Thailand & Vietnam: Cities, Mountains & the Emerald Bay

About this journey

What makes this trip.

• Bangkok's Grand Palace and the Emerald Buddha, plus Wat Pho's 46-metre Reclining Buddha and riverside Wat Arun at sunset
• A short cruise on the Chao Phraya, Bangkok's river of kings, and the buzzing floating and railway markets of Damnoen Saduak and Maeklong
• An unforgettable overnight sleeper-bus adventure north to Chiang Mai under the stars
• Chiang Mai's golden hilltop temple of Doi Suthep and Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest peak, with waterfalls and misty forests
• A hands-on, ride-free ethical elephant sanctuary in the northern hills
• Hanoi's Hoan Kiem Lake and Old Quarter, the Temple of Literature, and a traditional water-puppet show
• Sampan rowing through the karst caves and waterways of Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape
• A luxury overnight cruise among the emerald limestone islands of Halong and Lan Ha Bay

Who this trip is for

Who this trip is for.

Ideal for agencies and operators seeking a polished, adventure-forward dual-country group program that balances marquee cultural and natural landmarks with authentic local experiences. It suits travellers who want variety across two countries — bustling cities, misty mountains, hands-on cultural moments, and an overnight cruise — at a comfortable pace, with halal dining options woven throughout and a mix of guided touring and free time.

Itinerary

Day by day.

1. Day 1

   Arrival in Bangkok

   Airport welcome and transfer to the hotel to rest and settle in. An optional evening outing depending on your arrival time — perhaps ICONSIAM, a lavish riverside complex on the Chao Phraya with an indoor floating market and dancing fountains, or Asiatique Riverfront, a waterfront night market with a Ferris wheel and restaurants.

2. Day 2

   Jewels of Bangkok

   After breakfast, explore the historic Grand Palace, Bangkok's foremost landmark and home to the Temple of the Emerald Buddha. Continue to Wat Pho, home of the gilded 46-metre Reclining Buddha and the cradle of Thai massage, then to riverside Wat Arun, the 'Temple of Dawn' with its porcelain-studded spire, at its most beautiful near sunset. Enjoy a short cruise along the Chao Phraya, Bangkok's watery artery, before a free evening to relax or explore the city's vibrant night markets, with a halal or seafood dinner option.

3. Day 3

   Floating Market & Railway Market

   Breakfast at the hotel, then a full day among Bangkok's most iconic markets. Visit the Maeklong Railway Market, where stalls fold away the moment a train passes over the tracks and reopen behind it, and the famed Damnoen Saduak floating market, with vendors selling from wooden boats among the canals. A free afternoon and evening in Bangkok for shopping or relaxing along the Chao Phraya, with a halal waterfront dinner option.

4. Day 4

   Free Day in Bangkok & the Sleeper-Bus Adventure North

   After breakfast, enjoy a lighter day: a stroll through vibrant Yaowarat (Chinatown) or a visit to the heritage Jim Thompson House and its gardens, followed by free time for shopping and rest in one of Bangkok's malls or markets. In the evening, board a private touring sleeper-bus with comfortable beds for a unique overnight adventure that glides north across Thailand under the stars (about 9–11 hours), arriving at the gates of Chiang Mai by morning — a memorable experience that shortens the road and replaces a hotel night.

5. Day 5

   Arrival in Chiang Mai & City Highlights

   Arrive in Chiang Mai in the morning by sleeper-bus, with breakfast on arrival, and transfer to the hotel to rest and check in. Later, visit Doi Suthep, a golden temple on the mountainside overlooking the city and Chiang Mai's most important spiritual landmark, then explore the celebrated Night Bazaar for handicrafts and gifts.

6. Day 6

   Doi Inthanon National Park

   After breakfast, journey to Doi Inthanon, Thailand's highest peak at 2,565 metres, with waterfalls, misty forests, and the twin royal pagodas. Visit an authentic Karen hill-tribe village at the foot of the mountain to learn about the community's way of life, their handicrafts, and the cascading green rice terraces.

7. Day 7

   Ethical Elephant Experience

   Breakfast at the hotel, then a half-day at an ethical elephant sanctuary — feeding, caring for, and photographing the elephants, with no riding. A free evening for a café or a market, or an optional Night Safari.

8. Day 8

   Chiang Mai to Hanoi (Flight)

   After breakfast, fly to Hanoi and settle into the hotel to rest. Later, discover Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarter — the beating heart of Hanoi with its narrow lanes and the legend of the sword and the turtle — followed by a halal dinner at a restaurant in the Old Quarter.

9. Day 9

   Cultural Hanoi

   After breakfast, take in the Ho Chi Minh complex, the mausoleum and memorial grounds of Vietnam's leader (an exterior/brief visit), then the Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university (1070) and a serene Confucian temple. Continue to Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi's oldest pagoda on West Lake, and end with a traditional water-puppet show — puppets dancing over water to live music.

10. Day 10

    Hanoi — Crafts, Heritage & Free Time

    Breakfast at the hotel, then visit the historic Bat Trang ceramic village for hand-made pottery and a chance to try shaping clay, followed by the Museum of Ethnology, a rich open-air museum introducing Vietnam's 54 peoples and their traditional houses. Free time for shopping in the Old Quarter and its markets, or an optional cyclo ride.

11. Day 11

    Hanoi to Ninh Binh

    After breakfast, travel to Ninh Binh for a Trang An boat tour, rowing between limestone mountains, caves, and waterways in this UNESCO World Heritage landscape. Visit Hoa Lu, Vietnam's ancient 10th-century capital with its historic temples, and — optionally — climb the roughly 500 steps of Mua Cave to a summit with panoramic views over Trang An.

12. Day 12

    Ninh Binh to Halong Bay Cruise

    Breakfast, then a direct transfer to Halong port to board a luxury cruise. Sail through Halong and Lan Ha Bay, among thousands of limestone islands rising from the emerald sea (a UNESCO World Heritage site), toward calmer waters. Enjoy on-board activities — kayaking or a small boat and a cave visit — followed by sunset and dinner aboard the ship.

13. Day 13

    Halong to Hanoi (Free Time)

    Breakfast aboard the cruise, a morning activity and tai chi, then a visit to a cave or secluded beach before disembarking. Return to Hanoi and settle into the hotel, with free time to rest or shop for gifts in the Old Quarter.

14. Day 14

    Hanoi — Final Day & Farewell

    A free morning for a last round of shopping or a sight not yet seen. In the evening, a warm farewell group dinner gathers everyone at a distinguished Vietnamese restaurant (with halal options) before a night transfer to Hanoi airport for the return flight — with no extra hotel night.

What you get

Included & not included.

The list below is the program baseline; everything is confirmed in your partner quote, and several “not included” items can be added on request.

Built around your group

What can be tailored.

This program is a starting point, not a fixed package. The elements below are adjusted for your travellers and confirmed in your partner quote.

• ✦Hotel categoryAdjusted to your group’s preferences
• ✦Travel datesSet around your group’s calendar
• ✦Group sizeBuilt to fit your numbers
• ✦Guide languageArranged on request
• ✦MealsMeal plan tailored per group
• ✦Pace of the itineraryRelaxed or full — your call
• ✦Optional visitsAdded on request
• ✦Start & end pointsAdaptable per group

Hotels are confirmed to your group’s preferences after the order — category and properties chosen with you — and the full land service is tailored and confirmed in writing in your quote.

Good to know

Operational notes.

• •The final service list is confirmed in your partner quote.
• •Hotel and supplier availability depends on your travel dates.
• •Pricing depends on group size, season, and hotel category.
• •Jarjinia confirms every detail in writing before anything is committed.

Partner terms

How commercial terms work.

Commercial terms for this program are confirmed in your partner quote — not as fixed online-checkout rules. Payment schedule, cancellation conditions, and supplier deadlines are agreed per program and destination, and shared with your agency in writing before confirmation.