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Great customer service and tour!

We booked the paragliding tour via Ms Min over email. Throughout the email conversations (of which... read more

Reviewed November 18, 2018
Mark G
,
Singapore, Singapore
12 Riders - 1000 kms over 6 days.

We told Ms Candy at Active Asia in Hanoi what we wanted and she delivered. We are all off road... read more

Reviewed October 19, 2017
Colinz795
,
Perth, Australia
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Reviewed October 16, 2011

Did a three night trek around Sapa. Trip was not particularly cheap but the website gave such a professional image and the communication with them via email so responsive I thought it was a price worth paying. Whilst we still had a good time the actual practilities and experience of the trek meant I became a little underwhelmed.

The guide himself was very friendly and willing to help. It was just that the whole trek was a little more muddled together than I expected.

Silly things like showing us a badly photocopied map that had another companies logo on it, seeming a little confused about what we were actually going to, and having to trek a further 30 mins (after a very long day!!) after one homestay was full - we booked so far ahead that I thought they could have booked (everyone has mobile phones!).

The food was good but basic as was the accommodation which was fine for us, but don't expect anything dramatically wonderful. I was also aware that the guides and homestays seemed to be getting very little of the significant amount of money I had paid.

Another time to remember around Sapa is that the local ethnic minorities are VERY persistant with their selling techniques!! Some walked with us for over an hour and were not willing to engage in "normal" conversation just heavy selling. I also got really annoyed when they managed to get into my sleeping area of the homestay and continued to try and sell, and even more annoyed when the guide was unwilling or unable to say or do anything.

I was also a little underwhelmed by Sapa and Vietnam generally. Had a much better time elsewhere in SE asia. Rolling green (and brown) terraces do get a little samey after a few days and the locals are hardly friendly, complete opposite of everywhere we went before and since.

I think that for backpackers this is too expensive and independent travellers could do much cheaper, and flaskpackers may want a bit more luxury and service.

Oh! and light sleepers bring ear plugs!

Date of experience: April 2011
1  Thank JamesRushby
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
activetravelasia, Manager at Active Travel Asia, responded to this reviewResponded August 6, 2013

Dear James Rushby,

Thank you for your reviews and we are very sorry some problem with you during your trip in Sapa, Vietnam. Our tourguide had also said " sorry" for you that he made you confused about Sapa map copy.

We reget to knnow that you have a little disappointment with trip in Sapa for trouble with homstay, local gilf sellers chased you. Overall, we experience from your trouble that we should provide detail information about Sapa and maybe some trouble was occured during the trip.

Thank you for teaching me how to improve our products and customer services. We appreciate your reviews and try my best to provide better customer services in the coming time.

Have sunny day!

Bobby Nguyen - Managing Director of ACTIVETRAVEL ASIA

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Reviewed October 6, 2011

A buddy and I did 10 days in Northern Vietnam and wanted to get a few days of hiking in. We opted for ATA's 4-day Mai Chau Homestay. Mr. Hai picked us up at our backpacker's hostel with a private car and driver. Mr. Hai was very knowledgeable, had a great sense of humor, and spoke great English. The drive was quiet and comfortable, though uneventful as it was raining. When we reached Mai Chau, we stopped at the Homestay HQ where we were treated to a good 4-5 course meal and waited for our local guide, Thanh. Thanh did not speak a word of English, but was friendly and pleasant from the start. She would prove to be absolutely wonderful once the trip started. From Mai Chau, we took a short car ride to the beginning of the hike. We departed our transport and hiked to a Hmong village high in the mountains. Though it was still raining and chilly, the Hmong house was warm and comfortable. Right when we arrived, Thanh headed to the kitchen and began working over a wood fire. We quickly learned that this would be the norm, regardless of how long the hike was prior. The Hmong family pressed on with their day-to-day activities. At dinner time, Thanh delivered the first of several unbelievable meals. The typical dinner meal was about 7 courses with the freshest ingredients I've ever tasted. I can't begin to express how good the food was throughout the trip. The Hmong husband and wife joined us during the dinner and shared their company as well as their homemade corn wine with us.

The next morning, we were welcomed with a delicious breakfast. I can't recall what we ate on any particular day, but it ranged from noodle and vegetable dishes to omelets to banana pancakes. Fresh fruit was always served. The second day we hiked down the mountain to a black Thai village. The terrain was extremely slippery. With hindsight, I would probably have been much better off with a lightweight hiking shoe rather than a heavier boot. We broke for a quick lunch midway through the hike...tuna sandwiches and fresh fruit. Arriving at the black Thai house, we were drenched and the lady of the house helped us figure out how to wash some clothes and helped us hang them to dry. We were offered beer or other softdrinks for about $1 each. Again, we were treated to a wonderful meal, great company, and homemade rice wine. After dinner, we grabbed some more beers and walked down to a rice patty wall where we sat, talked, and enjoyed the night scenery. I felt completely safe in the sleepy village (as well as everywhere else I visited in Vietnam).

After a delicious breakfast, we began our third day of hiking. We hiked through some amazing scenery...limestone cliffs towering hundreds of feet above plush, green rice fields. There was no shortage of activity to witness, from girls working the fields or busy embroidering to men leading their water buffalo to graze. We even got to take about an hour break to watch a local soccer match, complete with water buffalo running through the middle of the field. Another quick lunch included sandwiches and custard apple fruit. The only way I can explain what a custard apple is that it is somewhat of a pineapple-like fruit, but with pudding inside. It was amazing! We spent our last night at a black Thai house where we were again treated with Thanh's wonderful cooking, pleasant company from our hosts, and homemade rice wine.

The next day, we started off with a good breakfast again and had a 3-4 hour hike back to the Homestay HQ. There, we had a refreshing shower followed by a good meal. This village has plenty of shopping available, so definitely save your shopping for the last day.

Bottom line...
Mr. Hai was wonderful. We 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!

Date of experience: September 2011
5  Thank Eric M
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Reviewed May 4, 2011

I was invited to do a motor bike tour with 3 mates in Vietnam from Ho Chi Min City up along the beaches to Mui Ne and back down the number 1 highway and I'm telling you, I've been travelling since I was 16 and this was by far one of the most exciting and interesting holidays I've ever had. I must say it was so well organised I was astounded. Jessie in the Hanoi HQ must be praised, but really it came down to our guide Mr Dat. This guy was amazing, he spoke English like the Queen, knew his history like no other and had the secret spots in each town we visited for a relaxing massage, drink at a night spot or a local lunch. He sourced the freshest, tastiest Crab I've ever eaten by the beach in Mui Ne. What can I say, when you need a guide ask for Mr Dat, tell him The General sends his regards!

Date of experience: April 2011
1  Thank TheGeneral_11
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Reviewed November 13, 2018 via mobile
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This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Active Travel A, Guest Relations Manager at Active Travel Asia, responded to this reviewResponded November 14, 2018

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Reviewed May 21, 2015
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Date of experience: May 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
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