonderful 2 weeks in Vietnam this summer on this trip. Our guide Zung was really excellent and the organisation was brilliant. Vietnam is beautiful, fascinating and inspirational. Truly recommend this trip, if you're considering it, just book it now.What did you think of your group leader?Zung honestly couldn't have been better. Gracious, calm, fun, informed, intelligent, organised, great company.Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Book now!
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  Anonymous
  Written on November 24, 2011

  5.0 - Excellent

  A fantastically enjoyable and varied holiday. Something for everyone.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?So many ! Bustling city of Hanoi, serenity and beauty of Halong Bay, cycle ride through Hoi An to the beach, War Museum at Ho Chi Minh City, exploring the local markets and Chi Chi tunnels.Every day was something different and we did a host of different activities... boat rides, cycle rides, bus rides, kayaking, caving, sightseeing, shopping, eating out, sunbathing on a beach, swimming in the sea and even a water park !! What did you think of your group leader?Tommy was the best guide we have EVER had !! He was knowledgable & interesting , warm and approachable.He interacted well with the "young people" by being amusing and even setting small quizes to make it a bit more interesting !Can't praise him highly enough !! Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Just DO IT !!!!
• 

  Anonymous
  Written on November 24, 2011

  5.0 - Excellent

  A fantastically enjoyable and varied holiday. Something for everyone.What was the most inspirational moment of your trip?So many ! Bustling city of Hanoi, serenity and beauty of Halong Bay, cycle ride through Hoi An to the beach, War Museum at Ho Chi Minh City, exploring the local markets and Chi Chi tunnels.Every day was something different and we did a host of different activities... boat rides, cycle rides, bus rides, kayaking, caving, sightseeing, shopping, eating out, sunbathing on a beach, swimming in the sea and even a water park !! What did you think of your group leader?Tommy was the best guide we have EVER had !! He was knowledgable & interesting , warm and approachable.He interacted well with the "young people" by being amusing and even setting small quizes to make it a bit more interesting !Can't praise him highly enough !! Do you have any advice for potential travellers?Just DO IT !!!!