If you’re thinking about a trip to the far east, it can be hard to know where to start. The truth is, ‘the far east’ as a location is as unmanageable and diverse as ‘the west’, with as diverse a set of cultures in which to immerse yourself. A good way to go is to establish two destinations you really want to see, and limit yourself to travelling between them. This has the advantage of showing you a combination of things you have always wanted to see, as well as all the unexpected sights you will take in en route between the two. Let’s take a look at a journey between two landmarks of Asia: Bangkok and Hanoi.


What’s great about these cities is the contrast. Bangkok has a breathtaking pace of life, with the heavily populated vibrancy of the inner city, offset by the serenity of the Buddhist temples on the outskirts. Cruise the mighty Mekong and float into bustling Hanoi to see out your trip. Here’s a day-by-day guide to an excellent Bangkok to Hanoi holiday, which allows for plenty of time to explore on your own, so you’re not simply travelling the entire time.

Day 1
Arrive in Bangkok. Chill out at a hotel for the night, or set about exploring the city’s vibrant nightlife.

Day 2
Enjoy a guided longboat tour of Bangkok’s klongs (canals) and Wat Po. You should have enough time to scoot round the Grand Palace and National Museum. Refuel with some street food, before taking the overnight train to Chiang Mai.

Day 3
In Chiang Mai, take a guided Doi Suthep temple tour. This is also a great place for an elephant ride. Chiang Mai also has some excellent night markets.

Day 4
Travel to Chiang Kong by bus. This will take much of the day.

Day 5
Travel by barge down the Mekong River. Cross the border into Laos.

Day 6-8
In Luang Prabang, take a tour of the Pak Ou Caves. Check out the fascinating Ethnology Museum and the stunning Kuang-Sii Waterfalls. The usual temples abound in this area.

Day 9-10
Vang Vieng.

Day 11
Vientiane. Temple trips and the excellent national museum.

Day 12-13
Now in Hanoi, a must-see is Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, stilt house and presidential palace. Other options in Hanoi include the Temple of Literature and Hoa Lo Prison.

Day 14
Depart Hanoi.


This guide is designed to be very loose, and not proscriptive at all. It is merely a route, to which you can do your own research and attach activities to each day, spend a shorter or longer time at certain places, or simply skip bits you don’t fancy altogether.


Check out the DialAFlight website for more info and cheap flights to Bangkok.

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