Premium Thailand and Vietnam

Duration

19 days

Tour Type

Small Group

Accommodations

Unknown

Physical Rating

Light

Guide Language

English

Experience Overview

Over 19 days, set off on an adventure through Thailand and Vietnam and see the contrast of bustling cities and serene landscapes.

Includes

Meals: Breakfasts (18), Lunch (7), Dinner (8)
Accommodation: Hotel (15 nights), Lodge (2 nights), Overnight boat (1 night)

Highlights

Stay in the beautiful Lisu Lodge for your Feature Stay in Thailand. This community-based project employs Lisu villagers and allows you to immerse yourself in local culture while enjoying creature comforts.
Enjoy an overnight cruise in Halong Bay on a boat as beautiful as its surroundings for your Feature Stay in Vietnam. Take in spectacular views while enjoying dinner on deck.
Support an important animal welfare initiative, speak with local experts and get close to the gentle giants at the Elephant Nature Park.
Explore Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City with your local leader, who will help you uncover the vibrant mix of influences, from the French to Asian traders and Indigenous peoples.
Visit the Cu Chi tunnels in Ho Chi Minh City with a war veteran who will share his first-hand account of life during the war.

Trip Details

Duration

19 days

Transportation

Boat, Plane, Private Minibus, Train, Bicycle

Guide Language

English

Starts

Bangkok, Thailand

Finishes

Ho Chi Minh City, Thailand

Accommodations

Unknown

Travel Style

Explorer, Budget

Physical Rating

Light

Itinerary

Day 1: Bangkok

Sa-wat dee! Welcome to Thailand. Your journey begins in Bangkok, where you’ll be met at the airport by a local representative and transferred to your hotel. Tonight, you’ll have a welcome meeting at 6 pm. If you arrive early, maybe explore Thailand’s capital at your own pace. By day, you can experience a city filled with history and tradition, but by night Bangkok is taken over by a flood of music and neon lights. Maybe visit one of the many temples or explore Chinatown. Watch tuk tuks zip by while traditional khlong boats slowly wind down the Chao Phraya River. After your meeting, join your small group for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant where your leader will introduce you to the local flavours.

Included Activities:

Complimentary Arrival Transfer
Bangkok - Welcome Dinner

Accommodation:

The Theatre Residence or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 2: Bangkok

Rise early for an optional Signature Experience away from Bangkok’s tourist track. Join the locals and visit a temple along the Chao Phraya River, where you’ll ‘make merit’ by bringing an offering to the temple’s monks. Later, your leader will take you for a day of sightseeing and activities around the city. Tour Wat Po – a larger-than-life temple complex in the city and home of the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Visit the Grand Palace and learn about the site which has been the official residence of the kings since the 1700s, then head out on an electric boat tour of the city’s canals as your leader shows you how Bangkok’s locals live today. The afternoon is free to do as you wish – maybe check out the art collection at the Jim Thompson House or relax with a Thai massage.

Included Activities:

Bangkok - Grand Palace
Bangkok - Wat Pho
Bangkok - Temple Merit Making
Bangkok - Khlong Electric Boat Canal Tour

Optional Activities:

Bangkok - Jim Thompson's House (250 THB)
Bangkok - Thai Massage (300 THB)

Accommodation:

The Theatre Residence or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 3: Kanchanaburi

On the way to Kanchanaburi today, you’ll visit Baan Nong Khao CBT Village – an agricultural village famous for its Pha Khao Mah handweaving. Visit the community’s museum, a palm sugar field and a local house to see how local desserts are made with this famous Thai ingredient. Of course, you’ll get to sample the sweet treats, too! Then, watch the weavers at work as they use more than 100 colours of yarn to create traditional Thai clothing. After, maybe grab some lunch before you continue to Kanchanaburi to visit the Kanchanaburi War Cemetery. This prisoner of war cemetery was one of the first museums to educate the public and keep the memory of the Asian and POW workers who died constructing the infamous Death Railway alive.

Included Activities:

Kanchanaburi - Kanchanaburi War Cemetery
Kanchanaburi - Bridge over the River Kwai
Baan Nong Khao - Weaving Community Visit

Accommodation:

U Inchantree or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 4: Kanchanaburi

Visit Erawan National Park to explore a famous seven-level waterfall or simply swim and relax. The falls are said to be some of the most beautiful in the country, with glacial blue waters perfect for a dip. Many Allied prisoners of war and conscripted Asian labourers were engaged here to help build a rail route to Myanmar (Burma), including the passage infamously known as Hellfire Pass. Visit the pass interpretive centre, where your leader will provide more information about this chapter in history. Take a historical train journey across a portion of this ‘Death Railway’ along the Kwai Noi River and travel over the original wooden viaduct, known as the Krasae Bridge, constructed by the Allied POWs. The evening is yours to explore the town.

Included Activities:

Kanchanaburi - Erawan National Park Visit
Kanchanaburi - Hellfire Pass Memorial Museum
Kanchanaburi - Train trip on Death Railway

Accommodation:

U Inchantree or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 5: Ayutthaya

This morning, head to Ayutthaya – one of the ancient capitals of Siam and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Sit down for a royal culinary experience at a Michelin-recommended restaurant, trying dishes like Toong Thong and the flower-shaped Chor Muang, once enjoyed in noble households. Then, head out for a Signature Experience on a century-old Thai rice barge in the style of the King Rama V period. Drift along the Chao Phraya River as Thai high society once did, stopping at two seldom-visited temples. Observe elders praying and villages ‘making merit’ at the riverside Wat Bang Nom Kho temple and step into a local neighbourhood at the Wat Bang Pa Mhor temple. Back on land, it’s on to more temples in Ayutthaya. Visit the photogenic 13th-century ruins of Wat Phra Mahathat and discover rows of Buddhas beheaded by the Burmese. Look out for the displaced Buddha head suspended in the roots of a Banyan tree (one of the country’s most photographed images). Enjoy a free evening tonight – your leader will have lots of great recommendations for dinner.

Included Activities:

Ayutthaya - Temple Visit
Ayutthaya – River Cruise and Temple Visit

Accommodation:

Sala Bang Pa-In or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 6: Phitsanulok to Sukhothai

Leave Ayutthaya and travel to the town of Phitsanulok by train. Sit back, relax and watch the scenery roll by. When you arrive, change to a private vehicle and continue this comfortable journey until you arrive in Sukhothai. The rest of the day is free for your own discoveries. You may like to relax by the pool or unwind with a Thai massage. For dinner tonight, maybe ask your leader where you can get a bowl of Sukhothai’s famously tasty noodles.

Included Activities:

Ayutthaya - Train to Phitsanuloke

Accommodation:

Sriwilai Sukhothai Resort & Spa or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 7: Sukhothai

Start your day in Sukhothai with an optional alms offering. Sukhothai was established in the 13th century and is one of the first ancient capitals of Siam You’ll visit its famed UNESCO World Heritage-listed historical park, which captures the Golden Age of Thai civilisation. Hop on a bicycle for a cycling tour through the park and as you ride, your leader will teach you more about the history of this former metropolis and its fascinating structures. Have a picnic lunch then the rest of the afternoon is free for you to explore the town at your own pace or relax by the pool. This evening, regroup and head to a local home, where you’ll sit down for a homecooked dinner and a unique insight into life in this part of the country.

Included Activities:

Sukhothai - Morning Alms Offering
Sukhothai - Historical Park Visit and Bike Ride
Sukhothai - Dinner in a local home

Accommodation:

Sriwilai Sukhothai Resort & Spa or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 8: Mae Taeng

Today you’ll travel from Sukhothai to the Mae Taeng region. Draped between rice fields and fruit orchards, you’ll find the Lisu Lodge – your Feature Stay for the night. The lodge is a community-based project that trains and employs Lisu villagers from the nearby hill tribe and aims to preserve their cultural heritage. The Lisu people are a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group and one of the six main hill tribes of Northern Thailand. Meet the colourfully dressed villagers and learn more about the Lisu way of life – this is a truly special experience that’s sure to be one of your enduring memories of Thailand. The lodge offers guestrooms decorated in the traditional Lisu style with modern comforts. Savour unforgettable views of the surrounding hillside and valley and enjoy tonight’s dinner of fresh, local Thai food.

Accommodation:

Lisu Lodge (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 9: Mae Taeng

After breakfast at Lisu Lodge, get ready for a day of Signature Experiences. First, it’s a quick trip to Muang Kued Village, where you’ll meet with a local villager for a private guided tour. Learn about village life, the reforestation of the surrounding area and how produce is grown in the village orchards. Explore the organic farm and choose the ingredients for a cooking demonstration where you’ll learn how to cook traditional Thai food from the locals. Then, learn the art of the graceful Lanna sword dance, led by a local expert. After, you’ll board a bamboo raft for a calm, scenic float down the Mae Taeng River. Return to Lisu Lodge for a short break before your Northern Thai culinary experience. Enjoy vibrant performances like the Klong Sabadchai (a traditional sacred drum) and the women-led Candle Dance from the CBT Baan Muang Kued community.

Included Activities:

Muang Kued – Village Visit and Cooking Demo
Muang Kued – River Rafting
Muang Kued – Sword Dancing Show and Masterclass
Muang Kued - Festive Dinner and Temple Fair

Accommodation:

Lisu Lodge (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 10: Chiang Mai

Today, you’ll meet the residents of the Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai – a wildlife project that provides sanctuary for elephants and other animals. Your expert local guide will share stories of the rescued elephants and the issues they face in South East Asia. Watch the elephants from a viewing platform as they bathe and play. After, tuck into a vegetarian buffet lunch before heading back into Chiang Mai. Visit Kalm Village – an art, craft and culture centre in the Old Town that supports local artists. Then, the evening is yours to enjoy your own way. Maybe visit the vibrant Night Bazaar or spend more time exploring the Old Town, bounded by moats. Your leader can give you recommendations on where to go for dinner.

Included Activities:

Chiang Mai - Elephant Nature Park Half Day Trip
Chiang Mai - Kalm Village

Accommodation:

Smile Lanna Resort or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 11: Chiang Mai

This morning, drive to the famous temple complex of Doi Suthep. Take in the views along the scenic and winding mountain road, which brings you to an impressive 300-step, Naga-guarded stairway. The rewards justify the ascent to the top, with one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand, not to mention the fantastic panoramic views of the city. Return to Chiang Mai where you’ll have time to relax before your farewell dinner at Tutu’s home-style restaurant. There’s no menu here – just seasonal dishes served to share, one plate at a time. You might try her signature mangosteen and crab salad or classic Thai dishes like panang and massaman, all prepared with care and tradition. It’s a warm, personal setting to swap stories with your group and close out the journey.

Included Activities:

Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep Temple Visit
Chiang Mai – Chef’s Table Farewell Dinner

Accommodation:

Smile Lanna Resort or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 12: Hanoi

Today you’ll catch a flight from Chiang Mai to Hanoi to begin the Vietnamese leg of your journey. When you arrive, you’ll be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel, where you’ll have a meeting at 6 pm to welcome any new travellers joining you for the next part of your adventure. This evening, join your leader and group for dinner at a beautifully decorated restaurant resembling an old-fashioned Vietnamese house. Dive into the exciting world of Vietnamese cuisine as your leader introduces you to a range of classic dishes made with the freshest local ingredients.

Included Activities:

Complimentary Arrival Transfer
Hanoi - Welcome Dinner
Fast Track Airport Service on Arrival

Optional Activities:

Hanoi - Ninh Binh Mini Adventure (TVAN) (355 USD)
Hiking in Sapa (TVAG) (432 USD)

Accommodation:

The Ann Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 13: Halong Bay

Depart Hanoi and travel to Ha Long Bay – one of the great natural treasures of Vietnam and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Board your Feature Stay accommodation for the evening – the sleek Capellacruise, featuring comfortable suites with private balconies and boasting an attentive, friendly crew. Set sail in style as unforgettable views of scattered islands and towering limestone karsts slowly unfold in front of you. Explore the bay and sit down for a seafood lunch on board. The sites you visit here will vary, but you may stop at a cave where your leader can point out interesting rock formations, or maybe a fishing village to learn about local life. In the afternoon, you’ll have the chance to swim, kayak or simply relax on the beach. Soak in the scenic surroundings with a dinner on deck before settling in for a night of stargazing and swapping stories.

Included Activities:

Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise

Optional Activities:

Halong Bay - Kayaking Tour (250000 VND)

Accommodation:

Capella Cruise (Feature Stay) or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 14: Hanoi

Start your day with a peaceful breakfast and some relaxation time on board the boat before returning to Hanoi in the mid-afternoon. Spend some free time exploring on your own, then join your group in the early evening for a leader-led walk through the city. From the French Quarter, you’ll head to the oldest ice cream shop in Hanoi to cool off before discovering more of the Old Quarter. Finish at a hidden traditional apartment for a classic Hanoian tea. Then, walk past historical landmarks including the Hanoi Opera House, Trang Tien Street, the Metropole hotel, the National State Bank, Hoan Kiem Lake, Hang Be Market and Cau Go Street, finishing at a traditional tube house.

Included Activities:

Hanoi – City Tour

Optional Activities:

Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure (29 USD)

Accommodation:

The Ann Hotel or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 15: Hoi An

After breakfast today, you’ll take a mid-morning flight to Hoi An. Enjoy a Vietnamese lunch in a quiet garden setting that feels more locally rooted than the busy tourist flow. Then, set off on a guided walking tour of Hoi An’s Old Town and discover a blend of treasures and cultural influences from the city’s history as a trading port. Follow pagoda-lined streets to a Chinese assembly hall, cross the Japanese Covered Bridge, enter the ornately decorated historic house of a former trader and check out a local museum. Hoi An’s trading port was particularly known for its pottery, and centuries-old pottery villages still exist to this day. No trip to Vietnam is complete without trying its famed coffee – your leader will take you to a local coffee shop where you can savour a delicious brew as you watch the hustle and bustle of Hoi An. Maybe try a traditional ca phe trung (coffee whipped with egg and sweetened condensed milk) or a refreshing iced coconut coffee.

Included Activities:

Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
Hoi An - Vietnamese Coffee Stop

Accommodation:

Legacy Hoian Resort or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 16: Hoi An

Today, you are free to explore as you wish. Maybe set off by bike with a local guide for a casual cycle through emerald-green rice paddies and villages. Then, board a boat for an amazing Thu Bon River view. After, feast on authentic cuisine with a selection of Vietnamese dishes at a local family’s restaurant. Or, skip the cycling and head straight to a farm-to-table dining experience in the agricultural village of Tra Que. The town is famous for cultivating over 40 different types of vegetables and herbs, particularly the aromatic herbs used in local rice-noodle dishes.

Optional Activities:

Hoi An - Farm to Table dining experience at Tra Que Village and Mua restaurant (84 USD)
Hoi An - Private Bike, Boat and Dinner Experience (69 USD)

Accommodation:

Legacy Hoian Resort or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 17: Ho Chi Minh City

This morning, fly to Ho Chi Minh City to start your exploration of this bustling hub. There’s no such thing as too much Vietnamese coffee, so start off by learning about the country’s coffee heritage and sustainable farming practices and prepare your own traditional Vietnamese coffee. After, take a city walk with your leader to see Ho Chi Minh City from past and present perspectives. Stroll past famous landmarks such as the ornate City People’s Committee Building, the City Opera House, a viewpoint of the CIA building, and the French-era Central Post Office. Landmarks and civic buildings contrast with the modern, commercial energy of the city centre – notice how beauty and sophistication sit alongside deeper layers of wartime and political history. In the evening, the food stalls at Ben Thanh Market might reel you in with the sweet and savoury scents of pho and bun mam.

Included Activities:

Ho Chi Minh City - Vietnamese Coffee Workshop
Ho Chi Minh City – City Tour

Accommodation:

Rex Saigon or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 18: Ho Chi Minh City

Today, head out for a Signature Experience at the Cu Chi Tunnels – an extensive underground network (some 200 km/124 mi) of tunnels dug initially by the Viet Minh and later expanded by the Viet Cong. They housed hospitals, dwellings and schools and were extensively used for refuge, storage and as a military base. As you explore this labyrinth, you’ll be guided by a war veteran who will share a first-hand account of life during the war. He will also share his in-depth knowledge of the tunnel system. Your leader will explain more about its history and the 1968 Tet Offensive. A section of the tunnels has been widened to give visitors a feel for what underground life must have been like. After, return to Ho Chi Minh City for some free time. This evening, enjoy a final dinner with your fellow travellers at a highly regarded contemporary Vietnamese restaurant by renowned chef Ngo Thanh Hoa.

Included Activities:

Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnels with war veteran

Accommodation:

Rex Saigon or similar (Number of Nights: 1)

Day 19: Ho Chi Minh City

Your adventure comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you wish to spend some more time in Ho Chi Minh city, contact your booking agent to organise additional accommodation (subject to availability).

Optional Activities:

Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Discovery Urban Adventure (59 USD)

Exclusions

Flights to and from origin and destinations
Airport transfers (unless otherwise stated)
Anything else not explicitly listed in tour inclusions
Recommended gratuities/tipping
Optional activities/tours
Personal expenses
Travel insurance
Visas, meals and beverages not stated in the list of inclusions.

Important Information

Meals

When meals are not included, your tour leader (where available) will be happy to help with restaurant recommendations, bookings, and directions. Please let us know if you have any dietary needs or preferences. We will do our best to accommodate these, though we cannot guarantee that every request can be met.

Luggage

You are responsible for your personal belongings throughout the tour. You will need to carry your own bags between the vehicle and your hotel room. Drivers will assist with loading and unloading luggage from the vehicle.

Mobility

Travellers requiring wheelchair access should contact our sales and service team, who can make enquiries on your behalf.

Fitness Level

This tour requires an average level of fitness. Activities are paced gently and include leisure time. You may be expected to join guided walks of up to one hour, navigate short stairways and mild inclines, and manage your own luggage. You should also be able to board and exit all transport without assistance.

Travellers are expected to be self-sufficient and capable of handling all aspects of their journey. Please discuss your circumstances and support needs with your booking agent to confirm this trip is suitable.

If you are unsure, we recommend consulting your doctor before booking or travelling.

Sightseeing

If a planned site visit is unavailable due to changes in operating hours or holiday closures, the itinerary may be altered, or a comparable activity will be substituted where possible and subject to availability.

Visas

Visa conditions can change. Once you receive your travel documents, check with the relevant embassy, consulate, or immigration office of your destination for the latest information.

It is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct and valid travel documents and to comply with all entry requirements.
Non-Australian citizens must also confirm visa and identification requirements with the appropriate consulate or visa agency.
Certain occupations (for example, journalists, government officials, or those working in charities) may face additional restrictions when applying for visas, which could affect the type of application required.

Departure Dates & Surcharges: See checkout for live dates and availability.

AUD $9,970

(Tour only)

Per Person Twin Share

Duration: 19 days

Trip Type: Small Group

Activity Level: Light

Over 19 days, set off on an adventure through Thailand and Vietnam and see the contrast of bustling cities and serene landscapes.

Check Availability Brochure

Price based on per person in Double Room for departure 20 Apr 2027

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Tour Operator

Intrepid Travel is a global adventure travel company, dedicated to providing sustainable, experience-rich travel opportunities. They’ve been the leader in ethical, small-group travel since 1989 - taking people around the world for more than 30 years. They’re the world’s largest travel B Corporation - dedicated to being the best travel company for the world. In 2002, they established The Intrepid Foundation so their travellers could make a lasting impact on the communities they had visited. Although Intrepid Travel absorbs all administrative costs of The Intrepid Foundation, they are separate legal entities, allowing The Intrepid Foundation to grow independently. Intrepid Travel is made up of a collection of tour operator brands and 28 destination management companies all united by one vision: To change the way we all see the world.

In Business Since 1989

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