22 Days | Uncover the delights of South East Asia on this adventure
Travel from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City, experiencing the delights of northern Thailand, the laidback river lifestyle of Laos and the cultural richness of Vietnam. From the bright lights of Bangkok to the age-old charms of Luang Prabang and the buzz of Hanoi, go on a voyage of discovery and relaxation. Travel down the mighty Mekong and become acquainted with the tranquillity of remote villages and friendly locals along the way. Sip coffee by the lake in Hanoi, stroll the pristine shoreline around Ha Long Bay, take in the charming old-world ambiance of Hue and marvel at the hectic pace of life in Ho Chi Minh City. This is an adventure full of beauty and contrast that will introduce you to the delicious cuisine, friendly people, beautiful landscape and cosmopolitan cities of these fascinating countries.
Trip overview
- Start
- Bangkok, Thailand
- Finish
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Theme
- Explorer
- Destinations
- Thailand, Vietnam, Laos
- Physical rating
- Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
- Style
- Original
- Ages
- Min 15
- Group size
- Min 1 - Max 16
- Trip code
- TLSXC
- The two day boat journey down the iconic Mekong River passes incredible rural scenery and is one of the must-dos to truly experience South East Asia.
- Sample local food wherever you go, from a seafood dinner on Ha Long Bay, street snacks at markets, a meal at a buddhist nunnery, coconut candy and tropical fruits in the Mekong Delta, and a final dinner at KOTO restaurant.
- Sail through Ha Long Bay's limestone karsts and island caves, visit a centre that turns the bay's discarded trash into treasures and spend the night checking out the stars on an overnight cruise.
- Discover the mysterious beauty of the Lao jungle as you walk side by side with recently rescued elephants on stroll through their natural habitat.
- Rise with the sun and watch saffron-robed monks shuffle between houses, where the faithful wait with offerings as part of an alms giving ritual.
- You'll cover a lot of distance on this trip, including overnight trains from Bangkok to Chiang Mai and Hanoi to Hue (about 12 hours). Compartments are on a mixed gender basis and you may be sharing with locals or travellers from other groups. For more about what this experience is like, see our blog posts here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/what-to-expect-on-an-overnight-train-in-vietnam/
- The sightseeing tour by motorbike in Hue is great fun with bikes driven safely by professionals (and helmets provided), but alternative transport can be arranged for those who would prefer not to travel by motorbike.
- Depending on where you come from, the weather on this trip might be hotter and more humid than what you are used to.
- Smoke Haze can be common for Northern Thailand into Laos between March and April due to burning off season of crops. You may wish to take a quality mask with you if you are particularly sensitive to smoke.
- Laos is less developed than many other Southeast Asian countries. The roads can be bumpy, delays are common, and accommodation can be basic but always clean and comfortable. A little bit of patience will go a long way towards your enjoyment of this beautiful country!
- Due to dam construction upstream, water levels aren't as reliable as in previous years. When the Mekong River is at its lowest from February to April, part of the journey may occasionally need to be made by land.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2025 - 31 December 2025
Itinerary
Inclusions
16 breakfasts, 4 lunches, 2 dinners
Boat, Motorbike, Overnight sleeper train, Plane, Private Mini bus, Taxi, Longtail boat, Sampan, Tuk Tuk
Guesthouse (2 nights), Hotel (16 nights), Overnight boat (1 night), Overnight sleeper train (2 nights)
- Bangkok - Khlong boat canal tour
- Bangkok - Wat Pho
- Chiang Mai - Doi Suthep Temple Complex (Entrance)
- Chiang Rai - Wat Rong Khun (White Temple)
- Mekong River - 2 day boat trip
- Luang Prabang - Pak Ou Caves
- Luang Prabang - Kuang Si Waterfalls
- Luang Prabang - Alms giving ceremony
- Luang Prabang - Laos Buffalo Dairy social enterprise visit
- Luang Prabang - MandaLao Elephant Conservation (The Intrepid Foundation partner) lunch & trek
- Luang Prabang - Lunch at Manda Lao Elephant Conservation
- Vientiane - COPE visit
- Vientiane - Wat Si Saket
- Hanoi - KOTO dinner
- Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise
- Halong Bay - Cave entry
- Halong Bay - The Green Life Visit
- Hue - Imperial City entrance and guided visit
- Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
- Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike
- Hue - Thien Mu Pagoda
- Hue - Motorbike Tour Lunch
- Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
- Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum
- Ho Chi Minh City - City tour
- Mekong Delta - Mekong Delta Day Trip & Village Tuk-Tuk Tour
- Mekong Delta - Lunch
- Bangkok - Grand Palace - THB500
- Bangkok - Thai Massage - THB250
- Bangkok - Jim Thompson's House - THB200
- Chiang Mai - Thai cooking course - THB1000
- Chiang Mai - Bicycle tour - THB990
- Luang Prabang - Mt Phu Si - USD2
- Luang Prabang - Night Market - Free
- Luang Prabang - Royal Theatre - USD20
- Luang Prabang - Wat Xieng Thong - USD3
- Luang Prabang - National Museum - USD4
- Vang Vieng - Bicycle hire - USD2
- Vang Vieng - Wat Si Vieng Song - Free
- Vang Vieng - Kayaking - USD35
- Vang Vieng - Tham Phu Kham Cave - LAK10000
- Hanoi - Women's Museum - VND30000
- Hanoi - Museum of Ethnology - VND40000
- Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh Complex - VND80000
- Hanoi - Hanoi Street Food Experience Urban Adventure - USD40
- Halong Bay - Kayaking Tour - VND250000
- Hoi An - Food Adventure Urban Adventure - USD44
- Hoi An - Private Hoi An: My Son Discovery - USD77
- Ho Chi Minh City - Reunification Palace - VND40000
- Ho Chi Minh City - A O show - VND1050000
- Ho Chi Minh City - Saigon Street Food by Night Urban Adventure - USD36
- Ho Chi Minh City - Cu Chi Tunnel Experience Urban Adventure - USD45
Dates and availability
Important notes
1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement exclude Day 2,15 (Sleeper Train), Day 5,6 (Guesthouse) and Day 14 (Overnight boat)( where you will be in shared accommodation and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.Rooms booked only for day use are also excluded. Please note that some room configurations have two single beds, although a double bed will always be requested.
2. Please provide your full name exactly as per passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for train and flight tickets. Fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases you will be required to cover the cost of issuing new tickets.
3. This trip includes a domestic flight. Checked luggage allowance is a maximum of 20 kilograms, plus up to 7 kilograms carry on luggage. Any excess luggage charges will need to be paid directly to the airline at check-in.
4. As this is a combination trip made up of some of our most popular itineraries the composition of your group as well as your leader may change.
Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.
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