Thailand and Vietnam Highlights - 14 days

Upon arrival at Bangkok Airport (Gate No.4), you will be greeted and transferred to the hotel. The glorious history of Thailand’s capital, Bangkok, is closely tied to the Chakri dynasty, which still reigns today. Check in at the hotel and enjoy free time for relaxation.

Accommodation: Hotel in Bangkok
Meals: None
Private car & tour guide

After breakfast, visit the Grand Royal Palace, dedicated to royal ceremonies. Within the same compound stands the magnificent Wat Phra Kaew, home to the Emerald Buddha. Continue to Wat Pho, renowned for its giant Reclining Buddha, and then Wat Traimit, famous for the Golden Buddha.

In the afternoon, board a long-tail boat for an excursion along the Chao Phraya River and bustling canals, offering fantastic views of riverside life. Stop at Wat Arun, the Temple of Dawn, before returning to the hotel for free time.

Accommodation: Hotel in Bangkok
Meals: Breakfast
Private car & tour guide

In the morning, we will depart to Ayutthaya; it takes about more than hour to reach the former Thai capital. Witness the glory of the ancient capital through its temple and palace ruins.

First, you will visit Wat Phu Khao Thong, or the “Monastery of the Golden Mount”, which is located just outside Ayutthaya. Then you will proceed to the ancient palace and Wat Phra Si Sanphet. You will also visit Viharn Phra Mongkol Bopit, one of the largest bronze Buddha’s in Thailand.

Have lunch by your own account.

Afterwards, you will visit Wat Lokaya Sutha. This temple enshrines a large reclining Buddha image. Our last visit will be to the Bang Pa-In Summer Palace, built during the Ayutthaya era. The palace showcases an eclectic collection of buildings that blend European, Khmer, Thai and Chinese architectural styles. It’s the favorite summer palace of the King.

At the end of the afternoon, return to the hotel and free time for relaxation.

Accommodation: Hotel in Bangkok
Meals: Breakfast
Private car & tour guide

Check-out then transfer to Bangkok airport to take a flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, you will meet our guide and driver.

After that, transfer to Chiang Mai city and we 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 and 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.

Back to your hotel, check-in and free time for relaxation.

Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai
Meals: Breakfast
Private car & tour guide in Chiang Mai

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.

Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Car and guide of group tour

Today, you will take a flight to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Upon arrival, you will be warmly welcomed by the SVietnam Travel tour guide and driver. After a short tour briefing, transfer to the city centre for hotel check-in.

In the late afternoon, enjoy a leisurely walking tour around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter. Your guide will lead you on a culinary adventure, giving you the chance to sample a wide variety of local street foods — the kind of dishes you’ve seen but might not have known how to try!

Start your Hanoi Street “Eats” Tour at Bia Hoi Corner, where you can try bia hoi, a light draft beer that originated from Eastern Europe and has become a Hanoi staple. Continue your food journey with some of Hanoi’s best-loved specialties such as:

• Phở bò, Bún thang, or Bún bò Huế (Vietnamese noodle soups)
• Bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls) or Bánh mì (Vietnamese baguette)
• Local snacks such as Nộm bò khô (dried beef salad) or Nem chua rán (fried fermented pork rolls)
• Finish the evening with a signature Cà phê trứng (egg coffee), a rich and creamy Hanoi original.

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Private car & guide

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel before starting a guided city tour of Hanoi. Having celebrated its 1,000-year anniversary in 2010, Hanoi boasts a rich and fascinating history reflected in its architecture and culture.
Your tour will take you to the city’s main attractions, including the Ho Chi Minh Complex (with Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum and Stilt House), the Presidential Palace, the One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature — Vietnam’s first university. You’ll also visit one of Hanoi’s most notable museums, either the History Museum or the Museum of Ethnology, depending on your preference.

In the late afternoon, relax with a cup of coffee at the Train Street Café, where you can watch trains pass just inches away, and then enjoy a traditional Water Puppet Show, a unique Vietnamese art form dating back centuries.

Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast
Private car & guide

At 08:30, your driver will pick you up for the scenic drive to Halong Bay, arriving around midday to board your cruise for an overnight stay. Halong Bay is celebrated as one of the world’s natural wonders, with thousands of towering limestone pillars sculpted by sea and wind.

After lunch on board, explore several of the bay’s impressive caves and visit a floating fishing village. Later, the captain will anchor in a secluded spot where you can swim, relax on the sundeck, or try kayaking (subject to weather conditions). In the evening, enjoy a fresh seafood dinner on board.

Accommodation: Cruise on Halong Bay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Private car & guide on cruise

Enjoy an early morning swim (in season) and a leisurely breakfast as the cruise navigates more of Halong Bay’s spectacular scenery. The cruise will arrive at the harbour by noon. You will be transferred to Hanoi’s airport for your flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival in Da Nang, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel in Hoi An. Check in and enjoy free time to relax or explore the ancient town at your own pace.

The detailed cruise itinerary will be provided once guests select the preferred cruise category.

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, Brunch
Private car & guide in Hoi An

This morning, you will join in a cooking class at Red Bridge Cooking School. Visit Hoi An’s colourful market, and experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of this busy market. You will have the opportunity to interact with the local sellers and learn about all the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later.

After that, board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. On arrival, you explore the cooking school’s herb and vegetable garden, before learning about some of Hoi An’s and Vietnam’s well-known dishes. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – each dish is first demonstrated by the Red Bridge chef’s, before you prepare the same dish yourself. Included in the class is a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration). After the lesson, you can enjoy what you have cooked.

After lunch (your own creations), take a walking tour of Hoi An Ancient Town, visiting historic houses, assembly halls, and the Japanese Covered Bridge. Enjoy free time for shopping or tailoring before heading back to your hotel.

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Private car & guide

You have free time in Hoi An today.

Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast

Today, you will take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, meet your tour guide and driver for a transfer to the city centre, where you will begin a half-day city tour. Visit some of the city’s most iconic landmarks, including the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, the War Remnants Museum, and the bustling Ben Thanh Market.

In the evening, embark on an exciting street food tour by motorbike with your local guide. Dive into the vibrant atmosphere of narrow alleys (hẻm) filled with food stalls where generations of vendors have perfected their signature dishes. As you sample a variety of authentic local foods, your guide will share stories about the neighborhood and how history has shaped Ho Chi Minh City’s culinary culture.

The food adventure typically includes four stops:

• First stop: Enjoy a signature Vietnamese dish such as Bánh mì, Bánh xèo (Vietnamese sizzling pancake), or Bánh khọt (mini savory pancake).
• Second stop: Main dish – options may include Phở (Vietnamese noodle soup), Bún bò Huế (spicy beef vermicelli soup), or Cơm tấm (broken rice with grilled pork).
• Third stop: Dessert – try Chuối chiên (fried banana cake) or another traditional Vietnamese sweet treat.
• Final stop: Refresh with a local drink such as Vietnamese coffee or fresh sugarcane juice.

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast
Private car & guide in Ho Chi Minh City

Today, leave behind the vibrant streets of Ho Chi Minh City and head towards the peaceful Mekong Delta. Arrive in My Tho – Ben Tre, a charming town along the Mekong River. Visit the historic Vinh Trang Pagoda, dating back to the late 19th century, before boarding a wooden sampan to cruise past the four famous islands – Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix, and Tortoise.

Disembark at Unicorn Island for a leisurely walk through lush orchards. Taste tropical fruits, enjoy traditional folk music performed by locals, and visit a fruit plantation. Continue with a hand-rowed sampan ride along the narrow Thoi Son Canal, taking in the idyllic countryside views.

Stop at a family-run workshop to learn about honeybee farming, sip honey tea, and see how coconut candy is made. Savor a delicious lunch at a local riverside restaurant. In the afternoon, choose to cycle through Tan Thach Village to meet friendly locals and learn about daily life in the Delta, or relax in a hammock under swaying palm trees. Return to Ho Chi Minh in the late afternoon.

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh city
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Private car & guide

You have free time until be transferred to the airport for your departure flight. End of the tour. Cảm ơn và chào tạm biệt.

Meals: Breakfast
Private car