As you embark on a trip to Vietnam and Thailand in 14 days, you will have the opportunity to explore numerous significant landscapes, learn more about the rich cultures, and indulge in the savory culinary delights of the two Southeast Asian gems. This 14-day adventure will bring you to several ancient temples, luxurious cruises on the serene waters, or vibrant scenes in big cities.
Why to Spend 14 Days in Vietnam and Thailand?
Is 14 days enough to truly experience Vietnam and Thailand? It’s a valid question given the cultural richness and diverse attractions of these two countries.
Even though 2 weeks in Vietnam and Thailand might sound quite short to discover all the interesting places, you can still delve into the highlights and even some hidden treasures. While Vietnam has been famous for its bustling cities, historical sites, and tranquil landscapes all over the country, Thailand is renowned for its systems of ancient temples, pristine beaches, and vibrant cities. With 14 days in Vietnam and Thailand, you will surely gain varied experiences when stopping by numerous destinations.
When to Visit Vietnam and Thailand?
As the weather plays a significant role in shaping the experiences of travelers, understanding the distinct climate patterns in each country can help you make the most of your journey in 14 days in Vietnam and Thailand.
Vietnam’s Varied Climate
Vietnam boasts a diverse climate due to its elongated geography. The north experiences four distinct seasons, with chilly winters and hot, humid summers. Central Vietnam enjoys a tropical climate, making it an ideal year-round destination. The south, including Ho Chi Minh City, has a tropical monsoon climate with distinct wet and dry seasons. Be prepared for some rain, especially if you visit during the wet season from May to October. Pack lightweight, breathable clothing for those humid days, and don’t forget a light rain jacket or umbrella.
>>> Read more: The Best Time to Visit Vietnam.
Thailand’s Tropical Paradise
Thailand, on the other hand, predominantly offers a tropical climate throughout the year. The dry season, from November to February, is the most popular time to visit, with pleasant temperatures and minimal rainfall. March to May marks the hot season, with scorching temperatures, especially in central Thailand. The wet season, from June to October, brings heavy rains and can lead to flooding in some areas, but it’s also a time when lush green landscapes flourish.
Ideal Itineraries for the Best 14 Days in Vietnam and Thailand
Itinerary 1: Explore All Highlights of Vietnam and Thailand
Day 1 – Hanoi Arrival & Leisure: Arrive in Hanoi and spend your free time relaxing at the hotel or discovering Hanoi city.
Day 2 – Hanoi Highlights Tour: Hanoi City Tour – Visit attraction highlights in Hanoi: Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, Tran Quoc Pagoda, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, and Museum of Ethnology.
Day 3 – Ha Long Bay Cruise: Head to Ha Long Bay from Hanoi, get on a luxurious cruise, and explore the bay.
Day 4 – Return & Fly to Hue: After spending a morning on the cruise, you will get back to Hanoi to take a flight to Hue – a city in central Vietnam.
Day 5 – Hue City Discovery: Hue City Tour – Discover famous places in Hue: Thien Mu Pagoda, Imperial Citadel, and Dong Ba Market.
Day 6 – To Hoi An & Biking Tour: You will move to Hoi An Ancient Town by car to enjoy the beautiful landscapes along the road and join a biking tour around the town in the afternoon.
Day 7 – Da Nang to HCMC Flight: Head to Da Nang to take a flight to Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), you will have free time in HCMC in the evening.
Day 8 – Mekong Delta Excursion: Travel to the Mekong Delta and explore the region on a traditional board. You will get back to HCMC before dinner.
Day 9 – HCMC Tour & Bangkok Bound: Half-day City Tour in HCMC, visit Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Saigon Post Office. Fly to Bangkok in the afternoon.
Day 10 – Bangkok Temple Tour: Join the Bangkok City Tour and explore several famous temples in the city like Wat Traimit, Wat Pho, and Wat Phra Kaew.
Day 11 – Chiang Mai Arrival & Doi Suthep: Fly to Chiang Mai from Bangkok in the morning and discover Doi Suthep Temple in the afternoon.
Day 12 – Chiang Mai City Exploration: Explore Chiang Mai via a city tour, visiting Bhubing Palace, Chiang Mai Temple, Phra Singh Temple, and Chedi Luang Temple.
Day 13 – Thai Cooking Class: You will participate in a cooking class on this day, learning the recipes and tricks of Thai cuisine.
Day 14 – Departure from Chiang Mai: Depart from Chiang Mai, the end of the itinerary.
Itinerary 2: Immerse in the Nature – Best for Adventure Lovers
Day 1 – Arrival & Free Time in Hanoi: After you arrive in Hanoi, you will have free time to relax and discover the city at your own pace.
Day 2 – Hanoi City Tour: Embark on the Hanoi City Tour in the morning and watch the Water Puppet Show in the afternoon. You will travel to Sa Pa by a night train.
Day 3 – Sa Pa Trekking Adventure: Discover Sa Pa by trekking to Cat Cat and Sin Chai local villages and see the Cat Cat Waterfall.
Day 4 – Sa Pa Exploration & Return to Hanoi: Enjoy the Sa Pa Tour with two options: trekking to Lao Chai and Ta Van villages or visiting Fansipang Peak – the Roof of Indochina. You will get on the night train to get back to Hanoi.
Day 5 – Ha Long Bay Cruise Experience: After arriving in Hanoi, you will travel to Ha Long Bay to get on a cruise, join some on-deck activities, and visit some stops on the bay.
Day 6 – Morning Cruise & Hanoi Night Stay: You will spend the morning on the cruise before getting back to Hanoi and spend the night here.
Day 7 – Hanoi to Bangkok Flight: Fly to Bangkok from Hanoi and have free time to relax.
Day 8 – Bangkok’s Grand Palace & Temples: You will get to discover the Grand Palace and a set of sensational temples in Bangkok, including Wat Phra Kaew and the Temple of the Emerald Buddha.
Day 9 – Ayutthaya Day Trip: Venture to Ayutthaya and explore several spiritual temples in the ancient capital of Thailand. You will get back to Bangkok City in the afternoon.
Day 10 – Kanchanaburi Visit & Return: You will travel to Kanchanaburi, a riverside town outside Bangkok, and visit the Bridge of River Kwai and the Thailand – Burma Railway Museum. Head back to Bangkok in the afternoon.
Day 11 – Fly to Phuket & Relax: Travel to Phuket from Bangkok by airplane and have leisure time to relax after the flight.
Day 12 – Phuket Free Day: Free day in Phuket, explore the island at your own pace.
Day 13 – Phi Phi Islands Excursion: Embark on a journey to Phi Phi Islands, enjoy the beauty of the tranquil beach, and visit Maya Bay.
Day 14 – Departure from Phuket: Depart from Phuket, and finish your itinerary.
Itinerary 3: Enjoy Relaxation on the Beaches in Vietnam and Thailand
Day 1 – Arrival & Hanoi Exploration: Arrive in Hanoi and have free time to explore Hanoi on your way.
Day 2 – Hanoi City Tour & Cycling: Embark on the Hanoi City Tour and visit Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, etc., and cycle in the Old Quarter.
Day 3 – Ha Long Bay Cruise Begins: Travel to Ha Long City by car and then get on a luxury cruise, visiting Lan Ha Bay and joining in some activities on deck.
Day 4 – Cruise Activities & Kayaking: You will spend the morning relaxing on the cruise and visiting Viet Hai jetty, then swim or kayak in the afternoon.
Day 5 – Cat Ba Island & Flight to Da Nang: Visit Cat Ba Island in the morning before heading back to Hanoi to take a flight to Da Nang and travel to Hoi An.
Day 6 – Hoi An Cultural Activities: Explore Hoi An by joining interesting activities here, for example, participating in a cooking class or visiting a vegetable village.
Day 7 – Relaxing Day in Hoi An: Leisure day in Hoi An to relax and enjoy the beach.
Day 8 – Flight to Ho Chi Minh City: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City from Da Nang and enjoy free time.
Day 9 – Cu Chi Tunnels & HCMC Tour: Visit Cu Chi Tunnels and explore some of HCMC’s historical sites: War Remnants Museum, Old Saigon Post Office, Saigon Opera House, etc.
Day 10 – Mekong Delta Adventure: You will get to embark on a Mekong Delta trip, join a boat ride, visit traditional villages, and enjoy local music and food.
Day 11 – Phuket Arrival: Fly to Phuket from HCMC and attend the Phuket Fantasea show with dinner.
Day 12 – Phi Phi & Surrounding Islands Tour: Enjoy the speedboat tour to Phi Phi, Maya, and Khai Nok Island.
Day 13 – Free Day in Phuket: Free day in Phuket so you can relax on your own.
Day 14 – Phuket Departure: Depart from Phuket, end of 16 days in Vietnam and Thailand.
>>> Looking for more wonderful beach holidays in these countries, you can refer to our list of best Vietnam beach & leisure or Thailand beach vacations.
Itinerary 4: Discover Vietnam and Thailand and Stop by Cambodia
Day 1 – Bangkok Arrival & Exploration: Arrive in Bangkok and enjoy free time exploring the city.
Day 2 – Bangkok City Highlights Tour: Bangkok City Tour – Visit Khlong Lat Mayom floating market, boat ride along canals, and discover Wat Arun, Wat Pho, and Chatuchak Market.
Day 3 – Chiang Mai Temples Discovery: Fly to Chiang Mai from Bangkok and visit Wat Phra Singh, Wat Chedi Luang, and Wat Chiang Man.
Day 4 – Chiang Mai Activities & Culture: Join interesting activities in Chiang Mai, like visiting the elephant rescue center or participating in a Thai cooking class.
Day 5 – Phuket Arrival & Beach Leisure: Fly to Phuket from Chiang Mai and have leisure time to relax by the beach or explore the Old Town.
Day 6 – Phi Phi Island Excursion: Full-day excursion to Phi Phi Island.
Day 7 – Siem Reap Arrival & Relaxation: Fly to Siem Reap (Cambodia) and enjoy free time to relax after the flight.
Day 8 – Angkor Wat Exploration: Explore the famous Angkor Wat – a UNESCO World Heritage Centre.
Day 9 – Journey to Hanoi: Depart Cambodia for Hanoi, Vietnam.
Day 10 – Ha Long Bay Cruise Adventure: Head to Ha Long Bay from Hanoi by car and get on a luxury cruise to travel around the bay.
Day 11 – Morning Cruise & Da Nang Flight: Enjoy the morning on the cruise and fly to Da Nang from Hanoi in the afternoon.
Day 12 – Discovering Da Nang: Spend a full day exploring Da Nang by visiting Golden Bridge, Ba Na Hill.
Day 13 – Ho Chi Minh City Tour: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City and join the half-day city tour, visiting Notre Dame Cathedral, War Remnants Museum, and Independence Palace.
Day 14 – Departure from Ho Chi Minh City: Depart Ho Chi Minh City.
Interesting Events to Join in Vietnam and Thailand
Tet Festival in Vietnam
Often referred to as the Vietnamese New Year, the Tet Festival is the most significant event in Vietnam’s cultural calendar. Celebrated at the same time as the Chinese New Year, it marks the arrival of spring based on the lunisolar calendar. Families gather to share festive meals, decorate their homes with red and gold (colors signifying luck and prosperity), and give each other gifts. The streets are alive with parades, lion dances, and fireworks. For travelers, Tet offers an unparalleled insight into the richness of Vietnamese culture and traditions.
Hoi An Lantern Festival
Hoi An Colorful Lanterns
A mesmerizing monthly event, the Hoi An Lantern Festival transforms the quaint ancient town of Hoi An into a magical world of lantern-lit wonder. Held on the full moon of every lunar month, this event is a tribute to the town’s rich history and its connection with the Silk Route. As the sun sets, electric lights go off, and thousands of colorful lanterns glow along the streets, over bridges, and on the Thu Bon River. Join locals as they release paper lanterns on the water, sending wishes for health, happiness, and prosperity.
Thailand’s Songkran Festival
Songkran Festival
Welcome to the world’s biggest water fight! Songkran, Thailand’s traditional New Year celebration, occurs in mid-April and is famously recognized for its water festivities. Originally, people poured water over others as a symbol of purification and washing away sins. Today, it has evolved into an exuberant event where locals and tourists alike engage in water battles using buckets, hoses, and water guns. While Bangkok’s celebrations are notoriously wild, the festival is observed throughout the country with religious ceremonies, processions, and traditional performances.
Loy Krathong Festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand
One of Thailand’s most picturesque festivals, Loy Krathong, or the “festival of lights,” is celebrated during the full moon of the twelfth lunar month (usually in November). Participants craft “krathongs” or small floating baskets from banana leaves, decorate them with flowers, incense, and candles, and release them on waterways, paying respect to the goddess of water. In Chiang Mai, the event is even more magical with the simultaneous celebration of Yi Peng. Thousands of lanterns are released into the night sky, creating a breathtaking spectacle that symbolizes letting go of negativity and making wishes for the future.
We trust the details provided above will assist you in organizing your 14 days in Vietnam and Thailand. Don’t delay any further and start preparing for your journey! If you require any guidance in crafting your trip, do reach out to us for a personalized itinerary tailored to your preferences. Thank you immensely for taking the time to read this!
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Do you have tours starting in HCMCity please? Ending in Bangkok.
Hi Pam,
Thank you so much for your interest!
In fact, we customize almost tour itineraries to meet every customer’s preference. Our travel expert will reach out to you with a suggested program as soon as possible. Please let us know if you have any other requirements.
Best regards,
IDC Travel Team.
I still wonder if I can do Thailand and Vietnam in two weeks. Both countries are beautiful with so many things to do. I’m planning a trip to Southeast Asia in early January 2024 with my family, 5 people. We all prefer Vietnam as the first destination. If possible, I want to come across Thailand (but not compulsory). We can also extend the duration into three weeks in Vietnam and Thailand, will try our best to arrange the working schedule. Can you please update me on a tour program? Please not that we are a family of 5 and my youngest child is 4.
Hi Urszula,
As our suggested itineraries, you can still visit Thailand and Vietnam in two weeks. If you prefer Vietnam to Thailand, you can consider the 1st and 3rd itineraries, in which you spend 10 days in Vietnam and 4 days in Thailand. However, it will be much better if you can extend your duration to 3 weeks. This way, you can discover these two countries in a more relaxing way and reduce the fatigue of rush commuting.
Also, our travel expert will get back to you soon with customized 2-week and 3-week itineraries for your family.
Thank you so much for your patience!
Best regards,
Alice Pham.