The Ultimate Exploration: Thailand and Vietnam in 18 Days

After breakfast, begin exploring Bangkok, one of the busiest capitals in Southeast Asia.

• Visit the Grand Palace, Thailand's most important landmark, where you will be impressed by the grandeur and majesty of the building and its throne rooms.
• Admire the mysterious Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in the country.
• Visit Wat Pho along the way, the largest and oldest temple in Bangkok, famous for its 45-meter reclining Buddha statue.
• We will then visit Wat Traimit, which is well-known for the Golden Buddha.
• Board a long-tail boat to sail along the Chao Phraya River before entering a klong, staying away from the heavily touristy areas. Stop at Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn.

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

Depart early to visit the Maeklong market, located on the railway tracks very close to the train terminus. Walk along the rails to explore the vibrant market and witness how quickly the merchants fold up their stalls in preparation for the train, which is scheduled to pass around 8:30 a.m.

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

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

Return to Bangkok and enjoy some free time to relax.

Overnight stay in Bangkok.

Begin your day with a delightful breakfast at the hotel, preparing you for the exciting journey ahead.

Take the morning flight from Bangkok to Chiang Rai.

Travel to the Golden Triangle, a historic area known for opium cultivation. Situated at the crossroads of Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand, the Golden Triangle is nestled amidst beautiful mountain scenery.

En route, visit the old town of Chiang Saen and its ancient temples: Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Pasak.

Next, enjoy a boat ride on the Mekong River, at the intersection of three countries.

Indulge in a leisurely lunch, savoring the flavors of the region at your own pace.

In the afternoon, delve deeper into the region's history with a visit to the Opium House. This captivating museum offers a fascinating insight into the culture of poppy cultivation and the complex history of opium in the area.

Return to Chiang Rai, where you'll check in to your accommodation and enjoy some well-deserved relaxation time. Later, savor a delicious dinner before retiring for the night at the hotel, filled with memories of your day's adventures in the Golden Triangle.

In the morning, embark on a boat excursion to explore the renowned Golden Triangle, a region famous for its land borders with Myanmar and Laos, offering magnificent views of the Mekong River.

Depart for Chiang Saen, where you'll board a motorboat to cruise along the Khong River, marking the border between Thailand and Laos. Arrive at the Golden Triangle, where the three countries of Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand converge. Disembark and proceed to Chiang Mai, often referred to as the "Rose of the North".

Upon arrival, visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, an iconic site in Chiang Mai where sacred relics of Buddha are enshrined in a revered spot within the golden stupa. Legend has it that in the 14th century, an elephant chose the location for this pagoda, which sits atop a 1,000-meter hill overlooking the city. Accessible via a staircase of 300 steps adorned with two colossal nagas, this site also houses a 22-meter chedi covered in gold leaf, marking the spot where the elephant carrying Buddha's relics died. The location offers a panoramic view of Chiang Mai that is not to be missed.

Arrive in Chiang Mai and spend the night at the hotel.

Today, we'll explore the lush jungle surroundings as we explore an elephant training camp nestled amidst nature. Transfer to the camp and the outskirts of Chiang Mai to visit the Baan Chang Elephant Camp. Far from being a mere tourist attraction, Baan Chang offers "responsible" activities and courses that prioritize the well-being and respect of these majestic creatures. You'll learn about elephant behavior and care practices, feeding them their favorite treats of bananas and sugarcane.

Continue the visit with an elephant ride through the verdant jungle without a basket.

Enjoy lunch featuring local specialties.

In the afternoon, partake in the magical experience of bathing elephants, a moment that will surely leave you in awe. Return to Chiang Mai and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Stay the night at Chiang Mai.

Spend a day exploring the rich heritage of Chiang Mai, a city founded in the 13th century that reflects a blend of Lanna, Siamese, and Burmese cultures.

Begin with a walking tour of the old city, stopping at the ancient city wall, moat, and an old city gate. You'll have the opportunity to admire some of Chiang Mai's most exquisite temples, such as Wat Phra Singh, Wat Phan Tao, and Wat Chedi Luang.

Next, stroll through picturesque streets lined with traditional houses and enjoy a ride in a rickshaw. Your exploration will lead you to the bustling Warorot Central Market.

In the afternoon, ascend Doi Suthep hill, offering splendid panoramic views of the city and surrounding countryside.

You can reach the top by climbing 290 steps or taking a cable car, where a golden chedi houses the revered Buddha relics.

Your overnight stay will be in Chiang Mai.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. At the designated time, transfer to the airport for your flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will be greeted by your English-speaking guide at the airport and transferred to the hotel for check-in, subject to availability.

Enjoy free time to explore the city on your own. Accommodation in Hanoi.

After breakfast, embark on a discovery of Hanoi's most notable cultural sites and historical monuments, including Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the stilt house, One Pillar Pagoda, Tran Quoc Temple, and Temple of Literature - the country's first university founded in 1070. Enjoy lunch featuring "Cha Ca" (grilled fish noodles), a typical Vietnamese dish.

In the afternoon, wander through Hanoi's Old Quarter, known for its "36 streets and 36 alleys," where streets are named after the predominant products sold there, such as Paper Street, Sugar Street, Silver Street, etc. Indulge in a cup of egg coffee or a glass of beer.

Return to the hotel for accommodation.

Departure towards Ninh Binh – a land of limestone rocks, sugarloaf mountains, and rice fields inundated by rivers and lakes year-round. After a 2-hour drive, we arrive in Ninh Binh province. 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 under three caves at the foot of limestone peaks.

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

Lastly, we will visit Hoa Lu – chosen as the ancient capital of Dai Co Viet (the old name of Vietnam), with the vestiges of temples from the Dinh and Le dynasties.

Overnight in Ninh Binh.

Departure towards Halong, Vietnam's most beautiful bay and one of Asia's most magical landscapes. Embark aboard a traditional junk boat, greeted by the crew, and set sail for a magnificent cruise through the bay. Visit Bai Tu Long (the northern part of Halong Bay):

• Admire the picturesque islands and islets with various shapes (veil, dog, rooster, incense...).
• Explore the splendid caves of Halong Bay, including Thien Canh Son, home to stalagmites and stalactites dating back thousands of years.
• Continue the cruise to Cap La, where you can kayak and swim in the sublime waters of the bay (weather permitting).
• As the evening falls, relax on the upper deck of the junk.
• Participate in an onboard cooking demonstration, learning to prepare nems or spring rolls.
• Enjoy lunch and dinner onboard.

Enjoy free time in the afternoon for personal rest and relaxation: card games, night fishing...

Overnight onboard.

Early in the morning, wake up to witness the sunrise emerging over the bay's islands. Take a boat ride to discover deserted beaches and the picturesque Ca tunnel, Ba Ham Lake. Continue the cruise to the lesser-known parts of Halong Bay.

Lunch on the junk, then disembark and return to Hanoi.

In the afternoon, catch a flight to Da Nang, a central city in Central Vietnam. Upon arrival, be greeted by a driver and transferred to Hoi An, a quaint ancient town located about 30 kilometers south of Da Nang.

Overnight in Hoi An.

The morning is dedicated to exploring the ancient port city of Hoi An. Take a stroll through the old town to visit must-see attractions: the Fujian Assembly Hall, Phuc Thanh Pagoda, the Japanese Covered Bridge built in 1593, old alleyways, museums, and ancient wooden houses dating back hundreds of years.

In the afternoon, embark on a bicycle excursion to discover the countryside of Hoi An, where rice paddies, small villages, shrimp farms, and vegetable gardens abound. Stop along the way at the village of Cam Chau, visit a lantern-making factory, and learn about the traditional lantern-making process: bamboo weaving, dyeing, papermaking, followed by an introduction to traditional techniques.

Return to Hoi An by late afternoon. Overnight in Hoi An.

Next, travel by road to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam, via the Hai Van Pass (Pass of the Ocean Clouds) and the beautiful Lang Co Beach, where we'll make a stop for photos. Also, stop at the picturesque roadside cemeteries: known as "Ghost Villages," these cemeteries contain sets of sculpted castle-like tombs of various Asian architectures, resembling luxurious cities from afar.

Upon arrival, transfer to the hotel for check-in, subject to availability. In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel, where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled from 1802 to 1945, its Royal Museum, and the exotic Dong Ba Market. Return to the hotel for the night in Hue.

Today, we'll take a boat trip on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, the most beautiful and visited pagoda in Hue, or the tranquil Tu Hieu Pagoda, where the tombs of eunuchs from the Nguyen Dynasty are located. Depending on the time, there is a possibility to witness the monks' prayer session. We continue with the Royal Tomb of King Tu Duc. Closer to Tu Duc's tomb, stop at Thuy Xuan village, a traditional incense-making village, where you'll have the opportunity to take colorful photos. Lastly, we'll visit the Royal Tomb of King Khai Dinh and admire its architecture inspired by French design.

At the designated time, transfer to the airport for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival at the airport in Ho Chi Minh City, you'll be greeted by your English-speaking guide and transferred to the hotel for check-in, subject to availability.

Stay the night and get ready for the next engergetic morning.

We begin our exploration of the dynamic city of Ho Chi Minh, still known as Saigon by many locals. We'll visit Notre Dame Cathedral and the old Post Office, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Headquarters - the former Central City Hall, the most beautiful colonial building in the city, and the Traditional Medicine Museum of Vietnam: a treasure trove of documents, objects, and instruments related to local medicine. Return to the city center and stroll from the City Hall to the Opera House and Dong Khoi Street (if time permits).

Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Depart for the Mekong Delta, a land of half land and half water in the southernmost part of the country.

Arrive in Ben Tre, a bustling city located in the heart of the northern river arms. Take a boat ride along the rivers to reach Mo Cay, a small rural area still relatively untouched by tourism, well-known for its coconut trade and production of coconut-related products: coconut candy, coconut thread, activated charcoal from coconut...

Take a bike or Xe loi (motorized tricycle) ride on the lush green island covered with coconut palms. Away from mass tourism, the route leads you along small paths, under the shade of coconut trees, offering a particularly poetic landscape. Stop at farms to observe the making of coconut candies and brooms.

Continue with a rowing boat ride through the creeks surrounded by water palms, immersing yourself in the daily life of the delta. Visit Mr. Van's traditional house, taste local specialties made by his wife: coconut jam, honey tea, and pollen... and have beautiful encounters with the local population.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Enjoy a free morning in Ho Chi Minh City until the designated time, then transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for your international departure flight.

Until next time!