22 Days Vietnam and Thailand Odyssey Tour

Day 1 Welcome to Hanoi!

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or upon request

Welcome to Hanoi! Upon arrival, your local tour guide and driver will welcome you at the airport. Then, the guide will escort you to the hotel and help you check-in. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2 Hanoi City Tour, Train to Lao Cai

Meals: B

In the morning, your guide and driver will pick up at your hotel, start the tour to beautiful Tran Quoc Pagoda located on the shores of West Lake. This Pagoda is full of amazing Buddhist symbolism that visitors can learn more about.

Then, head to visit Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the final resting place of Vietnamese great father, President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house, where he lived on and off from 1958 to 1969.

The next destination is One Pillar Pagoda, a group of structures consisting of a pagoda and a tower built in the middle of a square lake. Leave the pagoda for the Temple of Literature, which is the first college of Vietnam.

In the afternoon, you need to choose one of the city’s museums (History Museum or Ethnology Museum) to visit. After that, drive back to admire Hoan Kiem Lake with Ngoc Son Temple before taking cyclo tour through the Old Quarter, also known as the 36 streets, this bustling area of narrow streets is home to literally thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers. It’s a great place to explore in Hanoi.

In the evening, board the overnight train to Lao Cai to discover the mountain tribes in northern Vietnam.

Overnight on the train.

Day 3 Arrive in Lao Cai, Sapa

Meals: B

Arrive in Lao Cai railway station in the early morning around 6:30 am.

Your guide will pick you up from the train and then escort you to your hotel in the highland town Sapa. You can have a good rest at the hotel.

In the afternoon, you will enjoy a relaxing walking tour through the beautiful rice terrace fields, and visit the Ta Van Village and Red Dao Village to discover the local ethnic tribe Back H'mong and Giang Ta Chai.

Overnight in Sapa.

Day 4 Full Day Bac Ha Market, Train Back to Hanoi

Meals: B

After breakfast, depart for the highland town of Bac Ha Market where you can wander through the district market, considered one of the most colorful ethnic markets in the Northwest.

After lunch, drive back to Sapa. On clear days you can see the highest mountain of Vietnam, the Fansipan Mountain. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Finally, head to Lao Cai Railway Station by car. You will take a night train at 21:40 to Hanoi.

Overnight on train.

Day 5 Full Day Halong Bay Cruise

Meals: B / L / D

After breakfast, drive about 3 hours to Halong Bay, one of the Wonders of the Orient. Around noon, your Halong Bay Cruise starts from Tuan Chau Island, the gateway of Halong Bay.

In the afternoon, explore the treasures spread across the Halong Bay, covering some stunning caves, pristine beaches, picturesque floating villages, and fantastic rock formations rising up out of the emerald water.

While onboard, you can enjoy the services of Spa and Massage. Another highlight of the cruise is the innovative and varied cuisine offered in the elegant dining-room, accompanied by a wide selection of wines and beverages. You can watch the chef's cooking demonstration and try to learn how to prepare traditional Vietnamese cooking.

Overnight in Halong Bay Cruise.

Day 6 Halong Bay Cruise - Hanoi | Flight to Danang

Flight: Domestic flight include and arranged by Indochina Tour

Meals: B

Wake up to Tai Chi exercises on the sun deck and continue cruising the bays. The breakfast buffet will be served in the restaurant, followed by a visit to the limestone grotto. Disembark in Halong City around noon and transfer back to Hanoi Airport and flight to Danang.

Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at airport and escort to the hotel in Hoi An for check in.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 7 Full Day My Son Heritage, Hoi An Ancient Town

Meals: B

In the morning, travel to the My Son Holy Land. Tucked in the mountains up winding roads with serene views, lies the 4th century My Son Holy Land ruins. The surrounding mountains are strictly forbidden for living or development. The ruins lie in a beautiful mountainous landscape. Enter the temples to hear all about the history and stories of the Cham people and this holy site.

In the afternoon, continue on to the Ancient Capital of Hoi An, which features the 16th-century port town in its preserved state. The town is a perfect mixture of ancient architecture, houses, and temples as well as modern western restaurants and cafes. The historic sites you will visit are the Japanese Bridge, a renowned Chinese Temple, and former Vietnamese merchants' houses.

Later, take a boat trip along the Huai River to Thanh Ha Pottery Village and see how local people work on their crafts. In the evening, the town became so romantic when the lights come on and you see colorful lanterns everywhere especially the flower lanterns floating on the river.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 8 Hoi An Culinary Tour and Cooking Class with River Cruise

Meals: B

This morning, we will head to Hoi An’s bustling market and experience the amazing and colorful sights as you stroll through the market with your guide, who'll introduce you to the ingredients used in Vietnamese cuisine.

Next, board the Red Bridge boat for a leisurely 30-minute cruise along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. Along the way, enjoy photo ops of local life on this scenic river.

Upon arriving at the Red Bridge Cooking School, walk through its abundant herb garden and learn about the herbs that give Vietnam’s cuisine its distinctive flavors.

Then head to the school’s open-air riverside building, a beautiful and breezy location for your cooking class. The chefs demonstrate the preparation of each dish (see menu below) and help as you learn to prepare the dishes yourself.

To finish the day’s lesson, which takes about two hours, observe an introduction to Vietnamese plate decoration or food carving, which is truly an art in itself.

After the class, sit down and enjoy eating the delicious meal that you have made!

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 9 Relaxing on the Beach at Hoi An

Meals: B

Today, you'll have a day at leisure to enjoy Hoi An Beach, you can relax in the sunshine and sunbathe on the beach.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 10 Flight to Nha Trang

Flight: Domestic flight include in quotation and will be on INT's arrangement

Meals: B

Enjoy your morning until transfer to airport onward flight to Nha Trang, one of the most beautiful and developed beaches, is Vietnam's most attractive coastal town. It contains a harmonious combination of mountains, and white sand beaches, it has numerous cultural attractions and interesting sites which excellent for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving.

Upon arrival, you will be escorted to the hotel and help you check-in. Then, you will enjoy free time relax here.

Overnight in Nha Trang.

Day 11 Full Day Nha Trang Tour

Meals: B

Today, our driver and guide will pick you up at the hotel. You will depart to visit Po Nagar Cham Towers. It is a complex of temples erected approximately before 781 A.D. This complicated site belonged to the medieval principality of Khauthara, a small country near modern Nha Trang. The Po Nagar Towers are now situated on a mountain called Cu Lao, in downtown Nha Trang and next to Cai River. Optional mud bath in a special Spa (customer’s expense).

After that, you will visit Long Son Pagoda. This pagoda is situated on the foothill of Trai Thuy Mountain in the city of Nha Trang. The temple is famous for its large white Buddha image, which sits top the mountain crest and can be seen from anywhere in town.

Of course, no tour of Nha Trang is complete without a visit to the Dam Market, which dates from the early 1970s and is the local favorite for everything from clothes to dried seahorses to produce. This massive market is a must-see during your tour.

Overnight in Nha Trang.

Day 12 Flight to Saigon

Flight: Domestic flight will be on INT's arrangement and include in Quotation

Meals: B

Today, you will transfer to airport for flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, your guide will greet you at the airport. You will be escorted to Hoi An for hotel check-in.

The rest of the day you can freely explore the city or have a rest at the hotel.

Overnight in Saigon.

Day 13 Saigon Tour

Meals: B

Today, you will be escorted to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels. Discover these amazing systems developed by the guerrillas fighting in the Vietnam War. You'll have an opportunity to see the various weapons used in the war on display. Then learn about the innovative ways the guerrillas survived and fought back in the war. The impressive underground system they built remains to tell the story of the Vietnam War.

In the afternoon, see the highlights of Saigon and learn the history of these iconic landmarks.

You’ll explore some of the most important sights in Ho Chi Minh. Start by visiting the Notre Dame Cathedral. Constructed by French colonists during their settlement, discover its significance as the largest cathedral in Southeast Asia.

Across the road is the Old Saigon Post Office, a neoclassical architectural building considered one of the main attractions in the city. Visit the Reunification Palace, home of South Vietnam’s President during the war.

The next stop is Cholon, the Chinatown in Ho Chi Minh. Explore the thickly settled district rife with tea-houses and pagodas, and the famous Binh Tay Market.

Finish the afternoon with a visit to the Emperor Jade Pagoda. Also known as the Tortoise Pagoda, this figurine-filled place of worship is considered by many to be Saigon's finest.

Overnight in Saigon.

Day 14 Mekong Delta Discovery: My Tho

Meals: B

This morning, transfer to remote My Tho. This burgeoning capital rests in the Mekong Delta and is surrounded by beautiful countryside known as the "rice basket of Vietnam".

Firstly, head to visit Vinh Trang Pagoda, decorated with mosaics made from broken pottery. Overlooked by a tall white Buddha, it is set amongst lovely gardens overflowing with flowers, shrubs, lotus pools, and tombs, and ornate gates that provide entry.

Continue on a boat ride along the river to view the stilt houses, fruit plantations and fishing villages.

After lunch, visit An Khanh, a small village that specializes in fruit orchards and coconut sweets. If time permits, you can take a short cycling trip through the island or explore the island on foot (the island is flat and relatively small).

Overnight in Saigon.

Day 15 Flight to Bangkok

Flight: International flight include in quotation and will be on INT's arrangement

Meals: B

Enjoy you free morning until you transfer to airport for flight to Bangkok. Upon arrival,your local tour guide and driver will welcome you at the airport. Then, the guide will escort you to the hotel and help you check-in.

The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 16 Bangkok City Highlights Tour

Meals: B

After breakfast, you will have a full-day city tour of Bangkok. First visit Wat Traimit, known as the Temple of the Golden Buddha. It is the home to a gold Maravijaya Attitude seated Buddharupa statue, with a weight of 5.5 tons.

Then visit Wat Arun, known as the Temple of the Dawn, which is one of the most published images of Bangkok. In the middle of the temple, an 82 metres high beautifully decorated Khmer-style tower stands, where you can walk up the steep stairs and admire the view of Bangkok and the rivers.

After that, explore Wat Pho, also called the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. Finally, head for the Grand Palace, one of the must-sees in Bangkok, followed by Wat Phra Kaew, the Temple of the Emerald Buddha, which is regarded as the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 17 Bangkok Excursion to Kanchanaburi

Meals: B

In the morning, visit Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, where you can experience the traditional Thai market with numerous vendors selling local food, fresh fruit and products from their boats.

After an exploration of the market, drive to Kanchanaburi that is famous for the Death Railway built during WWII. Made famous by the book and movie The Bridge on the River Kwai, the bridge and railway are notable attractions in Kanchanaburi. Today, carriages still go on the tracks, taking travelers through the fields of sugar cane and rice terrace.

Finally, pay a visit to the Thailand-Burma Railway Centre to learn more history about the railway.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Day 18 Flight to Chiang Mai | Tour of Chiang Mai

Flight: Domestic flight is on Indochina Tour's arrangement

Meals: B

In the morning, drive to the airport for a flight to Chiang Rai. Upon arrival, your guide and driver will welcome you at the airport and then escort you to hotel for check in.

After a short rest, go to tour the beautiful temples in Chiang Mai. Start with the Buddhist temple of Wat Umong, nestled in the forested foothills of Suthep Mountain. Before you head inside to see the impressive Buddha statue, learn about the Buddhist proverbs posted throughout the grounds.

Then visit Wat Suan Dok built in the 14th century, a white bell-shaped temple housing a 20-foot (6-meter) Buddha. See the large prayer hall and the unique open-sided chapel. Also, you have the opportunity to chat with the monks about Buddhism and their temple life.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 19 Day Trip to Elephant Nature Park

Meals: B

Today, tour the elephant rescue and rehabilitation center - Elephant Nature Park, involving in the rescues of the disabled elephants, dogs and cats.

You can volunteer and care for the animals. Take your time to wander freely on the grounds and get close to these gentle giants. You get the opportunity to feed them and learn how to bathe them.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Day 20 Chiang Mai to Phuket

Flight: Domestic flight is on Indochina Tour's arrangement

Meals: B

Enjoy your breakfast and free morning until transfer to airport for the onward flight to Phuket. Upon arrival, your guide and driver will welcome you at the airport and then escort you to hotel for check in.

Then head towards the old city of Phuket, stopping by the tourism office for a brief introduction to the area's history and Sino-Portuguese architecture.

After a lunch break, your tour continues with a visit to Wat Chalong, the largest and most prominent Buddhist temple on the island. Next, drop off at Street food in Bangla Road and the rest time of the day is for leisure.

Overnight in Phuket.

Day 21 Phuket Full Day Beach Relax

Meals: B

Today, you can simply lie on the beach for a sunbath, jump into the blue sea waters to have fun, taste the fresh seafood with a glass of cocktail in hand, go further to adventure the off-coast small islands, or explore the nearby fishing villages to find the history of Phuket.

Overnight in Phuket.

Day 22 Farewell from Phuket!

Flight: International flight on your own arrangement or upon request

Meals: B

Today, you can enjoy your free time to explore this city until transfer to the airport. Hope you have a nice trip home and look forward to traveling with you again!

Service End.