Exotic Exploration: Trip Vietnam Cambodia Thailand in 20 Days

Upon your arrival at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, you will proceed through immigration where your passport will be stamped with the Vietnam visa. Documents required for a stay under 45 days:

• A valid passport with at least 6 months’ validity. Our driver and guide will be waiting for you at the airport to transfer you to your hotel (Check-in 14:00).
• Overnight in Hanoi.

At 8:00 AM, our guide will pick you up from your hotel for a special tour of Hanoi, one of the most comprehensive routes blending Vietnamese history, culture, and street life. The first stop is Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, located in Ba Dinh Square, where Vietnam’s Declaration of Independence was read in 1945. Then, visit the One Pillar Pagoda, a unique architectural structure symbolizing a lotus flower.

After exploring Hanoi’s historical landmarks, enjoy a stroll through the local markets and the Old Quarter. Experience the daily life in Hanoi, walking through its bustling narrow streets and market stalls. A highlight is the Temple of Literature, the first university in Vietnam, where scholars once studied.

Lunch will be at a local restaurant in the Old Quarter before you embark on a cyclo tour of the famous 36 streets of Hanoi, including Hang Dau and Ta Hien, also known as the “foreigners’ street.” End the day at Hoan Kiem Lake with a visit to the Ngoc Son Temple, a peaceful retreat in the city’s heart.

At 9:00 PM, head to the bus terminal for your overnight VIP bus to Sapa, arriving at 4:00 AM. Sapa is a mountainous town known for its breathtaking landscapes and ethnic villages.

Overnight on the VIP bus to Sapa.

Arrive in Sapa at 4:00 AM and transfer to your hotel for breakfast. Begin a 6 km trek through the Muong Hoa Valley, visiting Y Linh Ho and the ethnic Black H’mong village. Continue to Lao Chai and Ta Van, where you’ll meet the Dzay and H’mong people. This 12 km trek will take you through terraced rice fields, offering a stark contrast to urban Vietnam. Lunch at a local home in the village. After the trek, return to your hotel for rest.

Overnight in Sapa.

After breakfast, embark on a hike to Hang Da village, located 1,800 meters above sea level, offering panoramic views of the Fansipan mountain range. Enjoy a picnic lunch, then continue trekking to Hau Thao, home to the Black H’mong people. In the afternoon, return to Sapa, where a shared van will take you back to Hanoi.

Overnight in Hanoi.

At 8:30 AM, transfer from your hotel to the Tuan Chau Port in Halong Bay. Board the Peony Cruise for a relaxing journey through Halong Bay and the lesser-known Lan Ha Bay. After lunch, enjoy kayaking or swimming in the emerald waters of Tra Bau. In the evening, take part in a cooking class and enjoy dinner aboard the cruise.

Overnight on the Halong Bay cruise.

Start your day with a Tai Chi session on the deck. After breakfast, explore the Trung Trang Cave on Cat Ba Island. Return to the cruise for brunch before heading back to Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi, take a flight to Hue, Vietnam’s ancient imperial city.

Overnight in Hue.

Start your day with a visit to the Khai Dinh Tomb, a unique architectural masterpiece blending European and Vietnamese influences. Continue to the Minh Mang Tomb, known for its harmonious design and landscape. After lunch, explore the famous Imperial Citadel of Hue, a UNESCO World Heritage site. End the day with a boat ride along the Perfume River, visiting the Thien Mu Pagoda.

Overnight in Hue.

Leave Hue for Hoi An, stopping at Lang Co Beach and the Hai Van Pass, offering spectacular views. Visit the Marble Mountains in Da Nang before reaching Hoi An, a well-preserved ancient town. Enjoy a brief tour of Hoi An’s Old Town, including the Japanese Bridge and Fukien Assembly Hall.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Spend the day snorkeling at Cham Island, an hour’s boat ride from Hoi An. Explore the crystal-clear waters, coral reefs, and marine life before enjoying lunch on the beach. Return to Hoi An in the evening.

Overnight in Hoi An.

The architecture of Hoi An is unique in Vietnam, with its low houses and wooden-painted facades. The main points of interest in Hoi An are the following:

• Japanese Bridge, which according to local legend is indestructible.
• The Ceramic Museum, the amazing Tan Ky House (the first monument declared of historical interest), and the Cantonese Temple.
• Of course, all the alleyways of Hoi An are filled with lanterns and small shops selling souvenirs, clothes, and shoes.

Located along the Thu Bon River, Hoi An was an important fishing port from the 16th to the 18th century. The Old Town has remained intact, partly because during the war, most of the attacks were concentrated in the nearby city of Hue. Another reason for its preservation is that the existing laws prohibit altering the buildings and even the circulation of cars in its streets. We can say that it is one of the most charming towns in Vietnam, with an ancient and traditional feel. The multitude of details and Chinese, Japanese, and French influences have earned it recognition as a World Heritage Site.

This is a free day in Hoi An for you to enjoy this wonderful place at your own pace. Hoi An is famous for its tailors and shoemakers, so you can take the opportunity to do some shopping.

The bicycle is something typical of the Hoi An scene. A good option is to rent a bike to tour the surroundings in the morning and relax on the beach in the afternoon. It’s also worth taking a walk at sunset or very early in the morning along the Thu Bon River in a typical Sampan. These are small boats that take travelers and locals on a river tour. The rides usually last about an hour and can cost between 100,000 and 150,000 VND. If the sampan seems too small or unstable, some resorts offer this service on larger boats, and there are also larger, more sturdy boats available at the pier.

A kayak ride along the Thu Bon River is also a fun and beautiful way to see Hoi An from another perspective.

For those who want to take home a tailored suit, here are our recommendations:

• Ants Silk. It’s our favorite place for tailored suits. If you call or email in advance, we can make sure they are ready for your arrival. (antssilk@gmail.com or +84 938 750 243)
• Lantana, good quality and beautiful designs. Located at 52 Tran Hung Dao Street.
• Yaly Couture: at 47 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street (Great value for money).
• Miss Forget-Me-Not, Cloth Market, Stall #20, Hoi An, Vietnam (More homemade, but detailed).

Other recommendations in Hoi An:

• The Market Terrace / Bar $$
• Mango Mango Restaurant / Fusion Cuisine $$$$
• Cargo Club / International Cuisine $$$
• The Sound of Silence / Café Restaurant $$ (on the beach)

Overnight in Hoi An.

Free day in Hoi An. At 2:20 PM, transfer to the airport for a direct flight to Siem Reap. Upon arrival in Siem Reap, after completing the visa formalities, passport control, and collecting your luggage, head to the terminal exit, where our guide and private transport will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel. After check-in, depending on your arrival time, you will have free time to rest, enjoy the hotel facilities, or take a stroll around the city or have an aperitif.

Welcome to Siem Reap, the gateway to the millennial temples of Angkor, the legacy of the Khmer Empire.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

Around 5:00 AM, we will be waiting for you at the hotel reception to witness the sunrise at Angkor Wat. After enjoying the spectacular sky and sunrise over the Angkor temples, breakfast will be prepared by your hotel.

After regaining your energy, in the early morning, we will head back to the Angkor area and begin the visit to Angkor Wat, the largest monument in the Angkor group and the best preserved. It is a masterpiece of architecture. Its perfection in composition, balance, proportions, relief, and sculpture make it one of the finest religious monuments in the world.

Wat is the Khmer name used to refer to a temple, which was probably added to Angkor when it became a Theravada Buddhist monument, likely in the 16th century. After 1432, when the capital moved to Phnom Penh, Angkor Wat was guarded by Buddhist monks. The story goes that Angkor Wat was a funerary temple for King Suryavarman II and was oriented west to correspond with the symbolism between the setting sun and death. The bas-reliefs, designed to be viewed from left to right in the order of the Hindu funeral ritual, support this theory. Many inscriptions on stone describe the start of the construction of the temples, but no information exists on how such a great empire disappeared in such a short time.

Take a walk around this massive monument to admire the masterpiece of Khmer architecture and its well-planned engineering.

After the visit to Angkor Wat, we will take you to Ta Prohm, also known as the Jungle Temple, where man’s creation and nature’s power intertwine. Ta Prohm also became famous for appearing in the movie Tomb Raider, starring Angelina Jolie. Lunch will be at a restaurant near the temples of Angkor Wat.

In the afternoon, we will visit the Angkor Thom complex, entering through the Victory Gate. This complex includes the temples of Bayon, Baphuon, the Terrace of the Elephants, and the Terrace of the Leper King.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

We will start the day with a visit to the floating village of Kompong Phluk or Kompong Khleang (depending on the water level). During the dry season, the sight of the stilts supporting the floating houses is striking, as the water level is low, and in the rainy season, the water rises one or two meters from the base of the buildings. The village is a permanent community within the lake plain, with an economy based on fishing, surrounded by forests.

On the way back to Siem Reap, we will stop at the Roluos Group temples, which include Bakong, Preah Ko, and Lolei. These are the earliest Khmer temples, and their architecture is considered some of the finest examples of Khmer construction. From here, we will visit some of the most important temples of the Grand Circuit, such as Pre Rup, East Mebon, Neak Pean, and Preah Khan. Return to Siem Reap at sunset.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

At 7:15 AM, we will transfer you to Siem Reap International Airport for your flight to Bangkok at 9:40 AM. Arrival in Bangkok is expected at 11:00 AM, and at the airport exit (Gate 5), your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel in the Sathorn area. You will arrive at the hotel around 1:30 PM, and the rest of the afternoon is free for you to relax or explore the city at your own pace.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Approximate schedule: 7:30 AM to 2:30 PM.

Enjoy an exciting tour of Bangkok, where you will see a mix of the most important and well-known landmarks of the city, in a practical and personalized way. Visit Wat Pho, the Temple of the Reclining Buddha, famous for being the oldest and largest temple in Bangkok. Next, visit the Grand Palace, the former residence of Thai kings, and a must-see in Bangkok. Nearby is Wat Phra Kaew, which houses the Emerald Buddha, the most important Buddha image in Thailand.

Later, take a local boat to visit Wat Arun, also known as the Temple of the Dawn, one of Bangkok’s most iconic temples. In the afternoon, enjoy a one-hour ride in a traditional Thai boat and visit the Big Buddha at Wat Paknam. After finishing the tour, return to the hotel.

This tour will be conducted using public transportation to experience the authentic side of Bangkok and avoid the heavy traffic in the capital.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Today you will have a free day to explore Bangkok on your own (hotel check-out at 12:00 PM). In the afternoon, your driver will pick you up for your transfer to the airport for your flight to Chiang Mai, located in northern Thailand. Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, a driver will be waiting at the domestic terminal to take you to your hotel.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

After breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up for a full-day tour of the unique highlights of Chiang Rai province. On the way, stop at the Hot Springs, visit the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun), a contemporary and impressive architectural marvel, and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. In the afternoon, visit the Big Buddha, the Black House Museum (Baan Dam), and the Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten).

There is also the possibility of visiting the Long Neck Women village upon request (entrance fee: 500 Baht per person).

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

After breakfast, visit an Elephant Sanctuary in Chiang Mai that focuses on ethical and eco-friendly tourism. Guided by an official Spanish-speaking guide, you will learn about the anatomy, behavior, and daily life of Asian elephants. You will have the unique opportunity to help feed the elephants and bathe them in the river.

This sanctuary is dedicated to the protection and well-being of the elephants, many of whom have been rescued from forced labor or tourist entertainment. There are no elephant rides offered at this sanctuary, as their philosophy is based on respect for the animals.

After the sanctuary visit, continue to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, one of Chiang Mai’s most sacred temples. On the way, stop at the hidden Wat Pha Lat, a meditation retreat nestled in the forest. At Doi Suthep, you’ll witness a Buddhist ceremony as monks perform their daily rituals, and enjoy panoramic views of Chiang Mai from the temple’s viewpoint.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Enjoy a free morning in Chiang Mai (hotel check-out at 12:00 PM). In the afternoon, your driver will pick you up for your transfer to the airport, where you will take a flight back to Bangkok. Upon arrival, your driver will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.

Overnight in Bangkok.

At the scheduled time, you will be picked up from your hotel and transferred to the airport for your international flight back home.

Hotel room available until 12:00 PM.