Highlights of Vietnam & Thailand tiếng Việt ( IPM15 )

Xin Chao! Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam.

Upon arrival at Hanoi Airport, your private guide and driver are waiting to meet you, holding up a welcome signboard with your names on it and take you directly to your hotel in the Old Quarter.

We have left this afternoon free for you to relax, unwind and become accustomed to your new surroundings. There will be a short tour briefing this evening with your guide followed by a welcome dinner at KOTO restaurant, a social enterprise that trains and employs underprivileged youth to provide a step up in life.

Please note: Your travel documents contain a Visa-on-Arrival letter (unless otherwise arranged). Please ensure to pack this in your carry-on luggage. Your Visa-on-Arrival letter must be presented to Customs upon entry into the country.

Overnight in Hanoi

Today with the help of your private guide and driver, you will get to explore the city’s top attractions, sample Hanoi’s authentic local dishes away from the tourist trails, hunkering down with the locals on the street at a variety of atmospheric food stalls.

Morning
Begin with a tour of Ho Chi Minh Memorial Complex where the Vietnamese people honour the country’s ‘Great Father’. Here you’ll visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum which contains the embalmed body of Ho Chi Minh and his House on Stilts to observe how he lived and how his life unfolded to become one of modern history’s greatest names. Nearside his house is the miniature 11th-century One Pillar Pagoda, a Buddhist temple of historical and cultural significance.

From HCM Complex, you will take a leisurely walk through the small laneways toward Huu Tiep Lake. Explore the grounds of a 400-year-old temple, followed by a stroll through traditional local market streets to see the B52 crash site at the lake. This US bomber was shot down during the 1972 bombing raids of Ha Noi, a poignant reminder of Vietnam’s recent history.

Take a short drive to the outskirt of Hanoi to visit the fascinating Museum of Ethnology which is both a research centre and a public museum exhibiting the 54 recognized ethnic groups of Vietnam. Some of them you will meet during your trip to Sapa.

Today you will have Pho for lunch, a Vietnamese Noodle shop. Some of the local people call this world-famous Noodle soup “Mac-Noodles” since it is as popular here as MacDonalds is in other parts of the world!  At the restaurant, your tour guide will explain the routine during Vietnamese meal times, and also tell you which special ingredients are needed for you.

Morning
After breakfast, your private tour guide will pick you up and take you through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta to the legendary Halong Bay where you will board a traditional-style Vietnamese Junk Boat that is your home for the evening. The limestone karsts and tropical islets rising up from the emerald waters of the bay provide an ethereal backdrop for your leisurely cruise.

Upon arrival you’ll be welcomed aboard your Stylish Junk boat, each with its own individual route, to begin your cruise around the bay’s thousands of limestone islets and caves.

Afternoon
After a delicious lunch on board, you will spend time to sunbathe on the sundeck and enjoy the peaceful tranquility of the bay.

Later you will visit Sung Sot Cave “Grotte des Surprises” a hidden gem of mother nature. Float peacefully through magnificent limestone formations containing thousands of stalagmites and stalactites.

Continue to cruise. As you weave your way through the islands, you’ll come across secluded bays, white sandy beaches, and floating villages.

Morning
The graceful practice of Tai Chi eases you into your day as is the local custom. Join a ‘Local Specialist’ on the deck of the Junk boat for a morning class in exquisite natural surrounds. You’ll have time for an early morning swim at one of Halong Bay’s quiet beaches and, if you’re feeling energetic, hop on a kayak and paddle through the Dark and Bright Caves admiring the glittering stone walls.

Back to the Junk boat. Check out of the cabin and then enjoy a full brunch buffet as you cruise back to port. Disembark around midday for your return drive to Hanoi.

Afternoon
On the way back you will stop at Yen Duc, a beautiful and typical village of Northern Vietnam, where you can stroll around the village, meet the locals, and learn about their daily life. You will also watch a traditional water puppet show.

After enjoying the show and some local snacks, transfer to Hanoi Airport for a short flight to the Royal City of Hue in the central of Vietnam.

Upon arrival in Hue, a new private tour guide and driver will pick you up and take you to your hotel in Hue for check-in. The rest of the day will be yours to explore at your leisure.

Overnight in Hue

Today you will explore the royal city of Hue once served as an imperial capital to the Nguyen Lords, a feudal dynasty which reigned from 1802 to 1945. With splendid emperors’ tombs, old markets, ancient pagodas, and the remains of the citadel, the city retains its royal charm.

Morning
After breakfast, your private tour guide and driver will pick you up and take you to the outskirt to visit the local market of Thanh Toan. People from the surrounding areas gather here every morning to trade and buy their daily food. You will walk around the market stalls, talk and mingle with the locals. Nearby is the ancient Thanh Toan Covered Bridge dating back to the 1700s, and the Cultural Museum which displays Vietnamese agricultural life.

Head back to the city centre to take a cyclo (rickshaw) ride through the ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake where the Emperors used to come to relax. From here you will explore the Imperial City (Unesco World Heritage site) with walls six miles in length; inside are the palaces and halls of the Mandarins and the remains of the Forbidden Purple City. The two-hour walking tour allows you to see the magnificent architecture and gardens as your guide explains the events and the intrigue of the former royal court.

From the Imperial City, your guide will take you to visit the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda – Hue’s most famous religious site with its origins dating back to 1601. Here you will explore the pagoda’s landscaped gardens, the seven-tiered octagonal tower, and watch the monks chanting.

Leaving the city center you will drive to the outskirt heading to a local nunnery for lunch. Experience a fantastic traditional meal at this peaceful retreat and have the chance to interact with the nuns to learn more about Buddhism and gain a unique insight into their daily lives.

Morning
After breakfast, your guide and driver will collect you from the hotel and transfer to Hue Railway station to catch the day train (soft seats with air conditioning) to Da Nang, enjoy the best scenic train route in Vietnam. The three-hour comfortable train ride passes through picturesque countryside, then skirts on the side of a mountain as you travel along the coastline. You have the chance to meet locals on board and make new friends on the journey!

Upon arrival in Da Nang, you will be picked up and driven to your hotel in Hoi An, the UNESCO heritage town. Hoi An has a pick of two beaches just 5kms (3 miles) away with so many beautiful beach resorts so please advise us if you prefer to stay on the beach.

Afternoon
Your tour guide will take you to the Ancient Quarter of Hoi An where you will embark on a walking tour visiting the major attractions such as Chua Ong Pagoda, Tan Ky Ancient House, Fujian Assembly Hall, and the Japanese Covered Bridge.

Continue to visit the Precious Heritage Museum, home to the permanent exhibition of Réhahn’s Precious Heritage Collection. While transporting you to the furthest reaches of Vietnam, the collection will unveil the rich cultural tapestry of the ethnic tribes.

Spend your full day to relax at your leisure in this UNESCO heritage town, which has some of the best food, architecture, and shopping in all of Vietnam.

Hoi An is the perfect place to potter around, shop at the many tailor stores, and dine at the town’s fabulous restaurants. In this town, you can get a suit/ tuxedo made within 24 hours at a reasonable price.

You can also take an opportunity to join a cooking class to learn about the arts of Vietnam culinary; visiting the local market, choosing ingredients and preparing and cooking Hoi An special dishes. This is great fun.

Overnight in Hoi An

The whole morning will be yours to relax in Hoi An. Check out of the hotel at midday.

In the afternoon, your private driver will collect you from your hotel and take you to Da Nang airport to board a short flight to Bangkok, Thailand.

Upon arrival at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, your private guide and driver are waiting to meet you, holding up a welcome signboard with your name on it and take you directly to your hotel in downtown for check-in. The remainder of the afternoon is free at your leisure.

This evening embark on a luxury barge journey into Thai culture and the Thai hearts. Enjoy a fine dining, traditional and culture tour on the only original antique teakwood rice barge on the famed Chao Phraya River. Experience first-class Thai hospitality and delicious food from around Thailand in the comfort and tranquility of the luxury, open-air cruise.

Overnight in Bangkok

Morning
After breakfast, meet your private guide and head to the historic center of Bangkok and start your day at Wat Suthat. A few visitors come to this temple early, so much the better to enjoy the monks’ melodic chanting ritual. It’s an incredible sensory experience. Then, take a short walk through small alleys with wooden houses and guardian spirit signs to visit the Wat Pho, where you can see the image of Reclining Buddha is 15m high and 43m long with his right arm supporting the head with tight contorts on two box-pads of blue, extravagantly encrusted with glass mosaics.

Make a stop at Lak Muang, Bangkok’s city pillar, well worth a five-minute detour before continuing onto the site the Thai people consider the most sacred in the Kingdom: the Temple of the Emerald Buddha and the renowned Grand Palace. This is one of the most beautiful examples of an ancient Thai court, with several grand halls in the same compound.

Enjoy a delightful Thai lunch, take in the scenic views at the Deck by Arun Residence restaurant, and experience the mid-day bustling atmosphere of the lively Chao Phraya River.

Afternoon
Take the public ferry to visit the Temple of Dawn (Wat Arun), which you will probably recognize from its famous silhouette. The local story goes that the shards of pottery decorating its 79 m tall spire came from a nearby shipwreck 100 years ago.

Your trip continues with a long-tail boat ride along the canal to see Thai houses and typical rural life. This boat tour takes you through its canals, locally known as Khlongs to explore greener and more peaceful parts of Bangkok.

End your sightseeing with a visit Wat Triamit, one of the most famous temples in Bangkok and is known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha (the statue of Buddha is made from solid gold weighting 5.5 tons). Then get back to your hotel for a short rest and some shower before taking the fantastic evening food tour by Tuk Tuk, a very popular means of transport in Thailand.

Morning
After breakfast, depart Bangkok and drive southward to Ratchaburi Province. You will pass the largest source of salt production in Thailand along the roadside of the highway. Arrive in time at the open-air Mae Klong Market, (the World’s Most Fascinating Railway Market) to witness markets and vendors clearing up their stalls when a train pulls through the market; truly a unique scene!.

Following the train market, take a short drive to the pier where you will embark on a boat trip along the canals and backwaters. This leads you to the first main attraction of the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Spend some time walking the canal sides observing this fascinating waterborne market in progress. Then get on a paddling boat, ride along the canals to breathe the once-in-a-lifetime atmosphere of this legendary market. You can see numerous vendors selling local foods, fruits, and products on the rowing boats. Make sure your camera is ready.

Leaving the floating market, continue your boat trip through the winding canals to see remote villages, gardens, and plantations. Eventually you will arrive at the docks where you meet your private driver again and transfer back to your hotel in Bangkok. The rest of the day will be free at your leisure.

Relax at the hotel or enjoy some fun shopping at the Bangkok night market.

Overnight in Bangkok

Morning
After breakfast, your private driver greets you at the hotel lobby and take you back to Bangkok Airport to board a short flight to Chiang Mai, the largest city in northern Thailand.

Upon arrival, a new private guide and driver will pick you up and transfer to your hotel in the city centre for check-in.

Afternoon
Head out to visit the FAE Elephant Hospital, the world’s first elephant hospital, founded in 1993. The elephants here are long-term patients recovering from injuries sustained in the logging trade or in the wild, and the rehabilitative care they receive here is unique to the region.

Proceed to Lampang, stopping to browse for the famous Lampang ceramics and a snack at the Kaad Thung Kwain Market. Discover the magnificent Lanna architecture of Temple Wat Phra That Lampang Luang, a unique place in Thailand where horse-drawn carriages are still used as public transportation at the temple.

The tour will then finish at Chiang Mai Women’s Correctional Institute where you will enjoy the weird but superb massage done by former female prisoners. This massage centre is among the best-rated massage places in Chiang Mai. It has been featured in many TV shows and documentaries around the world and they always praise the centre’s rehabilitation program. program.

Evening
Your tour guide will take you to visit the Night Bazard, the main venue for shopping and sampling delicious local food in Chiang Mai, indeed all of Thailand, the night bazaar is a can’t-miss part of the Chiang Mai experience. Ground zero of this nightly commerce bomb is located at the intersection of Chang Khlan Road and Loi Khro Road but the whole thing spreads out for two blocks in either direction.

Overnight in Chiang Mai

Morning
Leave the hotel early and drive to Mount Doi Suthep. While the Rose of the North is still asleep, you will benefit from roads without traffic. First stop, in short, in a market that is open early in the morning – where monks already receive offerings and where you will buy offerings. Not far from there, you will surprise the barely awake little who devote themselves to the first prayers in a magnificent wooden temple in the heart of the moat.

Continue to drive up to Wat Phra Thad Doi Suthep (AD 1384), located on the top of the mountain. Without any crowds, you can enjoy the magical morning light and the beams of sunrise brighten the Golden Pagoda. Take a chance to attend the monks’ ceremonies and have the privilege of seeing an original food offering – Tak Bat, a ritual performed by monks for hundreds of years for spiritual redemption. At the top of the temple, a viewing platform offers panoramic views of the whole Chiang Mai City – take in the wonderful countryside landscape while the sun rises behind the city and mountains.

On your way down, pause at Wat Palad, a temple of forest monks that will give you the most beautiful memory. It’s a hidden gem that we’re unveiling here. Then get back to the hotel for breakfast, and relax for the rest of the morning.

oday you will embark on a full-day tour to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary which offers you the unique opportunity to get to know each of the remarkable elephants and gain a special understanding of their daily lives and behaviors. Experience life with the elephants in their natural home – A freely roamed environment that is both safe and sustainable. 

Morning
After breakfast, you will be picked up and driven approximately 1.5 hours South of Chiang Mai through rolling hills, forests, and local farming areas to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, located beside a Karen village in a densely forested mountainous region, and surrounded by spectacular jungle scenery.

Upon arrival, you will meet your expert guide and walk for 10-15 minutes through the Jungle to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. Change into traditional Karen clothing and then enjoy an introductory lesson about elephant anatomy, history, and behavior.

Take a full-day tour to Thailand’s national treasure, the Doi Inthanon National Park, which is also known as the “Roof of Thailand” where you will have the opportunity to get close to nature during your thrilling journey. 

Morning
After breakfast, take a scenic drive through the countryside of Northern Thailand, follow your private guide to visit the village of the Karen tribe, and meet members of a local hill tribe.

Continue on to the two stunning waterfalls in the Doi Inthanon National Park, which are Siritarn and Wachiratarn Waterfalls. These cascades are beautiful all year round but roar with life during the rainy season.

Afternoon
After a satisfying lunch beside a waterfall, take an easy nature trail walk for three hours to the Doi Inthanon Summit, which is the tallest point in Thailand at a height of 2,565 meters. Follow this with a visit to the twin pagodas that were built in honor of the King and Queen of Thailand. These mirrored buildings sit atop the mountain and are surrounded by manicured flower gardens with jaw-dropping views of the valley below.

The trip ends with a visit to the King’s Royal Projects. Opium was once harvested on the mountainside but now more sustainable farming techniques are being practiced. There you’ll find a coffee plantation (try some Arabica coffee), cool-weather fruits, and vegetables, well as exotic flower gardens. After that, your guide and driver will take you back to Chiang Mai city and drop off at your hotel lobby where the remainder of the day is free at your leisure.

Overnight in Chiang Mai

Your private transfer greets you at the hotel after breakfast and escorts you to Chiang Mai International Airport where you board your flight home or travel on to more adventures, we will help you with the planning.