Vietnam & Thailand: Mekong Delta, Hoi An, Bangkok & Chiang Mai – 11 Days

After enjoying breakfast, you will meet your driver for a journey to the Cai Be tourist pier. From there, a Mekong Ecolodge boat will transport you to the heart of the lively Mekong Delta. Your exploration begins with a visit to a traditional candy craft village, where you can observe the fascinating process of making candy nuggets and sample freshly baked sweet treats. The next stop is a local bee farm, offering insights into honey production and a chance to savor refreshing honey tea.

The journey continues to Tan Phong Island, where you'll discover orchards boasting specialty fruits like durian, rambutan, and longan. You'll then visit Uncle 5 On's house for a unique cultural exchange, enjoying garden folk music performed by local artists, accompanied by tea and seasonal fruits. An authentic dinghy boat ride through the small canals around Tan Phong Island leads you back to the Mekong Ecolodge for a cooking class and lunch. In the afternoon, explore the Ecolodge's grounds, featuring tropical fruit and flower gardens where you can pick and taste fresh fruits. A bicycle ride offers a deeper look into island life, with visits to local homes to witness the creation of traditional rice paper rolls, banana rope hammocks, and water hyacinth crafts. You'll also see the making of bamboo nail files before returning to the Ecolodge. Around 3:00 PM, you'll boat back to Cai Be pier, where your driver awaits to transfer you to your Ho Chi Minh City hotel, leaving your evening free to discover the city's vibrant nightlife.

Your morning and early afternoon are dedicated to a half-day excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a significant historical site from the Vietnam War. Upon arrival, you'll watch a documentary film providing context on the Cu Chi area and its pivotal role in the conflict. The exploration of the tunnel complex reveals a network of hidden trap doors and a maze-like system, offering insight into the ingenious handmade weapons and traps employed during the war.

You'll discover the specially constructed underground living areas, which included kitchens, bedrooms, storage facilities, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers, all essential for the Viet Cong soldiers' survival. A unique opportunity to taste special tea and tapioca, a staple food for guerrillas during the war, is included. For an additional charge, you can also experience firing a war-era gun at a nearby range. Following the tour, your driver will transfer you back to your hotel. In the afternoon, you'll be driven to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for a flight to Da Nang, approximately one hour in duration. Upon landing, a transfer will take you to Hoi An, where you'll check into your hotel for the night.

Begin your morning with a visit to Hoi An Market, where a vibrant array of fresh produce, local snacks, and everyday items provides a glimpse into the town's daily rhythm and culinary foundations. Next, explore the Phuc Kien Chinese Assembly Hall, an active spiritual site where locals engage in rituals and offerings, reflecting the enduring spiritual traditions of Hoi An. Continue to the Phung Hung Ancient House and Tan Ky Ancient House, two historic merchant homes that showcase the intertwined aspects of family and commercial life through their original furnishings and courtyards.

At the Museum of Folk Culture, exhibits of traditional crafts, fishing tools, and daily artifacts offer a snapshot of local customs. A brief stop at the Hoi An Traditional Performing Arts House allows you to enjoy regional music and dance. Conclude your morning at the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, a symbol of Hoi An's multicultural past, before browsing handicraft shops and art galleries and exploring the town's quieter lanes. In the afternoon, you'll be picked up from your hotel and transferred to a local bicycle rental shop. Cycle through the serene countryside, past rice paddies and water buffalo, to Tra Que Village. Here, friendly locals will welcome you for a guided stroll through herb gardens, where you can participate in traditional farming tasks and learn time-honored cultivation techniques.

Your morning begins with a hotel pickup between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM by your local guide in central Hoi An. After a short transfer, you'll arrive at the pier and board a speedboat, embarking on a scenic journey across the sea towards Cham Island. Upon reaching the island, your guide will lead a walking tour of Bai Lang, the main village. This immersive introduction includes exploring the Cham Island Biosphere Reserve, visiting the ancient Champa well, admiring the historic Hai Tang Pagoda, and strolling through the bustling local market, offering insights into the island's unique culture, daily life, and rich history.

Next, you'll transfer to either Bai Xep or Hon Tai, two stunning beach areas renowned for their vibrant marine ecosystems. Here, you'll have the opportunity to snorkel in the clear waters, observing colorful coral reefs and diverse sea creatures. After your snorkeling session, a delicious set-menu lunch will be served at a seaside restaurant, with vegetarian and dietary options available upon prior request. Following lunch, enjoy some free time to relax on the beach, swim in the refreshing ocean, or simply soak up the sun. Around 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM, you'll board the boat for your return trip to Hoi An. Upon arrival at the pier, your guide will ensure a comfortable transfer back to your hotel, concluding a day filled with cultural exploration, natural beauty, and adventure.

Today is entirely yours to explore the charming town of Hoi An at your own pace. With no scheduled activities, you have the freedom to delve deeper into any aspects of the town that capture your interest. You might choose to revisit a favorite spot, discover new hidden alleys, or simply relax and soak in the tranquil atmosphere.

Consider renting a bicycle to explore the surrounding rice paddies and villages, or perhaps indulge in Hoi An's renowned culinary scene by taking a cooking class or sampling local street food. The town also offers numerous tailor shops where you can have custom clothing made, or art galleries showcasing local talent. Enjoy the flexibility to craft your perfect day of relaxation or adventure.

After breakfast, you will pack your belongings and be transferred from your hotel in Hoi An to Da Nang Airport. From Da Nang, you will board a flight to Suvarnabhumi International Airport in Bangkok. Upon arrival in Thailand's capital, you'll be transferred to your city hotel to check in and have some time to relax before your evening activities.

Your culinary adventure in Bangkok begins at 7:00 PM, when a local guide will pick you up in a classic tuk-tuk. The evening kicks off with a stroll through a lively area, where fragrant food carts and open-air eateries line the streets. You'll sample a variety of flavorful street foods, showcasing the diversity of Thai cuisine. The tuk-tuk then takes you to the bustling Saphan Khao Market, a wholesale hub for fresh fruits, offering a sensory feast of vibrant tropical produce. Next, a quick stop at Phra Athit Road allows you to enjoy Bangkok's famous Roti and curry stalls, including a visit to an iconic eatery known for its legendary Pad Thai. As night falls, the tuk-tuk transports you to the serene Wat Pho, where the golden temples and the magnificent Reclining Buddha are beautifully illuminated. Your final destination is Pak Khlong Talat, Thailand’s largest flower market, which buzzes with activity at night, filled with the delightful scents and colors of jasmine, orchids, and marigolds. The tour concludes at 11:00 PM with a convenient drop-off at Siam BTS Station.

In the morning, you will be picked up from your hotel for a journey approximately 100 km southwest of Bangkok, heading to the unique Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. Here, you'll have the option to embark on a long-tailed speedboat tour, offering a close-up view of local life along the canals and the opportunity to browse for souvenirs or freshly picked produce from numerous vendors on their small boats. Alternatively, you can observe the market activities and traditional Thai houses from a passage along the canal if you prefer not to take a boat ride. After experiencing the vibrant market, you will return to your hotel for some relaxation.

In the afternoon, your driver will transfer you to the train station to catch an overnight train to the picturesque city of Chiang Mai. This train journey is approximately 14 hours and 20 minutes long. You will be provided with berths in a shared cabin with other travelers. Should you desire more privacy, an upgrade to a private cabin may be available for an additional surcharge, subject to availability. Prepare for a comfortable night's rest as you travel north.

Upon your early morning arrival at Chiang Mai Train Station, you'll have breakfast to refuel before commencing your exploration of Chiang Mai's finest temples. Your first stop is Wat Phra Singh, one of the city's most revered temples, notable for its distinctive Lanna-style roofs and glittering viharn. Continue to Wat Chedi Luang, an ancient temple featuring a grand stupa that dates back over 600 years. The final temple visit is Wat Chiang Man, the city's very first royal temple, housing important Buddhist images and a unique chedi adorned with 15 life-size elephant carvings at its base. After the temple tour, you'll return to the city center and check into your hotel for a well-deserved rest.

Later, you'll transfer to Doi Suthep Temple, a sacred site perched majestically on a mountain, holding significant importance for the Thai people. To reach the temple entrance, you can either take a convenient cable car or ascend the 'Serpent Steps,' a 309-step stairway beautifully lined with embellished Nagas. Once at the temple, you'll witness the magnificent central chedi, alongside stunning sculptures, bells, pagodas, and shrines. One of the most recommended activities is to conquer the 1,615m Doi Suthep peak, which offers a gorgeous panoramic view over Chiang Mai, perfect for capturing memorable photographs.

Your day begins between 8:00 AM and 8:30 AM with a pickup from your Chiang Mai hotel. Enjoy a scenic 1.5-hour drive south of the city, passing through lush hillsides, dense forests, and tranquil farming villages, offering a glimpse of Northern Thailand's peaceful countryside. Upon arrival at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, you'll be greeted by your guide. A brief 10–15 minute jungle walk leads you to the heart of the sanctuary, where you'll change into traditional Karen clothing and receive an introduction to elephant anatomy, behavior, and the sanctuary's ethical mission.

Around 11:00 AM, you'll meet the rescued elephants. You'll have the opportunity to feed them baskets of bananas and sugarcane, pet them, and walk alongside them in their natural habitat, learning their individual stories and observing their personalities. There will be ample time for photos and bonding. Around noon, a delicious Thai lunch and seasonal fruits, freshly prepared on-site, will be served. After lunch, the experience continues as you learn to prepare herbal medicine balls to enhance the elephants' health, which you will then feed to them. You'll follow the elephants to the riverbank for an immersive bathing session, helping to brush their thick skin and cool off together. At 2:00 PM, enjoy a fun mud spa session, assisting the elephants in coating themselves with protective clay. Conclude your adventure with a refreshing swim in the river. By 3:00 PM, it's time to change, bid farewell to the elephants, and begin the journey back to Chiang Mai, arriving at your hotel around 5:00 PM, filled with new memories and a deeper appreciation for wildlife conservation.

After enjoying your final breakfast in Chiang Mai, often referred to as the “Rose of the North,” you will have some leisure time to savor the last moments of your trip. Depending on your flight schedule, you might choose to do some last-minute souvenir shopping or simply relax at your hotel.

At the appropriate time, a private transfer will take you from your hotel to Chiang Mai International Airport for your departure flight. This marks the end of your comprehensive Vietnam and Thailand tour. We wish you a safe journey home.