Includes internal flights, twin shared accommodation, English speaking guides, private cars, sightseeing and meals listed. Excludes visa and travel documents, travel insurance, international flights, local tipping, etc.
This itinerary is to give you a flavor of what is possible. We can tailor this trip to suit your specific needs and expectations. You may alter any aspect of the itinerary from excursions to accommodation.
Welcome to Vietnam! Upon arrival in Hanoi, our guide will greet you at the airport welcome area and transfer you to your hotel in the Old French Quarter for check-in.
After check-in, enjoy a stroll on your own around Hoan Kiem Lake outside your hotel. Feel free to also pick up a souvenir at the night markets or at one of the many trinket shops in the alleys and small roads of this historic part of town.
Accommodation: Silk Path Boutique Hotel
Day 2: Hanoi | Hanoi Streetfood Tour | Highlights of the Millennium Old Capital | Water Puppet Show and Dinner
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Start the morning with the latest craze in Hanoi: Egg Coffee at the original cafe where it began – Cafe Giang(for the less adventurous, other drink options are available). Soak up the AM local life of Hanoi from your seat while enjoying a pleasant morning chat. After your cups are dry, begin your walking tour of the Hanoi Old Quarter. Our guide will entertain you with a commentary about the history of the “36 Old Streets and Guilds”.
Vietnamese Streetfood Adventure
Throughout the morning, you’ll stop to try some excellent Vietnamese street food which may include Pho Cuon(grilled beef and fresh herbs wrapped in rice noodles), Ngo Chien(crispy sweet corn), Bun Cha(BBQ pork in fish sauce with rice noodles, fresh herbs, and spring rolls), Nem Cuon(fresh spring rolls) or some other popular Vietnamese dishes. During the morning, you will also visit a local market to see how vendors display their produce, meat, and foodstuffs. Finish the walking tour at Hoan Kiem Lake, a calm lagoon with an old stone tower on an island in the center.
In the afternoon, continue to visit unique sites in the Millennium Old Capital of Vietnam. Start with the One Pillar Pagoda – a pagoda situated on a pillar made of a single stone, in the middle of a lotus pond. This pagoda was built by a 9th-century emperor who saw it in a dream and regarded this as divine inspiration to recreate the structure in the vision. You’ll pass by the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before visiting the highlight of this tour – The Temple of Literature. This ancient university was erected almost a millennium ago and has hosted many of the most prominent scholars through Vietnamese history. The site features many gardens, pools, buildings, and ancient trees where the best and brightest of Vietnam studied under the guidance of Confucius’s teachings.
Historical Hoan Kiem Lake
Next, you’ll take a stroll around the Hoan Kiem Lake where you can see the Tortoise Tower sitting on the water. Then you’ll enjoy a half-hour cyclo tour through the Old Quarter in Hanoi. The cyclo is a historic mode of transportation in the cities of Vietnam where a cyclist escorts you while you sit in a seat affixed to the front with a canopy over top. In the late afternoon, transfer to Tran Quoc Pagoda set on West Lake. This 1,400-year-old temple features ten tiers surrounded by gardens and which also hosts a bodhi tree grown from a cutting of the original Buddhist tree under which Buddha sat.
The evening will start with a Water Puppet Show performed at Lotus Water Puppet Theater(Bong Sen). This performance features a talent unique to Vietnam. You’ll watch as water puppets perform the folklore legends of Vietnam while live ethnic music sets the mood.
After the show, you’ll enjoy traditional Vietnamese cuisine at Home Restaurant – a historic French colonial residence restored in between the Old Quarter and the serene West Lake. Enjoy fine Vietnamese cuisine. Once you finish your dinner, you’ll transfer to the hotel.
Accommodation: Silk Path Boutique Hotel
Day 3: Hanoi – Lan Ha Bay | Emerald Isles of Halong Bay and Lan Ha Bay
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
In the morning, transfer to Haiphong with our guide (3 hours) to the La Regina Private Lounge. Then board La Regina Legend Cruise.
Start with a welcome drink and a cold hand towel while the Cruise Manager gives the safety briefing. The boat starts to cruise to Lan Ha bay. A delicious set menu lunch is served in La Corona restaurant.
In the afternoon, take an excursion to discover Trung Trang cave, one of the iconic and historic caves in Cat Ba island.
As dusk approaches, welcome the beautiful sunset. Join a Cooking Class on the sundeck with the Chef to learn how to prepare an iconic dish. Then dinner is served on the sundeck, weather permitting.
In the evening, you can try Squid Fishing or watch a movie in La Magia Restaurant on the third floor. Or perhaps some private time in your room. I do suggest keeping your eyes to the water for catching an iridescent light show from plankton and sea life if conditions are right.
Accommodation: La Regina Legend Cruise
Day 4: Lan Ha Bay – Ninh Binh | Sunrise Lan Ha Bay | Bai Dinh Temple
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Enjoy the sunrise over the bay followed by a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. A light breakfast is served in La Corona on the second floor. The boat anchors at Tra Bau area, where you’ll enjoy kayaking or swimming.
Return back to the boat for relaxing, packing up, and settling any bills. Brunch is served in the restaurant while the boat heads back to the harbor.
Bid the crew farewell and then transfer to Ninh Binh.
Check-in at the Emeralda Resort with stunning views all around.
Time to stretch your legs! Go with our guide to visit Bai Dinh Temple, the largest temple in Vietnam. This Buddhist temple was built into the mountain with 3 terraces and faces the river. Explore the many halls, rooms, carvings, and statues during the late afternoon. Our guide will then take you to the best place for watching the sunset over this untouched part of Vietnam. Shortly afterward, you’ll witness the 13-tier pagoda – Chau Bai Dinh – be lit up for the evening: a true spectacle to behold! Return to the resort for leisure and overnight.
Accommodation: Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh
Day 5: Hanoi – Siem Reap | Wonders of Ninh Binh | Flight to Siem Reap
Internal Flight:Included
Meals: Breakfast
Start at 8 am with our guide taking to the countryside by bicycle through narrow backroads. Rice fields and grottoes line your path with towering karsts in the distance. An occasional local farmer and small communities with friendly welcoming smiles. You’ll head up to Ba Chon Mountain’s viewpoint. Enjoy the clean fresh air of this region far away from any major cities. Continue South on the country road alongside Van Nature Reserve. You’ll stop at Van Long Marina to board a traditional local boat. Explore some of the streams and grottoes of Van Long Nature Reserve. You might spot some flocks of the rare black-faced spoonbill, cotton pygmy geese, or white-browed crakes.
Ancient Capital of Ninh Binh
Return back to the resort to relax and freshen up. Check out at noon and then you’ll go to visit Hoa Lu, the ancient capital. In 968, Dinh Bo Linh declared himself as the King. Since then Hoa Lu existed as the capital for only 41 years. In 1010, King Ly Thai To moved the capital from Hoa Lu to Thang Long – present-day Hanoi. Hoa Lu became the old citadel. In Hoa Lu there are now two temples dedicated to two Vietnamese kings, which have been built on the grounds of the old royal palace. The visit offers a chance to learn more about the feudal dynasties and historical periods in Vietnamese history.
You’ll transfer to Hanoi airport for your flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel in Hoi An for check-in.
Siem Reap is a quaint town in Cambodia and the gateway to the vast remains of the Angkor empire. Discover the Royal Gardens on your own with ancient trees home to a colony of giant fruit bats. Take a stroll along the scenic riverside and visit the night markets to find unique souvenirs. You may also want to spend the evening with a visit to Pub Street with several restaurants and bars that stay open late into the night. Many restaurants have live entertainment in the evening.
Accommodation: Memoire D’Angkor Boutique Hotel
Day 6: Siem Reap | Ancient City of Angkor Thom by Bicycle | Apsara Dinner Performance
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy a relaxing cycling tour in the morning in ancient Angkor Thom – a stone city built around the time of Angkor Wat.
The biking tour will start at the South Gate – a photogenic bridge at the gateway of the stone city of Angkor Thom which has made its way into many Hollywood movies. Angkor Thom was the last and most enduring capital city of the Khmer Empire. Enter the stone city and explore shaded trails and ancient monuments. Visit Bayon Temple where you will be surrounded by 216 gigantic stone faces which fame as “Khmer Smile”, you will also visit the Terrace of Elephants, the Royal Palace, and the Terrace of the Leper King. Stop your cycling trip with a visit to the local monastery to chat with monks and see their daily life.
Bayon Temple – 15 Days Wonders Vietnam Cambodia Thailand Coastal Escape
On the way back, stop to see the Killing Fields of Wat Thmei. Our guide will relay to you about the history of the Khmer Rouge, Pol Pot, and the war. Cambodia is still healing from these atrocities.
Apsara Dance(featured on the stone wall of Angkor)
Be prepared to enjoy a beautiful traditional dance performed by a team trained in the Dance of Apsara.
In the evening, you will be picked up from the hotel lobby and transferred to Angkor Village Hotel Theater for a traditional Apsara Dinner Show. where you will have a unique dinner experience which will bring ancient Khmer culture to life in spectacular surroundings while you enjoy the very best in Cambodia cuisine. This one-of-a-kind cultural experience highlights the mysterious civilization and heritage of Khmer spoken through choreography and music. Colorful costumes and playful activities will give you insights into the Khmer daily life and wedding traditions while you enjoy a delicious meal to welcome you to the Kingdom of Wonders.
Accommodation: Memoire D’Angkor Boutique Hotel
Day 7: Siem Reap | Floating Village of Kampong Phluk | Water Filter Donation at Countryside Village
Meals: Breakfast
In the morning, travel through Cambodia’s green countryside where you’ll see many coconut trees, rice fields, and water buffalo. After that, continue the trip to the largest lake in Southeast Asia, the Tonle Sap. You’ll take a boat ride to Kampong Phluk which means, Harbor of the Tusks due to it’s history in the elephant trade several centuries ago. You’ll also see the mangrove forests nearby.
In the afternoon, go with our guide to visit a small village where a water filtration system* has been donated on your behalf. You’ll have a chance to meet with locals. The water filtration system will be able to provide potable/drinking water to the family. We can also arrange to have your logo or names painted on the filter ahead of time. The guide will help to translate.
Optional recommendation: We suggest that if you have any used children’s books in your home that you no longer need, you may bring them with to donate to the children in the village.
*More information on the slow sand water filtration system provided can be found on the Center for Disease Control website here: https://www.cdc.gov/safewater/sand-filtration.html. We coordinate with waterforcambodia.org to have the filters made and for coordinating with local government authorities in establishing which families need a filter. Water for Cambodia is a non-profit supported by Rotary International and The Singapore International Foundation.
Accommodation: Memoire D’Angkor Boutique Hotel
Day 8: Siem Reap – Bangkok | Angkor Wat Sunrise | Flight to Bangkok
Internal Flight:Included
Meals: Breakfast
Before the light of the day, our guide will pick you up from the hotel and transfer you to the front of Angkor Wat Temple. From here, you’ll watch one of the most revered sunrises in the world.
Angkor Wat Temple – 15 Days Wonders Vietnam Cambodia Thailand Coastal Escape
Then in the early hours, you’ll explore the vast temple with your guide bringing to life the stories of Angkor. In the morning, the rays of the light play through the chambers as the morning haze settles and giving the temple a mystical ambiance while there are few tourists who visit during this time of day.
Return to the hotel.
Check out at noon and then transfer by flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.
Beginning as a small trading village on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok has expanded to be both Thailand’s largest city and serves as its booming and cosmopolitan capital. As a gateway to South East Asia, Bangkok has grown in international business significance and yet still maintains its grandeur, mystery, and tropical beauty. With its many markets, world-class restaurants and street food, extraordinary Royal Palace, and a myriad of pagodas, it continues to attract millions of visitors each year and is consistently rated as one of the world’s foremost Destination Cities.
Accommodation: Praya Palazzo Boutique Hotel
Day 9: Bangkok | Bangkok by Boat
Meals: Breakfast
In the early morning, take a traditional long-tail boat to Wat Arun – the Temple of the Dawn to enjoy a stunning view and explore the gem of Bangkok.
Continue to one of the must-see sights, the spectacular Grand Palace, undoubtedly the city’s most famous landmark. Built in 1782- and for 150 years the home of the Thai King, the Royal court and the administrative seat of government – the Grand Palace of Bangkok is a grand old dame indeed, that continues to have visitors in awe with its beautiful architecture and intricate detail, all of which is a proud salute to the creativity and craftsmanship of Thai people.
Within its walls were also the Thai war ministry, state departments, and even the mint. Today, the complex remains the spiritual heart of the Thai Kingdom. Within the palace complex are several impressive buildings including Wat Phra Kaew (Temple of the Emerald Buddha), which contains the small, very famous and greatly revered Emerald Buddha that dates back to the 14th century. The robes on the Buddha are changed with the seasons by HM The King of Thailand and forms an important ritual in the Buddhist calendar. Thai Kings stopped living in the palace around the turn of the twentieth century, but the palace complex is still used to mark all kinds of other ceremonial and auspicious happenings. Then return to the hotel for some leisure time in the afternoon.
Accommodation: Praya Palazzo Boutique Hotel
Day 10: Bangkok – Chiang Mai | Flight to Chiang Mai | Chiang Mai Night Markets and Lanna Traditional Massage
Internal Flight:Included
Meals: Breakfast
You’ll transfer by flight to Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.
The old city walls still stand formidably against the ravages of time, inviting pilgrims to come rest, and explore the lost treasures of the Lanna Kingdom. Established as the capital in 1296AD of the vast “Kingdom of a Million Rice Fields”, Chiang Mai carries a heritage lurking around every quiet cobble-stone alley and corridor. These days, cafes, boutiques, pubs, and spas are auspiciously peppered throughout, while colorful Meo and Akha hill tribes make their daily ritual visit to the valley to offer their hand made tapestries and handicrafts to curious adventurers. The Ping River weaves through the valley to the East of the Old City while a peaceful moat surrounds the time-worn walls.
Chiang Mai is known for its legendary “Siam Lanna” massage techniques dating back to the Lanna Kingdom. In the afternoon, you’ll enjoy a royal relaxation treatment at the top-rated spa in Chiang Mai. Transfer to Zira Spa – an award-winning spa inside a beautiful Lanna-style refurbished mansion. You’ll enjoy your choice of either an aromatherapy massage(oil) or a traditional massage(non-oil) for 1 hour. Continue to the night markets to explore the interesting curios, trinkets, silks, and jewelry created by the hill tribes in the surrounding highlands. Return back to the hotel for leisure and overnight.
Accommodation: Rimping Village Hotel
Day 11: Chiang Mai | Elephant Sanctuary Experience
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Today, you will visit an elephant sanctuary in the jungles near Chiang Mai. First, you’ll learn about the project and hear the amazing stories of each rescued and orphaned elephant. You will have an elephant just under both of your care for the day-with the mahout (elephant guide) to help you learn about your elephant and get acclimated with their behavior and personality. Learn how she became free from abuse and misuse. You’ll be shown how to approach your elephant, what spoken commands she respond to, how to read her body language, and how to check her health. Then have an opportunity to feed her. The mahout will also show you how to ride on her neck(no heavy howdah seats are used) or you can walk alongside your elephant if you prefer.
Continue to the nearby river. Here you will have the opportunity to observe or participate in bathing the elephants with the sanctuary staff. The sanctuary has a photographer who will capture these moments in high quality for you throughout the day and provide you a CD of the experience. Next enjoy a picnic spread.
After you have said your farewells, return back to the hotel for some leisure time.
Accommodation: Rimping Village Hotel
Day 12: Chiang Mai – Phuket | Highlights of Chiang Mai | Flight to Phuket
Internal Flight:Included
Meals: Breakfast
In the morning, visit the most prominent temples in Chiang Mai. Start with Wat Phra Singh which houses the famous Phra Singh Buddha image. It features Lanna art throughout and illustrates many famous Buddhist stories. Continue on to Wat Chedi Luang, which once contained the Emerald Buddha. The temple is partially in ruins due to an earthquake in the 1500s. Then stop at Wat Chiang Man which is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai and also houses one of Thailand’s greatest treasures: the Crystal Buddha.
Then continue to Wat Suan Dok, which houses many of the remains of generations of the old Chiang Mai Royal Family. Finally, visit Wat Jet Yot – this peaceful temple is surrounded by green and was built in the Mahabodhi style from India to house the Eighth World Buddhist Council in 1453.
You’ll transfer by flight to Phuket. Upon arrival, our guide will greet you at the airport and transfer you to the hotel for check-in.
World-famous kayaking inside marine limestone karst islands with macaques, water monitors, kingfishers, and Sea Eagles. Meet at the hotel around 11 AM to transfer to the pier (1 hour). Then continue by boat with a light lunch served onboard. Self-paddle with your own sea cave guide through tunnels and lagoons.
When darkness falls, stars shine overhead in the circle of the black night, fireflies flash in the cliffside jungle, and, most of all, the sea glows with phosphorescence. Enjoy a spiritual ceremony with your own made “Krathong”. Have a magnificent dinner onboard. Then return to land. A truly magical and out of this world experience (Listed among National Geographic’s “World’s Top 50 Adventures”).
Accommodation: Panwa Boutique Beach Resort
Day 14: Phuket | Leisure Day
Meals: Breakfast
Today is at your leisure to explore the beautiful beaches of Phuket.
Accommodation: Panwa Boutique Beach Resort
Day 15: Phuket | Flight to Bangkok | Farewell!
Internal Flight:Included
Meals: Breakfast
Today, our guide will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Bangkok to catch your flight back home and to bid you a fond farewell. Thank you for traveling with us!
Phuket Avista Hideaway Phuket Patong, Mgallery By Sofitel
Hanoi Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi
Lan Ha Bay Orchid Cruise
Ninh Binh Emeralda Resort Ninh Binh
Siem Reap Shinta Mani Villa – Bensley Collection
Bangkok Mandarin Oriental
Chiang Mai Chala Number 6
Phuket Mom Tri’s Villa Royale
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REQUEST A FREE QUOTE
It's easier than ever to get going! Request a quote today!
One of our Travel Experts will reach out to you and assist you with an itinerary and quote. Also, feel free to leave your phone number and we will give you a quick call just to say hello and clarify any questions we have about your inquiry.
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