Thailand, Laos & Vietnam Adventure - 22 Days

From £1,998£91 per daySave 17%

Trip Snapshot

Genders

  • Female59%
  • Male41%

Average age

53
12 Min100 Max

Start / End

  • Bangkok
  • Ho Chi Minh City

Physical rating

2/5

Group size

1 - 16

Meals included

24

Highlights

  • Explore the canals of Bangkok
  • Float down the mighty Mekong River
  • Visit majestic caves and stunning limestone karsts in Halong Bay
  • Browse the tailor shops in Hoi An
  • Squeeze through the Cu Chi tunnels
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Free Brochure

Uncover insider tips, see a packing list and view a detailed itinerary and accommodation information.

Summary

See the highlights of Indochina on this epic 22-day adventure. Explore the vibrant cityscape of Bangkok, marvel at the majestic granite peak of Doi Suthep, and savour pad thai in Chiang Mai. Shop for souvenirs in Ho Chi Minh City and join the locals sipping coffee at a lakeside café in Hanoi. This adventure is the perfect balance between have-to-see highlights and free time to venture out on your own.

Itinerary

  • Day 1

    Bangkok

    Arrive at any time. Today is arrival day, so there are no activities planned until an evening welcome meeting. Relax, explore the city, and adjust to the pace of life in Bangkok.

  • Day 2

    Bangkok/Chiang Mai

    Guided longboat tour of Bangkok’s klongs and Wat Po. Optional Grand Palace and National Museum visits. Overnight train to Chiang Mai. Enjoy a 1-hr longtail boat tour of Bangkok's famous klongs (canals). The trip finishes at the Royal Temple of Wat Po for a guided tour.

    After, there is time for shopping, a visit to Grand Palace or a stroll along Khao San Rd. In the evening, board the overnight train to Chiang Mai.

  • Day 3

    Chiang Mai

    Enjoy a guided tour of Doi Suthep temple. Optional activities include a cooking class or visit to the night market. Arrive early morning and use some free time to explore. Choose from a range of optional activities or stroll the city independently. Experience the flavours and scents of traditional northern Thai cuisine by pre-booking the Northern Thai Cooking Class.

    In late afternoon, set off to visit the temple complex, Doi Suthep. If you're lucky, you may witness the chanting of the monks.

  • Day 4

    Chiang Mai/Chiang Khong

    Head to Chiang Khong via Wat Rong Khun and enjoy the view of the mighty Mekong. Drive to Chiang Khong, a sleepy trading town nestled on the bank of the Mekong River. En route, visit Wat Rong Khun — the dazzling 'White Temple'. Wander the local food market or sit back and enjoy a slower pace of life relaxing in Thailand with river views of Laos.

  • Day 5

    Chiang Khong/Muang Pakbèng

    Cross the border into Laos then travel by traditional boat down the Mekong River. Experience a local homestay in a nearby village.

    Here, enjoy traditional Laotian food while getting to know your host family. Your CEO will provide insight into the way of life of village residents. Cross the border to the Laos immigration area, then take a songthaew (local bus) to a traditional slow boat.

    Travel down the Mekong River and adjust to the relaxed pace of life in Laos. This predominantly mountainous country has unsurpassed views of the riverside villages, the tropical jungle, and the mountains.

  • Day 6

    Muang Pakbèng/Luang Prabang

    Continue down the Mekong for most of the day. Take a guided tour of the Pak Ou caves before arriving in Luang Prabang. Continue on by slow boat down the mighty Mekong. Before arriving at Luang Prabang, enjoy a visit outside to the Pak Ou caves.

    After, re-board the boat and continue to Luang Prabang, arriving in the early evening.

  • Day 7

    Luang Prabang

    Enjoy a guided tour of the Ethnology Museum and Ock Pop Tok Living Crafts Centre before heading to the new Planeterra project Ban Ou community. Relax in the afternoon at the Kuang Si waterfalls. Take a tour of the Ethnology Museum — a great chance to learn more about the dress and customs of local people. Drop into Ock Pop Tok for an introduction to Laos textiles and handicrafts. Then, take a half-day trip out to the stunning Kuang Si waterfalls and be sure to pack a swimsuit.

  • Day 8

    Luang Prabang

    Enjoy a free day exploring all Luang Prabang has to offer. Options include cooking classes, temple visits, massages, night market shopping, and cycling.

  • Day 9

    Luang Prabang/Vang Vieng

    Take a high speed train to Vang Vieng this morning. Enjoy the afternoon free to rest or explore! Ride a high speed train from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng. Enjoy free time.

  • Day 10

    Vang Vieng

    Enjoy free time in Vang Vieng, an ideal location for exploring the countryside by bicycle or kayak. Opt to pre-book the "Vang Vieng Adrenaline Bundle" on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.

  • Day 11

    Vang Vieng/Vientiane

    Explore the capital of Laos. Opt to visit temples, see the National Museum, or explore highlights of the town. Head out of the mountains to one of Asia's sleepiest capital cities. Opt to visit some of the highlights of Vientiane including Wat Sisaket, one of the city's oldest and most fascinating temples, and Wat Phra That Luang, Lao's national symbol and one of her most sacred sites.

    For those who like to shop, don't miss the morning market, which, incidentally, is open all day!

  • Day 12

    Vientiane/Hanoi

    Fly from Vientiane to Hanoi. Take a short flight from quiet Laos into the bustling capital of Vietnam, Hanoi. Take a leisurely walk through the Old Quarter to get to know the narrow streets of this city.

  • Day 13

    Hanoi

    Visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, stilt house, and Presidential Palace. Enjoy an included water puppet show. Opt to visit the Temple of Literature, museums, and Hoa Lo Prison. Visit Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, and the former president's house on stilts for insight into an important figure in Vietnam's history.

    During the afternoon, use some free time to explore this beautiful city. Opt to visit the Tran Quoc Pagoda, the Temple of Literature, the Museum of Ethnology or just sip delicious Vietnamese iced coffee in a café along the lake. In late afternoon or early evening, attend a performance of Vietnam's famous water puppets before sampling one of Hanoi's amazing eating venues.

    Opt to pre-book the "Hanoi Street Food Walking Tour" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.

  • Day 14

    Hanoi/Ha Long

    Enjoy a Ha Long Bay cruise on a junk boat with visits to a cave and an island lookout. Savour a seafood lunch and dinner. Drive to Bai Chay harbour, the jumping off point for Ha Long Bay. Thousands of islands with intricate cave systems rise dramatically from the waters. Sail past limestone karst mountains in the junk boat and stop to visit some of the islands and caves.

    In the evening, devour a seafood dinner, then opt to enjoy a drink on deck under the stars.

  • Day 15

    Ha Long/Hu?

    Enjoy breakfast and lunch on board before sailing back to the port and return to Hanoi. Enjoy some time in the city before an overnight train to Hue. Interested in local cuisine? Opt to pre-book the "Hanoi Foodie Culture Tour" activity on the checkout page to include this optional on your tour.

  • Day 16

    Hu?

    Pull into Hue early in the morning and dive right into the city, starting with a guided tour of the Imperial Citadel, Royal Tomb and Tien Mu Pagoda. The rest of the day, you are free to explore the city how you'd like. Arrive early to Hue, once the imperial capital of Vietnam. Start the day with a visit to the Tien Mu Pagoda followed by a visit to the tomb of one of Vietnam’s former emperors. After, opt for a vegetarian lunch at a local nunnery.

    While in the city, try some local Hue specialties such as banh khoai (Hue savoury pancakes), and banh bot loc boc tom thit (thin rice paper filled with meat and shrimp). Wash it all down with a Hue beer.

    Opt to pre-book the "Hue Motorbike Tour" activity on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.

  • Day 17

    Hu?/Hoi An

    Drive the Hai Van pass. Take advantage of Hoi An's many options over the 2.5 days in town. Opt for a cooking class, riverboat trip, bike ride, beach time, tailor visit or My Son ruins. Cross the Hai Van Pass (weather permitting), with fantastic views in all directions, before arriving to Hoi An in the afternoon.

    With three nights here, there's plenty of time to explore all this charming town has to offer.

  • Day 18

    Hoi An

    Explore all Hoi An has to offer. Dive into the culture, hang out on the beach or get clothes tailor-made in one of the many shops around town. Enjoy a noodle making demonstration and lunch at Oodles of Noodles, a the tour operator-supported project.

  • Day 19

    Hoi An

    Spend a free day exploring all Hoi An has to offer.

  • Day 20

    Hoi An/Ho Chi Minh City

    Fly from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City with free time to explore this hectic and amazing city. Drive to Da Nang for the flight to Ho Chi Minh City, once the capital of South Vietnam and the country’s commercial centre. Start exploring the small alleys and busy streets, keeping an eye out for laquerware shops and delicious local food stalls.

  • Day 21

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Enjoy a guided tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels and learn more about the Vietnam War. Use free time in the afternoon to explore sprawling Ho Chi Minh City. With some free time in the city, opt to visit the Thien Hau and Giac Vien pagodas and stroll through the immense Ben Thanh Market. Also well worth a visit are the Reunification Palace (the residence of South Vietnam presidents before 1975), the city's Chinese quarter of Cholon, and the War Remnants Museum.

  • Day 22

    Ho Chi Minh City

    Depart at any time. Not ready to leave? Your CEO can help with travel arrangements to extend your adventure.

What's Included

  • Accommodation

    Hotels (17 nts), village homestay (1 nt), sleeper train (2 nts), junk boat (1 nt).

  • Meals

    Breakfasts: 18, Lunches: 4, Dinners: 2

    Vegetarian options are available on all meals throughout the adventure.

    Vegetarian options available

  • Local Guide

    Guided

    This adventure is led by a local guide throughout. The main language of this adventure is English. Please contact us for other languages available.

  • Wifi

    Wifi is available during the adventure. In some areas and / or accommodation / transport Wifi may be free.

Dates & Prices

  • Jun 2026

    from £2,182
  • Jul 2026

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  • Aug 2026

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  • Sep 2026

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  • Oct 2026

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  • Nov 2026

    from £2,723
  • Dec 2026

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  • Jan 2027

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  • Feb 2027

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  • Mar 2027

    from £2,567
  • Apr 2027

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  • May 2027

    from £2,351
  • Jun 2027

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  • Jul 2027

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  • Aug 2027

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  • Sep 2027

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  • Oct 2027

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  • Nov 2027

    from £2,723
  • Dec 2027

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  • Jan 2028

    from £2,351
  • Feb 2028

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  • Mar 2028

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  • Apr 2028

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  • May 2028

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  • Jun 2028

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  • Jul 2028

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  • Aug 2028

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  • Sep 2028

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  • Oct 2028

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  • Nov 2028

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  • Dec 2028

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    Saturday 5 Sep 2026to Saturday 26 Sep 2026
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    Saturday 12 Sep 2026to Saturday 3 Oct 2026
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    Saturday 19 Sep 2026to Saturday 10 Oct 2026
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    Wednesday 30 Sep 2026to Wednesday 21 Oct 2026
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Customer reviews & ratings

(4.72 out of 5)
Based on 243 reviews
  • This was a great way to see three very different countries and cultures. Too many highlights to mention but we saw so much and had a fabulous time. Really good itinerary, great way of meeting other travellings and a very helpful CEO

    Emma Aug, 2024 Verified
  • My husband and I had an unforgettable trip to Southeast Asia. This was in large part due to our amazing CEO who went above and beyond to ensure we had a wonderful experience every day. We loved the loose structure that allowed us to see many highlights, while giving us freedom to do things we wanted to do on our own. We loved the group size, which was fairly small, so it was easy to connect with everyone in the group. The layout of the tour also was structured so we could experience all the highlights, but loose enough that we could alter plans and have time to explore on our own. It was a great mix of structure and freedom. Everything was run super smoothly, and our guide (Min) was the most amazing CEO. The only thing that I would worry about is that not every guide is as amazing as he is. We were always well informed and never had to stress about transports or travel.

    Kimberly Aug, 2024 Verified

Essential trip information

Our Important Notes and Packing List cover all essentials, from necessary equipment to inclusions, ensuring you're fully equipped and informed for this extraordinary adventure and more.

Frequently asked questions

  • What are the main highlights of this trip?

    This trip highlights exploring the canals of Bangkok, floating down the mighty Mekong River, visiting majestic caves and stunning limestone karsts in Halong Bay, browsing the tailor shops in Hoi An, and experiencing the Cu Chi tunnels.
  • What kind of accommodation can I expect on this trip?

    Accommodation includes 17 nights in hotels, 1 night in a village homestay, 2 nights on a sleeper train, and 1 night on a junk boat. Hotels and guesthouses may vary in style and efficiency compared to home, and some may have shared toilet facilities or no elevators. In some major cities in Vietnam, many hotel rooms do not have windows. Exceptions to private rooms include overnight trains, the homestay, and the junk boat.
  • What meals are included in this trip?

    The trip includes 18 breakfasts, 4 lunches, and 2 dinners. Breakfasts can be Western or Asian style. Generally, other meals are not included to offer flexibility, but your CEO can suggest local dining options.
  • What are the modes of transportation on this trip?

    Transportation on this trip includes trains, air-conditioned buses, planes, walking, and boats. Note that during monsoon season (July-October) or public holidays, train routes in Thailand may use alternative transport. Vietnamese sleeper trains are basic, often with 4-person compartments that may be shared across genders, and cleanliness can vary.
  • Are internal flights included in the tour price?

    Yes, any internal flights noted on the itinerary for this tour are included in the tour services.
  • Are international flights included in this trip?

    No, international flights are generally not included in the price of your tour. However, on some combo tours traveling between two different countries, international flights are included as part of the itinerary and price of the tour. For this specific tour, international flights are not included.
  • Is there an extra cost for solo travelers?

    No, our group trips are designed for shared accommodation and do not involve a single supplement. Single travelers are paired in twin or multi-share accommodation with someone of the same sex for the duration of the trip. The 'My Own Room' option is available at an additional cost, but does not apply to overnight trains, homestays, or the overnight junk boat.
  • What are the age requirements for this tour?

    You must be 18 to travel unaccompanied. For minors traveling with a guardian over 21 years old, the minimum age is 12.
  • What is the typical group size for this tour?

    The maximum group size is 16 travelers, with an average of 12.
  • Who will be leading the group?

    All group trips are accompanied by a Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout the tour, along with local guides at specific sites where more specialized knowledge is beneficial.
  • How much spending money should I bring?

    Spending money requirements vary by traveler based on personal habits for drinks, shopping, and tipping. It's recommended to have access to at least an additional USD $250 (or equivalent) as an emergency fund for unforeseen circumstances.
  • Is tipping customary, and what are the guidelines?

    Tipping service providers (like waiters) at approximately 10% is customary in Asia. For drivers and local guides, recommendations range from $1.5-$3.5 USD per person per day. For your CEO, a guideline of $20-25 USD per person per week is appreciated if you feel they did an outstanding job.
  • What are the visa and entry requirements for the countries visited?

    Visa requirements are the individual traveler's responsibility and depend on nationality. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months from the departure date from each country. Thailand: Most nationalities don't need a visa for stays under 30 days; 15 days for overland entry. A Thailand E-Arrival form is required from May 1, 2025. Vietnam: Visas must be arranged in advance (minimum 2 weeks processing time), e-Visas are available. Laos: E-Visas are available, and a Lao PDR Immigration Card must be completed online from September 1, 2025.
  • How should I dress to respect local customs?

    In Asia, a more conservative dress code is appropriate. Pack loose, lightweight, long clothing for hot and humid climates. When visiting temples or other holy sites in predominantly Buddhist, Hindu, and Muslim countries, dress respectfully by avoiding very short shorts/skirts and singlets/tank tops.
  • Are there any health considerations I should know before traveling?

    Inoculations may be required, and it is your responsibility to consult with a travel doctor for up-to-date medical information. You should carry a First Aid kit, hand sanitizers, and any personal medical requirements. An average level of fitness and mobility is required, including being able to walk unaided, climb stairs, and carry your own luggage. A medical questionnaire signed by a physician is required for pre-existing medical conditions.
  • What should I know about safety and security on my trip?

    We strongly recommend using a neck wallet or money belt for valuables and leaving expensive jewelry at home. Utilize hotel safety deposit boxes, and a lock for your luggage is advisable. Be cautious of petty theft in Vietnamese towns and cities, especially from motorbike snatchers; carry minimal cash and wear bags across your neck. Do not jump or dive into Kuang Si Waterfalls. Your CEO can adjust the itinerary for safety reasons. Exercise good judgment for optional activities undertaken in free time. At night, it's recommended to stay in small groups and use taxis.
  • What rules are in place regarding illegal drugs and prostitution?

    Illegal drugs will not be tolerated, as possession or use contravenes local laws and risks the group. Prostitution is also contrary to the tour operator's philosophy. CEOs have the right to expel any group member found with drugs or engaging with prostitutes.
  • Can I do laundry during the trip?

    Some hotels offer laundry facilities for a charge. We suggest bringing non-polluting/biodegradable soap for times when you may need to do your own laundry.
  • What is Planeterra and how does the tour operator support local communities?

    Planeterra International Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to turning travel into impact by helping local communities earn income from tourism. They develop and support community-owned businesses that benefit Indigenous people, empower women, create youth employment, and protect the environment. The tour operator is Planeterra's largest corporate donor, covering all operating costs, so 100% of any donations go directly to Planeterra projects. You can contribute via their Dollar-a-day program.
  • Are there any specific warnings I should be aware of in Bangkok?

    Do not buy gems in Bangkok unless you are knowledgeable about them. Even if genuine, you should not expect to be able to resell them at home. The tour operator is unable to assist if you fall victim to a gem scam.
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