Thrills, Comfort, and Smooth Travel Sorted! 14-Day Vietnam Cambodia Thailand Trip for Europeans

"We're going to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand!!!!!" The excited text jumped out as soon as I opened the email. It was from Europe. In November 2024, eight friends from various European countries were traveling together, choosing the tropical charm and wildness of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Thailand as their destinations. They were an uninhibited and energetic bunch.

Staring at the screen, I could already envision the route: the French flair of Hanoi's Old Quarter, the karst wonders of Halong Bay, the floating villages of Tonle Sap Lake, the sunrise spectacle of Angkor Wat, the street bustle of Bangkok, the jungle secrets of Chiang Mai, and the azure waters and white sands of Phuket.

Each destination held unique allure, but how to connect them while catering to the diverse interests of eight friends?

Conquering Visas & Designing an Itinerary: Balancing Thrill and Comfort

Visas were the first hurdle to overcome. Vietnam required advance e-visa applications, Cambodia offered visa-on-arrival, and Thailand provided visa-free entry for European tourists but necessitated completing a digital arrival card beforehand.

With eight individuals from different European nations, some outside the Schengen area, their passport visa policies varied greatly. I meticulously checked each member's nationality to ensure they understood their required visa types and application processes.

The most complex part was coordinating international transportation - the shuttle bus from Hanoi to Ha Long Bay, the necessity of returning to Hanoi to fly to Siem Reap from Halong Bay, and so on. I repeatedly adjusted the itinerary order, finally devising the smoothest route and allocating ample rest time for them at each transfer point.

The issue of getting there was resolved; the next step - deciding where to go - was another story entirely.

"We all have different hobbies," read the message on WhatsApp. Instantly, several ideas sprang to mind - adventure? relaxation? culture?

During the video call, I learned that Mark and Sophia were obsessed with outdoor adventures and hoped to experience a nighttime jungle trek in Chiang Mai. Emma and Thomas were history buffs with an encyclopedic knowledge of Angkor Wat's bas-relief details. The remaining four were more inclined to unwind in luxurious resorts.

I designed two options (A and B) for each destination: Halong Bay offered both kayaking through caves and enjoying sunset cocktails on a yacht deck. Angkor Wat included both temple explorations and relaxing hotel spa treatments; Phuket provided both beach villas and island-hopping excursions in the Andaman Sea.

When the final itinerary took shape, even I was somewhat surprised by its complexity and intrigue: fourteen days spanning three countries and eight cities, involving connecting flights, private cars, yachts, and countless tuk-tuks. I created a detailed itinerary booklet, noting emergency contacts for each location, estimated travel times, and clothing recommendations, even including explanations of local tipping customs.

"Can't wait to travel!" The enthusiastic response from the eight on WhatsApp remained consistent. Off they went!

Eight People Enjoying Themselves Throughout

On their departure day, I focused on their real-time locations.

Although their flight to the first stop, Hanoi, was delayed by two hours, the pre-booked airport transfer driver waited patiently and even took them for authentic beef pho. The yacht captain in Halong Bay temporarily adjusted the cruise route, avoiding crowded tourist boat areas that day. The eight playful friends even played a game, betting on who would lose and have to shout "I'm the King of the world."

For the Angkor Wat sunrise tour, the guide waited at their hotel door with hot coffee at four in the morning, successfully leading them to the best viewing spot away from the crowds. They all took silhouette photos wrapped in the morning mist in front of Angkor Wat.

The jungle trek in Chiang Mai, Thailand, thrilled Mark and Dean, who shared a dozen photos with me. The local guide, who had been working with Asia Odyssey Travel for many years, was a very enthusiastic and responsible person. Along the way, he picked over ten kinds of roadside wild herbs for them to taste - some could stop bleeding or itching, some were Thai cooking seasonings, and some were used as mosquito repellents. There were also strange plants and insects in the mountains. The guide would stop every few steps to demonstrate them. He said there used to be leopards, but now only wild monkeys and eagles remained.

The mountain wasn't high but very steep. In the completely wild natural environment, they climbed wooden ladders using both hands and feet, waded through small streams, and could swim in waterfalls, observing novel flowers and mushrooms, feeling like they were in the jungle of Hunger Games 1.

Their laughter also echoed through their subsequent time in Phuket and the Andaman Sea, the exclamation marks in their chats coming to life.

After their return, they sent me a thank-you email: "The eight of us never imagined a multi-country trip could be arranged so smoothly! You met each of our needs and solved temporary problems for us at crucial moments. Your attention to detail and service beyond our expectations made this trip a comfortable yet exciting memory!"

I'm thrilled to have enabled eight different travel dreams to be fulfilled within the same journey, and I look forward to fulfilling the travel dreams of more tourists with diverse interests!