Beautiful and unforgettable experience in Vietnam
Vietnam
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Aug 3 - Aug 11, 2025
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
Activity Reviews
*La Casta Cruise
*La Casta Cruise
