Fantastic Vietnam & Thailand 11 Days

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, you are met by the driver and transferred to your hotel for check-in.

Take time to rest after your flight or begin a light exploration of the surrounding area depending on arrival time.

NOTE: Standard check-in time is 14:00; early check-in is subject to availability and additional charge.

Morning

Have breakfast, then meet our driver and travel to Cai Be tourist pier.

The Mekong Ecolodge boat picks you up at the pier and takes you to explore the lively Mekong Delta. Visit the Com Candy Craft Village, where you can see the production process of candy nuggets and try freshly baked sweet nuggets. 

Continue to a local bee farm to learn about honey harvesting and enjoy honey tea. Proceed to Tan Phong island and explore native specialty fruit gardens such as durian, rambutan, longan, plum, and more.

Travel to a local house to join the garden folk music exchange with local artists and enjoy a cup of tea and welcome fruit of the host.

Continue by small rowing boat through narrow canals before arriving at Mekong Ecolodge for lunch and a cooking demonstration.

Afternoon

You can take a walk around the Ecolodge campus to see tropical fruit & colorful flower gardens. Here, you can even pick and try those fruits (apple, cherry, guava, strawberry, toad,...) on the spot. 

13:00: get on a bicycle to start the journey to discover and participate in amusing activities with the people on Tan Phong Island. 

• First, we go to a local house to see the process of making traditional rice paper rolls.
• Visit another house to watch how the worker here knits a hammock with banana rope.
• Cycling to a local home to learn how to knit water hyacinth, you can try to knit one yourself. After that, you’ll make beautiful gifts with the guidance.
• Go to another to see the process of making nail files with bamboo sticks - a locally available material.

Return to the pier by boat in the mid-afternoon and transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City. The rest of the day is free at leisure.

Morning /Afternoon

Depart for Cu Chi Tunnels, an extensive underground network developed during the mid-20th century conflict period.

Begin with a documentary introduction, followed by exploration of tunnel systems that include narrow passageways, hidden entrances, and underground living areas.

Learn about functional spaces such as kitchens, storage areas, meeting rooms, and medical stations used during wartime conditions. Visit displays of handmade tools and defensive systems, and taste local tea and tapioca, which were part of daily rations.

Optional activity: shooting range experience available at additional cost.

Return to Ho Chi Minh City after the tour.

Afternoon

Transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for a short domestic flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, continue by road to Hoi An and check in at the hotel. Evening at leisure.

Morning

Begin at Hoi An Market, where local vendors sell fresh produce, spices, and household goods, offering a direct view of daily trading life.

Continue to Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, an active community site used for worship and traditional ceremonies. Visit Phung Hung and Tan Ky Ancient House, preserved merchant homes reflecting architectural styles and family trade history.

Explore the Museum of Folk Culture, showcasing traditional crafts and daily life artefacts, followed by a short visit to the Traditional Performing Arts House. Continue to the Japanese Covered Bridge, a historic structure linking cultural influences within the old town.

End the morning walking through narrow streets lined with preserved buildings, galleries, and craft shops.

Afternoon

Cycle through rural surroundings towards Tra Que Vegetable Village, passing rice fields and small farming communities.

Upon arrival, meet local residents and observe traditional farming practices using manual techniques. Join hands-on activities such as planting or harvesting herbs, depending on seasonality, and learn about organic cultivation methods.

Return to Hoi An and enjoy the evening at leisure.

Morning

Your adventure begins with a morning pickup between 08:00 and 09:00 from your hotel in central Hoi An by a friendly local guide. After a brief transfer, you’ll head to the pier and board a speedboat, setting off across the sparkling waters toward Cham Island. 

Upon arrival, your guide will lead you on a walking tour of Bai Lang, the island’s main village. Explore the Cham Island Biosphere Reserve, visit the ancient Champa well, marvel at the historic Hai Tang Pagoda, and stroll through the local market. This immersive introduction offers a glimpse into the unique culture, daily life, and history of the island community.

Next, you’ll transfer to either Bai Xep or Hon Tai - two stunning beach areas known for their vibrant marine life. Here, you’ll have the chance to snorkel in crystal-clear waters, admiring coral reefs and colorful sea creatures that make up this underwater paradise.

After working up an appetite, you’ll enjoy a set-menu lunch at a seaside restaurant. Vegetarian and dietary options are available with advance notice. Following lunch, take time to relax on the beach, swim in the refreshing sea, or simply bask in the sun.

Afternoon

Around 14:00 - 14:30, you’ll board the boat for your return journey to Hoi An. Transfer back to your hotel in Hoi An and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.

Today is free at leisure to explore Hoi An at your own pace.

You may choose to walk through the Ancient Town, visit riverside cafés, browse local tailor shops, or simply relax in your hotel. The town offers a calm atmosphere with preserved architecture, lantern-lined streets, and slow-moving daily life.

Optional activities or curated tours can be arranged upon request.

After breakfast, transfer from Hoi An to Da Nang Airport for your flight to Bangkok.

Upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport, transfer to your hotel and check in. The remainder of the afternoon is free for rest.

Evening

At 19:00, begin a guided tuk-tuk food tour through Bangkok’s evening streets.

Start with local street food stalls where a variety of freshly prepared dishes are served in open-air settings. The route introduces different neighbourhood flavours, offering a mix of grilled, fried, and noodle-based dishes commonly enjoyed by locals.

Continue to Saphan Khao Market, a wholesale fruit market where seasonal produce is displayed in large quantities, reflecting Thailand’s agricultural diversity. Proceed to Phra Athit Road, known for small food stalls specialising in roti, curry dishes, and popular local street foods such as pad Thai.

Visit Wat Pho at night, where illuminated temple structures and the Reclining Buddha create a calm atmosphere distinct from daytime activity. End at Pak Khlong Talat, Bangkok’s main flower market, where jasmine, orchids, and marigolds are traded in large volumes throughout the night.

The tour concludes around 23:00 with drop-off at Siam BTS Station.

Morning

Depart Bangkok for Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, located approximately 100 km southwest of the city.

Explore the market by long-tail boat, passing through canals lined with vendors selling fresh produce, food, and handicrafts directly from their boats. The waterways are active with trading, transport, and local interaction.

You can also observe Thai traditional houses, understand the way they live, and enjoy market activities from a passage along the canal if you don’t want to get on the boat.

Return to Bangkok and relax at the hotel.

Afternoon

Our driver will transfer you to the train station to take an overnight train to the beautiful Chiang Mai (travel duration: 14 hours 20 minutes).

NOTE: You will share the berths with other travelers. If available, you can upgrade to a private cabin with a surcharge.

Morning

Arrive in Chiang Mai and continue to Doi Suthep Temple, located on a mountain overlooking the city.

Access the temple via cable car or the 309-step Serpent Staircase lined with naga sculptures. The temple platform features a central golden chedi surrounded by smaller shrines, bells, and decorative structures.

From the viewpoint, enjoy wide panoramic views of Chiang Mai and the surrounding mountains.

Afternoon

Early arrival at Chiang Mai Train Station. Fulfill your energy with a warm breakfast before starting the tour to explore the finest temples of Chiang Mai:

Visit Wat Phra Singh, known for its Lanna-style architecture and revered Buddha image. Proceed to Wat Chedi Luang, a large historic temple site featuring a partially restored ancient chedi.

Continue to Wat Chiang Man, the oldest temple in Chiang Mai, known for its elephant-supported chedi and important Buddha statues.

Return to the hotel and rest.

Morning

Your day begins around 8:00 - 8:30 with a friendly pickup from your hotel or accommodation in Chiang Mai. Settle in for 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 welcomed by your guide. A short 10–15 minute jungle walk brings you to the heart of the sanctuary. Here, you’ll change into traditional Karen clothing and join a brief introduction about elephant anatomy, behavior, and the ethical mission behind the sanctuary.

At around 11:00, you’ll meet the stars of the day - rescued elephants. Feed them baskets of bananas and sugarcane, pet them, and walk alongside them in their natural surroundings. Get to know their stories as you observe their personalities and interactions up close. There will be plenty of time for photos and bonding.

Around noon, recharge with a delicious Thai lunch and seasonal fruits, freshly prepared on-site.

Afternoon

After lunch, the experience deepens. Learn to prepare herbal medicine balls to boost the elephants' health, and then feed them once more. You’ll follow them to the riverbank for an immersive bathing session, brushing their thick skin and cooling off together.

At 14:00, enjoy a fun and messy mud spa session, where you help the elephants coat themselves in protective clay. Cap off your adventure with a swim in the river - an unforgettable way to connect with these gentle giants.

By 15:00, it’s time to change clothes, say a heartfelt goodbye to the elephants, and start the journey back to Chiang Mai. You’ll arrive back at your hotel around 17:00, filled with new memories and a deeper appreciation for wildlife conservation.

Enjoy free time in the morning at leisure, depending on your flight schedule. Transfer to Chiang Mai International Airport for your departure flight.