Join us to explore the cultural treasures of Vietnam and Thailand in 10 days. Begin your journey in Vietnam with visits to historic pagodas and bustling markets in Hanoi, followed by an insightful tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels, rich with war history. Experience an overnight cruise on the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay and enjoy a boat ride through the lush landscapes of the Mekong Delta. Conclude your trip in Thailand, where the vibrant city of Bangkok offers glittering palaces and delectable street food, along with an enriching day trip to the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya.
Your first stop of the journey to discover Vietnam and Thailand culture in 10 days is Hanoi, the bustling capital and cultural epicenter of Vietnam. Upon arrival, a private driver will escort you to your hotel, navigating the busy streets filled with a mix of ancient temples, French colonial architecture, and modern buildings. The Old Quarter‘s maze-like streets are lined with shops and cafés spilling onto the sidewalks, where locals enjoy coffee and games of checkers.
Hoan Kiem Lake at the heart of Hanoi
Join a Hanoi food expert for an evening culinary tour. Start at Thanh Ha Market to sample local delicacies and learn about Vietnamese culinary traditions. Then, head to Dong Xuan Market, famous for its noodle shops, to try dishes like pho sot vang and bun dau.
Explore the historic laneways of the Old Quarter, learning about traditional celebrations and tasting French-influenced desserts. Stroll around Hang Cot Street, which is famous for its preserved fruits. Conclude today’s tour at a café, sipping sweet iced coffee or a slow-dripped hot brew while observing the vibrant street life.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, and an English-speaking guide.
Today’s Hanoi sightseeing tour kicks off with a visit to Hang Be Market in the Old Quarter, a historic spot where locals have sourced fresh produce, meats, and dry goods for centuries. Next, explore Tran Quoc Pagoda, the city’s oldest Buddhist shrine, set on an island in West Lake and dating back to the sixth century.
Tran Quoc Pagoda
Then, head to the Museum of Ethnology, showcasing an extensive collection of costumes and artifacts from Vietnam‘s 54 ethnic minority groups. After lunch, visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam‘s first national university built in the 11th century, celebrated for its impressive architecture and depicted on the 100,000 dong banknote.
Conclude the tour at the Ho Chi Minh Complex, where the revered leader Ho Chi Minh rests in an embalmed state within a mausoleum. Stroll through the tranquil grounds to view his simple stilt house and the iconic One Pillar Pagoda, which stands in a lake, symbolizing Vietnam‘s national flower, the lotus.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visiting fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
This morning, embark on a private 2.5-hour transfer to the northwest coast, where the Gulf of Tonkin meets the land, to begin your overnight Ha Long Bay tour. Sail across the serene waters, admiring over 2,000 limestone karsts steeped in Vietnamese legend. Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch onboard, with plenty of time to relax on the sun deck as you venture to Ha Long Bay‘s remote areas.
Ha Long Bay
In the afternoon, explore a hidden cove where you can swim and kayak to discover secret beaches and grottoes. Look for formations like Kissing Rock, featured on Vietnam’s 200,000 dong note. The ship’s expert chef will guide you in a cooking masterclass, teaching you to make Vietnamese specialties like nem (fried spring rolls) for dinner. Spend the evening relaxing or join the locals for night fishing to conclude the day.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide on boat, Sightseeing fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Wake up early to enjoy breakfast on the ship’s deck, witnessing the sunrise over the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, a New Seven Wonders of Nature. Spend the morning soaking in the view or participating in optional activities like tai chi and kayaking around floating villages and forested islands.
Kayaking at Halong Bay
Explore a limestone cave adorned with stalagmites and stalactites before heading back to the harbor, with brunch served on board. Your driver will take you back to Hanoi, in time for your two-hour flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Settle into your hotel and then venture out to explore Vietnam’s largest metropolis, known for its winding alleyways, bustling markets, and a mix of modern skyscrapers with French colonial landmarks and decorative temples.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide on boat, Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh City plane ticket, Cruise fees, Meals: Breakfast, Brunch.
Today, delve into Vietnam’s war history with a visit to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a key site used by the Viet Cong during the 1960s. Located northwest of Ho Chi Minh City, this extensive network of tunnels spans over 155 miles and serves as communication routes, storage, hospitals, and living quarters. You’ll have the chance to crawl through a tunnel section to experience their narrow confines.
Notre Dame Cathedral, Ho Chi Minh City
Return to Ho Chi Minh City to visit the Independence Palace, a symbol of the war’s end in 1975. Then, explore the city’s French colonial landmarks, including Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, and conclude with a tour of Ben Thanh Market, one of the city’s largest markets.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visiting fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
This morning, head south to the verdant Mekong Delta, often referred to as Vietnam‘s rice bowl. The area is rich with mangroves, sugar cane plantations, and waterlogged rice paddies. Board a boat to cruise along the Ben Tre River, a tributary of the Mekong, and visit local enterprises such as a brick workshop and a honey farm. At one of Ben Tre’s famous coconut candy workshops, you can sample and see how these sweets are made.
Ben Tre River
Stop at a riverside village to have tea with a family that weaves rush mats. Explore the village by bike or motor cart, passing vibrant rice fields, vegetable farms, and fruit orchards. Enjoy lunch at Green Coconut Restaurant by the river, then try rowing along a creek before returning to Ho Chi Minh City for a relaxed evening.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visiting fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Bid farewell to the first country of your 10 days in Vietnam and Thailand, and take a 1.5-hour flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival, your driver will transfer you to your hotel in the bustling city center. Bangkok is renowned for its vibrant energy, delectable street food, lively nightlife, and beautiful Buddhist temples.
Chatuchak Market, Bangkok
After checking in to the hotel, you will have time to explore this city at your own pace. Consider starting in Chinatown for an exciting street-food tour. For souvenirs, visit Siam Paragon, one of the city’s top shopping malls. If it’s the weekend, don’t miss the sprawling Chatuchak Market with over 15,000 stalls.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, Ho Chi Minh City – Bangkok plane ticket, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
In the morning, embark on a captivating journey to discover some of Bangkok’s most revered temples. Begin your exploration at Wat Traimit, home to an awe-inspiring solid gold Buddha statue, which holds the distinction of being one of the largest in the country, weighing a remarkable 5.5 tons (4,990 kg). From there, proceed to Wat Pho, an ancient temple steeped in history, renowned for its impressive 150-foot (46 m) reclining Buddha adorned with exquisite mother-of-pearl inlays.
Wat Traimit – Temple of Golden Buddha
After a satisfying lunch, venture towards the Grand Palace, an architectural marvel that encompasses a collection of intricately designed temples and palaces. Today, the Grand Palace remains a significant venue for royal ceremonies, including weddings, funerals, and state banquets.
As the evening approaches, join your knowledgeable guide on a memorable expedition to Bangkok’s vibrant Chinatown for an enticing food tour. Indulge in mouthwatering dishes such as kai satay (barbecue chicken with sweet and sour peanut sauce), pad thai (stir-fried rice noodles), and ba mee mhoo daeng (crispy noodles with pork). To add to the excitement, the tour concludes with an exciting tuk-tuk ride through the lively streets of Bangkok, leading you back to your hotel.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visiting fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Today, we go on an enriching day trip from Bangkok to Ayutthaya, a city recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Enjoy a scenic 90-minute drive through lush countryside and picturesque paddy fields, immersing yourself in the natural beauty of the surroundings. Ayutthaya, once the capital of the esteemed Siam Kingdom in the 14th century, now stands as an archaeological marvel, inviting visitors to wander through the remnants of its palaces, temples, and monasteries.
Wat Phra Si Sanphet
Begin your exploration at Wat Phra Si Sanphet, a revered temple complex dating back to the 15th century. Marvel at the sight of three magnificent bell-shaped pagodas that dominate the landscape. Continue your journey to Wat Mahathat, a renowned site famous for its colossal banyan tree intricately intertwined with a Buddha statue, creating a captivating and mystical ambiance. Your next destination is Wat Yai Chaimongkol, where you’ll encounter one of Ayutthaya‘s largest chedis (stupas), surrounded by lush tropical gardens, evoking a serene and tranquil atmosphere.
Conclude your tour with a delightful boat trip to Bang-Pa-In, the former grand mansion of Thailand’s royal family, commissioned by Rama IV. Relax and enjoy the picturesque views of Ayutthaya as you glide along the water on a traditional long-tail boat.
Afterward, return to Bangkok, where you’ll have the evening free to indulge in your own explorations and discoveries, savoring the final moments in this vibrant capital city.
Included: Transportation, Accommodation, English-speaking guide, Visiting fees, Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Your journey of 10 days in Vietnam and Thailand has finally come to an end. You will now be transferred to Bangkok airport to catch your flight home. We hope the memories throughout this trip will leave you completely refreshed and energized, and we would be grateful to accompany you in any future travel idea you might have!
Included: Airport drop-off, Meal: Breakfast.
– There may be cancellation fees charged by suppliers (hotels, airlines, boats, trains…) once these bookings are made and paid. These fee shall by paid by travelers.
– These are maximum cancellation fees to be flexible applied:
Are you interested in this tour or would you like to customize your own trip?
Call our local experts: +84913.000.858
