17 days - Private Vietnam - Thailand 17 Days 16 Nights - The Grand Experience
Itinerary
DAY 1. BANGKOK ARRIVAL -


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Arrive at Suvarnabhumi International Airport, Bangkok.
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Retrieve luggage and proceed to the arrival gate.
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Meet our guide or driver holding a sign with your name.
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Enjoy a comfortable transfer to your hotel in central Bangkok.
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Remainder of the day is free for relaxation or independent exploration.
What's Included
DAY 2. DAMNOEN SADUAK AND RIVER KWAI TOUR FULL DAY B, L


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Breakfast at your hotel.
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Full-day tour to Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and River Kwai.
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Early hotel pickup in Bangkok.
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Travel to Damnern Saduak Floating Market in Ratchaburi (approx. 100km from Bangkok).
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Explore the canals by boat, observing local life.
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Stroll through the bustling floating market with vendors selling goods and fruits.
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Continue to Kanchanaburi to see the Bridge on the River Kwai (historical WWII site).
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Visit the JEATH Museum via a short long-tail boat trip.
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Lunch included at a local restaurant.
What's Included
DAY 3. AYUDHAYA-BANG PA-IN TOUR FULL DAY B, L


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Full-day tour to Ayutthaya and Bang Pa-In.
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Travel 76km north of Bangkok to Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand (founded 1350).
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Explore ancient ruins and artworks of the city, which was the Thai capital for 417 years.
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Visit Wat Sri Sanphet, a significant former royal monastery.
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See Wat Mahathat, famous for the Buddha head in tree roots (built 14th century, damaged in 1767).
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Visit Wat Yai Chaimongkol with its large chedi and Buddha images OR Wat Chai Wattanaram (beautiful landscape ruin temple).
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Explore Wat Phananchoeng, predating Ayutthaya's founding and housing a revered 19-meter Buddha image.
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Visit Bang Pa-In, the former Royal Summer Residence showcasing Thai architecture.
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Return to your hotel in Bangkok after the tour.
What's Included
DAY 4. COMBINED GRAND PALACE AND TEMPLE CITY HALF DAY - FLY TO CHIANG MAI B, L


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Breakfast and check out from your hotel in Bangkok.
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Half-day tour to the Grand Palace and Temple City.
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Choose to visit two temples from the following:
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WAT TRIMIT: Stunning temple in Chinatown, housing a large solid gold Buddha (5.5 tons).
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WAT PHO: Home to the famous 45-meter reclining Buddha and the original school of Thai massage.
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Visit THE ROYAL GRAND PALACE: Thailand's national landmark and revered royal monument.
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See the Coronation Hall, Funeral Hall, and Royal Guest House.
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View the Emerald Buddha (appropriate dress code required).
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End of the tour and transfer to the airport for your flight to Chiang Mai.
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Overnight in Chiang Mai.
What's Included
DAY 5. FULL-DAY DOI INTHANON VISIT PA DOK SIEW OR KIEW MA PAN B, L


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Full-day visit to Doi Inthanon National Park.
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Drive through scenic landscapes and paddy fields.
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Visit pagodas of the King and Queen (built by Royal Thai Air Force).
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Admire mountain scenery from viewpoints at the pagodas.
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Transfer to visit a Karen hill tribe village.
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Stop at a local Hill tribe market.
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On the return trip, visit Wachiratharn Waterfall.
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Choose ONE trekking option:
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Kiew Mae Pan Nature Trail (Nov-May): 3km walk (2.5-3 hours) through forest, past waterfalls and streams, with breathtaking mountain views from a cliff.
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Mae Klang Luang Nature Trail (All season): Trail away from main tourist routes, through forest downhill to the river, along the river, past Pa Dok Siew Waterfall (opportunity to swim), and into agricultural land around Mae Klang Luang Karen village (see coffee and rice paddies, stop at a local coffee house).
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Return to your hotel after the tour.
What's Included
DAY 6. GOLDEN TRIANGLE CHIANGSAN - WAT PRATHAT PUKHAO AKA AND YAO HILL TRIBE VILLAGE - MAE KACHAN HOT SPRING - WHITE TEMPLE B, L


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Breakfast at the hotel.
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Full-day tour to Chiang Rai and the Golden Triangle (from Chiang Mai).
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Visit Chiang Rai, founded in 1262 by King Mengrai.
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Stop at MAE KA CHAN HOT SPRING.
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Visit the WHITE TEMPLE (WAT RONGKHUN), designed by artist Mr. Chalermchai.
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Explore the GOLDEN TRIANGLE area:
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Visit Sop Ruak, the meeting point of the Ruak and Mekong Rivers, bordering Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos.
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See WAT PRATHAT PUKHAO.
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Visit an AKA and YAO HILL TRIBE VILLAGE.
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Return to Chiang Mai after the tour.
What's Included
DAY 7. CHIANG MAI - FLY TO HO CHI MINH B


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Breakfast and check out from your hotel in Chiang Mai.
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Enjoy free leisure time.
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Transfer to Chiang Mai International Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
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Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, meet your driver for a transfer to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
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Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
What's Included
DAY 8. HO CHI MINH CITY - CU CHI TUNNELS FULL DAY TOUR B, L


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Breakfast at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
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08:00 AM: Meet your driver and guide at your hotel.
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Visit Independence Palace (Reunification Palace), a landmark built on the former Norodom Palace site.
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Explore French colonial structures: Notre Dame Cathedral and the historic Central Post Office.
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Visit the War Remnants Museum with exhibits on the Indochina wars.
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Approx. 12:00 PM: Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
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Depart for Cu Chi Tunnels (approx. 1.5-hour drive).
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Watch an introductory video about the history and construction of the tunnels.
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Explore the remaining tunnel systems with your guide, including living areas, kitchens, bedrooms, storage, weapon factories, field hospitals, and command centers.
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See hidden trap doors and dangerous traps.
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Taste special tea and cassava (guerilla food during the war).
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Option to try shooting a real gun (at your own expense).
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Transfer back to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
What's Included
DAY 9. HO CHI MINH - CAI BE - FLOATING MARKET - CU LAO - AN BINH - VINH LONG B, L


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Breakfast at your hotel.
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8:00 AM: Pickup by driver and guide for transfer to Cai Be tourist wharf.
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Depart by boat along the Cai Be River to visit the Cai Be Floating Market.
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Visit local traditional craft villages (rice paper, candy, green rice, longan drying).
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Walk (approx. 5 mins) to a honey tea spot in a fruit garden, learn about beekeeping, and enjoy honey tea.
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Boat trip upstream on the Tien River to Tan Phong Islet with fruit gardens.
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Rowboat trip on a small canal (approx. 20 mins) and walk in a fruit garden (approx. 10 mins) with fruit tasting.
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Lunch at a local restaurant (garden house) up the Tien River.
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Disembark at Vinh Long Wharf.
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Admire the My Thuan Suspension Bridge on the way back to Ho Chi Minh City.
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Transfer back to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
What's Included
DAY 10. HO CHI MINH - FLY TO DA NANG B


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Breakfast at your hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.
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When it's time, a car will pick you up at your hotel for transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City.
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Take off on a short flight to Da Nang International Airport.
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Upon arrival at Da Nang International Airport, meet your driver for a comfortable transfer to your hotel in Da Nang.
What's Included
DAY 11. DA NANG - HOI AN WALKING TOUR & BASKET BOAT TOUR B, L


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Breakfast at your hotel in Da Nang.
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8:00 AM: Begin your exploration of the Cam Thanh region.
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Enjoy a peaceful bamboo basket boat trip through the Coconut Palm Forest.
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Transfer to Hoi An Ancient Town (UNESCO World Heritage site).
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Visit the historic Tan Ky Old House.
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Discover the Fukien Assembly Hall.
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See the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge.
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Stroll through the vibrant Hoi An Market.
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Lunch at a local restaurant (included).
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Return to your hotel in Da Nang
What's Included
DAY 12. DA NANG - BA NA HILLS FULL DAY B, L


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Breakfast at your hotel.
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8:00 AM: Hotel pick-up for a full-day excursion to Ba Na Hills.
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Experience four seasons in one day and various festivals/activities.
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Ascend via the world's longest non-stop single-track cable car (5,801 meters) with panoramic mountain views.
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Visit the Golden Bridge, a 150-meter pedestrian bridge supported by giant stone hands.
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Explore Le Jardin D’Amour (nine themed gardens) and Linh Ung Pagoda.
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Enjoy Fantasy Park, a large indoor amusement park.
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Buffet lunch at a restaurant on Ba Na Hills (included).
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Explore the French Village, a replica of classical French architecture.
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Return to your hotel with memories of Ba Na Hills.
What's Included
DAY 13. DA NANG - FLY TO HA NOI B


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Have breakfast at your hotel in Da Nang.
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When it's time, a car will pick you up for your transfer to Da Nang International Airport.
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Take a 1-hour flight to Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi.
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Upon arrival in Hanoi, meet your driver for a transfer to your hotel in the vibrant Hanoi Old Quarter.
What's Included
DAY 14. HA NOI CITY TOUR FULL DAY B, L


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Breakfast at your hotel in Hanoi.
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8:00 AM: Pickup by your tour guide for a full-day Hanoi city tour.
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Visit the Ho Chi Minh Complex (dress modestly):
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Mausoleum (closed Mondays, Fridays, and June 15 - August 15 for maintenance - exterior viewing possible).
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Presidential Palace.
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Stilt House.
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See the unique One Pillar Pagoda.
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Visit the Temple of Literature, known for its architecture and history.
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Enjoy a local lunch at a nearby restaurant.
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Afternoon Option (depending on the day):
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If Monday or Ethnology Museum is closed: Visit the Women’s Museum.
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Otherwise: Visit the Ethnology Museum (regular itinerary).
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Experience the bustling Old Quarter and the serene Ngoc Son Temple on Hoan Kiem Lake.
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Return to your hotel around 5:00 PM.
What's Included
DAY 15. HA NOI - NINH BINH - HOA LU - TRANG AN - MUA CAVE FULL DAY B, L


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Breakfast at your hotel in Hanoi.
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8:00 AM: Pickup by your guide and driver for a trip to Ninh Binh.
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Visit Hoa Lu, the ancient capital:
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Explore Dinh Temple (dedicated to Emperor Dinh Tien Hoang).
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Explore Le Temple (dedicated to Emperor Le Dai Hanh).
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Observe traditional Vietnamese architecture and learn about Vietnam's imperial history.
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Have lunch at a local restaurant.
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Visit the UNESCO-listed Trang An Scenic Landscape Complex.
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Enjoy a mesmerizing boat ride through crystal-clear waters and limestone karsts.
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Explore Trang An's caves and grottoes.
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Transfer to Mua Cave (Dancing Cave).
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Climb almost 500 steps to the top of Lying Dragon Mountain for panoramic views of Tam Coc.
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Transfer back to your hotel in Hanoi.
What's Included
DAY 16. HA NOI - HA LONG BAY B, L, D


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Have breakfast at the hotel in Hanoi.
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08:00 – 08:30: Pick up at your hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter.
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12:15: Check-in aboard in Ha Long Bay with a welcome drink and safety briefing. The boat cruises to Bai Tu Long Bay.
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13:15: Enjoy lunch in the restaurant.
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15:30: Explore Thien Canh Son Cave (hiking involved - wear sports shoes, bring camera).
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17:30: Enjoy sunset on the bay and "Happy Hour".
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18:00: Participate in a cooking class on the sundeck (Deep Fried Spring rolls).
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19:30: Dinner served on the sundeck or in the restaurant.
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21:00: Relax on the boat or join squid fishing (Reception deck area).
What's Included
DAY 17. HA LONG BAY - HA NOI - DEPARTURE B, L


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06:30: Start the day with Taichi on the sundeck.
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07:00: Light breakfast served in the dining room.
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07:45: Visit Vung Vieng floating fishing village (optional activities: bamboo boat or kayaking to learn about fishermen's lives).
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09:00: Return to the main boat for relaxation and check-out (place luggage outside cabin door for crew assistance).
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09:45: Brunch is served in the restaurant as the boat returns to the harbor.
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11:00: Disembark at the harbor.
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Shuttle bus transfer to Aeon Mall Long Bien.
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Our driver will pick you up from Aeon Mall Long Bien for transfer to Noi Bai International Airport for your flight departure.
What's Included
Tour inclusions
- Accommodation with daily breakfast
- Overnight cruise in Ha Long Bay/ Lan Ha Bay
- Transfer to Halong Bay/ Lan Ha Bay by shuttle bus
- Private Transfers with AC
- English speaking tour guides
- All entrance fees as listed
- Meals as specified in the itinerary
- Internal Flight Tickets within the tour
- All adventurous activities as specified in the itinerary
- A Bottled water/day
- Airport Pick-up and Drop-off
Tour exclusions
- Early check-in or late check-out
- International flight tickets
- Meals not mentioned in the tour itinerary
- Other beverages during the tour
- Visa fees - as per country requirements
- Tips for Guides & Drivers
- Travel insurance
- Optional excursions and activities
- Personal expenses

- Starting Point: Bangkok, Thailand
- Ending Point: Ha Noi, Viet Nam
- Tour Type: Private tour
- Language: Operated in English