Flavours of Southeast Asia
Thailand, Vietnam
Thailand, Vietnam
The Southeast Asian countries of Singapore, Vietnam and Thailand, have their own unique appeal. Diverse landscapes, stunning scenery, laid-back locals and delicious cuisine are common threads that run through these countries.
In Singapore, Chinese, Malaysian, Indian and Middle Eastern influences simmer in the same cultural melting pot. Visit explore "wet" markets (fresh produce) and "dry" markets (preserved foods). In Little India, Chinatown and the Malay district, all offer distinct different cultures.
In Vietnam, cruise amid limestone islands and floating villages on Ha Long Bay. Take an overnight train journey on the infamous Reunification Express. In Thailand, delve into the night markets of Chiang Mai and explore the Mekong Delta in a longboat. Discover an astonishing array of treasures on this unique Vietnam and Thailand holiday with Singapore.
TRAVEL UNTAMED ON THIS 16-DAY TOUR OF SOUTHEAST ASIA…
And, experience its cuisine with professional cooking classes.
Thailand has four international airports; in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Hat Yai, but Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport is the country's major gateway. Practically every airline carrier that flies to Asia also flies into Bangkok. This means there are plenty of services and the competition on the routes helps to keep the ticket prices down.
There are now a throng of low-cost-carriers serving Southeast Asia, led by KL-based AirAsia. It can be cost effective to fly from your home country to Bangkok, Singapore or KL with a traditional carrier, then pick up a LCC flight to your final destination. If you are travelling with AwimAway, transfers from an airport are arranged by our representatives who will meet you at the arrival lounge and transfer you to the hotel.
Flavours of Southeast Asia Food-focused touring of Southeast Asia with professional cooking classes!
(16 Days - Departs Daily on a Private Basis)
Singapore, Saigon, Hoi An, Hanoi, Chiang Mai, Bangkok
Travelling has opened up my palate to so many flavours. Thai cuisine is all about balancing sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavours. If there is Chinese influence, you will see a lot of noodle dishes. In the Muslim region, the dishes are more rice-based and pork is never on the menu.
Along the South China Sea, there are a lot of rural fishing villages. At their markets, you will see crabs, prawns, mackerel, flatfish, kinds you’ve never seen before. Travelling through Southeast Asia provides an extra-ordinary blend of exotic dishes that is hard to taste anywhere else.
Begin in Singapore, where Chinese, Malaysian, Indian and Middle Eastern influences simmer in the same cultural melting pot. During your private touring through various ethnic quarters, see how each of these cultures contributes to the fabric of the city.
Explore "wet" markets (where fresh meat, produce and live fish are sold), "dry" markets (spices, preserved foods, herbal medicine and other dry ingredients) and housewares markets (baskets and cooking utensils). In Little India, Chinatown and the Malay district, stop in some of the shop houses to sample local sweets and snacks.
Fly to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Vietnam’s most dynamic city. With your own expert guide and driver, experience the city's most interesting sights including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the old Post Office, both magnificent sights from the French colonial period. Also the former Presidential Palace, the China town and the local markets.
Next fly to Danang and drive to Hoi An, a World Heritage town that retains a distinct Chinese atmosphere with colourful historic homes, charming cafes, and bustling silk and fish markets. Stay at a luxury beachfront resort, and experience the best of this centuries-old town during private touring.
Visit the vibrant morning market, where stalls are piled high with fresh fish and produce. Also visit a local farming community famous for vegetables, and enjoy a private cooking class focusing on regional specialties such as vegetable spring rolls in a local home.
Explore Hanoi, Vietnam’s artistic and intellectual capital. With your guide, ride cyclos around the lake to see the city's historic French colonial architecture. Visit ancient temples, the Museum of Ethnology and the fascinating Old Quarter with its hundreds of specialty shops selling silk clothing, lacquerware, embroidered linens and more. Also tour around Hoan Kiem Lake and leafy backstreets where beautiful French colonial-era buildings have been transformed into upscale restaurants.
Fly to Chiang Mai via Bangkok. Stay at one of Asia’s most luxurious and atmospheric resorts, surrounded by mountains and lush fields of terraced rice paddies. Browse craft districts specializing in celadon ceramics, silver, teak furniture, paper umbrellas, and beautiful silk weavings. Visit revered mountaintop temples, the royal family’s Winter Palace, an elephant camp, and local hill tribe villages. One day, enjoy a chef-led market tour followed by a cooking class. Learn to prepare a variety of Thai dishes.
The tour ends in Bangkok. With your private guide explore Bangkok’s most unusual Buddhist temples, the Chedis of the Kings and the invaluable golden Buddha weighing over 5 tons. Enjoy a fascinating, private long-tail boat tour through Bangkok's canals, the colourful markets and shop for exquisite Thai silks and art work. Also enjoy opportunities to swim, play tennis, and dine on some of Southeast Asia’s best cuisine.
Day 1 – Arrive
Singapore Private arrival transfer to hotel for 3 nights.
Day 2 – Tour
Singapore Full-day private cultural and tasting tour.
Day 3 – Tour
Singapore Half-day private cultural and tasting tour.
Day 4 – Transfer
Saigon, Vietnam Private transfer to airport for flight to Saigon.
Fast-track assistance through immigration.
Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights.
Afternoon private Vespa street food tour.
Day 5 – Tour
Saigon Full-day private city tour.
Day 6 – Transfer
Hoi An Private transfer to airport for flight to Hoi An.
Private arrival transfer to resort for 3 nights.
Afternoon private walking tour.
Day 7 – Tour
Hoi An Morning private market tour and cooking lesson.
Day 8 – Tour
Hoi An Morning private excursion to farming village and lunch in local home.
Day 9 – Transfer
Hanoi Private transfer to Danang airport for flight to Hanoi.
Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights.
Afternoon private city tour by cyclo.
Evening water puppet performance.
Day 10 – Tour
Hanoi Morning private street food tour.
Day 11 – Transfer
Chiang Mai, Thailand Private transfer to airport for flight to Bangkok.
Meet and greet service and connecting flight to Chiang Mai.
Private arrival transfer to resort for 3 nights.
Day 12 – Tour
Chiang Mai Option for sunrise alms-giving.
Full-day private tour of town, temples and craft districts or private excursion to elephant camp.
Private round-trip transfer to night market.
Day 13 – Experience
Chiang Mai Morning Thai cooking lesson and market tour.
Day 14 – Transfer
Bangkok Private transfer to airport for flight to Bangkok.
Private arrival transfer to hotel for 2 nights.
Afternoon private city tour, including private longtail boat ride.
Day 15 – Tour
Bangkok Full-day private city tour.
Day 16 – Depart
Thailand Private airport transfer.
Hotels
Check In: 14:00h
Check Out: 12:00h
Make this your holiday
Getting There There are few direct flights from Europe to Vietnam’s three main international airports but these are steadily increasing over the years. The majority of visitors take indirect flights routed through Bangkok, Singapore or Hong Kong. It can be cheaper if you fly to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur or Singapore or regular international carriers and from there take one of the low cost carriers to Vietnam.
In Thailand, Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport is the country's major gateway. Practically every airline carrier that flies to Asia also flies into Bangkok. This means there are plenty of services and the competition on the routes helps to keep the ticket prices down.
When to go The climate in Thailand and Vietnam remains tropical. The best time to visit the region is in the months between November and mid-March. During these months the days are pleasant and the nights are chilly. Thereafter the temperature begins to rise and March to May gets very hot. The monsoon arrives in the month of April-May and peak in August but continues until mid-October. Travel is difficult during these months. Avoid travelling during March-April and August.
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