Natural Treasures of Vietnam & Thailand - 14 Days

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi (Vietnam), City & Food Tour

Welcome to Vietnam! Touchdown in Hanoi, the high-energy capital and cultural heart. A private driver will take you to your hotel, navigating the motorbike-choked streets of the city. Along the way, take in your first views of Hanoi's tree-lined avenues, which feature a mix of temples and French colonial buildings contrasted with modern, glassy malls and office buildings.

Get oriented with a guided tour of Hanoi's top sights, starting at the Presidential Palace in the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where Vietnam's revered revolutionary leader, Ho Chi Minh, lies embalmed in a mausoleum. Wander the serene grounds to see the humble wooden stilt house where he once lived, as well as the ornate One Pillar Pagoda, which sits in the middle of a lake and resembles Vietnam's national flower, the lotus.

Continue to Hanoi's Old Quarter, known as the "36 Streets" area. These bustling, narrow streets and alleys are home to thousands of small businesses, street vendors, and shopkeepers. Take a walk past Hoan Kiem Lake, an oasis where locals come to exercise and relax, then take a seat at the nearby theater for a water puppet show, a northern Vietnamese art form thought to have originated in the flooded rice fields of the Red River Delta region.

Tonight, you'll dine on Hanoi's fabled street food delights. Wander the streets of the Old Quarter with a guide, sampling typical dishes such as cha ca (grilled fish with turmeric), pho bo (beef noodle soup), and bun cha (grilled pork served with vermicelli noodles). If you're feeling adventurous, sample trung vit lon, Vietnam's fertilized duck eggs. Wash it down with Hanoian beer and a cup of the city's unique egg coffee. 

Day 2: Transfer to Mai Chau, Hoa Binh Lake Cruise & Cycling Experience

This morning, travel three hours southwest of Hanoi to Mai Chau, a one-street town famed for its surrounding fields of swaying rice, bordered by hulking mountains. The villages here belong to people of Thai ancestry, who live in stilt houses and make a living from homestays and farming. Stop for lunch with a local family and a short cruise on tranquil Hoa Binh Lake. 

Arrive in Mai Chau mid-afternoon, ready to hop on a bike for a cycling tour of the area's Thai villages, pedaling through iconic rice paddies. End in the village of Pom Coong, your base for the night. Enjoy a music show accompanied by dinner; don't forget to try some of the locally brewed rice wine.

Day 3: Day Trip to Hoa Lu & Ninh Binh, Return to Hanoi

Today, you'll journey three hours east to Ninh Binh, a region loved for its ruined palaces and patchwork paddy fields bisected by snaking rivers. Your first stop is Hoa Lu, Vietnam's capital in the 10th and 11th centuries, which features decorative temples built in honor of former emperors like Dinh Tien Hoang of the Dinh Dynasty and Emperor Le Dai Hanh of the Le Dynasty.

Stop at a restaurant for lunch before heading to Tam Coc's dock. Here, you'll board a sampan boat, which your driver will row with their feet, local style. Float through limestone grottoes and spot spiritual sites like Dia Linh Mountain among the dramatic karst scenery, which has earned itself the nickname "Ha Long Bay on Land." End the day with a trip to Thai Vi Temple or Bich Dong Pagoda before returning to Hanoi. 

Day 4: Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Athena Royal Overnight Cruise

Today starts with a three-hour drive to Ha Long Harbor, where you'll board the luxurious Athena Royal for your overnight cruise of this UNESCO-listed landmark. Sail across the paper-flat waters, taking in views of more than 2,000 limestone karsts steeped in Vietnamese legend. A delicious seafood lunch onboard awaits, followed by plenty of time to sit on the sundeck as you sail to the most remote corners of Ha Long Bay.

In the afternoon, visit limestone caves and secret coves, where you can swim and kayak to explore hidden beaches and grottoes. Return to your ship to watch the sunset from the deck, accompanied by snacks and drinks. The ship's expert chef will lead a cooking masterclass, teaching you how to make specialties such as nem (Vietnamese fried spring rolls) for dinner. You can spend the evening relaxing, join the locals for a spot of night fishing, or indulge in a massage.

Day 5: Cruise Ha Long Bay, Fly to Ho Chi Minh City

Wake early for breakfast on the ship's deck, watching the sun rise over the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, deemed one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature. The morning is yours to simply absorb the view or join in with a tai chi class or kayak across the paper-flat waters to a limestone cave full of stalagmites and stalactites. Enjoy a buffet lunch on board while you sail back to the harbor.

Back on land, a driver will be waiting to take you back to the airport in Hanoi, where you'll board a two-hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City. When you arrive in Vietnam's largest metropolis, you'll be transferred straight to your hotel. Settle in and then stroll through the city's noodle-soup-scented alleyways and grand French boulevards independently. You'll discover a mix of colonial architecture and modern skyscrapers, snaking markets, and sprawling mega malls.

Day 6: Mekong Delta Cultural Discovery

This morning, you'll transfer two hours south to the lush Mekong Delta. Known as Vietnam's rice bowl, this region is full of mangroves, sugar cane plantations, and waterlogged paddies. Board a boat to sail the Ben Tre River, one of the tributaries of the mighty Mekong. You'll visit businesses like a brick workshop and honey farm along the way. Tour one of the coconut candy workshops Ben Tre is famous for to try these tasty treats and learn how they're made.

Step onshore to visit a small riverside village where locals make hand-woven rush mats, a tradition that dates back generations. From here, cycle through a coconut grove to explore the countryside, passing lime-green rice fields, vegetable farms, and exotic fruit orchards. Have lunch before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for a laid-back evening.

Day 7: Ho Chi Minh City Tour, Fly to Bangkok (Thailand)

Discover Chi Minh City's highlights with a guided tour this morning. Start at the century-old Ben Thanh, one of the biggest markets in the city, where vendors sell everything from meat to seafood and produce. Next, visit the stirring War Remnants Museum, which tells the story of the American War in Vietnam with haunting exhibits. 

Continue to the Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, a symbol of the end of the American War when Ho Chi Minh's tanks stormed the complex in 1975. Afterward, you'll explore many of the city's famous French colonial landmarks, like the grand Central Post Office and the Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, a replica of Paris's famous cathedral, which features spike-topped towers and stained-glass windows imported from France. 

This afternoon, say goodbye to Vietnam and take a 1.5-hour flight to Bangkok, where your driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel in the city's heart. Thailand's capital is beloved for its chaotic energy, street food, buzzing nightlife, and Buddhist sights. 

Day 8: Bangkok Grand Palace, Klongs & Temples Tour

Uncover Bangkok's cultural gems today, beginning with a trip to Pak Khlong Talat, a market specializing in fresh flowers and produce. Move on to the Grand Palace, a complex of intricate palaces and temples built in 1782, which served as the royal family's home for 150 years. Highlights include the Reception Hall, Coronation Hall, and Wat Phra Kaew, which houses the sacred Emerald Buddha, a 26-inch (66 cm) jade statue of a meditating Buddha.

After lunch, board a long-tail boat for a peaceful journey along Bangkok's klongs (canals), lined with wooden stilt houses along the banks. Disembark to visit Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of Dawn (named after the Indian dawn god, Aruna). Your last stop of the day is Wat Pho, a temple founded during the 16th century that houses a giant, 150-foot-long (46 m) reclining Buddha statue whose feet are inlaid with mother-of-pearl.

Day 9: Fly to Chiang Mai, Visit Hmong Hill Tribe Village & Doi Suthep Temple

Leave Bangkok this morning and fly 1.5 hours north to Chiang Mai. Set in the mountainous north of Thailand, Chiang Mai was once the capital of the Lanna Kingdom and still retains its moat-encircled Old City. This cultural mecca is home to historical architecture and over 300 temples where orange-robed monks live and worship.

After checking into your hotel, you'll drive along a mountain road to discover villages home to Thailand's highland communities, often referred to as hill tribes. These belong to groups such as the Hmong, Karen, and Shan, whose ancestors originate from Myanmar and China. Each community has its own unique dress, language, and history. You'll visit a Hmong village to meet the residents and learn about their lifestyle and traditions. 

On the way back to Chiang Mai, spiral up a windy road to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, a sacred temple atop the mountain. Climb the 309 steps of the naga staircase to the temple's pagodas and copper-plated chedi, which contain relics of Lord Buddha. To show respect, circle the pagoda three times in an anticlockwise direction. The views of Chiang Mai from the temple, set at 3,500 feet (1,066 m) above sea level, are spectacular. 

Day 10: Elephant Sanctuary Visit & Local Cooking Experience

Rise early for today's tour, driving south of Chiang Mai through rolling hills, forests, and farmland. Next, take a 15-minute walk through the village to the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, where you'll change into traditional Karen clothing. You'll get an introduction to the history of elephants in Thailand and learn about these gentle giants' behavior, anatomy, and care.

You'll then meet the elephants and have an opportunity to feed and interact with them. Around noon, take a break for Thai food and fresh fruit before heading to the river to bathe the elephants. Join them in a therapeutic mud spa and take one last river swim before changing for the journey back to Chiang Mai. 

This afternoon, savor a taste of northern Thailand today with an exclusive cooking experience. Head to a village on the city's outskirts, where you'll meet a Lanna family who live in a traditional teak home. Walk through the family's orchard and garden, where they grow everything from mangos and coconuts to Thai herbs and vegetables. 

Pick ingredients for your cooking class, where you'll learn to prepare a typical Lanna meal influenced by Lao, Burmese, Yunnanese, and Isan traditions. Dishes feature sticky rice as a staple, as well as savory soups and various minced, roasted, or grilled meats. Dine on your creations before returning to Chiang Mai for a restful evening. 

Day 11: Explore Doi Inthanon National Park

Escape the city for a day trip to Doi Inthanon National Park, named for Thailand's highest mountain, Inthanon, towering over 8,400 feet (2,565 m) above sea level. Visit the crashing Wachiratarn Waterfall and flower farms run by the Royal Project, established to provide income for locals like the Khun Klaang, the area's biggest Hmong community, who previously made a living growing opium.

Your driver will take you to the park's purple-hued twin pagodas, built by the Thai Air Force, in honor of the Thai king and queen for their 60th birthdays. Continue to the top of the mountain, where you'll make the final steep climb on foot to the summit for panoramic views over the countryside. Stop at a stupa where the remains of Chao Inthawichayanon, the last independent ruler of Chiang Mai, are enshrined.

Finally, walk the scenic Ang-Kha Nature Trail, lined with ferns and, in January and February, bright rhododendrons. Take a break for lunch before driving back to Chiang Mai, returning in the late afternoon. Relish a final evening in the city, trawling for treasures at the Night Bazaar or temple hopping around the atmospheric walled Old City.

Day 12: Fly to Phuket, Explore the Island

Bid farewell to Chiang Mai this morning and fly two hours south to Phuket. Set on the Andaman Sea, Thailand's largest island is known for its powdery beaches, neon nightlife, and luxury resorts. The island is also home to diverse landscapes ranging from tropical rainforest to palm-fringed beaches and craggy limestone cliffs.

A driver will be waiting to take you to our hotel. Hit the beach to sunbathe, sit back with a cold drink, and then wade into the warm water for a swim or some snorkeling. Phuket's top beaches include Kata, with its soft sands, and Nai Harn, which remains undeveloped thanks to its small bay and sheltering lake.

Spend the evening in Phuket's Old Town. Here, you can wander the streets, discovering Sino-Portuguese architecture, Thai temples, colorful Chinese shrines, museums, and stately mansions. Finish with a trip to Thalang Road, where you'll find a thriving market perfect for picking up souvenirs. 

Day 13: Phi Phi & Khai Islands Speed Boat Tour

Today, you'll experience the beauty of the Khai and Phi Phi archipelagoes. Start with a speedboat ride to the Phi Phi Islands, 25 miles (40 km) east of Phuket, known for their film-worthy beaches and top snorkeling spots. Highlights include swimming and snorkeling among marine life at Pileh Lagoon and Viking Cave and visiting Phi Phi Ley's Maya Bay, which served as the setting for the Leonardo DiCaprio movie, "The Beach." 

Stop at Monkey Beach, home to cheeky macaques, before enjoying an island buffet lunch. Continue to Ton Sai Bay for some village sightseeing before sailing on to the cluster of Khai Islands, famed for their unspoiled sands and undeveloped vibe. Laze on the palm-shaded beach, sip a cocktail, or snorkel among coral reefs teeming with marine life. The trip ends with an exhilarating speedboat ride back to Phuket for one last evening on the island.

Day 14: Depart Phuket

Today your Vietnam and Thailand getaway comes to an end. Spend a final few hours on the beach or shopping for souvenirs before your airport transfer. Safe travels!

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