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active 18 hours ago

Camellia Nguyen

I love traveling, I have been traveling to most places in Vietnam. Travel is to learn more about the life of the locals, not just a holiday and more important is about to keep the destinations better for our future generation to come back, that's why we set up Footprint Travel to show people around the World about Vietnam and Indochina while making it sustainable.

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"We specialise in Vietnam, and with Laos and Cambodia. We love to take you off the beaten path on a soft adventure, such as walking, trekking or cycling trips, however, we are 100% tailor-made to your expectation."

How did you get involved in travel?

"When i was a high school student, my family has took me on a journey around the north of Vietnam, I visited many places from mountain to sea that was the inspiration for me to apply to the tourism university. In 2010, I graduated the University of Tourism then I started my job as a travel consultant to help travelers worldwide to know more about Vietnam."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"I have visited many caves in Vietnam but Paradise cave is one of the biggest caves I have ever seen. It's a part of Phong Nha Cave system. This cave is very well worth to visit, the stalactites and stalagmites are amazing. And the variety of rock formation and colours are incredible. This is the must thing to do when travel to the centre of Vietnam."

Tropical Beach on Phu Quoc Island, Vietnam
Explore Vietnam's Mekong Delta & Phu Quoc Island – 8 Days

Explore the mighty Mekong and tropical Phu Quoc Island on this eight-day Vietnam tour. Start with a dose of history in Ho Chi Minh City and a trip to the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels, then escape to Vietnam's fertile rice bowl, where you'll visit iconic floating markets and cycle through riverside villages. The trip ends with a sun-soaked beach break in Phu Quoc, where white sands, teeming coral reefs, and Vietnam's largest theme park awaits.

Paddle the Trang An Grottoes in Ninh Binh
Active Vietnam Adventure – 13 Days

Get your adrenaline pumping on this active, 13-day Vietnam tour. Start with an epic mountain bike ride through northern Vietnam's rice-paddy-studded countryside and then cruise the emerald waters of UNESCO-listed Ha Long Bay. The adventure continues in Hue, where you'll explore royal cities and emperors' tombs by boat and bike. Fish with the locals in Hoi An and encounter war history at the Cu Chi Tunnels en route to the lush Mekong Delta, where vast floating markets await.

Scenic landscape of Trang An, Vietnam
Discover Northern Vietnam & Cambodia - 15 Days

In just over two weeks, you'll visit the most scenic parts of northern Vietnam, plus hop the border for the highlights of Cambodia. The adventure starts with cycling in the country outside Hanoi, a trip to unspoiled nature reserves, and a ride down the Red River Delta. After cruising the jade waters of Ha Long Bay, you'll fly to Cambodia to explore the ruins of Angkor and dive into the nation's culture on a tour of Phnom Penh.

The Red River Valley of Nin Binh, Tam Coc
Ultimate Vietnam: Cities, Countryside & Waterways - 15 Days

This grand tour of Vietnam covers the best in the country, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. After touring the historic sites in Vietnam's capital, spend time in the unspoiled nature reserve of Pu Luong and the stunning landscapes of the Red River Valley. Following this is a cruise around Ha Long Bay, a tour of organic farms at ancient Hoi An, and a visit to highlights around Ho Chi Minh City, like the Mekong River.

Ha Long Bay
Vietnam Panorama: Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh - 11 Days

This 11-day adventure covers the highlights of Vietnam from north to south. In the former, you'll tour the historic streets of Hanoi, visit rural mountain villages, and cruise the jade waters of Ha Long Bay. Then, spend time on the central coast enjoying the culture of ancient Hoi An before finishing the trip in Ho Chi Minh City and a boat ride down the famous Mekong Delta.

Temples at the My Son Sanctuary in Vietnam
Impressions of Vietnam & Cambodia - 12 Days

Travel back through the centuries on a history and culture tour of Vietnam and Cambodia's most beautiful and ancient sites. It begins with tours of Hanoi's Old Quarter, and then you're off to the northern mountains for hikes to ethnic villages. Following a cruise on Ha Long Bay and a jaunt to the ancient river city of Hoi An, you'll fly to Cambodia and visit the massive, awe-inspiring temple complexes of Angkor.

Recent trip reviews for Camellia

Action packed SE Asia trip
Vietnam | Dec 28 - Jan 13, 2023

Bianca
Bianca C.
Peru | Reviewed on Jan 17, 2023

Our itinerary followed our guidelines to be action packed and cover lots of ground. We went to incredible locations and were with great people. We had an agency operator assigned that was available at all hours to answer questions and correct any issues. There were few communication errors but the agency was always very open to dialogue and fixing things. The places we went were AMAZING and we definitely see the benefit of getting a local to organize and plan the best set up. The hotels were... read more

Our itinerary followed our guidelines to be action packed and cover lots of ground. We went to incredible locations and were with great people. We had an agency operator assigned that was available at all hours to answer questions and correct any issues. There were few communication errors but the agency was always very open to dialogue and fixing things. The places we went were AMAZING and we definitely see the benefit of getting a local to organize and plan the best set up. The hotels were aligned (some were great) and the places far exceeded anything we could imagine. We made memories for a lifetime and hope to be back some day

Hotel Reviews
Renea Cruises Halong
Hon Gai, Ha Long

This was one of the top experiences on our trip. Great staff, food, rooms, excursions and place. What’s not to like?!?

Authenticity & Character
Location
Incredibly unique and picturesque. Also less crowded
Staff
Instructive, funny and happy
Cleanliness & Comfort
Pu Luong Retreat
Thanh Hoa

Beautiful, tranquil location with amazing view

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Bicycle Tour of Rural Villages - Cultural Tour of Hanoi
Hanoi
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Transfer to Pu Luong Nature Reserve & Hike
Vietnam
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Explore Halong Bay with overnight Cruise
Vietnam
Quality of Experience
B
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Visit Fishing Villages & Hội An Tour
Hoi An
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
A day trip to the fertile Mekong delta - Ho Chi Minh city - Flight to Siem Reap at K6- 879 @16:55 - 18:25
Vietnam
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
ANGKOR TEMPLES & DINNER APSARA DANCE SHOW
Siem Reap
Quality of Experience
H
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Luang Prabang - Khuang Si waterfall - Luang Prabang city tour
Luang Prabang
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Bangkok - Chiang Rai - Golden tringle boat trip - opium museum - White Temple
Chiang Rai
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai - Elephants Camp, orchid farm, Doi Suthep
Chiang Rai
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Chiang Mai - Doi Inthanon National Park
Chiang Mai
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Camellia Nguyen

Vietnam? Yes Vietnam!
Vietnam | Dec 17 - Jan 1, 2023

E.J.
E.J. B.
Fort Worth, TX | Reviewed on Jan 14, 2023

Vietnam? Yes Vietnam!
To be honest we pondered that question as well prior to making our plans to visit this little known country located in SE Asia, but Vietnamese expats we knew reassured us that it was a beautiful and very friendly country, and boy were they right!
We used KimKim Travel to help us plan a vacation which took us from the capital city of Hanoi and Ha Long Bay to the ultra-modern Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) and Mekong (river of the 9 Dragons) Delta. We initially viewed... read more

Vietnam? Yes Vietnam!
To be honest we pondered that question as well prior to making our plans to visit this little known country located in SE Asia, but Vietnamese expats we knew reassured us that it was a beautiful and very friendly country, and boy were they right!
We used KimKim Travel to help us plan a vacation which took us from the capital city of Hanoi and Ha Long Bay to the ultra-modern Ho Chi Minh City (aka Saigon) and Mekong (river of the 9 Dragons) Delta. We initially viewed Vietnam as a small country but were surprised to discover that the distance along its coast from the northern tip to southern tip is further than the distance from Vancouver Canada to Tijuana Mexico! Just letting you know in case you thought this could be covered in a week’s time. We spent 17 glorious days and discovered that the wonder that is Vietnam will take time to truly savor, and savor we did!
We started in Hanoi and met our northern guide, Khoi, at our very charming boutique hotel, La Siesta Classic, located in the old French quarter of the city. We toured the capital and biked through the suburbs, learning about Vietnam’s early history and the Buddhist influence. We toured the local markets and met with a local family where we learned to make spring rolls before heading off for two days in Ha Long Bay. This is the one you see in literally all the brochures about Vietnam and it is every bit as magical in real life, especially aboard a Junk Ship, the Dragon Legend, where we spent the night in a luxurious stateroom. Sunset and sunrise at among the 1500+ limestone islands was a delight. The expansive development in Ha Long impressed us and we pondered where all the people would come from. The why is obvious, Ha Long Bay is definitely a destination in itself.
Returning to Hanoi we quickly boarded a flight to the Imperial City of Hue where we spent another two nights. We met our next local tour guide, Chu, at the airport and headed off to another fantastic hotel, The Eldora. Hue was not only the political but also the cultural and religious center under the Nguyen Dynasty, the last royal dynasty of Vietnamese history. A private tour of the King’s fortress with its multiple moats rivaled the finest of medieval castles of Europe but with a definite Asian flair. The afternoon was spent bicycling alone the Perfume river stopping to visit another local family where we learned how to make paper flowers.
Day 8 began with a drive through the marble mountains to Da Nang and eventually the ancient town of Hoi An. If you are a fashionista, this is the place for you. The town abounds with tailors and is renowned for crafting whatever garments you can imagine overnight. You can bring a picture of what you have in mind or spend hours perusing the many fashion catalogs to design the perfect tailor-made wardrobe. Just bring an extra bag to take it all home with you, or you can opt to have a leather bag made to your specifications, as we did to hold your new apparel.
The beach front Boutique Hoi An Resort, was our home for the next four nights. Tip, the Spa is fabulous! Over the three days we toured My Son, learned about the Champa people who helped to settle Vietnam in its early days. We returned to Hoi An by boat but not before stopping to learn how to make fishing nets and how to cast them as we went on our first fishing trip of the tour. At another stop along our river voyage, we stopped to learn about pottery making where we got to take a spin at the potter’s wheel to make souvenirs. The next day we toured the ancient city of Hoi An, a much slower life style, walking its streets are a delight, especially since it is also known for its colorful oriental lanterns which turn magical in the evening. Round boats! I sore they didn’t look safe but my fears were quickly assuaged when we were treated to a river filled with them including people using the round boats to literally “dance” on the water (granum style).
The next day was beach and spa day, Ahhhh! That night we ate at a new restaurant, Reu, that we heard about from other guests at our resort. As much a work or art as it is a restaurant, hands down our best meal the entire trip, and trust me that is quite a compliment as the food of Vietnam is extraordinary. I am not sure if it is due to the French Colonial influence or that they influenced the French, maybe a bit of both!
Day 12 and we were off once again, our flight took us from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City where we met our last tour guide Duc (Dee). I include his nickname here because he showed us how complicated the Vietnamese language can be. The same spelling of a word, such as Mo, can have 5 different meanings based on the accents and hence the pronunciation of the word. The meanings can be vastly different. Our hotel this time was the classical Saigon Majestic Hotel located on the waterfront which afforded us front row seats for New Year’s Eve celebration.
Early the next morning we traveled north to visit the Cu Chi tunnels, made famous by the Viet Cong soldiers during the Vietnam War (or as they call it the American War). First created during the French colonial period, the Cu Chi tunnels became strategic in the fight to retain South Vietnam and quite possibly, what helped them win. The 155 miles network of tunnels were ingenious to say the least and a must see.
The afternoon was spent touring the modern city along with its historical landmarks from its French Colonial period including the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Opera House and the Saigon Central Post Office. Ending our day at the Thien Hau Temple helped slow our pace down, preparing us for the next day’s trip to the Mekong River Delta, or as they call it, the River of the Nine Dragons. Amazing how each tributary of the river can be so massive and support so much maritime trade.
In Can Tho we started our day early so as to our guide could take us up river to the floating market. Although we were told that it pales in comparison to what it once was, we were impressed with the hundreds of boats gathered together selling fresh produce and other goods and service including breakfast on the water. Surprisingly breakfast was served in china dishes that had me wondering what to do with them once we were through, not to worry they’re quite adept at keeping track of everything and soon they reappeared and gathered up all their china. Anthony Bourdain spoke highly of the floating market cuisine, and I can definitely see why! Our river tour continued with occasional stops to educate us about the agriculture and life along the Mekong Delta. We met up with our driver who drove us back to the Majestic in Saigon.
Our last day in Ho Chi Minh City, sad to go, so much left unexplored but memories to last a lifetime. We are sure glad we made the choice to visit Vietnam as our first foray into Asia. Truly, a magical place filled with amazingly friendly people, I can see now why so many people have tried to conquer this marvelous country for over a thousand years.
Thank you KimKim for putting together an extraordinary package of experiences, led by great tour guides and top rate accommodations. You exceeded our expectations. We will definitely seek you out for our next adventure! We’re already beginning to plan where to next…

Local specialist: Camellia Nguyen

All of our guides were excellent. Very info...
Vietnam | Dec 2 - Dec 9, 2022

Peggy
Peggy B.
Des Moines, IA | Reviewed on Dec 12, 2022

All of our guides were excellent. Very informative, personable and helpful. Their English was good.

Would definitely use again and would recommend to others

Local specialist: Camellia Nguyen
Camellia
Camellia Nguyen
Local specialist in Hanoi | Reviewed on Dec 12, 2022

Dear Peggy,

Thank you so much for leaving us such a detailed review. We are so happy to hear that you have enjoyed your trip. I will pass your words to our guides. Thank s again for yourchoosing us for this trip to Vietnam! I hope to see you on the next vacation to south-east Asia.

Best regards,
Camellia

Amazing trip in Vietnam
Vietnam | Oct 19 - Oct 31, 2022

C
Chaido S.
Greece | Reviewed on Nov 01, 2022

We had a blast on our trip in Vietnam. Camilla was very helpful with the overall planning and the local agency she linked us with in Vietnam was perfect! read more

We had a blast on our trip in Vietnam. Camilla was very helpful with the overall planning and the local agency she linked us with in Vietnam was perfect!

Hotel Reviews
Hoang Ngan hotel
Ho Chi Minh City
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Swan Cruise
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Kim An Hotel
Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Activity Reviews
Hanoi and walking street food tour
Hanoi
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Hanoi goodmorning tour - Free at your leisure in Hanoi
Hanoi
Quality of Experience
Food
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Local specialist: Camellia Nguyen
Camellia
Camellia Nguyen
Local specialist in Hanoi | Reviewed on Nov 07, 2022

Dear Chaido,

Many thanks for your booking with us and our team very happy to hear that you had a wonderfull trip. We hope you can comeback Vietnam soon and we can organise another trip for you.

Best regards,
Camellia

Well thought out travel itinerary with lots o...
Vietnam | Sep 16 - Sep 29, 2022

P
Piers J.
United Kingdom | Reviewed on Oct 06, 2022

Well thought out travel itinerary with lots of variety, a few minor mistakes in the detail, however the organisation, the tour guides and the activities were all outstanding!
Loves Hanoi, Pu Long, Ha Long Bay and Hoi An. Ho Chi Minh City was a very different experience and a great place to be as well.

Local specialist: Camellia Nguyen
Camellia
Camellia Nguyen
Local specialist in Hanoi | Reviewed on Oct 21, 2022

Dear Piers,
Thank you so much for leaving us such a detailed review. We are so happy to hear that you have enjoyed your trip. Thank s again for yourchoosing us for this trip to Vietnam! I hope to see you on the next vacation to south-east Asia.

Best regards,
Camellia

Such an amazing trip to Thailand and Cambodia...
Vietnam | Jul 23 - Aug 1, 2022

Julien
Julien C.
Oak Brook, IL | Reviewed on Aug 28, 2022

Such an amazing trip to Thailand and Cambodia. Camellia picked awesome activities, mixed of adventure and local culture. Local restaurant recommendations helped us discover the wonderful thai cuisine. Thank you so much for everything.

Local specialist: Camellia Nguyen
Camellia
Camellia Nguyen
Local specialist in Hanoi | Reviewed on Sep 07, 2022

Hi Julien,

I hope you and your family are doing well there. Thank you very much for your kind feedback, it's such a great reward for us. I'm very glad that you enjoyed the trip and were completely pleased with our services. I really look forward to organizing other trips for your family :-)

A little taste of everything in Vietnam
Vietnam | Jun 21 - Jul 1, 2022

S
sarah f.
Atlanta, GA | Reviewed on Jul 08, 2022

Camellia did such a great job planning our ideal Vietnam trip. She listened and really took into account everything we wanted to do and see and made the perfect itinerary. Most all the guides and people we encountered were nothing but wonderful and excited to show us their country. Our favorite activity was the Ha Long Bay cruise as well as the numerous cooking classes and food tours we did. We felt like we got a true 'taste' of Vietnam. The only thing we would do differently if we knew then... read more

Camellia did such a great job planning our ideal Vietnam trip. She listened and really took into account everything we wanted to do and see and made the perfect itinerary. Most all the guides and people we encountered were nothing but wonderful and excited to show us their country. Our favorite activity was the Ha Long Bay cruise as well as the numerous cooking classes and food tours we did. We felt like we got a true 'taste' of Vietnam. The only thing we would do differently if we knew then what we know now is to spend less time in Ho Chi Minh and not do the Mekong Delta. We felt this was a waste of time to drive 2 hrs each way to float on some water. But you don't know what you don't know! Otherwise, great itinerary and another great trip planned by KimKim!

Local specialist: Camellia Nguyen
Camellia
Camellia Nguyen
Local specialist in Hanoi | Reviewed on Aug 01, 2022

Dear Sarah,
Thank you very much for your sweet words. I am glad to know that you enjoyed your trip to Vietnam and are satisfied with our service. We hope to be served you on a different trip in the remaining region of Vietnam and Indochina.
Best regards
Camellia

Wonderful time in Vietnam! Got to explore nor...
Vietnam | Jun 21 - Jul 1, 2022

Molly
Molly P.
East Naples, FL | Reviewed on Jul 08, 2022

Wonderful time in Vietnam! Got to explore north to south Vietnam. Everything was well coordinated and we had an amazing trip.

Local specialist: Camellia Nguyen
Camellia
Camellia Nguyen
Local specialist in Hanoi | Reviewed on Aug 01, 2022

Dear Molly,
Thank you for taking your valuable time to write a review of our tour services.
We appreciate the positive feedback you have provided and I will ensure this information is shared with the team to show how they have exceeded your expectations.
We are very excited to welcome you again to explore the other places in Vietnam.

Best regards,
Camellia

Wonderful trip in Vietnam!
Vietnam | Apr 11 - Apr 23, 2022

M
Maureen D.
Manhasset, NY | Reviewed on May 06, 2022

We had a wonderful vacation in Vietnam! Every location we visited was memorable in its own way, ranging from the bustle of city life in Hanoi and Saigon to the mountains and indigenous communities in Sapa, the rock formations in the Halong Bay and the waters of Nin Binh and the Mekong Delta.

Camellia (local specialist from the Footprint Tarvel agency) made every effort to understand what we were looking for and did an amazing job planning out the itinerary in detail. I had a mix of... read more

We had a wonderful vacation in Vietnam! Every location we visited was memorable in its own way, ranging from the bustle of city life in Hanoi and Saigon to the mountains and indigenous communities in Sapa, the rock formations in the Halong Bay and the waters of Nin Binh and the Mekong Delta.

Camellia (local specialist from the Footprint Tarvel agency) made every effort to understand what we were looking for and did an amazing job planning out the itinerary in detail. I had a mix of phone/email interactions to finalize our plans.

Camellia was fantastic! She was creative in dealing with the situations on the ground since Vietnam had just opened to international tourists a few weeks before. We had excellent local guides in each place that gave us the experience we were looking for.

We loved the variety of the food. For those looking for adventurous items, they’re available too!

We were one of the first international travelers that the country was seeing in two years. They warmly welcomed us and were very appreciative that we were visiting.

For those of you thinking about going to Vietnam, jump in! You will have a fantastic holiday with warm, positive memories leaving Covid behind as a distant memory.

Local specialist: Camellia Nguyen

Northern Vietnam Trip
Vietnam | Dec 22 - Dec 28, 2019

Eugene
Eugene W.
Singapore | Reviewed on Dec 30, 2019

Our trip to Hanoi organized by Nga via kimkim was great. From the start, Nga was able to customize our trip to fit our schedule & needs. Accommodating our various requests, she was able to give us various options to choose from especially during this holiday peak season. We spent 5 days in Hanoi and our local guide Chris was fantastic as well. Nga and Chris from Footprint were very helpful throughout the trip and would highly recommend them!

Local specialist: Camellia Nguyen
Camellia
Camellia Nguyen
Local specialist in Hanoi | Reviewed on Feb 20, 2020

Hi Eugene

I hope you are keeping well there. Thank you very much for your kind feedback, it's such a great reward for us. I'm very glad that you enjoyed the trip and were completely pleased with our services. I really look forward to seeing you and your family again in Vietnam.

Warm regards
Nga

Wonderful Relaxing North Vietnam Holiday
Vietnam | Dec 8 - Dec 14, 2019

Nickson
Nickson H.
Singapore | Reviewed on Dec 16, 2019

This was a wonderful trip arranged by Victor from KimKim travel and with local guide specialist Nga. It was off peak and my family had the luxury of the full 9 sitter van to ourselves served by 1 driver (Mike) and 1 local guide (Tom). They have local names but it was too difficult for me to remember.

There was a lot of driving and the driver was key to a safe and pleasant journey throughout. The local tour guide gave a very nice tour of North Vietnam mountainous beauty and experience of... read more

This was a wonderful trip arranged by Victor from KimKim travel and with local guide specialist Nga. It was off peak and my family had the luxury of the full 9 sitter van to ourselves served by 1 driver (Mike) and 1 local guide (Tom). They have local names but it was too difficult for me to remember.

There was a lot of driving and the driver was key to a safe and pleasant journey throughout. The local tour guide gave a very nice tour of North Vietnam mountainous beauty and experience of local Vietnamese food throughout. The mountain trekking was also amazing!

I also like the relaxing iternary and at the end of the trip, i could see the relax and happy faces of my family members including myself.

Local specialist: Camellia Nguyen
Camellia
Camellia Nguyen
Local specialist in Hanoi | Reviewed on Dec 17, 2019

Dear Nickson,

Once again! Thanks so much for your wonderful feedback. I am sure that my team will be very pleased with it. All your kind words such as wonderful trip, safe and pleasant journey, very nice tour, amazing trip, happy faces will absolutely show us how your family enjoyed it.
You know what, I impressed very much about the different ways you are teaching your kid. You take them to off-sites and check carefully with all the risk assignments. I definitely learn a lot from you,... read more

Dear Nickson,

Once again! Thanks so much for your wonderful feedback. I am sure that my team will be very pleased with it. All your kind words such as wonderful trip, safe and pleasant journey, very nice tour, amazing trip, happy faces will absolutely show us how your family enjoyed it.
You know what, I impressed very much about the different ways you are teaching your kid. You take them to off-sites and check carefully with all the risk assignments. I definitely learn a lot from you, Nickson.

The festive season is coming. We wish to send your family all the best wishes and have a wonderful new year coming.

Cheers!
Victor, Nga and team.

Wonderful Sapa trip with Local Guide Ms May
Vietnam | Oct 25 - Oct 28, 2019

S
Su-Lin T.
Singapore | Reviewed on Nov 20, 2019

We had a wonderful trip to Sapa with Ms May who picked us up from Lao Cai Train Station.
Ms May was helpful and took good care of us throughout the trip. She was with us from the start of our Sapa tour till the end where she sent us off at the Lao Cai Train Station for us to take our overnight train back to Hanoi.

During our tour in Sapa, she showed us the ways of the local and we went to the less crowded spots to have a splendid view of rice terraces. As it is very crowded to queue for the... read more

We had a wonderful trip to Sapa with Ms May who picked us up from Lao Cai Train Station.
Ms May was helpful and took good care of us throughout the trip. She was with us from the start of our Sapa tour till the end where she sent us off at the Lao Cai Train Station for us to take our overnight train back to Hanoi.

During our tour in Sapa, she showed us the ways of the local and we went to the less crowded spots to have a splendid view of rice terraces. As it is very crowded to queue for the cable car at Fansipan, she made sure we got in and prebought tickets for us.

Overall the tour is to our pace and we didn't feel rushed- which we appreciated. As she knows we like to visit markets, we made additional stops to see "pop-up" weekend/Sunday markets set up by local farmers and traders selling their produce.

She also brought us around Bac Ha market so that we didn't miss anything out. The Sunday buffalo sale is quite a sight not to miss!

Hanoi portion:

1) The pick up from the airport to the "cafe" (to take the train from Hanoi to Lao Cai) to wait for our tickets was frustrating at least. We were given a piece of paper (which apparently can be exchanged for train tickets) and with no instructions whatsoever. Do we wait for our tickets to be collected? Or do we collect them ourselves? In fact we walked out of the cafe and suddenly a kind gentleman told us to wait and have a seat whilst he collect our tickets. Then he disappears for quite a while- leaving us confused again.

But fortunately he returns in time for us to trolley our bags to the train station to board the overnight train to Sapa.

2) The pick up from Hanoi Station was at the same meeting point as we waited (see 1)) Unfortunately at wee hours in the morning 5am meant we had to exit the Hanoi Station at the other end of the block. In order to get to the same cafe (1), we had to make a huge detour around the block, in darkness. But luckily our driver was looking for us in the dark and we finally found each other and he drove us safely to the airport for our onward journey.

Local specialist: Camellia Nguyen

Highlights of Vietnam - 9 Days
Vietnam | Jul 4 - Jul 13, 2019

M
Michael D.
Australia | Reviewed on Jul 21, 2019

Our trip to Vietnam exceeded our expectations in every way. Victor put together an itinerary that was perfect for our group. He answered all of our enquiries promptly and was very flexible to suit any request we made.
Our English speaking guides were very friendly and more than willing to share their knowledge of Vietnam, its history and way of life. Our transport was comfortable and always on time.

The highlights of northern Vietnam were the evening street food tour of Hanoi by Vespa,... read more

Our trip to Vietnam exceeded our expectations in every way. Victor put together an itinerary that was perfect for our group. He answered all of our enquiries promptly and was very flexible to suit any request we made.
Our English speaking guides were very friendly and more than willing to share their knowledge of Vietnam, its history and way of life. Our transport was comfortable and always on time.

The highlights of northern Vietnam were the evening street food tour of Hanoi by Vespa, trekking in the Pu Luong Nature Reserve and the overnight Junk on Ha Long Bay.

Our accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City was very central and comfortable . Our day trips to Cu Chi tunnels and the Mekong Delta were interesting and well managed.

We cannot recommend KimKim and Victor highly enough.

Local specialist: Camellia Nguyen
Camellia
Camellia Nguyen
Local specialist in Hanoi | Reviewed on Jul 25, 2019

Dear Michael,

It is such a great pleasure for us to receive your inspiring review and the highest rate here. We are glad that you have had a joyful time trip with us and satisfied with our services, from the itinerary planning to the tour guides & the driver quality. We will pass your encouragement through our team. It will make up our day, for sure.

Once again, thank you very much for choosing us as your Travel Advisor. Hopefully, you brought home the best memories of Vietnam & us.

Wish you all the best,
Victor and team.

Saigon to Dalat
Vietnam | Mar 30 - Apr 9, 2019

I
Ira Z.
Chicopee, MA | Reviewed on Apr 16, 2019

We booked 2 trips with Victor. The first was a 3 day trip to Cat Tien and then transport on to Dalat. The driver was great, the car very comfortable. We did choose to upgrade our accommodations at Cat Tien due to the extreme heat and humidity and felt we needed to have air conditioning. He arranged for several events in the park, which went well. Overall, we were pleased with his planning!!

Our other trip was a 10 day tour of North Vietnam beginning in Hanoi, and traveling up along the... read more

We booked 2 trips with Victor. The first was a 3 day trip to Cat Tien and then transport on to Dalat. The driver was great, the car very comfortable. We did choose to upgrade our accommodations at Cat Tien due to the extreme heat and humidity and felt we needed to have air conditioning. He arranged for several events in the park, which went well. Overall, we were pleased with his planning!!

Our other trip was a 10 day tour of North Vietnam beginning in Hanoi, and traveling up along the Chinese border. Both our guide, Doan, and our driver were excellent. Doan’s knowledge was broad, including history, topography and his ability to identify flora, including medicinal uses. Given his experience guiding in the north, he knew lots of people and introduced us to multiple cultures. He also has a great sense of humor and we got to know him and really like him, which made the 10 days very special. We stayed in homestays much of the time, and met very interesting families that opened their homes to us. This trip left us with awe and amazement, at times, given the beauty and vastness of the mountain regions we visited. We can highly recommend this trip, the guide and driver and Victor’s attentiveness to our needs.

Local specialist: Camellia Nguyen
Camellia
Camellia Nguyen
Local specialist in Hanoi | Reviewed on May 23, 2019

Dear Ira and Jo,

First, on behalf of my team would like to say thank you for your time writing such a detailed and comprehensive feedback. We are very delighted to hear that you appreciated and enjoyed many aspects of your 2 trips with us and that you recommended with 5* rating. Please rest assured that your feedback will be transferred to the whole team, as a great source of motivation for us.
Again, thanks for choosing us as your travel companion. Can't wait to welcome you back in the future.

Cheers,
Victor.

Highlights of Vietnam - 12 Days
Vietnam | Mar 1 - Mar 15, 2019

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Debra B.
Switzerland | Reviewed on Mar 17, 2019

Working with Victor was excellent and he was always super responsive. We were very happy with his services. We probably did too much travelling in the course of our 2 weeks, our fault as we wanted to see a lot. We had little time to plan our trip so more guidance on how much we could realistically see would have been useful. Overall we could have concentrated our trip in North Vietnam and the Central zone, leaving out the Mekong delta. To get to the delta we travelled for 1 day, by car... read more

Working with Victor was excellent and he was always super responsive. We were very happy with his services. We probably did too much travelling in the course of our 2 weeks, our fault as we wanted to see a lot. We had little time to plan our trip so more guidance on how much we could realistically see would have been useful. Overall we could have concentrated our trip in North Vietnam and the Central zone, leaving out the Mekong delta. To get to the delta we travelled for 1 day, by car and plane to basically do a 2.5 hour morning visit the next day to the floating market and leave immediately for HCMC (a 5 hour drive). The market was lovely to see, but I felt guilty travelling by plane for such a short visit. Our time would have been better spent with a few more days at the beach near HoiAn, with day trips to some cultural sights in the mornings. Looking at our trip plan day 12 and 13 were not really done. There was a pick up from the airport, lunch and onto hotel. No time given to visit Can Tho. Next day, boat trip, a visit to a small fruit farm and on the road to HCMC. Our guide seemed more keen to get us back to the the city than show us anything more in the delta. A bike ride on an island as described in your other tours would have been nice.
Our stay in the Eco Lodge near Sapa was wonderful and the highlight of the trip. A really beautiful location and a great place to stay. Halong bay was also a beautiful place.
The KimKim service makes it easy to plan a trip. This is the first time we have ever used a service like this. I would use the service again, but want a more flexible option. Travelling independently gives you a lot of flexibility to change your plans and I missed that on the trip. We did end up cutting a couple of guided trips short as we preferred to do things ourselves and just sometimes had done too much travelling to want to be out a whole day on a sight seeing tour.
All our travel arrangements, pick ups at airports, hotels, etc. were perfect and there was always someone there to greet us. Execution was well done.

Local specialist: Camellia Nguyen
Camellia
Camellia Nguyen
Local specialist in Hanoi | Reviewed on Apr 22, 2019

Dear Debra,

Thanks for your valuable feedback.
I am pleased to know that you had a great trip to Vietnam but there are some things need to be solved. I noted all of your comment and will work with my team.
We hope to welcome you again to show how we improve and best wishes to you & family.

Cheers.
Victor.

Best of Vietnam - 14 Days
Vietnam | Dec 23 - Jan 7, 2019

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Eike N.
Germany | Reviewed on Jan 16, 2019

Dear Victor,

the trip was amazing and we were well looked after throughout! Especially the Tu Lan cave-trip was absolutely stunning and amongst the best I have ever experienced. The kids were completely in awe and we will all never forget the trip, the many friends we made and the many experiences we made. It is impossible to list all the other experiences but clearly, each component had its own value and exceeded our expectations.

Our guide for the food tour was very good, friendly,... read more

Dear Victor,

the trip was amazing and we were well looked after throughout! Especially the Tu Lan cave-trip was absolutely stunning and amongst the best I have ever experienced. The kids were completely in awe and we will all never forget the trip, the many friends we made and the many experiences we made. It is impossible to list all the other experiences but clearly, each component had its own value and exceeded our expectations.

Our guide for the food tour was very good, friendly, knowledgable and explained a lot.

Hung, our guide from Oxalis was amazing. He adapted the tour for us, added an additional cave (which required a lot more climbing), and was full of energy and fun.

Ni was an excellent guide with lots of energy making sure we always get the best out of it. She adapted the programme perfectly around the weather (rain, rain, rain) and our interests.

I have a few areas were changes could be possible (not to be regarded as criticism, just for future planning):
1.) Swimming in Ha Long is not allowed. Should be taken out of the description
2.) The hotel in Phong Nha (I think we were in a different than in the programme) was not the greatest. I would suggest two possible improvements: a) IF staying in this hotel it should be highlighted that they can wash the clothes from the treck but the laundry should be handed in before 6pm to avoid express charges - this could then be in the programme and used to plan packing and getting things clean and dry again after the treck. b) It would also be good to allow for a late breakfast. After the trek we were super-tired and a sleep-in, then breakfast, then cartrip would have been appreciated. b) Alternatively, rather than staying overnight in the Phong Nha area the car trip to Hue could be done immediately afterwards. This would allow us to sleep in the car but gain a whole day.
3.) The hotel in Hue was quite loud with lots of party across the road.
4.) In Hoi An the first fisherman experience was superb. Friendly, happy and "off the beaten path". The second fisherman village was then very touristy and a bit of a shock. The basket boat row could well have been done with the first fishermen (or skipped). Maybe alternatively, one could learn about local ways to grow crop and harvest and process it.
5.) The Mekong trip was interesting, but somehow less exciting than the previous parts of the trip. I had expected more nature and was a bit disappointed. In total we spent too much time driving relative to the experiences made. While it is important to understand that various religious groups live together in harmony (and I think it reached the kids that this is by no means the standard), the visit to the Cham village was rather disappointing. It also feels wrong to walk along a street and look at people. The floating market was nice but the number of tourists outnumbers the locals. Tra Su made up for it (but only lasted for about 1 hour).... We had fun in the evenings though, eating locally, strolling around and enjoying the locals (who enjoyed us...). If a "Mekong Experience" could be organised from HCM - maybe in combination with the tunnels it would save two days and a lot of driving. I would then rather spend another day or two in the Tu Lan area. Alternatively one could try to save a day and use the time to see Angkor What. It would also be nice if the car had internet for the long drives (the car from Pho Nah to Hue to Hoi An to Danang had internet which was very welcomed).

As said, these comments are not a criticism, we thoroughly enjoyed our journey, were exhausted from all the input (and still are), and thank you again for the great organisation and putting such a dense and exciting programme together.

Best wishes,

Eike.

Local specialist: Camellia Nguyen
Camellia
Camellia Nguyen
Local specialist in Hanoi | Reviewed on Jan 21, 2019

Dear Eike,

Thank you so much for your conscientious comments. I and my team really appreciate and will improve all the needful as you mentioned such as: swimming in Bai Tu Long Bay, Accommodation & breakfast in Quang Binh and Mekong Delta trip.
Vietnam is a land of great things and all we are trying is bring to our customers the insight into the best of my beautiful country. We are happy to hear you love many aspects of it. It was my pleasure to meet you both in Hanoi as well. The personal... read more

Dear Eike,

Thank you so much for your conscientious comments. I and my team really appreciate and will improve all the needful as you mentioned such as: swimming in Bai Tu Long Bay, Accommodation & breakfast in Quang Binh and Mekong Delta trip.
Vietnam is a land of great things and all we are trying is bring to our customers the insight into the best of my beautiful country. We are happy to hear you love many aspects of it. It was my pleasure to meet you both in Hanoi as well. The personal meeting in Hanoi will be a great start, I could give you more useful advice as well as answer any question needed.
Once again, thank you for traveling with us and hope to welcome you again on another memorable trip.

Best regards from Vietnam,
Victor.

Best of Vietnam - 14 Days
Vietnam | Dec 21 - Jan 3, 2019

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Kristen F.
Egypt | Reviewed on Jan 07, 2019

I would, and have recommended Kimkim to help plan any trip. We used them for the first time to help plan our trip to Croatia and had such a good experience we used them again for Vietnam. Victor made planning so easy, from helping with the itinerary, booking hotels and internal flights, private tours with great guides, transfers and getting our visa letters. He was always available if we had any questions while in Vietnam.
Khai was a great guide in Ho Chi Minh City and thanks to him we made... read more

I would, and have recommended Kimkim to help plan any trip. We used them for the first time to help plan our trip to Croatia and had such a good experience we used them again for Vietnam. Victor made planning so easy, from helping with the itinerary, booking hotels and internal flights, private tours with great guides, transfers and getting our visa letters. He was always available if we had any questions while in Vietnam.
Khai was a great guide in Ho Chi Minh City and thanks to him we made our flights to Danang when there was a small problem at the airport with our names. The Vespa tour we went on one evening with Linda and her team was one our favorite things.
In Hoi An, we were well taken care of by our guide Than. Our hotel there, Golden Holiday, was the best and Hoi An was amazing.
Last but not least, our guide Anh in Hanoi was fantastic. She is energetic and loved telling us all sorts things about Vietnam life.
Needless to say thanks to Victor and his team we had one of the best trips we have ever taken and loved every minute of Vietnam.

Local specialist: Camellia Nguyen
Camellia
Camellia Nguyen
Local specialist in Hanoi | Reviewed on Jan 09, 2019

Dear Kristen,

Thanks for taking time writing such detailed and great feedback. We are glad that you and your family were satisfied with our travel arrangments. I will definitely pass on your feedback to the team with special mention to these staff.
Vietnam is a land of great things and all we are trying is bring to our customers the insight into the best of my beautiful country. We are happy to hear you love many aspects of it.

Once again, thank you for traveling with us and hope to welcome you again on another memorable trip.

Best regards from Vietnam,
Victor.

Highlights of Vietnam - 9 Days
Vietnam | Sep 29 - Oct 7, 2018

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Kathryn R.
Mt. Pleasant, SC | Reviewed on Oct 15, 2018

Overall, the trip was great. I would appreciate more details prior to the trip. Mike was great but he wasn’t needed the entire time. I didn’t know we would have a full time tour guide. We didn’t really need that. We would have preferred 2 hotel rooms and might have paid extra at a few sites to have that. Again, we didn’t know in advance what we had. In Hanoi and Hoi An, the room was way too small for 3 people, especially Hoi An since it was 3 nights. I might have settled for a lower... read more

Overall, the trip was great. I would appreciate more details prior to the trip. Mike was great but he wasn’t needed the entire time. I didn’t know we would have a full time tour guide. We didn’t really need that. We would have preferred 2 hotel rooms and might have paid extra at a few sites to have that. Again, we didn’t know in advance what we had. In Hanoi and Hoi An, the room was way too small for 3 people, especially Hoi An since it was 3 nights. I might have settled for a lower rated hotel and had 2 rooms. So my primary feedback is to provide more detail of what we were getting so we could have more choices. The cooking class had a half day and full day choice. I would have preferred half day.

Local specialist: Camellia Nguyen
Camellia
Camellia Nguyen
Local specialist in Hanoi | Reviewed on Oct 23, 2018

Hi Kathryn,

Thanks for your valuable feedback.
I am pleased to know that you had a great trip to Vietnam but there are some things need to be solved.
I noted all of your comment and will work with my team.

May the sun always shine your back to warm your soul for a great life.
Best regards from Vietnam,
Victor.

Highlights of Vietnam - 9 Days
Vietnam | May 11 - May 19, 2018

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Paul O.
Palisades Park, NJ | Reviewed on Jun 04, 2018

Hey guys.

Victor was a great operator. From beginning to end, he was responsive and explained things very well. I had bit of a negative review on our onsite local tour guide at Hanoi and I've given that input to Victor. He was very professional and made sure my feedback was heard. In my business, the question I always ask my customers is: Would you recommend our services to your friends, family and associates? I would definitely recommend KimKim to my friends and look forward to using you... read more

Hey guys.

Victor was a great operator. From beginning to end, he was responsive and explained things very well. I had bit of a negative review on our onsite local tour guide at Hanoi and I've given that input to Victor. He was very professional and made sure my feedback was heard. In my business, the question I always ask my customers is: Would you recommend our services to your friends, family and associates? I would definitely recommend KimKim to my friends and look forward to using you guys again.

On the note of the Hanoi tour guide, I've given my feedback to Victor and would follow up with him. (the tour was actually great, but the person giving the tour was mediocre at best)

Thank you.

Paul Oh

Local specialist: Camellia Nguyen
Camellia
Camellia Nguyen
Local specialist in Hanoi | Reviewed on Jun 20, 2018

Dear Paul,

Thanks for your great reviews,
I and my team sincerely thank you for such motivating feedback. We truly glad that you and your wife were satisfied with our travel arrangements in Vietnam.
Thank you for traveling with Kim Kim and we hope to welcome you back on other memorable holidays in Vietnam.

Best regards,
Victor Hoang.