Tour photograph · Chiang Mai
Combine northern Vietnam's landscapes and village cooking with the traditions of northern Thailand and Bangkok.
11 days from Hanoi through Ba Vi and Halong Bay to Chiang Mai and Bangkok.
Best suited for: Culture lovers who enjoy village encounters, temples and varied natural scenery.
Explore Hanoi's cultural sites and museums. In Ba Vi, meet local hosts, discover tea growing and cooking, cycle through the countryside and take a boat trip on the Da River. Spend a night cruising Halong Bay.
Chiang Mai adds Doi Suthep, city temples and Elephant Jungle Sanctuary. In Bangkok, see revered Buddha figures and the Marble Temple.
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Your journey begins on arrival in Hanoi. Your private driver will meet you at the airport with a sign bearing your name and take you to your accommodation in the city centre, close to the Old Quarter. Explore at your own pace or relax at your hotel after the flight.
Overnight in Hanoi.
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Set beside the Red River, Hanoi brings together well-preserved colonial buildings, old pagodas, temples and distinctive museums. Your guide will collect you between 08:00 and 08:30. At 08:45, visit Tran Quoc Pagoda on Golden Fish Island in West Lake, a historic pagoda with origins in the sixth century. At 09:30, explore the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including the …
Set beside the Red River, Hanoi brings together well-preserved colonial buildings, old pagodas, temples and distinctive museums.
Your guide will collect you between 08:00 and 08:30. At 08:45, visit Tran Quoc Pagoda on Golden Fish Island in West Lake, a historic pagoda with origins in the sixth century.
At 09:30, explore the Ho Chi Minh Complex, including the mausoleum when open, the gardens and the houses where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked between 1954 and 1969. Continue to the One Pillar Pagoda, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy.
Please cover your shoulders and knees when visiting the mausoleum, temples and pagodas. Mausoleum access is subject to opening days and maintenance closures, and will be confirmed for your travel dates. The surrounding grounds can still be visited when access to the mausoleum itself is unavailable.
At 11:15, visit the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology to learn about the country's 54 ethnic groups. On Mondays, the programme visits the Vietnamese Women's Museum instead. At 12:45, enjoy lunch at a restaurant with a selection of eight Vietnamese dishes.
Between 14:00 and 14:15, continue to the Temple of Literature, founded in the 11th century and associated with Vietnam's first university. At 15:15, visit Hoa Lo Prison Museum. The French colonial authorities first used it for political prisoners; North Vietnam later held American prisoners of war here, who nicknamed it the 'Hanoi Hilton'.
The tour ends with your return to the hotel between 16:15 and 16:30.
Overnight in Hanoi.
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Your driver will collect you at 07:30 for the journey to Ba Vi. Visit three villages, where local hosts share aspects of rural life. Meet Mr Duoc, a war veteran who shares stories of his life during and after the Vietnam War. He also knows the local tea trade well. In a village with established tea gardens, walk …
Your driver will collect you at 07:30 for the journey to Ba Vi. Visit three villages, where local hosts share aspects of rural life.
Meet Mr Duoc, a war veteran who shares stories of his life during and after the Vietnam War. He also knows the local tea trade well. In a village with established tea gardens, walk among the plants, help pick the leaves and learn how to select the best ones.
Join Ms Chin for a cooking class and lunch in her garden. After a break, she will introduce you to her village and local workshops. Learn about tofu making and rice husking, and meet a long-serving village blacksmith.
Cycle through rice fields to Mr Chau's home, where you can relax with a warm herbal foot bath based on Muong traditions. Afterwards, take a boat trip on the Da River to enjoy the scenery and glimpse life along its banks.
Return to Hanoi in the evening, arriving at your hotel at around 18:30.
Overnight in Hanoi.
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Discover Halong Bay today, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its limestone formations and emerald-green water. After breakfast, meet your driver for the scenic journey through the Red River Delta's green rice fields. At the pier, board your cruise and take in the limestone formations and caves. After a seafood lunch, enjoy the bay from the sun …
Discover Halong Bay today, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its limestone formations and emerald-green water.
After breakfast, meet your driver for the scenic journey through the Red River Delta's green rice fields. At the pier, board your cruise and take in the limestone formations and caves.
After a seafood lunch, enjoy the bay from the sun deck. At a quiet stop, go kayaking or swimming to experience the karst landscape up close. Return on board for an early dinner, then join an onboard activity or simply relax.
Overnight on board.
Please note: the cruise may be cancelled without advance notice if bad weather prevents the boats from sailing or staying overnight. Alternative arrangements or a refund will be considered according to the circumstances.
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Rise early to watch the sunrise. Breakfast is served in the dining room, and a tai chi session on the sun deck offers a gentle start to the day.
Check out of your cabin and enjoy brunch as the boat returns to the harbour. After disembarking, transfer to your accommodation in Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi.
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After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your international flight from Hanoi to Chiang Mai.
A local representative will meet you on arrival and take you to your hotel to check in. Relax for the rest of the day or begin exploring Chiang Mai.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
This excursion of around five hours introduces Chiang Mai's long history and temples. Follow a winding road into the hills to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, around 3,500 feet above sea level. Climb the 306-step Naga Staircase, flanked by mythical serpent figures, to reach the temple. Its gleaming chedi and five-tiered golden parasol shelter sacred Buddha relics. On …
This excursion of around five hours introduces Chiang Mai's long history and temples. Follow a winding road into the hills to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, around 3,500 feet above sea level.
Climb the 306-step Naga Staircase, flanked by mythical serpent figures, to reach the temple. Its gleaming chedi and five-tiered golden parasol shelter sacred Buddha relics. On a clear day, the terrace offers broad views over the city.
In Chiang Mai, visit Wat Suan Dok, the Royal Flower Garden Temple with its large central stupa, and Wat Chedi Luang, known for its imposing historic chedi.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
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The half-day programme lasts around six hours, including transfers. After pick-up from your accommodation, drive approximately 1.5 hours south of Chiang Mai through hills, forests and farmland. At Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, learn about the elephants and their individual stories before changing into traditional Karen clothing. Feed the animals and meet them in their natural surroundings, with opportunities to …
The half-day programme lasts around six hours, including transfers. After pick-up from your accommodation, drive approximately 1.5 hours south of Chiang Mai through hills, forests and farmland.
At Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, learn about the elephants and their individual stories before changing into traditional Karen clothing. Feed the animals and meet them in their natural surroundings, with opportunities to take photographs and learn about their behaviour.
The programme then includes a mud bath and a walk with the elephants to the river for a bathing activity. After a traditional meal, say goodbye and return to Chiang Mai, a drive of around 1.5 hours, with drop-off at your accommodation.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Bangkok. The direct flight takes approximately one hour and 15 minutes. A local representative will meet you on arrival and take you to your hotel or the next agreed stop. Spend the remaining time relaxing or exploring Bangkok as you wish.
Overnight in Bangkok.
After hotel pick-up, begin exploring Bangkok. Thailand's capital was established in 1782 by King Rama I, the first ruler of the Chakri dynasty, and is also known for its exceptionally long ceremonial name. Visit Wat Traimit, home to a solid-gold Buddha from the Sukhothai period, approximately three metres tall and weighing around 5.5 tonnes. Continue to Wat Pho, …
After hotel pick-up, begin exploring Bangkok. Thailand's capital was established in 1782 by King Rama I, the first ruler of the Chakri dynasty, and is also known for its exceptionally long ceremonial name.
Visit Wat Traimit, home to a solid-gold Buddha from the Sukhothai period, approximately three metres tall and weighing around 5.5 tonnes. Continue to Wat Pho, one of Bangkok's oldest and largest temple complexes, to see the immense gilded Reclining Buddha with mother-of-pearl decoration on its feet.
Continue past Sanam Luang, the royal ceremonial field, the Democracy Monument, Ratchadamnoen Klang Avenue, Ananta Samakhom Throne Hall and the parliament area. Visit Wat Benchamabophit, known for its marble main building from the reign of King Rama V.
Overnight in Bangkok.
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After breakfast, enjoy free time until your private driver collects you for the transfer to Suvarnabhumi International Airport. We hope you have enjoyed your journey and wish you a pleasant trip home.
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| Destination | 3 stars | 4 stars | 5 stars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hanoi | |||
| Halong Bay | |||
| Chiang Mai | |||
| Bangkok |
Check-in is from 2 pm and check-out is by noon, unless early check-in or late check-out is expressly included in your itinerary. Final hotels are confirmed when you book.
These hotels are suggestions, not confirmed reservations. If a hotel is unavailable, we will offer a comparable alternative. Columns represent the trip categories; lodges, homestays and cruises may be the same across more than one category.
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