We had contacted with travel agent “Amo Travel” in Hanoi from Italy (certainly in Italian). Based on our indication, they organized a tour for 15 days in Vietnam: Saigon, Mekong Delta, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long Bay and Phu Quoc. They had dealt with all the bureaucratic issues including visa that help us to save time and money. Without international flights, they organized and booked all internal transfers (flights, train, private car, boat, bike,…). We had also evaluated their proposals of hotel to suit our needs. We had chosen 4 stars hotel because of good relation between quality and price. We had chosen English Speaking Guide, in particular women were excellent (San May Phan in Sapa, Van in Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An)
The agency is well organized and if you need someone to assist you or to change something at the last moment (Lam speaks very well Italian) so they give you a Vietnamese Sim (free) with free internal calls and a certain amount of Gb to connect to the internet. Services from the airport and transportation adequate, we always chose private car and tour was for us only, all drivers have always been on time and efficient. If you are going to visit an indochina country, please contact Amo Vietnam Travel, which is very helpful to organizie a tailor made trip for you, meeting all your requests in very short time, will follow you efficiently and attentively at all stages of the trip and will accompany you in a wonderful trip to amazing places without spending too much. You will be surprised by their speed, professionalism and special thanks to Gemma Ngoc Nguyen !!! I hope you can still travel with your travel agent !!!
Group: Mrs. Anna Zanella
Travel Date: 25/12/2015 – 9/1/2016
Travel Style: Vietnam Beach Holiday
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: Saigon Arrival (-/-/-)
Upon arrival at the airport, meet with your driver and transfer to the hotel for check-in hotel.
Day 2: Saigon- Cu Chi – Visita della Citta’ (B/-/-)
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 3: Saigon– Ben Tre – Can Tho (B/L/-)
Breakfast at hotel. 08:00: 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 bike ride 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 to Can Tho. Free dinner and overnight at hotel in Can Tho.
Day 4: Can Tho – Cai Rang floating market – Saigon – Volo per Hue (B/-/-)
Breakfast at hotel. 07.00. 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). Then transfer to airport to catch your flight from Saigon to Hue. Upon arrival, you are welcome by Amo Vietnam Travel driver transfefred to your hotel in downtown.
Trasferimento in aeroporto per il volo per Hue. Arrvo a Hue, trasferimento senza guida all’albergo.
Day 5: Visit Hue (B/-/-)
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.
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 6: Hue – Danang – Hoi An (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.
Lunch would be served at a local restaurant in Hoi An right after your arrival.
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.
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 7: Hoian – Danang – Flight to Hanoi (B/-/-)
Enjoying your breakfast at the hotel, your driver will transfer you to the Danang international airport. You will catch in-country flight to Ho Chi Minh city, commonly known as Saigon. It is the largest city in Vietnam and is located near the Mekong Delta.
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 supported for check-in at the hotel from the mid-day. The rest of your day is on your own for the exploration of this Metropolitan City.
Day 8: Visit Hanoi – Train to Lao Cai (B/-/-)
You would have the full day to explore the charm of Vietnam’s capital.
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.
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 9: Lao Cai – Can Cau Market – Sapa (B/-/-)
05.45 : Arriving in the early morning at Lao Cai station and having breakfast at local restuarant. Then transfer to Can Cau market is roughly 35km from Bac Ha and takes place every Saturday . You would walk through colorful market of hill tribe people such as Flower Hmong… who gather there for goods’ exchange. After a short trekking, drive to Sapa. Overnight at hotel in Sapa.
* Option 1: Tuesday: Coc Ly Market
* Option 2: Sunday: Bac Ha Market
* Option 3: Wednesday: Cao Son Market
* Option 4: Thursday: Lung Khau Nhin Market
Day 10: Sapa Trekking – Lao Chai, Ta Van – Train to Hanoi (B/-/-)
Breakfast at your hotel. 09.00. 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. Lunch would be at your own arrangement. Free time to visit Sapa o shopping in the afternoon. Transfer to Lao Cai to catch train to Hanoi (private cabin) at 20:15.
Day 11: Hanoi – Ha Long Bay (B/L/D)
Have breakfast in hotel and drive to Halong Bay (180km about 3.5 hours) passing the countryside of the Red River Delta to the UNESCO World Heritage site.
A traditional style Vietnamese Junk Cruise is awaiting your arrival and will set sail at noon today for the 23 hours cruise on this magnificent bay. Lunch will be served on board amidst spectacular views of the bay. Afternoon will visit one of the largest caves in Halong Bay and a beach stop where you can swim in the refreshing waters of the South China Sea.
Tonight enjoy a fresh seafood dinner on board your Junk.
Note: The following Halong Bay itinerary is a sample for our standard service on a 3 star junk/ cruise. Different programs are available through our luxury cruise itineraries (Please contact us for more details)
Day 12: Ha Long Bay – Hanoi (B/L/-)
Participate in Tai Chi on the top deck or simply watch the sunrise over the magnificent bay. Enjoy your morning cup of coffee or juice before setting out to the nearby cave on a row boat. Watch for monkeys high on the cliff tops. Return back to the Junk where breakfast is served, while sailing around Bay Tu Long bay where the movie “Indochine” was filmed.
Your cruise will end at noon and you will go back to Hanoi. Overnight at your hotel in Hanoi.
Day 13: Hanoi – Volo per Phu Quoc – libero(B/-/-)
Breakfast at your hotel. 05.30. Transfer to airport for your flight from Hanoi to Phu Quoc where your driver will wait you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Overnight at your hotel on Phu Quoc Island.
Day 14: Phu Quoc free time (B/-/-)
Breakfast at your hotel and free time on Phu Quoc Island.
Day 15: Phu Quoc – Volo per Saigon (B/-/-)
Breakfast at your hotel.
Free time to 16:00, then transfer to airport for your flight from Phu Quoc to Saigon where your driver will wait you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel. Check-in hotel and free time in Saigon.
Day 16: Saigon departure (B/-/-)
Breakfast at your hotel and free time to shopping. 17.30. transfer to airport for your departure flight .
