We are now on the trip back home. We enjoyed the whole trip very much and as you mentioned, we bring a lot of nice memories home.
In general we are very satisfied with the service of Asiatica. I have filled out for each tour on the various locations a feedback form. I suppose you have received those. The tour itself, especially the bike tour was great.
The meals were at all locations very good, the crew on the halong Bay cruise was excellent. The guides were at all locations good.
Concerning pictures, you can take from the Facebook what ever you can use for your company website .
Thanks again for your support and we wish you a lot of success.
PROGRAM DETAIL
Day 01 . Sat 29 October 2016 : Hanoi arrival (-) | Guide and driver
Arrival in Noi Bai airport at 14:50- EK388, 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 . Sun 30 October 2016 : Hanoi city tour (B) | Guide and driver
A full day spent touring Hanoi, the political, economic and cultural capital of Vietnam. Starting with the Museum of Ethnology (closed on Mondays), which offers informative and well-documented information on the country’s 54 ethnic groups, including elaborate and colorful hill-tribe costumes. The display continues in the outside garden with fascinating examples of traditional houses from the Kinh’s to the ethnic groups of the Central Highlands. We will then visit the Temple of Literature, a temple built in honor of Confucius in 1070, and served as the first Royal National University in Vietnam founded in 1076. This temple and its beautiful garden provide an opportunity to learn more about the Mandarin education that has shaped Vietnam for 1000 years and to relax in this tranquil setting. The afternoon is spent exploring the alleys of Hanoi’s Old Quarter by cyclo tour, visit Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple or the Jade Mountain Temple situated in the heart of Hanoi. A delightful water puppet show will perfectly wrap up our day. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 . Mon 31 October 2016 : Ha Noi - Ha Long Bay (B, L, D) | Guide and driver
After breakfast, we depart to Halong Bay, passing beautiful scenery along the way full of lush rice paddies and winding rivers, typical of the Red River Delta. We 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 . Tue 01 November 2016 : Halong - Hanoi - flight to Hue (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 to Noi Bai airport for your flight VN1547-19h25- 20h35 to Hue where you check into your hotel. Pick up by our guide then transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel in Hue.
Day 05 . Wed 02 November 2016 : Hue visit (B, L) | Guide and driver
Morning, you will visit Hue Imperial City, the remaining vestige of Hue Citadel, including :Flag Tower, Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace and the Forbidden Purple City (Tu Cam Thanh), take a cyclo tour around the old street then enjoy a leisurely boat trip along the poetic Perfume River. Stop to visit Dong Ba market and buy the necessary ingredients for your cooking class with our chef. On the way, visit Thien Mu Pagoda “Heavenly Lady Pagoda”, the iconic symbol of Hue city. Back to the boat for a scenic cruise to Thuy Bieu eco-village, famous for its Green Tea fruit. Arrival to Thuy Bieu restaurant for your cooking class, during which you will prepare lunch with our chef’s instruction. Enjoy the traditional Hue dishes you have just cooked. The afternoon is reserved for cycling through the peaceful village and visiting several communal houses, ancient temples and most importantly the garden-house, a typical and unique feature of Hue. Visit a family making incense to discover the daily life of local people who are working strenuously with joy and enthusiasm. After this full day of sightseeing, your feet will be refreshed in a bath of medicinal herb water followed by an excellent blind massage. Return to you hotel. Overnight at your hotel in Hue.
Day 06 . Thu 03 November 2016 : Hue- Danang- Hoian (B) | Guide and driver
You will depart from the hotel in the morning to visit Tu Duc Royal Tomb, one of the most beautiful royal mausoleum compounds in Hue. 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. En route visit the Museum of Cham Sculptures, with its many precious antique artifacts of the former Cham Kingdom on display. You then continue our drive to Hoi An’s ancient town, once an important international trading port and now a charming riverside town. You will discover all this yourself during a visits to the Japanese Pagoda Bridge, Chinese street, an old Phung Hung house, Hoi An’s market, its ancient port and ChucThanh Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hoi An built in 1454 withChinese bronze. Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 . Fri 04 November 2016 : Hoi An - Danang - Saigon (B) | Guide and driver
At 6h30, transfer (no guide) to Danang airport for the flight VN 113- 08h40 - 10h05 to Ho Chi Minh City. Arrival to HCM city, pick up then visit this city. The must-visit list includes: Ton Duc Thang and Nguyen Hue Avenue, the Reunification Palace or Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral built in 1877 and the Central Post Office. The tour concludes with a visit to and optional shopping spree at Ben Thanh Market, the busiest business centre in Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight at hotel in HCM city.
Day 08 . Sat 05 November 2016 : Saigon - Cai Be- Mekong lodge (B, L, D) | Guide and driver
Depart from Ho Chi Minh City around 8.am, we head to Mekong Delta, the land of nine dragons. Getting out of the city, you will see the mighty delta with its quaint rural landscape and immense waterway.
Arrive at Cai Be River Wharf around 10.am, we will get on our charming shuttle boat to reach Mekong Lodge, the green pearl of Mekong Delta. The boat transfer is part of the trip experience itself as it is your first contact with the Mekong’s fertile alluvial water, which shapes the richness of the land.
Disembark and welcome you to Mekong Lodge; our smiling staffs in local traditional costume await you at Mekong Lodge iconic front bamboo-shaped gate. Check in your private bungalows and enjoy a delicious lunch in our Riverside Restaurant.
Take some rest and begin our private walking tour to discover the nearby village around Mekong Lodge. We will visit families making coconut candy and brick to see the traditional production of goods in Mekong Delta. Meet and talk with local people, known for their friendliness, warmth and generosity.
In the evening, get some hands on culinary experience by joining our Vietnamese cooking class. Our chefs will instruct you to prepare the Mekong Lodge signature dishes. Have fun and some interesting recipes to take home with. Enjoy dinner in a cozy atmosphere
Day 09 . Sun 06 November 2016 : Cai Be- Saigon departure (B, L) | Guide and driver
Begin our second day with buffet breakfast, then getting on our rowed sampan to visit Cai Be floating market, a cultural feature of Mekong Delta. Try to visit it early and you will see the most vibrant scene on Tien River with hundred of boats gathering for fresh produce trade.
Come back to Mekong Lodge to continue the discovery of Mekong Delta with cycling on its tranquil winding lanes and crossing canals. Take in the fresh air, beautiful view and taste some freshly picked fruit in local orchards.
Around noon, cycle back to Mekong Lodge for check out (11.am) and our boat will transfer you back to Cai Be harbor for your coming back to Ho Chi Minh City then being taken to Tan Son Nhat airport for your flight VN813- 16:30h to Siem Reap. Asiatica Travel’s services end here.