Kimkim Trip Reviews for Vietnam

We absolutely loved our trip to Vietnam. Lucy, our local specialist helped tremendously during our planning phase. She was very accommodating even when we had to make several changes. Our guide, KC and driver, Quang while we were in Hanoi were spectacular. KC was very informative and kept us entertained the entire time. He really made the first part of our trip extra special. Quang was such a great driver and was able to handle the crazy traffic in Hanoi with ease.
All of our hotels were high end and the staff were always there to help us in any way. Annie from the GM Premium Hotel in Hanoi was like a personal assistant helping us find places to eat, an ATM and providing us reservations even on the 80th anniversary which was hard to come by.
We had a cooking class with Chef Ai and her niece and it was definitely a highlight of our trip.
In Phu Quoc we stayed at the Dusit Princess Moonrise hotel. The staff was exceptional. We especially loved Victor in the hotel bar and Ms. My who gave us several excursion options. We had a great experience at the spa there and loved our massages.
In Ho Chi Minh City the hotel restaurant manager was extra special. He sat and talked with us for over 30 minutes even after they closed. He suggested drinks to try and other establishments in town that we might like.
Our last night in Ho Chi Minh City was spent on a street food tour with Vespa Wanderers and we loved it! Riding on the Vespas was so exciting and the food was great. At the end of the night they gave us a mini scrapbook with pictures taken of us throughout the night. That made it all more special and we have no idea how they were able to get it completed without us knowing.
Vietnam was everything we had hoped and more. Each hotel had a special welcome for us when we got there. Lucy made sure everyone knew we were there to celebrate our anniversary and they made sure to make it extra special. We can't wait to go back

Doris did an excellent job. I appreciated her diligence, responsiveness - and the nuance she provided (e.g., conservative attire in sacred spaces). She was also quite patient with our small group as we weren’t always on the same page.

As for our local guide Richard Thuan was extraordinary. He ranks in our top 1% as we’ve traveled around the globe with private guides. Richard exceded all expectations with everything from a Buddhist deep dive on differences between practices to helping us find local art.! Richard was enthusiastic, energetic and always incredibly thoughtful, especially when navigating my dietary restrictions. Our time with him gave additional insight to life in Vietnam since the “American War.” We definitely hope to return.

Our trip to Vietnam will be a memory we'll talk about forever. Our guides, our drivers - the stunning scenery, the wonderful local sights, the fantastic food, the comfortable hotels and the friendly people were beyond our expectations. Thanks to everyone for making this a once-in-lifetime trip. We'll be back! Kyra Lindemann

Hotel Reviews

Meliá Ho Tram Beach Resort

Authenticity & Character

Location

Stunning vistas

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hotel Nikko Saigon

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Au Co Cruise

Authenticity & Character

Location

Cleanliness & Comfort

Peridot Gallery Classic Boutique Hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Ho Tram - Ho Chi Minh - Depart

Vietnam

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ho Tram Free Day

Vung Tau

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ho Chi Minh - Ho Tram

Vietnam

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta, Explore Ben Tre - Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Halong Bay - Hanoi - Fly to Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi - Tuan Chau - Lan Hạ Bay - Cat Ba (Au Co Cruise)

Vietnam

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi - Ninh Binh - Hoa Lu, Ancient Capital - Tam Coc Boat Trip - Hanoi

Vietnam

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

I’ve updated Hien as we traveled in Vietnam. She is the best support person ever!

Hotel Reviews

Hermes Cruises

It’s old and the shower stall was moldy. Water doesn’t drain well and you shower standing in dirty water. Not pleasant.

Authenticity & Character

Location

What more to say about Halong Bay. It is an amazing place!

Staff

Ben was the best. As was Husna. There were a couple of indifferent staff. Food ran out at the buffet and I left the cruise hungry!

Cleanliness & Comfort

San Boutique Hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Minh went above and beyond his duties. We are very thankful for all his help with the luggage and my brother-in-law’s wheelchair needs

Cleanliness & Comfort

Change the corners of the bed frames so it is not so hazardous. Could get badly hurt hitting against it

Cozy An Boutique Hotel Hoian

Hoi An

I loved that the bathroom had a special surface so it felt safe and not slippery.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Acnos Hotel

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

My husband got his shin and toe badly hurt by the sharp corners of the bed frame . Thankfully I had a first aid kit to stop the bleeding. I hurt myself too, but thankfully did not bleed. Just got bruised

Activity Reviews

Hanoi Street food walking tour (S)

Hanoi

Mai was cool and calm especially with pushing the wheelchair amidst the traffic in Hanoi. But it was hot and crowded and we were tired. So we stopped after 2.5 hours

Quality of Experience

Food

We had too much at the first stop and couldn’t eat much more after that. Mai was very kind to buy us guava as I love that fruit.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sung Sot Cave - Disembark to Tuan Chau (Hermes Cruise)

Ha Long Bay

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Explore More Ha Long Bay & Lan Ha Bay ( Hermes cruise )

Ha Long Bay

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ha Long Bay - Titop Islands (Hermes Cruise)

Ha Long Bay

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi Half Day City Tour & Train Street

Hanoi

Mai was very considerate of our age as she took us around Hanoi. She was also very kind to treat us to coconut drinks while waiting for the train.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Visit Danang City Sites & Ba Na Hills

Vietnam

Tranh showed his strength and ingenuity in maneuvering the wheelchair around Bana Hills especially with the escalators. It was fun to travel with him.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hoi An City Tour – Boat Ride – Release Flower Lantern

Vietnam

Tranh was very good and took very good care of us, especially my brother-in-law. It was doubtful if he could make it on to the boat for the flower lantern. But, he made it with help from all who were there

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Exploring Ho Chi Minh city Half Day Tour

Ho Chi Minh City

Anh was very helpful and attentive. He took us to a place for lunch which was memorable. Unfortunately, I forgot the name of it. It has a water wheel outside.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Vietnam was amazing. I loved the people, the food, the culture and history. Our guide was very pleasant and knowledable.

My son and I had such an excellent time on our trip to Viet Nam! Lucy planned a great adventure for us, and took care of all the details. Hotels were great, and always in the middle of the action. Transfers were flawless, so we never had to worry about taxis. Our guides in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City were knowledgeable and excited to share their cities with us. Rose Kitchen hosted a great cooking class. And I'd particularly recommend the Vespa night tour to anyone with teenagers...it was the highlight of my 17 year old's trip!

I will 100% recommend this site!

Hotel Reviews

Odys Boutique Hotel

Ho Chi Minh City

Great place. Fun location, close to major sites. Great for walking to city sites! Breakfasts are abundant and familiar to any diet, and the staff is friendly and helpful. Rooms very comfortable. 10/10!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Yarra Ocean Suites Danang

Awesome location...the ocean is just across the street! Lots of activity within walking distance. Breakfasts are abundant and familiar to any diet, and the staff is friendly and helpful. Rooms very comfortable. 10/10!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

MK Premier Boutique hotel

Hanoi

Great place. You step out right into the action of Hanoi, but inside is quiet and calm. Breakfasts are abundant and familiar to any diet, and the staff is friendly and helpful. Rooms very comfortable. 10/10!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Full Day Exploring Ho Chi Minh City Tour - Skyview Landmark 81

Ho Chi Minh City

Very interesting and informative! A great way to see Ho Chi Minh City!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

A O Traditional Vietnamese Culture Show

Ho Chi Minh City

A great acrobatic show!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sai Gon Nights Street Eats with Vespa Wanderers

Ho Chi Minh City

Such fun! Highly recommend to anyone with teenagers. It was the highpoint of my 17-year-old son's trip!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Marble Mountain - Monkey Mountain & Am Phu Cave (Morning tour)

Da Nang

Beautiful sites and a great lunch!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Let's Cook Vietnam - Join in Rose Kitchen Cooking Class

Hanoi

Loved the class! Interactive and fun!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi Evening Walking Street Food Tour with Jazz Music

Hanoi

Hanoi Fullday City Tour with Train Track Coffee Enjoying

Hanoi

Our tour was great, well paced and informative.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lucy went above and beyond to ensure we got everything we wanted for our trip.

We loved our trip to Vietnam! Before the trip, I was worried because we were a large and rowdy group of 12 people. Some of us had physical limitations due to health conditions, and the flight tickets we’d managed to book only allowed us 9 days in Vietnam to explore from the North to the South of the country. In other words, this trip promised to be very packed and complicated logistically.

Nevertheless, Camellia worked a long time with us to meticulously build our dream itinerary. She listened to our suggestions, answered our questions promptly and booked everything, and our vacation went smoothly. Our 3 guides were welcoming, patient and understanding. They did everything to accommodate us, allowing us to make the most of our short time in the cities we visited. They were also very attentive to the mood of the group, anticipating our needs/preferences and occasionally proposing welcome adjustments to the planned itinerary.

In Hanoi, Cuong reorganized our schedule so that each of us could do what we enjoyed even if we had diverging interests. For instance, he took some of us back to the hotel to have massages and take a much needed rest from the heat, while those who still had energy went on with him to the Women’s Museum. Cuong also stayed longer after our food tour ended to accompany some of us to shops we had looked up online and absolutely wanted to visit. These local shops were small, and in the labyrinth of Hanoi, we never would have been able to find them on our own.

Next, Tay, a family father who enjoys traveling and learning foreign languages, took us to discover the beauty of his hometown Hue, followed by the picturesque city of Hoi An. My personal highlight was biking in the rural area in Hue under the clear blue sky, surrounded by the perfume of rice fields. When some of us got tired during the bike ride, Tay immediately hailed motorcycle rides for those who needed it. Additionally, the heat and humidity were extreme there at the time, so Tay adjusted the itinerary to take our exhaustion into account and did his best to find cafés/restaurants with good air conditioning.

Finally, our guide John in Ho Chi Minh was on the younger side. A stark contrast from the traditional air of Northern/Central Vietnam, John gave us a fresh perspective on how it was to live in the modern and vibrant scenery of Ho Chi Minh. He was friendly and humorous, and even serenaded us with Vietnamese songs as our small cruise boat drifted down the Mekong Delta. The coconut treats and fruits we tasted at the coconut farm we visited were exquisite! Our departure flight was quite early; John arranged for the hotel to pack us lunchboxes so we wouldn’t go hungry on the way to the airport.

In short, we had a wonderful experience. Vietnam is easily the most beautiful country I have ever visited. The people are hospitable and endearing, and their daily hard work is truly inspiring. Our group originally planned for this to be a once-in-a-lifetime trip, but many of us now wish to return to Vietnam someday. I would definitely recommend Kimkim to anyone looking for an affordable and personalized dream trip in Vietnam. Thanks to the crew who assisted us, we are deeply grateful to you all!

Hotel Reviews

Roseland Sweet Hotel

Ho Chi Minh City

The room is very clean and everything looks new and well maintained, but keep in mind that it can become a bit narrow if you have a lot of luggage (as we did). The hotel's location is practical, as it is within walking distance of many shopping spots like the Vincom Center and Ben Thanh Market. The bellboy and lobby staff were all kind and helpful.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Betel Garden Villas

The hotel is small and divided into bungalows of 2 rooms: a few steps and we could easily get to our friend's rooms. Our room was spacious and clean. We enjoyed the bathroom's practical design, with the sink, toilet and large shower being in the same room but partially separated by walls. The gardens are beautiful and well maintained, and the staff is very welcoming and helpful. The breakfast is à la carte, and is simply delicious (the fried banana pancakes are to die for!). The eating room is open to the outside with transparent glass walls, so you can enjoy the sunlight and scenery as you eat. We loved the warm and intimate atmosphere in the hotel: it felt like living in a small family complex. This was one of our favourite hotels during our stay in Vietnam.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hue Ecolodge

Our room was spacious and beautifully decorated. However, there were many ants, and we saw a big cockroach in our room. My family and I are sort of germaphobes, so the cleanliness is one of the first things we look at when rating a hotel. Nevertheless, I believe that people who don't mind bugs and want to have an authentic experience of Hue traditional architecture will love the hotel. It is an Ecolodge after all, and you can see the hotel's efforts to save on energy and reduce waste production. The gardens are breathtaking: we took many pictures there in the morning. The hotel is in a secluded and green area, so you really feel immersed in the laid-back rhythm of life in Hue. Furthermore, the breakfast was excellent: all the food was fresh and tasty. The air conditioning works but isn't very strong (something to keep in mind for people who don't tolerate heat well), but that wasn't a problem for us.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Grand Cititel Hotel

Hanoi

Loved the room, it was spacious, very clean and had all the necessary accommodations. The staff was friendly and helpful, and every morning the breakfast was varied and excellent! The hotel is also very close to the Hoan Kiem park, the Old Quarter, and many of the city's touristic attractions.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

A day trip to the fertile Mekong delta, Ben Tre

Ho Chi Minh City

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hoi An – Da Nang – flight to Ho Chi Minh City - Half day city tour

Ho Chi Minh City

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

From Hoi An – Da Nang – flight to Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ancient Town Walking with Street Food Tasting - Beach relaxing

Hoi An

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hue City Tour, Bike to Rural Villages - Transfer to Hoi An

Hue

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

More cruising on the Lan Ha Bay (Verdure Lotus Cruise) - Fly to Hue

Vietnam

*La Casta Cruise

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi - Ha Long Bay - Lan Ha Bay welcome on board (Verdure Lotus Cruise)

Ha Long Bay

*La Casta Cruise

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi City Tour - Street food tour

Hanoi

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi arrival, free at your leisure

Noi Bai International Airport (HAN)

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Air-conditioned, spacious and comfortable bus. Cool water bottles were provided. Our driver Tu was very nice.

Hi Camélia and Team Kimkim,
We had an amazing Trip in Vietnam thanks to your wonderful Tour Guides ( Mr. Cuong/ Tay/ and John.
Everything was well set up Plus the Tour guide was very patient/ kind/ respectful and responded to all our needs on the GO.
Sincerely recommend KimKim and his Local Team.
Best Regards
,
Bea &Jean Marx

Great trip ,
we were well taking care of and had a an amazing time , trip was well planned . Thanks to Camilla from Hanoi and the team at KimKim

Our recent trip to Vietnam was truly a memorable and unforgettable experience. The country's culture, beautiful landscapes, and friendly people exceeded our expectations.

I especially want to commend our tour guides: Khong in Hanoi, Tay Nguyen in Hue and Hoi An, and John in Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta. They were all highly professional, knowledgeable, and helped our group of 12 better understand the local culture and way of life.
A special thanks to Tay Nguyen, who went above and beyond for our group in Hue and Hoi An. He was always approachable and ready to help, from recommending local food to finding a tailor shop. He also managed to organize a unique and beautiful sunset boat ride on the Thu Bon river so we could experience the lantern festival in Hoi An, something that wasn't originally on our itinerary. That was truly a magical experience.

Among all the places we visited, I particularly loved the historical cities of Hoi An and Hue. The ancient town of Hoi An, with its traditional houses and local shops, offered a peaceful contrast to the bustling cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. I also thoroughly enjoyed the historical sites, such as the Citadel in Hue and the Temple of Literature in Hanoi.

The only minor drawback was managing the schedule for a large group of 12 with diverse preferences. We had to cut short some historical visits to accommodate other activities like shopping, which was a bit disappointing. For future trips, a smaller group size might be more suitable to ensure everyone can enjoy the planned itinerary fully.

Overall, I highly recommend KimKim for anyone planning a trip to Vietnam. This journey was an incredible experience, and I would gladly recommend it to my friends and family.

Hotel Reviews

Roseland Sweet Hotel

Ho Chi Minh City

Well located hotel in Ho Chi Minh City. Breakfast was great and the staff was very friendly. They even prepared some lunch box for us when we had to leave the hotel early to go to the airport!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Very friendly and kind staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Betel Garden Villas

Cozy and beautiful hotel in Hoi-An. Very good service by the staff. The bathroom drain in our room was clogged because the water took time to drain. And mosquitoes were sometimes a problem on some night.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Blocked drain in the bathroom of our room

Hue Ecolodge

The AirCon was not working very well in our room and it was very hard to sleep at night. There were also ants in our towels. But the proximity of the hotel to nature was great.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Nature friendly hotel

Staff

The staff had some difficulties to understand English.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Air conditionning

Verdure Lotus Cruises

Very pleasant cruise on the Ha Long Bay! I especially enjoyed the Tai Chi class in the morning of the 2nd day of the cruise. The food was also really great!

Authenticity & Character

Nice way to explore Ha Long Bay

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Grand Cititel Hotel

Hanoi

Nice and clean hotel The breakfast was really great!

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

A day trip to the fertile Mekong delta, Ben Tre

Ho Chi Minh City

It was an interesting experience to navigate on the Mekong river and learn about the local life and culture. The coconut candy shop was full of nice souvenirs. The Sampan tour really brings us close to the water and allows us to see the Mekong through the eyes of the local people.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hoi An – Da Nang – flight to Ho Chi Minh City - Half day city tour

Ho Chi Minh City

We were not able to complete all the scheduled activities on the tour because some people on our group prefered to shop.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Bus was comfortable

From Hoi An – Da Nang – flight to Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam

There was not a lot of trafic on our way to the airport.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Ancient Town Walking with Street Food Tasting - Beach relaxing

Hoi An

Hoi-An was my favorite city of our trip to Vietnam! The city kept its authentic and traditional charm and atmosphere. It is a very peaceful place filled with cozy local shops and interesting monuments. The lantern festival and the sunset on a boat on the Thu-Bon river was magical ! 🤩

Quality of Experience

Hoi-An really has its own special charm and atmosphere.

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Tay Nguyen managed to organize a unique and beautiful sunset boat ride on the Thu Bon river so we could experience the lantern festival in Hoi An, something that wasn't originally on our itinerary.

Transport

Bus was comfortable

Hue City Tour, Bike to Rural Villages - Transfer to Hoi An

Hue

I really like the bike to rural villages activity. Our group was able to meet the local people and get a glimpse of their life. The paper flower making activity was very interesting! I really enjoyed learning about the Citadel too and the last dynasty of emperor in Vietnam.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Tay Nguyen really did a really good job to accomodate the people in our group who didn't know how to ride a bicycle. He also knows a lot of things about his hometown Hue. He helped us better understand Vietnamese culture and local life. He also went above and beyond to satisfy our needs (from helping us find food on our way from the airport to helping us find a tailor shop!)

Transport

More cruising on the Lan Ha Bay (Verdure Lotus Cruise) - Fly to Hue

Vietnam

The flight was very short. Hue is a nice and cozy town.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi - Ha Long Bay - Lan Ha Bay welcome on board (Verdure Lotus Cruise)

Ha Long Bay

Nice way to explore Ha Long Bay The food was very good and the rooms were comfortable. I really enjoyed the tai chi class on the morning of the second day!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi City Tour - Street food tour

Hanoi

Even though the tour was delayed due to some persons in our group wanting to shop, I liked the opportunity to taste authentic Vietnamese food including Bun Cha, Hanoï's specialty dish.

Quality of Experience

Food

I really liked the Bun Cha!

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi arrival, free at your leisure

Noi Bai International Airport (HAN)

It was great to learn about the past history of Hanoï and Vietnam through the Temple of Literature and the Women Museum. I learned about Ho Chi Minh and what he did for Vietnam. Our guide Khong was very friendly and helpful. He even learned the name of the 12 persons in our group! He recommended us a good place to taste Hanoï's specialty dish: Bun Cha 😋

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Our guide Khong was very friendly and helpful. He even learned the name of the 12 persons in our group! He recommended us a good place to taste Hanoï's specialty dish: Bun Cha 😋

Transport

Mr. Quyet Dang was our guide and was a wealth of knowledge about the culture and history of Vietnam. He and our driver took us to many fun and interesting events and places. We left feeling like we had seen some special places and had genuine experiences that we would not have been able to find without him, and they also set it up so it was very convenient and pretty frictionless. They arranged beautiful lodgings, were very informative about what to expect, were quick and easy to communicate with, and then got us everywhere we needed to go, including transport to and from the airport.
This trip was amazing, gave us lifelong memories, and I highly recommend the team and Mr. Dang in particular!

Hotel Reviews

Paradise Elegance Cruise

This really is a fine hotel on the water, and was a unique experience from spending time on the ship itself to all the activities they arrange on the cruise.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Unbelievable beauty of Ha Long bay is experienced from a private cabin

Staff

The crew were exceptional and provided everything you would want, as well as making everyone feel comfortable and safe

Cleanliness & Comfort

The rooms were spotless clean and surprisingly large for a ship’s cabin.

Emeralda Tam Coc Resort

Beautiful resort immediately next to the lake. Very beautiful grounds, high quality food, and excellent staff

Authenticity & Character

Beautifully appointed rooms

Location

Natural surroundings very beautiful, with caves, river, and plenty to do in area

Staff

Everyone went out of their way to welcome us and make sure we had what we needed

Cleanliness & Comfort

Every area was spotless clean, with plenty of room to spread out

Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel

Hanoi

Amazing service and beautiful hotel in busy downtown Hanoi! The staff go out of their way to provide excellent service and they were all gracious and warm. The amenities were as you would expect for a luxury hotel, including a buffet breakfast that doesn’t leave anything out.

Authenticity & Character

Location, with beautiful rooftop bar

Location

Central to many things in the Old Quarter. It is very busy and there is lots of foot, motorbike, and car traffic.

Staff

Unbelievable service

Cleanliness & Comfort

Spotless clean room, bedding, restaurant

Activity Reviews

Ninh Binh - Cuc Phuong National Park - Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh

Beautiful hike in the jungle. If you enjoy hiking, don’t miss this!

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi Cooking Class - Afternoon free

Hanoi

Authentic experience in a Hanoi suburb where we went to the market, learned about how food is prepared and then got to do some of it ourselves. Lots of fun!

Quality of Experience

Food

Some of the most delicious food we tasted in Vietnam

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi City Tour & Half-day Sightseeing by Legendary Russian Jeep GAZ69 Or USA Army Jeep (VBTJ1)

Hanoi

Open air tour through Hanoi with a really fun and knowledgeable guide!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

The whole team was exceptional! We are seasoned travelers and had a wonderful experience! Dolores was instrumental and ensured our trip was memorable. Thanks to the Jeep tour- simply a must! Dolores, thank you again for a wonderful trip!

Hotel Reviews

Allegro Hoi An

Hoi An

Staff were professional and very accommodating!

Authenticity & Character

Wonderful hotel and staff!

Location

Hotel was central to events and sightseeing activities!

Staff

They were kind and helpful with directions and events/sights to visit!

Cleanliness & Comfort

A wonderful experience!

Indochine Lan Ha Cruise

Hai Phong

Awesome boat and trip package! Staff were very accommodating, fun and professional!

Authenticity & Character

Boat decor was wonderful and set the mood!

Location

Central to walks, cave and kayaking areas!

Staff

Again, professional and accommodating!

Cleanliness & Comfort

Awesome room!

Hanoi Pearl Hotel

Hanoi

Staff was professional and very accommodating!

Authenticity & Character

Good and accommodating to the area!

Location

Central and easy to walk or taxi.

Staff

Professional and kind!

Cleanliness & Comfort

All was good!

Activity Review

Hoi An Cooking Class (join-in small group) - Visit Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An

Chef was fun and interactive! We are food enthusiasts. She enjoyed our questions and gave us tips to further enjoy preparing their local cuisine at home.

Quality of Experience

Too many to mention.

Food

We are food enthusiasts and trip was centered around cuisine and culture.

Guides, Drivers and Staff

All were hospitable, professional and kind!

Transport

Drivers were on time and drove safely!

What an amazing adventure we had in Vietnam. Huyen planned and organised a truly memorable family holiday. We learnt so much about Vietnam's culture and history. Our tour took us from the north to the south over 16 days. We did a wonderful cruise and kayaking in Halong bay , overnight train which was so fun, rode bikes through local villages , climbed Laying Dragon mountain, span in the fishing coconut boats, made silk lanterns and did a fantastic night food tour on scooters through the streets of Saigon plus lots of different boat trips and so much more!!!!!
The entire trip was superbly organised by Huyen then we were handed over to Doris who could be contacted once in Vietnam , she always replied promptly if needed. We had very knowledgeable guides and safe drivers in each area, Quyet in the north, Mr An in the central region ( Mr An even organised a birthday cake for me) and Richard in Saigon. We would not have been able to achieved so many sights without them. Every time we left an attraction our driver would meet us with an air conditioned van and cold bottles of water.
We also added 3 extra days at a beach resort so we could have some chilled time , this was lovely especially trying out lots of massages at the spa.
A totally wonderful experience from booking to home, we would definitely be booking again with Kimkim and would not hesitate to recommend to our friends and family.

Hotel Reviews

Sanouva Saigon

Great location for exploring. Very friendly. Rooms a bit on the smaller size but we were in the heart of the city and they had everything that we needed in the room. Had a great small brewery bar and Mexican near by and hotel opposite had a wonderful rooftop bar for cocktails in the evening.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Palm Garden Resort Hoi An

Gorgeous hotel on the beach. Felt like heaven after backpacking. Food at the beach restaurant was wonderful. Breakfast had a massive selection of foods on offer. Spa was wonderful, treated myself to daily treatments as very good value.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Tight on the beach but also only a short Grab taxi ride back into Hoi An.

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Big rooms , adjoining with our teenagers.

Silkotel Hoi An

Hoi An

Fabulous large room , adjoining with our teenagers. Great location for walking into old town and to the river. Nice swimming pool area. Lovely breakfast and great menu at the bar. Very reasonable for food and drinks.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Super comfy room and beds. Beautiful room.

Rosaleen Boutique Hotel

Hue

Really big rooms and comfy beds. Good location. Very helpful staff. Lovely breakfast.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

New Livitrans Train

What a fabulous way to travel with my family, Hanoi to Hue. Our guide took us to the carriage and the next guide met us as we got off. Really clean cabin with snacks and drinks. Very comfy little beds with pillow and duvet. Clean toilet and sink for teeth brushing. Guard knocked on our door before arriving in station to make sure we were aware we needed to get off at the right place.

Authenticity & Character

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Swan Cruise

Fabulous trip. Staff were all really fun and attentive. Food really good although the lunch as we came back into harbour not so good but we had not long had a big breakfast on board so didn’t matter. Had an adjoining room with our kids. Very good size rooms. Kayaking tour around Halong Bay was great.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Tam Coc Lion Kings Hotel & Resort

Very friendly, quiet hotel. Didn’t eat in hotel as it was quiet but a very cheap Grab taxi to the centre for food.

Authenticity & Character

Beautiful garden area.

Location

Weather was bit wet to walk but easy to get a grab taxi

Staff

So friendly.

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hong Ngoc Dynastie Hotel & Spa

Hanoi

Perfect location in the heart of old town. Great breakfast and evening meals. All had lovely massages when we arrived to help with the air travel.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Really comfy beds

Activity Reviews

Saigon By Night Food Tour - Experience Vietnam on Two Wheels (Small Group tour)

Ho Chi Minh City

Fabulous evening food tour on scooters . Wonderful food and drinks Riding on the back on the scooters through Saigon was really fun, we were all grinning firm ear to ear. Felt very safe. Make sure you go with an empty tummy as a lot of yummy food to be had on the tour.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hoi An - Cam Thanh Coconut Village - Tra Que Village

Hoi An

Really loved the bike ride to the farm for a delicious local lunch. Coconut boats were a real highlight.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi - Ninh Binh

Ninh Binh

Loved climbing up the 500 steps at Laying dragon mountain, walking through the beautiful Lotus flowers and the rowing boat trip up the river.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This company says what they will do and does what they say
5 star

Doris was excellent. Very receptive to suggestions and edits. On top of all details.

Hotel Reviews

Metta Residence & Spa

Krung Siem Reap Siem Reap

Great hotel but location not great.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

The Secret Garden Koh Rong

Amazing views.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Baitong Hotel & Resort

Phnom Penh

Authenticity & Character

Location

A bit out of the way from city centre

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Eden Star Hotel & Spa

Ho Chi Minh City

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hoi An Delicacy Hotel & Spa

Hoi An

Best hotel on our whole trip

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Eldora Hue

Hue

Pool was closed for maintenance without any heads up. Kids were disappointed. Locks on doors were not great as they had issues.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

New Livitrans Train

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Peony Cruise

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hanoi Pearl Hotel

Hanoi

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Siem Reap - Angkor Thom - Ta Prohm - Angkor Wat - Departure

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Siem Reap: Banteay Srei - Pre Rup - Tonle Sap Lake

Siem Reap

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Phnom Penh sightseeing

Phnom Penh

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Sai Gon Sightseeing - XO Saigon by Night - Experience Vietnam on Two Wheels (Group tour)

Ho Chi Minh City

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hoi An - Da Nang - Flight to Ho Chi Minh - Visit Cu Chi Tunnels

Vietnam

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hoi An: Cam Thanh Fishing Village & Hoi An Ancient Town

Hoi An

Quality of Experience

No

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hue, Visit Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc - Hoi An

Vietnam

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hue - Thuy Bieu Eco-village, Cooking Class & Imperial Citadel

Hue

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Lan Ha Bay - Hanoi - Night train to Hue

Vietnam

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi - Lan Ha Bay - Overnight on Peony Cruise

Vietnam

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Half-day Hanoi Sightseeing by Vintage Motorcycle and Half-day Countryside by GAZ69/USA Jeep (VBTFD)

Hanoi

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

This group accomplished the absolute impossible. I signed up for a marathon - unwisely - that was 4 hours - 4 hours! - outside of Ho Chi Minh, along the Mekond Delta.

I spoke with Hien and she was able to find a driver from the airport to the hotel as well as a great hotel. The next day I drove with a driver - Phouk (sp?) and a guide (Phi) out to the Mekong Delta (Hau Gyang district) and they helped me get registered and pick up my race packet for the race. I would have been helpless without them.

The race itself, however, furthermore was at 3 AM the next day! 3 AM! Not to worry, the guide and the driver insisted on getting up with me that morning and driving me to the race. Extraordinary. And I was able to run and finish the race!

That afternoon, we went back to Ho Chi Minh and Phi generously put me on his motorbike and showed me the nightlife the next day - and treated me to some fabulous street food. Phi's English by the way was excellent, large vocabulary and great local knowledge. Hien's English was also very good, enabling seamless communication.

I cannot say enough good things about how well it all went and how bad it would have gone without them - - how well Hien planned the whole trip based on my specific needs, how actively she stayed in touch during the trip, and how quickly she was able to adjust if we decided to do something different. You cannot dream of better.

My heartfelt praise and gratitude to all three of them!

Hien was fantastic to work with. We had four or five iterations of our planned trip and she happily chopped and changed according to our budget and preferred itinerary.

We were in Pu Luong for three nights and our local guide was wonderful. She was from the area and so naturally had great local knowledge.

All our connections were organised which meant for a stress-free holiday. The drivers were all lovely and helpful and on time! It all helped make our holiday truly magical and memorable. Thanks.

Hotel Reviews

Doris Cruise

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Lalita Boutique Hotel & Spa Ninh Binh

Authenticity & Character

Location

A bit out of town. But a nice view from the top floor with the pool

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Gateway Inn Pu Luong

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Hanoi Allure Hotel

Great location. Friendly staff.

Authenticity & Character

Location

Staff

Cleanliness & Comfort

Activity Reviews

Lan Ha Bay – Dark & Bright Cave – Disembark Cruise (Doris Cruise)

Ha Long Bay

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

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

Ha Long Bay

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Village Life | Water Wheels | Rafting ( Day3)

Pu Luong Nature Reserve

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Enchanting 19km Off-Road Trekking

Pu Luong Nature Reserve

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Pu Luong - Caving | Scenic Rice Fields

Pu Luong Nature Reserve

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Overall the experience to Vietnam was fantastic. Dat & the Realistic Asia team made many things seamless and easy with little stress for our group.

One personal note for me - many of the tours felt typical, when initially I think I went through KimKim to look for some "off the beaten path" tours or trips. As an architect I mentioned initially that I was really interested in seeing spaces and buildings and I feel like I missed some of that, especially in Ho Chi Minh City. It partly may have been an expectation management which sometimes the tour descriptions aren't super clear about.

Also the larger group tours of 17+ were too much for me. I definitely preferred the smaller group (10 people or so) as it felt like we were waiting on other people less. The one tour we did with just our group was awesome and personalized. We also loved the Calista Cruise team and experience.

I usually plan my own trips so this was a first time for me using an agency. I'm glad we did, and now I have a better sense of how to plan for future trips! Dat was very reliable, quick to respond and very helpful in all areas. I highly recommend him and his team!

Activity Reviews

Let's Cook Vietnam - Join in Rose Kitchen Cooking Class

Hanoi

Aroma was awesome. The size of class, organization and experience was wonderfully led by Aroma.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi - Ninh Binh (Dinh Le Temple, Tam Coc, Mua Cave) Day Trip by Group Tour (B/L)

Hanoi

The place was wonderful, however the guide didn't give clear instructions, the group was too big and the food was terrible.

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Hanoi Half Day City Tour

Hanoi

The personalized schedule, places selected and the guide were great.

Quality of Experience

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

Daily tour sightseeing Halong Bay ( La Casta Daily cruise)

Hanoi

Duc and the team there were awesome. The food was good and the views are just stunning. The speed boat & kayak were fun!

Quality of Experience

Food

Guides, Drivers and Staff

Transport

STRONG CUSTOMER SERVICE/ EXCELLENT COMMUNICATION

Hien helped us plan our Vietnam/Thailand trip from June 1 to 13. We packed a lot into this 2 week trip which Hien kept tweaking to our preference and satisfaction. Unbelievably organized compared to the last travel agent we used.
Throughout the whole trip, she kept checking on us and reminded us of driver/pick-up times (always punctual) and who our guide will be, etc.

When things didn't go according to original plan, she already had a quick back-up. For instance...Ha Long Bay Paradise Peak Cruise's air condition malfunctioned at last minute so she booked us on sister ship, Paradise Elegance. Although the room was smaller than our room on P.Peak's, she made it right by making sure our room had a large wrap around balcony and my husband got a free 60 minute massage. Additionally, we were supposed to have dinner cruise the following week on Manohra Cruise in Bangkok, but boat caught on fire. Hien was able to get us a refund pretty quickly since back-up dinner cruise ship could not accommodate us at a specific time.

Choice of guides were also great! KC (Kim Cuong), our Hanoi guide, took us on street food tour which included (per our request) a hunt for reasonably priced Kopi Luwak coffee beans (from movie "The Bucket List") and a perfect seat to watch the train's approach on Hanoi's famous Old Train Street.
Tim (Tipparat), our Bangkok guide, also went the extra mile. She picked us up at BKK airport. During our 1 hour drive to our hotel, she helped us make reservation at Michelin Star restaurant, R-Haan. She also got us seating at the famous Jay Fai " street food" restaurant prior to our actual street food tour. Not sure how she did it because Jay Fai does not take reservations. There is usually a long queue.

We went on many excursions, such as a hike in SaPa's rice fields, a trip to Ninh Binh (Mua Cave, Tam Coc), and my favorite, Chai Lai Orchid Elephant Sanctuary. All perfectly planned.

Hotels--Hien will work with your budget. We chose to stay at mid-luxury hotels.

Hanoi: Peridot Boutique Hotel is located in Old Quarter. Great location...we were able to walk to Hoa Lo Prison, the Water Puppet Theatre, Chinatown area, and Train Street. Great breakfast buffet.

Sa Pa: Topas Ecolodge-- we just stayed in a Premium Executive Bungalow and it had a great view. Food at Topas...breakfast buffet and dinner surprised us...actually quite good.

Sa Pa: Hotel de la Coupole -M Gallery --beautiful hotel. Absinthe Bar (Afternoon Tea) offers sweet and savory treats paired with tea and coffee. Chic Restaurant had great breakfast buffet but limited choices for dinner.

Chiang Mai: Tamarind Village-- great location in Old City. The Sunday night market is pretty much right in front of hotel. You can walk to the temples. Breakfast buffet was great.

Bangkok: Anantara Riverside --we had a great room with river view. Restaurants are very mediocre --Trader Vic's, Brio, Benihana--all these restaurants are in the US. Drinks at the bar (alcoholic and non) are very expensive even by US standards. Breakfast and dinner buffet also mediocre. Expected more from a luxury ( or mid-luxury?) resort. At least just about a 10minute Grab (Uber in SE Asia) ride to Iconsiam where you can find "air conditioned street food stalls" at bottom level.