Vietnam & Thailand in Classic – 19 Days

13-day Vietnam Tour

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival

Upon arrival, your guide and driver will be waiting to warmly greet you and escort you to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day will be yours, relax at leisure. In the evening, a welcome dinner will be served at a fine local restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi.

Night Activities Recommended: Get into local beer at Ta Hien Streets, discover the atmosphere of sleepless street with life music, young blood… There will be a variety of bars and pubs to enjoy or you just simply spend your evening strolling around and shopping.

Day 2: Hanoi City Tour (B, L, D)

Today, we will enjoy a city tour in Hanoi, exploring all highlights here. We will visit Ho Chi Minh complex and spend time at Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, his former stilt-house, the Presidential Palace, the Ho Chi Minh Museum and also, One Pillar Pagoda. The next place we pay a visit this morning is the Temple of Literature built as a temple of Confucius. Lunch will be served at KOTO restaurant which is the non-profit restaurant established by Vietnamese – Australian citizen in helping the street children have a job.

In the afternoon, we transfer to the Museum of Ethnology, known as the best in the country. It has an extensive display dedicated to 54 Ethnic minority peoples in Vietnam. Also, head to Hoa Lo Prison Museum which is well-known as the “Hanoi Hilton”. This place was the place that the former US presidential candidate – John McCain was incarcerated for more than 5 years.

You can choose to pass by Long Bien bridge which is the oldest bridge in Hanoi to feel the steady daily life of the locals here. It would be much different from the bustle streets nearby. Later, get into an hour of cyclo tour through the Old Quarter to get an insight into the Old Hanoi. After that, let sit down and enjoy the famous Water Puppets Show.

Optional Shows: Along with enjoying Water Puppets Show, you can choose the Tonkin Show or My Village show.

My Village Show: – Lang Toi at Tuong Theatre. Through Vietnamese music, dancing, acrobatics, juggling and bamboo, the show will tell you the cultural story of North Vietnam.

Tonkin Show: Normally, the show is opened on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The Quintessence of Tonkin Show is considered one of the most exhilarating show in Hanoi. It lasts an hour (7:30 pm – 8:30 pm) and draws inspiration from the spiritual history of Thay Pagoda nearby. The show tells you the story of Thay Pagoda which was found by venerable monk Tu Dao Hanh and explains the old-aged union between religion and the monarchy. This live spectacle is an unmissable highlight of any trip to Hanoi with years in the making and with hundreds of performers, an interactive stage, state-of-the-art technology, and a stunning setting.

You can find a local cuisine market here and take some for dinner. After enjoying the meal, go to the Tonkin show and you will go to the out-door stage of the show.

Remarks:

• Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum will be closed on every Monday & Friday. However, we can still visit outside and other sites in the complex.
• The Museum of Ethnology is not opened on every Monday.
• The Museum can be moved to another museum in Hanoi as your interest.

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay, Overnight on Cruise (B, L, D)

Today, we will enjoy our trip to one of the most magnificent scenic environments in the world, Halong Bay. Live, swim & sleep upon emerald wave aboard an exquisite Vietnamese boat atop the Halong Bay’s calm waters, dining in style with special comfort of the evening breeze that gently brushes through your hair. Be served a lavish meal consisting of the very finest of Vietnamese and oriental cuisine. Expand your palette as well as acquire the taste for something different!

And for those loving the water, you can feel it around your body as you take an invigorating swim under a glowing afternoon sun in the quiet, peaceful bay, the tranquil, crashing waves and picturesque view accenting your indulgence perfectly… Spend the night in your own private cabin, complete with air conditioning and a very comfortable bed to get your head down after a day of joy. Overnight on cruise.

Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Fly to Hue (B, L)

Wake up with your head just atop the lapping waters, we’ll enjoy a full breakfast atop the top deck of your ship before discovering the legendary Sung Sot cave as well as the natural beauty around it. Then, go back to the glorious city of Hanoi once more to connect with your trip to Hue City…Overnight in Hue.

Day 5: Hue Full-day City Tour (B, L)

Today, the day tour in Hue takes you through the heart of the old Imperial Citadel as well as inducts you into the times of old. It is a pure breath of knowledge for the soul as you are walked through the ages of Vietnam & exposed to the stunning, yet pleasantly turbulent history of the great country. Witness the mausoleums of the powerful former Emperors, well-preserved, their history carved into humanity eternally, and listen to the stories of all that they achieved. Seek what shaped the beauty of the country you marvel at before you today. And even venture to the oldest, the first site of the fabled Hue City, the Thien Mu Pagoda, and know where it all began… Coming back in time really is possible with these amazing visits! Overnight in Hue.

Day 6: Hue – Hoi An (via Danang) (B, L)

Breakfast at the hotel and we take a pretty drive to Hoi An along the highway A1. En route, make a stop to contemplate the beautiful vista of North to Lang Co Beach, and South to Danang City.

Upon arrival in Danang, visit Cham Museum which is home to the most complete collection of Cham Artifacts. Also, China Beach where the American named and used to enjoy relaxation. Go to the Marble Mountain or the 5 Elements of the Universe (air, wood, water, fire, earth). In the afternoon arrive in Hoi An. The rest of the day will be yours. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 7: Hoi An Walking tour – Tailor shop (B, L)

Today, enjoy a walking tour in the morning. Begin our walking tour around the old-aged town to head to the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky old house, the Pottery Museum, the silk street of Hoi An, the Cantonese congregation, the temples and pagodas of Chinese appearance.

Later, go to the renowned tailored shops which will be waiting for you. If you want, the guide will take you to visit some of them. For the Ao Dai or suit, it takes around 5 hours to complete this. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 8: Hoi An – Leisure at An Bang Beach (B)

Today, relax at leisure.

Day 9: Hoi An Farming & Fishing Life Eco Day Tour (B, L)

Early start in the morning as we head off to our Farming & Fishing Life Eco Tour. Starting at Tra Que Village, we will get an insight into the local farming communities. Here, we enjoy with the farmers in preparing their land for sowing, helping to fertilize the garden using seaweed from the local river as well as watering it in using huge tin cans strapped to our backs.

Following this, we start our leisurely cycling tour through the countryside marveling at the local Vietnamese rural life first hand. Later, board our Hoi An Eco-tour boat for enjoying a river cruise. Meet and witness local fishermen working their craft, before getting into a hands-on experience of traditional net fishing. We then go to a Vietnamese bamboo basket boat for a quick race along with ride down a coconut palm-lined waterway. Lunch will be served on boat, which is prepared using vegetables picked earlier at Tra Que Village. In the afternoon, we have some free time to stroll around Hoi An town center before returning to the hotel. The rest of the day will be yours. Relax at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 10: Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City (fly) (B, L)

Today, after breakfast, relax at leisure until getting escorted to the airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, our guide and driver will be waiting to warmly greet you and escort you to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day will be yours, relax at leisure.

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh – Mekong Delta, Overnight on Homestay (B, L, D)

Today, we will enjoy a trip to discovering Mekong Delta Region. The program will begin with a visit to Cai Be floating market. Then, we make our way to Tan Phong Island for biking or walking on village paths to marvel at the local daily life: orchard, pagoda, church, school, traditional houses or maybe the ancestral ways to enjoy fruits in Mekong Delta… En route, make some stops to observe how to sew coconut-leaves for cottage roof, they make rice-net for spring-rolls, and especially see how they wave the dried water-hyacinth to make many products such as baskets, hats, bags, wallets, shoes…

Then, the rowboat will lead you to dive into the countryside on smaller canals to get into the tranquil time. Lunch at Ba Kiet homestay After lunch. back to the boat to float across one of the world’s longest rivers to reach An Binh Island. Traverse on Muong Lo handmade canal for check-in at Ut Trinh homestay. The rest of the day will be yours. Overnight at the homestay.

Day 12: Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City (B, L)

In the morning, breakfast and check-out for walking along the village to get into the fresh air. Arrive at the local workshops to witness how to make coconut candy, rice paper, pop-rice… Taste some sweets with a cup of tea. Board on a boat to head to the brick kilns where you can observe how the local people create beautiful potteries. Going along the floating village then we can see how to farm catfish on Mekong river.

It is our opportunity to go to Vinh Long Market. You can take some photos of fish, shrimps, crabs, prawns, snakes, rice-field rats, vegetables, tropical fruits. Our cruise end at Vinh Long around 10:00. Then, take a pretty drive towards Ho Chi Minh City. The rest of the day will be yours. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 13: Cu Chi Tunnels – Ho Chi Minh City – Flight to Bangkok (B, L)

Today, we will have an interesting trip to Cu Chi tunnels in the morning and a city tour in the afternoon. We will watch a short introductory video before we enter the tunnels, which will show how they were built, followed by an exploration of the tunnels’ maze, some of which have been widened in order to allow tourists access. Also, on display, there are various mantraps as well as the remains of an American tank, numerous bomb craters made by 500lb bombs dropped by B52 bombers during the war. We have lunch at a restaurant before head to Ho Chi Minh City.

In the afternoon, visit the Reunification Palace, the former Presidential Palace for the president of the South of Vietnam. Then, head to War Remnant Museum, where we can observe countless artifacts, photographs and pictures documenting about the second Indochina war. Stop at Notre Dame Cathedral & Old Post Office to get good shots for our memory of the big & modern city of Vietnam. For the rest of the day, visit Ben Thanh market.

Take a flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival, our guide and driver will be waiting to warmly greet you and escort you to the hotel for check-in. The rest of the day will be yours, relax at leisure. Overnight in Bangkok.

6-day Thailand Tour

Day 14: Bangkok City Tour & Overnight in Kanchanaburi (B, L)

After 7:00 am, we leave Bangkok. Our tour guide will give you a potted Thailand’s history as well as point out the exhilarating sites as you will whizz out into the provinces. Salt farms and lush country quickly replaced high rises. We first visit Orchid Farm & Coconut Producer. That’s impressive many uses there are for coconuts & the small workshop has managed to turn the whole tree into a business. Squeezed for oil, young shoots boiled for palm sugar, lampshades, ladders, and even fuelling their fires with the husks.

The hive of activity (beware of the sugar-hungry bees), the orchids seem less interesting; however, it’s stunning to see them in their natural habitat. If you are used to witnessing them on window sills in plastic tubs. Then, take a 10’ drive to the pier to hop on the decorated long-tail boats which will be waiting to escort you to the market.

The journey takes around 20’ and it is wonderful to get into the tranquillity before the hectic pace of the market. At first, you can see it is an overcrowded place but I am sure that I will love it soon. Once there, you will indulge in a vibrant atmosphere with busy stalls that sell similar products to those you will be able to find at Chatuchak Weekend Market., small elephant’s toys, and some. Then, visit Maeklong Train Market to witness and listen to the local lifestyle outside Bangkok. Move to Kanchanaburi and overnight there.

Day 15: Kanchanaburi River Bridge – Drive back to Bangkok (B, L)

Today, we head to the War Cemetery of World War II which is the place thousands of the Allied Soldiers were laid in peace. Then, we move to the Death museum to witness the display of the relics of the war. We also get into a scenic long-tailed boat riding on the Mae Klong River. Welk over the renowned Bridge of River Kwai and take some photos. Lunch at a local restaurant and head back to Bangkok. Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 16: Bangkok – Fly to Chiangmai – Coffee, Temples & Market Hopping (B, L)

Take a flight to Chiangmai. Today, you will take a flight towards Chiang Mai. Upon arrival, explore Chiang Mai right away. We will visit Wat Phra Singh which is the original temple built in the 14^th century. The temple is one of the most famous attractions in Chiang Mai with its superb gilded rooftops & whitewashed walls. Next, we move to Wat Chedi Luang which is one of the oldest temples in Chiang Mai destroyed due to an earthquake in 1545. It then was partially restored by UNESCO in the 90’s. You can feel it’s really cool once there, but what we get into most is the opportunity to have a little chit-chat with monks about Buddhism and Chiang Mai.

Time to refresh. We go to Akha Amma Coffee House to take it easy and grab some dark brew or coffee. In the evening, you can choose to visit the Night Markets. Chiang Mai is a paradise of Shopaholic. As the sun goes down, there is nothing better than strolling around the maze of streets around its markets in the old city. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 17: Bua Tong Sticky Waterfalls (B, L)

Today, we will have an opportunity to enjoy one of the most unusual experiences. That’s traipsing up a waterfall with your feet sticking onto the rocks.

It’s 1.5 hours of drive northward of Chiang Mai to the limestone sticky waterfall. You can drive there yourself, of course, but you will be highly recommended taking a guide and book this trip with travel agency for your safety. Moreover, there ain’t not so good options for food & drink so if you choose to rely on a travel agency, the tour guide will cater for you and taste fantastic food and drink. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 18: Wat Doi Suthep & Cooking Class (B, L)

Today, we enjoy a little trek to the Doi Suthep Temple. It’s about 40’ out of the town and approx. 300 steps upward this mountain temple which is characterized by heavy gold accents & a number of other sights around. Once there, you can have a little chit-chat with monks or head to the hilltop Hmong Village. You can cool yourself since there are a few waterfalls nearby.

You also enjoy a cooking class today. Chiang Mai is an ideal place to do it as you will have an opportunity to experience some of the northern Thai cuisine like Khao Soi (creamy coconut curry noodle soup), Sai Qua (spicy sausage), Laab (spicy salad). There are many options to strive but the most prevalent is May Kaidee’s Cooking School. Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 19: Chiangmai Departure (B)

Time to say goodbye. Relax at leisure until getting escorted to the airport for a flight coming home. The trip ends. Hope you enjoyed it and wish that we could have an opportunity to go with Viet Vision Travel again.