Monday, December 19, 2011

JIM CHOWS * 2 pax | Vietnam

Itinerary: Tailor made tour in Vietnam
Date: Oct 7 - Oct 29, 2011
Nationality: American

We all really enjoyed the trip immensely. 

The itinerary you put together for us was excellent and fantastic.  The Trek was an incredible experience - the scenery, the ethnic minority villages, the homestays, the food (the porters Tonny had were incredible cooks!!!).  

In between the Trek and the Halong Bay excursion we had more than enough time to walk through all nooks and crannies of the old quarters of Hanoi which was by itself a very enjoyable thing to do.
With regards to our assigned tour guides - Tonny for our Trekking adventure, and Hai for our Hanoi and Halong Bay tours - they were both very good.  In fact, I'd like to find out from you if you have Tonny's email address as we'd like to thank him directly as well.   I have Hai's email address and have kept in touch with him.  It's always a good sign when tourists decide to stay in touch with their guides - it says "job well done"!

I will definitely be recommending your company to people who express any interest in a trip to Vietnam. 

Sunday, December 11, 2011

NOWELL UPHAM * 2 pax | Northern | Vietnam

Itinerary: Northern Highlights
Date: Oct 16 - Oct 22, 2011
Nationality: American  

I travel a lot. As does my brother. We usually do all the planning ourselves, go somewhere adventurous, and cram a ton into what amounts to 7 days on the ground. And we always go on a budget, with an intent to book last minute land arrangements, and splurge when we see a high-end value. For our recent trip to Vietnam, we did only about half the homework we typically, do, and we left the rest, and our fate, in the hands of Miss Jessie at Active Travel Asia. All my communications with her were by email. We outlined everything we found on the Web that we were interested in, and what we thought a fair price was (based on our research) and she did all the rest. She arranged our transportation (we asked for a private car everywhere), train rides, tour guides (private again), motorbikes, sail boat, as well as our hotel stays. And get this, when we cancelled our private driver for the second to last day, she actually insisted on coming to our hotel and returning $65 in USD to me, as a credit. We spent two nights in Hanoi, two nights in Sapa, and a night in Hulong Bay. Plus a couple nights on an over night train to Sapa. In Sapa, we had a terrific guide (Hi-eep is how we pronounced it) be sure to ask them for him if you go, he's the guy you want to show you around. He young, and his english is great, and he's funny, and very attentive your every need. Enjoy.


Visited October 2011
Source: Tripadvisor


Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Przemek Tetyk * 12 pax | Halong Bay | Vietnam

Itinerary: Kayaking Halong Bay 3 days 
Date: Oct 17 - Oct 19, 2011 
Nationality: Polish    

I had 3 days/ 2 nights kayaking tour in Halong Bay with my business partners (12 persons).

We had wonderful private boat with 7 cabins Huong Hai Junk.
It was great time, amazing landscapes, delicious food, funny guide, exciting kayaking...

Thanks to Active Travel Asia, especially to Jessie.

Visited October 2011
Source: Tripadvisor

Monday, October 31, 2011

Raelene Merrin Kwong * 4 pax | Son Doong Cave | Vietnam

Itinerary: Son Doong Cave Discovery
Date: Sept 28 - Oct 02, 2011 
Nationality: Australian


The team at ATA were awesome - I can't recommend them highly enough. The food was plentiful and nourishing. The guides were experienced, professional and always smiling.

Thank you ATA for making our journey a real experience we will never forget!

Visited September 2011
Source: Tripadvisor



Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Eric Dean McCammond * 2 pax | Mai Chau | Vietnam

Itinerary: Trekking Mai Chau 4 days
Date: Sept 12 - Sep 15, 2011
Nationality: American

Mr. Hai was wonderful. He is an entertaining, knowledgeable guide. We were constantly engaged in entertaining dialogue, exploring everything from local customs to Vietnam history and politics. I can't imagine a better English-speaking guide in Vietnam.

Thanh was unbelievable. She led us down slippery trails and through river crossings wearing only her flipflops. Each day, following the day's hike, she would cook the most amazing meals over a wood fire. She was the first one awake, greeting us each day with a delicious breakfast.

Mai Chau is unspoiled. Not once was I approached to provide change or to buy something. The people all seemed pleasantly indifferent to us. Smiles and greetings were exchanged, but I never felt any pressure common in similar tourist situations. The people of Mai Chau seemed to be proud, friendly, and respectful.

Planning the trip was easily done via email. Ms Sunny helped me up until she took leave to deliver a baby. After that, Ms Candy ensured we were taken care of.

I don't know what else I can add. It was simply wonderful!


Tuesday, June 21, 2011

Surina Suhaimi * 2 pax | Mai Chau | Vietnam

Itinerary: Trekking Mai Chau 3 days
Date: June 09 – June 11, 2011
Nationality: Malaysian

Hi Sunny,

Everything was good, and we had a jolly good time...Hai the guide was pleasant company and very informative. Hien, the local guide, was also a good cook for us. Loved the vegetables!

The weather was very warm but we managed through it all. We found the accommodation very manageable and clean.

Thank you so much for a good time and great itinerary!

Regards,
Surina



Monday, April 18, 2011

Wang Theng Ang * 2 pax | Sapa & Halong Bay | Vietnam

Itinerary: Tailor made tour in Vietnam
Date: March 14 - March 22, 2011
Nationality: Singapore

Just want to let you know that I had a wonderful experience with ActiveTravel for my Sapa+Fansipan trekking adventure. You have done a great job and have been very responsive in answering all my queries on the trip. The trip transfers were excellently planned out and the guides, in particular, Mr Nghiep was instrumental in ensuring that we get the most out of the trip but of course with safety as the utmost priority.

Vietnam and the memories that I had gotten from the trip will be with me forever. Thank you very much. I will certainly recommend ActiveTravel to my friends! J

Take care and best regards!


Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Jean Salins * 2 pax | Halong Bay | Vietnam

Itinerary: Kayaking Halong Bay
Date: April 2 - April 5, 2011
Nationality: French

Dear Ms Sunny,

We have come back at home, very delighted with our Vietnam trip, and particularly with the ATA Halong Bay kayaking tour.

The services on junk's board was very good, and the kayaking tour introduced us too amazing and very quiet landscapes, with an excellent tour guide listening to us.

Moreover the weather was fine! We are very glad to have chosen the 4 days tour with 2 kayaking days : it's better to discover the bay.

We would like to come back if we have the opportunity.

Thanks for your kind assistance,

Sincères greetings,
Odile et Jean Salins

Monday, January 24, 2011

Christella Mylordi * 6 pax | Halong Bay, Cat Ba National Park | Vietnam

Itinerary: Kayaking Halong Bay & Trekking Cat Ba National Park
Date: Jan 14 – Jan 18, 2011
Nationality: Australian

We are grateful to our guide, Cuong, for the direction, general knowledge and explanations of the Vietnamese culture and vast experience in kayaking.

Janet Noll Naumer | Angkor Wat | Cambodia

Itinerary: Angkor Wat Insight Tour
Date: Jan 6 – Jan 10, 2011
Nationality: American

Mr. Rany, my tour guide, is excellent- knowledgeable, friendly, and passionate about Cambodia. Because of him, this has been a special, memorable visit. He went way beyond what most tour guide do. Promote him. Not only is he an excellent representative of Cambodia, but also of your company, Active Travel.

Monday, January 10, 2011

Sue McGregor * 5pax | Sapa | Vietnam

Itinerary: Conquer Mount Fansipan - Sin Chai route
Date: Dec 20 - Dec 25, 2010
Nationality: Australian

Dear Ms Sunny,

Thank you for all of your efficient organising of our recent trip.

We did have a great time. You accommodated our needs very well and we had a great day hiking in the valley.

Thank you and Happy New Year.

Steve * 5pax | Mekong Delta & Cu Chi Tunnel | Vietnam

Itinerary: Mekong Explorer and Half day Cu Chi Tunnel
Date: Dec 24 - Dec 28, 2010
Nationality: American

Hi Sunny!

Hope you had a Merry Christmas. Ours was very good and we enjoyed our time together in Vietnam biking together on a family trip.

We did enjoy our trip and stay in Vietnam. We thought the trip was well organized, Phuc our guide was very good and easy to work with and the driver Chong was also fine and very friendly. We enjoyed the ride in the late afternoon the best. It was on quiet roads and canals and we could see the daily life. The homestay was interesting and unique. Our guide was flexible and had nice trails to ride on.

We saw lots of nice countryside areas along the Mekong - very interesting and informative. The driver was always there as planned with some nice fruit snacks and cold water during the day.

Everything worked out well - Thanks for your help to pick good guides and drivers and organize everything.