Welcome to Ancient Orient Journeys

One of the most relaxing and satisfying tours I've ever taken.
My children escorted me back to southern Vietnam with a stop in Hanoi and Ha Long Bay enroute. We didn't have lots of time, as the kids needed to get back to their day jobs. So we squeezed it all into 8 days, and Vinh at AOJ made it happen. He proposed an itinerary, listened to our ideas, understood what we wanted to see and do, and provided a wonderfully customized vacation. A terrific guy to work with, he took all the stress out of planning such a trip. He took care of visas, transportation in country, drivers, guides, accommodations, meals, activities, you name it. All we had to do was show up!

What's more, the people he selected as guides and drivers were amazing. They were very knowledgeable, competent, and accommodating, of course, but even more, they made us feel truly welcome and took care of us like family would do watching out for our safety and welfare throughout the tour. Our driver, Hung, maneuvered us through all sorts of insane traffic situations without blinking an eye and provided security for all our belongings when we were away from our van. We never had to worry about them.

Our guide, Thanh, was a walking encyclopedia. He knew everything about everything, or if he didn't, he knew someone who did, and he'd get the answer to whatever ridiculous question we'd come up with. He was constantly handing us water bottles to keep us hydrated, reminding me to keep my waist pack zipped closed, checking to see we put on sunscreen and insect repellant when needed, and ensuring we didn't get any questionable food or water. Even when the tour was over and he had left us at our hotel to get ready to depart for home the next morning, he went across town to get banh mi sandwiches from his favorite vendor to bring back for us. We had really liked them, and it was a beautiful parting gesture on his part.

Ancient Orient Journeys epitomize the kindness of the Vietnamese people, and I would certainly recommend them to anyone planning to visit Vietnam.

For the past 3 years Vinh Nguyen at Ancient Orient Journeys (AOJ) has arranged and organized the in-country travel experience in Vietnam for our Faculty Led Program at San Jose State University. Each year has been an extremely positive experience for our students due to the care with which Vinh has planned our trip. We travel to 3 different areas of Vietnam, and I have depended on him to find us safe accommodations and excursions in each location, and I have never been disappointed. He has worked tirelessly with me to fulfil my wishes about the experience that I want the students to have. He finds us beautiful and safe hotels, amazing guides and bus drivers, and fabulous excursions. Vinh is extremely responsive, both before and during our trip. While in Vietnam, he checks in frequently to make sure everything is as it should be. I know that I can reach him if I need assistance for anything. He is the reason that I bring my students back to Vietnam each year.  It is with utmost trust that I recommend Vinh and AOJ.

We spent two weeks touring Vietnam and had a wonderful time. Our experience could not have been possible without Vinh and the AOJ team.

We worked with Vinh planning for the trip. Throughout the entire process, Vinh was superb. His professionalism and attention to details eliminated any concerns we may have had initially since this was very different from our usual beach resort vacations.

All the tour guides assigned to us were also excellent. They were knowledgeable, attentive, accommodating to all our needs, and such nice people. We had so much fun with everyone. 

We also had the opportunity to visit a local family in Hue to learn about the culture and enjoyed a family meal. We highly recommend the experience. The only point we would’ve liked to be different is that we had expected to have dinner with the couple that owns the house. But instead we only dined with the husband while his wife cooked and served our meals. We understand this may have been the culture but would’ve liked to have them both at the dinner table.

We loved Vietnam. We definitely like to return since there’s still so much more to experience. And AOJ is the only tour company for us.

We had a wonderful two week trip through Vietnam and to Siem Reap in Cambodia. Vinh did an outstanding job of recommending places to visit and activities all along the way. His recommendations for hotels and restaurants were always excellent. The four guides were extremely knowledgeable and took very good care of us. Our favorite guide was Thang in Hanoi, but they all were friendly and went out of their way to make us feel welcome and comfortable in their beautiful country. 

I had never taken a trip that I did not do the research and book hotels and plan where we would go and what sites we would visit. Vietnam and Cambodia were countries I did not feel comfortable visiting without some guidance. Ancient Orient Journeys took care of all bookings, most meals, guides, in-country flights and in-country transportation. It made it a relaxing, enlightening, stress-free two weeks.

Hi. I'm Jay from New York City.

Ancient Orient Journeys provided me with a trip of a lifetime. Three countries (Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos), six locations, six hotels, four domestic flights, six separate guides and six drivers, all executed without a hitch. It was one of the most satisfying mind-expansive vacations I have ever had. From Angkor Wat to the Killing Fields of Phnom Penh, the Tomb and Temple visits in Hue, the street food of Hanoi to the Mekong Delta, Buddhist caves and Buddhist alms giving in Luang Prabang, Laos, were just some of the daily highlights. But what was amazing was the organization. There was always someone at the airport, hotel and all the many sites to guide me. I felt well taken care of and safe which allowed me to focus on the fascinating culture of Southeast Asia. I cannot recommend AOJ highly enough.

What were the most enjoyable or memorable parts of your trip? 

The temples of Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, S-21 and the Killing Fields, War Remnants Museum and Cu Chi Tunnels, and morning exercise in parks in Ho Chi Minh City Hue Temples, Khe Sanh, , Hanoi (chaos and French influence), Luang Prabang (serenity, beauty, daily 6am alms giving of residents to the Buddhist monks). Really liked all my guides. All very different personalities but learned a great deal from all of them.