How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Ho Chi Hung was the ideal leader: focussed throughout and always thinking ahead, he was always open and honest.  Talking about the history of Vietnam he tried to give an unbiased account and he gave us the background to each place we visited. He was friendly without being familiar and it was always clear that he was in charge. We felt that he could handle anything that was thrown at him.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Try to book your own flights.  The return travel was awful.  From the time we got up in the morning to the time we arrived back home, we had been up for 37 hours and it took me a week to recover.

Do you have anything else to add?

I have cycled all over the world on my own.  I am glad, however, that I joined a group to cycle Vietnam as it is a country with its own problems for cyclists, particularly accommodation. I was a bit concerned at the density and the wildness of the mopeds on the roads. I do think that we were lucky not to have an accident although we had a few near misses.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

Diem's experience in the way things worked made for smooth running and facilitated events that would be problematic for anyone travelling under their own steam, and a late night hospital visit with an ailing member of our party was undertaken without hesitation.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

Take something for breakfast on the train and don't buy the boiled eggs, they contain a developed bird foetus!

Do you have anything else to add?

Some of the cycle trips were short and pointless but others were sheer delight, allowing one to see villages and hamlets that regular tourists would not know existed. I seemed to be alone in being utterly charmed by the water puppet show with the elders and children followed by tea in the local community hall.

How was your Explore Tour Leader?

He took a good care of everything! He was prepared, friendly and very helpful. He did a great jobs, especially dealing with the tips system - I'm really not used to it.

What tips would you give to someone else booking this tour?

"This is a great tour, very well organised. The only things you really need are the mosquito spray and the sun cream.
And maybe some warm clothes because in the North of Vietnam can be fresh sometime. Of course the camera, because it is an unforgettable trip.

This was a fantastic trip and one I would recommend to anybody who is thinking about it and go ahead and book it sooner rather than later whilst Vietnam is still largely untouched by mass tourism and all inclusive resorts. The itinerary was extremely varied offering magical insights into rural Vietnam which by cycling you felt you were really entering the spirit of the country. The cycling was not arduous, mainly flat and the sights you were witnessing were well worth the energy spent. Admittedly weather is hot and humid so need plenty of water, bikes were very goood quality, perhaps take a gel saddle seat with you.  The traffic in the cities is daunting, but most of the cycling is along rural routes. We saw so many sights it is difficult to mention highlights, but the boat trip around  the fascinating World Heritage site of Halong Bay, the rural bike rides to remote villages who supplied us with lunches and village entertainment, the colourful markets of Hoi An and the vibrancy of both Hanoi and Saigon remain with me. It is a country of contrasts where one feels the Communist influences in the north giving away to capitalism as you travel southwards and one is always mindful of the terrible suffering this beautiful country endured in the recent war. The people are warm, friendly, eager to please and are immensely proud of what they have achieved within their country and their spirit of unity.  As a group we were bonded together by the amazing experiences we were sharing and were led through the country by an extremely competent and knowledgeable local guide. (CVN - 10th July 2011)