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Trees planted for this trip: 22
Vietnam, Laos & Thailand: Riversides & Railways
22 days, Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok
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The itinerary on this trip has been improved! View the new itinerary.
From the fast-paced nightlife of Bangkok to a slow boat along the Mekong, this trip brings you the best of Southeast Asia on a shoestring. You'll party along the beautiful bay of Vietnam’s Nha Trang in the company of like-minded travellers and channel the French vibe sipping coffee in riverside cafés in Laos. Explore golden temples or hunt down treasures in local markets—the choice is all yours. Best of all, your CEO will take the hassle out of planning, so you're free to soak up the spirit of this amazing region.
This specific trip is no longer running.
Trip Code: AVVL
Is this tour for me?
Travel Style: 18-to-Thirtysomethings
Fast, fresh, and fun adventures that never slow down, made for young, budget-minded travellers.
Service Level: Basic
Simple and clean hotels and hostels; affordable public and private transport; lots of optional activities.
Physical Rating: 2 - Light
Light walking and hiking suitable for most fitness levels. Nothing too challenging.
Trip Type: Small Group
Small group experience; Max 18, avg 12.
Age requirement: 18-39
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62
Ripple Score
Create ripples that change lives. The higher the Ripple Score percentage, the more money stays in the local communities you visit.
Ripple Score for this trip: 62
More from Vietnam, Laos & Thailand: Riversides & Railways
Itinerary Notes
Effective May 1, 2025, all travelers entering Thailand through air, land, or sea must complete the Thailand E-Arrival form. You must register at least 3 days before arrival. Please see Trip Details for more information.
Itinerary
Day 1Ho Chi Minh City
Arrive at any time.
Day 2Ho Chi Minh City/Nha Trang
Free day to explore. Overnight train to Nha Trang.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 3Nha Trang
Arrive in Nha Trang in the morning with plenty of time to explore local shops and markets, relax on the beach or visit nearby historical sites.
Day 4Nha Trang/Da Nang
Free time in Nha Trang. Overnight train to Hoi An.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 5Da Nang/Hoi An
Enjoy a noodle-making demonstration and local lunch at the G Adventures-supported Oodles of Noodles Project before free time in the afternoon. Go on an evening street food crawl with the group and CEO to get to know more about the delicious local specialties. Opt to take a cooking class, cycle to the beach, visit a tailor, or explore the old town.
Day 6Hoi An
Enjoy free time; opt to take a cooking class, cycle to the beach, visit a tailor, or explore the old town.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 7Hoi An/Huế
Continue the journey north to the city of Hue. Opt to visit the Royal Citadel and tombs, take a Perfume River cruise or tour the countryside by motorbike.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 8Huế/Hanoi
Free time in Hue. Overnight train to Hanoi.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 9Hanoi/Ha Long
Visit Halong Bay for a seafood lunch cruise and cave visit.
Meals included:
LunchDay 10Ha Long/Hanoi
Explore Hanoi with an orientation walk through the Old Quarter. Opt to see Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, and the Hoa Lo Prison, or shop in the Old Quarter.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 11Hanoi
Spend time exploring Hanoi. Included street food crawl.
Day 12Hanoi/Vientiane
A short flight brings the group to the capital city of Laos. Opt to visit temples, see the golden stupa of That Luang, or scour the markets.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 13Vientiane/Vang Vieng
Enjoy the beautiful limestone karsts surrounding Vang Vieng. Free time to hike, bike, swim or go caving.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 14Vang Vieng
Free time to explore Vang Vieng. Opt to explore some of the caves by bicycle or take an invigorating walk. In the evening, soak in the natural beauty of the countryside as the sun sets over the river.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 15Vang Vieng/Luang Prabang
This morning travel from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang.
Meals included:
BreakfastDay 16Luang Prabang
Witness the giving of alms to the Buddhist monks and visit the night market. Opt to take a cooking class, visit temples or cool off at Kuang Si Waterfalls.
Exclusive Inclusions:
Your Discover MomentMeals included:
BreakfastDay 17Luang Prabang/Muang Pakbèng
Cruise the Mekong on a long houseboat before arriving at a village homestay for the night.
Meals included:
Breakfast | DinnerDay 18Muang Pakbèng/Chiang Khong
Mekong River travel day. Cross into Thailand.
Meals included:
Breakfast | LunchDay 19Chiang Khong/Chiang Mai
Drive to Chiang Mai. Opt to visit Doi Suthep temple, catch a Thai boxing match or grab a bargain at the famous night market.
Day 20Chiang Mai/Bangkok
Free time in Chiang Mai. Overnight train to Bangkok.
Exclusive Inclusions:
Your Discover MomentMeals included:
BreakfastDay 21Bangkok
Opt to visit Wat Pho and the Grand Palace, buy any last minute souvenirs or relax with a Thai massage.
Day 22Bangkok
Depart at any time.
Meals included:
BreakfastWhat's Included
- Your G for Good Moment: Oodles of Noodles, Hoi An
- Your G for Good Moment: Mekong River Homestay & Traditional Performance, Muang Pakbèng
- Your Welcome Moment: Meet Your CEO and Group
- Your Discover Moment: Ho Chi Minh City
- Your Discover Moment: Luang Prabang
- Your Discover Moment: Chiang Mai
- Halong Bay boat cruise with lunch
- Slow boat on the Mekong
- Temples of Luang Prabang
- Witness the giving of alms (Luang Prabang)
- Orientation walk around Hanoi's Old Quarter
- Three street food crawls in different cities
- Internal flight
- All transport between destinations and to/from included activities
Accommodations
Simple hotels (16 nts), sleeper trains (4 nts), local homestay (1 nt).
Meals
15 breakfasts, 2 lunches, 1 dinner
Allow USD240-315 for meals not included.
Transportation
Local bus, air-con bus, train, walking, tuk tuk, local boat, junk boat, plane.
Staff & experts
Chief Experience Officer (CEO) throughout, local guides.
Departures
Make it a private tour
Book this tour as a private departure, with your own CEO and all the benefits of a G Adventures group tour.