20 Fascinating Days in Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand

A day dedicated to exploring Hanoi's most remarkable cultural sites and historical monuments:

• The Temple of Literature, a symbol of feudal education and one of Hanoi's iconic landmarks.

Built 1000 years ago, this Confucian temple served as an institution where royal offspring and sons of mandarins received their education. It also hosted competitions for the country's most talented students, with the winners attaining the status of scholars and senior officials in Vietnamese feudal dynasties.

• Visit Ba Dinh Square, the location of the former palace of the Indochina governor, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, and his residence.
• Explore the Ethnography Museum, home to a vast collection of 25,000 ancient and contemporary artifacts that provide insights into the history of local populations.
• In the evening, enjoy a water puppet show – a distinctive feature of the Vietnamese culture.

Colorful wooden puppets are skillfully manipulated by the artists using rods and bamboo shafts underwater. It is a unique and captivating art form unique to the Northern Vietnamese tradition.

Transfer to the station for the night train to Lao Cai, capital of the northeastern mountains  .

Night in sleeping cabin.

Head out on a journey to Halong Bay, often hailed as the most stunning bay in Vietnam and one of the most enchanting landscapes in all of Asia. Step aboard  a traditional junk upon arrival and receive a warm welcome from the crew. Set sail for an unforgettable cruise across the bay, where you'll have the opportunity to explore the northern part of Halong Bay, known as Bai Tu Long:

We provide shared junks, typically smaller in size with 10 to 12 cabins, suitable for hosting around twenty passengers. Alternatively, you have the choice of selecting a private cruise on a smaller junk, offering one or a few cabins, for a truly unforgettable experience. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us if you're interested in this option.

• Enjoy the breathtaking beauty of the picturesque islands and islets, each with its unique shapes resembling sails, dogs, roosters, and incense burners.
• Explore the stunning caves of Halong Bay, including Thien Canh Son, which houses stalagmites and stalactites dating back several thousand years.
• The cruise then continues to Cap La, where you can embark on a kayaking adventure and take a refreshing swim in the bay's pristine waters, weather permitting

End of the afternoon, relaxing on the upper deck of the junk.

Participation in a culinary demonstration on board, preparation of spring rolls or spring rolls.

Tasty seafood lunch and dinner.

Free evening for your personal rest and relaxation: card games, night fishing…

Night on board.

Wake up at dawn to witness a breathtaking spectacle: the sun's initial rays piercing through the myriad sugarloaf islets of the bay. Join us for a Tai Chi session on the terrace, creating a serene and unforgettable moment.

Our cruise continues, venturing into the lesser-explored corners of Halong Bay. We'll explore the magnificent caves of Halong Bay, including Thien Canh Son, home to ancient stalagmites and stalactites that have been forming for thousands of years.

Lunch will be served on the junk before we disembark and return to Hanoi.

In the evening, we'll take a flight to Danang. Arrival, reception by your English-speaking guide at the airport and transfer to the hotel in Hoi An (30km) to check in.

Take a leisure. Night in Hoi An.

We have a full day in one of Vietnam’s most atmospheric and historical town. Once a major port in the Central coast of Vietnam, it inherits the ancient architecture and beguiling riverside setting that offers tourists a throwback to the past. 

In this day we visit: 

• Phuc Kien temple: although it’s still referred to as an assembly hall by many, the buildings and grounds have long been used as a temple to worship goddess who protects fishermen and sailors by the descendants of Chinese families in Hoi An. 
• Phuc Thanh pagoda: the most ancient one of it kind in Hoi An (Since 1454)
• Japanese bridge: Built in 1593 which connects Chinese and Japanese area in the town. 
• Old alley and ancient houses which are witnesses of hundred years gone by
• Shops where colorful silk and lantern can be found. Tourists might me amazed by the speedy service for tailor made clothes. It is rare chance for you to buy clothes which specially made by your size within just 24 hours,...

And chill out in your free time. 

Following a hearty breakfast, please complete your check-out process, and our driver will escort you to Da Nang Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

In the afternoon, we start to visit the dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many local people, including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the old Post Office, the Headquarters of the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City - the old Central City Hall, the most beautiful colonial building in the city

The we will visit the Museum of Traditional Medicine of Vietnam: a treasure of documents, objects and instruments of a wide variety related to local medicine. Return to the city center and walk from City Hall to the Opera House and Dong Khoi Street (weather permitting). 

Back to the hotel. 

Night in Ho Chi Minh City.

Depart for the Mekong Delta, a unique region that combines both land and water, situated in the southernmost part of Vietnam.

The Mekong Delta, also known as the Southwestern region or the Western region, is famous for its beautiful natural landscape and rice growing tradition, with the Mekong River as a major water source.

Upon arrival in Ben Tre, a significant town located in the heart of the northern branches of the river, embark on a boat journey along the waterways to reach Mo Cay, a less-visited rural area celebrated for its coconut trade and the production of various coconut-based products like coconuts, coconut threads, and activated coconut charcoal.

You'll have the option of a bike ride or a ride on a Xe loi (motorized cycle) through the lush green island, densely adorned with coconut plantations. This route, away from the hustle and bustle of mass tourism, leads you along narrow paths beneath the shade of coconut trees, creating a particularly picturesque landscape. Make stops at local farms to observe the production of sweets and coconut brooms.

Continue your adventure with a journey in a small rowing boat, meandering through canals lined with water palm trees, providing you with a glimpse into the daily life of the delta's residents. Visit Mr. Van's traditional house and savor local specialties crafted by his wife, including coconut jam, honey tea, and pollen. You'll also have the opportunity to engage with the warm-hearted local population, fostering memorable encounters. 

Continue on to the city of Can Tho. 

Enjoy free time at your leisure until your flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap.

Siem Reap, which translates to the "Defeat of Siam," is the most thriving region in modern Cambodia. Its close proximity to the Angkor Wat temple complex has transformed the city into one of the world's foremost travel destinations.

Spend the night in Siem Reap as you begin your adventures in this remarkable city.

Day dedicated to the discovery of the mystical temples of Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom - the ancient capital of the Khmer Empire (9th-15th centuries):

• The temples of Angkor Wat - dedicated to Vishnu, the supreme god of Hinduism, considered the masterpiece of Khmer art and architecture.
• The temples of Angkor Thom - a 10 km² walled city that once housed a million people. Visit the enormous statues of the South Gate, the Terrace of the Elephant, the Terrace of the Leper King and the famous Bayon temple made up of 54 gigantic towers with 216 faces of Avalokitesvara, the most important goddess of Buddhism.
• Return to Siem Reap in the late afternoon.
• In the evening, dinner and Apsara music and dance show at a charming local restaurant.

Night in Siem Riep.

Morning:

• Explore the ancient 9th Century Bakong Temple and embark on an engaging boat trip on the Tonlé Sap Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia.
• Discover the authentic stilted village of Kampong Phluck and enjoy a local boat ride, with opportunities to witness the unique lifestyle of those living among the flooded mangrove forest.

Free afternoon. Night in Siem Reap.

After breakfast at the hotel, transfer to the airport to take the flight to Bangkok. Arrival in Bangkok, meet your Spanish-speaking guide and transfer to the hotel to check in according to availability.

Free time to go out and explore the city on your own.

Night in Bangkok.

After breakfast, board a long-tail boat and begin your journey along the Chao Praya River (meaning River of Kings) to visit 3 of the oldest temples in Thailand. Travel via many of the bustling inland canals along the Thonburi coast for a fantastic view of local waterside life.

• Visit the Royal Barges National Museum, and Wat Arun (the Temple of Dawn), 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.

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.

Afterward, 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.

After breakfast, transfer to the airport to take the flight to Chiang Rai.

Meeting with the local guide upon arrival and departure to discover Chiang Mai.

Meet the local guide upon arrival and depart to the outskirts of Chiang Rai to visit the famous Wat Rong Khun, also known as the "White Temple", famous throughout Asia for its modern Thai architecture.

Return to the center of Chiang Rai and visit the most important temples in the city: Wat Phra Kaew and Wat Phra Sing.

Hotel accommodation.

In the morning, boat excursion to discover the famous Golden Triangle, a region famous for its land borders with Burma and Laos, with a magnificent view of the Mekong River.

Depart for Chiang Saen, board a speedboat to visit the Khong River that marks the border between Thailand and Laos.

Arrival at the Golden Triangle, visit the meeting point of the three countries, Burma, Laos and Thailand.
Disembark, and travel to Chiang Mai called "Rose of the North".

Visit upon arrival to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, an emblematic place in Chiang Mai where the sacred relics of Buddha are located in a sacred place in the golden stupa.

According to legend, it was in the 14th century that an elephant chose the location of this pagoda, which overlooks the city from the top of a 1,000-meter hill.

It is accessed by a 300-step staircase whose ramps represent two gigantic nagas.
In the same place where the pachyderm carrying Buddha's relics died, a 22-meter-high chedi covered in gold leaf was built.

The place offers a panoramic view of Chiang Mai that should not be missed.

Accommodation in Chiang Mai.

Spend an unforgettable day with Thailand's elephants in the picturesque mountains of Chiang Mai.

You'll be welcomed by an English-speaking guide at your hotel, and then depart by car, heading approximately 1.5 hours south of Chiang Mai, passing through hills, forests, and local agricultural areas.

Upon arrival at the sanctuary, take a walk through the jungle to reach the elephant jungle sanctuary. Your guide will provide you with information about elephant anatomy, history, and behavior.

Next, don traditional Karen clothing, listen to your guide for more insights about the Sanctuary, grab some bananas and sugar canes, and you'll be ready to meet the elephants!

Learning to know the animals and take care of them are the key words of this camp.

The elephants are fed bananas and sugar cane, their favorite food.

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

Have lunch with 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 rest.

Night in hotel.

Breakfast at hotel. At the indicated time, transfer to the airport to take the flight to Phuket. Arrival in Phuket, reception by your local guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in based on availability.

Accommodation in Phuket.

Breakfast at hotel. Free day to relax, sunbathe and enjoy the beauty of the beach in Phuket.

You can choose to visit the islands of Koh Phi Phi on your own. 

Accommodation in Phuket.

Breakfast at hotel. Free day to relax, sunbathe and enjoy the beauty of the beach in Phuket.

After breakfast, free day until the indicated time, transfer to the airport in Phuket to take the international departure flight. 

This marks the end of our trip. See you next time!