Tour overview

This 22-day adventure crosses three countries of South East Asia, from the temples of northern Thailand down the Mekong into Laos and on through the length of Vietnam. A local leader travels with the group, which numbers no more than sixteen. You stay twenty-one nights, mostly in simple hotels, with two guesthouse nights on the Mekong, a night on a boat in Ha Long Bay and two nights on sleeper trains.

From Bangkok you cruise the Chao Phraya River and its canals before a sleeper train to Chiang Mai, where you visit the ChangChill elephant experience. Passing the White Temple at Chiang Rai, you cross into Laos at Chiang Khong and spend two days on a slow boat down the Mekong, stopping at Pakbeng and the Pak Ou Caves, to reach Luang Prabang, a World Heritage town of golden temples where saffron-robed monks collect alms at dawn.

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A high-speed train brings you to Vang Vieng among limestone karsts, then on to laid-back Vientiane before a flight to Hanoi. You spend a night cruising Ha Long Bay, take a sleeper train to Hue, the old imperial capital, for a tour by motorbike, and cross the Hai Van Pass to lantern-lit Hoi An. Your journey ends in Ho Chi Minh City with a day trip by boat into the Mekong Delta.

The physical rating is medium. This trip suits adventurous travellers who want to see the best of three countries at excellent value.

Trip highlights

  • An elephant experience near Chiang Mai (Day 4)
  • A slow boat down the Mekong (Days 6–7)
  • Alms giving in Luang Prabang (Day 9)
  • Vang Vieng’s karsts (Day 11)
  • A night on Ha Long Bay (Day 14)
  • Hoi An and the Mekong Delta (Days 18–21)

Your route

14 stops from Bangkok to Ben Tre

22-day route: Bangkok – Chiang Mai – Mekong – Luang Prabang – Vang Vieng – Vientiane – Hanoi – Ha Long Bay – Hue – Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City
  1. Bangkok Days 1–2
  2. Chiang Mai Days 3–4
  3. Chiang Rai Day 5
  4. Chiang Khong Day 5
  5. Pakbeng Day 6
  6. Luang Prabang Days 7–9
  7. Vang Vieng Days 10–11
  8. Vientiane Day 12
  9. Hanoi Days 13 & 15
  10. Halong Bay Day 14
  11. Hue Days 16–17
  12. Hoi An Days 18–19
  13. Ho Chi Minh City Days 20–21
  14. Ben Tre Day 21

Why choose this tour

Three countries and the Mekong in three weeks. Excellent value with a local leader.

Best suited to

  • Adventurous travellers
  • Travellers on a budget
  • Solo travellers
  • First-time visitors to South East Asia
Wat Chedi Luang in Chiang Mai

Day-by-day itinerary

22 days from Bangkok, Thailand to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

  1. Day 1 · Bangkok Bangkok

    A welcome meeting.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  2. Day 2 · Chao Phraya River Bangkok

    Canals and the night train.

    Hotel
    Overnight sleeper train
    Meals
    Breakfast
  3. Day 3 · Chiang Mai Chiang Mai

    The old city.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  4. Day 4 · ChangChill Chiang Mai

    An elephant experience.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Lunch
  5. Day 5 · Wat Rong Khun, Chiang Khong Chiang Khong

    The White Temple.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse
  6. Day 6 · Mekong River, Pakbeng Pakbeng

    A slow boat into Laos.

    Hotel
    Guesthouse
    Meals
    Breakfast
  7. Day 7 · Pak Ou Caves, Luang Prabang Luang Prabang

    Caves on the Mekong.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  8. Day 8 · Luang Prabang Luang Prabang

    A World Heritage town.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  9. Day 9 · Luang Prabang Luang Prabang

    Alms giving at dawn.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  10. Day 10 · Vang Vieng Vang Vieng

    A high-speed train.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  11. Day 11 · Vang Vieng Vang Vieng

    An adventure town.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  12. Day 12 · Vientiane Vientiane

    The laid-back capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  13. Day 13 · Hanoi Hanoi

    Fly to Vietnam.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Dinner
  14. Day 14 · Ha Long Bay Ha Long Bay

    A night on the bay.

    Hotel
    Overnight boat
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  15. Day 15 · Ha Long Bay, Hanoi Hanoi

    Sunrise and the night train.

    Hotel
    Overnight sleeper train
    Meals
    Breakfast
  16. Day 16 · Hue Hue

    The imperial capital.

    Hotel
    Hotel
  17. Day 17 · Hue Hue

    A motorbike tour.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  18. Day 18 · Hai Van Pass, Hoi An Hoi An

    A mountain pass.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  19. Day 19 · Hoi An Hoi An

    A free day.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  20. Day 20 · Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City

    Fly south.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast
  21. Day 21 · Ben Tre, Mekong Delta Mekong Delta

    Coconut groves by boat.

    Hotel
    Hotel
    Meals
    Breakfast, Lunch
  22. Day 22 · Ho Chi Minh City Ho Chi Minh City

    The trip ends.

    Meals
    Breakfast
Longboats beneath forested cliffs in northern Laos

Where you stay

  • Bangkok (1 night) Hotel
  • Overnight train (1 night) Sleeper train
  • Chiang Mai (2 nights) Hotel
  • Chiang Khong (1 night) Guesthouse
  • Pakbeng (1 night) Guesthouse
  • Luang Prabang (3 nights) Hotel
  • Vang Vieng (2 nights) Hotel
  • Vientiane (1 night) Hotel
  • Hanoi (1 night) Hotel
  • Ha Long Bay (1 night) Overnight boat
  • Overnight train (1 night) Sleeper train
  • Hue (2 nights) Hotel
  • Hoi An (2 nights) Hotel
  • Ho Chi Minh City (2 nights) Hotel

Hotel names are indicative and may be replaced with a property of similar standard and location.

What's included

Included

  • Accommodation 21 nights, including trains and a boat
  • Meals 17 breakfasts, 4 lunches and 2 dinners
  • Sleeper trains, slow boat, high-speed train and a flight to Hanoi
  • ChangChill elephant experience
  • Ha Long Bay overnight cruise
  • Hue motorbike tour and Mekong Delta trip
  • Local leaders throughout

Not included

  • International flights
  • Visas
  • Meals not included 4 breakfasts, 16 lunches and 19 dinners
  • Travel insurance and personal spending
Young monks in saffron robes in Luang Prabang

This trip might not be for you if…

Honest disclaimer — please read

  • You want comfortable hotels throughout
  • You don’t want to sleep on trains
  • You want most meals included
  • You want flights included — they are not

Good to know

Meals by day Breakfast: Days 2, 6–15 and 17–22 · Lunch: Days 4, 14, 17 and 21 · Dinner: Days 13–14
FCDO advice UK FCDO travel advice for Laos · UK FCDO travel advice for Thailand · UK FCDO travel advice for Vietnam
The Royal Palace temple in Luang Prabang, Laos

In pictures

Departures & prices

From £2,673 per person, twin share, tour only. 141 upcoming departures.

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.

Do I need visas?

UK citizens need visas for Laos and Vietnam. Thailand is visa-free for short stays.

Is the flight to Hanoi included?

Yes, from Vientiane to Hanoi, plus a flight from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City.

What are the sleeper trains like?

Air-conditioned berths with a sheet and pillow and shared toilets.

Is the elephant experience ethical?

Yes, you observe free-roaming elephants. There’s no riding.

Can I have my own room?

A single supplement is available, except on trains and the boat.

How many people travel together?

No more than sixteen travellers, with local leaders.

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

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