Best of Vietnam and Thailand Holiday 16 Days

Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam’s captivating capital, where the charm of its French colonial history mingles seamlessly with the energetic buzz of modern Asia. In this city, you’ll discover a blend of traditional architecture, serene lakes, and the constant movement of countless motorbikes, alongside a thriving cosmopolitan scene with trendy restaurants and boutiques.

You will be met on arrival at Hanoi International Airport with a welcome signboard with your names on it and a private transfer to your selected hotel, allowing you to settle in and start exploring the city at your own pace, either by enjoying the hotel amenities or venturing out for your initial taste of Hanoi’s unique atmosphere.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Today, your private guide and driver will take you on a tour of Hanoi’s top attractions, followed by an exploration of authentic local cuisine away from the usual tourist spots. Begin your day at the Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex, exploring the Mausoleum and his House on Stilts. Then, stroll through quaint lanes to Huu Tiep Lake and visit a centuries-old temple and the B52 crash site, a historical relic. Explore the Museum of Ethnology before enjoying a traditional Pho noodle soup for lunch and learn about local meal traditions.

In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature and Hoa Lo prison, and enjoy a captivating cyclo ride through the French colonial precinct, passing historic landmarks. Pause at Pho Co Café for Egg coffee with stunning views. Conclude the day with a walking tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter, immersing yourself in the vibrant street food scene. Sample delights like green papaya salad, Banh Mi Pa Te, and the iconic Bun Cha, all while seated on tiny plastic stools in charming back alleys.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Overnight in Hanoi.

After breakfast at your hotel, you leave Hanoi for Halong Bay. The journey is through the rich farmlands where you can observe everyday life of Vietnamese villagers. Arriving in Halong Bay in the late morning and you will board a traditional “junk” boat. You will begin a relaxing and unforgettable cruise around the breathtaking and unique limestone karsts and islets. A delicious fresh seafood lunch will be served as you cruise this spectacular bay, a UNESCO listed site.

Towards the end of the day the boat sets anchor for the night. As the sun sets over the bay, dinner is served with fresh seafood, salad, and fruit. You will spend the night in your private cabin aboard the junk in Halong Bay.

Notes: The program may differ slightly based on the junk cruise’s itinerary.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Overnight on cruise.

Begin your day with the serene practice of Tai Chi, a local custom that eases you into the morning. Join a ‘Local Specialist’ on the deck of the Junk boat amidst the exquisite natural surroundings. There’s time for an early morning swim at one of Halong Bay’s peaceful beaches, and for the more adventurous, take a kayak and paddle through the Dark and Bright Caves, admiring the glistening stone walls.

Return to the junk boat, check out of your cabin, and savor a sumptuous brunch buffet as you cruise back to port. Disembark around midday for your return journey to Hanoi, then our driver will transfer you from inner Hanoi city to the airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

When you arrive at Tan Son Nhat International airport, our representative will take you to the hotel. Relax after the flight and you will have the rest of day to explore vibrant Sai gon in the evening.

Meals included: Breakfast, Brunch.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

After breakfast, your guide and driver will take you to the outskirts of Saigon to visit the iconic Cu Chi Tunnels.

Originally constructed in 1948 as a refuge from French forces, these tunnels evolved into a complex network of underground hideouts used by the Viet Cong during the Vietnam War. Explore these tunnels, which served as living quarters, communication routes, hospitals, and storage for food and weapons.

During the tour you will have a chance to meet a Viet Cong veteran who once lived in these tunnels, gaining valuable insights into their history and the incredible resilience of the Vietnamese during wartime. With your translator-guide’s assistance, listen to the veteran’s firsthand experiences, painting a vivid picture of life in these subterranean hamlets during challenging times. Finish the tunnel tour and return to the city enjoying lunch at a local restaurant en route.

In the afternoon, explore the Notre Dame Cathedral and the adjacent Central Post Office, both rich in architectural beauty and history. Admire the red brick cathedral with twin spires and the 1891 Post Office.

Continue visit the former Presidential Palace, once the Saigon Government headquarters during the American War. Nearby, explore the War Remnants Museum, offering a poignant perspective on the war. (Note: Some exhibits are graphic.)

Experience Saigon’s famous street coffee culture with your guide, who will provide language insights and share the daily life of Saigonese residents.

Return to the hotel where the rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Overnight in HCM City.

After breakfast, embark on a two-hour drive to Ben Tre Town, the “rice bowl” of Vietnam in the Mekong Delta, famous for its rice fields, orchards, coconut trees, and waterways. Arriving in Ben Tre, take a motorized boat ride along the scenic Ben Tre River, visiting local factories making bricks and sleeping mats.

Explore the village, sampling dried fruits, honey tea, and enjoying local Tai Tu music. Visit a coconut mill where coconut candy is made. Hop on a small sampan boat to cruise palm-fringed canals, a peaceful escape from the city.

Experience local life on a Motor Cart (xe lôi) and enjoy a simple lunch at a local restaurant. The remainder of the day is yours to explore at your own pace. You may also consider joining our recommended optional activities for further exploration and enjoyment.

The tour ends at the pier where your driver awaits to transfer you back to the city. Spend the remainder of the day at your leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Overnight in HCM City.

After breakfast, check out and our driver will take you to the airport for your flight to Thailand. You’ll arrive at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok. After clearing immigration and collecting your luggage, you’ll be warmly greeted by our representative who will escort you to the hotel.

Once you arrive at the hotel, you’ll be assisted with the check-in process. After check-in, you’ll have the rest of the day to relax and explore Bangkok at your own pace.

You can choose to take a stroll through the bustling streets of Bangkok, visit the local markets, or indulge in some authentic Thai cuisine. Alternatively, you can simply relax and unwind in your comfortable hotel room.

Overnight in Bangkok.

After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll embark on a sightseeing tour of Bangkok to visit some of its most famous temples and landmarks.

Your first stop is Wat Traimit, also known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha. This temple is famous for its solid gold image of Buddha, which is 900 years old and weighs five-and-a-half tons.

Next, you’ll visit Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of the Dawn. This temple is one of the most well-known landmarks in Bangkok and is famous for its stunning architecture.

After that, you’ll visit Wat Pho, which is the largest and oldest temple in Bangkok. It is also the birthplace of traditional Thai massage. The temple is home to the largest single Buddha image, known as the Reclining Buddha (Phra Buddhasaiyas).

After lunch, you’ll continue to visit the most famous tourist places in Bangkok: the Royal Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha. The Grand Palace is adjacent to Wat Phra Kaew and features European-inspired designs (with the exception of the roof) that contrast with the traditional Thai style of Wat Phra Kaew.

After visiting the Grand Palace, you’ll return to your hotel and have the rest of the day to relax and explore Bangkok at your own pace.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Overnight in Bangkok.

Early this morning, we’ll pick you up from your hotel and take you to one of the most attractive floating markets in Thailand: the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to take a boat ride along the small canals and observe the local way of life.

During the boat ride, you’ll also visit a coconut farm and have a chance to taste some fresh coconut juice. Additionally, you’ll get to explore the market and sample a variety of seasonal fruits, such as rambutan, mangoes, papaya, and more.

After the market visit, we’ll drive you back to your hotel. You’ll have the rest of the day free to relax or go shopping in Bangkok.

Meals included: Breakfast.
Overnight in Bangkok.

Today, you’ll take a flight to northern Thailand, specifically to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, you’ll meet your tour guide and transfer to your hotel.

Later in the day, we’ll take you to visit one of Chiang Mai’s most sacred temples: Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, located on a hilltop and built in the Northern Thai style. The temple houses a holy relic of Lord Buddha and offers a stunning panoramic view of the entire city.

After the temple visit, we’ll transfer you back to your hotel where you’ll have free time to relax and explore on your own. In the evening, you’ll get to experience the famous “Khantoke Dinner,” also known as the northern welcome dinner, which includes traditional hill tribe dancing.

Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel. After breakfast, you will embark on a journey to the Elephant Camp where you will see elephants at work in a jungle area. You can witness the process of how elephants are trained to work with humans. Lunch will be served at the elephant camp, but please note that there will be no elephant ride.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy local handicraft bamboo rafting along the Mae Taeng River. After this, you will return to Chiang Mai with a stop at the Orchid Nursery. Finally, you will be transferred to your selected hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.

After breakfast, we will transfer to Mae Sai Border, which is one of the largest border markets in Thailand located at the Thai-Myanmar border. Here, you can explore a variety of products including local food, clothes, jewelry, silverware, precious stones, and more.

We will have lunch at a local restaurant before continuing our journey to the Golden Triangle. This is where the three borders of Laos, Myanmar, and Thailand meet, and it is also connected to China by boat. Historically, this route was used by the Chinese to deliver opium to Siam Country before spreading to other parts of the world.

We will also visit the Opium House located nearby, where you can learn about the history of opium, see galleries, accessories, and more related to opium use. After this, we will return to the hotel and you can spend the rest of the day at your leisure.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and then have free time to relax until it is time to transfer to the airport for your flight to Phuket. Upon arrival at Phuket airport, you will be greeted by our representative and transferred to your hotel. After checking in, you will have the rest of the day to yourself to explore and relax.

Meals included: Breakfast.
Overnight in Phuket.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will join a minivan transfer to the pier to board a speed boat for a trip to Phi Phi Island. The boat will depart from Chalong Pier at 7:00 am and head to Phi Phi Ley Island for swimming and sightseeing at “Maya Bay” (where the movie “The Beach” was filmed). You can also enjoy snorkeling and feeding the colorful fish at “Loh Samah Bay”, as well as sightseeing at “Peleh Cove” and “Viking Cave”.

At 12:00pm, you will arrive at “Phi Phi Don Island” where you can feed the monkeys with pieces of banana, followed by lunch on the island at 12:30pm. Afterward, at 2:00 pm, you will have the opportunity to swim in crystal clear waters, snorkel among plentiful coral reefs, and feed the fish at Monkey Beach.

At 3:00 pm, you will arrive at “Khai Nok Island” where you can enjoy activities such as swimming, sunbathing, and feeding the fish. The boat will then depart for Chalong Pier at 4:00 pm and you will be transferred back to your hotel.

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch.
Overnight in Phuket.

After enjoying your breakfast at the hotel, the day is yours to spend as you please. You can take the opportunity to relax on the beautiful beaches of Phuket or explore the island’s attractions at your own pace. Phuket has a lot to offer, from stunning temples and historical sites to shopping centers and exciting nightlife.

You may want to visit the Big Buddha, a massive 45-meter-high statue that sits atop a hill overlooking the island, or explore the charming old town with its colorful streets and Sino-Portuguese architecture. Alternatively, you can indulge in some retail therapy at the local markets or shopping centers.

In the evening, you can enjoy the lively nightlife of Phuket with its bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. However, if you prefer a more peaceful evening, you can relax at your hotel and enjoy the facilities available.

Meals included: Breakfast.
Overnight in Phuket.

Breakfast will be served at the hotel on the last day of the tour. After breakfast, you will have free time to relax and enjoy the surroundings until the time of your transfer to the airport in Phuket for your flight back to Bangkok, then via the international departure.