We have recently concluded a 23 day tour of Cambodia and Vietnam, arranged by the wonderful Kata @ Asia Pioneer, in Hanoi.
First I should say that i started the whole process a year ago, when we had finalized our flights and nothing else. I emailed a few companies, some in Vietnam and some in N. America. Right from the start i was impressed with Kata, who responded promptly, and got back to me when she said she would get back to me. Between the two of us, this trip was revised so many times by tweaking the category of hotels, or the route! Nothing was too much trouble. I never felt I was a pain in the butt!

Our tour actually started for us in Bangkok as that is where our stopover en route to Australia went. Kata arranged our pick up from the airport, a hotel, return to the airport the next day and flight to Cambodia for the ‘real’ start of our tour.
We did 5 nights in Cambodia and 18 in Vietnam. Once the details had been ironed out prior to departure, we were totally at the mercy of Kata’s scheduling, and she did not disappoint. We literally were guided along at every step of the way.
The tour operators were very nice people, who were so eager to share their knowledge of their respective countries.
On arrival in Vietnam we were handed a cell phone, with Kata’s number in it, and also on our first day Lam phoned (the boss) asking if everything was OK. Nice touch! As we were travelling without a cell phone (Just an ipad for emails) it was reassuring to know in an emergency we had a phone at our disposal.
Our tour ended in Hanoi, and Kata and her husband came to visit us at the hotel. It was so nice to meet the person i had sent (what felt like) hundreds of emails. She was just as charming in person too!
So, in short, I would recommend this company anytime, and I would also book with them in the future.

Believe the rave reviews for Asia Pioneer! We booked a 3 week tour of Vietnam/Cambodia/Laos with Asia Pioneer and I can recommend them unreservedly. Very competitive prices for the attention and detail put into your trip – we just travelled as a couple so had individual attention. Superb. Great hotels and experiences and the guides/drivers were superb, it was like clockwork so time was really maximised. Great flexibility regards visits – Lam at Head Office in Hanoi was so friendly and helpful when we were booking the trip, he even came out to meet us at our hotel when we arrived. Hotel d’ Opera in Hanoi was brilliant – well worth eating there too, superb food.

The guides were really knowledgeable, spoke good English and knew exactly what times to visit places so that they were at their least busy. Exploring the temples round Angkor Wat was a real highlight and we were able to see most places with very few other tourists. Fascinating insight into the culture and diverse ethnic groups and you got the opportunity to see ordinary people in their homes/stilt houses etc which was so interesting. Such a pity that the US deliberately destroyed so much of Vietnam’s cultural heritage alongside 2 million civilians! The Imperial Palace at Hue was awesome even though 90% was destroyed by American bombs. You really wonder at their mentality but the Vietnamese seem amazingly forgiving and only look to the future.

Hanoi is a crazy city but we loved it once we had got over the initial culture shock. So many scooters/bikes/motor bikes and crossing the road by just stepping out and walking slowly across through the chaos takes some getting used to but we didn’t see any accidents – the riders and drivers aren’t at all aggressive and all give way easily. Halong Bay is well worth seeing unlike any place I’ve ever seen.

We loved Hoi An in Central Vietnam – great place for having clothes made but also many excellent places to eat. We were there for Tet, the New Year and it was so colourful. The Mekon Delta was very interesting and we took a boat up to Phnom Penh – we only had one night there but very interesting city and totally different to anywhere in Vietnam. Siem Reap and the temples is an absolute must see – truly awesome. The Cambodians were such nice peole even though they have had such an awful recent history – the US killed 600,000 during the Vietnamese war and opened the way for Pol Pot who wiped out another 2 million! I just hadn’t realised how much damage had been done across the whole region. Siem Reap isn’t particularly attractive as a town but there are loads of places to eat and some great bargains to be had in the shops and markets but be prepared to haggle.

We finished our trip at Luang Prabang in Laos, a very attractive French colonial town with some great restaurants and beautiful surroundings. Having guides and skilled drivers (and the drivers really were good, I wouldn’t dream of driving in the region!) made such a difference. It was like being royalty and having everything arranged for you and all you have to do is turn up. Everyone was so friendly and you always felt safe wherever you went. If you’re considering a trip to Indochina then I would look no further, these guys are local experts.

I booked a very last minute trip to Hanoi and Asia Pioneer helped me get my accommodations and tours in order just a few days before I arrived. I got the best of Hanoi and Halong Bay and would definitely use Pioneer again next time.

I chose Asia Pioneer again for my second vacation in Hanoi. My experience with them the first time was so positive that I did not need to look any further when deciding to return to Vietnam a year later. As with my first trip arranged by them, the second went just as smoothly, with the same attention to detail and planning, which is beyond compare. My guides spoke excellent english, and the drivers were 1st class. Mr. Lam at Asia Pioneer makes you feel like his only client when planning your trip and nothing is too much trouble for him. I doubt you will find this kind of service anywhere else! I strongly recommend this company if you are considering Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos or Myanmar, you will not regret it!

We booked a 15-day tour of Vietnam in February. Asia Pioneer did an amazing itinerary of North and South Vietnam. They incorporated the best this beautiful country has to offer and along the way the guides were informative, interesting and flexible. We were able to meet Kata Tran, our initial contact, and she gave me a ride on her scooter which added to a thrilling experience! I will never forget the people I met, the history I was shown, the sights, the changing landscape from sea to mountain, that makes this country a must-see. This tour company is top-notch and they earn a 5-star in my book. I would recommend them to anyone I know wanting to see Vietnam. They are safe and reputable. Don’t hesitate!

I first saw Asia Pioneer on the web searching for companies to look after us after our working trip in Cambodia , boy was I glad we decided to use this company…… Mr. Lam looked after ALL our needs from picking us up at airports ( which sometimes ment getting us to the front of the line ) to driving us out of the way for a cup of coffee.
Mr. Lams team was very professional in every way, informative and respectful of our needs.
Being from Canada , I went in a little blind ( Vietnam is so far away ) but after using them , I would use them again in a heart beat.

We had a 2.5 week tour through Vietnam with Asia Pioneer. I initally thought Lam had a impossible task ahead of him to live up to the “rave” reviews but I can unreservedly say the accolades he attracts ,he truly deserves. The entire trip went without mishap and the indiviual guides in each location were outstanding. We have only been back a few weeks and already I am looking into what else I can see and do with Asia Pioneer. If only all holiday travel could be as trouble-free and enjoyable as this !