Vietnam Unique Holiday with Ms. Antonella Centonze & Domenico Saulle

I and my husband trust Mr Lam to organize a tour in Vietnam and we were very sastified with our choice. One of my best friend – Massimo adviced Amo Vietnam as a companion of my trip.  He had opportunity to meet Mr Lam and Amo Travel and he was very happy. Guides and drivers were very kind, nice, professional and available because they had made our unforgettable trip in Vietnam. We remember the dinner with Lam’s family, our guide speaking italian in Hanoi – Mr Nam, our guide Mr Vinh in Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An, Ms My – excellent guide speaking italian in Saigon. Next year, my parents want to visit Vietnam and were not young and certaintly they will trust Mr Lam and Amo Travel. The trave agent must be adviced.

Group of : Mr Antonella Centonze e  Mrs Domenico Saulle

Travel Date : 11/3/2014 – 21/3/2014

Here is the review on TripAdvisor!

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi arrival

Upon arrival, meet with your guide at airport for a private transfer to your hotel. Briefing about your trip by your guide. The rest of the day is free at your leisure.

Day 2: Hanoi city tour  (B/L/D)

At 08:30AM, our waiting guide and driver will welcome you at your hotel and transfer us to Temple of Literature. Following is a visit to The Presidential Palace (formerly Palace of the Governor-General of French Indochina), Ho Chi Minh’s house-on-stilt and nearby One Pillar Pagoda. Then followed by Van Mieu literally translated “Temple of Literature” which is well-known in Vietnam for a combination of Confucian sanctuary and academy, the center also housed the country’s first university, founded in 1076. We have time to wander through the stone tablets and soak up a thousand years of learning with our local guide. Lunch break in a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, we visit Vietnam History museum or others upon your choice.

We then leisurely walk to nearby Hanoi Opera House for photos of the most beautiful French architectural buildings left in Hanoi. 

Next is Old Quarter Walking tour. Stop over at a local coffee shop to observe how the local people enjoy life while sipping every drop of Vietnam bitter sweet coffee at Café Giang– the oldest brand in Hanoi, since 1946 (optional). Followed by, we travel by rickshaw cyclo (traditional bike-propelled cart) and foot along tree-lined boulevards and through the 1000-year-old Old Quarter, exploring the markets and taking in some of the city’s great colonial architecture.

We finish day by attending a thousand year old Water Puppet Show

Overnight in Hanoi. Dinner with Vietnamese family – special product of  Amo Travel

Day 3: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay  (B/L/D)

08:00 departure for Ha Long Bay; enjoy a 3-4 hour drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Site: Halong Bay. Spend 24 hours on a traditional Junk Cruise in the amazing bay: a natural wonderland composed of jutting limestone islands and sparkling turquoise waters. Arrive at the dock around noon and board your junk. Savor a gourmet lunch of fresh seafood onboard as we sail out into the mystical bay. In the afternoon, cruise around some of Halong’s many islands, including Dinh Huong and Ga Choi. Along the way visit one of the bay’s 3 largest caves (Thien Cung, Dau Go or Sung Sot). Stop at an island cove with a sheltered white-sand beach and take a dip in the warm waters of the Tonkin Gulf (weather permitting). Pass the night on your junk, lulled to sleep by the gentle rocking of calm waters.

Day 4: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi – train to Hue  (B/L/-)

Awake early and participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply relax and enjoy the sunrise over the bay’s towering islands. Enjoy a morning cup of coffee or tea, before setting out to explore nearby islands by rowboat. Return to the junk for breakfast then take advantage of the sundeck and admire the amazing rock formations of Bai Tu Long Bay as we navigate back to Halong City. Have brunch on board the boat before returning to Halong pier. Transfer to station for your train to Hue (4 people/cabin)

Day 5 : Hue city tour (B/L/-)

Arrive in hue at 8:00 and you will meet your driver and transfer to hotel. Breakfast at your hotel

Visit the Imperial Citadel of Hue with the Purple Forbidden City. 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. Lunch at a local restaurant, continue to Tu Duc Royal Tom, the Emperor of the Imperial City built his own tomb during his reign and today you will visit one of the most beautiful mausoleums.

Back to hotel, dinner is on your own and overnight in Hue.

Day 6 : Hue – Danang – Hoi An visit (B/L/-)

Journey from Hue over scenic mountainous roads with spectacular views over the coastline. Halfway between Danang and Hue lies the dramatic Hai Van Pass, the high dividing line between the climate zones of north and south Vietnam. Continue southwards passing Lang Co, 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.

Lunch at local restaurant, then 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.

Sightseeing in Hoi An

Hoi An is picturesque riverside town south of Danang. Known as Faifo to early western traders, it was one of South East 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 7 : Hoi An – My Son – Hoian  bicycle (B/L/-)

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.

Go back to Hoi An and lunch would be at your own arrangement.

In the afternoon, you wil visit Hoi An by bicycle.

Day 8 : Hoian – Danang – Saigon (B/-/-)

Breakfast at your hotel.

Free time before transfer to airport for your flight from Da Nang to Saigon. You will meet your driver at Tan Son Nhat Airport and transfer to your hotel. Overnight at hotel.

Day 9 :  Saigon – Cu Chi – Saigon City (B/L/-)

After breakfast, depart Saigon for Cu Chi Tunnels. Upon arrival visit the underground. This network of tunnels, which stretched for over 200km, became legendary during the 1960s. The Cu Chi tunnels played a vital part in the U.S.-Vietnam War in that they allowed the Viet Cong to control a large rural area only 30 to 40 km from Saigon. At its height, the tunnel system stretched from Saigon to the Cambodian border. The network, parts of which were several levels deep, included innumerable trap doors, specifically constructed living areas, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, command center and kitchens. Today the remaining bloody tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and feel of what underground life during the war.

Afternoon, enjoy city tour to visit Notre Dame Cathedral was built between 1877 and 1883 and the stone used to create it was exported in its entirety from France. Next to the cathedral stands the Central Post Office, finished in 1891. It is another fine example of French architecture and is Vietnam’s largest post office. Continue to visit the Reunification Palace was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1975. Endour city tour today with a stroll around the bustling Ben Thanh Market – a fantastic place for shopping

Day 10 : Saigon – My Tho – Vam Xep – Ben Tre – Saigon (B/L/-)

Breakfast at your hotel.

In the morning transfer from Ho Chi Minh to My Tho. Upon arrival, take a boat cruise around islets and tropical orchards through the canal of Vam Xep to reach a small islet, followed by a relaxing walk along shady and palm fringed trails passing by local villages where you can see their peaceful daily life. Stop en route to visit a bee farm, sip special tea with honey and sample fruits with a local family and share their stories of life in the Mekong Delta. Visit a small coconut workshop, just to get a glimpse of typical family run business in this area. 
Walk to a lane where a horse-drawn cart awaits you to transfer to visit handicraft village, a coconut candy factory, enjoy tropical fruit, traditional music and then relaxation with rowing boat through the narrow under shade palm, tree-lined canals of Mekong River before returning to My Tho by motorized boat. Enjoy lunch at local restaurant on the islet before heading back Saigon. Overnight at your hotel in Saigon

Day 11 : Saigon Departure  (B/-/-)

Breakfast at your hotel. Free time until transfer to airport for your departure flight.