Active Travel Asia

I'm back from Vietnam trip with Active Travel Vietnam and have some review as below:

Where we traveled: At the Duongs' house in the small village of Ban-Ho, a six-hour trek outside of Sapa. Sapa is in the northwest, just south of the Chinese border, a place many hill tribes call home.

About meals: We had dinner at the Duongs' house, where our guide Hoa was the chef. The different courses (spring rolls, fish, tofu, soup, beef, rice) kept flowing until we were satiated. However, the most pleasant experience was drinking the homemade rice wine made by Mr. Duong. He continued to pour it until we finally had to say "no more." We did learn that "took saquaya" is the equivalent of "cheers" for the Tay people.

How to get best deal: We booked a three-day trip to Halong Bay and the four-day Sapa trek with Active Travel Vietnam. Every aspect of the trip was perfect; the English-speaking guides were informative but not overwhelming. The price was inexpensive. Reach them at info@activetravelvietnam.com.

Best time to go: November was a perfect time, but it was hazy everyday, so pictures did not have blue skies in them. The temperature was pleasant; no rain and no crowds of tourists.

Best travel tip: Don't be afraid to go to Vietnam because of the war in the '70s. I found the Vietnamese people to be among the friendliest I have ever encountered, and not one of them had any animosity toward American people.

More information at http://www.denverpost.com/papertrailsarchive/ci_4905810

Hi Julia,

We had the most enjoyable 2 weeks in Vietnam. Everyone we met was so friendly, and the service was excellent too! The trek in Sapa was what we really came for, but Halong Bay almost beat it for its beauty. The kayaking was superb! It was so good to have some of the busy locations to ourselves first thing in the morning. The food was just amazing - almost too much really!! Think I will have to go on a diet!!

The 3 guides you provided, Mr. Than (Hanoi), Mr. Lan (Sapa) & Mr. Qyuen (Halong bay), were all great guys, who were most knowledgeable and were happy to introduce us to the local customs and a few words of Vietnamese. Nothing was too much trouble for them. We would recommend any of them. The driver you gave us to Halong Bay, was fantastic...he did not use his horn once!! Very smooth, relaxing ride!

Gao Bai Hotel, Hanoi was very good. Service excellent, friendly & helpful. Front rooms a little noisy, but fun to look down onto the street below! Chau Long Hotel, Sapa, was in a great location, but I felt the service could have been in bit better/friendlier for the level of hotel. Sunrise resort at CatBa was in a beautiful location, and the restaurant was quite reasonably priced for a hotel. Good service.

The welcome dinner at The Wild Lotus, Hanoi, was magnificent! We were expecting something a lot less grand, so thankyou for organizing this for us! And the IndoChina Sails junk in Halong Bay (upgraded) was just so unbelievable Pete & I thought it must have been a mistake!! The train to Sapa was an experience I won't forget! Not the best sleep but lots of fun!!

Last but not least, thankyou to you Ms. Julia! You organisation skills from our first enquiry to this follow-up were so professional and helpful. It made us feel very comfortable to know the answers to our many questions before we arrived, and all the transfer connections were perfect. It made the trip run so smoothly, we had more time to enjoy the sights and less time to worry about the details you took care of.

Pete and I would be more than happy to recommend yourself and Active Travel to anyone looking to travel in Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos. I have already given your name to my sister in HCM, as she may look to go to Laos later this year. I also mentioned you to a few travellers I met in CatBa, who had a bad experience with another agency. As mentioned, I walk with a group of women in Sydney, who travel alot to go trekking, so I will let them know your details if they are looking to go to Vietnam. Please also feel free to use any of this email as a recommendation for your services.

We wish you, your family and your new baby all the health and happiness. Best wishes and good luck for the future.

Warmest Regards,

Jacq and Pete

Jacq & Pete Conway
9 Rofe Street
Leichhardt NSW 2040
02 9560 3775

From 05Apr to 13Apr
Belgium

Dear Julia,

We enjoyed our trip to Halong Bay and Cat Ba. This Mister Hay was a very good guide. Also the men on the supporting boat were very friendly and very good cooks.

Warmest greetings,
Dirk en Greet

Hi Sunny,

"We had a wonderful family vacation thanks to Active Travel Vietnam! Despite our different ages and interests, it was an unforgettable trip for all of us... my brother, my mom and me. Thank you for working out all the details and allowing us to make such special travel memories together. We will never forget our home stay on the Mekong Delta or the beautiful bike trails or the kindness and generosity of our guide Loc. We loved every minute of our adventure!"

-Sarah
America
23 Mar 2009

Dear Julia...

Yes,I am comeback in my home Sunday. Very nice trip in Cambodia, and, very enjoy in Saigon. You know I like stay in Saigon..

Julia: YOU ARE PERFECT!!!!

Thank you very much for all!! Your work is always perfect. I very trust in you when I must departure..

You know...Maybe ( if I no have problems..), in October I'd like visit Laos.. so I will contact you again for more information.... If I visit Laos, I come to Hanoi for meet you Julia.

If I have some friends that want visit Vietnam.. I give your name for make a trip plane.. sure.. you are perfect in your work!

Thank you again Julia.

Have a very nice day.. HOPE SEE YOU SOON..

Hugs...

Bye Bye

COSTANTINO
Italy
14 Mar 09

- I enjoyed kayak very much, caves to lagoons were very fun
- Guide very willing to be flexible to our requirements. He respected and understood the privacy of the group – Good job

Thanks,
Brent Buchan
Mar 09
USA