1 independent reviews for Vietnam hidden treasures tour
Reviews for Vietnam hidden treasures tour
tim gibbons review 16 Nov 2025
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
We particularly enjoyed Ba Vi, meeting local people, learning a little about their lives, cooking, the bike ride. We had an excellent guide Trung. No other tourists around!2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
To manage their expectations of "hidden treasures"...BaVi and Tho Ha, were quieter places but Mua Caves, Tam Coc, and Lan Ha Bay are major tourist hotspots. Had we realised this, we would probably have chosen a different itinerary.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Hard to know if it benefitted local people, it certainly generates employment and income though how much of the cost filters down is unknown. As for conservation and reduced environmental impact, sadly many elements of the trip are not sustainable. The increasing numbers of tourists is driving rapid development, this is particularly obvious in Tam Coc, Lan Ha, even Viet Hai had loud music thumping out! Litter in the sea and at the high waterline round the islands is pretty depressing as is seeing detergent and bilgewater being discharged by our luxury boat!4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Overall, we enjoyed our trip, our travel consultant was excellent and everyone we met worked hard to ensure we were very well looked after. However, the itinerary includes several elements that are definitely not "hidden" and we would have some major concerns about sustainability.Read the operator's response here:
Dear Tim Gibbons,
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts on your recent trip with us. We greatly appreciate your feedback.
We were delighted to receive your compliments about our travel consultant, particularly regarding her arrangements and support throughout your trip. It’s wonderful to know that you felt well looked after and enjoyed Ba Vi and Tho Ha.
However, we are sorry to hear that some aspects of the scenery and experience did not meet your expectations. Vietnam is a very popular tourist destination, and we understand that some places can feel crowded. Tam Coc in Ninh Binh is less crowded compared to Trang An, and the Lan Ha route in Ha Long Bay offers a quieter experience than the main Ha Long Bay. But we completely understand your concerns, especially during peak season, and acknowledge that the selected destinations may not have suited your preferences.
We sincerely hope to welcome you back for more adventures—with unique, new destinations and personalized plans crafted by our dedicated travel consultants, with a focus on sustainability.
Once again, thank you for your valuable feedback. We look forward to welcoming you back in the future with our best service.
Sincerely,
The Realistic Asia Team
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