Discovering Thailand & Vietnam's multifaceted beauty in 2 weeks

Upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Bangkok, Thailand, you'll be met by your friendly English-speaking guide holding a sign with your name clearly displayed for welcome. Check-in at the hotel will be arranged as soon as possible, aiming for immediate access to your room if available. Standard hotel check-in time is usually 2:00 PM, but the hotel will do their best to accommodate you upon arrival.  With the afternoon free, you can use the provided map to embark on your own adventure! Explore the vibrant city at your own pace, soaking up the sights, sounds, and aromas that make Bangkok unique.  

In the evening, relax and recharge at your comfortable hotel, ready for the exciting experiences that await you tomorrow.

After breakfast, embark on a long-tail boat and begin your journey along the Chao Phraya River (which translates to "river of kings") to visit three of Thailand's oldest temples. Cruise through the bustling inner canals of Thonburi coast to enjoy a fantastic glimpse into the waterfront lives of locals. Make a stop at the National Museum of Royal Barges and Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn), adorned with glazed mosaics. Next, visit Wat Traimit Temple, known for its Golden Buddha. Continue to explore the Royal Palace, founded in 1782 by King Rama I.

The palace's walls protect an area of 259 hectares. Then, discover Wat Phra Kaew (or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which is actually the Royal Chapel of the Grand Palace, housing the famous and revered Emerald Buddha statue, Thailand's most iconic. Move on to Wat Pho Temple and its impressive Reclining Buddha, the largest in Thailand. Surrounding the temple are Chinese statues depicting royal guards in various postures. 
Return to the hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Depart in the morning towards the west of Bangkok to visit the Maeklong market, set up on the train tracks near the railway terminal. Walk along the rails to explore the vibrant market and witness how quickly the vendors fold their stalls for the scheduled train passage around 8:30 am (train times are not fixed).

Arrive at the small Samut Songkhran market, the starting point for a beautiful journey aboard a canoe along the Grand Canal and then through smaller canals into the still authentic depths of Asia, practically at the outskirts of Bangkok. The journey lasts about an hour and ends in the heart of the Damnoen Saduak floating market, a picturesque place near Bangkok.

Explore this traditional and bustling market filled with vendors selling all kinds of products: food, flowers, plants, and animals. Return to Bangkok and free time to relax. 

Back in Bangkok, the rest of the day is yours to unwind.

After breakfast, enjoy some leisure time before heading to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, your English-speaking guide will be there to welcome you and transfer you to your hotel.

And then take some time to relax and soak in the atmosphere of Vietnam's capital city.

After breakfast, begin the discovery of Hanoi's most notable cultural sites and historical monuments, including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the stilt house, One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature - the country's first university founded in 1070. Lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, continue with a cyclo ride through the Old Quarter of Hanoi, known for its "36 streets," named after the products traditionally sold there, such as Paper Street, Sugar Street, Silver Street, etc. Conclude the tour with a visit to Ngoc Son Temple, The Huc Bridge, and Hoan Kiem Lake (Lake of the Restored Sword). In the late afternoon, attend a Water Puppet Show at the Thang Long Theater.

Return to the hotel and take a rest.

Departure towards Ninh Binh – land of limestone rocks, sugarloaf mountains, and rice fields flooded by rivers and lakes year-round. After a 2-hour drive, we arrive in the province of Ninh Binh. Board a boat on the Ngo Dong River for a ride through Tam Coc, also known as the "Halong Bay on land." This winding river meanders through rice fields, sugarloaf mountains, and passes beneath three caves at the foot of limestone peaks.

Next, we visit Mua Cave (Dancing Cave), climbing 486 stone steps to the top. This bell-shaped mountain offers a panoramic view of the Tam Coc region.

Finally, we'll visit Hoa Lu – once the ancient capital of Dai Co Viet (Vietnam's former name), with remnants of temples from the Dinh and Le dynasties.

Depart by road to Halong, Vietnam's most beautiful bay, one of Asia's most magical landscapes, crossing the prestigious scenery of waterlogged rice paddies. Upon arrival at the boat, embark on a cruise to explore Halong Bay, declared a UNESCO Natural Heritage Site. Welcome by the crew and set off for a magnificent cruise through the bay. Overnight on board.

• Marvel at the picturesque islands and islets with various forms (veil, dog, rooster, incense...).
• Visit splendid caves in Halong Bay, including Thien Canh Son, home to stalagmites and stalactites dating back thousands of years.
• Continue the cruise to Cap La, kayak, and swim in the sublime waters of the bay (weather permitting).
• Late afternoon, leisure on the upper deck of the junk.
• Participate in an onboard cooking demonstration, preparing nem or spring rolls.
• You will then have a delectable lunch and dinner on board.

Note: Transfer by SHUTTLE BUS without a guide. The itinerary depends on each cruise and may change without notice due to weather conditions.

Wake up at dawn to enjoy a unique moment of splendor: the first rays of sunlight emerging from the thousands of sugarloaf mountains in the bay and participate in a Tai Chi session on the terrace.

Tai chi is an internal martial art practiced for self-defense and health.

Boat ride or kayak to discover the fishing village of Vung Vieng, with a possible encounter with local residents.

Lunch on the junk, then disembark and return to Hanoi. At the appointed time, transfer to the airport for your flight to Danang. Upon arrival, you will be greeted by your English-speaking guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Hoi An (40 minutes) for check-in.

Have a good night in Hoi An.

It's your free day to relax in Hoi An. You can choose to explore the old town of Hoi An (on your own) with: Phuc Kien Shrine dedicated to the protective goddess of fishermen and sailors; Phuc Thanh Pagoda, the oldest in Hoi An (1454); the Japanese Covered Bridge built in 1593; the old alleys, museums, and ancient wooden houses dating back hundreds of years.

Relaxation on the beautiful beaches of the East Sea (Cua Dai, An Bang...) or a stroll through the surrounding countryside where there are several traditional villages (vegetables, ceramics, woodworking...).

 Return to the hotel for the night in Hoi An.

Following breakfast, we'll embark on a scenic road journey to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam.

Our route will take us through the Hai Van Pass, famously known as the "Pass of Ocean Clouds," offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Along the way, we'll make a stop at the picturesque Lang Co Beach for a photo opportunity. 
Our journey will also include a visit to the unique roadside cemeteries, often referred to as "Ghost Villages," featuring tomb-castles sculpted in various Asian architectural styles. Upon arrival in Hue, we'll transfer to the hotel for check-in, subject to availability. Later in the afternoon, we'll embark on a city tour, beginning with a visit to the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where the Nguyen Dynasty once ruled from 1802 to 1945. We'll also explore the Royal Museum and browse the vibrant Dong Ba Market. 
After our tour, we'll return to the hotel for an overnight stay in Hue.

After breakfast, we'll embark on a boat trip along the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, an iconic symbol of Hue. Alternatively, we may visit the serene Tu Hieu Pagoda, known for its tranquil ambiance and historical significance. Depending on the timing, we may have the opportunity to witness a prayer session conducted by the resident monks. 
Our tour will also include a visit to the Tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, renowned for its elegant architecture and tranquil surroundings. We'll then stop at Thuy Xuan Village, famous for its traditional incense-making techniques, before visiting the royal tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh, showcasing a fusion of Vietnamese and European architectural styles. In the afternoon, we'll transfer to the airport for our flight to Ho Chi Minh City. 
Upon arrival, we'll be greeted by our Spanish-speaking guide and transferred to the hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day will be free for leisure, allowing us to explore the vibrant city at our own pace. 
Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

Our day will commence with a guided tour of Ho Chi Minh City, still affectionately referred to as Saigon by many locals. We'll visit the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral, constructed entirely with materials imported from France, and the historic Central Post Office, designed by renowned architect Gustave Eiffel. 
Our tour will also include a visit to the City People's Committee Headquarters, formerly known as the Central City Hall, and the Museum of Traditional Vietnamese Medicine, offering insights into the country's rich medical heritage. We'll then take a leisurely stroll along Dong Khoi Street, past the City Hall and Opera House, immersing ourselves in the city's colonial-era charm. 
The remainder of the day will be at leisure, allowing us to further explore the city's vibrant streets or indulge in some shopping at the local markets. 
Have a night stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast, we'll embark on an unforgettable journey to the Mekong Delta, a region known as the "rice bowl" of Vietnam. Our scenic drive will take us to Ben Tre, located in the heart of the delta's network of waterways. Upon arrival, we'll embark on a boat trip along the Mekong River to Mo Cay, a charming rural area renowned for its coconut trade and traditional craftsmanship.
We'll explore the lush greenery of the coconut palm-covered island by bicycle or Xe loi (motorized cycle), traversing scenic paths that offer a glimpse into local life. Our adventure will continue with a peaceful rowing boat ride along the narrow waterways, providing us with an intimate insight into the delta's unique ecosystem. We'll visit a traditional village and enjoy a warm welcome from the local residents, who will share their customs and traditions with us. Afterward, we'll return to Ho Chi Minh City, where the evening will be at leisure. 
Overnight stay in Ho Chi Minh City.

Today marks the conclusion of our unforgettable journey through Vietnam and Thailand. After breakfast, we'll have some free time to relax or explore the city independently. Later, at the designated time, we'll transfer to the airport for our international departure flight, taking with us cherished memories of our time spent exploring these captivating destinations.