Amazing Vacation in Vietnam thanks to Long, our Travel Specialist
Vietnam
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Jan 14 - Jan 23, 2026
Long, my local specialist was outstanding, THE BEST! He has restored my faith in kimkim.
I had my first trip with kimkim to Croatia in Oct. 2019. The local specialist, Antonia, was amazing. She was a true "Travel Magician" and we had the best time thanks to her.
Second trip with kimkim was to Portugal in Oct 2022 with local specialist Beatriz based in Madrid, and it was an absolute disaster. Beatriz failed us in so many ways. Because of my 2019 trip experience, I got my closest friends to join this trip. We were all totally disappointed and I had to keep apologizing to my friends. I was determined as a result never to travel with kimkim again.
This time, I wanted to vacation in Vietnam and my daughter encouraged me to give kimkim another chance as she and her family returned from a very good trip with kimkim in summer. Against my better judgement I did and now very pleased to report, Long did a fabulous job from start to finish, and has restored my faith in kimkim.
At the outset I asked Long if he had read my 2 previous reviews, and told him that I expected him to perform and deliver to my expectations. And yes, Long more than delivered. He understood my "demands" - great sightseeing, great local food, the best but not outrageously-priced hotels, and superior guides/on-the-ground service.
Long put together a wonderful trip itinerary and was extremely responsive and helpful throughout the entire planning process.
Thanks to his diligence, and stellar customer service, my husband and I had the most enjoyable time and loved Vietnam.
We did so many interesting and fun things. Ate the best local food, great foodie tours. Stayed in well-located 5-star hotels - charming boutique hotel in Hanoi French Quarters, the best room (gigantic honeymoon room with this phenomenal round bed) on our Ha Long Bay cruise, and beautiful Moire Hoi An (IHG collection) right by the river in Hue, etc, etc.
On arrival in Vietnam, they provided VIP Fast Track Service at the airport, and we were escorted and breezed through customs.
We had our own private cars with excellent, careful drivers and great, very knowledgeable local guides.
While waiting to return home, we met fellow travelers at the airport who didn't do half the fun and exciting things we did - Highlights: Cyclo Tour (we were pedalled through downtown Hanoi in their version of rickshaw right smack in the heart of downtown traffic with our cyclist assuring us repeatedly "No. 1 Driver!" as he skilfully avoided oncoming buses and motor bikes), flat-bottom boat ride down the river in Tam Coc where the boats were rowed with feet not hands, Citadel (stunningly beautiful Imperial palace in Hue built with heavy French influence), basket boat ride in Hoi An and Sai Gon Night Street Eats with Vespa Wanderers (sat pillion on Vespa scooters and ferried from restaurant to restaurant eating the most delicious local food - best coffee, best Vietnamese sandwich, amazing fancy restaurant, best local dessert and capped it off with drinks at a nice bar.)
Long of Realistic Asia planned a fabulous itinerary for us and totally performed and delivered. He personally welcomed and met us in Hanoi with souvenir gifts handmade by his girlfriend, prepped us every day on what to expect the next day, made sure we had the best guides and drivers, checked with us every day to make sure we were happy and had no complaints....in constant contact and responded immediately to anything we needed.
In short, he was OUTSTANDING, THE BEST, another true Travel Magician.
He even checked and made sure we returned home safely.
Extremely well done Long and THANK YOU. You have restored our faith in kimkim.
We will be recommending good friends to you. Keep up your superior level of customer service.
Hotel Reviews
Lovely, charming well-located hotel with incredible customer service. We were having breakfast the first morning when a staff came to apologize if our sleep was disturbed by a fire alarm that went off mistakenly. The alarm was so soft, my husband couldn't even hear it when I asked him. Our final morning breakfast, a server came to say she knows we will have a 3-hour road trip to Ha Long Bay and could she pack a lunch bag for us. Amazing. During breakfast, I completed a review of the hotel, rated it the best, made a recommendation for a 2nd chair in the room and when we were checking out, the Hotel Manager came to personally thank us, gave us a small gift and thanked me for my recommendation. This is one hotel you must provide for all your guests in Hanoi. Amazing, phenomenal service, great breakfast, great location, comfortable and very clean room and all-around very attentive staff from doorman to reception to Restaurant staff. I have stayed in many 5-star, superior hotels but this one ranks way above the best because of its stellar, extremely attentive customer service. Definitely goes the extra mile!
Great Cruise Leader. Amazing customer service in the dining room from chef down to servers.
Great location by the river and bridge
Activity Reviews
Lovely experience - delicious food and great guide
Incredible, very helpful
Loved it. Unique experience being propelled through crazy downtown traffic. Very skilled and entertaining cyclists
Very enjoyable
Ha Long Bay is amazing. Stunningly beautiful. A must-do.
Interesting
Loved the Citadel. Uniquely beautiful with heavy French influence.
Very fun and unusual experience. Sailing down the river, nice and the spinning boats, great for the young
Amazing experience riding pillion on a Vespa scooter and being ferried from restaurant to restaurant to enjoy the best food. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
Spectacular, amazing show. A MUST-SEE!
A little boring but our guide tried his best. The choice of places to visit should be reviewed.