19 Days | Explore the hearts of Northern Thailand and Vietnam, from bustling cities to serene natural landscapes
Get to know the essence of local culture as you travel from the city streets to the mountain tops of Northern Thailand – a land of mouth-watering food, stunning landscapes, fascinating history and incredibly hospitable locals. Explore the ancient temples of Ayutthaya, spend time with Lisu hill tribes, meet the experts at an elephant sanctuary in Chiang Mai and uncover the country’s past in Kanchanaburi. Then, hit the streets of bustling Vietnam and take part in enriching local encounters as your leader shows you the soul of this diverse metropolis. Get lost in the districts of Hanoi, cruise past the limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay on an overnight cruise, discover the old-world charm of Hoi An and navigate the winding streets of Ho Chi Minh City. With an unbeatable mix of culture, cuisine and history, your Premium journey through two of Southeast Asia’s hotspots will surely surprise and delight.
Trip overview
- Start
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Finish
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- Vietnam, Thailand
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Premium
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 12
- Trip code
- TTPVC
Our best 4-star accommodation and the highest level of service
All must-see locations plus authentic experiences exclusive to Premium
Trips led by our most experienced and highest-rated local leaders
- Stay in the beautiful Lisu Lodge for your Feature Stay in Thailand. This community-based project employs Lisu villagers and allows you to immerse yourself in local culture while enjoying creature comforts.
- Support an important animal welfare initiative, speak with local experts and get close to incredible creatures at the Elephant Nature Park.
- Explore the cities of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with your local leader, who will help you uncover the vibrant mix of influences, from the French to Asian traders, settlers and Indigenous peoples.
- Enjoy an overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay on a boat as beautiful as its surroundings for your Feature Stay in Vietnam. Take in spectacular views while enjoying a candle-lit dinner on deck.
- Sit down to a soul-stirring Hat Xam performance, your Exclusive Experience and an art form that dates back over 700 years to the Tran Dynasty.
- In 2023, Tet (Lunar New Year) will run from the 21st to the 27th of January. This is a fascinating and rewarding time to see the region, however you do need to be prepared for some businesses to be closed, tourist sites to be very busy and for transport to be packed as many Vietnamese are travelling around the country. Please consider your travel arrangements carefully before booking travel for this period.
- You will visit a number of temples that require a level of modesty. All travellers must bring clothes that cover the arms and pants or skirts that go past the knees. The heat can be challenging, especially in April and May, so please pack accordingly.
- This trip includes a cycling tour around Sukhothai Heritage Park, so confidence on a bicycle will be required. The roads are quiet with minimal traffic, so it’s a leisurely ride.
Itinerary
View the itinerary for departures between 02 August 2024 - 31 December 2024
Inclusions
17 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 8 dinners
Boat, Plane, Private Minibus, Train, Bicycle
Hotel (15 nights), Lodge (2 nights), Overnight boat (1 night)
- Arrival airport transfer
- Tipping for accommodation, activities and transport
- Luggage transfer
- Daily breakfast and signature local meal experiences
- 24/7 on-ground support
- Complimentary Arrival Transfer
- Bangkok - Welcome Dinner
- Bangkok - Grand Palace
- Bangkok - Wat Pho
- Bangkok - Khlong boat canal tour
- Bangkok - Temple Merit Making
- Benjarong - Ceramics Workshop
- Kanchanaburi - Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
- Kanchanaburi - Bridge over the River Kwai
- Kanchanaburi - Erawan National Park Visit
- Kanchanaburi - Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum
- Baan Nong Khao - Weaving Community Visit
- Ayutthaya - Temple Visit
- Ayutthaya - Traditional Rice Barge Dinner Cruise
- Ayutthaya - Train to Phitsanuloke
- Sukhothai - Morning Alms Offering
- Sukhothai - Historical Park Visit and Bike Ride
- Sukhothai - Dinner in a local home
- Muang Kued - Village Visit, Cooking Class, and Handicraft Workshop
- Mae Taeng - Mae Tamaan Base Camp BBQ Dinner
- Chiang Mai - Elephant Nature Park Half Day Trip
- Chiang Mai - Akha Ama Coffee Social Enterprise Visit
- Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep Temple Visit
- Chiang Mai - Farewell Dinner
- Hanoi - Welcome Dinner
- Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise
- Hanoi - Hat Xam performance
- Halong Bay - Tai Chi
- Hanoi - Temple of Literature
- Hanoi - Lunch at KOTO
- Hanoi - Hoa Lo Prison
- Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
- Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels
- Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum
- Ho Chi Minh City - Notre Dame Cathedral
- Bangkok - Jim Thompson's House - THB200
- Bangkok - Thai Massage - THB250
- Halong Bay - Kayaking Tour - VND250000
- Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure - USD40
- Hoi An - Farm to Table dining experience at Tra Que Village and Mua restaurant - USD84
- Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Discovery Urban Adventure - USD73
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. A complimentary airport arrival transfer is included; valid if you are arriving on Day 1 or if you have booked pre-tour accommodation through us. You must provide your flight details to your booking agent at least 14 days prior to travel.
2. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement excludes the Halong Bay boat overnight where you will be in shared accommodation, and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
3. This trip includes domestic and international flights as indicated on the trip map. The luggage allowance is 20kg for check in luggage and 7kg for carry on.
4. Full name exactly as per passport required at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on the passport), for internal flights. Ticketing fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket.
5. Due to limited luggage space in our vehicles, please ensure that you are packing light and compact. Large, bulky suitcases are unsuitable for this trip. Please refer to the Packing section of the Essential Trip Information for details.
6. Local authorities only permit a limited number of boats to stay overnight in Halong Bay. To ensure all travellers can be accommodated on board available boats, on rare occasions you may stay on a larger boat and share your boat with another group. Otherwise, we may swap the activities and destinations of Days 13 and 14 to provide you the best possible experience. The route taken and inclusions on board will remain the same.
7. Flight schedules within South East Asia are currently limited. Whenever possible, you will be on a direct fight. However, some flights may require a stop.
8. On the TTPVC231111 and TTPVC231114 departures, the Thailand Feature Stay will be Sibsan Resort, rather than Lisu Lodge, in Mae Taeng.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
Read Essential Trip InformationReviews
Check back later or explore reviews for similar trips.