Vietnam Beach Holiday
We would define them as our guardian angels in Vietnam … With their professionality, they organized a holiday so that we can visit Vietnam from North to South with my 21 month baby, without any disguise and with 24 hour assistance in 24 case of necessity.
We had beautiful memory of a land and a fantastic people thanks to their organization. Punctual private driver, prepared and flexible guides to change the programs according to our needs, extraordinary itineraries and the hotel facilities much more beautiful than our expectations and a dinner at Lam’s house which help us not only to know his fantastic family but also have direct contact with the gente … we would like to return to Vietnam in the future to visit places we could not know about this particular trip and we are sure we will be giving it to Lam and Chi’s experience … .We will keep memories of this journey jealously in our hearts and we feel we have to say thanks to AMO TRAVEL for this!
DETAILED ITINERARY
Vietnam Beach Holiday – Day 01: Saigon Arrival
Fly to Hanoi. Upon arrival to the airport, you well be met by our guide and transfer to you hotel.
Meals: No meal
Accommodation: Hotel in Saigon.
Vietnam Beach Holiday – Day 02 : Saigon – Mekong Tour – Saigon – Flight to Danang – Hoi An
Morning depart for Caodai Temple in My Tho. On arrival we will have time to visit the impressive Holy Temple of Caodaism, the famous local religion that is the symbol of the curious combination of the Confucianism, Taoism, Christianity and Buddhism before attending the fantastic mid-day mass.
Arrival at the Hung Vuong pier (Ben Tre city) opposite the hotel of the same name. Embarkation for a hike along the Ham Luong River – one of the main tributaries of the Mekong River.
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.
After lunch, board the sampan by navigating through the canals to get to a place where we take a bicycle and go to a special house. The landlord is a fascinating antique collector and your home is full of particular finds from Vietnam or other countries in Asia.
Back to Saigon and there is onward transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang. Upon arrival you are welcome by driver and transfer to hotel in Hoi An.
Day 03: Hoi An visit
Morning depart for Tra Que village (5km) for the discovery of the rural life that takes place there. Arriving at a family in Tra Que you will have the chance to refresh yourself before starting the cooking class. We work together with our Family Chef to learn to cook the best traditional Vietnamese specials.. Have lunch with your family then enjoy foot massage.
In the afternoon, we take a walking tour through the narrow streets, visiting a number of attractions in town: the PhucKien Assembly Hall, the Chua Ong Pagoda, the Japanese Covered Bridge, the hundred-year old merchant house … and colorful local markets. Hoi An is also famous for its large number of tailor shops, so if you want to have a new wardrobe made up, this is the time to do it.
Day 04: Hoi An free day – Flight to Hanoi
Morning free time to go shopping or to take a rest.
Transfer to Danang airport for the flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival you are welcome by driver and transfer to hotel in Hanoi.
Day 05: Hanoi visit
At 09:00AM, 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 wel-known in Vietnam for a combination of Confucian sanctuary and academy, the centre 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 Ethnographic Museum.
Next is Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake Walking tour. 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 visiting Ngoc Son Temple.
Notes: Ho Chi Minh Museum and Mausoleum closes on Mondays and Fridays and closes yearly Sep/Oct/Nov for maintenance (specific dates to be advised) & all afternoon. Other museums close on Mondays.
Offer from Amo Vietnam: welcome dinner with local family.
Day 06: Hanoi – Halong Bay
07.30–07.40: Pick up at your hotel in Ha Noi or nearby by shuttle bus (mini van)
11.45–12.15: Embark at Hon Gai International harbor.
12.30–13.00: Embark on the boat. Enjoy welcome drink as Cruise Manager gives you a brief overview of the itinerary and important safety guideline. Check in your cabin.
13.30–14.30: Have lunch while cruising to magnificent Bai Tu Long Bay; Start sailing among famous Islets (Indochina studio, Am Islet…) of Bai Tu Long Bay, the wildest beauty with the panoramic natural views.
15.00–16.30: Visit and explore the well-hidden Co Cave (known as Thien Canh Son Cave) where you can hiking to the middle of the mountain to see the wild and mysterious beautiful cave, contemplate numerous sparkling stalactites appear like ‘hanging lamps’ inside the Cave. (No swimming).
Return to the boat and enjoy Happy hour. You will have 30% discount off from the special menu drinks including of cocktail, mock-tail and mixed drinks (from 16.30 pm to 19.00 pm.).
16.30–17.30: Enjoy kayaking and relaxing on the cruise in Cong Do Area.
17.30: Take part in carving flowers on the sundeck.
18.00–19.00: Attend our chef’s cooking demonstration and try your skills in the art of traditional Vietnamese cooking (spring roll).
19.00-21.00: Dinner is served in the restaurant. You can enjoy the charm of Bai Tu Long Bay at night.
21.00-22.00: Enjoy evening activities (Squid Fishing, Movie Night, Board Games, Massage & Spa services) or relax at the leisure then overnight at private cabin at Cong Do area.
Day 07: Halong Bay – Hanoi
06.30-07.00: Welcome a new day with an amazing dawn on Bai Tu Long Bay. Refresh your body and soul with a Tai-chi session on the sundeck.
07.00-07.30: Catch the morning view of seascape while enjoying the breakfast with cookies and tea, café in the restaurant.
07.30-08.30: Visit Vung Vieng fishing village – the famous fishing farm by bamboo boat and discover life of local people living on the surface of Halong Bay. (No swimming).
08.30-9.30: Pack up the luggage and check out of the cabin.
09.30-10.40: Enjoy the brunch in the restaurant while cruising back to Vinashin tourist harbor.
11.00: Disembark from boat.
12.00: Your driver takes you back to Hanoi.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 08: Hanoi – Flight to Phu Quoc
Morning transfer to the airport for your flight to Phu Quoc. Upon arrival you are welcome by driver and transfer to hotel.
Free time for beach relaxing.
Day 09: Phu Quoc free time
Free time for beach relaxing. Overnight in hotel.
Day 10: Phu Quoc- Flight to Sai Gon
Morning free time for beach relaxing then transfer to the airport for your flight to Saigon. Upon arrival you are welcome by driver and transfer to hotel. Overnight in hotel.
Day 11: Sai Gon Departure
Morning dedicated to Sai Gon City visit: Post Office, Catedrale Notre Dame, Chinese Quatiere with Thien Hau Pagoda, War Museum, Dong Xuan Market. At scheduled time, you will be taken to the airport. Departure for Frankfurt.