Asia Holiday Reviews

All the travel arrangements worked like clockwork and the guides were good time keepers.
Bangkok was interesting but I think the best bits were the walk round China town and the meal on the rice barge down the river. We also took ourselves for a meal at Vertigo on the roof of the Ban Yan Tree which was fun.
I think we got a bit temple out at Angkor Wat so in fact the high lights there was just seeing the way of life in Siem Reap and around Tonlé Sap lake. We marvelled at the lane discipline or lack of it with everyone drifting round corners on the wrong side of the road, whole families on mopeds, also transporting live pigs strapped on the back of mopeds, very overloaded vans, no health and safety! And the raft villages on the side of the lake!
Many thanks again for all your help and efficiency.

Maggie Philippson– Bangkok and Siem Reap 2007

'All of our guides were excellent. Chum in Hanoi, Hang in Hue, Yum in Saigon, Tarhy in Phnom Penh and Prom in Siem Reap all spoke very good English and gave us lots of information and tips. They were always happy to help and did everything they could to make out stay as memorable and enjoyable as possible. The recommendations for veggie restaurants were very much appreciated too.

Also the first hand knowledge of the guides and their experiences during the Vietnam War and during the Khmer Rouge Regime was invaluable.'

Sanjvee S , Ultimate Vietnam and Cambodia 2007

Phil was fantastic he responded to all of my (sometimes stupid) questions with timeliness and humour.
I have to say that ALL of our guides were punctual, courteous and very knowledgeable. I will never forget Ling in Siem Reap for his gentlemanly assistance at the Angkor temples. Mr Samhout (sp?) for his honesty and humility. Tan our first guide in Vietnam for his kindness and humour, Nieu for his assistance and kindness at the marble mountain in particular. Our lady guide Hoai in Hanoi/Halong was outstandingly thoughtful, knowledgeable and a lovely person too.
Highlights? Meeting local people really. We went over at the Cambodian new year and were taken to an island in the Mekong to a pagoda where a local english speaking lady invited us and our guide and driver to her family home for dinner . You can't buy the kind hospitality we were shown. Also the elephant ride , and Angkor Wat sunrise actually too many to mention Halong Bay all of it really.
Exceptional Hotels? Day Inn Angkor , loved it, staff were excellent, food great room immaculate. The Pavilion this place was an absolute oasis. The Victoria properties were lovely in Phan Thiet the outside shower was fab. Ancient house was really different but lovely. The Rex in Saigon gets a battering on trip advisor but we loved it. Quoc Hoa in Hanoi was in a fabulous location. Victory boat at Halong was lovely the food was great.

Jayne Price, Indochina

Apart from Bangkok (enough said) the drivers your local agents used were terrific. The drivers in Cambodia were superb, but special mention should go to the drivers in Vietnam. I was scared rotten by the mopeds and scooters there, but not by our drivers. The one who brought us from the Cambodian border to Ho Chi Minh City became Anne’s hero and the one in Hanoi had the patience of a saint.

was impressed by Selective Asia’s emphasis on responsible tourism and really enjoyed going to the Friends Restaurant. but it might be worth you enquiring of your Laos local representatives about the working conditions of their guides. I would not want to get any of them in trouble as they were all so helpful and friendly, but I am not sure their employees insure them, or pay for their accommodation when they have to stay away from home (and I was very impressed by the distances some of them had to travel to greet us or leave us on remote borders).

John and Liz H - Indochina and Thailand

Lionel was most helpful at all times, efficient at replying to all requests and queries, and even suggested a restaurant to us when we emailed from Phan Thiet just to say how wonderful the holiday had been so far.

Penny Howes, Vietnam and Cambodia

We loved crossing the borders by land, a totally new experience to us both. As we said a sad goodbye we were welcomed by another smiling face holding a board with our name on it!

KT, Melbourne - Follow the Mekong 2008