Highlights of North Vietnam with Mrs. Fitzgerald

HIGHLIGHTS OF NORTH VIETNAM

Good afternoon Tam

Thank you for your lovely email and going back to work was tough but we are all good and the weather is lovely and warm here in Austraila at the moment.

As far as my Vietnamese experience and the whole trip, I cannot thank you enough – it was amazing and everything you organised and did for us was fantastic. I am so happy with it all and I cannot wait until I can come back to Vietnam for another holiday.

You are an absolute asset to your company Amo Travel and I will be recommending you to everyone I know that goes to Vietnam.

Please do not worry about the thing that happened when we got dropped at the wrong station – it was just a little thing and your fast action fixed it straight away – you were amazing.

Talk real soon and have a fantastic day, my friend.

Regards,

Tammy Fitzgerald 

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1. Jan/08/18: Hanoi arrival (-/-/-)

Upon arrival at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport at 11:15PM, your driver and a private vehicle will be ready and waiting to transfer you (approx. 45 mins) to the downtown hotel, assisting you with your luggage and check-in. Free time to relax.

**Service notes:
Meals: N/A
Transportation/guide: private car transfer
Accommodation: Tu Linh Legend Hotel

Day 2. Jan/09/18: Hanoi – Halong (B/L/D)

08:00 – 08:30 Pick-up at hotel and start the 3 hour-and-a-half drive to Hong Gai Tourist Wharf, check in Oriental Sails JSC’s private waiting hall – The OS Lounge.

12:15 – 12:45 Embark on Oriental Sails by transfer boat. Listen to cruise briefing and receive room key.

13:00 – 15:30 Savor a delectable lunch as Oriental Sails cruises further along the limestone islands of Bai Tu Long Bay, heading to Vung Vieng fishing village – one of the largest fishing villages in Halong Bay to see the life of local fishermen.

– Option 1: Take a bamboo rowing boat trip around Vung Vieng Fishing Village

– Option 2: Take kayak and go kayaking by yourself with help and instruction of tour guide around the Village.

17:30 – 18:00 Return to Oriental Sails and have bath then relax as the sun starts to set.  Enjoy the Happy Hour at the bar and on the sun deck while cooking demonstration is organizing.

19:00 Dinner is served. Socialize with other guests, night squid fishing or just laze around. Singing and dancing activities are available till 22h00.

– Overnight on board at Cong Do Area

**Service notes:
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation/guide: shuttle bus & English-speaking guide on board
Accommodation: Oriental Sails

Day 3. Jan/10/18: Halong – Hanoi – night train to Lao Cai (B/L/-)

06:30 – 07:00 Start your day with Tai Chi exercise on the sundeck.

07:00 – 09:00 Catch morning view of seascapes with a cup of tea or coffee, have breakfast while cruising toward Thien Canh Son Cave. Visit Thien Canh Son Cave – the medium size and less visited cave in Bai Tu Long Bay

09:30 Check-out room. Luggage can be delivered to the reception area.

09:30 – 11:00 Head back to the Harbor. Have early lunch on board. Disembark Oriental Sails at around 12h.

12:00 – 16:30 The shuttle bus will transfer back to Hanoi. You could leave your package at the hotel, free time to enjoy until 8pm, there will be private car taking you to the station for the night train to Lao Cai.

**Service notes:
Meals: Brunch
Transportation/guide: shuttle bus & English-speaking guide on board, King Express train (berth)
Accommodation: on train Hanoi-Lao Cai

Day 4. Jan/11/18: Lao Cai – Lung Khau Nhin market – Sapa (B/-/D)

You will reach Lao Cai station in the early morning. Upon your arrival, your private driver  and guide will be ready to take you right to Sapa – the fanciful town in fog after having breakfast.

On the way, you will have chance to witness local life by visiting the colorful market named as Lung Khau Nhin of hill tribe people such as: Flower Hmong, Phu La and Dao Tuyen, … who gather there for goods’ exchange.

Relax at your homestay in Ta Van, ready for the the next adventure. Enjoy the local dinner there.

**Service notes:
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Transportation/guide: train, private car  & English-speaking guide
Accommodation: Homestay in Ta Van

Day 5. Jan/12/18: Sapa – Soft trekking Lao Chai – Ta Van – limousine to Hanoi (B/-/-)

After your breakfast, your guide will take you right to Y Linh Ho where you will trek along the vast Muong Hoa valley decorated with terraced fields to Lao Chai and Ta Van; villages of H’Mong and Zay peoples. There are some trekking option: Soft trek (~ 3 km), medium trek (~ 6km) and long trek (~12km). This is great opportunity to explore the local daily life, get to know their culture and meet with H’mong,Dzao,Dzay people who well preserved their unique culture and traditions.

Then pack your package, ready for the 9-seat limousine leaving at 3pm back to Hanoi.

**Service notes:
Meals: Dinner
Transportation/guide: private car & English-speaking guide, limousine to Hanoi
Accommodation: Tu Linh legend Hotel  

Day 6. Jan/13/18: Hanoi city tour (B/-/-)

After your breakfast you would be taken  by our guide and driver 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, the  Temple of Literature.  It is well-known in Vietnam for a combination of Confucian sanctuary  and  academy  clearly proved by stone tablets which you may see.

And also, Hoa Lo Prison, which is located in the heart of Hanoi, and reserved as a “Vietnam war buff”.

Special offer: Street foodie tour in the late afternoon

**Service notes:
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation/guide: private car transfer & English-speaking guide
Accommodation: Tu Linh Legend Hotel

Day 7. Jan/14/18: Free time (B/-/-)

Free time at your own.

**Service notes:
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation/guide: N/A
Accommodation: Tu Linh Legend Hotel

Day 8. Jan/15/18: Ninh Binh day trip (B/-/-)

8:00 AM: your guide and driver will be waiting at the hotel lounge, ready to tranfer you to Ninh Binh.

You will spend time visiting Hoa Lu  –  the capital city of Vietnam under the Dinh Dynasty between 968 and 1009 AD. There, tombs and sanctuaries have been reserved and kept still until today, you can have chance to see the history and also witness the stunning natural beauty with limestone peaks.

Then after your lunch break, get ready to Trang An for an exotic exploration of hidden caves, limestone outcrops, rice fields or natural sceneries along the boat journey. Trang An is considered  as Halong bay in land, recognized as the mixed cultural & natural world heritage site by UNESCO; and the impressive site of shooting Kong Skull Island.

In the late afternoon, our guide and driver will take you back Hanoi.

**Service notes:
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation/guide: air-conditioned transfer & English speaking guide 
Accommodation: Tu Linh Legend Hotel

Day 9. Jan/16/18: Hanoi departure (B/-/-)

Breakfast served at the hotel.

You will be relaxing until our private driver takes you to the airport ready for the flight home.

**Service notes:
Meals: Breakfast
Transportation/guide: private car to airport
Accommodation: N/A

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