Hello Ms. Dao,
Sorry I did not respond sooner. I needed some time to get back into things here. I would like to say that we really enjoyed the trip and that you care and the guides were all great.
My wife is currently sorting the pictures and we will send you some in the next few days.
On things that need improvement: Other than what we wrote in our feedback - There is nothing more. We enjoyed the trip very much and felt that the itinerary was a very good fit for us.
Please feel free to refer people to us. I already spoke to one person that you referred and gave him my good feedback.
Best,
Ben
PROGRAM DETAIL
Day 01 . Thu 22 March 2018 : Hanoi arrival - street food & water puppet (SU290 @09:00AM) (-) | Guide and driver
Arrival in Noi Bai airport , you will be picked up then transferred to the hotel in city center. The check-in is available at 2 pm.
In the afternoon, discover the Old Quarter, also known as the “36 Streets & Corporations”. It is a veritable labyrinth of lanes where each of them is specialized in a trade or art. The best way to explore and discover this district full of life is by foot. Designed to capture all aspects of local life, the course will cover all the elements of the daily life of the inhabitants in an original way: crafts, Buddhism, temple, gastronomy, local market, visit of traditional house-tube (Vietnamese particularity), medicine…
Discover the capital through food, as a local, a real experience and a highlight of the journey.
The tour ends with a stroll around the HoanKiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword) before watching the traditional water puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi
Accommodation: Silk Path Hotel**** - Premium Deluxe
Day 02 . Fri 23 March 2018 : Hanoi- Mai Chau (B, L) | 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 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. In the evening, you will enjoy the traditional music show in the evening. Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation: Mai Chau Ecolodge**** - Deluxe
Day 03 . Sat 24 March 2018 : 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.
Accommodation: Ninh Binh Hidden Charm**** - Deluxe
Day 04 . Sun 25 March 2018 : 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.
11.30 - 12.15 Arrival at Hon Gai International Harbour.
12.30 - 13.00 Transfer by tender to boat, enjoy Welcome Drink, Depart to Bai Tu long Bay.
13.00 - 14.30 Enjoy Lunch while cruising to magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay, admire the fascinating formations on the way.
15.30 - 16.30 Transfer from boat to rowing boat to visit Vung Vieng Fishing Village. Rowers are local people wearing traditional costume. It’s the opportunity to see the fisher’s daily life with the primary features in the charming nature.
17.30 Return to boat - Continue cruising through the bay.
18.30 Anchor for overnight at Cong Do area.
18.30 - 19.00 Cooking Demonstration in restaurant.
19.30 - 21.00 Savor a delicious Set Dinner in dinning room.
21.00 - 22.30 Activities: Relax on deck, Beauty Spa services, drink service available or night time fishing.
23.00 Relax, enjoy fresh air & overnight on board.
Accommodation: Victory Star - Victory Star - Deluxe
Day 05 . Mon 26 March 2018 : Halong - Hanoi - flight to Hue (VN1545 HAN HUI 1900 2010 booked by Asiatica) (B) | Guide and driver
06.30 Enjoy sunrise over the Bay or take part in our morning Tai Chi session.
06.45 - 07.45 Coffee, tea and breakfast pastries served in dining room.
08.00 - 08.30 Explore the well- hidden Thien Canh Son cave.
09.00 - 09.30 Check-out cabins and settle bills – Luggage collection
09.30 - 10.30 Having international Buffet Brunch served in dining room.
10.30 - 11.00 Arrival at the pier. A 3-hour drive will take you to Noi Bai airport for your flight to Hue where you will be picked up to hotel in for check in & overnight.
Accommodation: Eldora**** - Deluxe Panorama
Day 06 . Tue 27 March 2018 : 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 07 . Wed 28 March 2018 : Hue - Danang - Hoi An - walking tour (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.
Accommodation: Little Hoi An Beach**** - River Deluxe
Day 08 . Thu 29 March 2018 : Hoi An villages (B, L) | Guide and driver
08:00 Guide pick guests up at hotel, take bicycles 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 to take a bicycle to Tra Que village. Have lunch and join in the daily activities with local farmer there. Back to your hotel by bicycle.
Return to Hoi An town. The rest of the day is free at your leisure
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 09 . Fri 30 March 2018 : Hoi An - Danang - Flight to Ho Chi Minh - Food tour by scooter (VN117 DAD SGN 1015 1145 by Asiatica) (B) | Guide and driver
Have breakfast at your hotel before transfer to the airport at 8AM for flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, check into hotel.
The afternoon is spent to visit the Notre Dame Cathedral and the General Post Office. 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. Head to Cho Lon - the city’s Chinatown and Thien Hau Pagoda which is dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea. With intricate friezes, carved tableaus and impressive incense coils make for some great photos. Then observe street life with a cyclo ride through the narrow streets to Binh Tay market that sells everything from hats to dried squid!
In the evening (18:00), we will take the street food tour on a motorbike.
Riding through busy and narrow streets / alleys of Saigon with a local Vietnamese driver (welltrained, speaking English).
• 1st stop @ a local Pancake Shop. Enjoy Vietnamese pancake & fresh spring roll serve with herbal drink (nuoc sam)
• 2nd stop @ Local Seafood Restaurant. Enjoy 04 dishes:
- (1) Steamed clams with lemongrass; (2) Stir-fried pincers with salt & chili; (3) Steamed tofu with mushroom;(4) Fried rice with garlic.
• 3rd stop @ Thu Thiem riverside park. The best spot with panoramic view of Bach Dang pier & city center.
• 4th stop @ Local Music Coffee Shop. Listening to acoustic music with beautiful voice for 30 mins.
• 5th stop @ Rooftop Bar for cold beer, panorama city view (outdoor) & dance floor (indoor).
• See different districts & hidden corners of Saigon.
• Learn about foods, cultures, and lives of local Vietnamese with our guides.
• Drop off at hotel. Overnight in Saigon
Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
Accommodation: Liberty Central Sai Gon Riverside**** - Deluxe
Day 10 . Sat 31 March 2018 : 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.
Accommodation: TTC Can Tho hotel**** - Deluxe River View
Day 11 . Sun 01 April 2018 : 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. Continue the tour to visit Tra Su, getting to the wild birds Sanctuary, cruising smoothly with small boats to discover the arrays of splendid canals deep into the forest, watching storks, cranes and other tropical birds. Back to the Town, hotel check in. Overnight in Chau Doc.Overnight at Chau Doc.
Accommodation: Victoria Nui Sam Lodge*** - Deluxe
Day 12 . Mon 02 April 2018 : Chau Doc - speedboat to Phnom Penh (B) | 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 by your own. 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 stop at Russian market for shopping. Overnight at hotel.
Accommodation: Villa Langka**** - Deluxe Room
Day 13 . Tue 03 April 2018 : Phnom Penh - fly to Siem Reap - Tonle Sap (K6 107 PNH REP 1155 1240 by Asiatica) (B) | Guide and driver
After breakfast at 9AM we will be transfered to the airport for flight to Siem Reap. On arrival, check in hotel for refreshment.
In the afternoon, explore Tonle Sap lake - the largest natural lake in Indochina, cruising for 1 or 2 hours to visit its floating villages and discover the waterfront life. Disembark and drive back to Siemreap through the peaceful countryside and quaint villages with lush rice fields and rows of palm. Visit the Artisans d’Angkor established in 1992 with the purpose of trainning young Cambodians in reestablishing the arts of their ancestral heritage and help increasing job opportunities. Drop by some workshops to know about the process of stone and wood carving.
Back to hotel for overnight
Accommodation: Pavillon D’Orient Boutique**** - Deluxe
Day 14 . Wed 04 April 2018 : Siemreap - Angkor Thom - Angkor Wat - Siemreap (B, L, D) | 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. Back to the hotel. Dinner with special Aspara dance show.
Day 15 . Thu 05 April 2018 : Siem Reap - Kbal Spean - Banteay Srei - fly to Hanoi (VN838 REP HAN 2010 2155 by Asiatica) (B, L) | Guide and driver
We will start our day trip by visiting Kbal Spean referred to as “The river of a Thousand Lingas” which is situated 30km north of Angkor Wat, roughly a one hour drive. It closes at 3pm. We will take a forest walk and then return for lunch. We will continue from there straight to Banteay Srei, "The Citadel of Women" built at a time when the Khmer Empire was gaining significant power. Like numerous others, it is dedicated to the Hindu god Shiva. It is a masterpiece of Khmer art with its intricate, pink sandstone construction and ornate design. Then transfer to the airport for flight to Hanoi, where you will be picked up to hotel for check in & overnight
Accommodation: Silk Path Hotel**** - Premium Deluxe
Day 16 . Fri 06 April 2018 : Hanoi departure (SU291 @10:05) (B) | Guide and driver
After breakfast, at 7AM, transfer to the airport for your flight off.