Kimkim Trip Reviews for Vietnam

We really enjoyed our trip to Vietnam. Our favorite experiences were ha long bay, our bike trip through hoi an, and our stay in nha Trang. Both Ky and A were amazing, friendly, and knowledgeable guides.

Activity Review

Hoi An biking thru country side + visit ancient town

Hoi An

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Long did a great job in organising my solo Vietnam adventure. The trip was seamless, everything was perfect. The accommodation was great, tours as advertised and drivers to collect me when required. I want to return to Vietnam to see more. I would highly recommend KimKim

Our entire trip was amazing. Our guides were wonderful and gave us a lot of information and answered our questions. They were always helpful at every location. Our driver was excellent and skilled. The most memorable part for us was the overnight cruise on Ha Long. These cruise ships are small with only about 25 passengers. Our quarters were spacious and beautiful. The food was gourmet. In addition, every place we visited was interesting. One place where we did a river tout, many of the rowers, rowed using their feet. This was in Ninh Binh. With the help of the guides, we learned a lot about Vietnamese culture and religions. Their religious practices were particularly interesting to me. Our only issue was the weather and I would have rather gone in another season, not winter.

Doris planned a great trip for me and my son. We booked at the last minute and worked with Doris to plan a trip that included our main interests. She always responded promptly and made any changes we requested. When a last minute problem came up at the airport with my son's visa to Vietnam, she dropped everything and helped us get things worked out without any interruption to the trip. We walked through the Hill Tribe country near Sapa in awe of its beauty. Went to a jaw dropping (for Americans) traditional market in Bac Ha. We saw cultural sites in Hanoi that helped to gain a bit of understanding of the Vietnam culture. All the hotels and home stay she booked were excellent. The hotel in Hanoi was in a prominent location within easy walking distance from food and entertainment. It would have taken weeks to plan a trip like this on our own but working with Doris really made it easy.
Doris even met us at the hotel when we arrived to be sure things worked out and continued to check on us during the trip. I would recommend her to anyone wanting to travel to Vietnam.

Hotel Reviews

Local Homestay in Ta Van Village

Sapa

Our stay at the Local Homestay in Ta Van Village was a unique and memorable experience. The host prepared a delicious dinner for us and ate with us, offering an authentic cultural exchange. The view from the homestay was breathtaking, and interacting with the locals added to the charm of the visit. It was a beautiful and enriching stay that I would recommend to others.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cong Fu Hotel

Sapa Relax Hotel & Spa

Lao Cai

Hong Ngoc Dynastie Hotel & Spa

Hanoi

I stayed at Hanoi La Siesta Trendy Hotel & Spa in Hanoi, which was centrally located. The hotel was excellent, but it would have been helpful to receive clearer directions on navigating the busy traffic in Hanoi. Once we settled in, we found the location perfect for exploring the city. The hotel staff were helpful, and we enjoyed some evening activities we found online. Overall, a comfortable and convenient stay.

Location

Staff

Activity Reviews

Bac Ha Ethnic Market- Hanoi

Vietnam

Visiting the Bac Ha Ethnic Market was an extraordinary experience. The market was unlike any other I had seen, filled with vibrant colors and a rich display of culture and tradition. The textiles and handicrafts were exceptional, and the opportunity to engage with the local people was a highlight of the trip. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Sapa - Hiking to visit local villages (Y Linh Ho, Lao Chai, Ta Van)- Explore weaving craft of Black H'mong people

Sapa

The trekking experience to local villages in Sapa was perfect for me. Despite being a bit strenuous, the local guides were helpful, and the scenic views were worth the effort. Interacting with the villagers and purchasing textiles from them added to the authenticity of the experience. It was a fantastic introduction to the hill tribe areas of Vietnam.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Ha Noi- HaLong Bay day cruise - Ha Noi

Vietnam

The Halong Bay day cruise was a delightful experience. The stunning landscapes and limestone karsts were mesmerizing. The boat cruise allowed us to explore the beauty of Halong Bay and enjoy the serene surroundings. It was a relaxing and scenic day that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

My local guides were amazing and very knowledgeable... My family had a very comfortable trip, very well curated by my consultant Doris.

She took care of everything leaving nothing for us to worry about. I had to make a lot of changes to my plan due to unforseen things and doris embraced everything with a smile.

I will highly recommend their service if you want a no hassle trip. Enjoy...

Camellia did a nice job planning and executing our trip. Here are a few comments about the itinerary and overall experience of our time in Vietnam.

The eight day trip gave us a great sense of the northern regions of Vietnam. Four destinations in eight days was a bit more ambitious than we might have liked. Since we spent so much time in the van en route to Mai Chau, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, and back to Hanoi, perhaps three destinations rather than four would have been a bit better. The hotels were all nice with pleasant service.

Our guide Hiep was a lot of fun and shared interesting information about the country. Our driver, Mr. Hong, was also very good and helpful. I would say that Hiep tended to be a bit more reactive than proactive in terms of telling us about the culture and history of the country. That said, we enjoyed our time with him.

We found that a couple of the activities didn't quite map to the description. The "food tour" in Hanoi as described didn't happen. We sat down to eat at one location for Bun Cha, then walked around the neighborhood without stopping to taste or learn about different kinds of foods. By the end, we had a chance to have Bahn Mi, but were tired and by that point and just returned to the hotel after coffee (and didn't learn anything about egg coffee, as an example of something that was described in the write up, but never happened). By comparison, a food tour we did through Kim Kim in the Netherlands included about seven different spots to try seven different dishes and learn about them. Also, the bike rides were more challenging than expected so Carla didn't have a good experience. I have more experience cycling so they were fun for me.

The food was all good and we particularly enjoyed the opportunity to make spring rolls in a home in Hanoi. We appreciate Camellia's and Hiep's efforts to explain Carla's food allergies at all of the meals to keep her safe.

Overall, we enjoyed our time in Vietnam and are grateful for the different experiences that were organized for us.

The guides and drivers were all very welcoming and knowledgeable. Each guide had different perspectives of Vietnam in general, which I appreciated. I especially enjoyed our visit to Mai Chau and Pa Co. Having lunch with a Mường family was a highlight for me. The homestay in Mai Chau, although chilly, was an experience. Our host provided nice, warm comforters and her meals were delicious. Kayaking in Halong Bay was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure as was bicycling from Hoi An to An Bang beach. Getting to see how the people live along the Mekong River and Mekong Delta was fascinating.

We had a fantastic time traveling around Vietnam. Ashley was very responsive to questions in the planning stages and helped us develop an itinerary that everyone was happy traveling from from Hanoi to Mai Chau, Ha Long Bay, Hue Hoi An, Can Tho and finally HCMC. Mr. Curong, Mr. Than and Mr. Phat(Kelvin), our guides, were excellent and each provided us with their unique perspectives on their country's story.

Hotel Reviews

Soleil Hanoi Boutique Hotel

Hanoi

Very comfortable and the staff were very helpful. Great location.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mai Chau With Love Homestay

Though it was a bit chilly at the time we visited the homestay owner was very friendly and an excellent cook.

Authenticity & Character

Friendly

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Pandora Cruises

Hai Phong

i enjoyed floating around in the company of friendly staff and guests

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

very nice rooms on the boat

Eldora Hue

Hue

Nice and comfortable

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa

Quảng Nam

Really really comfortble, so pretty and nice walking distance to sites and shopping.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Holiday Inn & Suites Saigon Airport

good location for getting to airport

Authenticity & Character

standard nice hotel which is all I wanted

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Victoria Can Tho Resort

excellent

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Hanoi Afternoon City Exploration and Street Food Tour

Hanoi

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Walk The Mountain Trails in Xa Linh Village

Mai Chau

Ha Long Bay - Lan Ha Bay (La Pandora)

Vietnam

very relaxing

Touch the History of Former Imperial Capital - Hue Full Day Sightseeing (N)

Hue

Hue - My Son Sanctuary - Hoi An Sightseeing

Vietnam

It was good to visit My Lai Massacre memory, pay respects. This is a place you have to have a lot of intention and purpose in your visit

Visiting Cam Thanh Village

Hoi An

Explore the Cu Chi Tunnels

Ho Chi Minh City

Boat Tour in Tam Coc and Cycling Trip to Hoa Lu

Ninh Binh

Private Cooking Class at the Red Bridge Cooking School

Hoi An

Excellent! A must do if you like to eat

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Discover the Mekong Delta (Ben Tre and Can Tho)

Vietnam

Can Tho - Visiting Cai Rang floating market

Can Tho

Fun!

our guides in Saigon and siem Reep were better than the ones in Hanoi and Hoiann.

We had trouble understanding the first 2 guides, their English could be better. Jade was a little low energy, lacked dynamism and did not have much commentary for us.

Hotel Review

Angkor Miracle

The Angkor Miracle hotel was below our expectations for a five-star hotel. The rooms felt dated and lacked the luxury feel we were expecting. Despite the staff's efforts to make up for these issues, we would not recommend this hotel for future travelers.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Hoa Lo Prison - Huu Tiep Lake - Vietnam Military History Museum - Ho Chi Minh Complex (S)

Hanoi

These activities were quite well organized and enjoyable. However, there was a bit of a language barrier as our guides had a strong accent which made it difficult to understand them. This made it challenging to fully engage and enjoy the activities.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Siem Reap – Angkor Wat morning visit (S)

Siem Reap

While the Angkor Wat morning visit was visually stunning, the day felt long and hectic. We felt that our guides could have offered more flexibility in the schedule to accommodate our needs and preferences.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hoa Lu - Tam Coc - Mua Cave

Vietnam

The trip and itenirary were great. An, Doris Cuong, and Long were all great guides and showed us the south, central and northern parts of vietnam. The highlights were ha long bay, hoi an, the cu chi tunnels and I also recommend ba na hills.

Mr Minh and his team provided superior service from the planning stage through the trip support. He was knowledgeable, responsive and caring. My friend had a birthday during the trip and Minh not only helped with the restaurant booking for a special dinner but also arranged for a special birthday cake from him and the team. Very much appreciate the experience and will recommend to others.

Hotel Reviews

Anatole Hotel Hanoi

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Can Tho Ecolodge

Can Tho

The ceiling fan was not working in the room

Authenticity & Character

Location

Remote and away from anything other than the river

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Le Clos Du Fil Hotel

Ninh Binh

Taking off a star because the restaurant wasn’t staffed for dinner and had very limited choices.

Dragon Legend Cruise

Hon Gai

Very friendly staff and excellent food. Too bad the ship common areas are equipped to deal with the cold temps we had during the trip.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hoian Central Boutique Hotel & Spa

Excellent and responsive service

Authenticity & Character

Location

Despite the name, the hotel isn’t very centrally located, but within walking distance from the center.

Staff

Excellent service!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Harmony Saigon

Ho Chi Minh

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Pavilion d'Orient

Siem Reap

Authenticity & Character

Location

Not centrally located but serene and relaxing - a true oasis.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Street food tour on Vespa in the evening (Private)

Ho Chi Minh City

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

The leader (Hero?) was amazing. The rest were ok - friendly.

Transport

Hoi An Fishing Village - Ancient Town Walking with Street Food Tasting

Hoi An

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide in Hoi An (Mr. Nhat) was very good

A half day exploring the historic Ho Chi Minh city

Ho Chi Minh City

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide (Ms. Vivian) was very nice. We had a great time with her!

Transport

Ninh Binh - Ha Long Bay - Bai Tu Long Bay with Dragon Legend Cruise

Vietnam

Our 3 guides each had unique personalities and different perspectives on Vietnam history. It was interesting to sense how each perspective varied on life in the Country in the post-Vietnam War era. We did not focus or dwell much on the War itself. Only at the Cu Chi Tunnels and My Lai Massacre sites which were both very interesting.

Our top places included Ha Long Bay, the Old Town Hanoi District, and Hoi An (especially the Red Bridge Cooking Class). Our favorite days included Mai Chau Homestay with Guide Cuong and Mekong River trip with Guide Phat (Kelvin). Our favorite experiences were time spent with local people such as the Home Meal in Paco (near Mai Chau)and the various boat drivers and small family businesses we visited in the Can Tho/Mekong areas (like the noodle factory and coconut candy factory). I would say our small group interactions with local people was the single most enjoyable aspect of the trip. If I were to visit Vietnam again I would try to schedule as much small group contact with local people as possible.

The least favorite part of the trip was Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City. The traffic was very slow and the City too loud and hectic for our liking.

Hotel Reviews

Soleil Hanoi Boutique Hotel

Hanoi

A very nice hotel in a great location from which to explore the Old Town District of Hanoi. The staff were very friendly and we considered the breakfast buffet here to be the best we experienced in Vietnam.

Authenticity & Character

Very friendly staff. Not too much hustle bustle in the lobby and great location.

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Mai Chau With Love Homestay

We happened to hit Mai Chau in an unusually cold and foggy spell in January. The property itself was beautiful and the owner was on-site and provided great service. The area is beautiful but the cold and fog we experienced was uncomfortable. So just beware of January north of Hanoi.

Authenticity & Character

Location

La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa

Quảng Nam

A fantastic resort hotel in a great location. The facilities, grounds, pools and walkways that connect them are beautiful and perfectly maintained. It is an easy walk to the Historic Town area and very quiet on the property itself. This was by far and away our favorite hotel stay in Vietnam.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Siesta Premium Sai Gon

The Hotel itself was fine. The rooms were very nice, new, and clean. However, as older travelers, we did not like the Ho Chi Minh City traffic and bustling crowds. If you don't mind the City traffic and crowds the hotel is in a good location to explore the primary downtown area of HCMC.

Victoria Can Tho Resort

A very nice resort Hotel with French architectural influence. The grounds and pools areas are spacious and immaculate. It is an easy walk along a large river to get to downtown Can Tho. We really enjoyed our stay at this property.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Private Cooking Class at the Red Bridge Cooking School

Hoi An

We started with a trip to the market to learn about local ingredients, and then had a hands-on cooking class. It was a fun and interactive experience, and we learned some new recipes to try at home.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Can Tho - Visiting Cai Rang floating market

Can Tho

We had a private group tour to visit the Cai Rang floating market in Can Tho. It was a unique and vibrant experience to see the market on the water and interact with the local vendors and all the small businesses. We enjoyed the bustling atmosphere and trying some delicious fresh fruits.

Quality of Experience

Hanoi Afternoon City Exploration and Street Food Tour

Hanoi

We explored the city and tried some street food. It was a great way to get a taste of the local culture and cuisine, however we didn't enjoy the chaotic atmosphere of the city and the traffic.

Quality of Experience

Transport

My local specialist, Minh, is very patient in organizing the trip according to my needs. She provided the valuable guidance in picking hotels. All the hotels are centrally located. Thuy Vu was the local coordinator who was always checking and updating on local drivers/ guides. Local guides assigned in all towns ( Lee in Hoi An, Benny in HCM city and Borey in Cambodia) are amazing. Customer service is unparalleled. Assigned drivers are extremely professional and always on time.

Thos was our first trip to South East Asia as a family group of 5 and as I was the one putting the trip together, was unsure as to where to go or what to do as we realy wanted an authentic experience of life in Vietnam.
Huyen and I put together an exceptional itinerary that accommodated all our needs
Going on a large group tour was not what we wanted, as we had slower members in our group, also we normally do a self planned holiday, so a private tour was the perfect solution.
Our drivers and Guides where exceptional!
Gavin, Jerry and Han qickly became friends that where super knowledgeable and caring and patient with our group. Our guides where also generous in sharing their families stories which gave us an insight to Vietnam's past.
We visited the "mustn't miss" sites but also loved the street food tours and bicycle trips to see how rice paper, rice wine, farming, pottery making and other family run business. These everyday experiences made it for me.
10 out of 10 Huyen and her team.
Will be definitely using KimKim again!!!

Hotel Reviews

Hong Ngoc Dynastie Hotel & Spa

Hanoi

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Rosaleen Boutique Hotel

Hue

The front desk staff arranged scooter hire for our group and when one of the group backed out they didn't charge us, very kind.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Swan Cruise

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hoi An Rose Garden Hotel

Hoi An

Authenticity & Character

Location

A 20 min walk to town or a quick taxi trip

Staff

Arranged taxis to town, very helpful

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hoa Binh 1 Hotel

Staff

Very helpfull front desk staff with finding dinner options

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Hoa Lu & Trang An Grottoes - Ninh Binh Train Station

Vietnam

We where blown away with the beauty of Trang An. The boat rides through the extensive cave systems and the landscape is breathtaking. Don't miss it!!!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hue - Thien Mu Pagoda - Thuy Bieu Village

Hue

Lovely relaxing lunch and foot massage. Loved the bike ride around surrounding village and local industries

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hue City tour full day

Hue

Found the Imperial citadel and the tomb of Khai Dinh fascinating, if you love history. Mind you the gothic architecture and the lavish main room of the Khai Dinh tomb must be seen to be believed!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hoi An - Cam Thanh Coconut Village - Tra Que Village

Hoi An

When we where approaching the Cam thanh coconut village it looked like a cheesy tourist activity. Jerry assured us it would be fun and he was right. We had a lot of fun and our boat guides looked like they where enjoying their jobs. An absolute blast!! The bike ride through quiet countryside and the visit to the farm with lunch was a huge highlight for our group. Perfect day.

Quality of Experience

Food

Loved the cooking class

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half-day Cu Chi Tunnels tour

Ho Chi Minh City

I realy enjoyed hearing about the ingenious ways in which the inhabitants of the tunnels survived and outsmarted the invaders.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ho Chi Minh- Ben Tre - Long Xuyen

Vietnam

We realy enjoyed visiting the brick works and the coconut product area and mat weaving, lunch was spectacular.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Long Xuyen Floating market

Vietnam

Very little activity. The floating markets are almost gone. Tiger Island on the other hand was a wonderful experience Tiger temple and local industries with rickshaw and lunch at home stay was delightful

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

An incredible adventure! Kim Kim were super easy to use and listened to everything we wanted. Definitely get involved in the planning process so you get the most out of your trip. All the tour guides were fantastic. I felt very safe and looked after my whole trip from start to finish. Thankyou KimKim 10/10 will use you again!

Hotel Reviews

Pu Luông Natura Bungalows

Incredible views! incredible destination! very welcoming beautiful staff. Made friends with everyone. Even had a little bonfire one of the nights with the hotel patrons and staff, so lovely!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

New Livitrans Train

Had a fantastic adventure with this accomodation. Definitely worth doing. I would bring your own pillow case. the food was good. there was charging stations with each bed.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hoa Binh 1 Hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Sunline Hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Cozy Boutique Cruise

Halong,

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Hanoi Culture & Walking Tour

Hanoi

Our guide made this activity exceptional! So much great food and great to get in amongst the hustle and bustle of the city. I wouldnt have known where to start or what to try. Was nice to have someone guide us. The guide also tailored it to suit flavours that we would enjoy.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide was AMAZING

Transport

Hoi An Memories Show

Hoi An

I enjoyed this performance a lot. It was a little bit 'disney' vietnam. 'touristy'. So was good to see but didnt feel authentic.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

We had an absolutely lovely time in Vietnam and it was all down to the plan Hien was able to put together, we thoroughly enjoyed every destination we visited, Cong in Hanoi and Anh in Hoi and were particularly welcoming and friendly!

Hien worked really hard to put together a plan for us that we really enjoyed, she took time to ask us questions and make alterations that suited us. We also asked a lot of questions having never used travel agency before, Hien was patient and thorough with all of this. Every detail was taken care of and she checked in with us throughout the trip to make sure things were to our liking!

We had an incredibly early flight when we left Vietnam and Hien even went out of her way to make sure we had breakfast boxes to take away with us, which was very kind of her!

We will definitely visit Vietnam again, but more importantly definitely recommend using Hien who is absolutely lovely and detailed, which made for one of the best holidays we've ever had.

Thank you for everything Hien!

Hotel Reviews

Elite of the Seas

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Sinfonía Majesty Hotel and Spa

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

La Siesta Hoi An Resort & Spa

Quảng Nam

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Chen Sea Resort & Spa

Phu quoc

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hôtel des Arts Saigon - MGallery Collection

Ho Chi Minh City

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Hanoi Street food walking tour (S)

Hanoi

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hoa Lu And Tam Coc Exploration

Vietnam

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Onboarding Elite of the Seas Cruise (2D1N)

Ha Long Bay

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visiting Dark and Bright Cave - Disembarking Elite of the Seas (2D1N)

Ha Long Bay

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cycling in Cam Thanh & Thanh Dong Organic Farm Visit

Vietnam

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ho Chi Minh City Half-Day Tour

Ho Chi Minh City

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi Fullday City Tour with Train Track Coffee Enjoy

Hanoi

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I cannot recommend using KimKim to plan and book a trip enough! Start to finish the process was incredibly simple and quick and transparent. Our local specialist, Long, was always quick to respond, helpful, passionate about travel and always willing to adjust the itinerary to ensure we were happy and comfortable with it. He always had a different activity to suggest or a route for our trip that made the most sense but also maximized our experience and destinations! We had 12 days to work with in Central and Northern Vietnam and Long made sure we had the perfect balance of guided sightseeing tours and free time to explore ourselves. Before departure, Long was also very helpful with answering questions about our Visas and double checking all the information to ensure we didn’t have any problems at the airport or upon arrival in Vietnam. Once we arrived, Long checked in with us to welcome us to Vietnam and ensure we were taken care of almost immediately. From then on, Long checked in with us at appropriate intervals to ensure we were having a good time and had no issues. It was so comforting to know we had a solid contact in Vietnam for any issues or questions! The trip itself was beyond incredible. Hoi An was magical with all its lanterns and amazing restaurants and cafes. We had a delicious private food tour and sightseeing tour with Mr Chanh (please forgive the spelling if it’s incorrect) and it was clear how passionate he is about Vietnam but also providing a great experience to his travellers. We also took part in Ms Vy’s cooking class which was an amazing experience where we got to visit the Hoi An market to see where all the ingredients are sourced from and then took part in many cooking demos and tried so many wonderful dishes. We even got to meet Ms Vy at the end and have her personalize her cookbook for us which is such a special souvenir now. We also had stops in Hanoi, Ninh Binh and Halong Bay. Hanoi, the most hectic of all, was also meticulously planned. We enjoyed a great sightseeing tour and food tour there as well. We really enjoyed all the free time we had to explore and walk around ourselves. Ninh Binh was breathtaking and I’m so grateful to Long for not letting us miss it or skip it on our itinerary. It truly was one of the highlights! Our 2 night cruise on Ha Long bay was nothing short of incredible. A few days before our departure to Vietnam, Long contacted us to let us know that he has received some concerning reviews from a traveller regarding the cruise we were originally booked on. Long was quick to reassure us that he took it upon himself to rebook us on a better cruise and that there would be no impact to us, our wallet, or our schedule. That right there solidified our confidence in Long but also in Realistic Asia. What a special gesture to ensure our satisfaction and experience. It truly meant a lot to us and the result was a wonderful cruise with absolutely no issues and service to the highest standard! Every hotel that Long suggested and booked was top notch, and so was every activity and mode of transportation. We cannot wait to plan future trips with KimKim! Thank you, Long, and to all our guides and drivers!

Hotel Reviews

Silkotel Hoi An

The hotel is centrally located and is within walking distance to the old town and many other amazing restaurants. It’s also a very short 10 min drive away from An Bang beach! The rooms are large and very comfortable and clean. The staff were so accommodating and so incredibly helpful when the airline lost our luggage upon arrival in Vietnam. The front desk staff went out of their way to speak to the airline and airport to find out information for us. The breakfast buffet was really great each morning with different dishes to choose from daily and lots of fresh fruit!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Soleil Hanoi Boutique Hotel

Hanoi

The hotel was in a really great location. Only a few minutes walk to the old quarter and a couple minutes away from train street. The location could not have been better. The only downside was the size of the room which was a little small compared to other hotels on the trip but I know that was because of the style of hotel and how narrow the buildings are in Hanoi. It would be quite difficult to open a medium or large sized suitcase in that room so we ensure we only used our small carry-ons for that part of the trip and it was fine. The staff were exceptional and very kind and accommodating.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Le Clos Du Fil Hotel

Ninh Binh

The hotel was gorgeous and it was immediately clear how committed they are to every detail! The embroidery theme was evident immediately with beautiful touches in the room and throughout the property. The room was large and comfortable and had a gorgeous view. It was also in a perfect location to walk to restaurants and lounges along the Main Street. We had the best massage of the entire trip at this hotel! They even accommodated a later time for our treatment because they were fully booked.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Erina Cruise

Incredible experience on this cruise! From the moment we boarded, we had Mr Vodka assigned to us as our server and assistant for the duration of the 2 nights. Vodka was kind and funny and ensured we were well taken care of! My husband got sick right before the cruise and had to miss out on some activities but Vodka was so kind as to check in on him and bring up a plate of refreshments for him when he missed lunch. The large jacuzzi was great and their cocktails were also incredible! The restaurant and food were all top notch and I cannot rave enough about the standard of service and the staff. The excursion to Cat Ba Island was also out of this world and a major highlight of the entire trip!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Hoi An Sightseeing and Food Tour

Hoi An

This tour was fantastic. We visited so many points of interest within the Hoi An old town and it was clear how passionate and knowledgeable our guide was! The food we tried was amazing as well! We got to try a lot of the Hoi An specialities like white rose dumplings, Cau Lao and Banh Mi. We were stuffed by the end of it. The only downside and something that I think could be done better is the stops at the tailor shop and silk factory. We were not interested in either and felt the sales tactics were a bit pushy by the staff at those locations. Perhaps the guide can ask the visitors before starting if they are interested in visiting those locations to get their feedback.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

It was mostly a walking tour but we did take rides to some further locations which was quick and efficient.

Ms. Vy’s Cooking class - Holiday Master Class - Joint in tour

Hoi An

We really really enjoyed this experience! We had a very small group (4 people) which was great. Our guide, Autumn, was so passionate, funny and knowledgeable. Our walk through the Hoi A market was amazing and she did such a great job explaining everything about the ingredients and teaching us how they are used. The cooking class portion itself is more like many different demos than a full cooking class but it was still really enjoyable. We got to try so many different dishes and had a chance to taste everything. We were stuffed! Come hungry!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi Evening Walking Street Food Tour

Hanoi

We really enjoyed walking around the old quarter and trying Banh Mi and Pho with our guide.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Explore the History and Beauty of Hanoi - Full Day Sightseeing

Hanoi

This tour was really great. We visited temples and pagodas and Ho Chi Minh complex. Unfortunately some of the museums were closed that day because it was Monday but it did not take away from the tour. Our guide was quick to suggest different points of interest and we also stopped at a beautiful lacquer art factory where we bought incredibly beautiful art to bring back home that is very unique to Vietnam.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Boat Trip Exploring The Natural Beauty of Trang An & Visit Hoa Lu Ancient Capital

Vietnam

The boat trip was really beautiful and a highlight of this trip. We really enjoyed trying mountain goat for lunch as well and the sightseeing of the temples and surrounding area.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Onboarding - Lan Ha Bay – Ba Trai Dao/ Tra Bau (Erina Cruise)

Ha Long Bay

Truly a first class experience from beginning to end. The service, food, quality of drinks were all top notch. The room was spacious and gorgeous, the balcony was great and the large bathtub with a large window to see the views was breathtaking. Nothing but praise, appreciation and accolades to the whole Erina cruises team.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Cycling At Viet Hai Village – Kayaking & Swimming (Erina Cruise)

Ha Long Bay

Such a wonderful excursion. Beautiful sights on the boat trip to Cat Ba and so much fun riding bikes in the island and exploring a bit of the national park. Kayaking was a massive highlight! It’s just so beautiful and peaceful!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Dark & Bright Cave – Disembarking cruise (Erina Cruise)

Ha Long Bay

A really fun way to end the cruise! Really enjoyed the boat tour through the cave and the views and company.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

6 days: Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang
Both hotels (Pilgrimage Village in Hue & Palm Garden Resort in Hoi An ) were great
Local guide (Mr Thuong) & drivers were
Good itinerary & mix of activities. Agenda provided flexibility to explore (Hoi An) on our own
Website is very good for daily activity summary

Ashley was super responsive, knowledgeable and pleasant. Probably the smoothest trip we ever took. Every single step was easy! Fantastic trip. Thank you Ashley!

One of our first guides was Ming and he was our favourite. He had a ton of knowledge about he Cu Chi tunnels. He let us take our time and answered all of our questions. He was lots of fun!
I loved the Cu Chi tunnel tour, the boat tour with Ming, the lunches that were provided were delicious! I loved going on the cruise that was beautiful to Ha Long Bay, the drive to get to Hue was unreal, one of the coolest sites to see. I loved the resort in Nha Trang, it was incredible. The beach was perfect. The tours were nice because it was just the 4 of us, so it was private! I liked how Ashley set the trip up, From Ho Chi Minh City to Hanoi, it was perfect! Did everything we wanted to do!

Hotel Review

The Anam Cam Ranh Resort

Nha Trang

Ive never stayed anywhere nicer! Everything was perfect, food was delicious, staff were so sweet and helpful. Such a luxury beautiful spot!!

Authenticity & Character

Really pretty spot, nice place to relax!

Location

Right on the beach, it was unreal!

Staff

Helpful and sweet! 10 out of 10

Cleanliness & Comfort

Ashley was on top of things, very helpful and was efficient. I wouldn't change the trip!

Activity Review

Islands And Snorkeling Tour

Nha Trang

This was a really fun day! So much that we did, went on the boat, got to see where the fishermen lived and what they did. The only thing was the snorkeling was not as exciting as we thought it would be. We only saw a few fish in a tiny spot off the boat. We think the snorkeling could have been a bit more, maybe a bigger area to swim with more fish!

Quality of Experience

Ming the tour guide was awesome!

Food

Delicious! Just the cruise was not a 10/10 for food unfortunately. But everything else was perfect!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Everyone was so sweet and nice! Very friendly and helpful

Transport

The drivers were efficient!