Thailand & Vietnam: Local Flavours, Heritage & Island Escape 14D13N

After breakfast, visit the Grand Palace, the ceremonial residence of the Thai royal family. Within the palace grounds, discover Wat Phra Kaew, home to the revered Emerald Buddha.
 
Continue to Wat Pho, famous for its magnificent Reclining Buddha, followed by Wat Traimit, which houses the remarkable solid-gold Buddha.
 
In the afternoon, board a traditional long-tail boat for a journey along the Chao Phraya River and through the canals of Thonburi. Pass waterside homes and neighbourhood temples, offering a glimpse into local life along Bangkok’s waterways. Afterwards, visit Wat Arun, the iconic Temple of Dawn.
 
Return to the hotel for some time to relax.
Overnight in Bangkok.
 
Accommodation: At the hotel in Bangkok 
Meals: Breakfast

Early in the morning, we drive southwest of Bangkok, visit the Maeklong railway market, take photo, and enjoy the local snack in the market before driving to Damnoen Saduak, a rural floating market. Stop for a motor boat trip along the waterway to the picturesque floating market of Damnoen Saduak.
 
Enjoy your own lunch.
 
In the afternoon, we will transfer back to Bangkok.
 
The remainder of the afternoon is free for shopping. Choose to be dropped off at your hotel or a central shopping area to browse independently.
Guide and vehicle services end upon drop-off in Bangkok. If you continue shopping, the return transfer to your hotel is at your own expense. The order of the market visits may change according to the train schedule
 
Accommodation: At the hotel in Bangkok
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, depart for Muang Boran, also known as the Ancient City, in Samut Prakan. This extensive open-air museum showcases replicas and reconstructions of Thailand’s remarkable temples, palaces and traditional buildings.
Explore the landscaped grounds by golf cart, stopping along the way to admire the architecture, learn about Thailand’s cultural heritage and take photographs.
 
Lunch on your own.
 
Then, transfer to Bangkok Airport for your flight to Chiang Rai. Upon arrival, meet our local representative and transfer to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is free to relax.
 
Overnight in Chiang Rai.
 
Accommodation: At the hotel in Chiang Rai
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, you'll leave the hotel toexplore the surroundings, starting with the road to Doi Mae Salong. You'll ascend and descend lush green hills covered with tea plantations. You'll also taste the delicious tea produced by one of the many plantations in the region. From Doi Mae Salong, you'll visit the ethnic minority villages.
 
Afterward, you'll continue the journey to the Golden Triangle, a strategic point where you'll witness a unique landscape shared by Thailand, Burma, and Laos – the meeting point of the three borders.
 
Upon arrival, visit the Opium Museum, which tells the stories of opium and the Golden Triangle. Explore the town of Chiang Saen, founded around 1328, and visit various sites, including ancient temple ruins, stupas, old city walls, and moats.
 
Then, board a long-tail boat for a cruise along the Mekong River, enjoying views of the Golden Triangle, where Thailand, Laos and Myanmar meet and the Ruak River flows into the Mekong.
 
Transfer back to Chiang Rai. Overnight in Chiang Rai.
 
Accommodation : At the hotel in Chiang Rai
Meals: Breakfast

Morning after breakfast drive to Black House. Baan Dam (Black House) is the unique creation of national artist, Thawan Duchanee. Part art studio, part museum, part home, Baan Dam is an eclectic mix of traditional northern Thai buildings interspersed with some outlandish modern designs.
 
Move to Wat Rong Seur Ten (Blue Temple): The Blue Temple or Wat Rong Seua Ten literally translates to ‘temple of the dancing tiger.’ It was built on a site where tigers were said to have jumped over the river.
 
Lastly we visit the White temple, Wat Rong Khun. It nevertheless very recent temple is the most visited monument in the region, the work of Thai artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, started in 1997. Its creator himself announces that he will only be completed 60 to 90 years after his death. Its uniqueness, its whiteness, making it a unique temple of its kind. In wihaan a fresco mixing Buddhist codes with Matrix, Star Wars, the bombing of the Twin Towers in New York and even Kung Fu Panda stands out from the usual decorations such monuments.
 
In the afternoon transfer to Chiang Mai for your overnight.
 
Accommodation : At the hotel in Chiang Mai
Meals : Breakfast

After breakfast, join a shared Thai cooking experience.

Begin with a visit to a local market, where your instructor will introduce ingredients commonly used in Thai cuisine, including herbs, vegetables, spices and curry pastes.

Continue to the cooking venue for a hands-on lesson. With guidance from your instructor, prepare a selection of Thai dishes and learn how different flavours are balanced.

Enjoy the dishes you have prepared for lunch before returning to your hotel.

The remainder of the afternoon is free to relax or explore Chiang Mai independently.

Transfers and cooking activities are shared with other participants. The menu and programme depend on the selected cooking school. Please advise us of dietary requirements in advance.

Accommodation: Hotel in Chiang Mai
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
 

After breakfast, explore Chiang Mai’s Old Town, passing sections of its historic walls and moat.

Visit Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang, discovering the architectural and cultural heritage of northern Thailand. Continue to Warorot Market, where stalls offer local foods, produce and everyday goods.

Lunch is at your own expense.

In the afternoon, travel up the mountain to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. Explore this revered temple and enjoy views over Chiang Mai when visibility permits.

Before returning to your hotel, visit a selected handicraft workshop to see local artisans at work. Focus on one craft, such as umbrella painting or lacquerware, allowing time to understand the techniques involved.
 
Then transfer back to the hotel.
 
You are free exploring night market in evening.
Overnight in Chiang Mai.
 
Accommodation : At the hotel in Chiang Mai
Meals : Breakfast
 

After breakfast, enjoy some free time in the morning.
 
Afternoon, pick up by our driver and transfer to Chiang Mai Airport for your flight to Saigon, Vietnam.
 
Upon arrival, meet our local representative and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is free to relax and enjoy the island at your own pace.
 
Overnight in Saigon.
 
Accommodation: At the hotel in Saigon
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, leave Saigon and travel to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta.
 
After 2 hours driving from HCM city, you will arrive Ben Tre province. Take the boat to visit a local factory to see many kilns to make activated charcal from coconut hard-shell.

Crossing Mekong river, called Cửa Đại & Cửa Tiểu, 30km far from the Eastern Sea, we arrive Tam Hiep Island. Walking on small village paths through huge orchards of longan to come to the local family to enjoy some kinds of fruits & honey-tea.

Next, the rowing boat will take you deeper into the countryside on smaller canals to enjoy the peaceful time.

Biking to special farm where they are planting the creepers (called LÁ SÂM). We pick up some leaves for making & tasting this special herbal jelly.

Continue to bike back to the boat, then go us to Ut Trinh homestay for have the best lunch with some special dishes. After lunch, we can relax on the hammocks before coming back to our boat to the ferry station and travelling back to Saigon.

Accommodation: At the hotel in Saigon
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
 

After breakfast, enjoy free time until your transfer to the airport for your flight to Phu Quoc.
Upon arrival, meet our local representative and transfer to your hotel for check-in. The remainder of the day is free to relax on the beach or enjoy the hotel’s facilities.
 
Overnight in Phu Quoc.
 
Accommodation: At the hotel in Phu Quoc
Meals: Breakfast

After breakfast, enjoy a full day at leisure. Unwind on the beach, take a refreshing swim or make the most of your hotel’s facilities.

Meals other than breakfast are at your own expense. No guide or transportation services are included today.

Overnight in Phu Quoc.
 
Accommodation: At the hotel in Phu Quoc
Meals: Breakfast
 

After breakfast, spend another relaxing day exploring Phu Quoc independently or simply enjoying the beach. You may choose to book an optional excursion or treat yourself to a spa treatment at an additional cost.

Meals other than breakfast are at your own expense. No guide or transportation services are included today.

Overnight in Phu Quoc.
 
Accommodation: At the hotel in Phu Quoc
Meals: Breakfast
 

After breakfast, enjoy free time until your driver transfers you to Phu Quoc Airport for your flight to Bangkok.
 
Upon arrival, complete the necessary arrival and check-in formalities before your onward international flight.

The Phu Quoc–Bangkok flight will be selected according to your international departure time, allowing sufficient time for immigration, baggage collection and re-check-in where required. Any transfer between Bangkok’s airports must also be allowed for. An additional overnight stay in Bangkok may be necessary depending on flight schedules.
 
End of our services.
 
Accommodation: None (the standard check-out time is at noon, surcharge for late check-out is not included)
Meals: Breakfast