Vietnam at a Glance & Bustling Bangkok

After breakfast, meet your driver in the hotel lobby. Depart by shuttle bus (without guide) to Ha Long Bay or nearby Lan Ha Bay, both part of the same UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site where spectacular limestone islets and grottoes rise from the emerald Gulf of Tonkin. Upon arrival, savor a welcome drink on board and check in to your cabin. Lunch will be served as you cruise by secluded beaches. Visit a floating fishing village and relax on the sundeck. Enjoy dinner as the boat docks in a quiet spot for the night. Overnight on board.

Important note: Each cruise has different itineraries to Ha Long Bay or Lan Ha Bay. Itinerary is subject to change without prior notice according to weather conditions or local administrative regulations.

Rise with the sun to participate in a Tai Chi demonstration on the upper bridge. Afterwards, enjoy a light breakfast will be served and later, a heartier brunch as the boat cruises through the bay's stunning scenery, stopping to admire the most beautiful views. Around 10:30-11AM, we will disembark and head back to Hanoi by shuttle bus. Transfer to the airport for a domestic flight to Hue.

Arrive in Hue, the former imperial capital with its magnificent citadel, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and temple. Built under the Nguyen dynasty on the banks of the Perfume River, today Hue welcomes over 4 million visitors per year. Overnight stay in Hue.

Breakfast at the hotel. Begin your day with a tour of the Imperial Citadel, found at the center of the Hue Monuments Complex (itself a UNESCO World Heritage site). Enter through the towering main gate to see the magnificent architecture and gardens, while your guide explains the events and the intrigue surrounding the former royal court. Some sections suffered extensive damage during the Vietnam War, but most of them are incredibly well-preserved to this day.

Wind your way to the Royal Tu Duc Tomb, a peaceful enclosed resting place featuring pine trees and a lakeside pavilion with lotus blossoms. The emperor used this space as a second residence for fishing, listening to music, writing poetry, and indulging in extravagant 50-course meals. After exploring the tomb, drive back to downtown Hue with a stop at a family-run workshop to learn how incense is made.

Next, make the drive from Hue to Hoi An along one of the most famous coastal roads in Vietnam. The journey is 3.5 hours, including plenty of time for sightseeing. Stop at Lang Co Lagoon to see traditional Vietnamese fishing methods being carried out. Expect amazing views as you travel through the Hai Van Pass. In the evening, arrive in Hoi An and check-in your hotel. Overnight stay in Hoi An.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, enjoy the morning on your own and be ready to set off on a guided walking tour around Hoi An during the afternoon. You have the option of adding a Fish and Chips Tour* to the morning, where you will have lunch at the local villages and then, after lunch, you will be transferred to the ancient town to join the rest of the group in the walking tour. For those who don’t take the Fish & Chips tour, the tour guide will pick you up at the hotel’s lobby at 14:00.

In the afternoon, set off on a guided walking tour around Hoi An's Ancient Town, which is recognized for its well-preserved architecture, pedestrian-only streets, and delicious cuisine. During your leisurely exploration on foot, observe some of the historic merchant and community houses, ancient pagodas, and traditional places of worship with influences from Chinese and Japanese architecture. Make a stop at the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, first built by the Japanese community in 1590s as a way to reach the Chinese quarter just across the water. Next, visit the Assembly Hall of the Chaozhou Chinese Congregation. Note the gorgeous carvings on the beams, walls, and altar while hearing stories about the Chinese community in Hoi An.

Continue strolling around Hoi An’s narrow streets and hear the soft, clattering hum of sewing machines. This charming town is home to hundreds of tailor shops and nobody can explain exactly when, how, or why it became so common. Visit a tailor, where you can get made-to-order clothes extremely fast.

Known as a key part of Hoi An culture, the silk lantern is a simple yet practical handicraft. Follow the narrow street to reach a local craftsman, nestled away in a small corner of the quarter. After a brief introduction to the history of the lanterns as well as the stages of production, decorate your own lantern and bring it home as a souvenir.

Important note: The Hoi An entrance ticket is valid for entry to 5 sightseeing spots, including the merchant houses, the Japanese Covered Bridge, museums, pagodas and assembly halls for 24 hours. It also provides entry into Hoi An Ancient Town for as long as you are in Hoi An. Please keep the entrance ticket with you at all times in case you independently visit Hoi An later in the evening or on another day.

*Optional Half-Day Fish & Chips Tour: Get a closer look at the ancient way of life that pervades the rural outskirts of Hoi An. Hop on your bicycle and set off for an easy bike ride through picturesque villages, passing by rice paddies and vegetable farms on your ride. Then, learn how to paddle unique Vietnamese round basket-boats while hearing about how the area was crucial during wartime. Board a local riverboat for a leisurely cruise. Meet a local fisherman and learn about his simple way of life. Arrive in the Tra Que village, where the local farmers use traditional methods that date back hundreds of years. Join your local host to prepare a tasty Vietnamese lunch before cycling back to downtown Hoi An.

Breakfast at the hotel. Depart the hotel this morning ready to take a flight to Bangkok.  Touch down in the buzzing capital of Thailand and transfer to the hotel. Bangkok is a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, located in the heart of the country. It offers a diverse range of unique experiences, from its impressive temples and vibrant culture to its lively night markets and renowned cuisine. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure and discover this fascinating city. Overnight stay in Bangkok.

Breakfast at the hotel. Today, you'll visit some of Bangkok’s most iconic landmarks. Head to the Big Country Vacation office at River City Bangkok to begin the Emerald Buddha Temple (Wat Phra Kaew), the most sacred Buddhist temple in Thailand. On the way, pass by the amulet market, a fascinating spot for spiritual curiosities.

Next, explore the Grand Palace, the official residence of the Kings of Thailand, and continue past Tha Thien market, where you can sample traditional Thai food. You'll also visit Wat Pho, home to the impressive Reclining Buddha.

Your journey continues to Wat Arun, famous for its towering 70-meter-high spire. Finally, board a long-tail boat to Thonburi, Thailand’s former capital, and end the day with a visit to the Royal Barge Museum. Overnight stay in Bangkok.

Breakfast at the hotel. You’ll have a free day to relax or explore the city at your leisure.

If you’d like to continue learning about the history and culture of this region, consider taking a full-day tour to Ayutthaya Historical park*. Discover the architectural styles of Bang-Pa-In summer palace, enjoy lunch at a local Thai restaurant, and cruise along Chao Phraya River on a longtail boat ride.

For a visit to Thailand’s most iconic marketplaces**, we recommend the Maeklong Railway market and Damnoen Saduak floating market. Learn how the first one operates alongside an active railway track, and dine and shop at the second one, where vendors sell directly from boats. Overnight stay in Bangkok.

*Full Day tour to Ayutthaya Historical Park (optional): Head to Ayutthaya Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Tour the Bang-Pa-In Summer Palace, enjoy lunch, and take a long-tail boat ride on the Chao Phraya River to discover ancient temples.

**Maeklong Railway Market & Damnoen Saduak Floating Market (optional): Explore Maeklong Railway Market, located next to active railway tracks, then enjoy shopping and dining at Thailand’s Damnoen Saduak Floating Market. (Tour not compatible with other optional activities. Must choose only one of them on this day.)