12 Days Vietnam and Thailand Overview

Day 1

Arrive at Saigon/ Tan Son Nhat International Airport by flight ... (Please kindly advise us of the arrival flight). Pick up at the airport and transfer to your hotel in Hanoi for check in (Check–in time is 14:00 hrs; early check–in is at surcharge). Rest of the day is at leisure.

Accommodation at hotel in Saigon

Meals included:

None

Day 2

Morning:

The city tour begins at the War Remnants Museum, a really famous spot in Saigon. Here, you can learn about how the Vietnamese fought for their freedom and peace during the Vietnam War. The museum shows weapons, documents, and photos that prove what happened during the war and how brave the Vietnamese people were.

Next, we'll head to the Reunification Palace, which saw the end of the tough Vietnam War in 1975. Now, it's a museum and a place where important meetings happen. Nearby, you'll see the Notre Dame Cathedral (just from the outside) and the Central Post Office, both well-known places in the city.

Afternoon:

We'll head to Chinatown, the largest Chinese community in Vietnam. Our stops include the Thien Hau Temple, showcasing beautiful traditional Chinese architecture, and the iconic Binh Tay Market, known for its maze of food stalls and impressive Sino-French buildings. You'll get a glimpse into the daily lives of the fruit and vegetable sellers here, and we'll pause for a glass of traditional Café Saigon (Vietnamese iced coffee) while sampling some unique Vietnamese fruits.

Late afternoon, we'll visit the lively Ben Thanh Market in District 1. Enjoying shopping time there.

To wrap up the day, we'll visit the Bitexco Tower's observation skydeck, offering a fantastic view of Saigon city from one of its highest points.

Meals included:

Breakfast at the hotel

Day 3

Depart from Saigon and head straight to Ben Tre (90 km ~ 2 hours drive), crossing the impressive Rach Mieu cable-stayed bridge. On arrival board a small boat to visit typical workplaces including small brick factories, a coconut processing workshop and a local mat-weaving house.

Stop at a quiet village, take a short walk to witness local life and hop on a xe-lôi (a kind of motorized rickshaw) to reach acharming local restaurant. After lunch, rest on the hammock or short cycling ride to explore the surrounding fields before boarding a sampan for a tranquil trip along the picturesque canals. Come back to the port and visit Ben Tre local market before heading to Can Tho. 

Overnight in Can Tho

Meals included:

Breakfast at the hotel

Lunch at local house

Day 4

Check out early morning then cruising  along the Mekong River to Cai Rang floating market before heading up to a quitet canal for a short bike ride along countruside paths to enjoy the peaceful scenesof paddy filed, the monkey bridges or walkthrouogh the farms and houses of a nearby village to see fragrant tropical fruit orchards and pause for a cup of tea with locals. Lunch break then drive to a Khmer pagoda. Then return to Saigon. Catch your flight to Hue. On arrival, our driver will take you to the hotel in Hue.

Overnight in your hotel in Hanoi

Meals included:

Breakfast at the hotel

Lunch at local house

Day 5

Breakfast will be at the hotel.

Starting at 8:30 AM, our tour guide and driver will pick you up from your hotel. Begin by visiting the Tran Quoc Pagoda, a serene site nestled along the shores of West Lake. From there, transfer to the Ho Chi Minh complex, where you'll explore the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the revered final resting place of Uncle Ho (President Ho Chi Minh), and his stilt house, where he lived between 1958 and 1969. Move on to the distinctive One Pillar Pagoda, an architectural gem in the middle of a square lake. The journey continues to the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first college dedicated to Confucian principles.

In the afternoon, choose one of the city's museums for further exploration, including options like the History Museum, Ethnology Museum, or the historically significant Hoa Lo Prison, once famously known as the "Hanoi Hilton." Return to the downtown area for a break by Hoan Kiem Lake. Wrap up the day with a cyclo tour through the Old Quarter, renowned as the 36 streets. This lively district is home to countless small businesses and shops, providing ample opportunities for exploration and capturing memorable photographs.

Back to your hotel and have dinner on your own.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Day 6

Breakfast at your hotel.

Morning departure for Ha Long Bay, we will go through the scenic countryside. The wondrous Ha Long Bay is truly one of Vietnam's most impressive scenic sights.

11:30 – 12:00: The crew members of  Lotus D’Orient cruise will welcome you at our waiting lough No.28 A, Tuan Chau Marina, Quang Ninh.

12:00 – 12:30: Get on Tender Boat to Lotus D’orient  Cruise and enjoy Welcome drink, meet the captain, crew to get a brief introduction about cruise and safety guidelines. Complete check-in procedure.

13:00 – 13:15: Enjoy Vietnamese seafood and vegetarian lunch, while cruising in the magnificent Halong bay - Lan Ha Bay, admiring the fascinating rock formations in the bay.

15:00 – 15:30: Visiting Tra Bau area where has known as an area famous for its unspoiled, poetic natural beauty and attractive seascape of Lan Ha Bay. This is the best time for kayaking to discover the truest beauty of the limestone islands.

Immerse yourself in the emerald, green water of the bay or enjoy the cool atmosphere on Lotus D’Orient sundeck.

17:30 –18:30: Joining us for Cooking demonstration to learn how to make one of the most famous Vietnamese cuisines, the spring rolls. Or reach the top deck of the cruise where the guests can admire the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin.

Enjoy Happy Hour time – BUY ONE GET ONE FREE at the bar. It is an ideal time for photography enthusiasts to capture the greatest moment of sunset over Lan Ha Bay.

19:00: Dinner is served at the restaurant. After dinner, you can join the squid fishing program at the main deck or relax on the sundeck and sip the exotic cocktails and drinks at the sky bar (with surcharge)....

Overnight on cruise 

Note: the itinerary of Halong will be changed based on which cruise you choose and depending on the weather without prior notice.

Meals included:

Breakfast at the hotel  

Lunch and Dinner on Cruise

Day 7

6:00-6:30: Begin the day full of energy with the Tai Chi session and enjoy the sun just rising up beyond the horizon. 

6:15 -7:00: Have breakfast. Morning view of bay’s landscape with a cup of tea or coffee.

7:00:  You will join the tour of Cat Ba World Biosphere Tender boat. It takes 30 minutes to transfer from Gia Luan to Trung Trang – one of the most impressive caves in Cat Ba island, Vietnam by car transfer. The limestone cave has thousands of stalactites in various shapes, offering geological values with a typical cave ecosystem.

9:30: Back to Gia Luan Habor by bus transfer, then our tender boat drops you off to the main boat, you can have a quick showing packing your luggages and check carefully all the belongings before checking out your cabin.

10:00: Check-out from the private cabin and enjoy a fantastic cruise on the bay for room service. Complete check-out procedure. Enjoy lunch at the restaurant while the cruise is returning to the harbour.

11:00: You take the Tender boat back to Tuan Chau port. Return to Hanoi

Accommodation at a hotel in Hanoi.

Meals included:

Breakfast/Brunch on Cruise

Day 8

Breakfast at the hotel.

Our driver will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Bangkok.

Warmly welcome you on arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi International Airport. Pick up by guide and driver then transfer to the hotel for check-in. Then take your time to have a rest after a long flight and lunch time.

Overnight at the hotel in Bangkok.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Day 9

After breakfast, we visit the Grand Royal Palace dedicated to the ceremony of the royal family of Thailand. In the same compound is the magnificent Wat Phra Kaew which is known for the Statue of the Emerald Buddha.

After visiting this complex, we continue to visit Wat Pho, a giant house of the lying Buddha. Then, we visit the Wat Traimit which is well known as the Golden Buddha.

Afternoon, boarding on a long tail boat for an excursion along the Chao Phraya River and many bustling interior canals that offer fantastic views of local life close by. Along the way, we stop at Wat Arun, the temple of the Aube.

Return to the hotel and free time for relaxation.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Day 10

Morning flight to Chiang Mai.

In the afternoon, it will be mainly devoted to the walking tour of the old town with a stop at the old wall, the moat and a door of the old town. You will see the most beautiful temples of Chiang Mai: Wat Phra Singh temple, Wat Phan Tao temple, Wat Chedi Luang temple. Then you will stroll along small streets lined with traditional houses, where you will take rickshaw tour.  After that, you will take a walking through the central market of Warorot.

Stay overnight in Chiang Mai.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Day 11

08:00 – 08:30 : Pick up from your hotel or accommodation

08:30 : Drive approximately 1.5 hours South of Chiang Mai through rolling hills, forest, and local farming areas.

10:30 : Arrive at the Sanctuary. Meet your guide and walk for 10-15 minutes through the Jungle to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Change into traditional Karen clothing. Enjoy an introductory lesson about elephant anatomy, history, and behavior.

11:00 : Meet the elephants. Feed, interact, and play with the elephants in a natural environment as you learn about their behavior and history. Take photos with the elephants.

12:00 : Enjoy a lunch of traditional Thai food and fresh fruit.

13:00 : Learn how to make herbal medicine balls, feed the Elephants and then walk with the elephants to the river. Bathe and brush the elephants.

14:00 : Join the elephants for a therapeutic mud spa. Swim in the river and take photos with the elephants.

15:00 : Change clothes and say good bye to the elephants

15:30 : Leave the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary and drive approximately 1.5 hours to Chiang Mai.

17:00-17:30 : Drop off at your hotel or accommodation.

Stay overnight in Chiang Mai.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

Day 12

Breakfast at your hotel. Transfer to the Airport for flight to your next destination. Tour ends here.

Meals included:

Breakfast at hotel

12 Days Vietnam and Thailand Overview

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2 guests

3-5 guests

6-7 guests

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10 guests

Single Supp

Package price for 4–star 

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