flight back home: it was really a grate & exciting trip, and our decision to do it with Asiatica was very good
we liked your itinerary that covered a lot of interesting points and gave us Vietnam at it's best.
we also wish to bless you on the great idea of sending us to Mui Ne for 2 wonderful days of sea & sun: we needed some rest after an intensive and full schedule of our tour
we would love to give you the highest recommendation & rate on Tripadvisor or any other international tour guide!
thank you for a professional & lovely tour,
Nira & Ofer Carmi, Israel
p.s. some of our pictures will be send to you soon.
PROGRAM DETAIL
Day 01 . Sat 21 October 2017 : Hanoi arrival (-) | Guide and driver
*Arrival flight: HKG - HAN KA297 (08.30 - 09.35)
Arrival at 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 in Hanoi (Golden Rice Boutique Hotel - booked on your own)
Day 02 . Sun 22 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. Enjoy Water Puppet show - the unique art of Vietnamese people from Red River Delta before transferring to your hotel.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 03 . Mon 23 October 2017 : Hanoi - Bat Trang village - Street food tour - Night train to Lao Cai (B, L) | Guide and driver
Pick you up at hotel at 08:00 am for driving to Bat Trang ceramic village (13km far from Hanoi centre). The guide will take you around the village to see the artisans at work and you have chance to witness the process of molding and carving clay pots, dishes and vases. Here you can create the pottery products by yourself. Then back Hanoi centre for lunch.
Afternoon start your Hanoi street food tour by drinking Tra Chanh at Nha Tho Lon. Then take the walk through the Old Quarter of Hanoi, you can feel the traditional atmosphere of the most attractive part in Hanoi. Our guide will introduce to you some of the authentic local food like Pho (noodles soup) and Banh Ran at Ly Quoc Su Street, Che at To Tich Street, and Banh Cuon (steam rice pancake rolled with mince perk and mushroom) at Hang Ga Street. Continue the short walking tour to Dong Xuan Market, the largest covered market of Hanoi where the wholesale traders sell everything from clothes, household goods to foodstuffs. Experience Bia Hoi (local ale), visit Bach Ma Temple, then enjoy Bun Cha (rice noodle with barbecued pork) - another Hanoi famous street food before visiting Ma May Old House. You 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. Taste an ice-cream while taking a stroll around the lake, so refreshing after your Hanoi street food tour. Transfer to the railway station for night train to Lao Cai.
Overnight on train (4-soft berth sharing cabin)
Day 04 . Tue 24 October 2017 : Lao Cai - Y Linh Ho - Lao Chai - Ta Van (B, L) | Guide and driver
Arrive at Lao Cai 6:00am, transfer to Sapa Centre Hotel for having a shower and enjoying breakfast (breakfast only/no check-in).
This morning, we have chance to explore the villages of different ethnic groups around Sapa. First, we take very beautiful drive from Sapa to the villages along the valley of Muong Hoa. The scenery like a painting of Mother Nature with the fields on the terrace, waterfall on the hill side, the green of the vegetation, a winding stream down below and the air is so fresh and pure. Our first stop is at Y Linh Ho - village of the H’mong people. It is said that H’mong was one of the first immigrants to this area and famous for their hand weaving and terrace rice field in Sapa. Take a beautiful trek to Lao Chai – the other village of Mong. We take a walk around the village and to the village of Ta Van of the Giay people via the terraces rice field and the trails, experience the diversity of hill tribe people there.
Overnight in Sapa.
Approx: 5 hours walking/ 1-hour lunch.
Day 05 . Wed 25 October 2017 : Sapa - Silver Waterfall - Tram Ton Pass - Fanxipan peak by cable car (B, L) | 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!
After that we will be transferred to cable car station where we will have 25 minutes travelling to Fanispan Mountain where is considered to be the most beautifal landscape of Vietnam now. Reach the altitute of 2800 meters, you have a good time to see the view and take photos, visit pagoda the spiritual destinations and trek up to 600 steps you will reach the peak of Fansipan - the Roof of Indochina (Spend about 1,5 hours for hiking and taking photos).
Overnight in Sapa.
Day 06 . Thu 26 October 2017 : Sapa - Ma Tra - Ta Phin - Night train to Hanoi (B, L) | Guide and driver
Met up by local guide at your hotel. The walk commences from Sapa on a trail running through the beautiful gardens and lush pine forests. You will then pass through the Black Hmong ethnic minority village of Matra, a very small village hiding way from the civilisation. The walk continues through rice paddy fields and spectacular scenery. During the day you will also be able to visit a local school. You will enjoy your lunch before arriving at the Taphin village. Here you can hear about the unmixed cultural life of Black Hmong and Red Dao minorities, 2 largest ethnic groups in the area. You can already recognise them by dressing while they are both very famous of handicraft. You will enjoy walking among local people. The trip also offers you the opportunity to visit the local houses as well as visit the local caves. Transfer back to Lao Cai for overnight train to Hanoi.
Overnight on train (4-soft berth sharing cabin)
Approx: 0,5 hour driving/ 4 hours walking/ 1 hour lunch.
Day 07 . Fri 27 October 2017 : Hanoi - Hoa Lu - Tam Coc (B, L) | Guide and driver
Arrive at Hanoi early morning. Meet your guide and transfer to Cosiana Hotel for having a shower and enjoying breakfast. Then, our car and guide will pick you up to travel to Hoa Lu – the former capital of Vietnam, about a two-hour drive from Hanoi. On arrival, you will visit two temples, one of them dedicated to Emperor Dinh and the other in memory of Emperor Le, followed by a brief visit to the remains of the Old Palace. After lunch at a local restaurant, you will visit Tam Coc (three caves), a peaceful valley among limestone ‘karst’ hills, There, you will be rowed along a gentle river between paddy fields and through the caves. After the boat trip in Tam Coc, 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 in Tam Coc.
Day 08 . Sat 28 October 2017 : Ninh Binh - Halong Bay (B, L, D) | Guide and driver
After breakfast, 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.
12:15 - 12:30: Embark to Aphrodite Vessel. Check-in to cabin
12:30 - 13:00: Proceed to the dining room for general information and safety briefing (3rd deck)
13:15 - 14:45: Lunch is served in the dining room
15:30 - 16:30: Visit Sung Sot Cave for hiking and exploring the stalactite and stalagmite formation. 720 steps in total (1 hour 30 minutes tour). Rubber shoes and sandals for hiking are highly recommended
16:30 - 17:00: Come back to the big boat. Prepare for dinner
17:00 - 19:00: Happy Hour promotion (Buy One Get One Free) (applied for House wine, Long drinks, beers, Soft drinks and canned juice)
17:30 - 18:30: Cooking demonstration on the sundeck/dining room (optional)
19:00 - 21:00: Dinner is served in the dining room
21:00 - onward : Squid fishing at the reception or watch movie in the cabin.
Day 09 . Sun 29 October 2017 : Halong - Hanoi - Flight to Hue (B) | Guide and driver
06:15 - 06:45: Start your day with Tai-chi class on the sundeck (optional)
06:45 - 07:30: Light breakfast is served in the dining room
07:30 - 08:45: Visit Titop island for swimming and hiking.
09:00 - 09:30: Regular check-out time (if you have any heavy luggage, put outside of your cabins and settle your bills at the reception, 1st deck)
09:30 – onwards: Full breakfast is served while the cruise goes back to the main port
10:45 - 11:00: Disembark Aphrodite Vessel. A 3-hour drive will take you to Noi Bai airport for your flight to Hue where you check into your hotel.
*Flight: HAN - HUI VN1547 (18.35 - 19.50)
Pick up upon arrival and transfer to hotel.
Overnight in Hue.
Day 10 . Mon 30 October 2017 : Hue city - Thuy Bieu village (B, L) | Guide and driver
The morning 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. Then, we will take a boat trip on poetic Perfume River. Stop to visit Dong Ba Market and 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. Visit Tu Duc Tomb before driving back to hotel.
Overnight in Hue.
Day 11 . Tue 31 October 2017 : Hue city tour (B, L) | Guide and driver
Start the day with a visit to Minh Mang Mausoleum, one of Hue's finest royal tombs, which is renowned for its architecture and sublime forest setting. After that, you will meet Mr. Mui, a kite artisan, to learn how to make a kite. The exploring kite tours lasts about 1,5 - 2 hours. You will be introduced with basic stages to make a kite, join some of stages in the process, which brings an interesting feeling to you. The process of making a kite undergoes several steps from choosing bamboo to make frame of kites to decorate them. Also, in this tour, you will have a chance to explore the history of kite art in Hue and bring kites home as unique souvenirs. You will be shown by artisan how to fly kites high. Lunch in a local restaurant. Visit Khai Dinh Tomb and transfer back to hotel. The rest of the day is free at your leisure.
Overnight in Hue.
Day 12 . Wed 01 November 2017 : Hue - Danang - Hoian walking tour (B, L) | Guide and driver
After breakfast, 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 Cham Museam before arriving in Hoi An’s ancient town. Lunch is served in a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you will be 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.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 13 . Thu 02 November 2017 : Hoi An cooking class at The Market Restaurant - My Son (B, L) | Guide and driver
08h30 - 13h30
We visit Hoi An’s colorful and bustling central market by boat in small groups with an English speaking tour guide where participants learn about; the uses of different fresh noodles, how to know and buy fresh fish, fresh herbs , fresh and dried spices and their uses in our recipes, rice and different grains. You will also see and taste traditional candy, Vietnamese tea as well as many exotic fruits.
We then return to Vy’s Market Restaurant by boat where you will be guided around the many street food counters and taste along the way. You will also see and taste traditional candy, Vietnamese tea as well as many exotic fruits before coming back cooking class.
Here you can hear, smell, see, touch, taste and interact with variety of food making processes.
The cooking lesson runs about 2.5 hours – the teachers first show each dish before you prepare the same dishes yourselves. After the lesson we enjoy what we have cooked and then you will receive a copy of the recipes and do it again when back home.
In the afternoon, we will drive to My Son, the Holly land of Champa kingdom date back from 4th to 13th century. Arrive to My Son before sunset and not many other tourist, you will have great chance to discover and feel the great ancient atmosphere of the complex of nearly 70 difference towers there, where you can find the best brick sculpture in the world and learn about the influences of Hinduism to their. My Son also had been recognized to be culture world Heritage in 1999. Back to Hoi An in late afternoon.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 14 . Fri 03 November 2017 : Hoi An - Danang - Flight to Saigon - Saigon city tour (B, L) | Guide and driver
Free time for your own discovery until being picked up then transferred to the airport for the flight Danang/Saigon.
*Flight: DAD - SGN VN117 (10.15 - 11.45)
You will welcomed by our driver and guide in Saigon. Transfer to a local restaurant for lunch. 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.
Overnight in Saigon.
Day 15 . Sat 04 November 2017 : Cu Chi Tunnels - Saigon city tour (B, L) | Guide and driver
Morning drive to Cu Chi, the famous network of tunnels were used as the base from which the Vietnamese mounted their operations of the Tet Offensive in 1968. The Cu Chi Tunnels consist of more than 250km of underground tunnels. This main axis system has many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters, and entrances to other tunnels. The tunnels are between 0.5 to 1m wide, just enough for a person to crawl along.Lunch will be served at a local restaurant.
In the afternoon, you will visit the War Remnants Museum formerly known as the Museum of American War Crimes. This is a poignant display of the futility of war. Next on the sightseeing list is Thien Hau Pagoda located in Cho Lon, the city’s Chinatown. This pagoda is dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea. The most impressive features of the structure are the intricate friezes and the carved tableaus towards the front of the pagoda. The impressive incense coils inside the pagoda also make for some great photos. Another site that cannot be missed is Binh Tay Market or ‘Cho Lon’, which can be roughly translated to ‘big market’. Although the whole district lives up to its name a visit to this market really says it all. Selling everything from fake Ray Bans to dried squid, you are bound to enjoy a walk through the maze of stalls in this bustling market. your tour of Saigon will end with a visit to a lacquer ware workshop.
Overnight in Saigon.
Day 16 . Sun 05 November 2017 : Saigon - Ben Tre - Saigon (B, L) | Guide and driver
You will be picked up at your hotel at 8:30am and driven to Ben Tre. On arrival in Hung Vuong pier, boating on Ben Tre river – one of tributaries of Mekong river - is along mangrove tree from town to country. Witness lively activities in morning as fishing, coconut cargo boats carrying on river. Stop at traditional brickwork to see how to make bricks by hand. Go on by boat to My Long village, walking to hamlet to see making rice paper and enjoy some rice cake. Turn on Cai Son canal winding through coconut jungle, visit coconut workshop, have a look stages of coconut processing from husk off, prize out to peel out by hand. Go on small waterway and stop at a bee garden, enjoy some fruits, honey tea and listen to local music as well.Visit candy mill and enjoy some sweet by the way. Continue short walking to visit farmer house who making sleepmats.
Cycle rural tracks or drive tuktuk through coconut grove, vegetable plains (cucumber, bitter melon...). Keep going by row boat on shady palm tree canal and stop for lunch at Green Garden riverside restaurant. Boating back Hung Vuong pier by motorboat. Transfer back to Saigon.
Overnight in Saigon.
Day 17 . Mon 06 November 2017 : Saigon - Mui Ne (B) | Driver
Transfer to Mui Ne, a getaway to paradise with pristine beaches, vast sand dunes, postcard-perfect fishing villages, a vibrant nightlife and friendly people.
Overnight in Mui Ne.
Day 18 . Tue 07 November 2017 : Mui Ne free (B) |
Breakfast at hotel. Spend the day unwinding on the beach.
Overnight in Mui Ne.
Day 19 . Wed 08 November 2017 : Mui Ne - Saigon (B) | Driver
Check out hotel and transfer back to Saigon. The rest of the day is free at your leisure.
Overnight in Saigon.
Day 20 . Thu 09 November 2017 : Saigon free (B) |
Free time for your own activities.
Overnight in Saigon.
Day 21 . Fri 10 November 2017 : Saigon departure (B) | Driver
After breakfast, free time for relaxation until being transferred (without guide) to take your departure flight from Saigon. Check out time is 12h00.
*Departure flight: SGN - HKG CX764 (19.45 - 23.25)