Hi Lam,
I just wanted to say thank you so much for the tour, it was awesome!
I will make an Excellent review on Tripadvisor
Matt Quinton
Group of: Mr. Matt Quinton
Date of trip: 20/10/2014 – 28/10/2014
Here are some photos of this trip:
Farmer and buffalo
View from City View Cafe near Hoan Kiem Lake
An old woman from Duong Lam old village
Halong Bay
Mua cave in Ninh Binh province
West Lake and Truc Bach Lake – view from Sofitel Hotel Plaza
Kenh ga – Ninh Binh
Landscape of Mountain in Bac Ha
DETAILED ITINERARY
Day 1: 20/10: Hanoi City Tour
Begin at the HO CHI MINH MAUSOLEUM, where visitors can pay respects to the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh. The Mausoleum is closed in the afternoons, on Mondays and Fridays, and closes annually in October and November for restoration (can only view from the outside). Continue to the PRESIDENTIAL PALACE (may be viewed from the outside only). Stroll through the park to HO CHI MINH STILT HOUSE, the simple two room dwelling where Ho Chi Minh lived from 1958 until his final days. Preserved in the same condition as during his life, it may be viewed through the windows. Visit the miniature ONE PILLAR PAGODA. Also dating from the 11th century, this monument was rebuilt after being destroyed by the French in 1958. Today it stands near the vast HO CHI MINH MEMORIAL COMPLEX, a lovely park setting which is home to Ho Chi Minh’s final resting place, as well as a museum and other memorials
Lunch at KOTO which is famous for Know One, Teach One, a charity place of Amo Vietnam
Visit Quan Thanh temple (on Truc Bach lake)
Located on the shore of Truc Bach, this pagoda was dedicated to Tran Vo (God of the North), whose symbols of power were the tortoise and the snake. A bronze statue and bell here date from 1677.
Visite Van Mieu “Temple of Literature ”
Van Mieu, as it is known in Vietnamese, is the country’s most renowned temple complex. 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.
Visit the Old Quarter – Cyclo in 1 hour.
They have well a thousand years of history and remain one of Vietnam’s most lively and unusual places, where one can buy anything from gravestone to silk pajamas. Exploring by walk to the maze of back streets which is fascinating and there are endless things to buy wool clothes, cosmetics, gold and silver jewelry, silk clothes and herbal medicines.
Drive to Ninh Binh for overnight.
Day 2: 21/10: Hanoi – Van Long – Kenh Ga – Tam Coc – Hang Mua
05:00Am, departure for Van Long as the first stop on the way, from here we will drive to Kenh Ga area to view the paddy field area (no boat trip in Kenh Ga).
Cruising in the area to find for the best spot for the late afternoon photo.
Continue going to Hoa Lu, on the way to Tam Coc stop at Hang Mua with a climb up hill for the view of rice paddy.
Quick lunch stop depend on the arrival time at Tam Coc, arrive at Tam Coc at noon around noon time (the best time from 11:00Am) with many boat rowing for nice photo from the hill.
Drive back to Van Long and Kenh Ga area for the final photos before going home at 18:00PM. Arrive in Hanoi at 20:30PM.
Note: No Boat and Entrance Fees to make open itinerary for Photos.
Day 3: 22/10: Hanoi – Duong Lam Village – Thay and Tay Phuong Pagoda – Night Train to Sapa
We depart Hanoi by 8:30 and head about 60 km west, to the historic village of Duong Lam in Ha Tay Province. Duong Lam is well-known not only for being ancient but also its laterite houses. We will meet the Huyen family who has lived in the village for generations. Next take a walk around the quiet village and through the country side, passing rice fields and farmers. We will have chances to stop at Phung Hung Temple and Mia Pagoda. Then we will learn have lunch break.
After lunch we will have some time to explore the village further and chat with the family. Then we will head back to Hanoi, with a stop along the way at Tay Phuong Pagoda or Thay (Master) Pagoda, which contains the largest wood statues in Vietnam. This is also where water puppetry originated. The trip concludes around 6:00 pm then drive back to Chezlinhlinh House for Shower before going to Train.
Note: The order could be changed as visiting Thay and Tay Phuong Pagoda first to spend more time in Duong Lam village.
Day 4: 23/10: Lao Cai arrival – Sapa – Light Trekking for Photos
Upon early arrival in Lao Cai station, you are picked up and transferred to Sapa (Check-in time at 14:00). Breakfast would be served in the local restaurant.
After lunch, departure for trekking with guide and car, after 6km of going downhill to the south east of Sapa along the side of Muong Hoa valley to Y Linh Ho village of the Black H’mong. A 2km-trekking down to Lao Chai village, through terraced rice fields to Ta Van village of the Dzay minority people.
It gives you a worth chance for you to learn about the local house architecture which is full of their daily life styles and exclusive custom. Enjoy the landscapes…on the way. Pick-up and transfer to Sapa. Afternoon is free tie.
NOTE: CAR TRANSFER IN SAPA IS FULL USE. NO LIMIT OF TRANSFER UPON GUEST CHOICE FROM 05:00AM TO LATE AFTERNOON.
Trip Fact: 4km trekking.
Day 5: 24/10: Sapa – Cat Cat – Sin Chai – Ma Tra – Ta Phin Village.
Transfer by private car to South-west of Sapa (around 4 km) to visit Cat Cat village of the Black H’mong. Relax at the food of the stunning waterfall and the vestige of a hydroelectric power station that was constructed by the French during the colonial time in Vietnam. For the difficult senior, could wait with driver as the road going downhill is difficult with many steps.
Pick-up and transfer to Sin Chai, the village located at the foot of Fansipan Mountain, “the roof of Vietnam and Indochina”. From here you can enjoy huge stunning landscapes before going back to Sapa. Check-out and lunch is at local restaurant. Afternoon is time to visit Ma Tra village you will come across the impressive ruins of a monastery dating back to the French occupation in the early 1900s. Trek back to the main road where mini-van is waiting for you and drive to the village of Ta Phin where you will be able to meet both H’mong and Red Dao minorities.
NOTE: CAR TRANSFER IN SAPA IS FULL USE. NO LIMIT OF TRANSFER UPON GUEST CHOICE FROM 05:00AM TO LATE AFTERNOON.
Trip Fact: Trekking 8km.
Day 6: 25/10: Sapa – Can Cau Market – Ban Pho – Nigh Train to Hanoi
Transfer to Can Cau Market. Can Cau Market: Located at 110km from Sapa, Can Cau mountain town is well-known by travelers with the most colorful market of the hill tribes in the North of Vietnam.
Lunch is at Mr.Sa Home in Bac Ha. Take a rest and nap if possible.
02:00: we go for a light trek to visit Ban Pho, the village is home to flower H’mong minority. We are invited to enter several local houses to have some green tea, corn wine, listen to the host talking about their family, talk to them…
Note: Amo Vietnam will guide you to Mr.Ho, the most wel-known artisan in Pho village, but it is subject to the availability of his health.
Drive back to Lao Cai city before taking overnight train back to Hanoi
NOTE: CAR TRANSFER IN SAPA IS FULL USE. NO LIMIT OF TRANSFER UPON GUEST CHOICE ROM 05:00AM TO LATE AFTERNOON.
Day 7: 26/10: Hanoi Arrival – Day Hanoi – Halong Archipelago Join-In Group Tours
Arrive at Hanoi station; take a few walks to New Moon hotel (basic and comfortable) for Day Use and breakfast. Depart from Hanoi at 8.00 for a 3.5 hours drive to Halong City through the Red River Delta. Upon arrival, get on board of the Treasure Junk. Start cruising from Hon Gai pier to the boundaries of Halong bay while lunch with fresh seafood is served (vegetarian and kids menus available).
After lunch, just make yourself at ease and relax. We are slowly getting off the classic cruising routes, far from the clichés of a busy tourism spot. Limestone rock formations will parade around us for about 2 hours before our first stop.
We reach the perfect spot, remote and scenic, where the waters of Halong and Bai Tu Long hit and wave together. Let’s get ready for serious things. Swimming suits, ok. Kayaks and tender boat, ok. Paddles and gears, ok. Let’s get closer to the water and explore the bay in depth.
After one/one and a half hour kayaking, we get back on board to refresh and start the aperitif on the sundeck. Dinner is served either inside or outside depending on weather conditions. Overnight on board in a cozy air-conditioned cabin with en-suite bathroom facilities.
Day 8: 27/10: Halong Bay kayaking
The breakfast will be served from 7.15am. But if you like, we invite you to share a cup of tea or coffee from 6.30am and participate then in a Tai Chi session before breakfast.
Around 8.30am, we board a smaller boat. It takes us even farther from the touristy area, to the hidden nooks of the archipelago.
A whole day of fun and relaxation. More kayaking, more swimming, more sandy beaches, more floating houses, more local cuisine, definitely a « cruise++ »… The exact program depends on tide and weather conditions but we guarantee that we will make this trip extension worth. Lunch will be served on the support boat.
The guide will lead you back to the Treasure Junk in the mid-afternoon. Time to refresh and to make yourself cozy on the sundeck. Dinner will be served again either in the dining room or on the deck. Second night onboard.
Day 9: 28/10: Halong – Hanoi
We will be back at the pier about 11am, and driven to Hanoi with an expected arrival time about 4pm. The day will be short so let’s wake up early to take the maximum of it.
Coffee, tea and cakes will be served from 6.30am. Wake up smoothly while witnessing the silence of beautiful misty bay. A 30-minute Tai Chi session will be organized, energize your body and soul or just allow yourself some idle time on a sunbath with a cup of coffee.
About 7.45am, we hop on bamboo boats to go visiting a secluded floating village surrounded by the mountains. We spawn our way between numerous floating houses and small rowing boats that serve the everyday life as vehicle, itinerant shops, fishing utility, sometimes overnight shelter.
Back on treasure before 9am, we start cruising back to the pier. From 9.30am, a brunch will be served. Take a last glance at the rocks, standing still as the eternal guardians of a kingdom, we are about to reach the pier.
Once on land, we sit in a small café to wait for our overland vehicle. Drop at Hotel in Hanoi and Tickets for the Water Puppet Show is available for the show at 18:00 (own arrangement to/from Water Puppet Theatre)