Authentic Vietnam and Thailand Experience – 14 Days

Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam!

On your first day, you can arrive in Hanoi at any time as the only activity scheduled is the airport pick up. The driver will be waiting for you at the airport to take you to your hotel. Once you have checked in, the rest of the day is free for you to rest or explore the city and form your own first impressions of Vietnam. The airport transfer is included in the itinerary, so you don’t have to worry about arranging transportation on your own.

Stay overnight in Hanoi and get ready for an exciting adventure!

• Meal: NA
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

At 8.00 am, be picked up at hotel then departs for Halong Bay. Here you’ll embark on board  an overnight cruise through the UNESCO World Heritage-Listed area. Settle into your deck chair and cruise through picturesque emerald waters while marveling at the towering limestone karst islands. Enjoy a seafood lunch before taking part in some afternoon activities such as swimming, relaxing on a remote beach, climbing to the top of a lookout for an amazing panoramic view or taking a ride on a rowing boat into a secluded bay.

Cruise further into the bay to visit a pearl farm before watching a cooking demonstration featuring traditional Vietnamese cuisine, followed by dinner on board. Drop anchor in the late evening for an overnight stay among the dramatic limestone peaks.

Please note: We recommend packing an overnight bag only for your cruise. The remainder of your luggage will be securely stored or you can take all of your belongings onboard if you’d prefer.

• Meals: B, L, D
• Accommodation: Overnight on cruise

Wake early for an optional tai chi class on deck before enjoying breakfast and climbing aboard the tender for a visit to Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave), a colorful grotto of giant stalactites and stalagmites.

Return to the boat and enjoy a short cooking class where you will learn to prepare local delicacies such as spring rolls. You’ll then enjoy a light brunch on board, followed by a relaxing trip back into port where you will disembark and return  to Hanoi.

Arrive back Hanoi around 3.00 pm, check into the hotel.

Evening is leisure. Alternatively, you can choose to take part in an optional evening activity (not included).

Optional Activity: Water Puppet Performance & Vietnamese Dinner – $35 per person

Sit back and watch a traditional and unique performance of water puppetry originating in the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam. Each show lasts approximately 45 minutes and includes lively illustrative Vietnamese pastoral scenes of rural daily life as well as fairy legends. Afterwards, head to an authentic Vietnamese Restaurant in the Old Quarter and feast on a dinner of authentic dishes.

Please note: Depending on the timing of the water puppet performance, dinner may be enjoyed prior to the show.

• Overnight: Hotel in Hanoi
• Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch

Have an early breakfast at the hotel and complete the check-out formalities.

You will be join a shared-limousine car to transfer you to Sapa, the travel time will take around 6 hours. Upon arrival to Sapa, you will be transferred to your accommodation. The rest of the day is free to explore this charming town right in the middle of the mountains.

• Meals: B
• Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa

Have breakfast at the hotel. Meet your guide around 9:30 am and start your 12 km trekking. You will visit the Y Linh Ho and Lao Chai villages of the Hmong minorities. On the way admire the breathtaking landscapes of rice terraces and mountains. Have lunch in Lao Chai village nearby the river. Continue your hike to Ta Van village of the Dzay people. Enjoy the views of the magnificent landscape with terraced fields, spring, and cozy houses. Then head back to Sapa.

• Meals: B, L
• Accommodation: Hotel in Sapa

8h00Am: Our tour guide and driver will pick you up at your hotel and then start tour.

Enjoy the scenic journey along the National Highway bordered by green rice fields.  On arrived at My Tho, visit Vinh Trang pagoda, take a leisurely boat ride along the river, view the stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages along the river bank.

Proceed to Tortoise islet, have lunch in the orchard garden. Then a boat ride to An Khanh – a less touristy attraction in Ben Tre, enjoy cruising on a hand-rowed sampan under the shadow of the water coconut trees along natural canals, then enjoy seasonal fruit & honey tea to the sound of “Southern Vietnamese folk music”, performed by locals.

Visit a family business which epitomizes the idyllic rural lifestyle, taste the delicious coconut candy & observe the pastoral life as you roam through the fruit plantation and village.

Return to Ho Chi Minh city.

• Meals: B, L
• Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh

Relish the remaining moment in Ho Chi Minh before your private driver escorts you to the airport to take the flight to Bangkok. When you arrive in Bangkok, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation in the heart of the city. The rest of the time is free at leisure.

• Meals: B
• Accommodation: Hotel in Bangkok

Have breakfast at the hotel and get ready for today’s sightseeing. We will take you through the hustle and bustle of Bangkok to visit Wat Traimit, a visually stunning temple in China Town. Here you will see one of the largest solid gold Buddha statue (5.5 tones of the precious metal). Continue to visit Wat Po, the home of the famous 45-meter reclining Buddha. This temple also used to be the original school of traditional Thai massage. Then, visit the Royal Grand Palace, the nation’s landmark and the most revered royal monument. You will see the Palace, which was used for different occasions as The Coronation Hall, Funeral Hall, and Royal Guest House, and the mysterious famous Emerald Buddha, the most revered Buddha image in Thailand.

• Meals: B
• Accommodation: Hotel in Bangkok

Relish the remaining moment in Bangkok before your private driver escorts you to the airport to take the flight to Phuket. When you arrive at Phuket Airport, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation. The rest of the time is free at leisure to explore the island’s beautiful islands.

• Meals: B
• Accommodation: Hotel in Phuket

Free at your leisure to discover Phuket by yourself. Phuket is a beautiful destination for sightseeing and adventuring. The island itself is rife with diverse landscapes, from its famous sandy beaches to forested hills, mountains, limestone cliffs, low plains, lagoons, and lush tropical vegetation. Spend your time exploring the stunning beaches, have a hike to the waterfall for a picnic, or take a boat trip to explore other islands nearby.

• Meals: B
• Accommodation: Hotel in Phuket

Beach time is never enough, spend one more day swimming and sunbathing.

• Meals: B
• Accommodation: Hotel in Phuket

Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip to Vietnam and Thailand. Complete the hotel check-out formalities, after which you can visit the local markets to buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Later your private driver will transfer you to the airport to take your flight back home

• Meals: B
• Accommodation: NA