This 11-day tour will take you on a journey to discover the rich culture and the fascinating history of Vietnam & Thailand. Beyond the beautiful sightseeing, you will experience the colorful lifestyle in the wonderful Mekong Delta and Bangkok. You will also witness the enchantment of the historic town of Hoi An and the wonderful land of Chiang Mai with its magnificent pagodas.
Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, you will be picked up by our driver and then transferred to your hotel. Have a rest after a long flight.
NOTE:
Meals: N/A
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
The arrival time can be flexible.
Day 2: Mekong Delta - Full day Discover Tan Phong Island
Morning
Have breakfast then meet our driver and travel to Cai Be tourist pier.
The Mekong Ecolodge boat picks you up at the pier and disembarks to explore the lively Mekong Delta:
Visit Com candy craft village, where you can see the production process of candy nuggets and try freshly baked sweet nuggets.
The next destination is the bee farm. Take a look at the honey-making process and enjoy honey tea.
Continues to Tan Phong island and explores native specialty fruit gardens such as durian, rambutan, longan, plum, and more.
Travel to Uncle 5 On's house to join the garden folk music exchange with local artists and enjoy a cup of tea and welcome fruit of the host.
Experience dinghy sailing in a small canal around Tan Phong island to Mekong Ecolodge to rest, then join a cooking class and have lunch.
Have an Interesting Boat tour to Tan Phong Islet
Afternoon
You can take a walk around the Ecolodge campus to see tropical fruit & colorful flower gardens. Here, you can even pick and try those fruits (apple, cherry, guava, strawberry, toad,...) for free on the spot.
13:00: get on a bicycle to start the journey to discover and participate in amusing activities with the people on Tan Phong Island.
First, we go to Sister 3's house to see the process of making traditional rice paper rolls.
Visit Aunt 4's house to watch how the worker here knits a hammock with banana rope.
Cycling to Thao's house to learn how to knit water hyacinth, you can try to knit one yourself. After that, youll make beautiful gifts with the guidance of Ms. Thao.
Go to Ms. Hieu's house to see the process of making nail files with bamboo sticks - a locally available material.
End the trip and cycle back to Ecolodge.
Around 15:00: Get on the boat and go back to Cai Be tourist pier. Our driver will pick you up and drive you to your hotel.
You are free for the rest of the day. Lets explore the bustling Ho Chi Minh City at night.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Morning
Say hello to the city with a Saigonese breakfast and morning coffee.
OPTIONAL: You can take a Good Morning Saigon! Tour to sightsee this beautiful city.
Afternoon
After lunch, you will go on a half-day tour to Cu Chi Tunnels, a historical site built during the Vietnam War in the mid-20th century
Upon arrival, watch a documentary film to learn more about the Cu Chi area and its contribution to the Vietnam War.
Explore the tunnel site, which includes many hidden trap doors within the maze-like tunnels, and learn more about the handmade weapon and traps.
Discover specially constructed underground living areas with kitchens, bedrooms, storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers helping the Viet Cong soldiers lives inside.
Taste special tea and tapioca which was the guerillas food during the war.
You can also try a gun from a war era at the nearby firing range (additional charges)
End of the trip, our driver will transfer you back to your hotel
Evening
Take a flight from Tan Son Nhat International Airport to Da Nang Airport for around 1 hour.
Transfer from Da Nang to Hoi An, check in and stay for the night.
Explore the Underground System of Cu Chi Tunnels
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Morning/Afternoon (Depending on your availability)
After breakfast, meet our tour guide and join a walking tour to explore the charming Hoi An Ancient Town:
Visit the most famous spot of the town, such as Assembly Halls of Chinese and the Japanese Covered Bridge that was printed on the Vietnamese 20.000 banknotes.
Stop at a lovely stall on the street for a refreshing drink called Mot- a herbal tea made from lime, lemongrass, licorice, and other herbs.
Visit a handicraft store where you can buy souvenirs and see how people make them here.
Afternoon
Discover the town on your own. You can try some local foods like Cao Lau and Banh Mi Phuong.
OPTIONAL: Take a Hoi An Vespa Tour for a unique traveling experience
Visit Famous Attractions Of Hoi An Ancient Town
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
Morning
Have breakfast and get ready for a trip to Tra Que Village, famous for its variety of homegrown vegetables.
08:00: Start the tour with a guide by car or bicycle to the vegetable village:
Along the way, you will visit the colorful central market of Hoi An. You can interact with the local sellers and learn about the ingredients that will be used in cooking lessons later.
09:00 - 9:30: Travel to Tra Que village and listen to the introduction about its history and vegetable production.
Go around to see the tools the farmers use in the field: hoes, shovels, rakes, etc., and take a look at the vegetable samples, which can be used as medicine.
Walk to the garden to do some gardening: rake the soil, water and fertilize it with local seaweed. Listen to the methods for preventing pests during vegetable development.
Relax by bathing your feet in local medicinal herbs, which can help you relieve some ailments like rheumatism.
11:00: Attend a cooking lesson in a restaurant where you will learn how to make traditional Vietnamese dishes such as Banh Xeo and Spring Rolls from the chef.
You will enjoy the meal that you cooked with the chef. After that, take a little break.
Try Interesting Farming Work In Tra Que Village
Afternoon
Travel to the My Son Sanctuary, a ruined Hindu temple complex considered the spiritual heart of ancient Champa.
Cross the Cua Dai Bridge with its spectacular views of the Hoi An river system, mountains, and Cham Islands.
Visit the local fishing village and see how the fishermen work during the day.
Arrive at My Son Sanctuary, which was described by French historians as the "Valley of Kings'. This was once the capital of the Cham Pa Kingdom for more than 13 centuries.
Watch a traditional dance performance and walk to the Cham with a short ascent along a jungle-bordered track.
Witness the impressive Hindu-themed ruins featuring magnificent stone sculptures, temples, and towers and learn about the ancient Cham royal and the religion maintained there.
Cruise along the charming Thu Bon River and transfer back to Central Hoi An.
Go back to your hotel in Hoi An.
Evening
Return to Hoi An town and relax at your leisure.
You can take a boat ride along Thu Bon River and drop the lantern on the river to make a wish or stroll around the sparkling Hoi An lantern town.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
You have the whole day free to discover Hoi An by yourself.
If you haven't had a plan yet, you can refer to our Best Hoi An Tours
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
After breakfast, pack your belongings and transfer from Hoi An to Da Nang Airport to fly to Suvarnabhumi International Airport. (travel duration: 1 hour 40 minutes)
Check in at your hotel in the city and be free for the rest of the day.
Have fun with the exciting nightlife in Bangkok. You can take a walk to Yaowarat Chinatown to try Thai cuisine and go shopping.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Bangkok
Morning
Hotel pick-up to get to the unique Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, about 100 km southwest of Bangkok.
Here, you can get on a long-tailed speedboat tour to see how local life goes on and look for a lovely souvenir or freshly picked goods from hundreds of vendors and purchasers on their small boats.
You can also observe Thai traditional houses, understand the way they live, and enjoy market activities from a passage along the canal if you dont want to get on the boat.
Return to your hotel and relax.
Afternoon
Our driver will transfer you to the train station to take an overnight train to the beautiful Chiang Mai (travel duration: 14 hours 20 minutes).
NOTE: You will share the berths with other travelers. If available, you can upgrade to a private cabin with a surcharge.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Chiang Mai Overnight Train
Day 9: Chiang Mai Temples Tour
Morning
Early arrival at Chiang Mai Train Station. Fulfill your energy with a warm breakfast before starting the tour to explore the finest temples of Chiang Mai:
Visit Wat Phra Singh, one of the most venerated temples in the city with stand-out Lanna-style roofs and glittering viharn.
Continue to Wat Chedi Luang, the temple of the great stupa dating back more than 600 years ago.
The final stop is Wat Chiang Man, the very first royal temple of the city, which covers some important Buddhist images. Take a look at its chedi (pagoda), which has 15 life-size elephant carvings incorporated into its base.
Return to the city center, and take a rest at your hotel.
Afternoon/ Evening
You are free at your leisure. You can visit other famous attractions of Chiang Mai, such as Bazaar Night Market, Wua Lai Walking Street, Grand Canyon, and more.
OPTIONAL: Join a Chang Chill Elephant Observation Half-day Tour to meet Thailands national animal.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai
Morning
Enjoy breakfast and transfer to Doi Suthep Temple, a dominant sacred temple among the Thais located on a mountain.
You can get on a cable car or take a walk on the Serpent Steps, a 309-step stairway lined by gorgeously embellished Nagas which lead straight to the entrance of the temple.
Upon reaching the place, you will have a chance to witness the magnificent central chedis sight and other stunning sculptures, bells, pagodas, and shrines around the temple.
One of the most recommended activities is conquering the 1,615m Doi Suthep top for the gorgeous panoramic view over Chiang Mai, which is perfect for beautiful photos.
Afternoon & Evening
Return to your hotel. You will have free time to discover the city on your own.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai
After breakfast, enjoy the last day at the Rose of the North
Transfer to Chiang Mai International Airport for your departure flight. End of the tour.
Goodbye and have a safe flight.
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: N/A