Start your adventure in Bangkok by exploring the Grand Palace, a beautiful complex of buildings that was once the home of the King of Siam. Next, visit Wat Phra Kaew, one of the most sacred temples in Thailand, which houses the famous Emerald Buddha. End your day at Khao San Road, a bustling street known for its markets, street food, and nightlife.
Take a morning boat tour of the canals (or "klongs") to see the city from a unique perspective. Afterward, head to the Chatuchak Weekend Market, which boasts over 15,000 stalls selling everything from clothing and souvenirs to food. End your day at Lumpini Park, where you can relax and enjoy the scenery.
Take a morning flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia, to visit the famous Angkor Wat temple complex. Spend the day exploring the temples and learning about the history of the Khmer Empire.
Visit the "Tomb Raider" temple, Ta Prohm, where you can see trees growing through the ruins. Next, explore the ancient city of Angkor Thom, which contains several famous temples, including Bayon, Baphuon, and the Terrace of the Elephants.
Fly to Ho Chi Minh City and spend the day exploring the city. Visit the War Remnants Museum to learn about the Vietnam War, then head to the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, two stunning French colonial architectural landmarks. End your day at the Ben Thanh Market, where you can shop for souvenirs and enjoy local food.
Take a bus to Ha Long Bay and embark on a cruise to explore this stunning UNESCO World Heritage site. Spend the night on the boat and enjoy the view of the limestone cliffs and emerald waters.
Visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in the morning to pay your respects to the revolutionary leader, then head to the Temple of Literature, a Confucian temple that was once Vietnam's first university. End your day at the Old Quarter, where you can try delicious street food and shop for souvenirs.
Fly to Luang Prabang and visit the Kuang Si Falls, a stunning series of waterfalls and pools. Next, head to the Royal Palace Museum and the Wat Xieng Thong temple, two significant cultural landmarks.
Take an early morning alms giving ceremony tour to witness the monks collecting food from laypeople. Then, visit the Pak Ou Caves, which are filled with thousands of Buddha statues. End your day at the Night Market, where you can buy handmade textiles and handicrafts.
Take a scenic drive to Vang Vieng, where you can go tubing on the Nam Song River and explore caves. End your day by visiting the Tham Phu Kham cave and the Blue Lagoon, a natural swimming hole surrounded by stunning scenery.
Visit the Buddha Park, which is filled with over 200 Buddhist and Hindu sculptures. Next, head to the Patuxai Victory Monument and the Pha That Luang stupa. End your day by relaxing at one of the city's many cafes or restaurants.
Fly back to Bangkok and visit the Wat Arun temple, which is widely considered one of the most beautiful temples in Thailand. Next, head to the Jim Thompson House, a museum showcasing the life and collection of silk entrepreneur Jim Thompson. End your day by taking a sunset river cruise.
Take a day trip to Kanchanaburi to visit the famous Bridge over the River Kwai and the nearby War Cemetery. Next, visit the Erawan Falls, a stunning seven-tiered waterfall that is perfect for swimming and hiking.
Visit Ayutthaya, the former capital of Thailand that was once one of the largest and wealthiest cities in the world. Explore the ancient ruins and temples, including the Wat Mahathat and the Wat Phra Si Sanphet. End your day by taking a sunset river cruise.
End your adventure in Bangkok by visiting the Chinatown night market and the Wat Traimit temple, home of the world's largest solid gold Buddha statue. End your day with a delicious meal at one of the city's many rooftop bars.
If you're traveling between cities or countries, planes and buses are the most common forms of transportation. For shorter distances within a city, tuk-tuks, taxis, or public transportation like buses and trains are available. Uber and Grab are also popular in some cities. Be sure to negotiate prices for tuk-tuks and taxis before getting in, and make sure to take only official taxis or those booked through a reputable company. Estimated costs for transportation range from $5 for a short taxi ride to $200 for a flight or boat cruise.
If you have more time, consider adding a visit to the ancient city of Bagan in Myanmar, which is only a short flight from Bangkok. Alternatively, you could spend more time in each city on this itinerary to fully explore all the sights and experiences. If you have less time, prioritize the sites and activities on this itinerary and consider cutting out some of the optional activities.
Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is the main airport in Bangkok, located about 25 kilometers (16 miles) east of the city center. In Siem Reap, Cambodia, the airport is called Siem Reap International Airport (REP), which is located about 7 kilometers (4.3 miles) from the city center. In Vietnam, the major airports are Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City and Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi. In Laos, the major airport is Wattay International Airport (VTE) in Vientiane. All these airports offer transportation options to the city center, including taxis, buses, and private cars-for-hire.