24 Nov 2026
Twin share
£1,950pp
Escorted tour
Thailand to Vietnam for 18–35s: Bangkok to Saigon – 24 Days
Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Laos and the length of Vietnam overland, for travellers aged 18 to 35.
24 days
From £1,780
Tour overview
This 24-day trip for travellers aged 18 to 35 travels overland through three countries of Southeast Asia, from the temples and street food of Thailand through laid-back Laos to the length of Vietnam. Groups have up to 16 travellers, with a local leader throughout. You travel by sleeper train, local and private bus, ferry and boat, with one short flight from Vientiane to Hanoi, and stay mostly in simple two- and three-star hotels with private bathrooms, plus guesthouses, a resort, a lodge and three overnight trains. Ten breakfasts, three lunches and two dinners are included, among them a Chinatown noodle lunch in Bangkok, a seafood lunch on a Lan Ha Bay cruise and a garden-to-table lunch near Hoi An, leaving plenty of freedom to explore Asia's street food.
After a walking tour of Bangkok's oldest neighbourhoods and lunch in Chinatown, you board an overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai, with two free days for cooking classes, temples and night markets. A local bus takes you to the quiet northern town of Nan, then on through rural countryside to the Laos border and Luang Prabang, a UNESCO-listed town of golden temples and saffron-robed monks, with time for the turquoise Kuang Si waterfalls.
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In Vang Vieng, surrounded by limestone karsts, you can kayak, tube or explore caves before reaching Vientiane, the relaxed Lao capital. A flight brings you to Hanoi, then by bus and ferry to Cat Ba Island for a cruise among the limestone islands of Lan Ha Bay. Ninh Binh's rice paddies and karst landscapes lead to an overnight train to Hue, the former imperial capital.
In Hoi An, a UNESCO-listed trading port of lantern-lit streets, you cycle to Tra Que vegetable village for a garden-to-table lunch. You continue to the beaches of Quy Nhon and take a final overnight train to Ho Chi Minh City, the bustling former Saigon, where the trip ends.
The physical rating is medium, with long travel days and simple accommodation. This trip suits sociable, adventurous young travellers who want an affordable, action-packed journey with plenty of free time. Visas for Laos and Vietnam are needed, and the leader helps with border crossings along the way.
Trip highlights
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Bangkok's Chinatown and a sleeper train north (Day 2)
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Two free days in Chiang Mai (Days 3–4)
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Luang Prabang and Kuang Si falls (Days 7–9)
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Vang Vieng's limestone karsts (Days 10–11)
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A Lan Ha Bay cruise from Cat Ba (Day 15)
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Cycling to Tra Que near Hoi An (Day 20)
Your route
16 stops from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City
- Bangkok Days 1–2
- Chiang Mai Days 3–4
- Nan Day 5
- Pua Day 6
- Chiang Klang Day 6
- Muang Ngeun Day 7
- Luang Prabang Days 7–9
- Vang Vieng Days 10–11
- Vientiane Day 12
- Hanoi Days 13–14
- Cat Ba Island Day 15
- Ninh Binh Days 16–17
- Hue Day 18
- Hoi An Days 19–20
- Quy Nhon Days 21–22
- Ho Chi Minh City Days 23–24
Why choose this tour
Three countries overland in a single trip, at a price young travellers can afford. Plenty of free time to choose your own adventures.
Best suited to
- Travellers aged 18 to 35
- Solo travellers looking for a social group
- Backpackers who want logistics handled
- Travellers with time for a long trip
Day-by-day itinerary
24 days from Bangkok, Thailand to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
-
Day 1 · Bangkok Arrive in Bangkok
A welcome meeting with your leader.
- Hotel
- Hotel
-
Day 2 · Bangkok, Chinatown Bangkok
A walking tour and Chinatown lunch, then the night train north.
- Hotel
- Overnight sleeper train
- Meals
- Lunch
-
Day 3 · Chiang Mai Chiang Mai
Arrive and explore at your own pace.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Lunch
-
Day 4 · Chiang Mai Chiang Mai
A free day for temples, markets or a cooking class.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 5 · Nan Nan
Travel by local bus to Nan.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 6 · Nan, Chiang Klang Chiang Klang
A free morning in Nan, then travel north.
- Hotel
- Resort
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 7 · Luang Prabang Luang Prabang
Cross into Laos to Luang Prabang.
- Hotel
- Guesthouse
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
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Day 8 · Kuang Si Falls Luang Prabang
A free day, perhaps at the Kuang Si falls.
- Hotel
- Guesthouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 9 · Wat Xieng Thong Luang Prabang
Explore temples and markets.
- Hotel
- Guesthouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 10 · Vang Vieng Vang Vieng
Watch the monks' alms round, then travel south.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 11 · Vang Vieng Vang Vieng
A free day for kayaking, tubing or caves.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 12 · Vientiane Vientiane
Travel to the Lao capital.
- Hotel
- Guesthouse
- Meals
- Breakfast
-
Day 13 · Hanoi Fly to Hanoi
Fly to Vietnam's capital.
- Hotel
- Hotel
-
Day 14 · Hanoi Hanoi
A free day in Hanoi.
- Hotel
- Hotel
-
Day 15 · Cat Ba Island, Lan Ha Bay Cat Ba
Bus and ferry to Cat Ba and a bay cruise.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Lunch
-
Day 16 · Ninh Binh Ninh Binh
Travel to the karst landscapes of Ninh Binh.
- Hotel
- Lodge
-
Day 17 · Ninh Binh Ninh Binh
Explore, then take the night train south.
- Hotel
- Overnight train
-
Day 18 · Hue Hue
Explore the former imperial capital.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Dinner
-
Day 19 · Hoi An Hoi An
Travel to Hoi An for an orientation walk.
- Hotel
- Hotel
-
Day 20 · Tra Que, Hoi An Tra Que
Cycle to Tra Que for a garden-to-table lunch.
- Hotel
- Hotel
- Meals
- Lunch
-
Day 21 · Quy Nhon Quy Nhon
Drive down the coast to Quy Nhon.
- Hotel
- Hotel
-
Day 22 · Quy Nhon Quy Nhon
A free day, then the night train south.
- Hotel
- Overnight train
-
Day 23 · Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City
Arrive in the former Saigon.
- Hotel
- Hotel
-
Day 24 · Ho Chi Minh City Trip ends
The trip ends this morning.
Where you stay
- Bangkok (1 night) Hotel
- Bangkok to Chiang Mai (1 night) Overnight sleeper train
- Chiang Mai (2 nights) Hotel
- Nan (1 night) Hotel
- Chiang Klang (1 night) Resort
- Luang Prabang (3 nights) Guesthouse
- Vang Vieng (2 nights) Hotel
- Vientiane (1 night) Guesthouse
- Hanoi (2 nights) Hotel
- Cat Ba (1 night) Hotel
- Ninh Binh (1 night) Lodge
- Ninh Binh to Hue (1 night) Overnight train
- Hue (1 night) Hotel
- Hoi An (2 nights) Hotel
- Quy Nhon (1 night) Hotel
- Quy Nhon to Ho Chi Minh City (1 night) Overnight train
- Ho Chi Minh City (1 night) Hotel
Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.
What's included
Included
- Accommodation 20 nights in hotels, guesthouses, a resort and a lodge, and 3 on overnight trains
- Meals 9 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 2 dinners
- Sleeper trains, buses, ferries and a flight from Vientiane to Hanoi
- Bangkok walking tour and Chinatown lunch
- Lan Ha Bay cruise with seafood lunch
- Hoi An orientation walk and Tra Que cycling with lunch
- Local leader throughout
Not included
- Meals not included 14 breakfasts, 17 lunches and 21 dinners
- International flights
- Visas for Laos and Vietnam
- Optional activities
- Tips, travel insurance and personal spending
This trip might not be for you if…
Honest disclaimer — please read
- You are over 35 — this trip is for 18 to 35-year-olds
- You want comfort — hotels are simple and some nights are on trains
- You want many meals included — most are free to choose
- You want international flights included — they are not
Good to know
Meals by day
Breakfast: Days 4–12 · Lunch: Days 2–3, 15 and 20 · Dinner: Days 7 and 18
In pictures
Departures & prices
From £1,780 per person, twin share, tour only. 26 upcoming departures.
29 Dec 2026
Twin share
£1,870pp
05 Jan 2027
Twin share
£1,780pp
16 Feb 2027
Twin share
£1,795pp
23 Mar 2027
Twin share
£1,800pp
30 Mar 2027
Twin share
£1,800pp
18 May 2027
Twin share
£1,780pp
06 Jul 2027
Twin share
£1,780pp
20 Jul 2027
Twin share
£1,780pp
14 Sept 2027
Twin share
£1,780pp
12 Oct 2027
Twin share
£1,780pp
02 Nov 2027
Twin share
£1,780pp
23 Nov 2027
Twin share
£1,780pp
28 Dec 2027
Twin share
£1,780pp
04 Jan 2028
Twin share
£1,925pp
18 Jan 2028
Twin share
£1,925pp
15 Feb 2028
Twin share
£1,925pp
21 Mar 2028
Twin share
£1,925pp
28 Mar 2028
Twin share
£1,925pp
16 May 2028
Twin share
£1,870pp
04 Jul 2028
Twin share
£1,870pp
18 Jul 2028
Twin share
£1,870pp
12 Sept 2028
Twin share
£1,870pp
10 Oct 2028
Twin share
£1,870pp
31 Oct 2028
Twin share
£1,870pp
21 Nov 2028
Twin share
£1,925pp
Frequently asked questions
How do I book this tour?
Tap any "Enquire" button on the page and one of our travel specialists will be in touch within 24 hours (often same day). We'll confirm availability on your preferred date, run through anything you need to know, and only ask for the deposit once you've decided.
What financial protection do I get?
Every Travelisto booking is 100% financially protected. Your money is held in a ring-fenced Trust account until you return from your trip, and we are members of the Protected Trust Services scheme (PTS 6035). Most tours also include ATOL protection where flights are part of the package.
Who is this trip for?
Travellers aged 18 to 35.
What is the accommodation like?
Simple two- and three-star hotels with private bathrooms, guesthouses and three overnight trains.
Do I need visas?
UK visitors need visas for Laos and Vietnam. Thailand is visa-free for a holiday stay.
Is the flight to Hanoi included?
Yes, the flight from Vientiane to Hanoi is included.
Do I share a room?
Rooms are twin-share, with solo travellers paired by gender.
How many people travel together?
Up to 16 travellers aged 18 to 35, with a local leader.
Can you tailor the trip?
Yes — every escorted tour can be modified into a private tailor-made version with your own dates, adjusted pace, upgraded hotels and add-on extensions. Tell us what you'd like changed when you enquire and we'll quote it both ways so you can compare.
What if my flight is delayed or cancelled?
If your international flight is part of your booking through us, we re-book at no cost. If you've booked flights separately, the tour's local team holds your transfer slot until you arrive. We strongly recommend a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes delay and cancellation cover.
ATOL protected
100% financially protected in a Trust bank account
PTS 6035
4.7 on Trustpilot
Tailor-made option
Not quite the right fit? Make it tailor-made.
If this group tour doesn't match your ideal trip, our specialists will turn it into a private tailor-made journey — your own dates, your own pace, upgraded hotels where you want them, and the parts you don't love swapped out. Same destinations, just rebuilt around you.
Contact us for a tailor-made version of this itinerary