Welcome to Hanoi – the capital of Vietnam. You are met at the airport by your private transfer and taken to your accommodations, located within the center of the city.

In the evening, you will delight in your first taste of Vietnam at a charming restaurant within a French Colonial building before doing the night tour of Thang Long Imperial Citadel. You will begin your 1.5-hour tour at Doan Mon (Main Gate), the entrance to Cam Thanh (forbidden area) – the king’s residence, and learn about the site’s history, architecture, and functions there.

Next, you will enjoy an old dance right on the glass covering the archaeological excavation area and gain insight into this dig, which contains vestiges of the Ly, Tran, and Le dynasties, via the tour guides’ introduction. You will also visit an exhibition hall of rare antiquities, some dating back over 1,000 years.

At Kinh Thien Palace, you can offer incense to King Ly Thai To, who moved the country’s capital from Hoa Lu in Ninh Binh province to Dai La, which he renamed Thang Long in 1010, as well as other kings who contributed to the capital’s development.

The last destination of this trip is the archaeological site at No. 18 Hoang Dieu Street, where you will experience a laser light show of outstanding antiquities from the Thang Long Imperial Citadel. You can take part in a game in which they have to identify typical objects from feudal dynasties in the past.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: A welcome dinner

You’ll start the second day of your adventure with a motorbike tour of Hanoi – specifically on vintage Minsk ones. Before departing, you will be thoroughly informed about the rules of traffic and of course be responsible by our experienced drivers.

The opening of the day will be introducing you to “the REAL HANOI” by showing the daily life of locals. Your friendly companions take you through backstreets, tiny alleys, local homes, schools, random markets, and the black market so you can see how people live, work, and play there.

This is your chance to immerse yourself and blend into the soul of our elegant capital – a unique, ambiguous and abstract beauty that is rarely mentioned. You will not only see the good things but also the ugliness and weirdness of Hanoi as it is. Consequently, you will fall in love with a perfectly imperfect Hanoi any one way over another, like the way you fall in love with your lover regardless of her lovely flaws.

Of course, our courteous drivers will then take you pass by and stop at must-see places such as Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum-the Mecca of Vietnamese, the 1000-year-old Buddhist and Taoist temples of Tran Quoc, the historical training track, the enchanting French Quarter, the hustling and relevant Old Quarter, the romantic lakes of Hoan Kiem, West Lake, the Hanoi Opera House, and the famous Long Bien Bridge. Make sure you prepare a good mood and a camera with plenty of capacity to capture these beautiful memories.

After that, temporarily away from the hustle and bustle of the busy city, you are going to be taken to the poetic and peaceful villages and floating communities along the Red River to enrich your experiences of the contrast in the harmony of life between the city and the countryside of Hanoi.

Last but not least, we will take you to different authentic local restaurants, eateries and food stalls to fill your hungry stomach after a long day trip. Because food is the key to connecting people, it would be a mistake to miss the chance to savor the tastiest of the tasty dishes of Hanoi, including family heirlooms and secret recipe dishes, local delicacies, and specialties.

The evening will be the time for you to rest and prepare for the journey tomorrow morning.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

The scenery of Halong Bay, where thousands of limestone islands jut out of the emerald sea, in bizarre shapes, is truly an iconic image for Vietnam. An overnight boat trip is the best way to enjoy this Vietnamese must-see. 

Saying goodbye to Hanoi, you drive through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta to the legendary Halong Bay. It takes you 3 hours, including a 20-minute stop.

Arrive at the jetty in Halong City toward noon and proceed with check-in formalities. After a welcome onboard, enjoy a tasty lunch while cruising to the mythical bay. Around mid-afternoon, you participate in some activities to discover every corner of the bay. Each cruise operates a different itinerary, and caving, kayaking, rowing boats, and swimming are the most popular ones. Towards the end of the day, the cruise sets anchor for the night among the karst formations. Dinner is on board, and you will spend the night in Halong Bay.

Overnight cruise on Halong bay.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.

Get up early and don’t miss the chance to watch the sunrise at one of the most beautiful places on the planet.

Participating in a tai chi class on the sundeck is a way to welcome a new day full of energy. At the end of the gentle training session, you move to the restaurant and enjoy a hot breakfast with a cup of fragrant coffee. Some gentle activities on the bay will be arranged and announced by the cruise’s staff. If you don’t want to participate, you can choose to relax on board: watching movies, reading books, or sightseeing are also attractive options. After all, a buffet brunch is served while sailing slowly back toward the port. Disembark and transfer back to Noi Bai airport for a 1.5-hour flight to Chiang Mai.

Upon arrival at Chiang Mai Airport, your private tour guide and driver will meet you and transfer you to your hotel in the Old Town area to check-in. The rest of the day will be yours to explore at your leisure.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Meals: Breakfast, Brunch.

Chiang Mai here we come!
Meet your private tour guide and driver at 6:00 for an early departure for Doi Suthep Mountain. You can expect to be there in time and participate in the local almsgiving ceremony, a custom in Theravada Buddhist countries that helps to sustain the monastic community. In Thailand, this ritual morning food donation to the monks, or almsgiving, is called Dak Bat, and the image of barefooted monks carrying their alms bowls in the dawn becomes a beauty that attracts many photographers.

After the ceremony, you take the gondola to the Gold Temple on top of the mountain. You can admire a golden spire that decorates the center of the complex inside the main temple; the walls around it are covered with historical murals, shrines, and statues. There is also a replica of the Emerald Buddha statue on display. Outside, you can see the Shine of the White Elephant, a viewing terrace, some of the world’s largest gongs, a wall of bells, and so much more. Then, you walk the 309 steps down the Naga Serpent (the body of a dragon) staircase to meet your private driver.

Note: Please remember to dress respectfully, or you are not allowed to enter. You are required to remove your shoes while walking around inside the main temple. There are shoe racks to store your shoes, or you could put them in your backpack.

Next, proceed to Wat Umong, built in the 14th century, a heavily forested temple covered by moss and small plants, offering a unique yet charming sense of natural decay; You walk through mysterious tunnels to reach the viharn of the temple, where you will experience your own private blessing ceremony. Enjoy your lovely day with a tasty bowl of Khao Soy. This famous Northern Thai dish is truly a combination of coconut cream, crispy noodles, and plenty of spice that is sure to delight!

In the afternoon, you return to downtown Chiang Mai to visit the Three Kings Monuments, and the Chiang Mai City Arts and Culture Center. Note: The Chiang Mai Arts & Culture Center is closed on Monday and during the Songkran Festival. Opening hours from Tuesday through Sunday are 8:30–17:00.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Patara’s Baby Elephant For A Day is an ideal trip to learn about and care for elephants. The emphasis is on caring for our pregnant elephants and mothers with babies. You will learn about the conservation philosophy called “Elephant Conservation in Action” and participate in the daily healthcare routine, which includes health inspection, feeding, walking with the elephants for exercise, and bathing. It is a great chance to observe the elephants interacting with their families in natural environments. Patara’s knowledgeable staff will provide you with further information regarding their daily care. This trip will not include riding elephants. It is suitable for all, especially friends, family with children, and animal lovers.

Overnight in Chiang Mai.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.

Traditional Thai cuisine is a delicate blend of herbs, spices, and fresh food with distinctive cooking styles. On the last day, you will join a cooking class at Pantawan, a teakwood house, one of the authentic Thai Cooking Schools in Chiang Mai. The Patawan is special in Chiang Mai because of its lovely setting for the best cooking and dining experience. Each day has its own menu with famous Thai dishes that you should not miss.

You will check out by midday. This marks the end of your seven-day trip to Vietnam and Thailand. Your private driver will pick you up and take you back to Chiang Mai International Airport for your departure flight home.

Meals: Breakfast.