Group of Giulia Lattarulo and Matteo Virone

Amo Travel had been recommended to us and I am now highly recommending AMO VIETNAM to anyone who wishes to discover Vietnam. Thuy has managed to perfectly customise our trip according to our needs (discovery with comfort). We were lodged in beautiful hotel boutiques in the middle of the country side. Our guide was just perfect for us and the driver most reliable and kind. We saw a lot in 8 days! and yet, it has been relaxing and very easy going.

Gruppo di: Ms. Guilia Lattarulo e Mr. Matteo Virone

Data del viaggio: 11/12/2015 – 6/1/2016

Here’s the review on Tripadvisor

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 01 (11.12.2015): Hanoi Arrival                 

Fly to Hanoi. Upon arrival to the airport, you well be met by our driver and transfer to you hotel. 

Day 02 (12.12.2015): Hanoi – Profume Pagoda – Hanoi (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 03 (13.12.2015): Hanoi – Ninh Binh: Hoa Lu Temple – Tam Coc Cave – night train to Lao Cai (B/L)

Often referred to as “Inland Ha Long Bay ”, the area of Tam Coc and Hoa Lu is characterised by the limestone geology that gives rise to the towering karsts that make this picturesque area so unique. On this enjoyable day trip, the atmosphere is relaxed as you casually pedal and paddle your way past green rice fields, along waterways and through underground passages.

8.00 AM leave Hanoi by coach to Hoa Lu (2.5 hrs). Visit the historic capital of Viet Nam and the famous ancient temples of Le and The Dinh Dynasties. Bus transfer or cycle for an hour on picturesque quiet roads through villages, rice fields, rivers and rocky outcrops to Tam Coc (12km) for lunch. 
Boat trip to visit Tam Coc to see the beauty of the karst formations as you pass along their base and row into one of the many caves carved through the limestone. Drive back to Ha Noi. Tour ends around 6pm.

At 20:40PM you  will transfer to the station for the train to Lao Cai.

Day 04 (14.12.2015): Sapa Trekking: Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai – Ta Van (B/L/D)

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. This is a big day for you, get ready with free memory card, waking up early then heading down to Muong Hoa Valley. Along the road stop to take pictures at Y Linh Ho village then keep moving to Lao Chai where you will start your trek. We have a special photograph road researched for you where you could meet H’Mong people and Zay peoples in Ta Van village.

Back to the town for lunch and relax. Get ready at 15h00 for the beautiful pictures along the main road of Muong Hoa Valley.

Tour ends only when the sun gets down. Overnight in hotel in homestay in Tavan Village as your choice, return to Sapa.

Day 05 (15.12.2015): Sapa trekking: Giang Ta Chai – Su Pan – treno notturno di rientro  (B/L/D)

To conclude tour in Sapa, you will trek for 8 km  by visiting the villages of Giang Ta Chai and Su Pan, we will see here the H’mong and Dzao. Here you will visit a beautiful waterfall and the rattan bridge. Enjoy the bamboo forest landscapes along the way back to Sapa. Dinner and bath at the hotel then late afternoon you will be escorted to Lao Cai station to take the night train to return to Hanoi.

Day 06 (16.12.2015): Hanoi – Ha Long Bay  (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 07 (17.12.2015): Ha Long Bay – Hanoi (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.

Note: You could have a choice to go back to Hanoi for further shopping or visit one place: But Thap Pagoda or Tho Ha Village or Phu Lang Pottery Village before the transfer to Noi Bai Airport (applied for the tour with private car).

Day 08 (18.12.2015): Hanoi free time – night train to Hue (B)

Breakfast at your hotel and free time to visit Hanoi city.

At 19:10PM you will transfer to the station to catch your train to Hue.

Day 09 (19.12.2015): Hue visit

Arrive Hue in the early morning. Breakfast is served at the hotel then you will 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.

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 (20.12.2015): Hue – Danang – Hoi An Visit (B)

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.

Drive to Hoi an, check-in at hotel and the rest of the day is free and easy. 

Day 11 (21.12.2015): Hoi An – Biking Tour at Tra Que Village – Hoi An (B/L)  

Depart at your hotel at 8:30AM, you will ride by bicycle to Tra Que Vegetable Village (or private car) experience a day of living and working with the local farmers in this village. A tour of the organic vegetable and herb gardens can include some time working in the field if you like, or merely observing and learning about the system and the fresh ingredients.

Upon returning to the house, we were all treated to an herbal foot massage followed by a session of cooking various local dishes such as: Tam Huu Spring Roll, Banh Xeo or the local pancake of the people from the middle region.

After cooking class continue to the charming historic city of Hoi An, known to early Western merchants, Hoi An was 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. After that transfer to Da Nang, you will 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. Arrive in Hue and overnight at your hotel.

Day 12 (22.12.2015): Hoi An – My Son – Hoi An (B)

Breakfast at hotel. Early morning we will drive to My Son, the Holly land of Champa kingdom date back from 4th to 13th century. Arrive to My Son before it getting crowded by the other tourists, 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. My Son also had been recognized to be culture world Heritage in 2000. Afternoon free for shopping and further discovery of Hoian on your own.

Day 13 (23.12.2015): Hoi An free time – flight to Saigon (B)

Hoi An free time before transfer to Saigon for your flight from Da Nang to Saigon. Upon your arrival, your guide  and driver would meet you at Tan Son Nhat  international airport and take you to hotel for check-in. Overnight at your hotel  in Saigon .

Day 14 (24.12.2015): Saigon – bus to Mui Ne (B)

Breakfast at hotel. Transfer to Mui Ne by bus. You will arrive in Mui Ne at 13:00. Free time at Mui Ne.

 Day 15 – 16 (25 – 26.12.2015) : Mui Ne free time (B) 

Free time

 Day 17 (27.12.2015): Mui Ne free time – bus to Ho Chi Minh (B) 

Free time before return to Saigon by bus. 

Day 18 (28.12.2015): Cao Dai Temple – Cu Chi (B) 

Morning

After breakfast, 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 19 (29.12.2015): Saigon – Mekong Delta : My Tho – Ben Tre – Can Tho (B/L)

After breakfast, transfer to Mekong Delta – considered the “rice paddle of Vietnam”. Come to My Tho town to visit  Temple of Caodaism, a religion founded in Vietnam in 1925 that combines Confucianism, Taosimo and Buddhism.

Cross the Rach Mieu Bridge, the longest in South Vietnam. Arrive in Ben Tre where you board for an excursion on the Ben Tre River – one of the main tributaries of the Mekong River.

During the journey you have the opportunity to admire the lively local activities, the fishing along the river, the functionality of the irrigation channels … Stop in a furnace of Mr. Tu Lo to observe traditional brickwork in molds and baking. Visit, along the canal, of one of the many coconuts processing workshops. Stop by a family for tea and fruit in place. With a taxi ride (Xe Loi) or a bikeride we go through local nature: groves, fields of green rice paddies and verdure cultures, a real approach to local farming life. Lunch  at the local restaurant.

With private car transfer from Vinh Long to Can Tho. Free dinner and  overnight stay at hotel.

Day 20 (30.12.2015): 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 21 (31.12.2015): Saigon – Mangrove Forest of Can Gio – Saigon (B/L)

08:30 AM:You will leave for Can Gio. Only 50 km from the center of Saigon is a world of mongrops, the marshy area is formed by rivers sediments, Dong Nai, Sai Gon, Dong Dong and You Co Tay. The Can Gio forest has a surface of 75,740 hectares where several types of animals and plants live like long-haired monkeys, crocodiles and various birds. Upon arrival you will visit the Can Gio Museum before visiting the forest, seeing over 1000 monkeys. You can feed the monkeys by taking photos with them. You will continue for crocodile breeding, where the locals reserve so many crocodiles from the war. You will have the opportunity to fish crocodiles (option). Then you will make a quick boat trip around the Sac Mangrove Forest. You will continue to visit the Vietcong military base during the war, seeing how the Vietcong fight the enemies. Lunch will be served at a resort near the beach. You will return to the city. 

Day 22 (01.01.2016): Ho Chi Minh (B)

Breakfast at hotel. Free time to visit Saigon city.

Day 23 (02.01.2016): Saigon – flight to Phu Quoc (B)

Private car

Breakfast at hotel. At 06:30AM you will transfer to airport for your flight from Saigon to Phu Quoc. Upon arrival to the airport, you well be met by our driver and transfer to you hotel  

Day 24 – 25 (03-04.01.2016): Free time in Phu Quoc 

Free time.

Day 26 (05.01.2016): Phu Quoc free time – flight to Saigon (B)

Free time in Phu Quoc before transfering to airport for your flight from Phu Quoc to Saigon. Upon arrival to the airport, you well be met by our driver and transfer to you hotel.

Day 27 (06.01.2016): Ho Chi Minh departure (B)

Free at leisure until transfer to the airport for departure flight.