Get ready for an exhilarating journey through Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand! We explored breathtaking landscapes, marveled at both ancient and modern temples, enjoyed spectacular cultural performances, and indulged in mouthwatering cuisines! Here's how we made it happen!
Our 22 day January/February itinerary:
Day 1 & 3 - fly from Los Angeles (LAX) to Hanoi (HAN), Vietnam
Day 4 through 6 - Hanoi, Vietnam
Day 7 - fly from Hanoi to Siem Reap (SAI), Cambodia
Day 8 & 9 - Siem Reap
Day 10 - fly from Siem Reap to Chiang Rai (CEI), Thailand
Day 11 & 12 - Chiang Rai
Day 13 - private driver from Chiang Rai to Chiang Mai, Thailand
Day 14 & 15 - Chiang Mai
Day 16 - fly from Chiang Mai to Phuket (HKT), Thailand
Day 17 through 19 - Phuket, Thailand
Day 20 - fly from Phuket to Bangkok (BKK), Thailand
Day 21 - Bangkok
Day 22 - fly from Bangkok to Los Angeles
VIETNAM
Hanoi & Ha Long Bay
Our first stop on this adventure was Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam! Our first day in Hanoi was spent exploring the Old Quarter shops and restaurants where our hotel, La Siesta Classic Ma May (which we recommend), was located. We enjoyed some great vegetarian dishes, which were available everywhere! We also purchased some delicious fresh tropical fruits from local street vendors. And we purchased our souvenirs for Vietnam as well.
Some shops and restaurants we can recommend include New Day Restaurant, Master Tan Herbalists, and Truc Lam Handmade.
Note: Most places would accept either the Vietnamese dong or US dollar as payment.
Tip: Electrical outlets at our hotel could handle US, European, or British plugs. But the voltage was 240, not the 110 volts used in the United States. Ensure you bring electronic devices which can handle dual voltages.
The next morning we awoke and embarked on a fabulous two-day cruise through Ha Long Bay!
The cruise was a once in a lifetime experience! Indochina Junk, Dragon's Pearl Cruise, was on a boutique 10 ten cabin wooden boat. They served us gourmet multiple course Vietnamese meals, we had beautiful wood interiors, and they rewarded us with phenomenal experiences through Ha Long Bay. We went spelunking, kayaking, enjoyed a cooking demonstration, are were scenically rowed through a fishing and oyster pearl village area by the local villagers. The entire journey was a slow, smooth ride.
We were shuttled from Hanoi to the bay. After our cruise on day two we stopped by Yen Duc Village, a Vietnamese rice agriculture village. They performed a traditional water puppet show for us before we returned to Hanoi.
Tip: The power generator on our boat was loud at night. We had front lower cabin 201, so we were far from the generator. But cabins closer to the stern/back of the boat might experience some noise. We suggest you request a front cabin close to the bow of the boat.
Our next day in Hanoi began with Ho Hoan Kiem Lake and Den Ngoc Son temple. Ngoc Son temple is located on an island in man-made Hoan Kiem Lake in the heart of Hanoi, Vietnam. A beautiful red bridge will take you to the temple. The temple beginnings date back to 1841 and the Ly Dynasty. There's a shop adjacent to the temple where you can purchase offerings for the alter. And the flowers, both on the island and around the perimeter of the lake, were breathtaking!
Later in the day visited the Temple of Literature. Afterward it was onward to the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. The Temple of Literature (Van Mieu) was first built in 1070 and was reconstructed during the Tran dynasty (1225–1400) and in the subsequent dynasties. It is dedicated to the teachings of Confucius, and hosted the Imperial Academy, Vietnam's first national university, from 1076 to 1779.
The Temple of Literature and Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi, Vietnam, are beautiful locations. As such, many locals and visitors dress in traditional Vietnamese dress and have their photos taken around the grounds. Since cultural beauty appeals so much to me, I ended up taking photos of those posing around the grounds instead of the grounds themselves (see my slider gallery below).
Tip: A restaurant we can highly recommend is Truc Lam Restaurant inside the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology! They had a great vegetarian menu, fresh coconut water, beautiful surroundings, and a very friendly staff.
In the late afternoon we thoroughly enjoyed the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre! Water puppetry originated in Vietnam as entertainment for children when the rice paddies were flooded with water. Villagers would make puppets out of wood to entertain the children. It has now become a cultural art form. And the Thang Long Water Puppet Theatre in Hanoi definitely had the best show we've seen! (Disclosure: we've only seen two separate shows - lol)
We didn't make it to the Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi, but would also recommend this location.
If we had more time in Vietnam, I would have enjoyed going to Ho Chi Minh City and taking a multi-day, traditional wooden boat cruise along the Mekong River delta as well.
CAMBODIA
Siem Reap & Angkor Wat
Next we traveled to Cambodia, the land of ancient temples. Siem Reap is the place to go to see multiple temples built back in the 1100s built by the Khmer people of the Khmer Empire. Some of the more famous temples include Angkor Wat, Phnom Bakheng, Bayon (known as the Smiling Face temple), and Ta Prohm (known as the Tomb Raiders temple).
Angkor Wat, near Siem Reap, is a Unesco World Heritage Site. Located on a site within the ancient Khmer capital city of Angkor, it was originally constructed in 1150 AD. Today, Angkor Wat is a major tourist attraction, attracting more than 2.5 million visitors every year!
Tip: Sunrise at Angkor Wat. Many people arrive an hour before sunrise, but leave before the sun has actually risen. The sun doesn't actually clear the tree line until 20 to 30 minutes after sunrise. So you don't really need to arrive early. If you arrive by sunrise, just wait for people to leave and clear a space for you at the edge of the water pond. There were also no mosquitoes when we were there in January.
There are many other temples around Siem Reap, Cambodia, than just the famous Angkor Wat. One is Ta Prohm, also known as the Tomb Raiders temple. There used to be a popular photo opportunity of the head of a statue engulfed by a jungle tree. Unfortunately, the stone statue has now been removed.
Bayon Temple, also known as the smiling faces temple, is another beautiful one. And Phnom Bakheng temple is nice as well. To be honest, we enjoyed these lesser known temples much more than Angkor Wat.
Tip: There is a beautiful photo opportunity at the top side of the West Gate of Bayon temple at Angkor Thom. Also known as Ta Kav Gate, just climb the hill beside the gate for this Instagrammable photo.
Traditional Apsara dance is another great asset of Cambodia. Women use graceful gestures which narrate classical myths or religious stories. The clothing and headdresses of the apsara role are based on the devatas as depicted on the base-relief of Angkor Wat temple. Apsara is one of the national symbols of Cambodia. Apsara Theatre in Siem Reap includes a great dinner and show!
We asked our driver from J7 Angkor Hotel (which we highly recommend) if they could take us somewhere to purchase authentic, handcrafted souvenirs, and they took us to Artisans Angkor. Wow! We were taken to an entire factory and tour of handcrafted stonework, woodwork, paintings and fabrics. Absolutely exquisite and highly recommended! And a restaurant we highly recommend in town is Cafe Indochine, with delicious Cambodian cuisine and great service.
We felt like we barely scratched the surface in Siem Reap, and could have easily spent more days here exploring the city.
THAILAND
Thailand is a land of beauty. From white sand beaches to green forested mountains. From exquisite temples to delicious foods. You'll find everything here a true traveler desires!
Chiang Rai
Staying at the beautiful, tranquil Legend Chiang Rai Boutique River Resort, we began our journey in the Northern city of Chiang Rai. Our front desk was able to arrange a private, English speaking driver for us to tour the city and countryside.
The White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) was created by artist Chalermchai Kositpipat, who designed, constructed, and opened it to visitors in 1997. Constructed completely out of cement, plaster, and wire frames, mirrored tiles outline the entire structure.
The Blue Temple (Wat Rong Suea Ten) was designed by local artist Phuttha Kabkaew, who learned from Chalermchai Kositpipat while working on his famous Wat Rong Khun. Wat Rong Suea Ten's main building was completed in 2016.
The Baan Dam Museum is a collection of wooden structures housing the art and collections of Thawan Duchanee. In addition to surreal works of art, we discovered such unique items as crocodile skins, water buffalo skulls, and large seashells throughout the property.
The Kayan are a subgroup of the Red Karen (Karenni people), a Tibeto-Burman ethnic minority of Myanmar. Kayan Lahwi are the group in which women wear brass neck rings. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, due to conflict with the military regime in Myanmar, many Kayan people fled to Thailand. Among the refugee camps set up, there was a "long neck" section, which has now become a tourist destination near the city of Chiang Rai, Thailand.
Karen (Kah-wren) long necked women start wearing the brace at age 3, and never take it off. It is a cultural tradition for them, but voluntary these days. They enjoy tourists for the money they bring to their village. It makes them happy to sell their wares.
We also visited the Doi Tung Royal Villa and adjacent Mae Fah Luang Garden up in the mountains. Both have stunning flower gardens! The views from the villa are also beautiful. And we perused a local street vendors market while we were there as well.
Finally, visited a small coffee growing village in the Doi Chang mountain region.
We missed the Mae Fah Luang Art and Cultural Park, which I believe we also would have enjoyed.
Chiang Mai
The temples of Chiang Mai, Thailand, are no less impressive than their neighbor to the North, Chiang Rai.
Right across from our lodging at Buri Gallery House was the beautiful Wat Phra Singh Woramahawihan temple. Construction of Wat Phra Singh began in 1345. From 1578 to 1774, during the Burmese rule, the temple was abandoned and came under serious disrepair. It was restored in 1782. The entire temple complex underwent extensive renovations in the 1920s. Many of the buildings were again restored in 2002.
Every Sunday morning at 7:00 the monks from Wat Phra Singh walk down the street in front of the guest house for alms giving. The guest house can hook you up with something to give if you have nothing of your own. There's also a huge night market in front of the guest house on Sundays from 6 to 11 pm. It's called the Sunday Walking Street, and it's located on Rachadamnoen Rd.
Within walking distance from our guest house was the Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara temple. Wat Chedi Luang Varavihara was built in the 14th century. It was originally a temple to house the ashes of a king, and was once the tallest structure in Chiang Mai.
The Silver Temple (Wat Sri Suphan) of Chiang Mai, Thailand, is located just to the South of the old walled city. Originally built in the 1500s, the temple is actually covered in multiple engraved plates of silver, nickel, and aluminum. The paneling makes the temple appear silver in color.
Note: Women, unfortunately, are not allowed to enter the temple.
The Lanna people of Northern Thailand are an ethnic group native to the former Lan Na Kingdom, also known as Tai Yuan. Their traditional dances have been passed down through generations. We were fortunate enough to witness some of these at the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center (see my slider gallery below).
Another nice place to visit is the Chiang Mai Cultural Centre. The upstairs areas have life-sized depictions of village life, where you actually walk through replicas of village structures, rice fields, etc. Just outside of the museum is the Three Kings Monument statue. And across the courtyard is the Lanna Folklife Centre.
Doi Suthep is a mountain approximately 20 kilometers West of Chiang Mai, Thailand. It's 1,676 meters (5,499 ft) in elevation. The temple Wat Phra That is at the top of Doi Suthep. This Buddhist place of worship dates back to the 14th century. On the slopes of Doi Suthep lies a temple called Wat Pha Lat. Founded by King Kuena of Lanna in the 14th century, Wat Pha Lat originally served as a resting place for pilgrims journeying up to Wat Phra That.
Another great place to visit just outside of Chiang Mai is the Elephant Nature Park. We visited it's sister project in Phuket (more details below) and can recommend this location and experience for their ethical treatment of elephants.
Phuket
Our next location was the island of Phuket, Thailand! We stayed at the Boutique Resort Villas with a huge, fully equipped house and private pool. This lodging is in the middle of the island, towards the East side. While not close to any shops, restaurants, or beaches, it was central to the Phuket Elephant Sanctuary, Gibbon Rehabilitation Project, Phuket Sail Tours, and Siam Niramit show, all of which we wanted to experience. It also appeared to be a good place for families. And they offer a free shuttle service to Niayang Beach and Robinson Shopping Mall as well.
The Phuket Elephant Sanctuary is the only place in Phuket where rescued and retired elephants are free to do as they please, with no coercion to take a bath, pose for photos, etc. While you are allowed to feed the elephants who voluntarily approach the feeding area, you are not allowed to approach them in the sanctuary. It is the only ethical elephant experience on the island of Phuket, and one we highly recommend!
We also visited the Gibbon Rehabilitation Project, which breeds and rescues gibbons and attempts to return them to the wild. Some gibbons are not able to support themselves, however, and must be taken care of at the project. The project is funded entirely by donations, and we encourage you to help if you are able.
We attended the Siam Niramit spectacular while on the island of Phuket! We loved the buffet foods and the way they were presented with multiple food cart stations. We also thoroughly enjoyed the replica village, where we danced, sampled foods, dunked a queen, and enjoyed a private canoe ride. The theatre show itself was absolutely magnificent! It beautifully displayed the Thai culture and history before moving on to more surreal scenes.
The pre-show entertainment in Naga Courtyard was nice as well, with one glaring exception. They hold and abuse an Asian elephant in the courtyard for hours for the sole purpose of paying to feed it and pose for photos. They restrain it and force it to shake it's head and make noises for the entertainment of the crowd. If you attend a performance, we encourage you to implore them to stop using live animals for entertainment purposes.
We thoroughly enjoyed a full day snorkeling and exploring the Phi Phi Islands with Phuket Sail Tours! We took their Phi Phi Island Day Trip, which included stopping at Maya Bay, Phi Phi Don island, and Bamboo Island. We wish we'd spent a night or two on Phi Phi Don, as it was so serene and picturesque.
One location we missed on Phuket was the Khao Rang viewpoint, which is supposed to have great sunset and nighttime views of the island!
Bangkok
The final destination on our adventure was the capital city of Bangkok, Thailand. We lodged at Villa De Pranakorn, which had great food and service! Within walking distance we discovered Ong Ang Canal, which also had great food and dining options.
Thee place to go in Bangkok is Wat Phra Kaew and the Grand Palace! Wow! The temples and stupas at Wat Phra Kaew are incredibly detailed. And the giant Yaksha statues, which are large guardians from the Ramakian fable, are amazing to behold. Wat Phra Kaew was once the private chapel to the kings of Thailand and members of the court. The temple, or Wat, was completed in 1783 under King Rama I to enshrine the Emerald Buddha (Phra Kaew) for which it was named.
Across from the Grand Palace is Wat Phra Chetuphon, where the Wat Pho giant reclining Buddha is located. Covered in gold leaf, this Buddha statue measures 15 meters (49 ft) high and 46 meters (150 ft) long! The soles of its feet are inlaid with mother-of-pearl and divided into 108 panels. Each panel displays an auspicious symbol, such as a flower, dancer, or white elephant.
Note: You absolutely cannot wear shorts or short skirts at Wat Phra Kaew. They will make you purchase long pants or a full length wrap before you are allowed to enter.
Tip: Take your time exploring these locations. There are many hidden treasures to be discovered inside the buildings, corners, and crevasses. We somehow missed the Emerald Buddha while we were there. Oops!
Tip: A great place to eat near Wat Phra Chetuphon is Began Vegan, with many delicious vegan options!
Things we missed, but wish we'd seen, in Bangkok included the Jim Thompson House Museum, Taling Chan floating market, Lumphini Park, and traditional dance at Sala Chalermkrung.
Bangkok also has some public transportation options, with Bangkok MRT rail system, and canal boat transport as well.
We concluded our travels through Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand by finally returning home. The breathtaking natural scenery, the blend of ancient and modern temples, cultural performances, and the amazing cuisine were all unforgettable! We returned enriched by the experience, with a broader perspective of the world around us. We encourage you to discover and learn from these wonderful destinations yourself!
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Visas
Vietnam and Cambodia both required a visa prior to arriving in the country. You can apply for these visas electronically online.
For Vietnam, go to the Vietnam E-Visa website. Select E-visa issuance > For Foreigners. You'll need a valid passport photo and photo copy of your passport page.
For Cambodia, go to the Cambodia e-Visa website. Select Visas & Requirements > scroll down an select Apply for my eVisa. Once again, you'll need a valid passport photo and photo copy of your passport page. These will be submitted after you complete their visa form information.
Thailand does not require a visa prior to arrival for United States citizens or passport holders. But it's always a good idea to check the U.S. Embassy in Thailand for the latest information.
Electrical outlets
Every place we stayed accommodated both European and American plugs. As mentioned previously, the voltage was 220 to 240 volts, so ensure your electrical devices can handle that voltage.
Food
We have absolutely LOVED all of the foods of Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand! Our favorite first course was definitely fried vegetable spring rolls dipped in a tasty sweet and sour sauce! And our favorite main dishes included yummy ingredients like peanuts, cashews, curry, bean sprouts, rice noodles, or fresh stir fried vegetables! There were lots of vegetarian options available to us as well, especially in Vietnam.
Thailand is the land of fresh fruit smoothies! Road stands, cafes, and restaurants everywhere can make mango, pineapple, strawberry, avocado, coconut, etc. for you.
THANK YOU Southeast Asia for making our tastebuds so happy!
Call, Pay, Cancel button
Some restaurants have a Call/Pay/Cancel button at your table. Pressing one of these buttons either requests someone to come to your table, asks for the bill or check, or cancels your order. We found the Pay button particularly useful when we were ready to leave.
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