Hi
Thank you very much.
I received it today.
We really appreciate the way you handled the situation.
All the best and thank you for a very very lovely trip.
You have a very nice country and people.
Eli
PROGRAM DETAIL
Day 01 . Sat 30 September 2017 : Hanoi arrival - city tour (SU290 @ 08:15) (L) | Guide and driver
Arrival in Noi Bai airport, you will be picked up then transferred to the city center to start the city tour. The check-in is available at 2 pm.
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. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant, then back to hotel for check in
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 hour cyclo tour. 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.
Note: The check-in is available at 2 pm. Early check in is subject to extra charge
Day 02 . Sun 01 October 2017 : Hanoi- Mai Chau (B, L, D) | Guide and driver
Depart at 08h00 from Hanoi to Mai Chau- a picturesque valley, where the White Thai predominantly inhabit. Arrive in Mai Chau around noon, transfer to hotel then lunch followed by a short break.
In the afternoon, we will make a nice bike ride (2h - 2h30) to discover an authentic country really unknown by mass tourism. We will be charmed by the traditional houses on stilts, the smiles of the Thai, friendly acceuils and green rice, vegetable gardens and bamboo forests near our path, crossing the villages: Chieng Sai, Cha, Cha Long, Na Tang, Tong Dau ... Return to the lodge to enjoy its natural surroundings. After dinner, you will enjoy the traditional music show in the evening. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 . Mon 02 October 2017 : Mai Chau - Ninh Binh (B, L) | Guide and driver
After breakfast, we will drive 170km to Tam Coc also known as «Dry Halong Bay». On the way, you will pass some of the most picturesque scenery in Vietnam. Arrive at Tam Coc, check into hotel and have lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, we will embark a small rowing boat to discover the outstanding karst waterscape on Ngo Dong River. Tam Coc literally translates to « three caves» and is adorned with beautiful stalactites and stalagmites of all sizes shaped like gemstones. Continuing the cruise along the river, you will see spectacular scenery of rice paddies and limestone peaks reflected in the emerald water. Row back to the harbor from where you will be brought to the hotel. The rest of day we will cycle along winding roads passing lotus ponds, temples and cottages, typical of Vietnamese countryside to visit Bich Dong Pagoda situated on a hillside. Overnight at hotel in Tam Coc.
Day 04 . Tue 03 October 2017 : Ninh Binh - Halong (B, L, D) | Guide and driver
After breakfast depart to Halong Bay via Thai Binh and Nam Dinh, passing a peaceful countryside typical of Red River Delta with endless rice fields and winding rivers. We will arrive at Halong’s tourist wharf around noon and embark an elegant wooden junk.
12:15 - 12:30 Embark to Aphrodite Vessel. Check-in to cabin
12:30 - 13:00 Proceed to the dining room for general information and safety briefing (3rd deck)
13:15 - 14:45 Lunch is served in the dining room
15:30 - 16:30 Visit Sung Sot Cave for hiking and exploring the stalactite and stalagmite formation. 720 steps in total (1 hour 30 minutes tour). Rubber shoes and sandals for hiking are highly recommended
16:30 - 17:00 Come back to the big boat. Prepare for dinner
17:00 - 19:00 Happy Hour promotion (Buy One Get One Free) (applied for House wine, Long drinks, beers, Soft drinks and canned juice)
17:30 - 18:30 Cooking demonstration on the sundeck/dining room (optional)
19:00 - 21:00 Dinner is served in the dining room
21:00 - onward Squid fishing at the reception or watch movie in the cabin.
Day 05 . Wed 04 October 2017 : Ha Long visit (B, L, D) | Guide and driver
06.30 am: Begin the day mastering energy flows during a Tai Chi session, while the sun rises.
07.00 am: Breakfast buffet will be served at the restaurant.
08.00 am: You will be transferred to a day-boat, soon heading to Dau Be point which is at the furthest side of Halong bay. Dau Be point is famous for its tunnels, lagoons, crystal waters and secluded beaches. The highlight of this day will be kayaking through spectacular tunnels to reach secret lagoon (if tides permit).
09.30 am: First kayak stroll of the day. Follow your tour guide in the maze of karts rocks.
11.30 am: Fresh sea food and traditional Vietnamese cuisine will be served aboard the Junk. She will be anchored close to a beautiful beach. You will have time to swim and enjoy the beach after lunch.
13.30 pm: Relax on beach and practice more kayaking. You will also have the opportunity to visit a temple and a floating fish farm.
17.00 pm: Back on the Aphrodite Junk for optional spa and massage services, happy hour, scrumptious dinner and overnight stay
Day 06 . Thu 05 October 2017 : Halong - Hanoi - flight to Hue (VN1547 HAN HUI 1900 2010 by guests) (B) | Guide and driver
06:15 - 06:45 Start your day with Tai-chi class on the sundeck (optional)
06:45 - 07:30 Light breakfast is served in the dining room
07:30 - 08:30 Visit Luon cave by bamboo boat
09:00 - 09:30 Regular check-out time (if you have any heavy luggage, put outside of your
cabins and settle your bills at the reception, 1st deck)
09:30 - onwards Full breakfast is served while the cruise goes back to the main port
10:45 - 11:00 Disembark Aphrodite Vessel.. A 3-hour drive will take you to Noi Bai airport for your flight to Hue where you check into your hotel. Overnight at hotel in Hue.
Day 07 . Fri 06 October 2017 : Hue- Thuy Bieu village (B, L) | Guide and driver
Start the day with a visit to Hue Imperial City, the remaining vestiges of Hue's citadel, including: Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace and the Forbidden Purple City (Tu Cam Thanh), Then, we will take a boat trip on poetic Perfume River. Stop to visit Thien Mu Pagoda (Celestial Lady Pagoda) built in 1601 - the symbol of Hue city. Cruise toward Thuy Bieu eco-village, an old laid back village situated on the bank of Perfume River known for its green tea fruit orchards. Arrive in the village, and join our cooking class to prepare Hue’s signature dishes with our chef’s instruction, then enjoy your creations in the open air riverside restaurant surrounded by lush trees. The afternoon is reserved for cycling through the peaceful village, visiting several communal houses, ancient temples and the garden-house, a typical and unique feature of Hue. Soaking your feet in medicinal herb water followed by an excellent blind massage will refresh them after a day of sightseeing. Back to the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Hue.
Day 08 . Sat 07 October 2017 : Hue- Danang- Hoian (B, L) | Guide and driver
In the morning drive along the Mandarin road, a scenic journey from Hue to Hoi An, which allows you to see a picturesque Vietnam with stunning beaches and lush tropical forest. Take some photos en route before visiting the Museum of Cham Sculptures, with many precious antique artifacts of the former Cham Kingdom on display & stunning Marble Mountain. You then continue our drive to Hoi An’s ancient town, once an important international trading port and now a charming riverside town. Hoi An features a fantastic combination of Chinese, Dutch, Japanese and Portuguese culture. Check in hotel for refreshment.
In the afternoon, explore Hoi An ancient town, when visiting the Japanese Pagoda Bridge, Chinese streets, old Phung Hung houses, Hoi An’s market and ancient port. On the 1st and 15th of every lunar month, Hoi An’s ancient town is lit up by hundreds of colorful lanterns, giving it an extra portion of sparkle. Enjoy the city’s transformation and stroll through this quaint, glowing fairytale town in your free time. Overnight at hotel.
Day 09 . Sun 08 October 2017 : Hoi An - My Son - fly to Ho Chi Minh (VJ639 DAD SGN 1635 1750 by guests) (B, L) | Guide and driver
After breakfast, our guide picks you up at hotel and leave Hoi An for visiting My Son Holy Land – the ruins of Cham people and was an imperial city during Cham dynasty. Here you can have more chance to explore and understand of technique of Old Cham people in making red bricks to build Tower which still now a secret to everyone, you can see a large complex of religious relics that comprises more than 65 architectural works. It also surprises for those who are curious with architectural art. In 1999, UNESCO labeled the Cham architecture in My Son as a World Cultural Heritage Site. Moreover, you have chance to enjoy traditional music performed by Cham girls in their colorful uniforms. Back to Hoi An & have lunch
After that, transfer to the airport at 15:30 for flight to Ho Chi Minh. On arrival, you are picked up to hotel for check in. Overnight In Ho Chi Minh
Day 10 . Mon 09 October 2017 : Saigon city - Cu Chi tunnel (B, L) | Guide and driver
You will be picked up at 8:00am from your hotel in Saigon, to 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. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, 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
Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 11 . Tue 10 October 2017 : Saigon - Ben Tre - Can Tho (B, L) | Guide and driver
Leaving the bustling city of Saigon behind, you depart to the Mekong Delta considered Vietnam’s biggest rice basket. Arrive at Hung Vuong pier in Ben Tre and embark your boat to cruise along Bến Tre River, a tributary of the great Mekong, to explore the local lifestyle and the daily hustle and bustle. Stop at the brickfield belonging to Mr. Tu Lo to see how bricks are made by hand in Vietnam and a coconut candy home factory located along the canal to witness the process of making this local candy and other souvenirs. You will then have the opportunity to taste bee honey tea at a local honey farm and a variety of tropical fruit that grow amply in the orchards of the Mekong Delta. You can then walk or go by tuk-tuk through the coconut groves and green rice paddies to soak up and relax in the tranquil countryside atmosphere. Lunch at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon you will take a trip on small rowing boats through a maze of waterways lined by two rows of palm tree. Cruise back to the pier and disembark. Drive to Can Tho for the night.
Day 12 . Wed 11 October 2017 : Can Tho – Chau Doc (B, L) | Guide and driver
We will rise at 5 a.m to take a boat trip through the winding waterways of Cai Rang floating market, the biggest and busiest floating market in the Mekong Delta. Here the waterways become a labyrinth of hundreds of motor sampans filled with fruit, vegetables, plants and food, all jostling for a space. This is an opportunity to take photos, communicate with the locals and taste delicious fresh fruit. After disembarking we will drive to Chau Doc, the closet town to the Vietnam Cambodian border in An Giang province. Here we will again take to the water to visit floating houses and fish farms where you can feed the fish and discover life on the river. We will end the day with a visit to a village of the Cham ethnic minority group. Overnight at Chau Doc.
Day 13 . Thu 12 October 2017 : Chau Doc - speedboat to Phnom Penh (B, L) | Guide and driver
In the morning we will take a speed boat to Phnom Penh and arrive in the capital city of Cambodia around noon. Time to rest and have lunch. The afternoon will be spent exploring Phnom Penh. We commence our tour with a visit to the National Museum, then on to the Silver Pagoda situated inside the Royal Palace complex and lastly Wat Phnom Pagoda considered the spirittual heart of the city. Overnight at hotel.
Day 14 . Fri 13 October 2017 : Phnom Penh - fly to Siem Reap - Rolous group (5B901 PNH REP 0920 1000 by guests) (B, D) | Guide and driver
After breakfast you will be transfered to the airport for flight to Siem Reap. On arrival, check in hotel for refreshment.
In the afternoon, start our trip by visiting Roluos Group of temples built between 877-889, situated 13km from Siemreap. They were constructed when the ancient Khmers created their first settlement in the Angkor region. There are 3 temples:
- Bakong is the most impressive temple, much older than Angkor Wat with beautiful carvings on its lintels that are still in good shape
- Preahko temple is close to the main temple Bakong and consists of 6 elegant brick towers with exquisite decoration and statues of Nandi, Shiva's sacred bull.
- Lolei temple constructed in 893, is an island temple dedicated to members of the royal family and the Hindu God Shiva.
Dinner with special Aspara dance show. Back to hotel for overnight
Day 15 . Sat 14 October 2017 : Siemreap - Angkor Thom - Angkor Wat - fly to Hanoi (VJ958 REP HAN 1930 2125 by guests) (B, L) | Guide and driver
We will visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom also referred to as "Great City", the famous Bayon Temple built in the late 12th century and the Baphoun Temple dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva, the Terrace of Elephants, the Terrace of the Leper King and Phimean Akas known as "Heavenly Palace". In the afternoon, we will tour the World Heritage site "Angkor Wat", the world's largest religious building. We continue our day with a visit to Bakheng Hill Temple and watch the sunset from the top of the hill. Then transfer to the airport for flight to Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi
Day 16 . Sun 15 October 2017 : Hanoi departure (SU291 @10:05) (B) | Driver
After breakfast, at 6:30AM, you are transfered to the airport (no guide) for departure flight.
Asiatica Travel services end at the airport.