Group of Ramona Casaroli

AMO VIETNAM… bravo!!!

We are group of 4 friends and had visited Vietnam for 3 weeks from febbruary to march  2017 (private tour). We had arrived in Hanoi and departure from Ho Chi Minh City. To organize il tour, we believe Amo Vietnam last year based on  my friend’s advice because she was in Nord of Vietnam last year. We had organized everything before arrival day with Lam via mail and we have to say that we were more joyful than we had expected.
Vietnam is a beautiful country. Moreover, we appreciate Amo Vietnam with their professsional organization, courtesy and assitant from Mr Lam. For our guide, we have just remembered Mr Nam in Hanoi and he is excellent. The others guide that had taken us to various destination are also excellent. We advice who want to visit Vietnam and other country in Asia to entrust Mr Lam. Personally, we will advice my friends. Thanks Mr Lam, Mr Nam and the others.

Warmest hug!

Group of: Ms. Ramona Casaroli

Travel date: 26/2/2014 – 17/3/2014

Here’s the review on Tripadvisor!

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. You will be picked up to your hotel in Hanoi. For the rest of the day, it is time at leisure.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B/L/-)

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.

Dinner with Vietnamese family : a special product of Amo Travel.

Day 3: Hanoi – Profume Pagoda (B/L/-)

Our guide & driver will pick you up at your hotel in Ha Noi Old Quater, Then take 2 hours road trip. Then you take row-boat trip to go visit that land on the Yen stream “romantic time” about 1 hour to Thien Tru harbour. Then you will enjoy time to trekking go up and down visit the main cave so nice step by step you will arrive Huong Tich cave on the top of the mountain. To see Golden-Silver tree  rice stuck….One hour down. Have lunch at bottom mountain in restaurant beside. After lunch time, you will see the Heaven Kitchen pagoda and to know about Buddhism ancient architectural at Le Dynasty. Then you will come back by row-boattrip and 2 hour road trip to Hanoi and arrive at about 18h00.

Day 4: Hanoi – Hoa Lu – Tam Coc – Train to Sapa (B/L/-)

Your driver and guide pick you up at 8.00am at your hotel to depart for NinhBinh city towards to the South of Hanoi, it takes about 2,5 hours to get there. Upon arrive Tam Coc grottoes, go ahead to take the Tam Coc boat trip, we will enjoy the spectacular scenery in Tam Coc (Halong Bay inland) while gliding along the river among rice paddies and ranges of limestone mountains. After 1,5 hour on boat, stop boat trip at Thai Vi temple for cycling around mountain & village, take beautiful time to enjoy local beauty. After lunch, visit Hoa Lu – The Ancient Capital and the remaining two temples of  Dinh King & Le King. After that, drive to return to Hanoi. You will transfer to the station to catch your train to Lao Cai in the evening.

Day 5: Lao Cai – Market – Sapa (B/L/-)

Upon early arrival in Lao Cai station, you are picked up and transferred to local restaurant for your breakfast. Then transfer to Coc Ly (100 km – 3h). You will visit Coc Ly Market that takes place each Tuesday. This is the place where ethnic people exchange the goods.  Go back to Lao Cai and then transfer to Sapa. Overnight at your photel

* Option 1: Saturday – Can Cau Market

* Option 2: Sunday – Bac Ha Market

* Option 3: Wednesday – Cao Son Market

* Option 4: Thursday – Lung Khau Nhin Market

Day 6: Sapa Trekking – Lao Chai, Ta Van – Train to Hanoi (B/L/-)

Breakfast at your hotel.

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. Go back to Sapa and have lunch at local restaurant. In the afternoon, you have free time to go shopping. Transfer to Lao Cai for your train to Hanoi.

Day 7: Hanoi / Baia di Halong (B/L/D)

Morning

Your train will arrive in Hanoi at the early morning. You have a room and breakfast at New Moon Hotel, 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 8: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – Flight to 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 9: Hue visit (B/L/-)

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 10:  Hue – Danang – Hoi An visit (B/L/-)

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 11: Hoi An – My Son – Flight to Da Lat (B/-/-)

Our driver and tour guide will pick you up at your hotel in Hoi An, then we will start our tour to My Son Holly Land. My Son is located in the heart of valley – surrounded by mountain ranges that are natural boundaries with the Duy Phu village, Duy Xuyen district, Quang Nam province. It is about 45 Km a way from Hoi An in the West. Thanks to the letters in the letters in the oldest steles of the 4th century by which was excavated at My Son that King Bhadresvara had built a temple for offering to the Gold Siva Bhadresvara. It was in wood and completely destroyed by ifre in the 6th century. In earlier 7th century, King Sambhuvarman rebuilt the temple of bricks and aggregates. Since then, more than 70 similar temples had been built up to the 13th century. 
Let our guide show you the natural beauty of the surroundings, you willl be inspired by My Son which called “The Angkor Wat of Vietnam”some local delicacies. Then transfer to airport to catch your flight to Da Lat. Upon your arrival, your driver would meet you at airport in Da Lat and take you to the hotel for check-in.

Day 12: Da Lat visit (B/-/-)

Da Lat is located on 1500 meters above sea level and has perfect climate for all types of flowers, especially for roses. This city features a subtropical highland climate for all time. Located in on the Langbian Plateau in the southern parts of the Central Highlands region, Da Lat is considered “Switzerland” of Vietnam. You will visit Tuyen Lam Lake, Truc Lam monastery, botanical garden in Da Lat, Crazy House, Bao Dai Summer Palace, Xuan Huong Lake,…

Day 13: Da Lat – Mui Ne (B/-/-)  

Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to Phan Thiet.  On the way, you will visit Cham Po Long Giarai in Phan Rang and Ngoan Muc.

Qui scoprirete le più belle spiagge del Vietnam. La particolarità di questa regione è rappresentata dall’esistenza di belle dune di sabbia, visibili in particolare da Mui Ne.

Questo è un luogo di vacanza e d’evasione privilegiato dagli abitanti del Paese. Per gli amanti di storia e archeologia potrete anche visitare (particolarmente suggestive al tramonto), le vestigia dei templi Cham dell’VIII secolo situate su una piccola collina non lontano da Mui Ne.

Tempo libero per approfittare della spiaggia. Pasto libero.

Day 14 – Day 16: Mui Ne Free time (B/-/-)

Free time in Mui Ne

Day 17: Mui Ne – Saigon  (B/-/-)

07:30 breakfast at your hotel and free time before transfering by motor to Saigon in the afternoon. Check-in hotel. Following that, you will visit Post Office, Notre Dame, Thien Hau Pagoda.

Day 18: Saigon – Mekong Delta – Cai Be, Vinh Long – Can Tho (B/L/-)

Breakfast at your hotel.

Pick up at your hotel and transfer to Cai Be. Upon arrival, embarkation on boat, you are welcomed with fresh cotton towels. The tour will begin with cruising through the small floating markets around Cai Be along the “Mighty Mekong”. Your sampan will take you to some local home factories to observe the making of rice paste, rice pop corn, coconut candy and dried longans.

A delicious lunch will be served at Le Longanier or Ba Kiet Ancient House, a superb Indochinese villa located in a lush tropical garden by the river.

After lunch, your sampan will proceed to Dong Hoa Phu canal, passing several islands famous for their fruit orchards. Stops on the way can be made at An Binh Ancient Church or at Tam Ho Bonsai Garden. After crossing the Co Chien River, the excursion will end at Vinh Long pier around 16:00 hrs, where your private vehicle will await you for your transfer to Can Tho.

Day 19: Can Tho – Cai Rang floating market – Saigon (B/L/-)

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 back to Saigon. Overnight at your hotel.

Day 20: Saigon – Cu Chi – Departure (B/-/-)

Visit Cu Chi Tunnels (70 km northwest of Ho Chi Minh City), an amazing complex of underground tunnels used during the Vietnam War. There are more than 200 km of tunnels, comprising a main axis system with many branches connecting to underground hideouts, shelters and other tunnels. You have the chance to crawl through this amazing system of tunnels. For a more “thrilling” experience, you can even test your shooting skills on original AK47s and other guns from past war times (subject to a surcharge). Go back to Saigon and transfer to airport for your flight to Italy.