Real Thailand to Vietnam: Self-Launched Edition

Fly into Suvarnabhumi (BKK) or Don Mueang (DMK). Take the Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi to Phaya Thai station (~£1.50) or a shared taxi from Don Mueang (~£4). Check into a hostel near Khao San Road or Silom. Spend the afternoon wandering Khao San Road, visiting the Grand Palace (THB500/~£11) and watching the city come alive. Head out for street food dinner on Yaowarat (Chinatown) Road.

🚌Airport Rail Link from Suvarnabhumi to Phaya Thai (~£1.50) or shared taxi from Don Mueang (~£4)

🛏Lub d Bangkok Silom or NapPark Hostel @ Khao San Road — dorm from ~£8/night, private from ~£18/night

• →Arrive and check in near Khao San Road or Silom
• →Visit the Grand Palace (book direct at the gate, ~£11)
• →Explore Khao San Road and surrounds
• →Dinner at Yaowarat (Chinatown) street food stalls

Start the morning with a self-guided Chinatown walking tour along Yaowarat Road and Sampeng Lane wholesale market — free to explore independently. Visit Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (free entry). Grab lunch at a local noodle stall — fish ball noodles or tom yam pork for under £2. Spend the afternoon at your leisure (optional: Wat Arun ~£4, Jim Thompson's House ~£5, Thai massage ~£6). Head to Hua Lamphong Station in the evening to board the overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai (Train 9 or 13, departs ~18:00–19:00). Book via 12go.asia or the State Railway of Thailand website — 2nd class sleeper ~£15–18.

🚌Overnight sleeper train Bangkok → Chiang Mai, ~13 hours, ~£16 (2nd class sleeper). Book in advance at 12go.asia.

🛏Overnight sleeper train (2nd class AC bunk) — book via 12go.asia or railway.co.th, ~£16

• →Self-guided Chinatown walking tour along Yaowarat Road and Sampeng Lane (free)
• →Visit Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (free)
• →Lunch at a Chinatown noodle stall (~£2)
• →Optional: Wat Arun (~£4), Jim Thompson's House (~£5), Thai massage (~£6)
• →Board overnight sleeper train to Chiang Mai from Hua Lamphong Station

Arrive Chiang Mai in the morning (around 07:00–08:00). Take a red songthaew (shared taxi) from the station to your guesthouse in the Old City (~£1). Check in and freshen up. Spend the day exploring the Old City moat area and its many temples — Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh are unmissable. Optional day trips: hike up Doi Suthep (hire a songthaew for ~£3 return, entrance ~£1.50), or book a Thai cooking class via GetYourGuide (~£25–30). In the evening, browse the Chiang Mai Night Bazaar or the Saturday Walking Street.

🚌Red songthaew from train station to Old City (~£1); local songthaews for day trips (~£1–3)

🛏Stamps Backpackers or Julie Guesthouse — dorm from £8/night, private from £16/night

• →Arrive by overnight train; transfer to Old City by songthaew (~£1)
• →Explore Wat Chedi Luang and Wat Phra Singh (small donation expected)
• →Optional: Hike to Doi Suthep temple — songthaew ~£3 return + entrance ~£1.50
• →Optional: Thai cooking class via GetYourGuide or Cookery School (~£25–30)
• →Evening at the Night Bazaar or Saturday Walking Street

A full free day in Chiang Mai to fill with adventures. Popular options: a Muay Thai taster class at Lanna Muay Thai or Santai (~£8–10), an ethical elephant sanctuary visit via Elephant Nature Park (book direct, ~£65 — pricier but the gold standard for ethical encounters), cycling around the Old City moat (~£5 hire), or white-water rafting (~£35 via GetYourGuide). Alternatively, visit the lush Doi Inthanon National Park (~£6 entrance + £10–15 for a shared minivan). Wind down with a traditional Thai massage (~£6–8) and dinner in the Nimman neighbourhood's cafes and bars.

🚌Local songthaews and tuk-tuks for getting around (~£2–5/day)

🛏Stamps Backpackers or Julie Guesthouse — dorm from £8/night, private from £16/night

• →Optional: Muay Thai taster class (~£8–10)
• →Optional: Elephant Nature Park ethical elephant sanctuary (book direct, ~£65)
• →Optional: Cycling around the Old City moat (~£5 bike hire)
• →Optional: Doi Inthanon National Park (~£6 entrance + shared minivan ~£12)
• →Optional: White-water rafting (~£35 via GetYourGuide)
• →Thai massage (~£6–8)
• →Dinner and drinks in Nimman neighbourhood

After breakfast, head to Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal and catch the public bus to Nan. Buses depart several times daily and take approximately 6–7 hours (~£6–8, bookable at the terminal or via Busbud). Arrive in Nan in the afternoon, check into your guesthouse, then explore the laid-back town on foot. The highlight is Wat Phumin — a stunning 16th-century temple with famous murals — free to enter with a small donation. Grab dinner at the Nan Walking Street market (runs Friday–Saturday) or a local restaurant.

🚌Public bus Chiang Mai → Nan (~6–7 hours, ~£6–8). Book at Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal.

🛏Nan Guesthouse or Pukha Nanfa Hotel — budget private room ~£12–18/night

• →Morning bus from Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Terminal to Nan (~6–7 hours, ~£6–8)
• →Check in and freshen up
• →Visit Wat Phumin (free, small donation appreciated)
• →Self-guided orientation walk around Nan's old town
• →Dinner at the Nan Walking Street or a local restaurant

Start the morning wandering Nan's riverside galleries and coffee shops by the Nan River. Head to Cocoa Valley Chocolate Farm near Pua for a farm tour and chocolate-making workshop — book directly via their website or Facebook page (~£8–12 including workshop). Afterwards, visit the hand-weaving community enterprise in the Pua District, where Tai Lue women weave traditional textiles. This is easy to arrange independently by hiring a local songthaew or motorbike (hire ~£8/day). End the afternoon exploring Pua village before heading to the evening market for dinner.

🚌Hire a local songthaew or motorbike to get between Nan and Pua (~£8–10 for the day)

🛏Phuyha Resort or similar in Pua District — budget guesthouse/resort ~£15–20/night

• →Morning coffee by the Nan River and browse local galleries
• →Cocoa Valley Chocolate Farm tour and workshop (~£8–12, book direct)
• →Visit Tai Lue hand-weaving village in Pua District
• →Explore Pua village
• →Evening market dinner

An early start for the scenic drive through rural Northern Thailand to the Laos border at Huay Kon/Muang Ngeun. Cross the border (Laos e-visa arranged in advance at evisa.gov.la, ~£30) and pause at the small village of Muang Ngeun in Xayaburi Province to see cotton-weaving communities and a local Buddhist temple before continuing south to Luang Prabang. The best way to do this stretch independently is to book a minivan transfer through your guesthouse in Nan or Pua, or via 12go.asia (~£15–20). Arrive in Luang Prabang in the afternoon. At sunset, climb Wat Phu Si hill (entrance ~£2) for sweeping views over the Mekong and rooftops. Head to the Talad Mued (Phusi) Night Market for a traditional Sindad BBQ dinner.

🚌Minivan transfer Nan/Pua → Luang Prabang via Huay Kon border (~5 hours, ~£15–20). Book via 12go.asia or your guesthouse.

🛏Sayo River Guesthouse or Phonheuang Guesthouse — budget private ~£14–20/night

• →Morning border crossing at Huay Kon/Muang Ngeun — arrange Laos e-visa in advance at evisa.gov.la (~£30)
• →Stop at Muang Ngeun village — see cotton weaving and local Buddhist temple
• →Arrive Luang Prabang and self-guided orientation walk
• →Sunset hike up Wat Phu Si hill (~£2 entrance)
• →Sindad BBQ dinner at Talad Mued Night Market

Take a tuk-tuk or join a shared songthaew to Kuang Si Waterfalls, about 30km south of town (~£3–4 each way). Entrance is ~£2. The three-tiered turquoise falls are stunning — hike the trail to the upper falls or swim in the lower pools. Return to Luang Prabang in time for a Mekong sunset cruise — easily bookable at the riverfront for ~£5–8 per person (1–2 hours, local boats depart from the main pier). Grab dinner on the main street or at the night market.

🚌Shared tuk-tuk/songthaew to Kuang Si (~£4 return). Local boat for sunset cruise (~£5–8).

🛏Sayo River Guesthouse or Phonheuang Guesthouse — budget private ~£14–20/night

• →Morning trip to Kuang Si Waterfalls by shared tuk-tuk or songthaew (~£4 return, ~£2 entrance)
• →Swim in the waterfalls or hike the upper trail
• →Afternoon return to Luang Prabang
• →Mekong sunset boat cruise (~£5–8, book at the riverfront pier)
• →Dinner at the night market or a riverside restaurant

A free day to soak up the UNESCO-listed city at your own pace. Top picks: visit Wat Xieng Thong (~£3, one of Southeast Asia's most beautiful temples), explore the Royal Palace National Museum (~£3), hike Mt Phu Si again at dawn for the best light, or take a Lao cooking class (~£25–38 via GetYourGuide). Treat yourself to a Lao herbal sauna and massage at the Laos Red Cross centre — sauna ~£1, massage ~£3.50 — outstanding value. Browse the Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Centre for textiles and weaving demonstrations.

🚌Explore on foot or hire a bicycle (~£2/day)

🛏Sayo River Guesthouse or Phonheuang Guesthouse — budget private ~£14–20/night

• →Visit Wat Xieng Thong (~£3)
• →Royal Palace National Museum (~£3)
• →Optional: Lao cooking class via GetYourGuide (~£25–38)
• →Laos Red Cross herbal sauna (~£1) and traditional massage (~£3.50)
• →Browse Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Centre (free entry, workshops from ~£45)
• →UXO Lao Visitor Centre to learn about landmine legacy (~£1.50)

Rise before dawn (around 05:30–06:00) to respectfully observe the Tak Bat alms-giving procession — monks in saffron robes collect offerings from locals. Watch quietly from a distance without a camera flash and buy sticky rice to offer if you wish. Spend the morning at leisure in Luang Prabang, perhaps lunching at one of the excellent French-Lao bakeries on Sisavangvong Road. Take a tuk-tuk to Luang Prabang train station and board the Laos-China high-speed railway to Vang Vieng (~1.5 hours, ~£8–12). Book tickets in advance via 12go.asia — seats sell out. Note: no spray aerosols permitted on the train. Check into your hotel and enjoy the dramatic karst scenery.

🚌High-speed Laos-China Railway Luang Prabang → Vang Vieng (~1.5 hours, ~£8–12). Book in advance at 12go.asia. Tuk-tuk to station ~£2.

🛏Vang Vieng Backpackers or Central Backpackers — dorm from £7/night, private from £15/night

• →Pre-dawn Tak Bat alms-giving ceremony observation (respectful viewing, free)
• →Leisurely morning — coffee and pastries at a French-Lao bakery
• →Tuk-tuk to Luang Prabang train station
• →High-speed train to Vang Vieng (~1.5 hours, ~£8–12, book via 12go.asia)
• →Arrive Vang Vieng — check in and explore the riverside

A free day in one of Laos' most naturally beautiful spots. Cross the Nam Song River on a bamboo bridge (~£0.50) and head to Tham Poukham Cave with its blue-green lagoon and reclining Buddha (~£2). Rent a bicycle for the day (~£2) to explore nearby villages, rice paddies and monasteries. Alternatively, book a half-day kayaking trip on the Nam Song River (~£15–20 via a local guesthouse operator). The Blue Lagoon (Lagoon 3) is popular for swimming and rope swings (~£1.50 entrance). End the day watching the sunset over the karst mountains from any of the riverside bars.

🚌Bicycle hire (~£2/day); bamboo bridge to West Bank (~£0.50)

🛏Vang Vieng Backpackers or Central Backpackers — dorm from £7/night, private from £15/night

• →Cross the bamboo bridge to the West Bank (~£0.50)
• →Visit Tham Poukham Cave and blue-green lagoon (~£2)
• →Rent a bicycle and explore villages and rice paddies (~£2/day)
• →Optional: Half-day Nam Song River kayaking (~£15–20, book at local guesthouses)
• →Blue Lagoon swimming (~£1.50 entrance)
• →Sunset drinks at a riverside bar

After breakfast, take the high-speed train from Vang Vieng to Vientiane (~£5–8, ~40 minutes) or catch a public bus (~£4, ~4 hours) — the train is strongly recommended. Arrive in Vientiane and check into a central guesthouse. In the afternoon, explore the French-colonial capital on foot: snap photos at the iconic Patuxai Victory Monument (free outside, ~£0.50 to climb), stroll down the riverside Quai Fa Ngum promenade, and visit Wat Si Saket — the oldest temple in Vientiane (~£1.50). Make time to visit the COPE Visitor Centre (free, donations welcome), which documents the devastating legacy of UXO contamination across Laos — a sobering and important experience. Grab dinner on Quai Fa Ngum Road.

🚌High-speed train Vang Vieng → Vientiane (~40 mins, ~£5–8). Book via 12go.asia.

🛏Mixok Inn or Syri 1 Guesthouse — budget private room ~£12–18/night

• →Morning high-speed train Vang Vieng → Vientiane (~40 mins, ~£5–8, via 12go.asia)
• →Visit Patuxai Victory Monument (free / ~£0.50 to climb)
• →Walk the Quai Fa Ngum riverside promenade
• →Visit Wat Si Saket (~£1.50)
• →COPE Visitor Centre — UXO awareness (free, donations welcome)
• →Dinner on Quai Fa Ngum Road

Check out and take a tuk-tuk or taxi to Wattay International Airport (~£5–8). Fly Vientiane (VTE) → Hanoi (HAN) — book in advance with Lao Airlines, Vietnam Airlines or budget carrier Bamboo Airways. Flights typically take ~1 hour and can be found for £40–80 if booked ahead. On arrival at Noi Bai International Airport, take the 86 Express Bus to Hanoi Old Quarter (~£1.50) or a Grab (Southeast Asian Uber) taxi (~£8–10). Arrange your Vietnam e-visa before departure at evisa.vietnam.gov.vn (~£18). Check in near the Old Quarter (Hoan Kiem Lake area). Spend the evening exploring the Old Quarter's 36 streets and enjoy your first bia hoi (draught beer ~£0.20) at a street-corner stall.

🚌Tuk-tuk/taxi to Vientiane airport (~£6); flight VTE→HAN (~£40–80); Express Bus 86 from Noi Bai to Old Quarter (~£1.50).

🛏Hanoi Backpackers Hostel (Downtown) or Old Quarter View Hostel — dorm from £7/night, private from £16/night

• →Fly Vientiane → Hanoi (~1 hour, book in advance ~£40–80 via Skyscanner)
• →Arrange Vietnam e-visa before trip at evisa.vietnam.gov.vn (~£18)
• →Transfer to Old Quarter via Express Bus 86 (~£1.50) or Grab taxi (~£8–10)
• →Explore Hoan Kiem Lake and Ngoc Son Temple (Jade Island, ~£1)
• →Bia hoi street corner beers and street food dinner in the Old Quarter

Spend a full day soaking up Vietnam's buzzing capital. Must-sees include the Temple of Literature (~£1.50), the Old Quarter's winding ancient streets, and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex (free, closed Mon/Fri). The Hoa Lo Prison Museum ('Hanoi Hilton') offers sobering historical context (~£1). Book a street food walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£20–25) for the best introduction to bun cha, pho and banh mi. In the evening, grab a bia hoi at the famous Bia Hoi Corner (Ly Thuong Kiet/Ta Hien junction) and enjoy the mayhem of the Old Quarter streets after dark.

🚌Walking and Grab/Xe om motorbike taxis (~£1–3 per ride)

🛏Hanoi Backpackers Hostel (Downtown) or Old Quarter View Hostel — dorm from £7/night, private from £16/night

• →Temple of Literature (~£1.50)
• →Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum complex (free, check opening days)
• →Hoa Lo Prison Museum (~£1)
• →Street food walking tour via GetYourGuide (~£20–25)
• →Bia Hoi Corner for evening drinks (~£0.20/beer)

Catch a bus or train from Hanoi to Ninh Binh — regular buses depart from My Dinh or Giap Bat bus stations (~£3–5, ~2 hours) or the Reunification Express train takes around 2 hours (~£4–6, book via 12go.asia or dsvn.vn). Ninh Binh is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed landscape of dramatic karst mountains, rice paddies and ancient citadels. Hire a bicycle on arrival (~£2/day) to explore independently. In the afternoon, cycle to Tam Coc and take a 2-hour rowing boat trip through the cave-riddled limestone landscape (~£4–5 for the boat). The sunset view from Mua Cave viewpoint is spectacular — entrance ~£2, about 500 steps to climb.

🚌Bus or train Hanoi → Ninh Binh (~2 hours, ~£3–6). Bicycle hire locally (~£2/day).

🛏Tam Coc Garden or Nguyen Shack Ninh Binh — budget guesthouse ~£10–18/night

• →Morning bus or train Hanoi → Ninh Binh (~2 hours, ~£3–6)
• →Hire a bicycle on arrival (~£2/day)
• →Tam Coc rowing boat trip through limestone caves (~£4–5)
• →Hike up Mua Cave for panoramic sunset views (~£2 entrance, ~500 steps)

A full day to explore more of Ninh Binh at a leisurely pace by bicycle. Cycle to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital — Vietnam's 10th-century capital, with beautifully restored temples (~£1.50 entrance). Continue to Bich Dong Pagoda, a stunning pagoda built into a limestone cliff (free). If you didn't catch the Mua Cave sunset yesterday, do it today. In the evening, join a local cooking class through your guesthouse or head to a local com binh dan (Vietnamese rice restaurant) for a meal with the locals for under £3.

🚌Bicycle hire (~£2/day for full exploration)

🛏Tam Coc Garden or Nguyen Shack Ninh Binh — budget guesthouse ~£10–18/night

• →Cycle to Hoa Lu Ancient Capital temples (~£1.50 entrance)
• →Visit Bich Dong Pagoda built into limestone cliffs (free)
• →Optional second visit to Mua Cave for sunrise (~£2)
• →Local cooking class at your guesthouse or evening meal at a com binh dan restaurant

Head back to Hanoi by bus (~£3–5) then continue onward to Cat Ba Island via the Hung Thinh ferry service from Hai Phong, or book a direct tourist minibus + ferry combo from Hanoi to Cat Ba (~£10–15, around 4–5 hours total via 12go.asia or book through your hostel). Cat Ba is the gateway to Lan Ha Bay — the quieter, equally beautiful neighbour to Ha Long Bay. Check in at Cat Ba Town and book a Lan Ha Bay kayaking day tour for tomorrow through a local operator.

🚌Minibus + ferry combo Hanoi/Ninh Binh → Cat Ba Island (~4–5 hours total, ~£10–15). Book via 12go.asia.

🛏Cat Ba Dream Hostel or Noble House — dorm from £7/night, private from £15/night

• →Morning bus/minivan from Ninh Binh back toward Hanoi (~2 hours, ~£3–5)
• →Connect to Cat Ba Island via minibus + ferry combo (~£10–15, book via 12go.asia)
• →Arrive Cat Ba Town and check in
• →Book Lan Ha Bay kayaking day trip for tomorrow at a local operator
• →Explore Cat Ba Town in the evening — seafood dinner on the harbour front

Join a day trip to Lan Ha Bay — the self-guided traveller's answer to Ha Long Bay, with fewer crowds and equally stunning scenery. Book a full-day boat tour with kayaking from a local Cat Ba operator (Asia Outdoors, Cat Ba Ventures or via GetYourGuide, ~£30–45). The tour typically includes kayaking through limestone caves and hidden lagoons, snorkelling, and lunch on the boat. Alternatively, rent a kayak independently from the harbour front and paddle to the nearest islands. In the evening, try the famous grilled seafood restaurants along Cat Ba Town's harbour.

🚌Boat tour departs from Cat Ba Town harbour (included in tour price)

🛏Cat Ba Dream Hostel or Noble House — dorm from £7/night, private from £15/night

• →Full-day Lan Ha Bay boat trip with kayaking (~£30–45, book locally via Asia Outdoors or GetYourGuide)
• →Kayak through limestone caves and hidden lagoons
• →Snorkelling off the boat
• →Lunch on the boat (usually included in tour price)
• →Evening seafood dinner on Cat Ba harbour

Take the morning ferry and minibus back from Cat Ba to Hanoi (~£10–12). From Hanoi, head to Hanoi Station and board the Reunification Express overnight train to Hue (Train SE19 or SE3, departs evening, arrives early morning). A 2nd class soft sleeper berth costs approximately £20–28 — book via 12go.asia or dsvn.vn well in advance. The journey takes around 12–13 hours through spectacular central Vietnamese countryside. Hue is Vietnam's former imperial capital, full of UNESCO-listed monuments.

🚌Ferry + minibus Cat Ba → Hanoi (~£10–12). Overnight train Hanoi → Hue (~12–13 hours, ~£20–28 soft sleeper via 12go.asia).

🛏Overnight train (2nd class soft sleeper, 4-berth cabin)

• →Morning ferry + minibus Cat Ba → Hanoi (~£10–12)
• →Free afternoon in Hanoi — optional: additional street food or city exploring
• →Board overnight Reunification Express train Hanoi → Hue (departs ~19:00–21:00, ~£20–28 soft sleeper, book via 12go.asia)

Arrive in Hue in the morning. Take a Grab taxi or xe om from the station to your guesthouse (~£2–3). Hue was Vietnam's imperial capital from 1802–1945 and is packed with UNESCO-listed sites. Rent a bicycle or motorbike (~£5–8/day) to explore independently. The Imperial Citadel is the centrepiece (~£8 entrance). Cycle along the Perfume River to visit the atmospheric royal tombs — Tu Duc Tomb and Khai Dinh Tomb are the most photogenic (~£4–5 each). In the evening, try Hue's iconic bun bo Hue (spicy beef noodle soup) from a street stall for under £1.50.

🚌Grab/xe om from train station (~£2–3). Bicycle or motorbike hire for sightseeing (~£5–8/day).

🛏Hue Backpackers or Canary Boutique Hotel — dorm from £7/night, private from £15/night

• →Arrive Hue by overnight train; Grab taxi/xe om to guesthouse (~£2–3)
• →Hue Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City (~£8 entrance)
• →Cycle along Perfume River to Tu Duc Royal Tomb (~£4) and Khai Dinh Tomb (~£5)
• →Optional: Thien Mu Pagoda (free, accessible by bicycle)
• →Bun bo Hue street dinner (~£1.50)

The journey from Hue to Hoi An is one of the most scenic in Southeast Asia. The most memorable way to do it independently is by booking an Easy Rider motorbike tour over the Hai Van Pass (~£25–35, includes stops at the pass and Da Nang viewpoints, book via GetYourGuide or locally in Hue). Alternatively, take a public minibus/open tour bus (~£5–8) or the train to Da Nang (~£4–6) and then a taxi/Grab to Hoi An (~£8). Arrive in Hoi An in the afternoon — the Ancient Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is best explored on foot in the afternoon light. Pick up a combined Ancient Town entry ticket (~£4) which gives access to 5 heritage sites.

🚌Easy Rider motorbike tour Hue → Hoi An over Hai Van Pass (~£25–35) OR minibus/open bus (~£5–8) + Grab taxi to Hoi An (~£8).

🛏Hoi An Backpackers or Mia Mia Homestay — dorm from £7/night, private from £14/night

• →Scenic journey Hue → Hoi An over the Hai Van Pass (Easy Rider motorbike tour ~£25–35 via GetYourGuide, or minibus ~£5–8)
• →Arrive Hoi An Ancient Town in the afternoon
• →Ancient Town heritage ticket — access to 5 sites including Japanese Covered Bridge (~£4)
• →Browse the tailors on Tran Phu Street for custom-made clothes
• →Evening on the lantern-lit riverfront

A full day in charming Hoi An. In the morning, book a garden-to-table cooking class with a local chef — several operators run these from herb gardens on the outskirts of town including Thuan Tinh Island Cooking Tour and Morning Glory Cooking School (~£20–35, book via GetYourGuide). You'll pick your own fresh ingredients, learn to make Vietnamese classics and eat your own lunch. The afternoon is yours — browse the Ancient Town, commission some custom-made clothing (budget £15–50 depending on items), or rent a bicycle and cycle to An Bang Beach (~5km from town, free). In the evening, join a lantern-making workshop (~£8–12) or take a boat ride along the Thu Bon River to see the lanterns reflected on the water (~£3).

🚌Bicycle hire for the day (~£2). Grab for longer distances.

🛏Hoi An Backpackers or Mia Mia Homestay — dorm from £7/night, private from £14/night

• →Garden-to-table cooking class with local chef (~£20–35 via GetYourGuide or Morning Glory Cooking School)
• →Pick fresh ingredients at the herb garden and cook your own lunch
• →Afternoon: browse Ancient Town and visit tailors for custom clothing (budget £15–50)
• →Optional: cycle to An Bang Beach (~5km, free beach)
• →Evening lantern-making workshop (~£8–12) or Thu Bon River boat ride (~£3)

Take a Grab taxi or bicycle to Da Nang Airport (~35km from Hoi An, ~£10–12 by taxi). Fly Da Nang (DAD) → Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon (SGN) — book in advance with VietJet, Bamboo Airways or Vietnam Airlines (~£20–40 for a budget domestic flight). Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and take a Grab taxi or the 109 Airport Bus to the city centre (~£1.50 by bus or ~£5–8 by Grab). Check into the Bui Vien backpacker area or District 1. Spend the evening exploring the mayhem and energy of Saigon — grab a banh mi (~£0.80) and a beer on Bui Vien Walking Street.

🚌Grab taxi Hoi An → Da Nang Airport (~£10–12). Domestic flight DAD→SGN (~£20–40). Airport Bus 109 → District 1 (~£1.50).

🛏The Hideout Hostel or Saigon Backpackers — dorm from £7/night, private from £14/night

• →Grab taxi/tuk-tuk from Hoi An to Da Nang Airport (~£10–12)
• →Domestic flight Da Nang → Ho Chi Minh City (~1 hour, ~£20–40 via VietJet/Bamboo — book in advance)
• →Transfer to city centre by Airport Bus 109 (~£1.50) or Grab (~£5–8)
• →Check in to Bui Vien backpacker area, District 1
• →Banh mi street dinner (~£0.80) and evening on Bui Vien Walking Street

Your final day in Southeast Asia. Start at the War Remnants Museum — one of the most powerful and important museums in the region (~£2). Continue to the Reunification Palace (~£2.50) and Notre-Dame Cathedral (currently under restoration, free outside). Explore Ben Thanh Market for last-minute souvenirs and street food. In the afternoon, book a Cu Chi Tunnels half-day tour via GetYourGuide (~£12–18 including transport, highly recommended) to see the remarkable wartime tunnel network used by the Viet Cong. Return to HCMC for a farewell dinner in District 1 — try com tam (broken rice with grilled pork) at a local rice shop for ~£2.

🚌Grab taxis for getting around HCMC (~£1–3 per ride). Cu Chi Tunnels transport included in GetYourGuide tour price.

🛏The Hideout Hostel or Saigon Backpackers — dorm from £7/night, private from £14/night

• →War Remnants Museum (~£2)
• →Reunification Palace (~£2.50)
• →Ben Thanh Market — souvenirs and street food
• →Cu Chi Tunnels half-day tour via GetYourGuide (~£12–18 including transport)
• →Farewell dinner in District 1 — com tam broken rice (~£2) or a rooftop bar splurge