VIETNAM-CAMBODIA-THAILAND DIY ITINERARY : TRI-CITY BACKPACKING TRAVEL GUIDE

VIETNAM-CAMBODIA-THAILAND DIY ITINERARY : TRI-CITY BACKPACKING TRAVEL GUIDE || I have always thought that the Indochina Backpacking Trip would be one hell of a crazy adventure but would be rich with new experiences that is definitely worth the try. This was my longest trip to date since I started loving the idea from travelling way back 2015. Sharing here in this blog is my rough Itinerary and schedule from Vietnam to Thailand.

But first, what and where is Indochina?

You might confuse it with Indonesia and China as it sounds like a shortcut for both countries (*my brother even asked me If I’ll be going to the Great Wall of China upon hearing I’m bound for my Indochina Trip hahaha!*)

INDOCHINA, Mainland Southeast Asia is the continental portion of Southeast Asia. It lies east of the Indian subcontinent and south of China and is bordered by the Indian Ocean to the west and the Pacific Ocean to the east. It includes the countries of Myanmar, Thailand, peninsular Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam.

You may start at whatever country best interest you but what I did was to start it from Vietnam – Cambodia – Thailand before heading back to Manila. I did it for 11Days and 10 nights, you can skip the Chiang Mai part of the trip and make it 7D / 6N if you only have a week for a vacation and it would still be great and fun.

If you want the ultimate travel guide for this tri-city escapade. Also read : INDOCHINA ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE

ITINERARY :

DAY 1 – MNL TO SAIGON

Overview : Officially starting the backpacking journey to Indochina. Our first day was literally a travel from MNL to Saigon, exploring nearby food streets and getting along with our accommodation.

Detailed Blog Post of Vietnam Itinerary; also read : #SaigonWithTheWind : Vietnam Itinerary for 4D/3N

• arrival in Ho Chi Minh
• Pick-up from airport via car service (booked thru http://www.klook.com)
• Check-in at Vintage Hostel
• Dinner and nightlife around Bui Vien Walking Street

Our hostel was situated right in front of all nightlife activities, restos and night market, clothing and coffee shops around.

DAY 2 – SAIGON

Overview : Saigon City Tour | Decided to do it the DIY style, tons of walking with the help of waze or google map at hand. With Cu Chi Tunnel Trip

Detailed blog post of the itinerary; also read : #SaigonWithTheWind : Vietnam Itinerary for 4D/3N

SAIGON CITY TOUR

• People’s Commitee Bldg.
• Saigon Notre Dame Basilica
• Saigon Central Post Office
• Reunification Palace
• War Remnant Museum
• Ben Thanh Market

Lunch : The Sound Pub

• Cu Chi Tunnel Tour via http://www.klook.com

Dinner : Ben Than Street Food Market

DAY 3  – SAIGON

Overview : Check out Mekong Delta Tour as it is jampacked and chill at the same time

Where to book : Mekong Delta Tour via http://www.klook.com

Detailed blog post of the itinerary, read : #SaigonWithTheWind : Vietnam Itinerary for 4D/3N

Whole Day Mekong Delta Trip (booked via Klook.com) the tour includes a bus ride from and to the meeting place, all entrances, lunch, Boat ride, Sampan ride and the english speaking tour guide!!!

• Pagoda
• Boat ride to Mekong Delta
• Coconut Candy Place
• Lunch (part of the package)
• Stopover to change for Sampan Ride
• Village for Honey Tea and Tropical Fruits and Folk Songs

DAY 4 – TRAVEL FROM SAIGON (VIETNAM) TO SIEM REAP (CAMBODIA)

Overview : Bidding goodbye to Saigon as we embark to Siem Reap, Dinner and Night out at Pub Street

Detailed cross bordering details from Vietnam to Siem Reap; also read : Crossing border from Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh) to Cambodia (Siem Reap) via bus

• 7:00AM || Check-out from Vintage Hostel
• 8:00AM – 8:00PM || Bus ride from Vietnam to Siem Reap (booked via Mekong Express Bus)
• 8:00PM || Arrival in Siem Reap
• Settle down to airbnb accommodation
• 9:00PM – 12PM || Pub Street (Dinner and Nightlife)

DAY 5 – SIEM REAP TEMPLE HOPPING

Overview : Temple Hopping the entire day at Siem Reap, sites and places to see and explore.

Detailed Cambodia Itinerary for 3D/2N also read; Temple Run in Siem Reap, Cambodia (Full Itinerary guide for 3D/2N)

Siem Reap Temple Hopping trip

• 3:00AM || Wake-up Time to prep for Sunrise
• 4:00AM || Sunrise at Angkor Wat
• 10:00AM || Angkor National Museum
• Temple Hopping ( Bayon, Baphoun, Royal Enclosure, Terraces of Elephants)
• Bantay Kdei, Ta Phrom
• Sunset at Phnome Bakeng

DAY 6 – TRAVEL FROM SIEM REAP TO BANGKOK TO CHIANG MAI

Overview : The day was spent specifically for travelling from one country to another, from Siem Reap, Cambodia to Bangkok, Thailand to Chiang Mai.

If you are to spend only 7 days for this entire Tri-city escapade, you may stop and spend your last 2 days in Bangkok. What I did here was to travel to Chiang Mai from Bangkok as I wanted to explore the second largest city in Thailand as well.

Crossing border from Siem Reap to Bangkok; also read : DIY Guide : Crossing border from Cambodia (Siem Reap) to Thailand (Bangkok) detailed guide

Going to Chiang Mai from Bangkok; also read : DIY Guide : Going to Chiang Mai from Bangkok

• 7:00AM || Check out from Siem Reap Airbnb Room
• 8:00AM – 4:00PM || Travel from Siem Reap to Bangkok via bus ( book via Giant Ibis Office Official site)
• 4:00PM || Arrival in Bangkok
• Travel to Bangkok Terminal via grab car
• 6:00PM || Early Dinner
• 7:00PM – 7:00AM || Travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai via sleeper bus ( book via 12Go Asia site)

DAY 7 – CHIANG MAI

Overview : City and Temple Tour around Chiang Mai. This place is a paradise within the city vibes, the food finds and the calmness of the place.

Detailed Chiang Mai Itinerary; also read : Chiang Mai Travel Guide : 4D/3N Itinerary, Activities, Budget

• Arrival in Chiang Mai
• Check-in at @25 Hostel
• Breakfast at Amaka Cafe and Breakfast
• Chiang Mai Land Tour (DIY service via Red Taxi)
• The Giant, Chiang Mai
• Temple Hopping
• Dinner at Thai BBQ Buffet

DAY 8 – CHIANG MAI

Overview : Had a day trip to the Elephant Sanctuary where the experience was really priceless!! Never miss out this in Chiang Mai. And let us all spread the word “NO TO ELEPHANT RIDING!” this is what this sanctuary believes in as well so better to support this causes as well.

Where to book : http://www.elephantjunglesanctuary.com

Detailed Chiang Mai Itinerary; also read : Chiang Mai Travel Guide : 4D/3N Itinerary, Activities, Budget

• Book half day Elephant Jungle Sanctuary from http://www.elephantjunglesanctuary.com
• Pick-up from hostel to the sanctuary
• A short overview and background about the Elephants
• Feed the Elephants, Bathe with them and placed mud all over their bodies as protection
• Lunch is part of the package
• and a service back to the accommodation

DAY 9 – CHIANG MAI | and a travel back to Bangkok

Overview : A whole day of Garden Inthanon Trip in Chiang Mai.  And a travel back to Bangkok via sleeper bus.

Where to book : http://www.klook.com; it cost Php 2,180 per pax for the Doi Inthanon Trip

*detailed Chiang Mai Itinerary via : Chiang Mai Travel Guide : 4D/3N Itinerary, Activities, Budget

Whole Day Trip via klook.com 

• Wachiritham Waerfalls
• King and Queen’s Chedis *Buddhist Stupas
• Thailand’s Highest Peak
• Angkha Nature Walk
• Royal Agriculture Station Inthanon of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej

After tour — back to hostel . The package comes with a free pick-up and drop off from the hostel via van, the transportation the entire day per each site, lunch and an English speaking tour guide which is definitely helpful!!!

• Check-out from hostel
• Travel from Chiang Mai to Bangkok via bus (book via 12Go Asia.com)
• Sleeper Bus back to Bangkok

DAY 10 – BANGKOK

Overview : Songkran Festival in Thailand! Quick food trip around the city. Unexpectedly, our temple Bangkok Itinerary turns out in time for Songkran New Year in Thailand!

Our first Songkran Festival in Bangkok; also read : Thailand : My first Songkran Experience in Bangkok

• Check-in to Everyday Hostel in Bangkok
• Songkran New Year the entire day!! — my detailed experience over the link on top for Songkran
• Food Escapade thru the streets of Bangkok where street foods is definitely love!!!

DAY 11 – BANGKOK TO MANILA

Overview : Bidding goodbye for the Indochina Trip and adventure.

• Since it was Songkran on the day we were leaving Bangkok, we made sure to book a grab ride and pick us up straight from hostel to save ourselves from the Songkran Water everywhere!!!! hahahaha!!!

Should you wish to see the actual places over my itinerary above, please do follow me on IG : @nathaliecsalcedo and check on my story highlights for this tri-city. 

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TO MORE TRAVEL DESTINATIONS. – XOXO

*All photos were originals from the blogger @nathaliecsalcedo