16 Days Best of Vietnam and Thailand Highlights Tour

Welcome to Vietnam.

Upon arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, your private guide and driver will meet you outside the arrivals area and transfer you to your hotel in central Hanoi.

During the transfer, your guide will introduce the journey, explain the local area and confirm the pickup time for the following morning.

After hotel check-in, the remainder of the day is free for rest. Depending on your arrival time, you may enjoy an independent walk around Hoan Kiem Lake or through the nearby Old Quarter.

In the morning, after breakfast, your guide will pick you up from the hotel at approximately 8:00 AM for a full-day Hanoi city tour.

Your morning sightseeing includes:

1. Ho Chi Minh Complex: visit Ba Dinh Square, view the exterior of the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and explore the Presidential Palace grounds, Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house and the One Pillar Pagoda.
2. Temple of Literature: discover Vietnam’s first national university and learn about the country’s long tradition of education and scholarship.
3. Local lunch: enjoy selected northern Vietnamese dishes at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, continue with:

1. Vietnam Museum of Ethnology or Vietnamese Women’s Museum: learn about the country’s diverse communities, traditions and social history.
2. Hanoi Old Quarter: walk through narrow streets known for traditional trades, local markets and historic shop houses.
3. Cyclo ride: experience the Old Quarter and French Quarter from a traditional three-wheel cyclo.
4. Water puppet show: watch a traditional performance accompanied by live Vietnamese music.

After the performance, return to your hotel. The evening is free at leisure.

After breakfast, your driver will pick you up from the hotel between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM for the journey to Ha Long Bay.

Upon arrival at the cruise harbour, complete the check-in procedure and board your overnight cruise.

The day’s cruise program normally includes:

1. Welcome and safety briefing: meet the cruise team and receive information about the vessel and activities.
2. Lunch on board: enjoy lunch while cruising through limestone islands and emerald water.
3. Afternoon excursion: visit a cave, floating village or scenic island, depending on the cruise schedule.
4. Kayaking or swimming: join an optional water activity when weather and local conditions are suitable.
5. Sunset activity: relax on deck or join a cooking demonstration before dinner.

Enjoy dinner on board and spend the evening at leisure in the bay.

Wake early for the peaceful morning atmosphere of Ha Long Bay.

The morning program may include:

1. Morning exercise: join tai chi or a light stretching session on the sundeck.
2. Breakfast: enjoy a light breakfast while the vessel continues cruising.
3. Final excursion: visit another cave, island or viewpoint, depending on the cruise itinerary.
4. Brunch: enjoy brunch as the cruise returns to the harbour.

After disembarkation, meet your driver and transfer to Hanoi airport for the flight to Da Nang.

Upon arrival in Da Nang, meet your local driver and continue by private vehicle to Hoi An. Check into your hotel and enjoy the rest of the evening at leisure.

In the morning, after breakfast, your guide will pick you up from the hotel between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM for a half-day excursion to Cam Thanh Coconut Village.

Cam Thanh is a traditional fishing community surrounded by coconut-palm waterways. During the morning, you will experience:

1. Fishing and crab-catching activities: learn about local fishing techniques and the daily life of river communities.
2. Bamboo basket boat ride: travel through the coconut forest in a traditional round basket boat.
3. Village life: observe coconut palms, fishing nets and traditional homes along the waterways.

At the end of the morning program, enjoy lunch at a selected local restaurant.

After a short rest, continue to Hoi An Ancient Town. Your afternoon sightseeing includes:

1. Tan Ky Ancient House: visit a preserved merchant home that reflects Hoi An’s trading history.
2. Museum of Trade Ceramics: see pottery and ceramics connected to trade across Asia and the Middle East.
3. Quan Cong Temple: visit an important Chinese-influenced temple in the historic centre.
4. Japanese Covered Bridge area: learn about the Japanese merchant community that once lived in Hoi An.
5. Hoi An Market: experience a lively local market selling produce, spices and household goods.

After sightseeing, return to your hotel. The remainder of the day is free at leisure.

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at approximately 8:30 AM for a countryside experience around Hoi An.

The morning program includes:

1. Rural village journey: travel by bicycle or private vehicle through rice fields and small country lanes.
2. Vegetable farming: visit a local farming area and learn about herbs, vegetables and traditional growing methods.
3. Community interaction: meet local residents and observe daily village activities.
4. Local lunch: enjoy a simple meal prepared with regional ingredients.

Return to the hotel in the early afternoon.

The rest of the day is free for beach relaxation, swimming, hotel facilities or independent exploration in Hoi An.

After breakfast, check out from the hotel and transfer by private vehicle to Da Nang International Airport.

Take the scheduled flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Upon arrival, meet your local guide and driver outside the arrivals area and transfer into the city centre.

Depending on the flight schedule, your orientation program may include:

1. Central Post Office area: see one of the city’s best-known colonial-era landmarks.
2. Nguyen Hue walking street: explore the modern city centre and surrounding architecture.
3. Local market: visit a neighbourhood market for an introduction to southern Vietnamese daily life.

Check into your hotel and enjoy the evening at leisure.

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up from the hotel at approximately 8:00 AM for the journey to the Cu Chi Tunnels.

During the morning visit, you will:

1. Learn about the tunnel network: understand how the underground system was used for shelter, communication and movement.
2. See reconstructed facilities: view hidden entrances, living areas, kitchens and defensive structures.
3. Walk through selected tunnel sections: enter an enlarged tunnel section if you are comfortable doing so.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City for lunch.

In the afternoon, continue with:

1. Reunification Palace: explore the former presidential residence and important rooms connected to modern Vietnamese history.
2. Central Post Office area: see the historic city centre and surrounding colonial architecture.
3. Ben Thanh Market: browse local products, souvenirs, food and household goods.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. The evening is free at leisure.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and free time until your scheduled airport transfer.

Your private driver will take you to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for the flight to Bangkok.

Upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport or Don Mueang International Airport, meet your Thai guide and driver outside the arrivals area.

Transfer to your hotel and check in.

Depending on arrival time, enjoy a short orientation walk beside the Chao Phraya River or explore a nearby market and local neighbourhood.

After breakfast, your private guide will pick you up from the hotel at approximately 8:00 AM for a full-day Bangkok highlights tour.

Your morning sightseeing includes:

1. Grand Palace: explore the former royal residence and learn about Thai monarchy, architecture and court traditions.
2. Temple of the Emerald Buddha: visit Thailand’s most sacred Buddhist temple within the palace complex.
3. Wat Pho: see the Reclining Buddha and explore the temple’s decorated courtyards and stupas.

Enjoy lunch at a selected local restaurant.

In the afternoon, continue with:

1. Wat Arun: cross the Chao Phraya River and visit the Temple of Dawn.
2. Private long-tail boat journey: travel through Bangkok’s canals, passing wooden homes, temples and traditional riverside communities.
3. Riverside neighbourhoods: observe local life away from the city’s main roads.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon. The evening is free for independent dining or shopping.

After breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport for the flight to Chiang Mai.

Upon arrival, meet your private guide and driver and transfer to your hotel in the old city area.

In the afternoon, begin an introduction to Chiang Mai with:

1. Old City gates and walls: learn about the historic layout of the former Lanna capital.
2. Wat Chedi Luang: visit the remains of one of Chiang Mai’s most important historic temples.
3. Wat Phan Tao or Wat Chiang Man: explore a traditional temple with distinctive northern Thai architecture.
4. Local market: experience local food, crafts and everyday life.

Return to the hotel. The evening is free at leisure.

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at approximately 8:30 AM for a full-day temple and cultural tour.

The morning program includes:

1. Wat Phra Singh: visit one of the old city’s most respected temples.
2. Wat Chedi Luang: explore the historic temple complex and learn about Lanna architecture.
3. Local neighbourhood walk: see traditional streets, markets and community life within the old city.

Enjoy lunch at a selected local restaurant.

In the afternoon, travel up Doi Suthep mountain and visit:

1. Wat Phra That Doi Suthep: climb the temple staircase or use the cable car and explore the sacred hilltop complex.
2. Panoramic viewpoint: enjoy views across Chiang Mai and the surrounding countryside.

Return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel and check out.

Your private driver will transfer you to Chiang Mai International Airport for the flight to Phuket.

Upon arrival at Phuket International Airport, meet your local driver and transfer to your beachfront resort.

After check-in, the rest of the day is free for:

1. Beach relaxation: enjoy the sand and sea in front of the resort.
2. Swimming: use the resort pool or swim in the sea when conditions are suitable.
3. Resort leisure: relax in the tropical grounds or arrange an optional spa treatment.

After breakfast, your guide will pick you up at approximately 8:30 AM for a full-day Phuket sightseeing tour.

Your morning program includes:

1. Phuket Old Town: walk through streets lined with colourful Sino-Portuguese buildings, cafés and traditional shops.
2. Local market: browse local snacks, produce, crafts and regional products.
3. Wat Chalong: visit one of Phuket’s most important Buddhist temples.

Enjoy lunch at a selected local restaurant.

In the afternoon, continue to:

1. Coastal viewpoint: enjoy views across Phuket’s bays and coastline.
2. Scenic beach area: stop at a selected coastal location for photographs and relaxation.

Return to your resort in the late afternoon. The evening is free at leisure.

Enjoy a full day at leisure in Phuket.

You may choose from the following options:

1. Beach relaxation: spend the day swimming, sunbathing and enjoying the resort facilities.
2. Optional island excursion: join a boat trip to nearby islands for swimming and snorkelling.
3. Optional private boat: arrange a private cruise tailored to your preferred pace.
4. Optional spa treatment: enjoy a relaxing massage or wellness experience.

No guided services are included today unless an optional activity is booked.

Enjoy breakfast at the resort and check out according to the hotel’s schedule.

Depending on your flight time, enjoy a final morning beside the beach, relax at the resort or arrange optional late check-out.

At the appropriate time, your private driver will transfer you to Phuket International Airport for your onward journey.

Your 16-day Vietnam and Thailand journey ends upon arrival at the airport.