BEST OF SOUTHEAST ASIA – 18 DAYS 17 NIGHTS

Upon arrival at Suvarnabhumi Airport, collect your luggage process through custom. Your private tour guide and driver will be waiting for you outside the baggage claim/ custom area (at Gate 03) to transfer you in a private vehicle to the hotel in downtown.

While every effort is made to have your room available upon arrival, check in time is at 02:00pm; your room may or may not be ready before this time. Your tour guide will provide additional details regarding your stay, and you will be able to ask any questions you may have.

The rest of the day is at leisure.

Overnight in Bangkok.

08:30    After breakfast, start your city tour with a visit to Wat Trimitr (also called Wat Traimit), best known as the home of the largest known solid gold Buddha image in the world. Standing at 15 feet tall and weighing in at approximately 5.5 tons, this 700-year old statue has an interesting history.

Driving through Chinatown, arrive at the grounds of Wat Pho. This large and extensive temple neighbors the Grand Palace enclave and contains a gigantic gold-plated Reclining Buddha, some 46 meters long and 15 meters high, with beautifully inlaid mother-of-pearl soles. Considered to be one of the world’s most famous temples, Wat Pho is also regarded as the first center of public education and is sometimes called Thailand’s first university.     

Situated close to the Chao Phraya, Bangkok’s River of Kings, the Grand Palace occupies nearly 1 square mile. As the former royal residence of the Chakri Kings, the palace is the perfect example of an ancient Siamese court. Built in 1782 by King Rama I, it was the center of power for more than 150 years. Today, the palace is Bangkok's most popular tourist attraction and is still used for the occasional ceremony.

Have lunch at a local restaurant.
 
In the afternoon, continue our visit to Jim Thompson’s House. Jim Thompson was the legendary American architect-entrepreneur who settled in Thailand after WW II and almost single-handedly revived the moribund silk industry. Jim's maze of seven Thai-style teak houses has since been converted into a small private museum filled with his priceless collection of Asian antiques, pottery, and curiosities.

After touring all the corners of the house and the lush gardens, our guide and driver will bring you back to your hotel for a short rest before the nightlife activities.

18:00    Meet your private guide at the hotel lobby and travel by tuk tuk to the night market area.

Take a walk through local night markets, such as the 24-hour flower market that comes to life as the night goes on. You may even be surprised with stops at places you’ve never heard of!

You will also stop to sample some of the best food in the city, whether that be random snacks in a market, some of the city’s best noodles, or a mystery dessert stop. You certainly won’t go hungry, so there’s no need to eat beforehand! Vegetarian food options are available throughout the tour.

During most of the tour you will get around by tuk tuk, and traveling at night should mean a lot less traffic and cooler temperatures than during the day.

22:00    Return to your hotel on a tuk tuk and spend a good night at your cozy hotel.

Overnight in Bangkok.

Flight WE130 BKK-CEI 08:30-09:55 (Operated by Thai Smile Airline) 

07:00   Your own driver picks you up at hotel and drive to the airport for a morning flight to Chiang Rai

08:30   Flight departs from Bangkok.

10:30   Upon your arrival at Chiang Rai Airport, you will be met by your own guide and transferred to your hotel. Check in (if room available on that day before normal check in time) and spend time for relax.

14:00   In the afternoon, visit Wat Rong Khun (or known as White Temple), a visit to Hill Tribe museum PDA to learn about their ethnic and such a varieties kind of hill tribes (Lisu, Lahu, Akha, Yao, Hmong & Karen), a visit to Wat Phra Kaew and a visit to the local market.

Check in your hotel for refreshing time.

Overnight in Chiang Rai.

08:00   After breakfast, we will visit Chiang Saen which was the first capital of the Thai kingdom in the tenth century. A few miles away, the visit continues to Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra That Chom Kitti temples. Three hundred and fifty steps leading to the Chedi and we will also visit a small Opium Museum.

Then board on original long tailed boat on a 40-minutes exhilarating ride upriver to Golden Triangle where you can enjoy a wonderful panorama on the Mae Khong River where the borders of Thailand, Burma and Laos convene giving the chance to observe the simple way of life of the local people on the Laotian side. Cruise back with stop at Mae Chan to visit and to explore the Yao and Akha hill tribe village and see their quaint, unique costumes. Each tribe has its own culture and customs.

Continue to Mae Sai border market, the northernmost point in Thailand situated on the border with Burma where the shops and street stalls are full of Chinese and Burmese handicrafts and antiques.

Around 17:00  Return to the hotel.

Overnight in Chiang Rai.

Distance: 190 kilometers/ Estimated driving time: 03 hours

08:00   After breakfast, leave your hotel to Chiang Mai, the capital of the ancient Lanna Kingdom founded in 1296. Chiang Mai still proudly wears its distinctive culture and long history for all to see.

Upon arrival, check in your hotel for a short rest (Please note: The check in time is at 02:00pm so your room may or may not be ready before this time).

In the afternoon, experience traditions and customs that have been at the heart of Thai culture for centuries. Our city tour will start with a drive to Wat Phrathad Doi Suthep, which is the most sacred temple in Northern Thailand, containing a holy relic of Lord Buddha, with a challenging flight of over 300 steps, flanked by enormous mythological Nagas. A panoramic view of the city can be seen from here as well as Sunset in evening and listen to the Buddhist monk chanting.

Visit Wat U-Mong, a 600-year-old temple famed for its large painted pagoda and underground tunnel. Soak up the serene atmosphere and perhaps take the opportunity to talk with the abbot about Buddhism.

You will also have to opportunity to visit Wat Suan Dok and mingle with monks. Learn about their customs and everyday routines. Take some time out to learn basic meditation, and make an offering to the Sangkha.

Back to your hotel for a leisure time.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

SL 509 CNX-DMK 13:15-14:30 (Operated by Thai Lion Air)

FD 638 DMK-DAD 15:55-17:40 (Operated by Thai Air Asia) 

11:15   Your own driver picks you up at hotel and drive to the airport for a flight to Don Mueang, the international airport in Bangkok.

13:15   Flight departs from Chiang Mai

Upon arrival Don Mueang, get your luggage and connect to a flight to Danang.

15:55   Flight departs from Don Mueang.

Arrival Danang, our private guide will welcome you at the entrance gate and escort you to your hotel in Hoi An.

Check in hotel and enjoy your leisure time.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Group tour for the cooking class in Red Bridge Restaurant (Maximum of 08 persons)

08:00    We start the day with a welcome drink at Hai Café (98 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An Ancient Town) – our meeting point.

Travel on your private vehicle (10 mins) to Tra Que Organic Village, and walk through the market gardens where local farmers work their fields using the traditional methods of hundreds of years ago – no electrical machinery here. We pick fresh saw-tooth coriander and Vietnamese mint for our cooking lesson later, before trying a special herbal drink at a local home.

To the local village market and with shopping list in hand we purchase a range of local ingredients, including star anise, cardamom, sesame rice paper, water spinach and banana flower.

Arriving at Red Bridge Cooking School we have a chance to freshen up before beginning our class. Working together with our Red Bridge Chef we learn the traditional ways of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food from scratch. Using the freshest ingredients and traditional Vietnamese utensils (still in use today) we cook 4 famous dishes, including the national dish ‘Pho’.

The recipes can be found in details as below:

1/Beef Noodle Soup (Pho) – includes the making of fresh rice noodles
2/Clay Pot Fish with Fresh Dill (Cha Ca)
3/Lemongrass Shrimp grilled in Banana Leaves (Tom Nuong La Chuoi)
4/Grilled Chicken and Banana Flower Salad (Goi Hoa Chuoi Ga Nuong)

After the class we sit down and a chance to savour the dishes we have prepared. Leisurely cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River back to central Hoi An.

In the afternoon, embark on a 2-hour walking tour through the narrow winding streets of the ancient town, visiting the Tan Ky house, the 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge, the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation and the markets.

Continue our journey to the home of a local lantern maker. You will get a brief introduction about the history, shape, and color of lanterns and the many stages of making them. You will then be shown how to decorate and make your own lantern which you can keep as a souvenir.

17:00    Back to your hotel for leisure time.

Overnight in Hoi An. 

**Please note: If you are vegetarians, please kindly inform us in advance so the food will be provided with replacement ingredients.

Today is absolutely free to relax and chill out. You can do your own exploring or relax on the beautiful beach. This is a great fun.

Overnight in Hoi An.

09:00   Leave Hoi An in the morning, we drive northward to Hue, the capital of Viet Nam between 1802 and 1945 under the Nguyen Emperors, and later French colonial rule. Today we will enjoy one of the most scenic drives by climbing over the Hai Van (Cloudy) Pass with some stops for photos and coffee en route. This is a winding and sometimes steep, scenic road along the coast. Stop en route to visit the China Beach and Marble Mountain.

Upon arrival Hue, have lunch at a local restaurant.

Check in your hotel and spend time for your relaxation.

Overnight in Hue.

08:00    After breakfast you will be collected by your private guide and driver. Your day starts with a short visit to Thanh Toan Village where we can see the lively morning market. This is where the locals come to by their daily food. Nearby is the 300-year old Thanh Toan bridge and a Cultural Museum where you can visit and talk to the locals.

Continue on to the Forbidden Purple City, former home to the Nguyen Dynasty from 1802-1945.

12:00    You will enjoy your lunch time at a local Buddhist Monastery, prepared and served by the nuns.

14:00    In the afternoon, we visit to one of the impressive imperial tombs (Tu Duc Emperor Tomb), Thien Mu Pagoda and Tiger Arena. 

Our next stop is An Hien garden house, the most typical house that remains its original and standards of a Garden House in Hue.

Spend your time visiting Dong Ba market, a famous local one which can offer you many photographic possibilities, from the bustling vegetable market to the very popular stalls selling local crafts.

17:00    Get back to our hotel and spend the rest of the day at leisure.

Overnight in Hue.
 

VN1542 HUI-HAN 09:05-10:25 (Operated by Vietnam Airlines)

Have breakfast at hotel.

07:00   Meet your private driver and be transferred to the airport for a flight to Hanoi.

09:05   Flight departs from Hue

Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by a signboard with your name on it. Your private guide and vehicle will take you to your hotel in the downtown. On the way, stop by to visit the Museum of Ethnology, to learn more about the cultural diversity of Vietnam’s ethnic minorities. Established by the Vietnamese government in 1997, the museum provides us with a fascinating insight into the diverse cultures, customs and lifestyles of the 54 ethnic groups that inhabit Vietnam.

Have lunch at a local restaurant then check in your hotel for a relaxing time.

Overnight in Hanoi.

08:00    Dive in to the sights, sounds and smells of Hanoi.  Your guide and driver will collect you from the hotel lobby to start your trip with a visit to the Ho Chi Minh complex on the site where he declared Vietnam’s independence in 1945, and see the reverence with which Vietnamese people treat their “Uncle Ho”. Other sites that we will visit with our local guide include: House 54, Stilt House, Presidential Palace and the One Pillar Pagoda.

10:00    Continuing on our journey through Hanoi we drive to Vietnam National Fine Arts Museum to admire an unique collection of art treasures dating from every era of national life, from early prehistory and classical antiquity through to the epic story of Vietnamese creative genius in the modern age.

12:30    We will have lunch at a Vietnamese Noodle shop where we will enjoy some "Pho Bo" Beef Noodles. Some of the local people call this world famous Noodle soup “Mac-Noodles" since it is as popular here as MacDonalds is in other parts of the world!  At the restaurant your tour guide will explain the routine during Vietnamese meal times, and also tell you which special ingredients are needed for you.

**Please note: The evening street food tour is one of our highlight activities, please remember to save your stomach for this special tour.

13:30    In the afternoon, we visit the Temple of Literature.  Originally built in honor of Confucius by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong in 1070, a university was added to the grounds six years later. The university provided education to the royal family and children of the aristocracy or "mandarins". The University remained here until Emperor Gia Long moved the countries administrative capital from Hanoi to Hue in the 18th century.  

15:00    Return your hotel for some rest before starting the evening local food discovery. 
 
17:00-20:30    We start our walking tour at Hanoi’s largest covered market, Dong Xuan. Along the perimeter of the market, dozens of street hawkers sell a staggering variety of produce from live seafood to exotic fruits and spices. Your expert English-speaking local guide will give you an insight into the intricacies and traditions of Vietnamese food culture including details on ingredients and historical backgrounds of popular northern dishes. 
 
Walking through the maze of bustling streets that make up Hanoi’s Old Quarter, we tempt our tastebuds with the famed Hanoi dish Banh Cuon at a local eatery. Watch in awe as the skilled chefs demonstrate for you how this tasty dish is put together. Continuing into the atmospheric heart of the Old Quarter, we wander past street stalls and quiet residential lanes where you can observe local life that has changed little since Hanoi was founded over 1000 years ago. 
 
Our next stop is a Banh My (French Baguette) shop, a little food stall with a few typical tiny Vietnamese chairs on the sidewalk where we enjoy the delicious and fresh baguettes while observing the neighborhood.
 
Move on to a local restaurant where we sample some Bun Cha consisting of vermicelli, herbs and grilled pork. At this Hanoi’s best kept secrets, a hidden café we will watch the demonstration and then try some egg coffee, a scrumptious local delicacy.
 
Continue to other food stalls in Hang Bo and Ho Hoan Kiem Street where we try some dishes such Che “Vietnamese style pudding” and Nom “papaya salad with beef”.
 
It’s then time for dessert as we venture down a small alley to join in the local tradition of feasting on fresh fruit served in a cup and smothered with crushed iced – this specialty is one not to be missed!

Check in hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.

**Please note: 

1, The city tour program is flexible. Our guide would be more than happy to adjust the tour itinerary at your needs. You can skip one site or add another if you so wish.

2, The food tour is not reserved for Vegetarians.
 

Around 08:30    Picked up by a limousine from the lobby of your hotel in Hanoi. The driver will take a 10-15 minute break by a station for all on-board guests to rest on the way.

11:30    Arrive at Scarlet Pearl Cruise's Lounge in Halong International Cruise Port to check-in. Guests will be offered “welcome drink” and listen to instructions before boarding.

12:00    Guests will start boarding.

13:00    A splendid lunch is served at Tahiti Restaurant while the cruise travelling across primitive Lan Ha Bay. The bay has hundreds of islands and islets, making it a wonderful background for guests to look at while dining.

15:00    Arrive at Sang Cave by kayaking or rowing boat as the path towards the cave is 70m long of water. On the way, guests will be amazed by sparkling karst arcs through sunlight. Afterwards, guests are invited to enter Ech Lagoon, an extremely serene and emerald spot to kayak and swim. It’ll be a wonderful chance to immerse in one of the most remote parts of Lan Ha Bay. The shape of this lagoon looks like a giant frog resting, hence it explains the name “Ao Ếch” in Vietnamese.

17:00    Return to the cruise to relax and admire the sunset on the sundeck.

17:30    Watching sunset over Lan Hạy Bay is one of the moments that shouldn’t be missed out. During this time, there will be either a Sunset Party in Sky Bar or a cooking class hosted by our Chef (depending on the season).

From 17:30-18:30, it is Happy Hour meaning Buy One Get One Free - this promotion is applied on our limited drinks menu. Guests can also choose to watch the sunset by catamaran while sipping fresh cocktails (this is surcharged).

19:00    Fine-dining dinner will be started along with fun and interactive cultural exchange between all the guests and our Vietnamese host.

Overnight on board.

Please note: The itinerary can be changed by the cruise provider without prior notice

06:30    Begin a new day with a Tai Chi session while welcoming magnificent sunrise. (Guests can also choose to take photos and enjoy the scene if they prefer so) 

06:45-07:30    A light breakfast is served in the refreshing and peaceful beauty of the Bay.

07:30    Explore Lan Ha Bay by catamaran to more remote destinations that larger cruises cannot reach.

09:00    Get ready to check out.     

09:30    Guests will be served with succulent buffet brunch in Tahiti Restaurant before disembarking. 

11:00-11:30    The cruise is now back at the Port. Travel on a luxury limousine back to Hanoi. 

14:30-15:00    Drop off at your hotel in Hanoi. 

Check in hotel and enjoy your leisure time.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Please note: The itinerary can be changed by the cruise provider without prior notice

VN 837 HAN-REP 15:05-16:55 (Operated by Vietnam Airlines)

Breakfast at the hotel.

Freetime to explore Hanoi independently half day.

11:00. Check-out time at your hotel

12:00. Meet your private driver and be taken to Noi Bai International airport for a flight to Siem Reap.

15:05. Flight departs.

On arrival, meet your local guide and be transferred to your hotel for check in.

Enjoy your leisure time.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

05:30. Take along some snacks and leave your hotel early in the morning. Travel to Angkor Wat to relish in the beauty of a sunrise over Angkor. Take beautiful photographs from the western end of the main building of Angkor Wat. Then come back hotel for breakfast before starting a new day tour.

After breakfast, we visit the ancient city of Angkor Thom. Angkor Thom was the last capital of the Great Khmer Empire under the reign of Jayavarman VII. This city is surrounded by an 8 m high wall, drawing a perfect square. Enter the city through the ancient South Gate, an impressive stone gate carved with Elephants and four giant faces. On each side of the entrance path a row of 54 gods or demons is holding the sacred Naga snake.

From here, continue to Bayon Temple in the exact center of the city. This 12th century masterpiece is a study in grandeur and is well-known for its 54 towers with enigmatic faces representing the 54 provinces of the Great Khmer Empire. The Terrace of the Elephants and the Terrace of the Leper King are also must-visits as they are both known for their intricate bas-reliefs.

Have lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, continue our visit to the temples of the Small Circuit. The most famous among these is Ta Prohm temple, built in the mid-12th to early 13th centuries. Ta Prohm is unique in that it has been left largely as it was found: overgrown by jungle trees and vines, with many parts of the temple crumbling to the ground. This makes Ta Prohm one of the most picturesque and memorable of the Angkor temples.

Depart on a very special sightseeing tour of the famous Angkor Wat. Built during the reign of King Suryavarman II in the early 12th century, Angkor Wat is constructed following the model of the temple mountain symbolizing Mount Meru, the home of the gods. Inside the temple, the walls are covered with stone carvings and bas-reliefs depicting Hindu mythology and the wars Suryavarman II fought during his reign. Angkor Wat is well known for the more than 2,000 Apsara dancers decorating the temple. Construction is thought to have taken around thirty years of intensive labor. Today, Angkor Wat is figured on Cambodia's national flag as the temple symbolizes the soul of the Khmer people.

17:00   Return to Siem Reap and check in your hotel.

The rest of your day is on leisure.

Overnight in Siem Reap.

After breakfast at 08:00 am, we are going to see Kampong Phluk, a cluster of three villages of stilted houses built within the floodplain of the Tonle Sap Lake about 16 km southern of Siem Reap. The villages are primarily Khmer and have about 3000 inhabitants between them. Flooded mangrove forest surrounds the area and is home to variety of wildlife including crab-eating macaques. During the dry season when the lake is low, the buildings in the villages seem to soar atop their temporary stilted houses. In the wet season when the water level rises again the villagers move back to their permanent houses on the floodplain, the stilts now hidden under the water. Kampong Phluk’s economy is, as one might expect, based in fishing, primary in shrimp harvesting.

Have lunch at a local restaurant before coming back to your hotel in the downtown.

The rest of your day is on your own leisure. Overnight in Siem Reap.

Hotel breakfast is included.

Check out at 11:00 am.

Free time until your private driver and vehicle arrive to take you to the airport for your departure flight.

End of services.

Yes. A single supplement is available with a surcharge fee. If you're a solo traveller, please contact us for more information. 

Yes, all visitors to Vietnam must be covered by a minimum of travel medical insurance with a liability of US$10,000 or more for COVID-19 treatment. A more robust travel insurance policy for a trip to Vietnam is optional, but highly recommended due to the unpredictable nature of international travel.

Although the only travel insurance legally required to visit Vietnam is the medical coverage related to COVID-19, there are many other aspects of a trip overseas that can quickly become costly if things go awry. Travel insurance for Vietnam can be a great asset in unexpected situations, lessening the financial burden on a traveler in an emergency or otherwise difficult situation.

Vietnam trip insurance can include a variety of coverages designed to assist travelers in unforeseen situations. Travelers may choose between plans that offer specific coverage for their unique concerns, which may include airline delays or disruptions, sudden illness or injury while abroad, trip cancellation, and much more. These coverages do vary by plan, so be sure to review your policy carefully before purchasing.

Yes. Travel Health Insurance covering Covid-19 is mandatory. To enter Vietnam, you must show evidence of health or travel insurance that covers COVID-related medical care up to a minimum of US$10,000 for the duration of your visit. Failure to produce this may result in being refused entry to the country.

The price of Vietnam travel protection can vary depending on the age, health status, and number of travelers being covered, as well as the duration of the trip and type of coverage.
As risk involved with the trip increases, prices may also increase. For example, a trip to Vietnam that lasts one week may cost less than a two-week trip, even if the type of coverage is the same, due to the extended length of the trip. Additionally, a traveler with pre-existing health conditions can usually expect to pay higher rates than a traveler who does not have any diagnosed pre-existing conditions.