Hi
Actually we landed yesterday night, and we already miss Vietnam.
We feel it was too short, wish we could have stayed longer, at least one more week.
We had a wonderful time, fell in love with the country and its people.
As we wrote in the letters, the guides were great, especially Hoang. They where all very kind, friendly, and with a lot of knowledge.
It’s hard to say which parts we enjoyed more, I for example loved Sapa and all the area around, Halong bay is amazing.
Every area was different and interesting.
Thank you very much for helping us, and arranging such a wonderful and well planned trip.
We will recommend wholeheartedly Asiatica Travel
PROGRAM DETAIL
Day 01 . Sat 24 March 2018 : Saigon arrival - city tour (SU0292 @09:30) (D) | Guide and driver
Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City formerly known as Saigon or "Pearl of the Far East", you will be welcomed by our guide and brought to your hotel.
In the afternoon you will visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and the General Post Office. The Saigon city tour then continues along Dong Khoi Street, where the Opera House and the Peoples’ Committee building, built in 1897 by French architect Ferret Eugene, are situated. The 800 seat Opera House served as the home of the Lower House Assembly of South Vietnam after 1956. You will then visit The Reunification Palace, formerly known as Presidential Palace, which was the residence of the president of South Vietnam until the end of April 1975. Have dinner & overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Tour guide contact: Ms Loan (+84) 909494036
Accommodation: Eden Star Sai Gon**** - Premium Deluxe
Day 02 . Sun 25 March 2018 : Saigon city - Cu Chi tunnel - A O show (B, D) | Guide and driver
In the morning, at 9AM, drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels, situated 70km from Saigon. The Cu Chi Tunnel system was created around 1948 to assist the Viet Minh in their combat against French occupiers. Construction and enlargement continued during American bombings and they were turned into an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapon factories and field hospitals. The Cu Chi Tunnels could house up to 10,000 people who lived underground for years, getting married and raising children. During the Vietnam- American War the entire area of Cu Chi was designated as a fire free zone yet was heavily bombarded. Since 1988, two sections of the tunnels are open for visitors to crawl through and better understand the war.
In the afternoon, you will visit the War Remnants Museum formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes. This is a poignant display of the futility of war. Next on the sightseeing list is Thien Hau Pagoda located in Cho Lon, the city’s Chinatown. This pagoda is dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea. The most impressive features of the structure are the intricate friezes and the carved tableaus towards the front of the pagoda. The impressive incense coils inside the pagoda also make for some great photos. Another site that cannot be missed is Binh Tay Market or ‘Cho Lon’, which can be roughly translated to ‘big market’. Although the whole district lives up to its name a visit to this market really says it all. Selling everything from fake Ray Bans to dried squid, you are bound to enjoy a walk through the maze of stalls in this bustling market. your tour of Saigon will end with a visit to a lacquer ware workshop.
In the evening, have dinner & enjoy A O show (VIP ticket), which is a rare mix of bamboo cirque, contemporary dance, acrobatics & live music by folk instruments
Day 03 . Mon 26 March 2018 : Saigon - Ben Tre - Can Tho (B, L) | Guide and driver
Departure from the hotel at 9am to Ben Tre province in the Mekong Delta. Arrive at Hung Vuong Pier (Ben Tre town) 90km far from SaiGon, embark and cruise along the Ben Tre River, then visit an artisanal brick factory and its imposing ovens. Next, stop for a sweet break to discover how coconut flesh is used and processed. (tea time in a coconut cadies manufacture).
A short bike ride or tuktuk (motorcycle, allowing transporting 6 passengers) will allow you to explore the countryside, and make a stop at a family braiding mats.
Lunch in a local restaurant offering typical dishes.
Then, boarded a rowing boat to join the canal through a maze of arroyos and return to the landing stage. Transfer & overnight at hotel in Can Tho.
Note:
- Transfer time and distance by car: 4h/200km
- Road conditions: good
- Boat duration: 1 hour
- Cycling /tuktuk time: 30' - Cycling /tuktuk time: 30'.
- Visit time: 1 hour
Accommodation: TTC Can Tho hotel**** - Premium Deluxe
Day 04 . Tue 27 March 2018 : Can Tho- Saigon - fly to Danang - Hoi An (VN132 SGN DAD 1630 1750 by Asiatica) (B, L) | Guide and driver
In the early morning, have an excursion to the floating market of Cai Rang, the largest one in the region, where boats full of fruit and vegetables gather every day. Then, take a walk in an orchard of Mr. Ba Cong, where it will also be possible to enjoy fresh tropical fruits and visit a vermicelli factory.
The day will continue with a visit to Binh Thuy's old house where the film adaptation of Marguerite Duras' novel L' Amant was filmed in 1992.
Return to the airport for flight to Danang. On arrival, transfer to hotel in Hoi An for check in & overnight
Note:
- Transfer time and distance by car: 3h30/170km
- Road conditions: good
- Visit time: 2 hours
- Boat duration: 1 hour
Tour guide contact: Ms Thu (+84) 905099270
Accommodation: Hoi An Silk Marina Resort**** - Deluxe Pool View Balcony
Day 05 . Wed 28 March 2018 : Hoi An walking tour & surrounding villages (B, L) | Guide and driver
09:00 Guide pick guests up at hotel, transfer along De Vong River to Cam An wharf.
Embark on the boat to Cua Dai sand dune, enjoy casting net show and learn how to cast net by local fisher man. Continue to Cam Thanh Water coconut village, have a brief introduction to the history there.
Take on the basket boat along the water coconut river. Fisherman will teach you how to catch the crabs (02 paxs/ boat). Divide group into 2 teams for basket boat racing and catching crabs. There will be a lovely present for winner.
Embark on the boat, enjoy the folk songs show by local people and learn how to make funny tools by water coconut leaf. Then get on board to Cam An wharf, continue transfer to Tra Que village. Have lunch and join in the daily activities with local farmer there. Back to your hotel by car.
Return to Hoi An town. In the afternoon, you will be taken on a half-day walking tour through the narrow, winding streets of Hoi An’s ancient town, visiting Chua Ong Pagoda, Chinese assembly halls, the 200- year old Tan Ky ancestral house, and the Japanese Bridge.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 06 . Thu 29 March 2018 : Hoian- My Son- fly to Hanoi - The Quintessence of Tonkin show (VN174 DAD HAN 1415 1535 by Asiatica) (B, D) | Guide and driver
After having breakfast, our guide and car will pick you up at your hotel and take you to My Son Holy Land, once the capital city of the Champa Kingdom, between the 4th and 12th century. My Son is a large complex of religious relics that comprises more than 70 architectural works. They include temples and towers connecting to each other with complicated red brick designs.
In the afternoon, transfer to the airport for flight to Hanoi. Have dinner & enjoy the show "The Quintessence of Tonkin" (platinum ticket), the best must-see cultural show in Hanoi.
Tour guide contact: Mr Hoang (+84) 964 213 686
Accommodation: Ha Noi Pearl**** - Executive City View
Day 07 . Fri 30 March 2018 : Hanoi city tour (B) | Guide and driver
You will be picked up at the hotel at 9:00am. Starting the day trip will be a visit of the Ho Chi Minh Complex, which compromises Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum (closed on Mondays & Fridays), his former stilt-house residence, the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh Museum. We will then visit the Temple of Literature constructed in 1070 to worship Confucius, which served as the first Royal National University in Vietnam. The site also honors 82 Vietnamese doctorates who passed a number of rigid exams in the feudal ages. Their names, birthdays and birthplaces are engraved in 82 headstones perched on stone tortoises. It is widely believed that touching the heads of these tortoises will bring luck. Its peaceful green compound with its neatly maintained lawns, gardens and lotus ponds make it a tranquil hideaway from the city’s bustle and heat.
In the afternoon, we will visit the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays, the alternative being the History Museum), which offers informative and well-documented displays of the country’s 54 ethnic groups, including elaborate and colorful hill tribe costumes. The display continues in the museum’s garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses of numerous minority groups, from the Kinhs to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. Then back to the Old Quarter for a 1.5 hour walking tour, then you will have a deeper insight of local daily life . We then head to Ngoc Son Temple set on a tiny island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. Ngoc Son Temple dates back to the 13th century, and the lake itself is the picturesque heart of Hanoi, frequented by tourists and locals alike. Overnight in Hanoi
Accommodation: Chapa Express Train - Hanoi - Lao Cai VIP
Day 08 . Sat 31 March 2018 : Hanoi - drive to Sapa - Lao Chai - Ta Van (B, D) | Guide and driver
After breakfast, you will take 6-hour drive to Sapa by private car. On arrival, check in hotel. In the afternoon, you will commence your short journey by driving south toward Muong Hoa valley. You will then start your walk by descending into the valley, which is the largest rice paddy terraced among Sapa area. The guide can provide you interesting information about rice. If you visit the valley sometime in between May and October, you will be able to observe and experience how the local do planting and harvesting, one of the most important activities in the daily life. The walk takes you from Lao Chai village of Black Hmong minority to Ta Van village of Giay minority including a visit to the local Catholic Church. After visiting Ta Van the car will return you to Sapa for dinner & overnight
Accommodation: BB Hotel ( U Sa Pa )**** - Superior
Day 09 . Sun 01 April 2018 : Sapa - Bac Ha ethnic market - night train to Hanoi (B) | Guide and driver
After breakfast, drive to Bac Ha by car to visit Bac Ha market. This is the biggest local ethnic market of the region and takes place every Sunday. Tribal people from surrounding villages flock here to exchange their products. Most still use horses to carry their loads, which means an early departure to get to the market in time.
If you visit Sapa during a spring weekend, you will frequently meet locals in their colorful costumes heading to the markets as this is the best time for youngsters to find a partner to marry. Spring in Sapa, especially around Tet Holiday (late January to early February), is therefore a very joyful time despite the cool temperatures. This is the season of courting, dating and weddings. Nature also contributes to the atmosphere vibrant red and white flowers blooming everywhere. It all makes for a rather unique setting.
After lunch time, you will leave the colorful market behind, to follow a zigzag road along the mountain to visit Ban Pho 1 and Ban Pho 2 villages, inhabited by Flower H'mong people. Return to Lao Cai railway station for night train to Hanoi. Overnight on train (private cabin)
Accommodation: Chapa Express Train - Lao Cai - Hanoi VIP
Day 10 . Mon 02 April 2018 : Ha Noi arrival - Ha Long Bay (B, L, D) | Guide and driver
You will arrive at Hanoi train station early in the morning at 5.30am. You will be picked up from the station and brought to a 2 star hotel to freshen up and have breakfast. After breakfast, at 8AM, depart to Halong Bay, passing a peaceful countryside typical of Red River Delta with endless rice fields and winding rivers.
12:00 – 12:30:Embark the LaFairy Sails at Tuan Chau International harbor. Enjoy welcome drink, cruise briefing & start cruising.
13:00 – 14:30:A sumptuous lunch is served while cruising into the magnificent Halong Bay with its thousands of extraordinarily shaped limestone islands, considered as the heaven on the Earth.
15:15 – 15:45:Explore Lờm Bò area and be charmed by this outstanding masterpiece of Mother Nature. Visit Mê Cung Cave – one of the most beautiful caves in Halong Bay and climb up to see the panoramic view of the bay from above.
16:00 – 16:45: Explore Ngoc Trai area by kayaking.
17:00 – 19:00: Return to the LaFairy Sails for a Sunset party to admire the best moments of the day when the sun starts to set. Enjoy everyday promotion HAPPY HOUR - BUY 2 GET 1 FREE all beverages from 5 to 6pm.
19:00:Savor a sparkling and dreamlike dinner on top deck under the light of a thousand stars in middle of the tranquil Bay with extremely delicious food and be awed by a fascinating fruit and vegetable carving show. Delight in traditional music performances. Afterwards, socialize with the artist, new friends and crew members, join squid fishing. Overnight on-board.
Accommodation: Ha Noi Emotion Hotel*** - Day-use room
La Fairy Sails - La Fairy - Balcony
Day 11 . Tue 03 April 2018 : Halong – Hanoi (B, L) | Guide and driver
06:30 – 07:00:Start your day with Tai Chi exercises or a photo hunt.
07:15 – 08:00:Enjoy breakfast in the fresh air and peaceful beauty of the Bay.
08:15 – 09:15:Visit Titov Island for swimming in the emerald water. Then hike up to the top of the island to take the breathtaking panoramic view of the Bay.
09:45 – 10:15:Pack your luggage and check out of the cabin while cruising towards the harbor.
10:15 – 11:45:Join a cooking demonstration before enjoying an exceptional Buffet lunch.
12:00 – 12:30:Disembark the LaFairy Sails & drive back to Hanoi
Overnight in Hanoi
Accommodation: Ha Noi Pearl**** - Deluxe City View
Day 12 . Wed 04 April 2018 : Hanoi departure (SU0291 @ 10:05) (B) | Guide and driver
After breakfast, transfer to the airport at 7AM for your flight off.