Vietnam and Thailand Itinerary: How to Combine Both in 2–4 Weeks

Vietnam and Thailand are neighbours in the traveller’s imagination but very different on the ground. Vietnam is long and thin, with mountains, a dramatic coastline and food that leans on fresh herbs; Thailand offers golden temples, a famous island scene and a well-oiled tourism industry. Together they make one of the best long journeys in Asia, especially if you add Angkor in Cambodia, which sits neatly between the two. This guide explains how to split your days, the best order, and what our itineraries cost.

How many days do you need?

With two weeks, we usually advise choosing one country, or Vietnam plus a short Bangkok stop. With three weeks, both countries fit comfortably. With four weeks, you can add Cambodia or Laos and a proper beach stay at the end.

Our Thailand and combination itineraries

Prices are our published “from” prices per person for the whole tour; the exact price depends on your dates, group size and hotels. Every itinerary can be combined with a Vietnam route and run privately with your own guide and driver.

A sample 21-day route, step by step

Here is how a three-week Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand journey typically flows with us. Days 1–3: Hanoi and a day trip to Ninh Binh. Days 4–5: overnight cruise on Halong Bay, then an evening flight to Da Nang. Days 6–8: Hoi An, with time for the old town, a cooking class and the beach. Days 9–11: fly to Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels and a day in the Mekong Delta. Days 12–14: fly to Siem Reap for the temples of Angkor, including sunrise at Angkor Wat and the jungle temple of Ta Prohm. Days 15–17: fly to Bangkok for the Grand Palace, Wat Pho and Wat Arun, a canal trip and the food markets. Days 18–21: fly south to a beach such as Krabi or Phuket, or north to Chiang Mai, before flying home.

The rhythm matters as much as the route. We keep at least three nights in most places, avoid flights before 8 am where possible, and leave a few free afternoons. That is what makes three weeks across three countries feel like a holiday rather than a race.

Which order: Vietnam first or Thailand first?

We usually suggest Vietnam first, Thailand last. Vietnam involves more moving around (flights between the north, centre and south), while Thailand, especially a beach at the end, is easier to relax into before the flight home. Practically, the simplest route is to fly into Hanoi, travel south through Vietnam, fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Siem Reap or Bangkok, and fly home from Bangkok. Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City is about a 1.5-hour flight, and Bangkok to Hanoi about two hours.

The Vietnam part of the trip

Ten to twelve days covers Vietnam’s essentials: Hanoi and a day in Ninh Binh, a night on Halong Bay, three nights in Hoi An, and Saigon with the Mekong Delta. Our 14-day Vietnam itinerary shows the full route; for a combination trip we normally remove Sapa or Ba Na Hills to keep the pace comfortable.

Adding Cambodia or Laos in between

Siem Reap and the temples of Angkor need two or three days and fit naturally between Saigon and Bangkok, with direct flights on both sides. Laos is slower and quieter: Luang Prabang, with its temples, morning alms giving and the turquoise Kuang Si waterfall, is worth three or four days. See our Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos itineraries and Laos tours.

Who we design these journeys for

Most guests who combine several countries with us are couples and travellers aged roughly 40 to 65, and families with older children, who want hand-picked 4–5★ hotels, private guides and an unhurried pace. For them, the value of one operator for the whole route is that flights, transfers and hotels are coordinated, and there is one 24/7 contact if anything changes.

Practical tips

• Visas: rules differ for each country and change from time to time. Vietnam offers e-visas; Thailand, Cambodia and Laos have their own visa or exemption rules depending on nationality. Check each country’s official website before booking flights.
• Season: November to March is the most popular period for a combined trip, with dry weather in Thailand, Cambodia and southern Vietnam; northern Vietnam is cool then.
• Luggage: regional flights may have lower baggage limits; we include the right allowance in our flight bookings.

Planning the Thailand part in detail? See our private Thailand tours (from US$700 for 5 days around Bangkok and Ayutthaya) and our Vietnam tour operator page; for a beach ending in Indonesia instead, see Vietnam and Bali.

Frequently asked questions

Is three weeks enough for Vietnam and Thailand?

Yes. Three weeks covers the highlights of both, or Vietnam, Angkor and Bangkok with a short beach stay.

Is it cheaper to book Vietnam and Thailand separately?

Not necessarily. One operator can coordinate flights and transfers between countries and avoid gaps in the plan, which often saves both money and time.

Can you include Thailand’s islands?

Yes, for example Phuket and Krabi in our 10-day Bangkok, Phuket & Krabi itinerary.

Is Vietnam or Thailand better for a first trip to Southeast Asia?

Thailand is easier for a very first trip, with more flights and simple beach add-ons. Vietnam offers more variety in one country and feels less crowded. Both start from about US$1,400 per person for 10 private days.

Is Vietnam cheaper than Thailand?

For private tours the difference is small: our 10-day private tours start from about US$1,400 per person in both countries. Hotels and meals on the street are often a little cheaper in Vietnam.

Metta Voyage is a Hanoi-based, licensed international tour operator (licence 01-1167/2023/CDLQGVN-GP LHQT) with 2,000+ international bookings and a 4.9 rating on Tripadvisor.

Written by the Metta Voyage travel team in Hanoi. Last updated October 2026. Prices are Metta Voyage’s published 2026–2027 “from” prices; your quote confirms the exact price for your dates. Photos: Metta Voyage.

Private tours to consider

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