Group of Federico Tenconi & Aiello Simona

Hi,

Sorry for my late reply. The Chirstmas time is on the way and we are now so relaxing.

It is kinda late but we really want to say thank you for our wonderful summer holiday in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Thanks Lam for your hospitality in Hanoi and readiness for supporting us all the time. Please help me give my kind regards to your wife and your cute daughters.

Thanks Chi for your patience and wel organizing skill for our tour.

Thanks Yen for the happy time together. And also, big thanks to our talented guides in Hanoi and Sapa.

Kind regards to all of you guys.

Happy new year and Merry Christmas.

We will be back soon!

Federico & Simona 

Group of : Mr Federico Tenconi and Mrs Aiello Simona

Travel Date: 30/7/2013 – 18/8/2013

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: HANOI ARRIVAL  (-/-/-)

Upon your arrival, your guide and driver would be ready to welcome you right at the arrival lounge of Noi Bai international airport. Your guide would debrief for you about the whole trip itinerary, and eager to respond to all of your wondering. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 2: HANOI – LAO CAI  (B/-/-)                            

You would have the full day to explore the charm of Vietnam’s capital.  

Morning:

9 am: Your guide and driver would wait for you at the lounge of the hotel.

You would be taken to highlight sites of Hanoi: the Presidential Palace (formerly Palace of the Governor-General of French Indochina), Ho Chi Minh house-on-stilt, One-Pillar Pagoda. You may also have chance to visit Vietnam’s very first university dated back in the 11th century. It is well-known in Vietnam for a combination of Confucian sanctuary and academy clearly proved by stone tablets which you may see.

Afternoon:

After having lunch at a nice restaurant, upon your request, we would plan to visit Hanoi History Museum or the Museum of Ethnology – the space just for you to spot past events and turning points of Vietnam people along with the identity of 54 recognized ethnic groups of this S-shaped country.

Following by the Old Quarter Walking tour, you would have time at Café Giang  for some bitter sweet coffee, enjoying the local life at the oldest home-made coffee brand in Hanoi.

The day ended up with a Water Puppet Show which had been maintained there in Vietnam for around 1000 years. At the end of the day, the driver would help your move from your hotel to the Hanoi train station for an overnight train ride to Lao Cai.

Day 3: LAO CAI – SAPA  (B/L/-)                            

Morning:

Arriving in the early morning at Lao Cai station, you would be on a scenic drive to Sapa after the short breakfast at the downtown. You may be catching some wow moments along the way by witnessing spectacular views of rice-terraced mountains besides with hill tribe people (Black H’Mong and Red Dao) walking along the side with unique colorful wares.

Then checking in at the hotel, there would be a short walking tour to the market to catch up with the local life of ethnic people from faraway villages converging there. Lunch would be at your own arrangement.

Afternoon:

Your guide would wait to see you to 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.

Day 4: SAPA – LAO CAI – HANOI (B/-/-)

Morning:

Being on an early drive to Bac Ha, you will have time for a short visit to Phong Hai market – 40 km from Sapa. Then arriving in Bac Ha, 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.

Afternoon:

After lunch, you keep moving by car to Trung Do and have a short trek of around 4km for Tay people’s village visiting. Then you get on boat of nearly 1.5 hours up the Chay river for experiencing the magnificent sights of natural caves and the Raining waterfalls. Your driver would wait for you at Bao Nhai – the boating stop to take you back to Lao Cai ‘s Tran Hung Dao temple, the long live banian  tree, the 12 zodiac-signs park, and the Chinese Vietnamese borderline. After all, you have time for freshing up at the hotel before moving to train station for overnight train back to Hanoi.

Day 5: HANOI – HA LONG (B/L/D)

Morning

Your train will arrive in Hanoi at the early morning. Your driver and guide would see you at the station then take you to an restaurant for breakfast, before setting out on a 3.5 hour drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Halong Bay. Then you would have 24 hours on a traditional style Vietnamese Junk Cruise which would set sail at noon and board your junk. Lunch with diversified fresh seafood would be served on board.

Afternoon

Aboard the cruise, you would take time to visit several highlight locations:

• 3 largest caves: Thien Cung, Dau Go, Sung Sot
• Titop beach for swimming (weather permit) or being on the deck for sunbathing
• Nearby summits where you can take short trekking to watch over the bay from the high.

Back on the junk, the stunning sunset time is on your view and a dinner awaits with cocktails available for purchase from the bar. Passing the night on your junk, the gentle rocking of calm waters will lull you to sleep.

Day 6: HA LONG – HANOI – HUE  (B/L/-)                        

Morning

Waking up early in the calming sounds of waves crashing the nearby islands, you can enjoy a morning coffee and watch the sun rise on the top deck, or you may join Tai Chi Class if you wish to. You will continue sailing around the magnificent bay and even to Bai Tu Long, where the movie “Indochine” was filmed. Sitting on the upper deck and enjoy the breath-taking beauty of the rocky islands rising from the crystal-clear water of the bay. The brunch would be served while the junk starts cruising back.

Afternoon

Your cruise will end at noon (around 12:00 pm) and your driver will be waiting at the dock and ready to take you right to Noi Bai airport for your in-country flight to Hue. Upon your arrival, your guide  and driver would meet you at Phu Bai airport in Hue and take you to the hotel for check-in.

Day 7: HUE  (B/-/-)                            

Morning

Breakfast is served at the hotel then you may spend the entire day to explore Vietnam’s former ancient capital.

Your guide and driver pick you up and transfer you to the wharf for your boat ride on the Perfume River. During the boat trip, you will stop to visit the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda, a symbol of Hue – the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious worship. Then you go to visit the Imperial Citadel of Hue with the Purple Forbidden City – once the Emperor’s private residence. You will be having lunch at a local restaurant.

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.

Afternoon

You may continue to visit a tomb monument of King Tu Duc which is located in a very special area. More than just a tomb visiting, it’s the great chance to learn more about Nguyen King and the landscape is spectacular. Back to hotel, dinner is on your own.

Day 8: HUE – DA NANG – HOI AN  (B/-/-)                            

Morning

Checking out in the morning, you would depart to Hoi An. You may stop by Lang Co beach to have short break before crossing Hai Van Pass. At the height of 450 meters above sea level Hai Van pass is the high dividing line between the climate zones of north and south Vietnam.. Here you can enjoy the magnificent view of the central coast. The soft adventure drive over the 23 km long pass will add more highlights for this trip. Moving southwards passing Lang Co, there will be a lovely stretch of beach curving outwards between a clear blue lagoon and the South China Sea, and the large coastal city of Danang before arriving in Hoi An.

Visit Cham Museum at Danang: this houses probably the best collection of Cham art to be found anywhere in the world. There are more than 300 artifacts in the museum, many dating to the 4th century. There are beautiful sculptures reflecting the 1000 year Cham period.

Lunch would be served at a local restaurant in Hoi An right after your arrival.

Afternoon

Hoi An comes to your mind as the charming historic city known to early  Western merchants, one of the major trading centers of Southeast Asia in the 16th century. Hoi An has a distinctive Chinese atmosphere with low, tiled-roof houses and narrow streets; the original structure of some of these streets is still virtually intact. Many of the houses were constructed of rare timbers and decorated with lacquer panels engraved with Chinese characters and pillars carved with ornamental designs.

Sightseeing in Hoi An

Hoi An is picturesque riverside town south of Danang. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of Southeast Asia’s major international ports during the 17th, 18th, 19th centuries. Now this beautifully preserved historic city is best seen on foot. The walking tour includes: Japanese covered bridge, Ceramic museum, Phung Hung ancient house, Phuoc Kien Assembly Hall and Lantern Making Working Shop.

Hoi An is very well-known for Tailors so Amo Vietnam Travel would recommend the Le Loi or Yaly Tailor for your suite made (please note that we do not make any commission for the suggestion, the choice is yours).

Day 9: HOI AN free time  (B/-/-)                           

Free time in Hoi An.

Day 10: HOI AN – SAIGON – CU CHI – SAIGON (B/-/-)                       

Breakfast at your hotel. 07:10 AM: transfer to Da Nang for your flight to Saigon. Upon your arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, your driver and private guide will be ready to welcome you to our “non-sleeping city”. you will be picked up and start moving to Cu Chi Tunnels (in the northwest of Ho Chi Minh city). In the Vietnam war in the 19th century, these were used as the hiding places for defending against the French. And until now, some have still been reserved, where you could spend time visiting. Right after that, your driver will pick you up back to Ho Chi Minh for the afternoon itinerary.

Afternoon

This is the perfect timing for you to explore our city tour. You would visit the former Presidential Palace, which is now preserved as a museum, including the underground communications bunkers, headquarters for the Saigon Government during the American (Vietnam) War. Following that, you continue with Notre Dame, an impressive neo-Romanesque cathedral in the centre of city, the ‘wedding cake’ styled Hotel D’ville and Dong Khoi streets, formerly the center of haute couture in Saigon when it was known as Rue Catinat. Dinner this evening is ready to await you at a local Vietnamese restaurant.

Day 11: SAIGON – MEKONG DELTA – CAI BE – VINH LONG – CAN THO (B/L/-)           

Morning

Your guide and driver would be waiting for you at the hotel lounge, ready to transfer you to Vinh Long in the Mekong River. Depending on your choice, you can have a coffee break at Mekong Rest stop along the way. On arrival in Cai Be town, there would be a motorized boat to take you to visit local corn/rice pop making family. More than just seeing, you have chance to witness the life on and around the water of “Nine Dragon River” by boarding on traditional wooden sampan boat around Cai Be floating market. There would be boats with exotic produce and interactions by locals so as to discover more about their stocks besides the natural folk views of fish traps and fruit gardens along the canals. Your lunch time would be served in a bonsai garden with elephant ear fish and more Mekong specialities and also some samples of local wine.

Afternoon

You will be re-boarded to cruise towards Vinh Long downtown. The drive to the largest city in the Mekong delta – Can Tho will be set up right after your arrival. It is like a buzzing town with a lively waterfront and a colorful mix of narrow back streets. You would be resting in a hotel there for 1 night stay. For the rest of the day, it is on your own for some walking around Ninh Kieu and pedestrian bridge of this city.

Day 12: CAN THO / CAI RANG / SAIGON (B/-/-)        

Checking out of your hotel in the late morning, you start boarding out to visit Cai Rang floating market by an motorized boat. This is definitely the time for you to capture every single moments of life with the views of colorful boats laden with fruits and vegetables. There will be an stopover at a Bun Tau noodle factory and a rice husking mill. There, you can even try passing one of many fragile monkey bridges along the canals. You will leave Can Tho and start moving back to Saigon (around 3.5 hour driving). You will check in the hotel for one night stay..

Day 13: SAIGON / PHNOMPENH (B/-/-)

Breakfast at your hotel. 06:00 AM: transfer to Phnom Penh by bus. overnight at your hotel.

Day 14: PHNOMPENH VISIT – AUTOBUS TO SIEMREAP (B/-/-)

Breakfast at hotel.
Visit to Toul Sleng museum or S21 and Choeung Ek – The Killing Field. These places are dedicated to the memory of the war crimes of the Khmer Rouge and Pol Pot and the memory of piusttosto dark period of Cambodian history. Later, transfer by bus to Siem Reap. Arrive in Siem Reap and hotel accommodation. 
Overnight in Siem Reap.

Day 15: SIEMREAP (B/-/-)

The fortified city of Angkor Thom covers an area of 10 square km. Enclosed by a wall and wide moats; the city includes many of Angkor’s most popular sights. Enter by the monument South Gate over a causeway lined on either side by statues of demons and gods, each carrying a giant Naga. Continue to the Terrace of the elephants and the Terrace of the Leper Kings, former spaces for public ceremonies, both adorned with dramatic bas reliefs.

Visit the ruined Baphuon, Royal Enclosure and Phimeanakas before continuing to the mysterious Bayon Temple. In this temple, one of the most popular and compelling in Angkor, explore the galleries of beautifully preserved bas reliefs and ascend narrow stairs to reach the central sanctuary, where you will find giant stone faces smiling enigmatically down at you from every angle.

Visit Angkor Wat . The crowning jewel of Khmer architecture, Angkor Wat is the national symbol and the highlight of any visit to Cambodia. The largest, best preserved, and most religiously significant of the Angkor temple, Angkor impresses visitors both by its sheer scale and beautifully proportioned layout, as well as the delicate artistry of its carvings. To approach the temple, first cross the vast moat, continuing along a broad causeway lined with Naga balustrades. As you enter the main building, ascend through a series of galleries and courtyard before reaching the central sanctuary, which offers beautiful views back over the causeway and across the surrounding countryside. On the way, stop to enjoy the intricate stone carvings that adorn nearly every surface, with some 1,700 Apsaras, or celestial dancers, sculpted into the walls. Along the outer gallery walls run the longest continuous bas-relief in the world, which narrates stories from Hindu Mythology, including the famous Churning of the Ocean of Milk. Angkor Wat is stunning at any time of the day, but sunrise is especially beautiful times to watch the play of light on the stones.

Day 16: SIEMREAP (B/-/-)  

Sightseeing in Angkor. Visit Banteay Srei Temple : Seemingly miniature in comparison to the other Angkor temples, Banteay Srei is considered to be the jewel of classical Khmer art. Built in pink sandstone, the walls are covered in exquisitely preserved carvings of unusual delicacy. Because of its small size, fairy-like atmosphere and extraordinary examples of Khmer sculpture, this temple is often a favorite with visitors.

Visit Ta Prohm: one of the most popular attractions of Angkor as much of the jungle has not been cleared and it looks very much as most of the Angkor monuments would have appeared when European explorers first stumbled across them.

Day 17: SIEMREAP  (B/-/-)    

Free time

Day 18: SIEMREAP / BATTAMBANG (B/-/-)    

Breakfast at your hotel.

Transfer to Battambang.

You will visit Cheur Khmao Pagoda in Bak Prier – floating village Prek Toul. Then you will arive Battambang and transfer to hotel.

Day 19: BATTAMBANG / PHNOMPENH (B/-/-)

Breakfast at your hotel. You start to visit Phare Ponleu Selpak and antique house of Khmer and Wat Ek Phnom.

In the afternoon you will visit Phnom Banon.

You will return to Battambang to visit local market.

Transfer to Phnompenh and overnight at your hotel in Phnom Penh.

Day 20: PHNOMPENH / DEPARTURE

Breakfast at your hotel and transfer to airport.