Highlights & Adventure in Vietnam & Thailand - 21 Days

Day 3: Day Trip to Bat Trang Pottery Village & Food Tour

Leave in the morning on a short drive from Hanoi to the Bat Trang Pottery Village, where you'll learn about the traditional handicrafts of Vietnam's Red River Delta region. Your guide will take you through the village, where you can peruse its many pottery shops. Stop for a workshop where you'll learn to make a piece of pottery, from turning the clay on a wheel to drying and decorating. You can take away your masterpiece as a souvenir.

In the evening, you'll participate in a two-hour coffee workshop to learn the secrets to brewing the perfect cup of ca phe sura da (Vietnamese coffee with condensed milk). Afterward, return to the Old Quarter for a delicious culinary odyssey. As you stroll the hidden lanes and back streets, your guide will lead you to the city's best street food stalls. Try local favorites like pho sot vang (noodle soup with pork and herbs) and the famous banh mi sandwich. Wash it all down with sugar cane juice or a local rice wine. Afterward, head back to your hotel.

Day 4: Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Overnight Cruise

After an early breakfast, your private driver will pick you up at the hotel for the three-hour transfer north to the legendary Ha Long Bay. Located on the Gulf of Tonkin, over 1,500 karst islets rise above jade waters, resembling the spine of a mythological creature ("ha long" translates to "descending dragon"). The unique beauty of this region is unlike anywhere else and thus has earned UNESCO World Heritage status.

Upon arrival at the marina, you'll board a luxurious ship for an overnight cruise. After settling into your cabin, head to the dining room, where a delicious lunch awaits. Then, relax on the sundeck as the ship sails across glassy emerald waters to secluded corners of the bay. Later, you'll stop at a secret cove for a swim and a kayak trip to explore hidden beaches and grottoes. Dinner will be served on board the ship, followed by activities. 

Day 6: Transfer to Sapa, Visit Hill Tribe Villages

On arrival at Lao Cai station, have breakfast, then take a scenic transfer to Sapa. During the trip, you'll pass winding rivers and gorgeous mountain valleys dotted with rice and cornfields, gardens, bamboo forests, and humble villages populated by Vietnam's ethnic minorities. These groups originated in southern China and emigrated to places like Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand over several centuries.

After arriving in Sapa, you'll check into your hotel, freshen up, and then head out to a few nearby villages. At the village of Lao Chai, for example, you'll witness the daily life of the Black Hmong, renowned for their handicrafts and traditional dress—colorful garments they make by hand. From here, you'll enjoy sweeping views of Muong Hoa, the largest valley in Vietnam, which contains some of the country's most picturesque rice fields. 

Continue hiking along terraced rice paddies to Ta Van, a village home to the Giay people. They're known for their rich culture and traditional wooden stilt homes rising above the rice fields. This area marks the beginning of the expansive Muong Hoa Valley, and from a high point on the main road, you'll be treated to panoramic views of the villages and soaring mountains surrounding them. At the end of the afternoon, you'll transfer back to Sapa. 

Day 7: Day Trip to Mount Fansipan, Overnight Train to Hanoi

Start the day with a short drive a few miles west to Mount Fansipan, Vietnam's tallest mountain, nicknamed the "Roof of Indochina." The journey to the top involves a thrilling cable car ride that ends at a garden complex dotted with pagodas and Buddha statues. From there, you can either hike or take a funicular train the rest of the way to the summit. At the 10,212-foot (3,134 m) peak, you'll enjoy 360-degree views of cloud-topped mountains and can see across the border into China. 

Afterward, meet your driver and continue to the O Quy Ho Mountain Pass in the Hoang Lien Son range. Also known as Heaven's Gate, it's the highest mountain pass in Vietnam and contains some of the north's most epic scenery. During the ride, you'll make several stops to take photos and admire sweeping views of Fansipan and the Sin Chai Valley. The area is often shrouded in blankets of mist and clouds, which complements the dramatic scenery. Later, you'll transfer back to Sapa and board an overnight train to Hanoi. 

Day 9: Day Trip to Hoi An via Marble Mountains & Bay Mau Palm Forest

Travel an hour down the coast today toward Hoi An, a peaceful port town that lies on the Tho Bon River and is fringed by tranquil rice paddies and beaches lapped by the South China Sea. Visitors are drawn to Hoi An for its ancient architecture, lantern-lined streets, and skilled tailors who can whip up a custom-made outfit in as little as 24 hours. On your way to Hoi An, stop at the Marble Mountains, a cluster of five limestone peaks home to caves, tunnels, and temples. 

Later, tour the nearby 208-acre (84 ha) Bay Mau Palm Forest. Peruse the bamboo handicraft center, where locals have been creating goods from coconut and bamboo since the beginning of the 19th century. Afterward, take a trip in a Vietnamese bamboo basket boat through the mangroves; you'll get the chance to paddle and try your hand at crab fishing.

Continue to Hoi An, designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its colorful architecture and old merchant homes. Explore some highlights, including the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation Assembly Hall, and the market where stalls brim with regional specialties. End the day with an atmospheric lantern boat ride before returning to Da Nang. 

Day 11: Explore Bangkok's Temples, Palaces & Markets

This morning, you'll take a guided tour of Bangkok, starting with a trip to Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn, since it's named after the Indian dawn god, Aruna. Take a ferry across the Chao Phraya River to Wat Pho, which houses a giant reclining Buddha statue.

Next is the Grand Palace, a complex of intricate temples and palaces built in 1782, which served as the royal family's home for 150 years. Today, the palace is used for royal ceremonies such as weddings, funerals, and state banquets. Highlights include the Reception Hall, Coronation Hall, and Wat Phra Kaew, which houses the Emerald Buddha statue.

Finish the trip with an exhilarating tuk-tuk ride to Chatuchak Market. With more than 15,000 stalls, it's one of the world's largest outdoor markets and sells everything from clothes and flowers to food and antiques. Pick up some souvenirs and sample some street food snacks before returning to your hotel for the evening. 

Day 12: Day Trip to Ayutthaya, Afternoon Tea at the Oriental

The day begins with a 90-minute drive from Bangkok through verdant countryside and paddy fields to the UNESCO-listed city of Ayutthaya. This 14th-century archaeological site was once the capital of the Siam Kingdom (the forerunner to Thailand), and today, you can wander among its over 300 historical sites, including the ruins of palaces, temples, and monasteries. Break for lunch before visiting the Portuguese Archaeology Museum, which offers a glimpse of the role the Portuguese played in Ayutthaya's history through trading and weaponry. 

Back in Bangkok, you'll enjoy refinement and elegance as you sit down for a traditional afternoon tea service. This urbane experience occurs in the luxurious Author's Lounge of the 19th-century Oriental Hotel (now the Mandarin Oriental). There, amid white linens and elegant French decor, you'll enjoy a scrumptious service that includes delicate finger sandwiches, decadent pastries, fresh-baked scones, homemade jams, and more—dress smart! 

Day 13: Fly to Chiang Mai, Evening Foodie Tour

Bid farewell to Bangkok this morning and fly just over an hour north to Chiang Mai. Set in the cooler, mountainous north of Thailand, this was once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom and still retains its moat-encircled Old City. Chiang Mai is a cultural mecca, home to historic architecture and over 300 temples where orange-robed monks live and worship. Settle into your hotel and then head out to wander the streets of the Old City.

When the sun goes down, you'll get a taste of the city on a food tour. Board a tuk-tuk (auto-rickshaw) to Warorot, the city's century-old market. Browse the stalls, stopping to sample seasonal fruit and sai oua (northern Thai sausage), accompanied by iced tea. Next, head to the vibrant Night Bazaar, where you'll try typical dishes such as bua loi, a coconut broth with pandan-filled dumplings.

Afterward, you'll transfer to another of Chiang Mai's night markets at the city's ancient gates. Chang Puak Night Market at North Gate is always bustling and offers a great range of authentic Thai cuisine. Try the khao kha moo (stewed pork leg) served by the amiable lady with the cowboy hat. Besides her excellent food, she's become famous thanks to visits from wandering celebrities like Anthony Bourdain. Later, take the tuk-tuk back to your hotel—or stay out a little longer and enjoy the nightlife. 

Day 15: Day Trip to Lamphun

Venture well off the beaten tourist trail today with a trip to Lamphun, an ancient city 25 miles (40 km) south of Chiang Mai. Established in the ninth century, it's one of the oldest hubs in Thailand and once served as the capital of the powerful kingdom of Haripunchai. Like Chiang Mai, Lamphun is dotted with temples and encircled by ruins of walls and a moat. Despite this, it's barely visited by tourists, and you'll notice an undisturbed feel.

Start your private tour at Wat Phra That Haripunchai, built in the 12th century by King Haripunchai; the focal point is a striking 167-foot-tall (51 m) golden pagoda thought to contain relics of Lord Buddha. Continue to Wat Jammathevee, which features a unique chedi that was famously struck by lightning, then end with a walk through Pa Sang village, where you'll see locals weaving textiles on looms. Later, you'll return to Chiang Mai.

Day 18: Transfer to Khao Lak, Optional Activities

This morning, meet your driver and transfer 1.5 hours from the park to the Andaman Sea coast and Khao Lak. Translating to "white sand beach," Khao Lak has a well-earned name due to its soft, powdery white sands. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy some free time to relax. If you like, spend the rest of the day sunbathing and swimming off the beach fronting your resort hotel. There's also the option to go kayaking or canoeing around an offshore island.

Day 19: Snorkeling Tour of the Similan Islands

After breakfast at the resort, you'll board a speedboat and head over to the Similan Islands, an archipelago of nine isles off the coast of Khao Lak—four of which are open to the public. The entire archipelago is a national park that protects its unspoiled coastlines and offshore coral reefs. You'll take advantage of these ideal marine conditions on a full-day tour of the islands.

During the morning portion of the trip, a speedboat will take you to a couple of prime snorkeling spots for two hours in the water with an experienced guide. Around noon, you'll stop at an island for a picnic lunch on the beach. Following this, embark on a short hike up to a lookout point offering great views over the bay. Enjoy more snorkeling in the afternoon to spot tropical fish, sea turtles, rays, moray eels, seahorses, and (possibly) reef sharks. Afterward, you'll return to Khao Lak.

Day 20: Mangrove Kayak Tour

Today, you'll embark upon a private kayaking tour through Khao Lak's dense mangroves. Travel by long-tail boat to the floating base camp, where you'll hop aboard a kayak and follow your guide through a tangle of snaking mangrove forests inhabited by monkeys, otters, and rainbow-colored birds.

Paddle through this floating forest, stopping for refreshments at the base camp. Afterward, continue your journey to a secret lagoon where you can take a cooling swim among nature before returning to the pier. Return to Khao Lak for a final evening by the sea.

Day 21: Transfer to Phuket, Depart

All good things must come to an end, and today, you'll say goodbye to Southeast Asia (for now). Your driver will pick you up in the morning for the two-hour transfer south to the airport in Phuket, where you'll catch your flight home. Safe travels!