17 days in Thailand & Vietnam Itinerary

Enjoy cultural, historical, and culinary exploration during your holiday in Bangkok, the capital of Thailand and the most populous city in the country.

Bangkok is known for shopping, historic sites, and nightlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: don't miss a visit to Wat Pho, contemplate the long history of The Grand Palace, contemplate in the serene atmosphere at Temple of the Emerald Buddha (Wat Phra Kaew), and admire the landmark architecture of Jim Thompson House.

To see ratings, traveler tips, more things to do, and tourist information, you can read our Bangkok trip planner.

Manchester, UK to Bangkok is an approximately 16.5-hour flight. Traveling from Manchester to Bangkok, you'll lose 7 hours due to the time zone difference. In March, Bangkok is warmer than Manchester - with highs of 40°C and lows of 30°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 18th (Mon) so you can travel to Koh Tao.

A holiday in Ko Tao ensures a mix of adventure and relaxation on a fast-developing island in the Gulf of Thailand.

On the 19th (Tue), see some colorful creatures with a scuba or snorkeling tour.

Before you visit Koh Tao, use our trip planner to discover what you can do and see there.

Getting from Bangkok to Koh Tao by combination of flight and ferry takes about 6.5 hours. Other options: take a bus; or do a combination of train and ferry. Expect a bit cooler weather when traveling from Bangkok in March: highs in Koh Tao hover around 37°C, while lows dip to 31°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 19th (Tue) so you can travel to Krabi Town.

Krabi Town takes you away from the bustle of coastal beach resorts in this region.

Start off your visit on the 20th (Wed): look for gifts at Alex's Fashion, then look for gifts at Scandi Fashion, then kick back and relax at PhraNang Cave Beach, and finally enjoy the sand and surf at Railay Beach.

To see more things to do, other places to visit, reviews, and other tourist information, you can read our Krabi Town online route maker.

You can do a combination of bus and flight from Koh Tao to Krabi Town in 6 hours. Other options are to do a combination of ferry and bus; or take a bus. Traveling from Koh Tao in March, expect nights in Krabi Town to be a bit cooler, around 26°C, while days are a bit warmer, around 41°C. Finish your sightseeing early on the 20th (Wed) to allow enough time to drive to Patong.

Take advantage of nighttime entertainment and daytime relaxation on a Patong vacation.

Kick off your visit on the 21st (Thu): kick back and relax at Karon Beach, stop by Casa Di Moda The Fashion House, then don't miss a visit to Bangla Road, and finally kick back and relax at Patong Beach.

To see more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, refer to the Patong trip itinerary site.

Drive from Krabi Town to Patong in 3 hours. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In March, daytime highs in Patong are 39°C, while nighttime lows are 27°C. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 21st (Thu) so you can travel to Chiang Mai.

Discover the diverse history and culture of northern Thailand during a holiday in Chiang Mai, the largest and most significant city in the region.

Start off your visit on the 22nd (Fri): surround yourself with nature on a nature and wildlife tour. Here are some ideas for day two: soothe aching muscles at some of the top local wellness centers, admire the striking features of Wat Chedi Luang Worawihan, and then take in the spiritual surroundings of Wat Phra Singh.

To find other places to visit, photos, where to stay, and tourist information, go to the Chiang Mai attractions planner.

Traveling by flight from Patong to Chiang Mai takes 6 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or take a bus. Traveling from Patong in March, expect a bit cooler with lows of 24°C in Chiang Mai. Cap off your sightseeing on the 23rd (Sat) early enough to travel to Ho Chi Minh City.

Formerly known in the West as Saigon and affectionately referred to as the "Pearl of the Far East," Ho Chi Minh City is a study of old and new, woven and piled together in a fast-paced urban hub.

Kick off your visit on the 24th (Sun): don't miss a visit to Cu Chi Tunnels, take in the spiritual surroundings of Chùa Giác Lâm (Giac Lam Pagoda), then take in the architecture and atmosphere at Saigon Notre Dame Cathedral, then admire the landmark architecture of Central Post Office, and finally look for gifts at BOA Bookstore. Get ready for a full day of sightseeing on the 25th (Mon): let your taste buds guide you at a local gastronomic tour, get a sense of history and politics at The Independence Palace, and then take an in-depth tour of War Remnants Museum.

For photos, traveler tips, maps, and more tourist information, use the Ho Chi Minh City holiday planner.

You can fly from Chiang Mai to Ho Chi Minh City in 5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train, bus, and car. Traveling from Chiang Mai in March, you can expect nighttime temperatures to be a bit warmer in Ho Chi Minh City, with lows of 28°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 25th (Mon) to allow time to travel to Hoi An.

Indisputably one of Vietnam's most atmospheric destinations, Hoi An contains a World Heritage-listed old town boasting over 2,000 years of culture and history.

Kick off your visit on the 26th (Tue): stroll through Cua Dai Beach, then stop by Rubin Cloth Shop, then don't miss a visit to Japanese Covered Bridge, and finally don't miss a visit to Hoi An Ancient Town. Keep things going the next day: cast your line with a fishing tour.

To find reviews, photos, more things to do, and other tourist information, read our Hoi An day trip planner.

You can fly from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An in 4.5 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of train and bus. While traveling from Ho Chi Minh City, expect a bit cooler days and about the same nights in Hoi An, ranging from highs of 32°C to lows of 26°C. Wrap up your sightseeing on the 27th (Wed) to allow time to travel to Hanoi.

The capital of Vietnam, Hanoi has bounded back from the effects of war, and today serves as a bustling commercial and cultural hub bursting at the seams.

Hanoi is known for historic sites, spas, and nightlife. Your plan includes some of its best attractions: contemplate the waterfront views at Lake of the Restored Sword (Hoan Kiem Lake), steep yourself in history at Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, admire the masterpieces at Fine Arts Museum (Bao Tang My Thuat), and stop by Old Quarter.

To find where to stay, maps, traveler tips, and more tourist information, you can read our Hanoi trip app.

You can fly from Hoi An to Hanoi in 4 hours. Alternatively, you can drive; or do a combination of taxi and train. Wrap up your sightseeing by early afternoon on the 31st (Sun) to allow enough time to travel back home.