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Our 7 Best Thailand and Vietnam Itineraries

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Wat Arun in Bangkok, Thailand

Wat Arun in Bangkok, Thailand

With their lush landscapes, storied histories, and distinctive cultures, Thailand and Vietnam have emerged as two of Southeast Asia's most captivating destinations. With so much to see and do, our best Thailand and Vietnam itineraries are the foundations of a dream vacation.

From bustling capital cities to remote rural villages, pristine beaches to mist-shrouded mountains, Thailand and Vietnam offer incredible diversity. Our top itineraries reveal the best of these Southeast Asian gems, and we invite you to personalize your experience to your travel interests.

In this article, we reveal our premier Thailand and Vietnam trip itineraries, and share travel inspiration, from luxurious beach retreats to cultural immersions, culinary quests, and off-the-beaten-path adventures.

Overview
  1. 1. Classic Thailand & Vietnam Highlights Tour
  2. 2. The Sriracha Tour: A Culinary Journey to Thailand & Vietnam
  3. 3. Heritage & History Tour of Vietnam & Thailand
  4. 4. Best of Thailand & Vietnam: 13-Day Culture & Beaches
  5. 5. Two-Week Highlight Tour of Vietnam & Thailand
  6. 6. Cultural Explorer's Dream 17-Day Tour of Thailand & Vietnam
  7. 7. Flavors of Thailand & Vietnam Culinary Tour
  8. Plan Your Thailand & Vietnam Itinerary with a Travel Specialist

1. Classic Thailand & Vietnam Highlights Tour

Bang Pa In Royal Palace in Thailand

Bang Pa In Royal Palace in Thailand

Length: 15 Days

Places Visited: Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

From the white-sand beaches of Koh Samui to the bustling streets of Bangkok, this 15-day Classic Thailand & Vietnam Highlights Tour showcases the diversity of Thailand and Vietnam. Wander colorful markets and ancient temples with a private guide to experience Thailand's distinctive culture and cuisine.

Crossing into Vietnam, cruise Ha Long Bay's dramatic limestone islands and lose yourself in Hanoi's evocative Old Quarter. For an immersive experience, crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels and walk forgotten jungle trails, encountering natural beauty and complex history. With its stunning landscapes, deep-rooted traditions, and distinctive cuisine, this classic itinerary captures the essence of Southeast Asia.

2. The Sriracha Tour: A Culinary Journey to Thailand & Vietnam

The iconic Sriracha sauce, Thailand

The iconic Sriracha sauce from Thailand

Length: 15 Days

Places Visited: Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chonburi, Si Racha, Hanoi, Hoi An, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Awaken your senses on The Sriracha Tour: A Culinary Journey to Thailand & Vietnam that celebrates the roots of sriracha and the shared gastronomic heritage of Thailand and Vietnam. In Thailand, learn to make the original sauce with the family that created the iconic recipe in the 1930s. During a private cooking lesson with a celebrity chef, master your own version of the sweet, spicy condiment.

In Vietnam, indulge in Hanoi's famous bun cha noodles. Meet Lahu hill tribe members to discuss their organic coffee plantation and taste the world's most expensive coffee, harvested from wild civets. Embrace Vietnam's complex flavors during exclusive cooking classes and meals, like an elaborate multi-course dinner in a historic imperial residence.

3. Heritage & History Tour of Vietnam & Thailand

Hmong women on rice terraces in Sapa, Vietnam

Hmong women in Sapa, Vietnam

Length: 21 Days

Places Visited: Hanoi, Sapa, Hoang Lien, Hoi An, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Khon Kaen, Phitsanulok, Sukhothai, Lampang, Chiang Mai

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Journey through over 3,000 years of history on our immersive Heritage & History Tour of Vietnam & Thailand. Begin by cruising the surreal karst islands of Ha Long Bay, a peaceful introduction to Southeast Asia's natural splendor. In Thailand, explore ancient Khmer-era temple complexes and admire the ruins of the mysterious Ban Prasat.

Wander the historic streets of Hue and Hoi An, appreciating the faded grandeur of Vietnam's imperial past. Learn about the country's tumultuous 20th-century history at the DMZ and Cu Chi Tunnels. Spend peaceful days amid lush jungles and terraced rice paddies, encountering colorful hill tribes in Sapa and laidback vibes in Chiang Mai. From lost civilizations to recent history, this is an unforgettable journey through the heritage of two captivating countries.

4. Best of Thailand & Vietnam: 13-Day Culture & Beaches

Similan Islands in Thailand

Similan Islands in Thailand

Length: 13 Days

Places Visited: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Chiang Mai, Khao Lak, Similan Islands, Phuket

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Our Best of Thailand & Vietnam: 13-Day Culture & Beaches reveals the cultural depth of Vietnam and the tropical beauty of Thailand's beaches. In Hanoi, dive into Vietnamese culture with insider food tours of the capital's multifaceted districts. Cruise the azure waters of Ha Long Bay, spending two nights sailing among the karst islands and kayaking through lush mangroves.

Heading into Thailand, encounter heritage sites in Chiang Mai before venturing south to pristine beaches. Glide across aquamarine seas to snorkel vibrant coral reefs and explore hidden caves, and speedboat through Phang Nga Bay, admiring the iconic islands. End your journey in Phuket, enjoying seaside cuisine, spiritual temple visits, and hilltop panoramas. From Vietnamese street food to Thai island-hopping, this tour blends cultural immersion with tropical relaxation.

5. Two-Week Highlight Tour of Vietnam & Thailand

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Length: 14 Days

Places Visited: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Bangkok, Chiang Rai, Phuket, Koh Phi Phi

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Our Two-Week Highlight Tour of Vietnam & Thailand packs in the must-sees and essential experiences across Vietnam and Thailand. In Hanoi, cruise historic neighborhoods on restored military motorcycles and sail the karst islands of Ha Long Bay. Meet locals in authentic villages to experience traditional song, dance, and cuisine.

Then, cross into Thailand to embrace Bangkok's intoxicating energy. Tour top sites like the Grand Palace and Wat Arun via tuk-tuk, long-boat, and sky train. Savor iconic street food during a culinary quest. Glide through floating markets on wooden boats. Up north in Chiang Rai, visit historic museums and bathe rescued elephants. Conclude your journey island-hopping by speedboat from Phuket to Koh Phi Phi, snorkel surreal reefs, and lounge on sun-kissed shores.

6. Cultural Explorer's Dream 17-Day Tour of Thailand & Vietnam

Supta in the northern mountain tea plantations of Chiang Rai, Thailand

Doi Mae Salong, Chiang Rai, Thailand

Length: 17 Days

Places Visited: Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Bangkok, Khao Yai, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Explore the heart of Thai and Vietnamese culture on our Cultural Explorer's Dream 17-Day Tour of Thailand & Vietnam. In northern Thailand, visit hill-tribe villages to savor exquisite cuisine and appreciate tribal customs. Tour renowned temples in Chiang Mai and admire the ethereal White Temple of Chiang Rai. Learn about the Golden Triangle's opium trade history before cruising the canals of Bangkok by longtail boat, and find serenity amid nature in Khao Yai National Park.

When visiting Vietnam, trade busy Hanoi for the remote rice paddies of Mai Chau village. Cruise the karst islands of Ha Long Bay, discovering fishing villages and limestone caves before you wander through the jungle river valleys and grottos of Ninh Binh. Return to Hanoi’s lakes and landmarks, like Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum. From bustling capitals to rural villages, this tour offers cultural immersion alongside natural splendor for a quintessential Southeast Asia experience.

7. Flavors of Thailand & Vietnam Culinary Tour

Traditional Vietnamese noodle salad

Traditional Vietnamese noodle salad

Length: 13 Days

Places Visited: Hanoi, Hue, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok, Chiang Mai

Why we recommend this sample itinerary:

Our Flavors of Thailand & Vietnam Culinary Tour will entice your taste buds with the dynamic flavors of Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. Master authentic cooking techniques during a two-day cooking experience in Chiang Rai before shopping at bustling local markets to learn about unique Thai ingredients. Later, a herbal spa and bowl of pho soup will revitalize you upon arriving in Hanoi.

During this tour, visit tea plantations and fish markets for an insider's perspective. With food as your focus, you will also explore top sights like Vietnam's imperial citadel and Thailand's postmodern White Temple. This journey tells a story through aroma, taste, and connections made over meals. From exotic spices to aromatic freshness, prepare to be immersed in two of the world's most remarkable culinary destinations.

Plan Your Thailand & Vietnam Itinerary with a Travel Specialist

Cat Ba Island in Halong Bay, Vietnam

Cat Ba Island in Halong Bay, Vietnam

From street food tours in Bangkok to jungle treks in Chiang Mai, cruises through Ha Long Bay to cooking classes in Hoi An, our handcrafted Thailand and Vietnam itineraries highlight the diversity of experiences these countries offer.

Whether you are a culture seeker, adventurer, foodie, or beach lover, find more inspiration to guide your travel itinerary in our Thailand and Vietnam travel guide.

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