How to Plan a 3-Week Thailand and Vietnam Tour

How to plan a 3-week-long tour to Thailand and Vietnam? Does it cost a lot for 21 days? How to get there and travel around? Is that easy to obtain visas to Thailand and Vietnam? After reading this article, you will leave your worries at home and take an easy tour of Southeast Asia.

The Grand Palace

Itinerary Idea

Embark on an unforgettable 11-day journey through the enchanting landscapes of Thailand, exploring Bangkok, Kanchanaburi, Ayutthaya, Sukhothai, and Chiang Mai. Venture into the bewitching landscapes of Vietnam for 10 days, immersing yourself in the charm of Hanoi, Sapa, and Halong Bay. This 3-week tour covers the highlights of Thailand and Northern Vietnam.

Day 1 - 11 Delve Into the Alluring Thailand

Bangkok: A City That Never Rests

Welcome to Thailand. The striking city of Bangkok will be your first stop. Visit a flower and vegetable market to see the local people's daily life closely. Continue to explore the Grand Palace, the majestic cultural landmark, captivating visitors with its resplendent and magnificent architecture.

Then take a long-tailed boat along the crisscrossing canals and see houses, temples, and restaurants. Get ready with your camera, the last stop is the remarkable Wat Arun, which stands on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River and offers a perfect opportunity for photography. This bustling beeping city shows its encompassing of cultural heritage and modernization.

Wat Arun

Kanchanaburi: Step Back in Time

Witness the sad history and be awestruck by the remnants of war in Kanchanaburi: Bridge over the River Kwai and Hellfire Pass Museum. The bridge over the River Kwai is 415 meters long and 27 meters high, made of concrete and steel. It belongs to the Thailand-Burma Railway (also named "Death Railway"). Countless innocent people perished on this railway during World War II. Even today, standing by this bridge, one can still feel a sense of sadness and desolation.

Ayutthaya: Thailand's Best Kept Ancient Secrets

Embark on Ayutthaya, the archaeological ruin and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, characterized by the magnificent Buddhist complex. Amidst the historic atmosphere, explore the cultural treasure with your very own insightful guide.

Marveling at the Wat Mahathat, you will uncover the Buddha's head intertwined with the roots of a banyan tree. Wat Chaiwatthanaram, one of Thailand's most significant monuments, presents the historical changes and upheaval associated with the rise and fall of a dynasty. This ancient Siamese capital has its own story to tell you.

Wat MahaThat

Sukhothai: A Whistle-Stop With Amazement

Savor the temples and Buddha statues in Sukhothai Historical Park. Take a stroll through the grand stone palaces, touch the historic and cultural ruins, and have a deep insight into this lesser-known gem place. Slow down, then get involved.

Chiang Mai: Elephant, Food & More

Love elephants? Chiang Mai is the right place! Have close encounters with elephants. It's a fantastic opportunity to dip into the daily lives and behaviors of the remarkable elephants in the Baan Chang Elephant Park. The activities include: cooking herbal food then feeding the elephants, roaming with elephants in the natural field, helping elephants to take a bath, and playing with the baby elephants.

Besides elephants, Chiang Mai still has many surprises for you. Drop a visit to the Lanna Family to learn how to make northern Thai flavors. Behold the unique charm of Wat Prathat Doi Suthep, northern Thailand's most sacred temple.

Elephant Natural Park in Chiang Mai

Day 12 - 21 Indulge in the Enchanting Vietnam

Hanoi: A Typical Vietnamese Style

From Chiang Mai, hop over the border to Vietnam and onto Hanoi. Hanoi has lots of things to do. Dashing through the Old Quarter in a cyclo (rickshaw), appreciating the brilliant Water Puppet Show, roaming around Hoan Kiem Lake, and delving into Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Temple of Literature. Hanoi always reveals its charm in its unique way. With a whole day of exploration, you'll have just about cracked the surface of this thriving city.

Hanoi Old Quarter

Sapa: Trekking & Minorities

Hop in a car for the drive up to Sapa. Alongside you will see the original beauty with lush and green forest and scattered local villages. Taking a trekking tour amid a rolling mountain and rice paddy, you will see the distinctive life of the H'mong and the Day people. Visit Fansipan Peak by cable car and enjoy the panoramic view without any disturbance. If you are willing to experience the real local life there, do try a homestay. You will have a lifetime memory for sure.

Halong Bay: The Highlights You Will Never Be Disappointed

Halong Bay, a jewel of Vietnam, gripping tourists from around the world. Take three days to rest your travel-weary body in the peaceful and wide water. Relishing the setting sun cast an orange glow over the mountains, giving a whirl to the kayaking, reveling in a karst limestone cave, or practicing Tai Chi on the deck in the morning sunlight. What Halong Bay can offer is more than you expect.

Halong Bay

How Much for a 21-day Thailand & Vietnam Tour

The tour to Thailand and Vietnam does not cost much. The cost can vary greatly depending on multiple factors such as your hotel level, meals, transfers, and other spends. Mid-range travelers might spend $200-300 per day. Luxury travelers will spend significantly more.

How to Get There and Travel Around

Major airlines offer direct flights to Thailand and Vietnam from various cities worldwide.

Most of international tourists will land at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Thailand. Vietnam boasts several international airports, and most of travelers will choose Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City or Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi.

There are many ways to travel between Thailand and Vietnam. To make your tour smoother and more convenient, it is suggested to take flights from Bangkok or Chiang Mai to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.

In the countries of Thailand and Vietnam, Odynovo will arrange private cars for internal flights to travel around. If you want to explore some cities by yourself, taxis are very easy to get.

How to Obtain Visas for Thailand & Vietnam

To visit Thailand and Vietnam you need to obtain each country's visa. It can be a simple process to do this. However, there are some specific requirements based on different nationalities and length of stay.

Thailand:

There are three main ways to obtain a visa to Thailand: Visa-free entry and visa on arrival (VOA). Embassy/consulate visa.

Tourists who are American, Canadian, Australian, and several other countries do not need to apply for a visa if they stay in Thailand for up to 30 days. Visa on arrival is a common way to get a visa and is suitable for most countries, but sometimes it needs a little long time in the queue. Applying for a visa at a Thai embassy or consulate in the home country before leaving is more guaranteed.

Vietnam:

There are three convenient ways to obtain a visa to Vietnam: Visa-free entry, E-visa, and Visa on arrival (VOA).

Tourists who are American, Canadian, or mostly European do not need to apply for a visa if they stay in Vietnam for no longer than 15 days. Applying E-visa online only requires a valid passport, a passport-sized photo, and a credit or debit card, and wait 3-4 business days. Visa on arrival will be more expensive and time-consuming than applying for an e-visa.

In total, the requirements and procedures can change frequently. Please check the official website or our travel consultant to find the best way to obtain visas to Thailand and Vietnam.

Visa Counter at Ho Chi Minh Airport, Vietnam

Travel to Southeast Asia: Beyond Thailand and Vietnam

Southeast Asia is a very cost-effective region that covers diverse cultural heritages and unique experiences. If you are thinking of traveling to more destinations besides Thailand and Vietnam, combine Cambodia or Laos can explore in-depth the Buddhist culture, or enjoy an island holiday in Indonesia or the Philippines. No matter where you want to go, when you want to go, or what you want to experience, once you decide to take a Thailand and Vietnam tour, Odynovo will always be the best choice for you.