We definitely would love to travel to Vietnam again
Hi Kim
Yes we are home again - long journey and we are totally exhausted.
Once again, thank you so much for all your planning, bookings, etc. - everything went perfectly to plan.
Looking back on the trip, I would have perhaps have liked to have stayed longer in both Sapa and the Mekong Delta. Ronnie especially loved Halong Bay and would have liked to have stayed longer there. Perhaps on our next trip we will spend longer in these 3 places.... We definitely would love to travel to Vietnam again - it truly was a holiday of a lifetime!
Although all the guides were wonderful, we especially liked Ta from Sapa, Mr Mam from Siem Reap and Do(not sure of spelling) from Ho Chi Minh City. At times, we did feel slightly rushed by some of the guides - I do feel I never got enough photos of the people in the rice paddies and farming and wished we could have stopped more for these photo opportunities. However, it just makes me more determined to return!
We are more than happy to write a recommendation on Trip Advisor and have been and will be recommending you to friends and acquaintances wishing to travel to your beautiful country. I took over 9,600 photos with my camera and am currently viewing and processing them and will let you know when I load them to Facebook. I also intend making a book for ourselves only and will provide you with the link when it is finished!
Thank you once again for a truly wonderful experience!
Regards
Sharon & Ronnie
TOUR NAME: ADI05 INDOCHINA HOLIDAY OF A LIFE TIME – 23 DAYS FROM BANGKOK
DESTINATIONS: BANGKOK – SIEM REAP – HANOI – SAPA – HALONG BAY – HOI AN – HO CHI MINH – CU CHI TUNNELS – MEKONG DELTA – MUI NE BEACH – HO CHI MINH – BANGKOK
GUEST’S NAME: MS SHARON HOFFMAN
NUMBER OF PERSON: 02
ACCOMMODATION IN 5 STAR HOTELS
ITINERARY
06th Oct Bangkok arrival
Meals: None
+ Guide
Upon arrival at Bangkok airport, pick up and transfer to hotel for checking in.
Overnight in Bangkok.
Accommodation: Novotel Ploenchit Bangkok / Superior
07th Oct Bangkok half day temple & city tour
Meals: Breakfast
This tour includes three of the most unusual Buddhist temples in Bangkok: Wat Trimitr with its invaluable Golden Buddha (5 1/2 tons of solid gold). Wat Po, the most extensive temple in Bangkok, with its colossal Reclining Buddha and the Chedis of the Kings, and the striking white marble structure of Wat Benchamabophit.
The Grand Palace was the seat not only of the king and his court, but contained within its crenellated walls, the entire government administration. The architecture is vibrantly Thai though there are some European designs as well. Brilliantly colored and gilded, and decorated with intricate detail, the overall effect is dazzling. The palace served as the official residence of the kings of Thailand from the 18th to the mid-20th century.
The most famous building on the palace grounds is Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple (wat) in Thailand. Construction of the temple began when King Rama I moved the capital from Thonburi to Bangkok in 1785. Unlike other Thai temples, it does not contain living quarters for monks; rather, it has only the richly decorated holy buildings, statues, and pagodas.
The main temple building is the central ubosoth, which houses the Emerald Buddha. Though green in color, the Buddha is actually carved from a single piece of jade, and though only 17 inches tall, is the most revered object in Thailand. Also within the grounds are several palaces, used for various occasions: the Funeral Palace, Reception Palace, Throne Hall, Coronation Hall, and the Royal Guest House. The majority of halls and palaces can be viewed from outside only, but the exteriors are captivating enough to please.
Overnight in Bangkok.
Accommodation: Novotel Ploenchit Bangkok / Superior
08th Oct Bangkok – Flight to Siem Reap
Free at leisure until we pick you up and transfer to the airport for flight to Siem Reap FD610 10:10 11:10, one of the most exciting Indochina tours, the home of the Temples of Angkor. Upon your arrival, our private indochina tour guide and driver will welcome and transfer to your hotel for check in (if room is available). Free at leisure and overnight in Siem Reap.
Accommodation: Sokha Beach / City View
09th Oct Siem Reap – Angkor Thom – Angkor Wat
Meals: Breakfast
+ Guide
Siem Reap is no doubt a surprise for your Indochina tours. In the morning: After breakfast, transfer to visit the South Gate of Angkor Thom, Bayon, Baphoun, Terrace of Elephant, Terrace of Leper King and Pimean Akas.
In the afternoon: Transfer to visit the famous temple of Cambodia, Angkor Wat then continue to visit the Bakheng Hill temple with Sun Set included from the top of this hill, back hotel. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Accommodation: Sokha Beach / City View
10th Oct Siem Reap – Petit Circuit – Grand Circuit
Meals: Breakfast
+ Guide
In the morning, visit group of Petit Circuit, Thommanon, Chau Say Teveda, Ta Keo, Ta Promh, Banteay Kdei and Sras Sarng. Lunch at local restaurant.
In the afternoon, visit group of Grand Circuit, Preah Khan, Neak Pean, Ta Som, East Meborn & Pre Rup. Overnight in Siem Reap.
Accommodation: Sokha Beach / City View
11th Oct Siem Reap – Fligh to Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast
+ Guide
Free day at leisure until we transfer you to the airport for your flight to Ha Noi VN840 17:25 19:05. Upon arrival, our private Indochina tours guide and driver will welcome your Indochina tours to Hanoi, a city where the exotic chic of old Asia blends with the dynamic face of new Asia. Where the medieval and modern co-exist. A city with a blend of Parisian grace and Asian pace, an architectural museum piece evolving in harmony with its history, rather than bulldozing through like many of the region’s capitals. Hanoi is where imagination becomes reality. Free at leisure. Overnight in Hanoi.
Accommodation: Opera Hanoi Hotel / Deluxe
12th Oct Hanoi – Train to Sapa
Meals: Breakfast
+ Guide
Hanoi without a doubt is a beautiful stop for your Vietnam Travel. Today, we enjoy a full day city tour of this charming capital city including the mausoleum of the nation's founder Ho Chi Minh (close on Monday & Friday), the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh's house on stilts, the One Pillar Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, the impressive Ethnologic Museum (or Museum of Fine Arts, Army Museum, History Museum, Woman Museum, Hoa Lo Prison), the beautiful West Lake, the Tran Vu Pagoda, the peaceful lake of the Restored Sword. Late afternoon we take a cyclo tour for a short excursion through the bustling old quarter streets named after the specific goods once offered for sale at these places. Enjoy a glass of "Bia Hoi - draught beer - included" at Ta Hien Street before we enjoy a fantastic traditional water puppet show. This evening, we will transfer you to the train station to experience a Vietnam train ride to Lao Cai.
Overnight on Train.
Accommodation: Victoria Express / Private deluxe cabin of 2 berths
13th Oct Sapa Tour
Meals: Breakfast
+ Guide
Arrive in the early morning in the border town of Lao Cai where it's a short transfer to Sapa. In the terraced hills and mountains of this area, the monotony of the expansive green landscape is enlivened by the colours of its hill tribe population. It is here you will find hands stained with colour from fabric dyes and shades of blue, red and green intricately embroidered and stitched into jackets, waistcoats, pants, skirts, caps, purses and leggings.
After breakfast at a local restaurant, take a morning walking tour of Sapa for a visit to the busy market where Red Dao, Black & Flower H'Mong, Tay and other ethnic minority people converge from the surrounding countryside to sell their silverware and handicrafts, and to buy provisions. Afterwards, we will do one of the most beautiful Sapa Tours with the drive to visit Lao Chai and Ta Van village of the Black H'mong and the Day people where you can enjoy fresh air, amazing scenery of the imposing mountain range, trek down world's most beautiful terraced rice fields, visit some local family on the way and learn unique culture and life of these ethnic groups. Back to Sapa by private car, free at leisure for the rest of the day. Overnight in Sapa.
Accommodation: Victoria Sapa Hotel / Superior
14th Oct Sapa Market – Train to Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast
+ Guide
The markets in the Northern Vietnam are always the colorful meeting places for the hill tribes, spotlight for any Sapa Tours and of course, your unique Indochina tours experience. Minority people come down from the mountains to sell their products, or just for catching up on the latest news, gossip, drinking away troubles or seeking for lover. In the morning, drive to visit Coc Ly ethnic market – only opens on Tuesdays.
In the late afternoon, your Sapa tour guide and driver transfer you back to Lao Cai to catch the night train back to Hanoi. We hope that you have enjoyed your Sapa Tours with us. We say goodbye with sincere thanks and looking forward to welcoming you again for your coming Vietnam Tours and Sapa Tours.
Overnight on the train.
Accommodation: Victoria Express / Private deluxe cabin of 2 berths
15th Oct Hanoi – Halong Bay
Meals: Breakfast
+ Guide
Pick up from the train station, this morning, we have already arranged a room in a mini hotel for you to have shower and breakfast. We start at 8.00 A.M for the 3 hour drive (170 km) through the Red River Delta, which offers plenty of chances for taking photos of Vietnamese farmers tilling the vast green paddy fields. At half way, we'll have a visit to a handicraft workshop with fine clothes, embroidered paintings, stone statuettes and all kinds of gems mined in Vietnam such as star rubies or sapphires... Our destination is the World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay. The bay offers some 3000 mountain islands and islets towering in the Gulf of Tonkin in the East Vietnam Sea.
Upon arrival, you'll be welcomed on board our luxury junk and treated with wine and fresh local seafood. As our junk gliding further into the tranquility of Ha Long Bay amid the towering mountain cliffs and on the emerald green water, you'll have relaxing time combining the fine tastes of the wine and the freshness of Ha Long Bay. During the cruise, we'll stop some times for visiting the amazing Sung Sot cave and the Ti Top white sand beach before anchoring for the night. Overnight on board the junk in the wild of Halong Bay.
Accommodation: Princess Cruise / Charter 1 cabin
16th Oct Halong Bay – Hanoi – Hue
Meals: Breakfast
+ Guide
It is said that your Vietnam Tours will not be complete without a tour to Halong Bay and spending one night on romantic Halong Cruise. People describe Halong Bay as majestic and mysterious, inspiring and imperious and words alone cannot do justice to the natural wonder that is Halong Bay, a priceless collection of unfinished sculptures hewn from the hand of nature.
After breakfast, we'll take a little sampan to visit a secret lagoon of Ha Long Bay while the surrounding mountains are just waking up. After that our cruise takes us further into the Bay of Bai Tu Long traveling past the Human Head Island, the Turtle Island, and the Duck Islet... to the studio site where the famous Indochine film was shot. Around noon, our junk travels back to the harbor, pick up and drive back to Hanoi. Stop in Hai Duong to visit the famous Con Son pagoda. Transfer back to Hanoi Airport for your afternoon flight with Vietnam airlines to Hue VN1545 19:15 20:25. Pick up and transfer to your hotel, evening free at leisure in Hue.
Overnight in a Hue hotel.
Accommodation: La Residence Resort / Superior
17th Oct Hue City Tour
Meals: Breakfast
+ Guide
Hue is one of places, which has many cultural heritages. Up to now, there is no place like Hue remaining a lot of originally historical vestiges as in this ancient Capital City and favorite destination for all Vietnam Tours. After breakfast, our tour starts with the visit to Imperial Citadel before taking the beautiful boat trip on the romantic Perfume River and visit Hue's best-known religious site-Thien Mu Pagoda and the Mausoleum of former emperor Minh Mang in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes. Return to the hotel. Free at leisure. Overnight in Hue
Accommodation: La Residence Resort / Superior
18h Oct Hue – Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast
+ Guide
After breakfast, we drive to Hoi An, a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries whose architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years and for sure, Hoi An is a wonderful destination and choice for all kinds of Vietnam Tours. This scenic drive passes through the fishing village of Lang Co before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds. Along the way, stop in Danang to visit the Cham Museum which contains the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world. Upon arrival in Hoi An, free to take walking tour of the Hoi An ancient town centre. Overnight in Hoi An.
Accommodation: Palm Garden Resort / Deluxe Garden View
19th Oct Hoi An cooking class
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
+ Guide
We start the day (8.15am) with a welcome drink at Hai Café
(98 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An Ancient Town, Tel: 863210) – our meeting point.
Visit Hoi An’s colourful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. We will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about all the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later.
We board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. This is a chance to view local river life, so make sure your camera is handy.
On arrival, we explore the cooking school’s herb garden, before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – the Red Bridge chefs first demonstrate each dish before we prepare the same dish ourselves. Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration). After the lesson, we sit down and eat what we have cooked.
Overnight in Hoi An.
Accommodation: Palm Garden Resort / Deluxe Garden View
20th Oct Hoi An Free Day
Meals: Breakfast
Hoi An Ancient Town - highlight of any tour to Vietnam that no Vietnam Tours maker would skip, is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a South-East Asian trading port dating from the 15th to the 19th century. Its buildings and its street plan reflect the influences, both indigenous and foreign, that have combined to produce this unique heritage site.
Day free to cycle through rice paddies in the countryside of Hoi An ancient town, shop for souvenirs among the antique shops and art galleries, or just sit at sidewalk cafes and soak up the atmosphere of this quaint town. Or relax on the white sandy beach of the famous Danang Beach. Overnight in Hoi An.
Accommodation: Palm Garden Resort / Deluxe Garden View
21st Oct Hoi An – Da Nang – Fligh to Saigon
Meals: Breakfast
+ Guide
After breakfast, our Vietnam tour guide and driver in Hoi An will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh city VN 0117 14:20 15:35. Arrive at Tan Son Nhat airport, welcome by our private Vietnam tour guide and driver and transfer to you hotel for check in. Ho Chi Minh, the most exciting city of Vietnam, a mecca of commerce, also a city with a chequered history and a rich culture, its pagodas, museums, public buildings, parks and boulevards make it one of the most delightful Vietnam Tours and cities to visit in Vietnam. Pick up nad transfer to your hotel. Free at leisure and overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Accommodation: Majestic Saigon Hotel / Colonial Superior
22nd Oct Saigon – Mekong Delta – Saigon
Meals: Breakfast
+ Guide
Today, we continue our Vietnam travel with the interesting visit to Cai be floating market.
6am : Pick up at your hotel in HCMC. Depart for Cai Be by private ca, stop to take photos in Tan An town overlooking the picturesque flat rice fields. On arrival in Cai Be, set off by motor boat to visit the Cai Be floating market and watch the locals trading fruit and many other commodities on board their vessels. Then wander into the small villages to visit the orchard and fruit plantation. Keep cruising to Vinh Long through a series of small canals to experience the charms of the Upper Mekong Delta. Visit a small family business to see how coconut candy and crispy rice popcorn are made. Arrive in Binh Hoa Phuoc village, the green pearl of Vinh Long town, where you can immerse yourself in nature. Enjoy a lunch of fresh river food served in the heart of the garden accompanied by traditional southern Vietnamese folk music. Take a delightful walk through the bonsai garden. Meet the car/van in Vinh Long. Return to HCMC. Arrive back at your hotel at around 5pm. Overnight in HCMC.
Accommodation: Majestic Saigon Hotel / Colonial Superior
23rd Oct Saigon – Cu Chi Tunnels – Saigon
Meals: Breakfast
+ Guide
After having breakfast, pick up and transfer to visit Cu Chi tunnels. 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 centres and kitchens. Today the remaining tunnels have become a major tourist attraction giving the visitor a unique experience and feel of what underground life during the war must have been like. The tunnels have been widened for our benefit (otherwise we would not be able to enter them!). For those interested there's even the opportunity to try an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range.
Accommodation: Majestic Saigon Hotel / Colonial Superior
24th Oct Saigon – Phan Thiet
Meals: Breakfast
+ Guide
This morning, we take a private car transfer to Phan Thiet (5 hours). Once a part of the Cham Kingdom, it’s now a perfect stop for Vietnam beach holidays and to end your Indochina tours, an unremarkable town with a reasonable beach, some decent hotels, and a very good golf course. In a nice setting with white sand beaches and coconut trees, the beach resort of Phan Thiet is also endowed with amazing spots such as sand dunes, natural lakes and astonishing red canyons. Phan Thiet still has sizeable populations of Cham and Raglai ethnic minority groups. The former are a part of the area’s Cham heritage. Upon arrival, check in at the hotel, free time at leisure. Overnight Phan Thiet.
Accommodation: Aroma Beach Resort / Sea View Villa
25th & 26th Oct Phan Thiet Free Days
Meals: Breakfast
+ Guide
Days are free at leisure for you to write about your Indochina tours experience or to explore the area including the fishing village of Mui Ne which locates at the far end of the beach, the village and several hectares of massive rolling sand dunes make a pleasant diversion from relaxing on the beach, swimming and windsurfing. The village is worth a visit for three reasons – firstly, very few tourists go further than the dunes, secondly, the small harbour is picturesque (there’s an excellent view from where the dunes road turns off) and thirdly, there’s an interesting pagoda where followers of Vietnam’s whale cult hold services and store skeletons of the massive sea mammals.
Overnight Phan Thiet
Accommodation: Aroma Beach Resort / Sea View Villa
27th Oct Phan Thiet – Sai Gon – Flight to Bangkok
Meals: Breakfast
+ Guide
Free at leisure until we pick you up and transfer to the airport for flight to Bangkok FD655 18:00 19:25. Upon arrival at Bangkok airport, pick up and transfer to hotel for checking in.
Overnight in Bangkok.
Accommodation: Novotel Ploenchit Bangkok / Superior
28th Oct Bangkok departure
Meals: Breakfast
+ Guide
Free time at leisure for you to wrap up your memorial Indochina Holiday until Vivutravel's private guide and driver will transfer you back to Bangkok airport for your departure flight with the sincere thanks for traveling with Vivutravel. We hope that you have enjoyed your Indochina tours with us and look forward to welcoming you back for your next Indochina tours, goodbye and see you again!!!
END OF CAMBODIA & VIETNAM TOUR OF A LIFE TIME!
SERVICES INCLUSIVE:
- 5 business flight tickets: Bangkok – Siem Reap (Operated by Air Asia), Siem Reap – Hanoi (Operated by Cambodia Angkor Air / Vietnam Airlines), Hanoi – Hue & Danang – Ho Chi Minh (Operated by Vietnam Airlines) & Ho Chi Minh – Bangkok (Operated by Air Aisa)
- Accommodation as indicated on the itinerary
- Halong Cruise / Princess charter 1 cabin
-Private transportation during tour
- Return train tickets Hanoi – Sapa – Hanoi
- All entrance fees & boat trips to indicated sights
- English speaking guides (Except for free days)
- Meals as mentioned
- Visa on arrival to Vietnam (Except for free days)
SERVICES EXCLUSIVE:
- Tips
-Drinks
- Personal expenses
- Insurance
