Dear Linh
We just landed yesterday and we want to thank you for great trip. It was excellent experience. Everything organized perfect, the guides was marvelous except for Linh in Ohi An.
The guides in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Siam Reap was full of knowledge, charming, polites, quiets and help us for any questions.
The best one was Tai in Ho Chi Minh City.
The food was very good. We enjoyed from the program, absorbs the history, cultures, landscapes' smells and beautiful two country – Vietnam
And Cambodia.
Everything was so good except Linh in Hoi An.
Carmela and me visited more then 35 country over the world. We never met before, behavior like that guid. From the firs moment she was noise
and immediately when we came to the car she said: "you are tired you must relax, and because I have only 2 hours with you I collect you from the hotel at 2p.m."
We said 'we are not tired. We came to see and we want to begin on the morning". She was very upset and she try to push us to change our mind
Till we said: " O.k if you have a problem we shall do it alone. " She said
"No I will come to collect you at 0830A.m. "
Along ours walking in the town she talked most of the time in the telephone and to friends in the street (she have many). At noon we wanted to visit the market . She explain us ' The market are dirty, the smell are very bad there are not roof and now raining". But we want to go. In the middle of the way Carmela suffered big pain in her back, we stoped and Linh suggest that we shall go to diner. She took us to local restaurant . We invited her to eat with but she said that her mother sick
And she wants to go home foe half hour to make food to her mother. She walked and come back after one and half hour, then she said " now I want to eat 5minuts". After 15 minute I ask her "where is the driver"
She left her meal and we went out. She ask Carmela "how your guide"
And Carmela did not answer.
"no we want to see the market". So she took us, and it was surprise – the market was clean, without any smell, with roof. When we finish the market she said now we go to see lantern making. We said "no we want to hotel because we see it in Tailand". She began to shout "no, this is your plan and you must see it". In that time we arrived to lantern making, we out from the car and she began to shout "you have 3 daughters and I am not your slave". In that moment I said "take us to hotel now"
That's the story of Linh in Hoi An.
Again we want to thank you so much for wonderful trip. We shall happy
to use your company in future.
Day 01 - 2/12/15 - Hanoi – arrival
Arrival at the airport of Hanoi from Bangkok by Vietnam Airlines flight - VN 0610. Time of landing 14h10.
Pick-up by our guide and driver.
Transfert to the city and beginning to visit the capital of Vietnam.
You then head to Ngoc Son Temple set on a tiny island in the middle of Hoan Kiem Lake. After that, our guide will lead you to visit the old quarter and stop at Dong Xuan market in the center of Hanoi originally built by the French administration in 1889, to see how local people exchange their merchandises.
Night at hotel.
Day 02 - 3/12/15-Hanoi – visit – B, L
You will be picked up at the hotel at 8:00am. 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. You 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. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
The next step, you will visit the Hoa Lo prison - commonly translated as "fiery furnace".
Then take part to the Water Puppet Show, a traditional art form closely connected with the long-standing spiritual life of the Vietnamese people. Free time to discovery the city by yourselves. Free time to discover the city.
Day 03 - 4/12/15-Hanoi – Halong – B, L , D
Depart from Hanoi. You will meet the Aphrodite team and crew, and you will be privately driven by our tender boat to our well-designed and well-equipped Aphrodite Junk. A welcome drink is waiting for you on the third deck, in our charming panoramic restaurant. You will be given a short speech introducing the vessel’s facilities and services, as well as safety instructions. After the check in, take time for yourself. Enjoy the view while the cruise heads straight to the South, and makes its way along Cat Ba National Park, away from other tourist Junks.
13.15 pm : Lunch will be at the panoramic restaurant on the third deck.
15.45 pm: The cruise will reach the village of Cua Van. Get an insight of the local life, strolling aboard a sampan boat, around a typical Halong bay fishing village. Cua Van is a stand out example of community-based and sustainable tourism in Halong bay. The excursion includes a visit to the school, to a fish farm and to the local fishing museum.
There is an option of 1 hour kayaking around Cua Van Fishing village instead of the sampan stroll.
16.45 pm: Back onboard the Aphrodite vessel, you will have time to relax, enjoy the spa and massage service and/or the Happy Hour at the bar. The cruise will now head to the moorage area, near Coconut Beach Island.
19.15 pm: A scrumptious dinner will be served in the Fine Dining room. The main courses will be prepared before your eyes. You are also given the possibility to have dinner served on your private balcony. 20.45 pm till late: Squid fishing, Board games, and stories, tales and legends at the Top Deck Bar.
(Your guide will not embark with you because there is an English speaking guide on boat.
The itinerary can be changed withou notice of boat team for the extern reasons)
Day 04-5/12/15-Heading to the far reaches of Halong bay (B, L, D)
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 05 -6/12/15-Halong - Hanoi - flight to Danang - Hoi An – B
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: 08.00 am: Your local guide will take you to explore the most beautiful cave in Halong Bay with amazing stalagmite & stalactite formations. While onboard you can take advantage at leisure of our Spa, Beauty & Massage services.
09.00 am: Back on the Aphrodite Junk, it will be time to get prepared for the check out. The cruise will head back to Tuan Chau pier.
09.30 am: Check out time.
10.00 am: Brunch will be served. Do not miss an opportunity for last minute photos.
Disembark and return to the direction of Hanoi airport for the flight to Danang VN 175T 1910 2030.
Pick-up and transfert to Hoi An hotel. Night at hotel.
Day 06-7/12/15-Hoi An
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. Following the tour you can explore the town and go shopping on your own.
Visit a lantern making centrer to make by yourselves some lanternes.
Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.
Day 07-8/12/15-Hoi An - Danang - flight to Saigon– B
After breakfast, you will be taken to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City VN 109 0910 1040 .
Upon arrival, check into 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.
Then visit War Remnants Museum – which is to save the heroic remnants of the Vietnamese people in the struggle against the invading forces, and to denounce the crimes and highlighted the devastating consequences of the war of aggression.
Visit Ben Thanh market. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 08-9/12/15-Saigon - Cu Chi - Cao Dai– Saigon – B, L
You will be picked up at the hotel at 8:00am to drive to Tay Ninh, 100km from Saigon, to visit the ornate temple of Cao Dai and attend a fantastic mid-day service. Caodaism followers fill the hall wearing colored robes, a symbol of this curious combination of Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism. Lunch at a local restaurant.
We then 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. Overnight at hotel in Ho Chi Minh.
Day 09 - 10/12/15-Saigon - Ben Tre - Can Tho– B, L
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 cycle 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 10-11/12/15-Can Tho - Saigon - A O Show– B, L
Take an early morning boat trip through the winding waterways of Cai Rang floating market, the biggest and busiest floating market in the Mekong Delta. This is the best time to visit the market, as it is crowded with hundreds of sampans that offer fruit, vegetables, plants, food and other goods for trade. This is the perfect opportunity to take photos, communicate with locals and taste fresh tropical fruit. Leave the market, and return to Saigon. On the way back, you will stop at an old Binh Thuy house 5kms from Can Tho city.
Back to Saigon, take part to A O Show – an impressed mixte performance.
Day 11-12/12/15-Saigon - flight to Siem Reap – B
Flight to Siem Reap VN3825 1200 1300 .
We take a tour to pre Angkorian temple the Rolous Group of Temple, the first major capital of the Angkorian era during Khmer Empire including a visit to Preah Ko, Bakong, and Lolei Temples. Night at hotel.
Day 12-13/12/15 - Siem Reap – B, D
Morning visit to the “Petit Circuit” group of temples including: Ta Prohm embraced by the roots of enormous fig trees. This is one of Jayavarman VII's first major temple projects dedicated to his mother, Thommanon built at the same time with Angkor Wat and Chau Say Tevoda temple, Banteay Kdei – surrounded by four concentric walls, Srah Srang – “The Royal Baths" was once used for ritual bathing and Ta Keo known as “ The mountain with golden peaks” dedicated to Hindu God Shiva.
The afternoon is spent for exploring the amazing World Heritage "Angkor Wat" - the world's largest religious building, and Phnom Bakheng (Bakheng hill) the first major temple to be constructed in the Angkor era, marking the move of Khmer empire's capital from Roluos to Angkor in the late 9th century AD. Diner Apsara. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 13 - 14/12/15 - Siem Reap – B
Start our day by visiting Banteay Srei built at the time when Khmer Empire was gaining significant power and dedicated to Hindu God Shiva. It’s a masterpiece of Khmer Art with small size, sandstone construction and ornate design. We then back to visit Banteay Samre temple in the Angkor Wat style.
Afternoon, transfer to visit South Gate of Angkor Thom, famous Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of Elephant, Phimean Akas, Terrace of Leper King. Overnight at the hotel in Siem Reap.
Day 14 - 15/12/15-Siem Reap – B
After having breakfast at hotel, take a boat trip to explore Tonle Sap lake- the largest natural lake in Indochina. 1 to 2 hours cruising will bring you closer to the floating villages and Cambodian waterfront life. We continue to one of the city’s lively open markets, Psar Chhas, all called the “Old Market”, where everything is for sales. Then you are free & easy until transferring to the airport for the flight to next destination.
Day 15 - 16/12/15-Siem Reap – departure– B
12h, transfert to the airport PG 914 REPBKK 1535 1650 .
(check-out time is 12h00)
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