3 Weeks in Thailand and Vietnam Itinerary

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Thailand and Vietnam are the two most exciting, easiest, and most affordable places you can visit in the Southeast Asia region – especially as a first-time visitor here.

Vietnam was my first backpacking destination, followed by Thailand and that aw back in 2015. Since then, I’ve been to both countries so many times I can honestly travel around with my eyes closed.

I even spent the entire pandemic border closure in Vietnam and Thailand was my first destination once the borders opened up.

These two countries are near one another, making them the perfect places to spend a 3-week vacation. Both places offer awesome experiences for backpackers, honeymooners, retiree travellers, and even those travelling with children.

In this itinerary, I will show you how you can spend 3 weeks in Thailand and Vietnam maximising your time and creating a plan suitable for you.

We also have a compilation of itineraries for 3 weeks in Southeast Asia and if you want to maximise your time even more, we have 3 weeks in Thailand, Vietnam and Cambodia itinerary.

TABLE OF CONTENTS show

THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE GOING TO THAILAND AND VIETNAM

4 images - top left is a rice paddy in Sapa. Top right i the boats in ha long bay. bottom right is the Grand Palace of Bangkok. Bottom left is the kart stone of Phuket - 3 Weeks in Thailand and Vietnam Itinerary

To give you some ideas on how to properly create an itinerary, when to go, transporation, and other vital trave information, here are some tips:

When is the best time to go to Thailand and Vietnam

These two countries might be near one another, but their climate and weather all year round varies so much.

North vs central vs south of Vietnam already has a complicated climate since the north has a winter season. The same goes for Northern Thailand, it doesn’t get as cold, but then there’s lots of rain.

For Thailand, the least rain is from November to April and for Vietnam it’s December to February for most part of the country. There could be rain in December in Northern Vietnam, but it’s not as heavy. However, it’s cold there especially in winter.

So, what I recommend is you either plan your 3 weeks in Thailand and Vietnam in the month of November or the month of February. Its works great though, since December is super busy and the prices are higher.

One important thing though, you want to check when is the Lunar New Year for both countries and avoid that time since it’s peak season and most locals are on holiday too. Lunar New Year is different every year, but ranges between end of February to early April and lasts for a week.

Are 3 weeks enough for Thailand and Vietnam

Well, of course, if you have more time, the better. But, you have 20 days, it doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it in Southeast Asia. Thailand and Vietnam are close to each other so you can easily get from one country to next without flying for more than 3 hours.

You can visit 2-3 cities in each country and ensure that the places you’re seeing either is no more than 6-hour bus or there’s a non-stop flight between them to save time.

What to pack

There are lots of temples and other sacred places you will be seeing while in Vietnam and Thailand. Number one thing in your luaggage has to be a clothing that covers below your knees and around your shoulder.

But, even during winter months, it’s super warm in Southeast Asia. When choosing what to pack that covers knees and shoulder, it shoould be lightweight and breathable.

A sarong is a great option here or those lighweight “elephant pants” which you can buy online before you go or when you arrive in your first city here. A sarong also works as a beach towel, double the purpose.

Another thing to bring is a bug spray espeically if you plan to do some hiking or even has some activties planned that lasts until sunset.

For more specific items to pack, we have a general 3-week packing list and a 3-week summer packing list.

How to get around

There are various ways to get around Vietnam and Thailand depending on your level of comfort, budget, and where you will be.

For longer distances between cities, domestic flights are the fastest but can be more expensive. Trains and buses are cheaper alternatives, offering comfortable rides with scenic views.

Within cities, ride-hailing apps like Grab, Gojek, and InDriver and local taxis provide convenient options. Tuk-tuks are available in Thailand, but you should agree with the price first before getting on for ride.

Renting a motorbike can be a good idea for exploring rural areas but requires caution due to traffic and road conditions. Ferry transportation may be necessary for island hopping in both countries, with regular services available.

Language and currency

Thailand’s official language is Thai and Vietnam’s official language is Vietnamese. But English is widely spoken, especially in tourist areas, making it relatively easy for tourists to get around.

The official currency is the Thai Baht (THB). The official currency is the Vietnamese Dong (VND)

While some establishments such as tour agencies and hotels may accept major foreign currencies like USD, Euro, AUD, and CAD – your change will be in local currency.

Both in Thailand and Vietnam, cash is widely used and preferred in many places, although credit and debit cards are becoming increasingly accepted, particularly in larger cities and tourist hotspots.

It’s advisable to carry some cash for smaller purchases and in areas where card acceptance may be limited.

Average travel cost for 20 days in Thailand and Vietnam

The cost of going on a vacation in these two countries varies a lot depending on your style and how many people are going. To give you some ideas:

For a backpacker budget in Vietnam and Thailand, you could expect to spend around $45-$70 USD per day on accommodation, street food, and local transportation, totaling approximately $900-$1,400 USD for three weeks.

Mid-range travellers might spend $70-$100 USD per day on comfortable guesthouses, meals at casual restaurants, and occasional tours, amounting to roughly $1,400-$2,000 USD for three weeks.

For those seeking luxury, accommodations in upscale hotels, fine dining, and private transportation could cost $150-$300 USD per day, adding up to $3,000-$6,000 USD for three weeks in both Vietnam and Thailand.

These numbers excludes your main flight and your travel insurance which I highly recommend espeically if you plan to drive a motorbike, some hiking, and even diving.

Visa

Both countries have easy visa policies. You can either enjoy visa-free, apply for an evisa, or get a visa-on-arrival.

For Vietnam, it’s mostly Southeast Asia, East Asia, and Europe nationalities who don’t need a visa between 14 days to 45 days; Chile and Panama visa-free for 90 days.

But the rest of the world has to get an evisa in advance valid for 30 to 90 days. You should secure your evisa at least a month before your trip since it could take up to 2 weeks to process it.

Thailand offers a bit more flexible visa policy. Most travellers from North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania don’t need a visa for 14 to 90 days. The rest has to get an evisa online.

VIETNAM EVISA
THAILAND EVISA

If you are going to Thailand and you’re from Latin America or Central Africa, bring your Yellow Fever vaccination card which is a requirement for Thailand.

Other travel tips

HOTELS
VISA
CAR RENTAL
TOURS
FLIGHTS
BUS (EU/US/CA)
TRAINS EUROPE
TRAIN/BUS (ASIA)
TOUR OPTIONS
TRAVEL INSURANCE
TOURS (ASIA)
HOSTELS
BIKE RENTAL
ESIM
AIRPORT PICKUP

PINNED MAP OF MUST-SEE PLACES IN THAILAND AND VIETNAM

Click the enlarge button on the top right corner. Credit: map data: Google

TRIP COST CALCULATOR

Trip Cost Calculator

Trip Cost Calculator

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3 WEEKS IN THAILAND AND VIETNAM ITINERARY

Personally, if I’m looking to do water activities such as kayaking, diving, and snorkelling; I’d do that in Thailand. When it comes to food, culture, and thrilling activities – Vietnam will do that part.

However, Thailand also has an amazing cuisine. This is why exploring these two countries is perfect for food enthusiasts.

I love travelling between these two countries because they are so interconnected. It doesn’t matter if I’m flying from an island in Southern Thailand to Northern Vietnam (or vice versa), there’s a direct flight that I can find.

This itinerary starts in Thailand because there are lots of flights from Europe, Asia, and Oceania to Bangkok. But you can also start in Vietnam and finish in Thailand.

When it comes to planning your Vietnam itinerary, you can either start in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City – both work fine in terms of flying from Thailand to any of these two cities.

If you prefer to focus in one country at a time, we have 3 weeks in Vietnam and 3 weeks in Thailand specifically.

Bangkok for 3 days

Bangkok is known as the gateway of Southeast Asia. It has such an exciting atmosphere in the air that truly tells you that you are in a different world offering fantastic adventure.

For those here to party, Khao San Road is for you. If you’re here to see some temples, the Grand Palace is the place to go. And for people looking for yummy local dishes, go to Or Tor Kor Market or the floating market of Damnoen Saduak.

If it’s your first time in Southeast Asia, arriving in Bangkok could be a big culture shock. So, let’s take it slow and book an airport transfer to your hotel.

But if you’re brave like me, go out of the airport and figure out how to take the metro from there to downtown Bangkok. However, not all metro lines go all the way to the heart of Bangkok. When you reach the closest stop, you might have to take a tuk-tuk or taxi to your hotel.

Since you have three days here, you can also plan a day trip to The Ancient City to learn more about Old Thailand (Siam) or to Kanchanaburi where the Death Railway (World War II) is located.

Things to do in Bangkok

Accommodations in Bangkok

3 images - inthahon mountain temple in chiang mai, bangkok grand palace, and rock karst in james bond island in phuket

Chiang Mai for 3 days

Chiang Mai is an awesome place to go if you want to do some hiking or see rice paddies in Thailand. There are also some unique temples you can see and national parks you can visit as such Srilanna National Park and Khun Chae National Park.

The downtown Chiang Mai has lots of cool and trendy cafes, but at night it comes alive with some fun restaurants, bars, and night markets.

For day trips, you can go to Chiang Rai (where the white temple is) which is close to Chiang Mai. Pai is another good day trip from Chiang Mai known for the Long Neck Village.

From Bangkok, you can get to Chiang Mai by bus or train – both take about 10 to 14 hours., slow but the most affordable. The fastest and most convenient is flying, which is about an hour and not much more expensive than travel by land.

Things to do in Chiang Mai

Accommodations in Chiang Mai

Phuket or Koh Samui for 4 days

You can go for 3 weeks in Thailand and Vietnam without visiting any islands and exploring marine life. This is what Thailand is loved for – its white sandy beaches and islands.

Phuket is the biggest island in Thailand. It’s appealing to many types of travellers because there are lots of things to do. You can either go hiking (there are lots of national parks), go to the beach, do water activities, or visit smaller towns or go to night markets.

It also has a wider range of age groups making Phuket suitable for family travellers and also solo adventurers.

Koh Samui on the other hand is more ideal for young travellers or couples looking to party or do thrilling activities. Next to Koh Samui are Koh Phangan and Koh Tao so there are lots of island hopping you can do here.

You have to choose between these two are not in the same area. Phuket is on the west coast and Koh Samui is on the east coast.

Choose Phuket if you want a more relaxing trip with lots of things to do if you get bored. Go to Koh Samui if you want to party and be around an energetic crowd hungry to do some crazy activities.

If you go to Phuket, there’s a non-stop flight from Chiang Mai that is about 2 hours, around $60 to $100.

There are also direct flights from Chiang Mai to Koh Samui, but fewer. Usually, you have to connect in Bangkok.

Things to do in Phuket

Accommodations in Phuket

Things to do in Koh Samui

  • Mu Ko Ang Thong National Marine Park – book a sunset cruise
  • Tan Rua Waterfall
  • Lat Wanon Waterfall
  • Khun Si Waterfall
  • Na Mueang Waterfall
  • Namtok Tar Nim & Magic Garden
  • Lamai Beach & Viewpoint
  • Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks (Hin Ta Hin Yai) – go on a wild 4WD Jungle Safari trip
  • Lipa Noi Beach
  • Laem Yai
  • Maenam Beach
  • Fisherman’s Village
  • Big Buddha
  • Lad Koh View Point

Accommodations in Koh Samui

4 images - Wat Arun temple, Chiang Mai sea of clouds, Phuket beach shore, pad thai - 3-Weeks in Thailand Itinerary

Hanoi for 4 days

Getting to Hanoi from Thailand is easy. There should be non-stop flights from Bangkok, Phuket, and even Chiang Mai and it’s between 1 hour to 3 hours.

Hanoi is the capital city of Vietnam, situated in the Northern region of the country. It’s a more traditional city with a midnight curfew and stricter communist policies. Nevertheless, very easy to travel around.

This is where you will find the pub street where small alleys are turned into one open big bar and roads are closed in downtown Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

In Hanoi, you can see the preserved body of Ho Chi Minh at the Mausoleum. There are also lots of day trips you can do such as to Ha Long Bay, Trang An, and Ninh Binh.

If you don’t feel like spending time in Hanoi, you can still arrive here and plan to see Sa Pa (for rice paddy hiking or Halong Bay for cruises and water activities).

Sa Pa is 8 hours north of Hanoi, so planning a day trip there isn’t really possible. You have to spend at least one night there to make it worth it.

On the other hand, Ha Long Bay can be done as a day trip or also for a night or two. You will be staying on a cruise throughout your stay. During day time, you can do water activities such as kayaking, fishing, and visiti nearby island home to native wild monkeys.

Things to do in Hanoi

Accommodations in Hanoi

Ho Chi Minh City or Central Vietnam for 4 days

Ho Chi Minh, former Saigon is a big city in the South of Vietnam. It’s more westernised than Hanoi, with no midnight curfew and has skyscrapers. There’s an international airport here and lots of flights from Asia, Europe, and even Oceania land here directly.

Da Nang on the other hand is located in Central Vietnam. It’s a beach city with towering buildings and lively nightlife. It’s sandwiched between Hue and Hoi An, and very near the famous Hai Van Pass.

There’s also an international airport here, but most flights are coming from neighbouring Asian countries.

I recommend you choose between these two depending on what you prefer.

If you want a bustling city where you can visit bars, see the Cu Chi Tunnels, and ride a boat along the Mekong River – go to Ho Chi Minh City.

But if you prefer to see a smaller city, explore Hoi An’s Old Town, and see Hue – the food capital of Vietnam, go to Da Nang.

You can’t do both places because they are about an hour’s flight from one another. That’s not a long flight, but you would still have to arrive at the airport 2-3 hours before the flight. So just travelling between Ho Chi Minh and Da Nang could easily eat up half of your day.

Things to do in Ho Chi Minh City

Accommodations in Ho Chi Minh City

Things to do in Da Nang

Accommodations in Da Nang

3 images - Temple in a middle of a lake, rice paddies, boats on the ocean - 3 Weeks In Vietnam Itinerary

Phu Quoc for 3 days

Let’s say you chose Ho Chi Minh City and while in Hanoi, you spent your time exploring the city or hiking in Sa Pa. If that’s the case, a great way to finish off your trip in Vietnam is by visiting its Southern Island and enjoying the beach.

Phu Quoc has a direct flight from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and also Da Nang – so getting here shouldn’t be a problem.

On this island, you can go visit waterparks, ride the longest cable car in Indochina, enjoy a beach filled with starfishes, or simply relax on the beach. There’s also a former prison camp here that as part of the Vietnam War which you can also visit if you want to learn more about it.

The best way to get around Phu Quoc is to either use a taxi, book a private driver, use a ride-hailing app for a car and motorbike taxi, or rent a motorbike and drive on your own.

Things to do in Phu Quoc

Accommodations in Phu Quoc

MUST-TRY THAI AND VIETNAMESE DISHES AND DRINKS

3 images - on the left is a plate of pad thai. in the middle a cup of egg coffee. on the right is a bowl of pho - 3 Weeks in Thailand and Vietnam Itinerary

Honestly, if I’m a person going on a 3-week holiday and my main focus is to eat tasty food – I definitely would go to Vietnam and Thailand. The food in these two countries is just amazing, and affordable, and you can easily find healthy choices.

Here are some food from Thailand and Vietnam that you must try during your 3 weeks in Thailand and Vietnam:

Thailand:

  • Pad Thai – A flavorful stir-fried noodle dish with eggs, tofu, shrimp, or chicken, seasoned with tamarind, fish sauce, and chilli.
  • Green Curry (Kaeng Khiao Wan) – A fragrant curry made with green chilli, coconut milk, Thai basil, and meat or tofu.
  • Tom Yum Goong – A spicy and sour soup made with shrimp, lemongrass, lime leaves, galangal, and chilli.
  • Som Tum (Papaya Salad) – A refreshing salad made with shredded green papaya, tomatoes, peanuts, lime juice, fish sauce, and chilli.
  • Massaman Curry – A rich and aromatic curry with tender chunks of meat, potatoes, onions, peanuts, and flavorful spices like cinnamon and cardamom.
  • Mango Sticky Rice (Khao Niew Mamuang) – Sweet ripe mango served with sticky rice drizzled with coconut milk.
  • Coconut Ice Cream – Creamy coconut-flavoured ice cream served in a coconut shell with toppings like peanuts and sweet corn.
  • Thai Iced Tea (Cha Yen) – Sweet and creamy Thai tea served over ice.
  • Fresh Coconut Water – Enjoy the natural sweetness of coconut water straight from the coconut.

Vietnam:

  • Pho – A fragrant noodle soup with beef or chicken, rice noodles, fresh herbs, and lime.
  • Banh Mi – A French-inspired Vietnamese sandwich filled with various meats, pickled vegetables, cilantro, and chilli sauce.
  • Bun Cha – Grilled pork served with rice noodles, fresh herbs, and dipping sauce.
  • Goi Cuon (Fresh Spring Rolls) – Fresh rice paper rolls filled with shrimp, pork, vermicelli noodles, and herbs, served with peanut sauce.
  • Com Ga Hoi An (Hoi An Chicken Rice) – Fragrant rice cooked with chicken broth and served with shredded chicken, herbs, and chilli sauce.
  • Che – A sweet dessert soup or pudding made with beans, jelly, fruits, and coconut cream.
  • Banh Xeo – Crispy Vietnamese pancakes filled with shrimp, pork, bean sprouts, and herbs, served with lettuce leaves for wrapping.
  • Vietnamese Iced Coffee (Ca Phe Sua Da) – Strong brewed coffee served over ice with sweetened condensed milk.
  • Sugarcane Juice (Nuoc Mia) – Refreshing juice extracted from sugarcane, often served with a squeeze of lime.
  • Egg Coffee – a rich and creamy beverage made with robust Vietnamese coffee and a frothy mixture of egg yolks and condensed milk.

SUMMARY OF 3 WEEKS IN THAILAND AND VIETNAM ITINERARY

I’ve had the privelage to explore Thailand and Vietnam so many times in different ways (as a backpacker, luxury traveller, and travelling with family and friends and different budgets. I can honestly say that these two the top places to visit in Southeast Asia for your first time here.

3 weeks in Thailand and Vietnam is not enough to explore every nooks and crannies of these countries, but it’s a great start to get an idea of what Southeast Asia culture is like. Perhaps, next time you will want to spend 3 weeks in Vietnam and Cambodia.

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