Smiling Lands Thailand & Vietnam In 16 Days

Your Thailand and Vietnam adventure begins with your arrival in Bangkok. Your private driver will meet you at the airport, holding a signboard with your name. He will escort you to your accommodation right in the heart of the city. You can easily explore the city at your own pace or relax at the hotel after the flight.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Have breakfast at the hotel and get ready to explore the rich cultural heritage of Bangkok with its colorful temples, splendor palace, and amazing Buddha images. 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 biggest solid gold Buddha statues (5.5 tones of the precious metal).

Then 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. Continue to the Royal Grand Palace, the nation’s landmark and the most revered royal monument. You will see the Palace halls, which have been used for different occasions as The Coronation Hall, Funeral Hall, and Royal Guest House, and the mysterious famous Emerald Buddha, Thailand’s most revered Buddha image.

Then you will be transferred back to your hotel. The rest of the day is free.

Overnight in Bangkok.

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

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Have a leisure day in Chiang Mai or take an optional tour.

OPTIONAL TOUR:

HALF-DAY ELEPHANT SANCTUARY WITH LUNCH

Morning visit : 06:30-12:30

Take a chance to see the symbol of Thailand – elephants in a sustainable way. 

Get ready early in the morning, and then have approximate 1.5 hours drive through rolling hills, forests, and local farming areas to the elephant sanctuary. Upon arrival at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, walk through and learn about the elephants, change into traditional Karen clothing and make medicine for the elephants. 

Then you will meet the elephants, feed them, give medicine, interact, and play with them in a natural environment. At the same time, you learn about their behavior and history. Take photos with the elephants.

Later have a walk with the elephants to a river and bathe them. After enjoying your time with elephants, have traditional Thai meals for lunch and leave back to Chiang Mai.

Please do not forget to take the swimwear with you for having a bath with elephants.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Spend a free day in Chiang Mai. You could just wander around this charming town or hike in the mountains.

Here are some recommendations on what you could do: explore the art galleries on the east side of the Ping River, wander around the markets, and sample the tasty street food. You also can visit the Silver Pagoda, known as Wat Sri Suphan, this temple is one of the less crowded ones in the area but is a sight to behold with its intricate silver paneling. Head out of the city to walk along the mountain trains and climb the “sticky waterfalls”.

Alternatively, indulge in a spa day and book a Thai massage.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Relish the remaining moment in Chiang Mai before your private driver escorts you to the airport to take the flight to Hanoi. When you arrive at Noi Bai International Airport, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation. The rest of the time is free at leisure. 

Overnight in Hanoi.

Please note: on particular days of the week, the flight from Chiang Mai to Hanoi might have a stopover in Bangkok.

In the morning, check out of the hotel, and get picked up by the Cruise team. Take the most scenic route to reach Halong Bay, taking you across the Red River Delta with emerald green rice paddies stretching for as far as the eyes can see. 

On arrival at Halong, you will board the cruise and enjoy the fantastic views of limestone rocks and the karst grottoes. Have an utterly delicious seafood lunch and enjoy the time at the sundeck exploring the Bay. 

The cruise will stop in a secret place where you will spend time kayaking or swimming to explore the karst grottoes closer. Towards the evening, you will return to the boat for an early dinner, followed by some time at leisure. You can optionally attend the activities organized by the cruise team or just relax.

Overnight in Halong Bay.

Rise early today to view the dawn at the Wonder of the Nature World with breakfast served in the dining room. A Tai Chi class on the sun deck will awake your mind and muscles. 

Then head off to visit the limestone cave full of stalagmites and stalactites. Then return to the boat to check out and enjoy the brunch while the cruise is sailing back to the harbor. Later you will be transferred to your accommodation in Hanoi. 

Overnight in Hanoi.

Relish the remaining moment in Hanoi before your private driver escorts you to the airport to take the flight to Hoi An. When you arrive at Da Nang airport, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation in Hoi An. The rest of the time is free at leisure. 

Overnight in Hoi An.

Have a free day to explore Hoi An at your own pace. The best way to explore this charming town is to rent a bicycle at the hotel and cycle around the town towards the riverside or the beach. At the beach, you will find many small cafes where you could relax with a fresh fruit drink after swimming. The water in the sea is warm and calm.

You could visit a tailor-shop which could make you and your loved ones a new piece of clothes, bag or shoes overnight.

In the evening we recommend you to walk around the Old Town area, which looks charming when the shops light their lanterns. You and would really feel like being in a fairy-tale. And don’t skip the colourful performances organized on the street in the evening.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Have breakfast at the hotel and get ready for the transfer from Hoi An to Hue by private car. You will drive through one of the most beautiful roads in the world – Hai Van Pass. You will be blown away by the stunning views of the mountains and the sea. Upon arrival in Hue check in the hotel and have free time to explore the surrounding area. 

Overnight in Hue.

8:00 – 8:30 a.m: Our guide and car will pick you up at your hotel/stay in Hue city center and start the Hue city full-day tour. We will help you enjoy a wonderful trip which is full of fun and interesting experiences.

Take a dragon boat to cruise on the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda- The oldest pagoda in Hue City. The 30-minute boat drive to the pagoda in the morning will be a great start for the journey. Fresh air from Perfume River will make you very comfortable.

Visit Hue Imperial Citadel – Imperial city, the home of Vietnam’s last royal dynasty – the Nguyen Dynasty. 

After the Citadel, our car will take you to Dong Ba Market, the busiest market in Hue with various kinds of foods and goods. Here you can see how the local people buy and sale things and this is also a chance for you to buy souvenirs for your friends and family.

Have lunch with Hue dishes. Take a rest before continuing the trip to visit the tombs, our herbal foots bath is a wonderful gift for you!

Visit Khai Dinh King’s Tomb – which is a blend of Western and Eastern architecture

Minh Mang King’s Tomb – considered as the most majestic of all of the Royal Tombs. Renowned for its architecture, which harmoniously blends into its natural surroundings. 

On the way back, stop by the Conical hat village and incense stick village (practical experience with making conical hats and incense sticks at local house).

4:00 – 5:00 p.m: Back to your hotel. Tour ends.

Overnight in Hue.

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

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Pick up at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh city and start the trip to My Tho. Upon arrival, visit Vinh Trang pagoda which dates back to the late 19th century. Then boarding the sampan and cruising down the river around the four beautiful islands known as Dragon, Unicorn, Phoenix and Tortoise Islands.

Stop over at Unicorn Island, go walking in the village paths to contemplate orchards, and enjoy tropical fruits, and Vietnamese folk music performed by the local people. Visit the fruit plantation.

Be rowed in a small sampan through the Thoi Son canal and treat yourself to the beauty of the countryside, visit the family business & bee-keeping farm, and enjoy honey tea and coconut candy workshop.

Have lunch at the local restaurant. Break time.

The afternoon is time for cycling around the Tan Thach village, meeting the local people to experience their daily life in the Mekong delta. Relaxing on hammocks to enjoy the cool breeze is for those do not want to join the cycling trip. Proceed to Can Tho City and overnight in Can Tho

Overnight in Can Tho

Have breakfast at hotel. You can take a leisurely boat ride to explore the picturesque tributaries of the Lower Mekong River (Bassac River), then visit Cai Rang Floating Market, the most vibrant floating market in the area.

Walking tour of the local noodle factory. Visit Munir Ansay Pagoda – Khmer temple, famous for its unique structure. Then move by boat to the Con Son tourist area, visit the fruit plantation and enjoy seasonal fruits.

Have lunch and return to Ho Chi Minh city.

Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip to Thailand and Vietnam. 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.

Trip Ends.