Vietnam, Laos & Myanmar: Beaches & Bliss
33 days from Ho Chi Minh City to Bangkok
From $ 2634
Duration33 days
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There’s no time like now to take on an epic adventure. (Seriously, like right now.) Imagine five packed weeks of hitting up the best destinations that four countries in Southeast Asia have on offer. This trip covers a serious amount of ground (and some water, too.) Chill out on the most golden of golden beaches along Vietnam's sunny coast, cruise through Vietnam’s famed Halong Bay, and trek among the rice paddies in Myanmar (Burma). This is one unique itinerary that every first-time (or repeat) visitor to Southeast Asia should experience.

This tour is operated by

  • Duration: 33 days
    Service level: Basic
  • Starts in: Ho Chi Minh City
    Physical Grading: Light
  • Ends in: Bangkok
    Ages: 18+
Vietnam, Laos & Myanmar on a Shoestring - Tour Map

Itinerary

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Day 1: Ho Chi Minh City
Welcome to Ho Chi Minh City. Once the capital of South Vietnam, this sprawling metropolis is now the country’s commercial centre.

Today is arrival day, so there are no activities planned. Relax, explore the city, and adjust to the frenetic pace and humid heat of Ho Chi Minh City.
Arrive at any time. Most nationalities require a visa to enter Vietnam. Please check with your travel agent or local Vietnamese Embassy regarding requirements.

Please note that this tour combines with other G Adventures tours. As such, the staff and some travel companions on your tour may have previously been traveling together with G Adventures, prior to Day 1 of your tour. Likewise, some staff and travel companions may be continuing together on another G Adventures tour, after your trip concludes.
Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City/Nha Trang
Discover the energy of Vietnam's biggest city on a CEO-led orientation walk and continue exploring with free time. Overnight train to Nha Trang. During January/February, Tết (the Vietnamese Lunar New Year) sees millions of Vietnamese commute to be with their families and celebrate. While this is a fascinating time to travel through Vietnam, availability of transport may mean that we will replace the overnight train with an overnight bus.
Meals: B
Day 3: Nha Trang
Optional activities in Nha Trang include a boat trip to nearby islands for some snorkelling or, perhaps, a fun-filled all-day beach party.
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.

This evening, go on a street food crawl with the group and CEO to get to know more about the delicious local specialties.
Day 4: Nha Trang/Da Nang
In the evening, take an overnight train to Da Nang, then transfer to Hoi An.
Free time in Nha Trang. Overnight train to Hoi An. During January/February, Tết (the Vietnamese Lunar New Year) sees millions of Vietnamese commute to be with their families and celebrate. While this is a fascinating time to travel through Vietnam, availability of transport may mean that we will replace the overnight train with an overnight bus.
Meals: B
Day 5: Da Nang/Hoi An
From Danang, it is only a short drive to the picturesque port town of Hoi An. Once known as Faifo, it was an important trading town with strong south Chinese influence and connections.
Get your bearings with an orientation walk before free time in the afternoon. Opt to take a cooking class, cycle to the beach, visit a tailor, or explore the old town.
Day 6: Hoi An
Enjoy a noodle-making demonstration and local lunch at the G Adventures-supported Oodles of Noodles Project. Later, opt to take a cooking class, cycle to the beach, visit a tailor, or explore the old town with free time.
Meals: B, L
Day 7: Hoi An/Huế
Opt to pre-book the "Hue Motorbike Tour" on the checkout page ahead of time, to include this optional on your tour.
Continue the journey north to the city of Hue. Opt to visit the Royal Citadel and tombs, or take a cruise along the Perfume River.
Meals: B
Day 8: Huế/Hanoi
Free time in Hue. Overnight train to Hanoi.

End place: Hanoi

Meals: B
Day 9: Hanoi/Ha Long

Start place: Hanoi

Arrive early morning to bustling Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam. Transfer to a private bus and head to the beautiful and famous Halong Bay.
Visit Halong Bay for a seafood lunch cruise and cave visit.

End place: Ha Long

Meals: L
Day 10: Ha Long/Hanoi

Start place: Ha Long

Get to know 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.

End place: Hanoi

Meals: B
Day 11: Hanoi

Start place: Hanoi

Spend time exploring Hanoi.

End place: Hanoi

Day 12: Hanoi/Vientiane

Start place: Hanoi

Explore a bit of Hanoi in the morning before an afternoon flight to Vientiane, the capital of Laos. There is a wealth of cultural delights to discover - on foot, by bicycle or, for the less energetic, by tuk-tuk.

Visit Laos' most important national monument, Phat That Luang, or meander down the dusty riverside tracks to find villages full of friendly children, dogs and chickens. A visit to Vientiane's vibrant, colourful morning market (which incidentally is open all day!) is worthwhile, to find plenty of local treasures. A great way to round off the day is to enjoy a spectacular sunset over the Mekong.
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.

End place: Vientiane

Meals: B
Day 13: Vientiane/Vang Vieng

Start place: Vientiane

A picturesque drive north takes us to beautiful Vang Vieng. This quiet town is set along the Nam Song river amidst rice fields and limestone karsts.
Enjoy the beautiful limestone karsts surrounding Vang Vieng. Free time to hike, bike, swim or go caving.

End place: Vangviang

Meals: B
Day 14: Vang Vieng

Start place: Vangviang

Why not explore some of the caves by bicycle or take an invigorating walk. In the evening, soak in the natural beauty of Vang Vieng as the sun sets over the river.
Free time to explore Vang Vieng. Opt to explore some of the caves by bicycle or take an invigorating walk.

End place: Vangviang

Meals: B
Day 15: Vang Vieng/Luang Prabang

Start place: Vangviang

This morning travel from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang. Get your bearings with a CEO-led orientation walk.

End place: Luang Prabang

Meals: B
Day 16: Luang Prabang

Start place: Luang Prabang

Traditional Laotian culture is to give daily alms to monks. Monks are only allowed to eat food which has been donated to them before noon. On one of your mornings here, you may decide to rise with the sun, and watch one of the most important religious ceremonies in Laos. This is simply an unforgettable Southeast Asian experience.
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.

End place: Luang Prabang

Meals: B
Day 17: Luang Prabang/Pak Beng

Start place: Luang Prabang

We board our boat for the two-day journey up the mighty Mekong River making our way to Chiang Khong.
Cruise the Mekong on a long houseboat before arriving at a village homestay for the night. The evening meal is eaten together in one of the houses. The food is typically Laotian - very simple yet delicious. A vegetarian option is always served and the second option is typically a pork stirfry.

End place: Muang Pakbeng

Meals: B, D
Day 18: Pak Beng/Chiang Khong

Start place: Muang Pakbeng

This morning we re-board our boat and continue our leisurely cruise along the river before arriving at the Laos/Thai border and crossing to Chiang Khong in the late afternoon.
Mekong River travel day. Cross into Thailand.

End place: Chiang Khong

Meals: B, L
Day 19: Chiang Khong/Chiang Mai

Start place: Chiang Khong

Departing Chiang Khong after breakfast, we drive to Chiang Mai where you have the afternoon free to explore this fascinating city, once the capital of the Kingdom of Lan.
Drive to Chiang Mai. Opt to visit Doi Suthep temple, catch a Thai boxing match or grab a bargain at the famous night market.

End place: Chiang Mai

Day 20: Chiang Mai

Start place: Chiang Mai

Enjoy a free day to explore. Opt to visit Doi Suthep temple, catch a Thai boxing match, or grab a bargain at the famous night market.

End place: Chiang Mai

Day 21: Chiang Mai/Kengtung

Start place: Chiang Mai

Cross the border into Myanmar (Burma), then travel inland to the ethnically diverse town of Kengtung.

End place: Kengtung

Day 22: Kengtung

Start place: Kengtung

Enjoy an included trek through rice paddies along a countryside dotted by various hilltribes. Try Shan khao swè, a noodle soup and regional staple—it's delicious.

End place: Kengtung

Meals: B
Day 23: Kengtung/Inle Lake

Start place: Kengtung

Opt to soak up the lively atmosphere of Kyaing Tong Market with a free morning. This afternoon, travel in style with a quick flight to serene Inle, home to the Intha people, floating villages, and leg rowers. Please note the flight from Kengtung to Inle Lake (Heho) has temporarily been canceled. During this period of time, travelers will instead travel from Kengtung to Tachilek (4 hours), and fly from Tachilek to Heho airport. This message will be updated when this flight starts up again.

End place: Inle Lake

Meals: B
Day 24: Inle Lake

Start place: Inle Lake

Enjoy free time to explore the area. Opt to rent a bike, take a cooking class, or tour the lake by boat, visiting some of its floating villages and gardens.

End place: Inle Lake

Meals: B
Day 25: Inle Lake/Bagan

Start place: Inle Lake

Continue exploring Inle Lake with another free day. Later this evening, board an overnight bus to Bagan.

End place: Pagan

Day 26: Bagan

Start place: Pagan

Arrive early in the morning and visit the ancient site of Bagan for a sunrise temple tour. Enjoy free time for the rest of the day.

End place: Pagan

Meals: B
Day 27: Bagan

Start place: Pagan

Enjoy a free day to visit nearby villages or further explore the ruins.

End place: Pagan

Meals: B
Day 28: Bagan/Mandalay

Start place: Pagan

Enjoy an included breakfast at Sanon, a G Adventures-supported restaurant and culinary training school. Afterwards, travel to Mandalay and enjoy free time. Opt to climb Mandalay Hill or visit the Golden Monastery.

End place: Mandalay

Meals: B
Day 29: Mandalay/Yangon

Start place: Mandalay

Opt to check out Mandalay's ancient temples, visit the nearby ancient royal capital of Amarapura, or traverse the world's longest teak bridge.
Enjoy a free day before boarding an overnight bus to Yangon.

End place: Yangon

Meals: B
Day 30: Yangon

Start place: Yangon

Enjoy an orientation walk in the country's largest city, and opt to visit the incredible Shwedagon Pagoda.

End place: Yangon

Day 31: Yangon

Start place: Yangon

Spend a free day exploring the country's former capital.

End place: Yangon

Meals: B
Day 32: Yangon/Bangkok

Start place: Yangon

Fly back to Thailand. Enjoy a final night with the group in the country's capital city.

End place: Bangkok

Meals: B
Day 33: Bangkok

Start place: Bangkok

Depart at any time.

End place: Bangkok

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Inclusions

Included

  • Your G for Good Moment: Oodles of Noodles Demonstration and Lunch, Hoi An Your G for Good Moment: Mekong River Homestay & Baci Ceremony, Muang Pakbèng Your G for Good Moment: Meal at Sanon Restaurant and Culinary Training School, Bagan 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
  • Witness the giving of alms (Luang Prabang)
  • Slow boat up the Mekong
  • Orientation walk of Luang Prabang
  • Trekking excursion (Kengtung)
  • Sunrise temple tour (Bagan)
  • Orientation walks in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hanoi, and Yangon
  • Street food crawl (Hoi An)
  • Internal flight
  • All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

  • Transport

    Local bus, Air-con bus, Private vehicle, Train, Walking, Tuk tuk, Local boat, Junk boat, Plane

  • Accommodation

    Simple hotels (twin-share) or hostels (multi-share) (26 nts), Sleeper trains (3 nts), Homestays (2 nts), Overnight bus (2 nts)

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