Lam helped me organize a trip for my husband and I to Myanmar (Burma) in July. My first trip with Asia Pioneer was with my family of 4 last June to Cambodia and Vietnam and second trip was with my high school students (14 photography students) in March (also to Cambodia and Vietnam). All the trips have been fantastic, and I trust Lam to organize all the details!

We spent 6 days in Myanmar beginning in Mandalay and then to Bagan, Inle Lake and Rangoon. Each place was unique and the short (20-40 minute) flights made it easy to get from one location to the next. Myanmar is changing very fast, so we felt lucky to visit now. There are many new cars on the road and lots of construction. Hotel prices are rising very quickly as well. Travel to Myanmar is not the same as other parts of Southeast Asia as the country does not have the same infrastructure. However, meeting people, learning about Buddhism and the country’s complex history and culture, sampling Burmese food, and seeing the mix of old/new everywhere made it worthwhile. Our guides were very hospitable, and I especially recommend Mr. Aung Min in Mandalay and Mr. Moe Zaw around Inle Lake. Lam did an excellent job choosing hotels which were of the same standard as my other trips to Vietnam and Cambodia.

If you are planning a trip to Myanmar, I do recommend booking through Asia Pioneer because there is a shortage of hotels in Myanmar now that it has opened up to more tourism. In Inle Lake for example, hotels book up months in advance during the high season and festival times. Lam also booked all our internal flights (which were always on time…..never mind the size/condition of the airplanes and airports……you get used to it…….). Lastly, he is familiar with the hotels and can ensure quality which is not necessarily the same standards as other places that have seen more tourism.

We would like to wholeheartedly recommend Kata of Asia Pioneer as your travel and tour manager when travelling in Vietnam and Cambodia

We started working with Kata before we left the US; giving her an extensive list of sights and places we hoped to see and visit. With her vast knowledge, exceptional contacts and professionalism, Kata produced a tour itinerary that was customized exactly to our wishes, so we were able to visit every place that was on our wish list. Kata organized a team of tour guides to meet and take care of us, as we travelled across both countries, with each and every one being pre-briefed by Kata on our exact wishes, which they catered for meticulously, often way beyond our expectations

Kata proved not just to be exceedingly helpful and courteous; but was also full of life and fun, with her wonderful spirit making our trip so much more enjoyable. Without her our journey would not have been as complete, interesting or informative

We have travelled extensively across the world and I can honestly say that Kata and Asia Pioneer were able to give us a standard of service that we have never experienced before. If only were are able to use them in other countries as we continue to travel, then we would have it made!

Thank you Kata! I can honestly say I have gained a friend forever

We travelled to Vietnam originally to be a part of a choir contest but our group of 30 then did extra travelling beyond the festival. As you could imagine there were 30 people each with their own arrival and return dates, requested itinerary and special needs. Lam was brilliant, sending us not just timely quotes but different costed options. My family were travelling for 4 weeks in total in Vietnam and we would ring Lam with a few days notice and say, we want to go see this waterfall, can you organise a car and driver and the quote would be on my email by the end of the day. Lam even met us when we arrived in Hanoi and took us out to lunch. Experienced travellers might want to skip the guide and just stick with the driver. The guides were all great but I prefer the extra engagement that comes from doing it yourself. If you like being looked after at every step then go with the guide.

From the moment we were met at the airport by Cong, our 8 days in northern Vietnam flowed seamlessly from one attraction to the next. Cong was so knowledgeable about his hometown and the surrounding area, and was so patient with our many questions. And by the end of our trip, it was sad to say goodbye to him. This company not only organized a fabulous itinerary, but they know how to hire good people. (Not to mention that booking numerous excursions through the company cost less than if we had booked all these side trips on our own – an added bonus 🙂

A group of 19 went on a self tailored tour of Cambodia and Vietnam organised by Asia Pioneer. We were impressed with the professionalism showed by the company. We were happy with every aspect in particular with the accommodation and the tour guides. The cost of the tour was very reasonable and well worth the money.
Mr. Lam has been very efficient, helpful and thorough throughout the entire time. He even came and meet us in person at Hanoi.
We would not hesitate to recommend this company to anyone.
Thank you

Just got back from our family holiday in Vietnam organised by Mr Lam of Asia Pioneer.
We had a excellent 12 night trip of which everything went smoothly. Right from the early planning stages Mr Lam responded quickly to my many email enquires through to arriving in Vietnam where we were greeted by all our fabulous tour guides(Tan, Bao 1, Bao 2 and Limh) at each location.
All the hotels Mr Lam booked lived up to our high expectations, in fact we quite often were given upgrades.
Overall I would highly recommend Asia Pioneer for your next visit to Vietnam.

If all the reviews for Asia Pioneer sound too good to be true, they are not in the least exaggerated. Lam was absolutely amazing through months of planning travel through Vietnam for a numerically changing group. The number of changes that people made as they fine-tuned their plans got hair-raising at times but Lam was the soul of expedition, patience and pleasantry. And the service on the ground once in Vietnam was at the same impeccable standard. The drivers were excellent and we felt safe at all times. The guides were the best I’ve experienced. Nothing was too much trouble for them and they took their duties of care very seriously. When I left Vietnam I felt like I was saying goodbye to family. The guides we were with the longest had tears in their eyes when we said goodbye, as did I.