2026 Vietnam and Thailand Trip: A 30-Day Backpacker’s Guide

So, you’ve finally pulled the trigger on a month in Southeast Asia. Maybe you’ve been staring at the same office wall for too long, or maybe you just need to realize that the world is a lot bigger (and cheaper) than your hometown. Either way, you’re about to trade your morning commute for motorbike loops, overnight trains, and more street food than your stomach can probably handle.

Forget the over-polished “influencer” guides that make everything look like a yoga retreat. This is a boots-on-the-ground, 30-day sprint through the best of what a Vietnam and Thailand trip has to offer. It’s going to be sweaty, loud, and probably a little bit chaotic, and that’s exactly why you’re going. Here is how you do it “without wasting a single day on bad logistics.

Contents

Days 1–3: Bangkok

Bangkok is a sensory slap in the face in the best way possible. Spend your first few days leaning into the neon-lit chaos and realizing that 7-Eleven ham and cheese toasties are a legitimate backpacker delicacy. This is the ultimate starting point for any Vietnam and Thailand trip.

Talat Noi: Skip the malls and wander the narrow alleys of this old neighborhood. It’s a mix of street art and “scrap metal” aesthetics that is perfect for your feed.
The “Venice of the East” Experience: Discover the charm of Bangkok’s canals by getting off the pavement and onto the water. Cruise along the Chao Phraya River and into the serene backwater canals of Thonburi for a glimpse into the past and an immersive look at local stilt-house life.
Wat Samphran (The Dragon Temple): Head just outside the city to see this 17-story pink tower with a massive dragon wrapped around it.
Muay Thai at Rajadamnern: The energy in the stadium is electric, especially when the local betting starts heating up in the stands.
Khao San vs. Soi Rambuttri: Party on Khao San Road, then recover with a cheap foot massage on the quieter, tree-lined Soi Rambuttri.

The Move:

Option 1: The Train

Take the train from Krung Thep Aphiwat Central Terminal. There are currently five direct services per day to Chiang Mai. The first journey departs at 9:05 AM, and the final sleeper service leaves at 10:30 PM. Check the full train schedule here.

Option 2: The Bus

If the trains are sold out (which happens often!), head to the Mo Chit Bus Terminal (also known as the Northern Bus Terminal). Buses run nearly every hour from 6:00 AM until 10:45 PM.

Where to Book: Use 12Go.Asia (easy for international cards) or the official D-Ticket site for train tickets.

Cruise along the ‘Venice of the East, photo courtesy of Mad Monkey

Days 4–8: Chiang Mai

Waking up on a train in the mountains is a core travel memory. Chiang Mai is the chill, artistic older sibling to Bangkok, where ancient Lanna temples sit right next to trendy forest-side cafes. Adding this mountain hub to your Vietnam and Thailand trip gives you the cultural depth you need.

Sticky Waterfalls (Bua Tong): These limestone rocks have a natural “grip,” so you can literally walk up the waterfall like a lizard.
Elephant Nature Park: Spend a day at a legit, ethical sanctuary observing rescued giants without the harmful riding or shows.
Doi Suthep at Sunset: Grab a red truck (Songthaew) up the mountain for a golden-hour view of the entire valley.
Sunday Walking Street: If you’re here on a Sunday, this massive market is mandatory for the best street food and local crafts.

The Move: Take a Prempracha minivan from Chiang Mai Arcade Bus Station (Terminal 2). They leave every hour from 6:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

Where to Book: Use 12Go.Asia or book in person at the station. Take a motion sickness pill 30 mins before!

Days 9–11: Pai

Pai is a tiny mountain town that has a weird way of making a 2-day trip turn into a 2-week stay. It’s the ultimate place to just be for a while before the second half of your Vietnam and Thailand trip.

Tipsy Tubing: This is the definition of backpacker culture here. You float down the river with a few hundred people and a beer in hand.
Pai Canyon: The ridge walks are narrow and slightly sketchy, but the sunset view is easily the best in Thailand.
The White Buddha: Walk up the 353 steps for a peaceful panoramic view of the town.
Pai Night Market: Every night, the main street turns into a food heaven. Try the “lasagna gyoza.”

The Move: Return to Chiang Mai by van, then grab a direct flight to Hanoi. This is the big pivot of your Vietnam and Thailand trip. Flights (Thai AirAsia or VietJet) usually leave between 13:00 and 15:00.

Where to Book: Use Skyscanner to compare, then book directly on the airline’s website.

Float down the river with a drink in hand, photo courtesy of Mad Monkey

Days 12–16: Hanoi

Welcome to Vietnam. Hanoi is vintage, gritty, and incredibly cool—like a city that hasn’t quite decided which century it belongs to.

Train Street: Sip a Salt Coffee at a tiny cafe while a massive locomotive passes inches from your stool.
Bia Hoi Junction: Sit on a tiny plastic stool at Ta Hien Street and drink $0.50 fresh beer.
Ha Long Bay: No Vietnam trip is complete without this. Kayak through hidden lagoons, hike Titov Island, and explore Sung Sot Cave.
Ninh Binh Day Trip: Head to “Ha Long on Land.” Do the Trang An boat tour, climb Mua Cave for the dragon view, and cycle the rice paddies.

The Move: Join a group tour from Hanoi. Most reputable operators will handle all the transport for you, including the legendary sleeper bus. You’ll usually leave Hanoi around 9:00 AM. Settle in for the scenic 7-hour ride up north.

Where to Book: You can find tours through spots like Mad Monkey, or if you’re booking your own transport separately, use Vexere.com.

Days 17–20: The Ha Giang Loop

This is the peak of the trip—350km of the most insane mountain roads on Earth. Many travelers say this is the highlight of their entire Vietnam trip.

Ma Pi Leng Pass: The highest point on the loop, looking straight down into the emerald Nho Que River.
Nho Que Boat Trip: Trek down to the water for a boat ride through the massive Tu San Canyon.
Du Gia Waterfall: The perfect spot to jump into freezing mountain pools with the local kids.
Lung Cu Flag Tower: Stand at the northernmost point of Vietnam, looking right into China.

The Move: Sleeper bus back to Hanoi, then a direct flight to Da Nang. Grab a 30-minute Grab car to Hoi An. If you are doing the Ha Giang Loop as part of a group tour, this is where the convenience really kicks in, they usually handle all these connections and transfers for you.

Experience the raw beauty of North Vietnam, photo courtesy of Mad Monkey

Days 21–24: Hoi An

Hoi An is the “pretty” part of the journey. It looks like a movie set and feels like a deep breath after the north.

Authentic Cooking Class: Start at the market to pick ingredients, then head to a riverside kitchen for a half-day food coma.
Custom Tailoring: Get a custom suit or dress made in 24 hours.
Basket Boat Spinning: Let a local expert spin you around in a bamboo boat in the Coconut Forest.
An Bang Beach: Rent a bicycle and ride through the rice paddies to hit the sand.

The Move: Take a VIP sleeper bus to Da Lat. Earliest schedule is at 11:50 AM and the latest is at 11:00 PM.

Where to Book: 12Go.Asia, Vexere.com, or Dalat Open Tours.

Days 25–27: Da Lat

It’s much cooler in the highlands. Da Lat is a mountain playground for travelers who like to get their heart rate up.

Canyoning: Rappel down 25-meter waterfalls and slide down natural rock chutes at Datanla Falls.
Maze Bar (100 Roofs): A multi-story bar that is literally a labyrinth. You have to find your way to the roof.
The Crazy House: Explore this bizarre, Gaudi-inspired architectural wonderland.
The Alpine Coaster: A manual-brake coaster through the forest that is surprisingly fast.

The Move: Take a Futa Bus (Phuong Trang) to Ho Chi Minh City. They leave every hour, but the 11:00 PM sleeper is the pro move.

Where to Book: Futabus.vn or Vexere.

Days 28–30: HCMC

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the final boss. It’s a massive, neon-lit metropolis that never sleeps—the perfect place to wrap up your Vietnam and Thailand trip.

Chu Chi Tunnels: Head out of the city to crawl through the actual tunnel systems used during the war.
Bui Vien Street: The loudest street in Vietnam. The ultimate place for a final 30-day celebration.
War Remnants Museum: A sobering but essential look at the country’s history.
Street Food at Ben Thanh: Grab a final bowl of Hu Tieu and some local crafts for the flight home.

Backpacker Pro-Tips

A 30-day Vietnam and Thailand trip is a marathon, not a sprint. To keep your budget tight and your stress low, remember these unwritten rules:

Master the Apps: Download Grab and Bolt immediately. They are the Ubers of SE Asia. Fixed prices mean no haggling with drivers. For the best flight deals between countries, use Skyscanner but always try to book on the airline’s direct site for easier changes.
The 7-Eleven Strategy: In Thailand, 7-Eleven is your sanctuary for cheap toasties and A/C. In Vietnam, hit WinMart or Circle K. They are the cheapest spots for water, sunblock, and snacks.
Cash is King: While major cities are modernizing, a Vietnam and Thailand trip still runs on cash. Street food, local markets, and family-run hostels rarely take plastic.
Laundry > Luggage: Don’t pack 30 days of clothes. Pack for 7. You can get a full load of laundry washed, dried, and folded for $2–$3 almost anywhere on this route.
Refill, Don’t Buy: Most hostels have free water refills. Use them. It saves you money and keeps thousands of plastic bottles out of the ocean during your Vietnam and Thailand trip.
Trust Your Gut: If a driver tells you a temple is “closed for a holiday,” it’s 99% a scam to take you to a tailor shop. Smile, say “no thanks,” and keep walking. Politeness is your best shield.

Discover hidden gems on every street corner, photo courtesy of Mad Monkey

The Bottom Line

A 30-day Vietnam and Thailand trip is more than just a holiday; it’s a total reset. Whether you’re screaming through the mountain curves of Ha Giang on a semi-automatic bike, getting a custom suit made over a beer in Hoi An, or just trying to navigate a Bangkok street crossing without panic, this route is the gold standard for a reason.

It’s messy, it’s loud, it’s beautiful, and it’s going to be the best month of your life. So, stop overthinking the logistics, grab your passport, and get ready for a 30-day run you’ll be talking about for the next decade. This Vietnam and Thailand trip is waiting—see you out there!