The Best of Vietnam with Mr.Gilberto Bari

The Best of Vietnam 

We were very contented with the organization which included: Hanoi biking, Hanoi villages and crafts, Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Sapa markets, Sapa trekking, Halong, Halong, visit Hue Hoi Han Hoin Han lanterns, Saigon visit, Cho Lach Mekong delta, Can Tho, visit floating market of Cai Rang. Thanks to Amovietnam who also provided us in Italian. We certainly recommend it for the seriousness, readiness and commitment of this Vietnamese agency.

Group of: Mrs. Gilberto Bari
Travel date: 14/11/2015 – 30/11/2015 (16 days)
Here is the review of our client on Tripadvisor

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 01: Welcome to Hanoi (B/-/-)
Fly to Hanoi. Upon arrival to the airport, you well be met by our guide and transfer to you hotel.

Day 02: Hanoi visit (B/L/D)
Breaksfast in hotel.

Morning:
8:00. First half day dedicated to the exclusive tour: Hidden Hanoi biking. Starting early in the morning, on the bike, turn into the tightest links of the ancient city to see another very active side of the city, to know better the daily life of the premises. The tour also represents a discovery of nature around the Red River. Here’s the review video, see how our customers are happy:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DouYyYH32Sw

Lunch at local restaurant. The afternoon begins with “xich lo” to the old quater, where the 36 routes compose it have the names of the type of goods sold. We find a range of colored spices from shoes, but also for false tickets (Hang Ma) for bids. Next to is Hoan Kiem Lake, also known as the Sword Returned. An ancient legend says that one of the entrepreneurs defeated the Chinese invaders thanks to a sword that was brought to him by the tortoise, which today is dedicated to a pagoda at the center of the lake itself. Crossing the red wooden bridge called The Huc, we visit the Ngoc Son Temple (Jada’s Montanga).

The day ended up with a Water Puppet Show which had been maintained there in Vietnam for around 1000 years. Dinner and accomodation in hotel.

Notes: The city tour program is flexible. Our guide would be more than happy to adjust the tour itinerary at your needs. You can skip one site or add another if you wish so

Day 03: Hanoi – Craft Villages (B/L/D) 
Breakfast at hotel. 8:00. The day is dedicated to discover the particular culture of North Vietnam: the traditional craft villages. You can see local life close to you, like Dong Ho’s famous painting, the leaf of rice (spring mistletoe ingredients). Especially, you can also try to do it.

Lunch at local home.

Continue to visit  But Thap pagoda – one of the most beautiful pagodas in northern Vietnam and the village of Bat Trang, the famed village for the ceramic craft. Return to Hanoi. Free dinner. Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 04: Hanoi – Thung Nham – Thien Ha Cave – Hanoi (B/L/-)
8:00. Morning depart for Ninh Binh through the lush vegetation of the Red River.

Path to Hoalu through rural villages, limestone rocks and paddles that affect the imagination.

Visit Hoalu, Vietnam’s old capital for 41 years under Dinh and Le dynasties. There are still two beautiful sanctuaries dedicated to King Le and Dinh, the country’s first unifiers. In addition to these shrines, the region is worth a detour for its rolling hills and its very picturesque rocky landscapes.

Lunch in local restaurant.

Next to is bike for Thung Nham. Traditional boat ride over the river lapping the karst hills and paddles. This place, whose beauty somehow exceeds that of Halong Bay, is called “Halong Terrestrial,” where only the song of birds comes to disturb this “other world” scene. A surprise awaits us at the end of the trip. Return to Hanoi. Transfer to Hanoi station for Lao Cai. (04persone / cabin).

Day 05: Lao Cai – Coc Ly Market – Sapa (B/L/D)

Arriving in the early morning at Lao Cai station, you would be on a scenic drive to Coc Ly after the short breakfast at the downtown. Arriving in Coc Ly, which is 130 km far from Sapa, you would walk through colorful market of hill tribe people such as: Flower Hmong, Phu La and Dao Tuyen, … who gather there for goods’ exchange.

At the market, they reunite the ethnic minorities Mong Fiore, Dzao Nero and Nung to trade the goods. After a visit to the market, we have a boat ride along the Chay River to admire the beautiful and exciting landscapes that nature offers us.

Return to Sapa. Free dinner and accomodation in hotel.

Note: The sample itinerary for Bac Ha on Sunday: depend on your departure. You could visit:

•   Coc Ly market:                 Tuesday
•   Cao Son market:             Wednesday
•   Lung Khau Nhin:             Thursday
•   Can Cau:                          Saturda

Day 06: Lao Chai – Ta Van – Train to Hanoi (B/L/-)
Breakfast at hotel. 8:00. Departure from the road that goes down in the extension of Cau May Street (6 km). Along the way, admire the terrace paddles hidden in the misty morning. Start the trekking along the vast Muong Hoa valley with terraced fields lying on, heading to Lao Chai and Ta Van villages of H’mong and Tay people. Here, there are 3 options for you: the soft trek (at only 3 km), medium trek (around 6 km) or long trek (nearly 12 km). For each, you would have chance to imbue the well-preserved unique culture and traditions of the north ethnic minorities.

After all, you have time for freshing up at the hotel before moving to train station for overnight train back to Hanoi.

Day 07: Hanoi – Halong (B/L/D)
Pick up at your hotel in Ha Noi or nearby by shuttle bus (mini van). Embark at Hon Gai International harbor. Embark on the boat. Enjoy welcome drink as Cruise Manager gives you a brief overview of the itinerary and important safety guideline. Check in your cabin.

Visit and explore the well-hidden Sung Sot Cave. Return to the boat and enjoy Happy hour. You will have 30% discount off from the special menu drinks including of cocktail, mock-tail and mixed drinks (from 16.30 pm to 19.00 pm.). 

Dinner is served in the restaurant. You can enjoy the charm of Bai Tu Long Bay at night. Enjoy evening activities (Squid Fishing, Movie Night, Board Games, Massage & Spa services) or relax at the leisure then overnight at private cabin.

Day 08: Halong – Hanoi (B/L/-)
Welcome a new day with an amazing dawn on Bai Tu Long Bay. Refresh your body and soul with a Tai-chi session on the sundeck.

Catch the morning view of seascape while enjoying the breakfast with cookies and tea, café in the restaurant.

Pick up the luggage and check out of the cabin. Enjoy the brunch in the restaurant while cruising back to Vinashin tourist harbor.

Disembark from boat. Your driver takes you back to Hanoi.

Free dinner and accommodation in hotel.

Day 09: Hanoi – Flight to Hue – Hue visit (B/L/D)
After breakfast your driver takes you back to Noi Bai airport for flight to Hue.

07.00, pick-up and transfer to Noi Bai airport to take flight to  Hue. Flight: VN1541T 22NOV HANHUI  0855  1005.  

Upon arrival you are welcome by driver and transfer to hotel.

The Hue Citadel is situated on the Northern bank of the Perfume River. It covers an area 500 ha and has a system of three circles of ramparts: Kinh Thanh Hue (Hue Capital Citadel), Hoang Thanh (Royal Citadel) and Tu Cam Thanh (Forbidden Citadel). The Hue royal complex has been officially recognized by the UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

In the morning, enjoy a scenic boat trip on the Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda or Heavenly Lady pagoda, one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship in Hue. Situated 4 km upstream on the banks of the Perfume River, it is an active Buddhist monastery with its origins dating back to 1601. Visit the Pagoda and return to the boat, continue sailing until Thuy Bieu village. The visit of the trip includes various visits to the local crafts families (craftsmanship of incense, money for the dead, painting paper). After lunch, enjoy bathing in the water with medicinal plants and massage. The particular tour ends at around 2.30pm.

Visit the Imperial Citadel of Hue with the Purple Forbidden City. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight in hotel.

Day 10: Hue – Danang – Hoi An (B/L/-)
Morning transfer to Hoi An. Stop to visit the pass of Hai Van (Cloud Pass) where the sky, the mountain and the sea reach.

Arrival in Danang for lunch at local restaurant. Then visit the Sculpture Village under Marble Mountain and the Champa Museum.

Arrival in Hoi An. Start discovering the city.

We take a walking tour through the narrow streets, visiting a number of attractions in town: the PhucKien Assembly Hall, the Chua Ong Pagoda, the Japanese Covered Bridge, the hundred-year old merchant house … and colorful local markets. Hoi An is also famous for its large number of tailor shops, so if you want to have a new wardrobe made up, this is the time to do it.

Accommodation in hotel.

Day 11: Hoi An – Tra Que Village – Lantern Making Lesson (B/L/D)
Morning depart for Tra Que village (5km) for the discovery of the rural life that takes place there.  Arriving at a family in Tra Que you will have the chance to refresh yourself before starting the cooking class. We work together with our Family Chef to learn to cook the best traditional Vietnamese specials.. Have lunch with your family then enjoy foot massage.

Next to is discover how to do lanterns on a farm. You can admire with your own eyes as you do in every step the glittering lanterns in Hoian City.

Free dinner. Accommodation at the hotel.

Day 12: Hoian – Fish and Rice Tour – Hoi An (B /L/-)
Breakfast at hotel.

07.00 Departure for the “Fish and Rice” special tour! (Group tour with English guide)

The rest of day is free time. Free dinner and accommodation at the hotel.

Day 13: Hoian – Danang – Saigon – City tour (B/L/D)   
Morning transfer to Danang airport without guide for the flight to Saigon. Upon arrival you are welcome by driver and transfer to hotel.

Lunch at local restaurant.

In the afternoon visit: Post Office, Catedrale Notre Dame, Chinese Quatiere with Thien Hau Pagoda, War Museum, Dong Xuan Market.

Overnight in hotel.

Day 14: Saigon- Cho Lach (B/L/D)
Breakfast at hotel.

8:00. Welcome from the driver. Transfer to Cho Lach.

Visit Cho Lach by boat navigating through the small canals.

Lunch in homestay Jardin du Mekong.

15:00. Time to relax and visit the village, fruit garden, fish or pick vegetables for cooking injury.

16:30: Cook the dish: “Rice Pancake” with the owner of the house and dinner.

Accommodation at homestay.

Day 15: Cho Lach – Can Tho (B/L/D)
Breakfast at homestay.

08.00- 08.30 Visit Cho Lach by bike. You can see more local life, fruit garden, school, market ……

Lunch at homestay.

14:00. Transfer to Can Tho and go straight to the Bang Lang Shrine Sanctuary. Embark and visit the Sanctuary right at dawn seeing thousands of storks returning to the Shrine.

After the visit, return to Can Tho. Check-in hotel. Dinner at the local restaurant. Accommodation in hotel.

Day 16: Can Tho – Cai Rang Market – Saigon (B/L/D)
Breakfast at hotel.

Take a 3-hour boat trip to discover the beautiful Cai Rang Floating Market and its surroundings. Visit a vermicelli making shop, a rice husking mill, fruit gardens. Enjoy tropical fruit (free). See the peaceful life the rural area. Have lunch before going to Saigon.

Dinner at restaurant and accomodation in hotel.

Day 17: Sai Gon Departure (B/-/-)
Morning free time for relaxing o visiting the city.

At scheduled time, you will be taken to the airport. Departure for Italia.