3-Week Explorer: Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia

Vietnam’s capital city, Hanoi, is a melting pot of cultural influences that brags a beautiful blend of ancient and modern across its skyline of thatched homes and contemporary skyscrapers. There is something for everyone to enjoy in Hanoi, whether you are a history buff hoping to unravel stories from the past, a nature lover yearning to lose yourself in the overgrown forests, or a foodie searching for the world’s tastiest snacks. Today, you will transfer from the airport to your charming accommodation pinned in the heart of the city, from where you will have easy access to Hanoi’s highlights.

Hanoi’s fascinating multi-cultural heritage will come to life this morning when you visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, a century-old ode to the architecture of the Lenin Mausoleum in Moscow. You and other travelers will enter the sacred landmark to see the remains of the revolutionary former Vietnamese leader and president. Afterward, you will meet a guide perched on a traditional military Minsk motorcycle and relish a stylish cruise through Hanoi’s dazzling districts to other significant museums and heritage sites, including West Lake and the famous Long Bien Bridge.

The third day of your vacation will see you to the piers on the fringes of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam’s very own picturesque island paradise complete with karst limestone cliffs that rise from the depths of the sea and castaway beaches riddled with swaying palm trees. You will board a lavish boat and begin a voyage across the shimmering waters to sensational sections of the greater bay, including Lan Ha Bay. You will spend the day scanning the island-peppered horizon and absorb panoramas of a sun-washed alley of isles while the salty sea breeze rubs against your cheeks.

Start your day under the Vietnamese sun on a stylish deck as a professional instructor leads you through the ancient art of Tai Chi. After the invigorating course, you may head down to the restaurant where wafts of a bountiful breakfast fill the cabin and the sounds of the sea backdrop a superb start to your second day in Ha Long Bay. You will explore the archipelago in greater detail after breakfast, heading for a traditional Vietnamese village by wooden boat where you may delve into the region’s seaside heritage before returning to partake in a professionally led culinary class.

You will return to shore after swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking in the turquoise waters of Ha Long Bay, and transfer from the northern reaches of Vietnam to the colorful central city of Hoi An. The ancient city lies neatly on the coastal edges of central Vietnam and its history is reflected in the preserved imperial buildings and decorated Chinese wooden homes that slip through many eras to compose a one-of-a-kind skyline. You will check into your accommodation and drop your things off in your suite before you explore the neighborhood and acclimate to Hoi An’s distinct cultural atmosphere.

There are many ways to discover the charms of Hoi An, and you will do so this morning by boat sweeping through the serene canals of the Thu Bon River, a nourishing natural lifeforce for the wilderness and locals on which fishing villages thrive amongst the ancient mangrove groves and rolling rice fields. You may try delicacies, enjoy massages, fish off the docks, or visit local homes during your morning passing by the riverside communities. In the afternoon, Hoi An’s colorful culture will exude from the bustling streets lined with many-hued buildings and quiet cafés serving authentic central Vietnamese cuisine.

Sometimes it's best to take a moment to unwind and slowly embrace all that each destination has to offer, and that is why your final day in Hoi An is unplanned. How you choose to enjoy it is entirely up to you, whether you wish to laze around in the sun and swim in the quiet seas or paddle past the coconut gardens to endearing villages. You may also join a local celebrity chef for a unique central Vietnamese culinary experience overlooking the shimmering seascape.

Vietnam’s jaw-dropping and high-octane cosmopolitan of Saigon, or Ho Chi Minh City, lies close to the southern borders of the country and encompasses massive slices of untouched wilderness, a momentous cityscape dressed in neon, and serpentine rivers that snake their way to the rumbling sea. You will be swept up by the city’s palpable energy from the minute you arrive and partake in a Vespa tour to lively bars, popular eateries, and contemporary music venues. Evenings in Ho Chi Minh City are some of the most exhilarating across the entirety of Vietnam.

Ho Chi Minh City is a marvelous destination itself, and also a gateway to Vietnam’s fascinating yet tumultuous history. Today, you will transfer to the famous site of the Chu Chi Tunnels, a collection of underground tunnels that served as the quarters, sanitary posts, and points of attack for Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War. The Chu Chi Tunnels are an impressive feat in guerilla military tactics, and it's inspiring to see and crawl through the intricate web of chambers and unpack just how dramatic such a time must have been for the Vietnamese people.

One of the natural wonders on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City is the Mekong Delta, a breathtaking network of rivers and tributaries that feed the wilderness and provide nutrients to the crops grown by Vietnam’s southern communities. Today, you will explore the delta’s Ben Tre area, a region dubbed the “Green Venice” for its blue canals winding through lush, emerald foliage to humble riverside villages. You will stop along the way at local workshops to learn about the customary crafts, modest villages to delve into Vietnamese traditions, and gorgeous eateries to tuck into regional specialties.

You will leave the southern shores of Vietnam for Cambodia's spiritual, wilderness, and cultural playground Siem Reap. The cherished city is located in the stunning and lush Cambodian countryside and its proliferating forests fringe enchanting districts connected by quiet lanes and palm-lined boulevards. After arriving and checking into your accommodation, you will join your ATV guide for a zip around the bucolic pastures sweeping the borders of the city. You will cruise past grazed plateaus and thriving paddies to charming villages where you will immerse yourselves in Cambodian culture.

Siem Reap boasts an incredible history dating back to the Angkor era and this heritage is captured in the meticulously carved ruins and spiritual complexes that litter the surrounding region. You will hop on bicycles and pedal from one significant Angkor site to the next, making your way from the Angkor Thom South Gate to the Secret Temple and finally the mesmerizing Angkorian highlight, Angkor Wat. You will stroll within the temple grounds and admire the great works of historic art that veil every wall within the complex before you retreat to a lofty viewpoint to capture unparalleled sunset spectacles.

You will enjoy your final day in Cambodia at leisure, choosing from a wealth of activities in Siem Reap to fill up the time on this free day. Some travelers prefer to sit back and relax, taking their time to enjoy the little pleasures in Siem Reap including the delightful cuisine and quiet gardens, while others will wish to see more of the landmarks lining the streets. Adventurers may even wish to partake in a bird-watching tour beneath the region's forested canopies or a visit to famous floating villages hovering above gentle rivers.

Bangkok is the beating heart of Thailand, a modern cosmopolitan city that combines sophisticated new world technology with its ancient and historic roots. It is a hub of commerce, entertainment, and travel, sharing an array of exceptional experiences with you. You will be blown away by the sights and sounds of the city as you transfer to your accommodation, from the neon-lit skyscrapers to the bustling town squares and jam-packed roads to the bubbling markets. After arriving, you will set off in a Thai open-air vehicle known as a tuk-tuk on a food tour of Bangkok’s best gastronomic institutions.

There is a range of ways to explore Bangkok, and you will enjoy them all today beginning with a boat cruise along the flowing canals that wind past the city’s towering temples, shaded markets, and residential quarters. You may hop off to try scrumptious treats or browse the little stalls for uniquely Thai finds before you arrive at iconic temples and complexes including Wat Arun, Wat Pho, and the Grand Palace. Their facades are constructed from fabulous materials, with porcelain colors dancing in the sunlight and golden embellishments illuminating the sites.

Bangkok is beautiful and big, with a flurry of activities to entice and satisfy your travel bug during your stay. Your final day here is left unplanned so that you may experience Bangkok however you wish to do so before you continue your adventure elsewhere. You may wander the quiet manicured parks to escape the crowds, enjoy a jungle bike tour in the outlying countryside, find refuge amongst the revered ruins of Ayutthaya, or people-watch from one of the city’s stylish cafés during your off day.

Chiang Mai will seem worlds away from Bangkok as you arrive in a less-populated city hemmed in the viridian countryside of northern Thailand. Though still busy, there are far greater opportunities for reprise from the crowds as hidden alleys and far-flung accommodations provide an escape from the well-trodden path. Today, you may spend your afternoon acclimating to Chiang Mai’s unique ambiance rooted in the spiritual local lifestyle and humble communities. In the evening, you will swoon over a spectacular sunset over the surrounding hills.

Elephants are sacred animals in Thai culture and there are a wealth of organizations aiming to rehabilitate and protect mistreated elephants in the country. One such organization is found within the thriving forests of Chiang Mai, and today you will visit the Thai jungle to meet the elephants, play with them, and bathe them in nutritious muddy waters. During your unique Thai elephant encounter, you will learn more about the conservation of these magnificent animals and other adorable forest creatures.

You will spend the morning enjoying the quiet of Chiang Mai before you meet your transfer and guide and head for the authentic San Kamphaeng handicrafts village. Within the village, craftsmen create elaborate wooden pieces and some of the more significant historic works remain preserved in the exhibits of the Baan Jang Nak elephant wood carving museum. You will meet one of the talented craftspeople and spend the afternoon delving deeper into the ancient tradition while attempting your own wood carving with fascinating traditional tools.

You will venture deeper into Chiang Mai’s bewitching forested landscape today on a guided trekking tour up the shaded paths of the Doi Inthanon mountain. The journey will be well worth it as you step onto the summit of the mountain and are rewarded with 360-degree views of northern Thailand. Behind you, you will find the golden buddha statues, embellished carvings, and immaculate gardens composing one of the most breathtaking spiritual complexes in Thailand. This trekking tour will share phenomenal insight into the wilderness and spiritual highlights of Chiang Mai.

You may wake up early to catch your last Southeast Asian sunrise over the sparkling city of Chiang Mai and capture gorgeous photographs of the orange sky hanging over the surreal far-flung landscape. You will tuck into a sumptuous breakfast spread before you pack your bags and spend your final hours collecting commemorative tokens of your adventure from the boutique stores and markets brimming with life in the mornings. You will return to your hotel lobby afterward to collect your things and transfer to the international airport for your flight.