Epic Thailand & Vietnam

Welcome to Thailand! Upon arrival, your guide will meet you at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi International Airport (after you collect your luggage). Please proceed to the Arrival Hall on the second floor, then turn right, and look for your guide holding a signboard with your name at Door No. 3.

After being transferred to your hotel in the city center, take the remainder of the day to rest, relax, and acclimatize, preparing for the adventure ahead.

Meals: N/A

After breakfast, your guide will meet you for a relaxing half-day exploration of two of Bangkok’s most notable landmarks, the Royal Grand Palace and Wat Arun (also known as the Temple of Dawn).

Take a public ferry across the river to Wat Arun from Ta Tien Pier, a Buddhist temple named after the Indian god of dawn (Aruna), constructed between 1809 and 1851. Notice its impressive 82m (269ft) high Khmer-style tower and the many detailed floral mosaics made from broken Chinese porcelain, brought over by Chinese ships as ballast.

Return by public ferry to Ta Tien Pier and walk 10 minutes to the Grand Palace. One of the most impressive palaces in Southeast Asia, King Rama I began its construction in 1782 after he moved the capital from Thonburi to Bangkok.

Formerly the residence of the early Chakri Dynasty kings, the vast 94ha (233ac) grounds encompass more than 100 buildings including the Royal Residence and Throne Halls, government offices, and the renowned Wat Phra Kaew, home to the most revered Buddha image in Thailand, the Emerald Buddha.

After exploring the grounds, drive to the Manohra Pier (or Saphan Taksin Pier) to board the Manohra Luxury Cruise and enjoy a great culinary experience while learning more about the Chao Phraya River.

After the fall of Ayutthaya to the Burmese, Thailand’s new capital was relocated to the western banks of the river in the area known today as Thonburi. The River of Kings, as King Rama I called the Chao Phraya, feeds the city’s numerous canals, earning Bangkok its nickname of “Venice of the East”.

Enjoy a set of Royal Thai menu dinners as you cruise along the river, the changing panorama revealing fantastic treasures from the rich past of the country and its new face of modern architectural wonders. Cruise to the Rama VIII Bridge where the boat makes a turn to return to the pier. Upon arrival at the pier, transfer to your hotel.

Meals: (B, D)

Depart early morning after breakfast for the two-hour drive to the Damnoen Saduak floating market.

En route visit the Maeklong Railway Market, whose name says it all: it is a market that has a train running right through the middle of it, multiple times a day. If the products for sale are not placed on the railway itself, they are placed really close to it. Every time the train is about to drive through, vendors immediately jump out of their chairs to pull back their awnings—and when needed their products as well.

Continue to the 100-year-old Damnoen Saduak floating market. The most famous floating market in Thailand, this vibrant, buoyant bevy of stalls comprises small boats laden with colorful fruits and vegetables, paddled by Thai women wearing bamboo hats, and is one of the few places where you can still witness this traditional way of buying and selling goods.

Almost always crowded with hundreds of buyers, sellers, and tourists, the best way to experience the bustling atmosphere of the market up close is to board a boat and float through the small canals, purchasing fresh local produce from the vendors.

Drive back towards Bangkok and visit the Don Wai Market on the banks of the Nakhon Chaisi River. Located on a temple site, this market is mainly frequented by locals. Explore the more than 1,000 stalls located on both sides of the river and sample some of the amazing local dishes (at your own expense).

If you aren’t already full, enjoy a Thai lunch at a local riverside restaurant (at your own expense) before your return to Bangkok in the late afternoon.

Meals: (B)

Meet your driver after breakfast and check out for your transfer and flight to Chiang Mai.

Upon arrival at Chiang Mai Airport, please proceed to the Information Booth (AOT). Here you will find your guide waiting for you holding the signboard with your name on it.

After check-in at your hotel, explore Wat Chedi Luang, a historic temple that once housed the Emerald Buddha, now held in Bangkok’s Wat Phra Kaew. Visit the jade replica in this impressive temple built between the 14th and 15th centuries.

Continue to Wat Suan Dok, just outside the ancient city walls of the city. The temple was built in the 14th century by King Keu Na of Lanna to accommodate important priests visiting from Sukhothai, and to be a place for local monks to shelter from the rain.

Drive to Doi Suthep Mountain, enjoying the spectacular views of Northern Thailand as you head past mountains and forests, towards Wat Phra That, one of Northern Thailand’s most sacred temples.

Founded in 1383 AD, the temple is reached by climbing 309 steps, or for the less fitness-minded, a tram is available as well. Enjoy the superb panoramic view of the city before returning to your hotel.

Meals: (B)

Enjoy your breakfast at your hotel before departing the heat and bustle of Chiang Mai on a 1.5-hour drive to the cooler climate of Doi Inthanon National Park, where beautiful scenery, evergreen forests, and dwarf rhododendron groves guard Doi Inthanon, the highest mountain in Thailand at 2,565m (8,415ft).

The area is home to nearly 400 bird species, many from North Asia, including mountain hawks and Eurasian woodcocks, making it a haven for birdwatchers. Don’t forget to bring a jacket as temperatures will drop the higher up the mountain you go.

Enjoy a 2-hour hike through scenic jungle along the Pha Dok Siew Nature Trail to the Red Karen hill tribe village, the largest hill tribe group in Thailand.

Absorb picturesque, panoramic rice terrace views as the forest walk follows the course of the Mae Klang River which supplies the village and farms with water. Engage with the Karen hill tribe villagers and explore their way of life.

The summit is also home to the shrine of Chao Intha Wichayanon, the former prince of Chiang Mai. The twin chedi was built by the Thai Air Force in honor of King Bhumibol and Queen Sirikit. Lunch will be served along the way.

Return to Chiang Mai in the late afternoon.

Meals: (B, L)

Depart Chiang Mai on a 70km (44 mi) drive headed for the Thai Elephant Home where guests can interact with elephants rescued from unhealthy working conditions.

On arrival, change into traditional Northern Thai-style clothes and get up close with these gentle creatures. Feed the elephants bananas or sugar cane before leading them along a jungle trail to bathe. After washing the elephants, head back to camp for a shower and fresh fruit.

After waving goodbye to your new elephant friends, return to Chiang Mai and your hotel for check out, before transferring to the airport for your international flight to Hanoi, Vietnam.

Upon arrival at Noi Bai Airport, after clearing all customs procedures, please proceed to the exit gate (column number 10) and look for your guide who will be waiting for you, holding a signboard with your name on it.

Meals: (B)

Explore the charming city of Hanoi, often referred to as the ‘Paris of the East’, with its yellow ochre colonial buildings, tree-lined boulevards, and scenic lakes.

Start by visiting Ho Chi Minh’s House, a simple wooden house in a tranquil setting where Ho Chi Minh lived and worked. Some of his belongings are on display and visitors can walk up the steps to see his bedroom.

Continue to the 6th century Tran Quoc Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hanoi, located on a small island in West Lake. Tour the 11th-century Taoist Quan Thanh Temple featuring a mix of architectural styles from the imperial era and highlighted by a large yard shaded by a giant banyan tree and a shrine that contains a famous bronze statue of Tran Vu, one of the principal deities in Taoism.

In the afternoon, visit the Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first national university built in the late 11th century. The picturesque temple is an example of well-preserved traditional Vietnamese architecture and is featured on the back of the 100,000 Vietnamese dong banknote.

Tour the Hoa Lo Prison (also known as the “Hanoi Hilton”) used by the French between 1896 and 1954 to imprison Vietnamese political prisoners before it housed American POWs. While only part of the original complex is left, the displays present a Vietnamese perspective in photographs and writings on the foreign powers involved in Vietnam’s recent history.

Conclude the day by watching an entertaining water puppet performance, a uniquely northern Vietnamese art form said to have originated in the flooded rice fields of the Red River Delta where villagers entertained themselves by manipulating puppets over the water. The show uses colorful wooden puppets to depict scenes based on Vietnamese folklore.

Back to hotel for rest.

Meals: (B)

Check out from hotel after breakfast to continue your adventure in Halong Bay.

After meeting at the Ginger junk boat’s welcome lounge at the Tuan Chau Marina, we take a quick speedboat transfer to your luxurious floating home before starting a unique voyage exploring one of the wonders of nature – Halong’s neighboring Lan Ha Bay and its main island of Cat Ba.

The first highlight of the cruise is lunch, served in Ginger’s nearly 360-degree light-flooded restaurant. Live cooking in the open kitchen is a one-of-a-kind experience; enjoy the culinary display along with fantastic panoramic views of the passing scenery.

Relax on the terrace deck or your private balcony and soak in the enchanting aura that emanates from the surreal seascape. While we cruise along in the early afternoon, there is time to enjoy some unique facilities on board. Take a plunge in the pool with infinity-like vistas or get pampered with a selection of fine treatments and massages in the spa area of the boat.

As we reach the shore of a small lagoon on Cat Ba Island, we hop on bicycles (e-cart transfers are also available) for leisure pedaling along small paved roads towards the Viet Hai village.

Little has changed in Viet Hai since the ancestors of the 80 households settled here centuries ago. Situated in a valley within the Cat Ba National Park and surrounded by think forest and mountains, the locals are isolated from the island’s other villages and towns. The only access is via sea.

The community is self-sufficient, as the residents provide for themselves by cultivating vegetables and fruits in the next-door fields, growing rice of course in the valley, and going fishing out in the bay. This is a truly unique and authentic opportunity to meet local inhabitants and experience their local daily life. See how they make medicine organically from tree bark and take the opportunity to try various homemade liquors.

Back on board, the chef invites guests for an interactive cooking class in the restaurant’s big open kitchen. Learn about local ingredients and lend a hand in the preparation of classic Vietnamese dishes.

As the sun sets, we arrive at our tranquil anchor spot for the night. After a delicious dinner, you may like to unwind in the bar with a digestif, watch a movie in the cinema which is set up in the dining area later on, or have some fun fishing for squid with the crew before retiring to your room.

Meals: (B, L, D)

Wake up early and join a Tai Chi session on the terrace deck to ease your mind and muscles with the first rays of the sun touching the water. Coffee, tea, and breakfast pastries await in the dining room for a light start the day before your more energetic morning activities begin.

Ginger will lift her anchors and cruise to a place called “Frog Lake”, a secluded, captivating marine landscape perfect for a refreshing swim or exploring via kayak. The cliffs stretch vertically out of the water and you feel a sense of freedom while paddling through this labyrinth of jade-green water, rocks, and vivid tree-topped islets.

Back on board, we serve a hearty breakfast while cruising back to the offshore marina, from where you’ll be transferred back to the welcome lounge at the pier by speed boat. Savor the last moments of this unique journey while relaxing on comfy sun beds on the terrace deck.

Continuing your journey by road, between Hanoi and Halong lies the village of Yen Duc in Dong Trieu District. Recognized in 1993 as a national relic, Yen Duc is typical of a countryside Vietnamese village still engaged in rice cultivation and farming activities. The village’s historical ties date back to the Ly and Tran dynasty (10-14th century) and in modern history was considered a cradle of the revolutionary movements during the French Indochina War.

Enjoy the amazing tranquility of life here as you tour the village’s charming surrounding fields, and stop to visit the Canh Huong pagoda that was built in the Tran Dynasty and associated with Buddha Emperor Tran Nhan Tong and Truc Lam Yen Tu Buddhism.

In front of the temple door on Con Meo mountain, there is a poem engraved with 8 verses of King Tran Nhan Tong completely in Nom, describing the earth and mountain world of this region. Meet and talk with the friendly villagers to get an understanding of local life and family tradition, and join the rice-pounding experience with them.

Before returning to Hanoi, try your hand at being a water puppeteer, a unique discipline that uses the water surface as an activity space for the characters. This is a hereditary, centuries-old, sophisticated, and esoteric art form rarely seen by the outside world and renowned as a “cultural specialty” of Vietnam.

Flight to Da Nang then transfer to Hoi An and check in to hotel.

In the evening go to Cam Thanh, an urban ward of Hoi An city. Surrounded by peaceful villages, idyllic rivers, and lush water coconut palms, this little port town supplies seafood, vegetables, and rice for the area.

Take a short drive from the hustle and bustle downtown to the Co Co River, where a rowed basketboat ride will bring you to a floating bamboo BBQ raft in time for dinner. Enjoy the cool breeze and sparkling riverine scenery as the sun sets. Afterwards, transfer back to the hotel.

Meals: (B, D)

Morning departure from Hoi An on a scenic 1.5hr drive to the UNESCO World Heritage Centre of My Son—the site of Vietnam’s most extensive Cham structural remains.

My Son is the former capital of the ancient Champa civilization which ruled Central Vietnam from the 2nd to the 13th centuries. Explore the 20 temple towers still standing today (from a total of at least 68 original structures), all set in a verdant jungle valley surrounded by hills and overlooked by massive Cat’s Tooth Mountain.

Stroll around the temple complex, rediscovered in the late 19th century, to learn about the fascinating Cham culture, architecture, and civilization. Notice the strong ties to Hindu divinities, namely Shiva, regarded as the founder and protector of Champa’s dynasties, before returning to Hoi An.

In the afternoon continue a walking tour where between the 15th and 19th centuries, Hoi An known then as ‘Faifo’, was a prosperous trading port, attracting Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese, and Spanish ships amongst others. Today, this World Heritage ancient town is recognized for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian-only streets, and distinctive local cuisine, allowing visitors a glimpse of its illustrious past.

Hoi An’s narrow lanes are ideal for a guided walking tour of its many atmospheric sights including the old merchant houses with influences from Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese architecture; the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, first built in the 1590s by the Japanese community to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream; the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation with its intricate woodcarvings; and the colorful market with stalls brimming with local specialties including silk, which can be turned into fashionable garments within a day or two.

Back to the hotel.

Meals: (B)

Enjoy a relaxing breakfast at the hotel. Today, the day is yours to enjoy the sights, sounds, and shops of Hoi An at your leisure.

Meals: (B)

Morning transfer from your hotel in Hoi An to your hotel in Hue after breakfast.

Once the imperial capital of the Nguyen Lords from the 17th to the 19th centuries, Hue’s splendid emperors’ tombs, ancient pagodas, and the remains of the Citadel contribute to its undeniable royal charm.

Explore the Imperial Citadel at the center of the Complex of Hue Monuments, inscribed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Enter through the towering main gate and appreciate the magnificent architecture and gardens while your guide explains the events and the intrigue surrounding the former royal court. Despite being heavily bombed during the Vietnam War, there are some incredibly well-preserved sections intact and others that are being carefully restored.

After leaving the citadel, there’s time for a short visit to the Royal Antique Museum. Select one of two royal tombs to visit:

(1) The Tu Duc Royal Tomb: the most impressive of all the royal mausoleums, built by Emperor Tu Duc between 1864 and 1867. Interestingly, Tu Duc had 104 wives and countless concubines but left no heirs to the throne. While the complex does include a tomb, together with pavilions and temples, no one knows exactly where Tu Duc was buried as all 200 servants who buried the king were beheaded to keep his final resting place a secret from grave robbers.

(2) The Khai Dinh Royal Tomb: whose elaborate architecture showcases elements of Eastern art and Western design. While smaller than many of the other tombs, the Khai Dinh Royal Tomb is more flamboyant, with the largest dragons in the country forming the side walls leading up to the tomb. Notice the tomb’s blackened concrete exterior and colourful mosaic interior in the spacious main building decorated with murals of the Four Seasons, Eight Precious Objects and Eight Fairies.

After exploring the tomb, return to your hotel.

Meals: (B)

Breakfast then transfer to the Airport as your journey continues in Saigon.

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport, after clearing all customs procedures, please proceed to the exit gate and look for your driver who will be waiting in the lobby, holding the signboard with your name on it.

After check-in, a day-time walking tour of the city awaits. With over eight million inhabitants and four million motorbikes, Saigon is truly a city that never sleeps. Despite its modernity, Saigon maintains a strong link to the past.

Start your tour at Saigon Opera House, a beautiful French colonial-era building from the late 19th and early 20th century. Wander along Dong Khoi Street to the CIA building, where helicopters evacuated the remaining US citizens in 1975.

The next stop is Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires, based on the original construction from Paris. (Outside visit only due to the renovation at Notre Dame Cathedral until further notice).

Then head across the square to the Central Post Office, designed by the French architect, Gustav Eiffel, before he rose to fame for the Eiffel Tower.

Continue a short walk to the former Presidential Palace, the headquarters of the Saigon Government during the war. You can choose to visit outside or get inside to learn more about the history of this building.

Walk on Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street, passing by The Supreme Court which is set in a bright yellow French colonial building—one of the most recognizable in the city.

Turn right at the corner of Nam Ky Khoi Nghia Street and Le Thanh Ton Street and continue your leisurely walk past Ben Thanh Market. Make a stop at a local street coffee shop where Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau had a casual cafe with the locals.

Afterward, continue past Nguyen Van Hao’s building. It used to be the house of the richest businessman during French colonial times. After taking some pictures at this special building, opt to stop at Maison Marou to taste the best Vietnamese chocolate and learn the history of the artisanal, single-origin chocolate maker.

Leaving Maison Marou, have a leisure walk on Le Thi Hong Gam Street, and move on to the stunning French building built in the late twenties—originally a mansion and now Fine Arts Museum (closed on Monday).

If you are an antique lover, experience walking on the 300-meter Le Cong Kieu Street, even though the street is close to Ben Thanh market, the hustle and bustle of city life does not exist here. The small street exudes history. The ceramics, wood, metal, and glass objects that can be found here are either antique or have been made to look old.

The last stop of this walking tour can be one of the following places:

(1) Pasteur Street Brewing Company: where you can enjoy specialty craft beer using the highest quality ingredients from Vietnam (own account)

(2) Sky Deck on Bitexco Tower: to contemplate the city’s landscape with a panoramic view

(3) SH Garden Restaurant: a hidden restaurant located on the top of an old apartment for lunch with local specialties (own account)

After that, immerse yourself in the cosmopolitan nightlife and traditional cuisine of this busy city on a “Saigon after dark” Vespa tour—be sure to bring a healthy appetite and sense of adventure!

Soak up the energy of this urban metropolis at night at your first stop, a top-ranking stylish venue where we sip on our first drinks and try out some tasty snacks while watching the sunset.

Your expert driver will then navigate the busy streets and alleyways to check out some popular late-night haunts. Feel like a local as we feast on authentic, fresh seafood dishes, eat streetside, and enjoy the local favorite, Banh Xeo—a traditional savory pancake—and other southern Vietnamese dishes.

We then ride off into the night again to experience a live music venue where the latest generation flaunt their style.

Meals: (B)

Breakfast at the hotel before we depart on a 2.5-hour drive to Cai Be in the province of Tien Giang, in the Mekong Delta.

Situated in the heart of the Mekong Delta, Cai Be is famous for its tropical fruit gardens and traditional handicrafts. Board your charming wooden boat at Ba Rai Bridge local pier and start cruising this relaxing and fascinating destination on the Mekong River.

Along the way, enjoy the riverine scenery, sample local fresh fruits, and admire artisanal activities such as thatched roof-making.

On a small island nearby you will temporarily leave your boat—and all those worries modern life can bring behind—on a leisurely bicycle ride along small and shady village roads lined with lush orchards.

En route you will stop to visit local families making traditional handicraft products such as rice wine, bamboo nail files, and furniture made from water hyacinth, or even hammocks made from banana ropes. Later, a local family will invite you to join them for a delicious lunch comprising some of the Mekong Delta’s regional specialties.

Afterwards, have fun on a local sampan ride through the island’s tiny canals before cruising to Cai Be pier where your expedition ends and you are driven back to Saigon.

Meals: (B, L)

Depending on your flight arrangements, we will pick you up from the hotel and offer you a transfer to the airport for your flight back home.

Meals: (B)