Holidays in Vietnam and Thailand 15 days

After breakfast, embark on a journey along the Chao Phraya River, known as the "River of Kings," to visit three of Thailand's oldest temples. Cruise through the bustling inner canals of Thonburi to witness the locals' vibrant waterfront life. Stop at the Royal Barges National Museum and Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn), adorned with glazed mosaics.

Afterwards, visit the Wat Traimit temple known for its Golden Buddha. Departure to visit the Royal Palace founded in 1782 by King Rama I. The Palace wall protects an area of ​​259 hectares. Next, discover Wat Phra Kaew (or Temple of the Emerald Buddha) which is actually the Royal Chapel of the Grand Palace along with the Emerald Buddha Statue, the most famous and revered statue in Thailand. We continue with the temple of Wat Pho and its impressive Reclining Buddha, the largest in Thailand. Around the temple there are Chinese statues representing royal guards in different postures. 

Return to the hotel to rest. Spend the night in Bangkok.

Early departure to visit the Maeklong market, located on the train tracks very close to its terminus. Walk along the tracks to explore the lively market and witness merchants quickly clearing their stalls in preparation for the train, which is scheduled to pass by around 8:30 a.m.

Next, head to the small Samut Songkhran market, where you'll take a beautiful canoe ride along the Grand Canal and then through smaller canals, providing an authentic glimpse of rural Asia just outside Bangkok. The approximately one-hour tour will culminate in the heart of the Damnoen Saduak floating market.

Explore this traditional market, bustling with vendors offering a variety of products, including food, flowers, plants and even animals.

Have a peaceful night at the hotel.

Take the morning flight from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, you will be warmly welcomed by our driver and comfortably installed in your hotel.
A day dedicated to exploring the rich heritage of Chiang Mai, a city founded in the 13th century, reflecting a blend of Lanna, Siamese and Burmese cultures.
Start with a walking tour of the old city, with stops at the old wall, the moat and an old city gate. You will have the opportunity to admire some of the most exquisite temples in Chiang Mai, such as Wat Phra Singh, Wat Phan Tao and Wat Chedi Luang.
Afterwards, stroll through picturesque streets lined with traditional houses and enjoy a rickshaw ride. Your exploration will take you to the bustling Warorot Central Market.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.

We will spend the day exploring an elephant training camp nestled in the middle of the jungle. Transfer to the camp and the fields on the outskirts of Chiang Mai to visit the Baan Chang elephant camp. Far from being a banal elephant camp and a tourist factory, Baan Chang offers activities and programs that are focused on responsible and ethical treatment of elephants, showing respect for these magnificent animals. We will learn about the animal and how to care for them. The elephants are fed bananas and sugar cane, their favorite food. We will continue the visit with a ride on an elephant through the lush jungle without a basket.

We will have lunch of local specialties.

In the afternoon, participation in the elephant bath, a magical moment that will surprise you. Return to Chiang Mai, rest of the day free to relax. 

Night in Chiang Mai.

Have a hearty breakfast at the hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport to take the flight to Hanoi. Arrive in Hanoi, reception by your English-speaking guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel to check in according to availability.

Free time to explore the city on your own.

Stay for the night in Hanoi.

After enjoying breakfast, we embark on a journey to explore the rich cultural heritage and historical landmarks of Hanoi. Our itinerary includes visits to the iconic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the charming house on stilts, the elegant One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Temple, and the prestigious Temple of Literature, which holds the distinction of being the country's first university, established in 1070.

For lunch, we indulge in a delicious serving of "Cha Ca", a traditional Vietnamese dish featuring grilled fish noodles.

In the afternoon, we stroll through the enchanting Old Quarter of Hanoi, famed for its labyrinthine network of "36 streets", each named after the predominant products sold there, such as Paper Street, Sugar Street, and Silver Street. Here, we have the opportunity to savor a cup of delectable egg coffee or enjoy a refreshing glass of local beer.

As the day draws to a close, we return to our hotel for a relaxing evening.

Departure to Ninh Binh - land of limestone rocks, sugar loaves and rice fields flooded by rivers and lakes all year round. After 2 hours by car, we arrive in Ninh Binh province.
We embark on a boat on the Ngo Dong River to take the Tam Coc ride, also known as the "Halong Bay on land". This long river winds its way through rice fields, sugar loaves and passes under three caves at the foot of limestone peaks.

A vast landscaped area including sugar loaf rock formations, rice fields and rivers. Boat trips on the Ngo Dong River, through the sugar loaves, will allow you to fully enjoy the lush surrounding nature.

We continue with the visit of the Mua Cave (Hang Mua in Vietnamese), climbing 486 stone steps to the top, this bell-shaped mountain will give you a panoramic view of the Tam Coc region.

Mua Cave in Ninh Binh is a tourist area in the core of Trang An scenic complex. Mua Cave is located at the foot of Mua Mountain with the shape of a large bell face upside down, about 800m2 wide. 

Finally, we will visit Hoa Lu - chosen as the ancient capital of Dai Co Viet (ancient name of Vietnam), with the remains of the temples of the kings of the Dinh and Le dynasties.
Spend the night in Ninh Binh.

We set off towards Halong, renowned as Vietnam's most breathtaking bay and one of Asia's most enchanting landscapes. As we board a traditional junk boat, the crew extends a warm welcome, marking the beginning of our extraordinary cruise through the bay. Our journey takes us to Bai Tu Long, the northern expanse of Halong Bay, where we'll:

• Marvel at the picturesque islands and islets, each with its unique shapes like veils, dogs, roosters, and incense.
• Explore the magnificent caves of Halong Bay, including Thien Canh Son, adorned with stalagmites and stalactites dating back thousands of years.
• Continue our cruise to Cap La, offering opportunities for kayaking and swimming in the bay's pristine waters, weather permitting.
• As the sun sets, we unwind on the upper deck of the junk, soaking in the tranquility of the surroundings.
• Engage in an onboard cooking demonstration, mastering the art of crafting nems or spring rolls.
• Indulge in delectable onboard lunches and dinners.
• Enjoy leisure time in the afternoon for personal relaxation, whether it's playing cards or trying your hand at night fishing.

Retire for the night onboard, cradled by the gentle lull of the bay.

With the dawn breaking over the bay, we rise early to witness the captivating sunrise illuminating the bay's islands. Embark on a boat excursion to uncover deserted beaches and the charming Ca tunnel and Ba Ham Lake before continuing our cruise to Halong Bay's hidden gems. Later, we:

Delight in a delicious lunch aboard the junk before disembarking and returning to Hanoi.
Catch a flight to Da Nang in the afternoon, where a friendly driver awaits to whisk us away to Hoi An, a quaint ancient town nestled 30 kilometers south of Da Nang.
Settle in for the night in Hoi An, ready to explore its timeless charm.

Spend the morning immersing ourselves in the allure of Hoi An's ancient port city. Wander through its historic streets to uncover treasures such as the Fujian Sanctuary, Phuc Thanh Pagoda, and the iconic Japanese Bridge, a testament to the town's rich cultural heritage.
In the afternoon, embark on a leisurely bicycle tour through Hoi An's idyllic countryside, where lush rice fields, quaint villages, and vibrant orchards await. Pause at Cam Chau village to visit a lantern workshop, gaining insight into the intricate craft of lantern making through traditional techniques.
Return to Hoi An as the sun begins to dip below the horizon, concluding our day of exploration.
Retire for the night in Hoi An, filled with memories of the day's adventures.

Enjoy a hearty breakfast at the hotel before bidding farewell to Hoi An as we head to the airport.
Board a flight from Hoi An to Phuket, with a brief layover in Bangkok, marking the beginning of our next adventure.
Settle into our accommodation in Phuket, ready to uncover the treasures of this tropical paradise.

During your 2 free days in Phuket, we suggest the following activities for your reference:

• Phang Nga Bay: Located 85 km from Phuket, famous for its karst peaks and Koh Tapu, known as "James Bond Island." Explore natural caves, visit the fishing village of Ko Panyi, and enjoy boat excursions, canoeing, or kayaking.
• Phi Phi Archipelago: Famous for Maya Bay from "The Beach," offering jungle trekking, Viking Cave, and excellent snorkeling spots. Closed to the public but expected to reopen from 2022.
• Similan Archipelago: A national park with granite islands, great for hiking and renowned as a top snorkeling and diving destination. Offers 30 notable sites to explore underwater.
• Patong: A vibrant area with bars, restaurants, and leisure activities like parasailing, tubing, and lively nightlife.
• Phuket Old Town: Stroll through Sino-Portuguese style buildings, visit local craft shops, museums, and historical sites like the Blue Elephant Mansion.
• Beautiful Beaches: Relax on stunning beaches like Rawai, Nai Harn, Patong, Kata, Karon, Ya Nui, Kamala, Surin, Nai Thon, and Banana.
• Wat Srisoonthorn and Samnak Song Nai Harn: Visit Wat Srisoonthorn with a reclining Buddha and the serene Samnak Song Nai Harn Monastery.
• Phuket Shows: Enjoy cultural performances at the Fantasea theme park and cabaret shows featuring flashy costumes and diverse acts by dancers and artists.

Depending on your flight schedule, you will fly back to Bangkok for your return journey, marking the conclusion of your Thailand and Vietnam route.

--- We wish you a safe trip and hope you've had a wonderful experience! ---