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. 

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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

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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!

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.

Michelle, Tony and Karen | Vietnam

Itinerary : Tailor made tour in Vietnam
Date: November 13 - November 27, 2010
Nationality: Australian

We just spent 2 weeks on a tour organised for 3 people by Active Asia Travel and would not choose anyone else to travel with throughout Vietnam. We had drivers and guides at every point to meet us (and all early), our every need was catered for.

We started in Hanoi where we were picked up at airport and met our wonderful guide who would take us onto Halong Bay where we kayaked and cruised for 2-3 days - absolutely breathtaking. Caught a night train to Lao Cai where we trekked from beautiful Sapa and had two wonderful home stays, our guide was so much fun and we had a fantastic experience. Onto Hue, Hoi An where we had shorter day tours of these lovely places then finished bike riding through the Mekong Delta for 4 days with yet another fantastic guide.

All our transfers were taken care of, all accommodation organised and almost all our meals were catered for. The guides were all so much fun and extremely knowledgable of the areas they took us. The kayaking, treks and bike riding where all well planned and able to be adjusted if it got too difficult - the guides were great at determining just the right amount of activity to be challenging yet moreso enjoyable. Our travel agent Jessie should be commended, she done a fabulous job and we will definately be back to Vietnam, and would not travel with anyone else.

Thank you Active Travel for an absolutely wonderful trip !

Source : http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g293924-d1469397-r89463066-ActiveTravel_Asia-Hanoi.html

Jodie Cummings | Vietnam

Itinerary : Tailor made tour in Vietnam
Date: October 20 - November 3, 2010
Nationality: British

I really enjoyed my trip. Thank you for all my planning. The homestays were the best.

I think if i was to do the trip again, I would have continued riding up from Than Uyen to Sapa, instead of going back to Hanoi and doing the night trains.... then spend a few nights in Sapa and Bac Ha, doing mountain biking and hiking. Then head back down to hanoi on the motorbike stopping again at Thac Ba reservoir (that was the best homestay). And from there end my trip after the Halong bay tour....

In all honesty - it was still a lovely trip. Long was by far the best of the 3 tour guides.
He was the most sociable and outgoing, and therefore I felt comfortable and safe the whole time.

My hightlights to the trip were:

- Motorbiking!
- Halong bay - was just stunning - and i'm so glad i did 2 nights!! 1 is definately not enough - the first day is very rushed!
- Sapa - the beautiful colours....

Hope that gives you enough feedback.

Thank you again for your help !

Harriet & Anneka | Sapa | Vietnam

Itinerary : Sapa Trekking & Homestay
Date: October 19 - October 23, 2010
Nationality: British

We had a fantastic time in Sapa, and thank you ever so much for organising everything so smoothly. We will definitely look to Active Vietnam again in the future.

We were extremely lucky with the weather and have some beautiful photographs of the region.

Kerstin * 4 | Sapa | Vietnam

Itinerary : Conquer Fansipan - Heaven Gate Route
Date: October 1 - October 5, 2010
Nationality : German

I would like to say Thank you for everything. We had a brilliant trip to Sapa and Fansipan!!! We so enjoyed it :)

Our tour guide The was fantastic :)

And you organised everything so good for us in Hanoi :) I can only recommend your company. So fantastic :)

Rod Richardson & Victoria Crook | Sapa | Vietnam

Itinerary: Sapa Trekking & Homestay
Date: May 12 - May 15, 2010
Nationality: American

Hi Sunny,

We're dodging riots and curfews in Thailand at the moment!

We had an absolutely excellent experience on our Sapa trek and homestay; definitely the highlight of our 2-week holiday in Vietnam. The organisation was excellent, from the moment we were met in Hanoi to the moment the train departed Sapa.

The trek itself was superb and the guide was really good; very knowledgeable and friendly. We would definitely recommend this tour to anyone and we hope to use your agency again when we return to Vietnam in the future.

Many thanks,

James Maher & Mike Maher | Northwest, Sapa, Cat Ba island, Halong Bay | Vietnam

Itinerary: Motorcycling Northwestern Trails , Conquer Mount Fansipan - Heaven Gate Route, Kayaking Halong Bay & Trekking Cat Ba National Park
Date: April 30 - May 14, 2010
Nationality: England

Dear active travel Vietnam

We both arrived home safely. England is dull and cold compared to Vietnam and we would like to thank all of you for making this trip so special. All our guides including Ken, Son and Quyen along with the porters and drivers were excellent.

We will be recommending you to our friends in England and hope to return to Vietnam in the future as it was a brilliant country.

Very best regards,
James Maher
Mike Maher

Leah Honicky & Andrew Troicki | Sapa | Vietnam

Itinerary: Sapa Long Trail
Date: April 26, 2010
Nationality: Australian & American

Excellent, very good food!
Homestay was very good!

Daniella Gill | Sapa & Halong Bay | Vietnam

Itinerary: Sapa Long Trail & Halong Bay 2 day
Date: April 12, 2010
Nationality: Australian

Excellent service. The tour was everything we expected and more. We saw other tours here but ours was a lot better (we are happier)

Lap and Chu are top class. They treated us like VIPs the whole trip. We felt safe and looked after. They are both great! Cooks the food was wonderful. Thank you!

Great trekking tour!!

Zach Johnson & Shari Therneau | Sapa | Vietnam

Itinerary: Conquer Mount Fansipan - Heaven Gate Route
Date: April 9 - April 13, 2010
Nationality: American

We had a excellent and timely service the entire tour. We definitely got a nice experience of Sapa.

The tour guide-Son and the porters did an exceptional job when my sister was sick and helping her down the mountain. It was great how the reacted in a difficult situation. Very awesome! Job well done!

Alicia / Sam Lai | Sapa | Vietnam

Itinerary: Conquer Mount Fansipan - Heaven Gate Route
Date: March 29 - April 4, 2010
Nationality: Singapore

Very well coordinated between guide & porters. Hard working porters and well prepared!

Karin Lendvai & Klaus Schaefer | Sapa | Vietnam

Itinerary: Conquer Mount Fansipan - Cat Cat Route
Date: March 14, 2010 - March 20, 2010
Nationality: German

Hello Ms Jessie,

Our tour ( Cat Cat Route ) was the best we could decide. The guide and the three boys, who carried all our necessary things ( and more ) were " great ". They also carried nearly 40 eggs !!!! fresh fruit, vegetables.... the food, they made on campfire was 5 *, better than a hotel. I never thought before, that our trekking will be so well organized and so friendly accompanied.

We are very satisfied with your organisation and with the group and the strong guide Dan :-), the nature, the top of Mt. Fansipan, the flowers, the bamboo forest., especially the Cat Cat Route!.... the train, the hotel , the meals, the small town Sapa with all the friendly people there........

Thank you for all
Best regards from spring in Old Germany
Karin and Klaus

Source (in German): http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g293924-d1469397-r60113550-ActiveTravel_Asia-Hanoi.html

Kathrin Wieczorek | Vietnam

Itinerary: Tailor made tour in Vietnam
Date: February 21, 2010 - March 13, 2010
Nationality: German & England

Dear Jessie,

yes, we are all back home safely, thank you.

We had a great time in the beautiful country Vietnam.

Let me point out what we liked best in this trip

1. The hiking to Mt. Fansipan was absolutely great. We especially liked that we went a 4 day trip instead of just 2 day, as most tourists do. That way, taking the longer route, we saw beautiful nature and not many other tourists. The food was sensational and the organization was perfect. We had a very nice young guide named San (or Sang? Sam? Spelling of Vietnamese names is difficult for us…) who we would highly recommend. It would be nice if you could pass on our happiness about San to his boss.

2. Also, Quyen was a great guide for Hanoi and Halong bay. We highly recommend him. It was nice to spend several days with him, and he made us feel like friends, not just like tourists. He even spent some of his evening time with us, which we greatly appreciated. He also introduced us to the real Vietnamese foods which is eaten on the street, rather than in fancy restaurants.

3. The food in Vietnam was the best we have ever had

4. The tour itinerary was very complete…we feel we have visited the highlights of the country.

5. The organization of all the different tours was perfect. Everybody was on time and everything worked out nicely. Everyone involved was absolutely reliable.

6. The hotels that were picked out were very good, especially the one in Hoi An. That was the most beautiful place we had ever slept!..

Altogether we all had a great time and enjoyed Vietnam very much and would return to the country anytime.

Thank you very much for all your help,

Best wishes and greetings from Germany,
Kathrin

P.S. Could you please give me Quyen’s e-mail? He gave it to me, but I unfortunately washed my trousers with the piece of paper in it. I would like to send him some pictures. Thank you

Cassandra & Liam | Sapa | Vietnam

Itinerary: Sapa trekking and homestay 4D/4N
Date: February 9, 2010
Nationality: Australian

Our tour guide (Luan) was an extremely knowledgeable and charismatic guide. He was very informative and we thoroughly enjoyed the service we was provided!!! Very good communication skills, we were very impressed with his English skills.

Paolo Bencivenga | Sapa | Vietnam

Itinerary: Biking Sapa
Date: October 01 – October 05, 2009
Nationality: Italian

Hello Sunny,

I am back in Macau and back to work. I had a very good time in Vietnam and enjoyed my time with Hung the guide and Nam the driver. Please send me updates of the trips that you organise, if I can, I would like to come back and do something similar. Hung also told me about the chance to go trekking on the mountain (I think it's called Fansipan). Please let me also have Hung's email because I want to send him some of the pictures that I made.

Thank you again and good bye,

Paolo

Megan Finkelde | Sapa | Vietnam

Itinerary: Trek Sapa 2 days
Date: September 21 - September 25, 2009
Nationality: Australian

We thoroughly enjoyed the trek, it was even more amazing than we had hoped for! Our guide Thanh was exceptional, he had great knowledge of the region and took us on routes which many others do not see. The trek stretched us but it was wonderful experience. We really love Sapa and the surrounding area!

Tania Lawrence | Northwestern mountains | Vietnam

Itinerary: Motorbike Northwestern mountains
Date: September 4 - September 10, 2009
Nationality: Australian

The most fantastic adventure. Ken was very terrific, always polite, punctual and helpful. He made our trip perfect. Mr Tien – the driver is very kind and I like that he made us feel safe and looked after our bags. We will recommend to our friends.

Thank you!