Do we need visas for Vietnam and Thailand?

The two countries have separate rules, so check both. For Vietnam, citizens of the United Kingdom and of most western European countries enter without a visa for up to 45 days. Citizens of the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand are not on the exemption list and need an e-visa, applied for online through the Vietnamese immigration authorities, which allows up to 90 days with multiple entries. For Thailand, most travellers from Europe, North America and Australia enter without a visa, but the rules changed on 15 September 2026 and the visa-free stay is now 30 days rather than 60. One extension of up to 30 further days can be requested at a Thai immigration office for 1,900 baht. We help with these procedures when you book, but entry rules change, so please confirm the current position for your own nationality before booking flights. Last checked: September 2026.

When is the best time to travel to Vietnam and Thailand together?

November to April suits both countries. Vietnam runs 2,000 km from north to south and the regions do not share a season, so October to November and mid-March to May are usually the most comfortable overall, while July and August are hot at 30 to 35 degrees though Ha Long Bay is often sunny and the northern rice terraces are at their greenest. Thailand's dry season runs from November to February, which is also its busiest and most expensive period. Thailand's rains fall from mid-May to mid-October and are heaviest in August and September: if you are travelling then, the Gulf islands such as Koh Samui and Koh Phangan usually have better weather than Phuket and Krabi.

How many days do you need for Vietnam and Thailand together?

Twelve days is the practical minimum, and it means choosing one part of Vietnam rather than the whole country, usually the north with Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, plus Bangkok and one Thai region. Fifteen to eighteen days is the comfortable length: enough for Vietnam from north to south and for Bangkok with either the northern hills around Chiang Mai or a few nights on a southern island. Three weeks lets you do both without leaving anything out.

Can I choose my own dates and change the itinerary?

Yes to both. There are no fixed departures, so you set the period that suits you or the dates that give you the best flight prices. The itineraries on this page are starting points: a travel consultant adjusts the route, the hotels and the pace around your dates, your interests and your budget until it fits.

How far in advance should I book?

There is no deadline, but most of our clients book four to six months ahead. Booking early matters more on a two-country trip than on a single-country one, because the internal flights and the better-regarded hotels in both countries fill up first, and a gap in either half affects the whole route.

Is travel insurance included in the price?

No. Travel insurance is not included and you need to arrange it yourself. Most of our travellers take a policy with a large international insurer or with a company in their own country. Cover is not expensive and is worth having on a trip that crosses two countries and includes internal flights.

How is the price calculated and what does it include?

Quoted prices are based on a group of four travellers staying in standard hotels, and they do not include international flights. Because the trips are private, the final price depends on when you travel, the category of hotels you choose and above all the number of people in your group: the same itinerary costs less per person for a group of six than for a couple. Send us your dates and group size and we will put together a detailed quote.