Dear Tu
We are finally back (had as short stop at Hong Kong), it takes time to "recover" from such long trip.
What can I tell you. This trip in Vietnam is unforgettable and undoubtedly it was so because of Asiatica.
Everything was perfectly organized, all the hotels were of very good quality and location.
All the guides, Thuan, Sumay and Tamy were very knowledgeable and pleasant, we had a very good contact with them and to hear their story was very interesting and allowed us to learn more about your beautiful country.
I tell to all my colleagues and friends to use only your services if the decide to go to Vietnam.
All the places were very interesting, the most unforgettable was Halong Bay, but Sapa, Hue and Hoian were adorable as well.
Thank you Thu, personally for you kind and professional assistance all the way fro the beginning to the end of the trip!
We love you all!
Tanya Jacobson
PROGRAM DETAIL
Day 01 . Wed 11 October 2017 : Hanoi arrival (VN0614 BKK HAN 1555 1755) (-) | 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. The day is free for your own exploration and shopping. Overnight at hotel.
Day 02 . Thu 12 October 2017 : Hanoi city tour (B, L) | Guide and driver
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 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. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
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.
Day 03 . Fri 13 October 2017 : Ha Noi - Ha Long Bay (B, L, D) | Guide and driver
After breakfast, at 8AM, you depart to Halong Bay, passing beautiful scenery along the way full of lush rice paddies and winding rivers, typical of the Red River Delta. You will arrive at Halong’s tourist wharf around noon and embark a classic wooden junk. Lunch will be served as the boat gently cruises past numerous islands and limestone structures rising from the emerald waters of the bay. It is also an ideal opportunity to enjoy the sea breeze and refresh your soul. An experienced chef will prepare a fresh seafood dinner. Overnight on board in your private cabin.
Day 04 . Sat 14 October 2017 : Halong - Hanoi - night train to Lao Cai (B) | Guide and driver
Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay you have time for an early morning dip while the sun rises, followed by breakfast on board. We will continue to sail through the bay during the morning to explore more secluded areas. The junk will stay close at all times serving as a backup vessel for those that require it. Around midday we will return to the main harbor. A 3-hour drive will take you back to Hanoi. Relax at a mini hotel for refreshment before heading to the railway station for night train to Lao Cai. Overnight on train (private cabin)
Day 05 . Sun 15 October 2017 : Lao Cai arrival - Bac Ha market- Sapa (B, L) | Guide and driver
Arrive in Lao Cai 6:00am, and 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.
On your arrival to market, 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. Nature also contributes to the atmosphere vibrant red and white flowers blooming everywhere. It all makes for a rather unique setting.
After lunch, 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. We will stop at a local house to see how corn wine is made - a special wine Bac Ha is renowned for. Taste some and you will truly feel its local flavor. Return to Sapa in the late afternoon. Overnight at hotel in Sapa
Day 06 . Mon 16 October 2017 : Sapa - Lao Chai & Ta Van Villages - night train to Hanoi (B, L) | Guide and driver
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before commencing your full day tour of Sapa, starting with its vibrant market and colonial houses. Descending into the Muong Hoa Valley, you will reach the picturesque Lao Chai village home to the Black H'mong ethnic minority and Ta Van village inhabited by Dzay. Enjoy stunning views of rice terraces curving around the hillside, winding rivers and streams glistening in the sunshine. Enjoy a picnic for lunch.
On the way back to Sapa, you will visit Tra Ma village, home to Black Hmong ethnic people. You then return to Lao Cai train station by car to catch the night train to Hanoi. Overnight on the train (private cabin)
Day 07 . Tue 17 October 2017 : Hanoi arrival - flight to Hue - Thuy Bieu Eco village (VN1543 HAN HUI 0845 0955 booked by Asiatica) (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. From there, transfer to the airport for flight to Hue. On arrival, check in hotel, then have lunch at a local restaurant.
The afternoon will be spent visiting Hue Imperial City, the last royal city of Vietnam with various beautiful structures including the Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace and the Forbidden Purple City or Tu Cam Thanh. We then take a leisurely boat trip on the poetic Perfume River. We will stop at Dong Ba Market to buy ingredients for the evening cooking class. En route you will visit Thien Mu Pagoda also known as “Heavenly Lady Pagoda”, the symbol of Hue city.
- Back to the boat for a scenic cruise to Thuy Bieu Eco-village for cooking class; prepare lunch (or dinner) by yourself under the instruction of our chief.
+ Va” fruit mixed shrimp and pork
+ Banh Ram It (a patty of super-crunchy deep-fried stick rice topped with stir-fried shrimp and pork)
+ Banh Khoái (a pan-fried crepe that is typically stuffed with shrimp and pork belly)
+ Grilled chicken with lemon leaf
After your practical class, it’s time to taste the Hue traditional dishes that you have prepared and our chef will be able to give his feedback on your own chef skills.
Back to your hotel for overnight
Day 08 . Wed 18 October 2017 : Hue- Danang- Hoian walking tour (B, L) | Guide and driver
After breakfast, at 8AM, 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 and visit Marble Mountain, Cham Museam before arriving in Hoi An’s ancient town.
Savor a delicious lunch at a nice local restaurant. After that you will visit 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. Explore each, when visiting the Japanese Pagoda Bridge, Chinese streets, old Phung Hung houses, Hoi An’s market and ancient port, enjoy the city’s transformation and stroll through this quaint, glowing fairytale town in your free time. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.
Hotel booked by guest (18-21/10): Royal Hoi An hotel, 39 Dao Duy Tu, Hoi An
Day 09 . Thu 19 October 2017 : Hoi An free (B) |
Breakfast at hotel and then day is yours to freely explore the peaceful riverside town in your own time or relax on the beach. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
Day 10 . Fri 20 October 2017 : Hoi An free (B) |
Breakfast at hotel and then day is yours to freely explore the peaceful riverside town in your own time. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An
Day 11 . Sat 21 October 2017 : Hoi An - Danang departure (UO 1559 @ 18:00) (B) | Driver
You are free until transfered to the airport to Danang airport for international departure flight.
End of our services!