13 Days Best of Thailand and Vietnam Tour

Enjoy your breakfast in Bangkok before embarking on a full day of city exploration. Begin your morning with a visit to Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace, a magnificent complex that has served as the official residence of the Kings of Siam. Then, hop on a tuk-tuk for a fun local ride to Wat Pho, home to the famous Reclining Buddha. After a fulfilling morning tour, enjoy a delicious local lunch and take a short break. In the afternoon, discover Bangkok’s charming klongs (canals) by boat as you cruise along the Chao Phraya River. Visit the iconic Wat Arun, one of Thailand’s most beloved temples, followed by the Royal Barge Museum, where you’ll find fascinating exhibitions on Thai history, royalty, and Buddhism. Conclude your day with a one-hour traditional Thai massage at a spa center to soothe your senses before returning to your hotel for a restful evening.
Overnight in Bangkok

After breakfast, enjoy your time and wait for our tour guide to pick you up to the airport, taking a flight to Chiang Rai, about 75 minutes.

Welcome to Chiang Mai! Upon arrival, our tour guide and driver will welcome you at the airport. And transfer to hotel for check-in and rest on your own leisure.
Overnight in Chiang Mai

After breakfast, set off on a scenic drive through the misty alpine landscapes of Doi Inthanon National Park, heading toward the breathtaking summit of Thailand’s highest peak at 8,514 feet (2,595 meters). Along the way, take in the lush beauty of dwarf rhododendron groves, ancient evergreen forests, and listen for the calls of over 400 bird species, including the elusive Eurasian woodcock. At the summit, soak in the cool mountain air and visit the Air Force Radar Station, where you'll find a serene stupa dedicated to King Inthawichayanon, the last ruler of Chiang Mai.

Next, explore the majestic Phra Mahathat Napha Methanidon and Phra Mahathat Naphaphon Phumisiri, two stunning twin pagodas built to honor the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit on their respective "fifth cycle" birthdays. From there, venture to a nearby Karen hill tribe village, where you’ll enjoy a freshly prepared local lunch in a traditional setting. In the afternoon, take a leisurely hike through the forest to the powerful and picturesque Wachirathan Waterfall, one of the park's most iconic natural wonders. If time allows, make a brief stop in the charming town of Chom Thong before returning to Chiang Mai, where you’ll arrive by early evening.
Overnight in Chiang Mai

Walking with Elephants is a new “Saddle Off Project”, in the Mae Taeng area supported by Save Elephant Foundation. During Covid, a small family run company, who operated elephant riding tours, contacted Save Elephant Foundation for assistance. With training and support, this small family business has now been able to change their tour model and practice an ethical and caring model. Walking with Elephants project has 2 elephants recently released from a riding tour operation and now follow the concept of other Save Elephant Foundation projects, where no elephants are tethered or ridden, allowing elephants to roam wild within forest areas. This project offers day trips for small groups of visitors, accompanied by an English speaking tour guide, to enjoy seeing these gentle giants in their natural habitat. Visitors and elephants take a gentle walk in the forest, where the elephants forage naturally for their food, enjoying their new found freedom without saddles on their backs. At midday, a vegetarian buffet lunch is provided for visitors at a relaxing riverside location within the project area. After lunch, visitors will spend time preparing and feeding the elephants, gathering fruit, vegetables and making rice ball treats.

The tour concludes with a visit to the world famous Elephant Nature Park where you can observe over 100 elephants in their chosen herds relaxing in the late afternoon. Most of the elephants at this sanctuary have been rescued over the years from unfortunate circumstances that have left them in need of rehabilitation – both physical and psychological. For several decades, the founder of Elephant Nature Park, Saengduean Lek Chailert, has been working hard to fundamentally change how elephants in Thailand are perceived and treated so that they may lead a happier, more natural existence.
Overnight in Chiang Mai

In the morning, you'll go to 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 (usually only able to be seen on Sundays and certain festival dates).

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.

After the tour transfer you to the airport, taking a flight to Hanoi, about 90 minutes.

Welcome to Hanoi!

Upon arrival, our tour guide and driver will welcome you at the airport. You will be escorted to the hotel and check in. The rest of the day is at your leisure for recovery.
Overnight in Hanoi

Morning, start a full day city tour beginning with the Ho Chi Minh Complex which features the life of Ho Chi Minh, the nation’s founder. Explore Ba Dinh Square, an important point of pilgrimage for many Vietnamese, the Presidential Palace, 13 Ho Chi Minh Museum and the rural style Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts where he lived and worked. Stop by one of Hanoi’s icons, the One Pillar Pagoda, built in the 11th Century in dedication to Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara or Buddha of Compassion and reminiscent of a lotus blossom rising from a pond. Continue to the Temple of Literature, known as the first university of Vietnam built in 1070 by the Ly Dynasty to honor Confucius, sages and outstanding Vietnamese scholars. Lunch at local restaurant. After lunch, continue city tour to one of the museums (Fine Art, History, Revolutionary, War, Ethnology Museum) of your choice (closed on Monday), Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple and experience a one hour cyclo tour. Finish your day off at the Thang Long Opera Theatre for a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show.
Overnight in Hanoi

Start your day with a scenic drive from Hanoi through the picturesque Red River Delta on the way to Halong Bay. Upon arrival, complete check-in procedures and transfer to a comfortable cruise. After a welcome drink and safety briefing, enjoy a delicious lunch as the boat begins its journey through the stunning limestone landscapes of Ha Long and Lan Ha Bay, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

In the afternoon, explore Cat Ba Island with a visit to the fascinating Trung Trang Cave, known for its impressive stalactites and geological history. Return to the boat and head toward a quieter area of the bay, where you can relax or take a refreshing swim in the emerald waters.

As the sun sets, join an engaging Vietnamese cooking demonstration on board, followed by dinner in a stylish restaurant blending French and traditional Vietnamese design. Later in the evening, unwind with a Vietnamese tea ceremony, try squid fishing, enjoy drinks at the bar, or simply admire the tranquil beauty of the bay at night.
Overnight on cruise

Begin your morning with a peaceful Tai Chi session on the sundeck, followed by a light breakfast while enjoying the tranquil beauty of the bay. The journey continues with a visit to a scenic area near a cave, where you can experience the natural charm of Lan Ha Bay by kayak, discovering hidden lagoons and quiet waters.

After your adventure, return to the boat to complete check-out procedures and enjoy a delicious brunch while cruising back to the harbor. Before disembarking, take part in a Vietnamese tea ceremony, offering a final cultural touch to your cruise experience.

Later, transfer to the airport for your flight to Da Nang, followed by a scenic drive to Hoi An. Upon arrival, check in at your hotel and enjoy a relaxing evening in this charming ancient town.
Overnight in Hoi An

After breakfast, begin your half-day excursion to Cam Thanh Village, a charming fishing community known for its tranquil coconut palm waterways and traditional coastal lifestyle. Your guide will pick you up in the morning and take you to the Cam Thanh Water Coconut Village, where you’ll experience hands-on activities such as fishing, crab catching, and discovering coconut mussels using time-honored techniques passed down through generations. One of the highlights is a ride in a traditional Vietnamese bamboo basket boat, offering a fun and authentic way to explore the peaceful channels of this former war zone.

Following your morning adventure, enjoy a delicious Vietnamese lunch at a local restaurant. After a short rest, your afternoon begins with a walking tour of Hoi An’s historic old town. First, visit the 200-year-old Tan Ky House, beautifully preserved through seven generations, followed by the Museum of Trade Ceramics, which displays pottery artifacts from across Asia and the Middle East. Continue to Chua Ong Pagoda, a Chinese-style temple surrounded by picturesque architecture, and conclude the tour at the lively Hoi An Market, known as one of Vietnam’s finest. After the tour, return to your hotel to relax and enjoy the rest of your day.
Overnight in Hoi An

After breakfast, enjoy your time and wait for our tour guide to pick you up to the Da Nang airport, taking a flight to Ho Chi Minh City, about 80 minutes.

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, our tour guide will escort you to the hotel and have a short rest.

Then your tour guide will bring you to join in the dinner cruise on the Saigon River.
After the tour, back to your hotel and have a good rest.
Overnight in Saigon

Ho Chi Minh City holds a rich and complex history shaped by layers of Chinese and French influence. Begin your day with a private driver and English-speaking guide as you explore Cholon, the city’s vibrant Chinatown, often considered the largest of its kind in the world by area. Once part of the name Saigon-Cholon, this district played a key role in the city's identity until Vietnam gained independence from France in 1955.

Continue to the Jade Emperor Pagoda—also known as Phuoc Hai Pagoda—a deeply spiritual site built by the Cantonese community in the early 20th century. This atmospheric temple, filled with incense smoke and richly adorned with carved figures and intricate woodwork, is dedicated to Buddhist and Taoist deities. It remains an active place of worship and is widely regarded as one of the most captivating pagodas in Vietnam.

Next, head to the Dong Khoi area, the historical heart of colonial Saigon. Here, you’ll find the elegant Notre Dame Cathedral, built entirely with imported French materials, and the nearby Saigon Central Post Office, an impressive blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and French architectural styles.

In the afternoon, venture into the countryside to explore one of Vietnam’s most remarkable wartime legacies—the Cu Chi Tunnels. With your guide, discover the ingenuity and endurance of Vietnamese fighters who created an extensive underground network that once stretched all the way to Cambodia. This hidden world included living quarters, kitchens, meeting rooms, and makeshift hospitals. Nearly invisible from above, the tunnels withstood bombings and even supported life during the harshest times, despite severe shortages of food, oxygen, and space. This half-day visit offers a powerful glimpse into the resilience of the Vietnamese people.
Overnight in Saigon

Enjoy your breakfast and free time of the morning until your tour guide pick you up to the airport. Tour service ends here