- 4.9/5 1039 Latest reviews
- Destination: Vietnam, Thailand
- Duration: 15 Days
- Tour Type: Private & Bespoke
- Tour Style: Classic
About This Trip
The Vietnam and Thailand Essential Tour is a 15-day private classic tour designed to cover the most important highlights of Vietnam and Thailand in one seamless itinerary. This Vietnam and Thailand Essential Tour includes vibrant cities, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ancient temples, scenic bays, ethical elephant encounters, and tropical beach relaxation. Travel from Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, experiencing rich culture, local cuisine, natural beauty, and authentic traditions. Ideal for first-time visitors, this Vietnam–Thailand tour package offers the perfect balance of sightseeing, comfort, and memorable experiences.
Summary
DAY
PLACE
HIGHLIGHTS
1 - 10
Vietnam
Hanoi: Temple of Literature, Old Quarter Cyclo Tour
Halong Bay: Overnight Cruise with Varied Activities
Hoi An: Basket Boat Trip, Cooking Class, Ancient Town Discovery
Ho Chi Minh City: Cu Chi Tunnels, Mekong Delta Tour
11 - 15
Cambodia
Siem Reap: Angkor Wat, Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm Temple
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City – Vespa Night Tour
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s dynamic southern hub, where your private guide will meet you and transfer you to your hotel. After time to relax, experience the city after dark on a guided Vespa night tour. Ride through lively neighborhoods, illuminated landmarks, and local streets while gaining insight into Saigon’s nightlife, culture, and daily rhythm.
Highlights: Private airport transfer, Vespa night tour, Ho Chi Minh City nightlife
- D
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Day 2: Hanoi City Tour & Old Quarter Cyclo Experience
Travel to the Mekong Delta region and explore Ben Tre province, known for its lush coconut groves and peaceful waterways. Cruise through narrow canals, observe traditional coconut candy production, handmade brooms, and family-run workshops. Enjoy a tuk-tuk ride through villages, a scenic rowing boat experience, and a home-style lunch featuring regional flavors.
Highlights: Mekong Delta cruise, local workshops, tuk-tuk ride, village life
- B , L
- Ho Chi Minh City
- Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City Tour & Flight to Hanoi
Discover Ho Chi Minh City’s historical and cultural landmarks, including the War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, and Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica. Walk through Ben Thanh Market to experience local commerce and cuisine. Later, fly to Hanoi and transfer to your hotel, arriving in Vietnam’s cultural capital.
Highlights: Ho Chi Minh City landmarks, Ben Thanh Market, domestic flight
- B , L
- Hanoi
- Day 4: Hanoi City Tour & Water Puppet Show
Explore Hanoi’s most significant attractions such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, and Museum of Ethnology. Enjoy a rickshaw ride through the Old Quarter’s historic streets, lined with shops and traditional houses. Conclude the day with a Water Puppet Show, a centuries-old Vietnamese art form.
Highlights: Hanoi landmarks, Old Quarter rickshaw ride, Water Puppet Show
- B , L
- Hanoi
- Day 5: Hanoi – Halong Bay, 2-Day Cruise
Depart Hanoi for Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its limestone karsts and emerald waters. Board your cruise and begin sailing through scenic seascapes. Participate in activities such as cave exploration, kayaking, and onboard cooking demonstrations while enjoying panoramic sunset views.
Highlights: Halong Bay cruise, limestone karsts, kayaking, onboard activities
- B , L , D
- Halong Bay
- Day 6: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Bangkok
Wake up to sunrise views over Halong Bay and join a Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Enjoy brunch while cruising before disembarking. Transfer to the airport for your flight to Bangkok, Thailand. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and relax after travel.
Highlights: Tai Chi session, Halong Bay morning cruise, flight to Bangkok
- B
- Bangkok
- Day 7: Bangkok City Tour & Chinatown Night Food Tour
Visit Bangkok’s most iconic landmarks, including the Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew (Emerald Buddha), Wat Pho (Reclining Buddha), and Wat Arun. Cross the Chao Phraya River for scenic city views. In the evening, explore Chinatown on a guided food tour, sampling authentic street food in a lively atmosphere.
Highlights: Bangkok temples, river crossing, Chinatown street food
- B , L
- Bangkok
- Day 8: Train Market & Floating Market Tour
Travel to the Maeklong Train Market to witness vendors swiftly clearing the tracks as a train passes through the market. Continue to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where you’ll ride a longtail boat through canals lined with colorful boats selling fresh produce, snacks, and local goods.
Highlights: Train market experience, floating market, longtail boat ride
- B , L
- Bangkok
- Day 9: Bangkok – Chiang Mai
Fly to Chiang Mai, northern Thailand’s cultural center. Explore the Old City, visit Warorot Market, and enjoy a traditional Samlor trishaw ride. Discover historic temples such as Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh, gaining insight into Lanna heritage.
Highlights: Chiang Mai Old City, temples, traditional trishaw ride
- B
- Chiang Mai
- Day 10: Chiang Mai Cooking Class & Doi Suthep Temple
Join a half-day Lanna cooking class with a local family, learning to prepare authentic northern Thai dishes using fresh ingredients. In the afternoon, visit Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of Thailand’s most sacred temples, and enjoy panoramic views over Chiang Mai city and surrounding mountains.
Highlights: Thai cooking class, Doi Suthep Temple, scenic viewpoints
- B , L
- Chiang Mai
- Day 11: Chiang Mai Elephant Park
Spend a full day at Baan Chang Elephant Park, focusing on ethical elephant care and conservation. Learn about elephant behavior, feed and walk with the elephants, and observe them in a natural environment, creating meaningful and responsible wildlife memories.
Highlights: Ethical elephant experience, conservation learning, wildlife interaction
- B , L
- Chiang Mai
- Day 12: Chiang Mai – Phuket
Fly to Phuket, Thailand’s famous island destination. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy leisure time relaxing on the beach, swimming, or exploring nearby seafood restaurants and coastal scenery.
Highlights: Flight to Phuket, beach relaxation, island atmosphere
- B
- Phuket
- Day 13: Phuket Beach & Water Activities
Spend a full day enjoying Phuket’s tropical beaches. Choose to swim, snorkel, kayak, or simply relax by the sea. Optional exploration of local markets or Phuket Old Town offers insight into the island’s cultural side.
Highlights: Phuket beaches, water activities, leisure exploration
- B
- Phuket
- Day 14: Phuket Exploration & Relaxation
Explore Phuket’s scenic attractions, including the Big Buddha and panoramic viewpoints, or continue enjoying beach and resort activities. End the day with a relaxing sunset dinner by the sea.
Highlights: Big Buddha, scenic viewpoints, sunset experience
- B
- Phuket
- Day 15: Phuket – Bangkok Departure
Transfer to Bangkok for your onward flight, marking the end of your memorable Vietnam & Thailand Essential Tour, filled with culture, landscapes, and unforgettable experiences.
Highlights: Private transfer, tour conclusion
- B
Accommodation Options
The hotels listed below have been carefully selected based on customer feedback. You can either choose the ones you'd like to stay in or allow our travel experts to recommend options tailored to your specific requirements.
Ho Chi Minh City 2 Nights
- 5.0
Top Choice
Lotte Hotel Saigon
Address: 2A - 4A Ton Duc Thang St, District 1, HCMC, Vietnam
- 4.0
Harmony Saigon Hotel & Spa
Address: 32A-34 Bui Thi Xuan St- Ben Thanh Ward, Dist.1, HCMC, Vietnam
- 4.0
Liberty Central Saigon Riverside Hotel
Address: 17 Ton Duc Thang Street, District 1, TP.HCMC, Vietnam
- 5.0
Sofitel Saigon Plaza
Address: 17 Le Duan Boulevard, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Hanoi 2 Nights
- 5.0
Top Choice
InterContinental Hanoi Westlake
Address: 5 Tu Hoa street Tay Ho, Hanoi, Vietnam
- 4.0
The Lapis Hotel
Address: 21 Tran Hung Dao Str, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam
- 4.0
La Siesta Premium Hang Be
Address: No 27 Hang Be St, Old Quarter, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam
- 5.0
The Oriental Jade Hotel
Address: 92 & 94 Hang Trong street, Hoan Kiem Dist, Hanoi, Vietnam
Halong Bay 1 Night
- 5.0
Top Choice
Orchid Trendy Cruise
Address: 32, Anh Dao St, Ha Long City, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam
- 4.0
Athena Luxury Cruise
Address: 49 Le Thanh Tong Street, Hon Gai Wharf, Halong City, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam
- 4.0
Athena Royal Cruise
Address: 49 Le Thanh Tong Street, Hon Gai Wharf, Halong city, Quang Ninh Province, Vietnam
- 5.0
Paradise Elegance
Address: Tuan Chau Island, Halong, Quang Ninh, Vietnam
Bangkok 3 Nights
- 5.0
Top Choice
Lancaster Bangkok
Address: 1777 New Phetchaburi Rd., Bangkok, Thailand
- 5.0
Top Choice
Riva Surya Bangkok
Address: 23 Phra Athit Rd, Chana Songkhram, Phra Nakhon, Bangkok, Thailand
- 4.0
Maitria Hotel Sukhumvit 18
Address: 26 Sukhumvit Soi 18, Sukhumvit Road, Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110, Thailand
- 5.0
Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok
Address: 28 Charoenkrung Soi 70, Bangkholame, Bangkok 10120, Thailand
Chiang Mai 3 Nights
- 5.0
Top Choice
Smile Lanna Hotel
Address: 129/1 Chang Lor Road, Tambon Hai Ya, Amphur Muang, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- 4.0
RatiLanna Riverside Spa Resort
Address: 33 Chang Klan Road, A. Muang, Chiang Mai, Thailand
- 5.0
Na Nirand Romantic Boutique Resort
Address: 1/1 Soi 9, Charoenprathet Road, Tambon Changklan, Amphoe Muang, Chiang Mai, Thailand
Phuket 3 Nights
- 5.0
Top Choice
Best Western Premier Bangtao Beach Resort & Spa
Address: 124/29 Moo#3, Cheung Thalay, Thalang, Phuket Thailand
- 4.0
Kalima Resort & Spa
Address: 338/1 Prabaramee Road, Patong Beach, Kathu, Phuket, Thailand
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