What To Expect

What‘s Included

Reviews

• An 'ok' experience, the guide was very good (Lee) but felt rushed and the food was so so.

  David D,,Feb 10, 2024

  - Review from Viator

  3.00

  The scenery Felt we were being rushed along. Breakfast at 7:30 followed by brunch at 9:30...didn't work.

• Run away!

  fioco0,,Aug 9, 2022

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  1.00

  the host never warned us that he was no longer working despite the validation of the reservation!!! This person has ceased his activity! To flee!!

• The guides don't care about your experience, don't recommend

  Josef P,,Nov 29, 2018

  - Review from Viator

  1.00

  When we were going to the mountain with a boat at the river we were split into 2 random groups - we were asked who wants to go with a covered boat and who wants to go with an open boat. We told the guide we want the open boat while the other group wanted a covered boat. In the end it didn't matter and he gave us the covered boat while he gave the other group an open boat. So on the way there we couldn't see anything for 1 hour or more. On the way back I have specifically asked the guide again to put us on an open boat. He said the other group doesn't want to change - even though they have already been on an open boat on the way there! How unfair is that? We even told him that's unfair since they already been on the open boat before but he just didn't care. So we had to go AGAIN in the covered boat and not be able to see anything. Wonderful experience indeed! That wouldn't be a big problem but since the most interesting part of this trip is the view on the way.. I have to say I would never go with this company againI don't know the name of the guide but it was at 24 November Saturday.

• A lot of travel for the reward

  Wayne B,,Jul 8, 2018

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  3.00

  Went with children aged 9 and 10. It was a 40 degree day so review is tempered by this. We had expectations of seeing local scenery, a nice boat ride and high quality attractions. Air conditioned bus ride was satisfactory, and the guide had good English for the customers. The paddle boat was slow without exceptional scenery, and no shade on the boat. The seats were unpadded steel, so its hard on the backside. Take an umbrella for shade, and water for the trip as it was over an hour in the manually paddled boat. Arrived at destination and visited the Perfume Pagoda. Our guide gave some explanation of the significance of the place, and it was quite lovely to wander round for half an hour. We then had lunch which was average by Vietnam food standards, then hiked to the Cable Car station past dozens of vendors selling the same old touristy stuff. The cable car gave glimpses of Hanoi in the distance, before we visited a large cave tucked high in the mountain. Ok trip, but there are better. See my other reviews.

  

  

  

  

  

• A Long Day

  Scarybird,,May 9, 2018

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  3.00

  This was a full day trip, but we found it a long day and not really enough of interest to make us go wow, yes the Temples were interesting but you don't spend much time there (nor is there enough to do if you wanted to stay longer) and the novelty of the boat trip where you are rowed up the river soon wears off when you get a numb behind and then you have to do it on the way back. This is certainly not a trip if you struggle with steps. Overall the guide was knowledgeable, the food and transport good, but a long day!

• day trip

  967SteveC68,,May 8, 2018

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  2.00

  The boat trip was an enjoyable and pleasant trip up river to the small village affording excellent views of the mountains. The actual trip up to the pagoda and the mountain top views via cable car are spoilt by the hideous shops/stalls with vendors selling local food stuffs including roast dog. If you are an animal lover don't go as there are plenty of dogs hanging on hooks ready for serving. All very tacky with small birds cramped in small cages for which the day tripper has to pay to release them ( its a good luck charm of course)

• The trip to Perfume Pagoda was very...

  Jonathan E,,Apr 19, 2018

  - Review from Viator

  4.00

  The trip to Perfume Pagoda was very good value for money, covered all the main areas around the locality with excellent knowledge and information provided by the tour guide... Nice river ride for approx. 1 hour followed by the cable car up the mountain to view the cave pagodas.
  The one negative aspect was the lunch provided and the fact that if you walk up or down rather than use the cable cars, you get inundated with constant cheap and tacky stalls crammed all the way to the top. Don't be fooled by the thought of wonderful views by walking it!! . Use the cable cars or you may regret what you see. .On the return down the mountain by cable car , you have more time to enjoy the areas on the lower sectors .

• Perfume Pagoda Visit

  MoiraRathbone,,Apr 11, 2018

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  4.00

  This was a busy trip with lots to see and do. A two hour bus journey took us to our destination with the previous booked stop for coffee (gift buying). On arrival we got into a rowing boat with 6 of us plus the guide rowed up the river by a woman who looked as if she was in her sixties. We visited the first Pagoda for 20 minutes then headed back out onto the river. The boat trip is about 1 hour sitting on metal benches with no back rest so not the most comfortable but this is cancelled out by the scenery and peacefulness. We arrived at the perfume Pagoda and it is busy busy busy. Surrounded by shops selling food, offerings, cafes etc. The site for the Pagoda is beautiful and definitley worth a visit if temples are your thing. Lunch was called a family lunch and was provided in a large eatery where dishes were presented and everyone tucked in, there was a vegetarian option of tofu. We then took the cable car up to the Red Cave. The views were stunning. The cave has lots of steep steps going down which means there are lots of steep steps coming back up again! Not for the faint hearted and certainly no good if you have mobility problems. The cave has three alters and was teeming with worshippers offering all the things that they have purchased at the shops outside. Climbing back out of the cave we chose to take the cable car back down as we were exhausted. Rowed back to the start where we picked up the bus to travel back to Hanoi. Fantastic scenery interesting temples and a lovely trip up the river well worth it but exhausting.

• Interesting tour

  jesspV6728QM,,Apr 10, 2018

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  3.00

  I was the only English speaking person on my particular trip. The guide worked hard to ensure that I was ok, although understandably he spoke predominantly in Vietnamese for those customers. Unfortunately this meant that at times I was unsure what was going on and didn’t get the insight I could potentially have had. It was a stunning place to visit however.

• Amazing boat ride to Perfume Pagoda

  Dawn G,,Apr 6, 2018

  - Review from Tripadvisor

  4.00

  Our tour guide was very friendly, helpful and informative. The outstanding bit of this trip for me was arriving at the marina and seeing the huge number of rowing boats and also experiencing the actual trip down the river. We went at a festival time so it was very busy with plenty of locals who were intrigued by the foreign tourists - this interest was a little disconcerting at times particularly if you don't like being photographed. The food provided was tasty. The pagoda at the base of the mountain and the temple in the cave at the top were interesting - check what you are able to wear before you can enter the pagoda - women should not have their shoulders and knees exposed and no hats are allowed. The cable car journey to the top was included in the price of the tour but not the return journey. Unless you are fit and agile I would recommend paying the extra to take the cable car down - exhausting walking down otherwise. Also note that you have to tip the rower - it is not optional.

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