My husband, daughter, and I will be traveling through Vietnam & Thailand January 2026, and I am desperate for help with finalizing the itinerary. Daughter, in 20s, is in Taiwan for 1 yr, we are late 60s, fair condition, and are visiting her during her break. We are meeting in Hanoi after she does the 4 day Ha Giang Loop. During those 4 days we will be in the Hanoi area, then we join up and travel through Vietnam, and then to Thailand together. The total trip for the 3 of us together is 22-23 days. We love culture, history, nature, snorkeling and unusual experiences, and don’t like to travel in big groups. Prefer going on our own, or with a guide or a group of less than 12. With that description you can probably get the sense that we want to do everything, and you would not be wrong. (We will also be spending a week in Taiwan and 4 days in Angkor Wat after these 2 countries.)
Husband and I are landing in Hanoi and can do anything for 5 days and then I have a 26 day itinerary for the 3 of us that really needs to be shortened to a max of 23. Any advice greatly appreciated.
5 days - husband and I: 1 day Hanoi, Ninh Binh? North? Other suggestions?
26 day itinerary that is too long:
1 - Hanoi
2. Hanoi
3. Hanoi - Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park?
4. Phong Nha - caves - Paradise, and Phong Nha? I heard that there may be an evening kayaking trip into Phong Nha Cave? My daughter would probably love zip lining into Dark Cave, but not sure if that venture is too much or too touristy? Other recommendations?
Would love to spend this evening in an eco-lodge type place if worthwhile
5. Travel to Hue - get private car and stop along the way? Vinny Moc tunnels?
6. Hue
7. Hue - Hoi An
8. Hoi An
9. Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City
10. Ho Chi Minh City
11. Ho Chi Minh City
12. Ho Chi Minh - Bangkok
13. Bangkok
14.Bangkok. (Excursion? Ayutthaya?)
15. Bangkok
16. Bangkok - Chang Mai
17. Chang Mai - Elephant sanctuary
18. Chang Mai - Chang Rai
19. Chang Rai
20. Chang Rai - Golden Triangle
21. Chang Rai - travel to an Island or Khao Sok?
Would love to spend time either on an Island such as Koh samet, or khao lak or 2 nites on a boat snorkeling off Similan or Surin, or in Khao Sok? Ideal might be 2 nites on boat & 2 nites on Island?
If we spent a total of 4 nites on Island/Jungle/boats then it would be 25 days - at least 2 days too many!!
Is this itinerary too rushed? What should we cut completely? Shorten? Do before we join up w our daughter? I need to get this finalized, and I am stymied. All help greatly appreciated.
Posted by
Singapore
1029 posts
Can't help with Vietnam as I don't know it well, but in Thailand, I'd advise dropping Chiang Rai and spending that extra time in Chiang Mai (it is a beautiful city, and at the moment you're rushing through it). If you have that extra time you could also take longer getting there, and have more fun, by taking the train from Bangkok.
When you're in Chiang Mai, you can take some day trips out of town, enjoy the countryside and villages, see Doi Suthep etc. I lived there many years ago when i was at school, and get back there reasonably often. I love it.
Overall you're spending a lot of time traveling and not that much time on site. It's technically all feasible, and it may be that style of travel suits you, but just wanted to share my thoughts.
Also worth noting you're in the north of Thailand during burning season (or at least at the start of it). This could impact air quality.
Posted by
Adams Basin
706 posts
Pre-covid, I had been planning a trip to Singapore, Penang, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos. The wheels fell of that wagon when the pandemic hit hard there. I have not gone back to try and replan, but I will. My wife is not keen on it, but I am a durian hound and want to follow it from place to place.
Whatever you decide, I hope that you will post your final plans and then your impressions. I would love to hear what you learned from your trip.
From my times in Thailand, I would consider less time in Bangkok. It's such a busy place and frankly, not all that attractive. I am certain that you can find other things to do in Thailand.
Your visit to Taiwan should be interesting. I have always enjoyed travelling there and especially in the South. Here's a tip. The stinky tofu resembles durian in that our western palates revolt when we first taste these. I would say that the stinky tofu and the hideous paste that chicken feet are served in are actually quite delicious in an odd way once you allow yourself to truly taste them. Like durian, you need to embrace it to appreciate, quite a few Taiwanese dishes are the same. Your instincts will say no, but if you go ahead and try these, you may learn to love them. I have a fondness for stinky tofu soup. I've never quite become a fan of the chicken feet. There not much there to enjoy.
Tea trade in Taiwan is worth exploring. Hopefully your daughter has some familiarity.
Posted by
DinHo Ecotour (Vietnam)
36 posts
With 5 days in North, split your time between Hanoi and Ninh Binh or Halong Bay.
It could be (very) wet in Dong Hoi/ Phong Nha cave at that time of the year.