Hi Helen.
It was an amazing trip thanks to the exemplary order of perseverance and dedication that accompanied us at every moment. We also met friends. Promise to keep in touch. And I already miss your wonderful country.
PROGRAM DETAIL
Day 01 . Tue 03 April 2018 : Arrive Phnom Penh.PG935 17:30 18:40 (-) | Guide and driver
Welcome to Phnom Penh city. Pick up and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Phnom Penh.
Tour guide: Ms Rose Chenda . Mobile phone + 855 12 208 529
Accommodation: Cardamom Hotel*** - Superior
Day 02 . Wed 04 April 2018 : Phnom Penh city tour- fly to Siem Reap K6 111 04APR PNH-REP 1550 1645 (B) | Guide and driver
8:30 AM, pick up and then spend the morning exploring Cambodia’s capital and its major landmarks including the fascinating Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda, and the National Museum. In the afternoon, transfer ahead to the airport for departure flight to Siemreap. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Siemreap.
Tour guide in Siemreap. Mr Vannen. Mobile phone + 855 12 64 26 46
Accommodation: Central Boutique Angkor*** - Boutique
Day 03 . Thu 05 April 2018 : Siemreap - Angkor Thom - Angkor Wat - Siemreap departure to Hanoi REPHAN HK3 2010 2155 (B) | Guide and driver
8:30, Pick up at hotel. 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. Finish trip in Siemreap. Transfer to the airport for departure flight to Hanoi in the evening. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.
Tour guide in Hanoi. Mr Huy. Mobile phone number : + 84 1688 35 72 11
Accommodation: Gondola Ha Noi*** - Deluxe
Day 04 . Fri 06 April 2018 : Hanoi city & street food tour- night train to Sapa (B) | Guide and driver
You will be picked up at the hotel at 8:30am. 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, 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). Finish trip, transfer to Emotion hotel to have shower and relax some hour before leaving to Sapa by night train.
Tour guide in Hanoi. Mr Huy. Mobile phone number : + 84 1688 35 72 11
Accommodation: Et Pumkin - Ha Noi - Lao Cai
Ha Noi Emotion Hotel*** - Day-use room
Day 05 . Sat 07 April 2018 : Lao Cai - Sapa - Lao Chai - Ta Van - Giang Ta Chai (B) | Guide and driver
We will arrive in Lao Cai around 6:00am and continue to Sapa, situated 40km from Lao Cai, by private car. The day is devoted to a beautiful hike through the breathtaking scenery of Sa Pa valley. Start by road that descends in the wake of the street Cau May (6 km) En route, admire the rice terraces hidden behind mist of the morning, a truly awe-inspiring sight.
Follow a small track and cross Muong Hoa River and pass well tended rice terraces on your way to the Black Hmong village of Lao Chai. Continuing through the colorful rice terraces you will reach the village of Ta Van Giay. As you continue your trek along the Muong Hoa River you will cross a small suspension bridge, roughly 2km from the settlement. Here you can discover a fascinating collection of rock carvings. These engravings depict some beautiful images of man, stilt houses and some beautiful decorative patterns. We lunch in a home in the village. After lunch the walk continues through a bamboo forest to Giang Ta Chai, a Red Dao ethnic minority village. After taking a rest nearby a waterfall to refresh, you start climbing uphill to a road where the car is ready for your journey back to Sapa for overnight
Approx: 1-hour driving/ 4 hours walking/ 1-hour lunch.
Tour guide in Sapa. Mr Huy. Mobile phone number : + 84 1688 35 72 11
Accommodation: Sunny Mountain*** - Deluxe ROH
Day 06 . Sun 08 April 2018 : Sapa- Tram Ton - Love Waterfall - sharing bus to Hanoi (B) | Guide and driver
After breakfast, private transport will take you to Silver Waterfall, the highest in Vietnam with a 300m drop. An ascent to the base of the waterfall will enable you to explore the surrounding landscape. This is a famous spot and is regularly visited by monks to pray. After that, we are driven to Tram Ton Pass where we will trek 30 minutes through the forest. Along the way, you have chances to see wild flowers. Trekking along the Golden Stream, you will arrive at Love Waterfall. It is the best place for relax in Sapa, returning to Tram Ton Pass. Then we continue our drive uphill to the Heavens Gate, the highest stretch of road in Vietnam as well as the provincial border of Lao Cai and Lai Chau provinces. Enjoy fantastic view over the valley! In the afternoon, pick up and transfer to the bus for getting back to Hanoi at 15:00. Upon arrival, check in hotel. Overinght in Hanoi.
Tour guide in Sapa. Mr Huy. Mobile phone number : + 84 1688 35 72 11
Accommodation: Gondola Ha Noi*** - Deluxe
Day 07 . Mon 09 April 2018 : Ha Noi - Ha Long Bay (B, L, D) | Guide and driver
8:00 Am: Pick up and transfer to Halongb bay.
12.15: Embark at Tuan Chau Marina. Enjoy free tea at Gray Line reception room
12.30: Get on Gray Line boat easily by private quay. Then you will be warmly welcomed by crew team, who will serve you during the trip. Welcome drink will be served instantly during cruise briefing. Check in your reserved cabin and take a rest.
13.30: Enjoy a nice set-menu lunch. By local flavors in each dish, it vitally helps to recuperate after a 4-hour-car drive. In the meantime, Gray Line goes ahead to the Bay’s center. After lunch, you are free to relax on sundeck. While the light of afternoon decreases slightly, hundreds of islands with different shares definitely amaze you by its natural beauty. What Gray Line makes your trip different is not the sights of Halong, but the line that you are on. It is the best to watch unparalleled sceneries of Halong in slow motion.
15:00: By tender, visit Titop Island. Have free choice of activities such as sunbathing; swimming; conquering the peak of the biggest island in Halong named of a Russian space hero and taking panoramic photos of Halong bay in the afternoon.
15.40: Arrive at OngCam floating house by tender – one of few existing houses (belong Lan Ha Bay) left after the regulation of Management to relocate the traditional floating village to mainland. You will discover the area’s tranquility by kayaking – an indispensable water activity in Halong, for those who love challenging themselves or sitting on bamboo boat, for those who love being gentle and sophisticated, to admire breathtaking scenes. No matter what you choose, you will have a very quick look at the ruin of floating village to understand how they survive in simple forms of floating houses. Centrally, the activity offers the serenity of escape, particularly in the late afternoon. From a distance, few small junks drift off into the sunset slowly. What cool and poetic moment!
17:30: Go back Gray Line boat for relaxation. Regain your energy by enjoying fantastic views of Halong on sundeck at dusk. Enjoy the mini sunset party with complimentary seasonal fruits and finger foods. To get memorable sunset moment, you should order some Halong styled glasses of cocktail by joining buy-one-get-one-free program, made by our skillful bartenders.
18.30: Join cooking class on the sundeck. Gray Line’s chef shows you how to make Spring Roll - an authentic specialty, which is voted for World's 50 best foods by CNN
19.30: A sophisticated dinner that gives you an appetite will be dedicatedly served in romantic ambience, especially with BBQ fresh seafood and a variety of Vietnamese and Western foods.
21:00: Evening activities: watching film at the outdoor bar; playing board, guitar and card games; going fishing squid on tender. Enjoy squid cooked after fishing.
22:00: Overnight at the quietest sleeping area. End of the first day in Halong.
Tour guide Mr Huy. Mobile phone number : + 84 1688 35 72 11
Accommodation: Gray Line Halong Cruise - Gray Line - Deluxe Balcony
Day 08 . Tue 10 April 2018 : Halong - Hanoi - fly to Hue VN1545 HAN HUI 1915 2030 (B) | Guide and driver
06.30: Awaken you (on desire) at dawn for morning exercise with body warm up, Tai Chi Quan… on sundeck or enjoy beautiful spectacles that a blazing sunrise breaks the clouds of the island on the bay!
07.30: Have a light breakfast with coffee, tea and bakeries at Gray Line restaurant.
08.30: This least known cave locates on a remote island, which is rare in cave-lake seascape. Climb up several rugged stone stairs to admire the miracle of stalactites in a very complex structure, then overloooking gradually to the west, a great lake will appear infont of you, considered as a royal garden surrounding by natural mountain walls. you will be seemingly isolated on the bay. Its water looks blue all year round and breathtaking from high above. Moreover, values of nature and archeology about Maze cave as well as the life of local ancient people in thousand years ago will be revealed by your professional tour guide.
9.30: Come back the cruise. Time to check out your cabin, but not the end. Gray Line runs on another route back to the marina that offers amazing pictures of Mother Nature showing full of typical islets in Halong Bay. It must be a big part of your journey. Let us enjoy!
11:00: Farewell lunch is deliciously served at restaurant and say ‘’goodbye’’ to Gray Line’s crew, who serve you during the trip.
11:45: Disembark at Tuan Chau Marina. Relax at Gray Line reception room. Go back to the airport for departure to Hue. Upon arrive, pick up and transfer to hotel
Tour guide Mr Huy. Mobile phone number : + 84 1688 35 72 11
Tour guide in Hue: Mr An. Mobile phone number : + 84 914 126 726
Accommodation: Romance Hotel**** - Deluxe ( Mountain View / Stadium View )
Day 09 . Wed 11 April 2018 : Hue- Thuy Bieu village (B) | Guide and driver
8:30 pick up at hotel, 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.
Tour guide in Hue: Mr An. Mobile phone number : + 84 914 126 726
Day 10 . Thu 12 April 2018 : Hue- Danang- Hoian (B, L) | Guide and driver
After breakfast , Asiatica's guide and driver will pick up at 8:30 AM and bring you to Mrs Thuy’s house to learn to craft your own conical hat & to recognize their details regards their region with an expert. Ms Thuy will welcome you in her house to pass down her art. One of the best opportunities to make an authentic memory & to bring it home.Non La - Vietnamese Conical Hat: Non la (palm-leaf conical hat) is a traditional symbol of Vietnamese people without age, sex or racial distinctions.Like many other traditional costumes of Vietnam, Non la has its own origin, coming from a legend related to the history of rice growing in Vietnam. The story is about a giant woman from the sky who has protected humankind from a deluge of rain. She wore a hat made of four round shaped leaves to guard against all the rain. After the Goddess was gone, Vietnamese built a temple to commemorate her as the Rain-shielding Goddess.Back to hotel for check out.Free time to take the lunch.Then drive on 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 of Danang Beach before arriving in Hoi An’s ancient town. Check-in then overnight at hotel in Hoian.
Tour guide in Hue: Mr An. Mobile phone number : + 84 914 126 726
Accommodation: Vinh Hung 2 Hotel*** - Superior Pool / City View
Day 11 . Fri 13 April 2018 : Hoi An - Tra Que - Cam Thanh village (B, L) | Guide and driver
Breakfast at the hotel, then ride bicycles to Tra Que Village. Tra Que is renowned for its aromatic herbs especially for mint and basil. The basil leaves, which are smaller than usual, are endowed with a strong and special aroma. You will have the opportunity to discover the life of the farmers by introducing you to their techniques of culture. Lunch with the inhabitant . Continue to Cam Thanh Water coconut village, have a brief introduce 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 ). Embark on the boat, enjoy the folk songs show by local people there. After that, learn how to make funny tools by water coconut leaf Continue to the ancient town, experience the daily life of fisher man along Thu Bon River. Get on Bach Dang wharf, take a bicycle back to Hotel.Local guide bids farewell to guests. Drop off at the hotel. Overnight at the hotel in Hoian.
Tour guide in Hoi An: Mr An. Mobile phone number : + 84 914 126 726
Day 12 . Sat 14 April 2018 : Hoi An walking in the morning- Ho Chi Minh VN 125 DADSGN 1400 1525 (B) | Guide and driver
Breakfast at hotel. You will br 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. Check out hotel at 12:00 Pm. Pick up and transfer to the airport for departure to Ho Chi Minh. Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.
Tour guide in Ho Chi Minh:Mr Thông . Mobile phone + 84 915 957 988
Accommodation: Cititel Central Sai Gon Hotel*** - Deluxe City View
Day 13 . Sun 15 April 2018 : Ho Chi Minh- Cu Chi- Ho Chi Minh (B) | Guide and driver
8:00 AM - We depart from your hotel to visit Cu Chi - a byzantine maze of underground passages, chambers, rooms and booby traps used during the war. You'll be able to get an idea of what it would have been like to live, sleep and eat in the underground passages and bunkers during the fierce battles above and below the surface.
In the afternoon, you'll discover the Reunification Palace - a blend of traditional ritual and modern architecture, served as the presidential palace of South Vietnam until reunification in 1975. The building now functions as a museum, offering tours of the former state rooms, presidential office and library, living quarters of the president's family, and underground war rooms.
Our next destination is Binh Tay market and its surrounding area – known as Cholon or China town. The market is always busy, crowded and messy with small aisles selling all manner of goods, our main point is not for shopping but to enjoy the authentic Chinese atmosphere that has existed here for hundreds of years. There’s also time to visit Thien Hau pagoda before heading back to your hotel.
Tour guide in Ho Chi Minh:Mr Thông . Mobile phone + 84 915 957 988
Day 14 . Mon 16 April 2018 : Ho Chi Minh - Ben Tre - Can Tho (B) | 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 ( Lunch will be paid by yourself).
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: Iris Can Tho**** - Superior Executive
Day 15 . Tue 17 April 2018 : Can Tho - flight to Phu Quoc VN8014 17APR T VCAPQC 1225 1320 (B) | Guide and driver
Early morning (from 5 a.m), take a boat trip through the winding waterways of Cai Rang floating market- the biggest and busiest floating market in Mekong Delta. This is the best time to visit the market as it is crowded with hundreds of sampans that offer fruits, vegetables, plants, food and other goods for trade. You will earn a great opportunity to take photos, communicate with locals and taste fruits. Leave the market, transfer to airport to take flight direct to Phu Quoc. Pick up then transfer to your hotel in Phu Quoc. Overnight in Phu Quoc.
Accommodation: Famiana Resort& Spa**** - Deluxe Garden View
Day 16 . Wed 18 April 2018 : Phu Quoc free time (B) |
Free time to explore Phu Quoc island
Day 17 . Thu 19 April 2018 : Phu Quoc free time (B) |
Free time to explore Phu Quoc island
Day 18 . Fri 20 April 2018 : Phu Quoc - fly Hanoi and finish trip VN1236 PQC HAN 1435 1640 (B) | Driver
You are free until transfer to the airport for flight to Hanoi to connnect departure flight at 8:45 Pm. Thanks for your travelling with us.