In November 2022, I had the opportunity to visit Thailand and stopped at three places: Chiang Mai (North), Bangkok (Central), and Phuket (South). Below is a quick itinerary and some personal experiences, hoping to be helpful for anyone planning a trip.

THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

  • Entry: Only a passport is required.
  • Booking flights/accommodation: I used Traveloka for flights and Agoda for hotels. For tours and attraction tickets, I booked via Klook.
  • English: Thai people in tourist areas, markets, and hotels speak English quite well, so no need to worry too much about communication.
  • Renting a motorbike: This service is available, but it's best to have an international driver's license to avoid trouble with the traffic police. Remember: they drive on the left side of the road.
  • Photo album: https://vulehuan.com/en/r/pBzIE9lPLiX

DAY 1: CHIANG MAI – DOI SUTHEP TEMPLE

  • Took a direct Vietjet flight from Ho Chi Minh City to Chiang Mai (2 hours). The airport is quite close to the city center, so it was quick to get into the city.
  • At the airport, I took a taxi to a motorbike rental place, then went to the hotel B2 Premier Hotel & Resort (booked in advance on Agoda).
  • Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep: A temple on the mountain, built in 1383. You can visit by climbing the 309 steps. Explored the main chapel, admired the gilded chedi (stupa), and looked out over the panoramic view of Chiang Mai city from above. There were many tourists, but the space still retained its sacred feel.
  • In the evening, went to the Three Kings Monument area and the Night Bazaar for dinner and a stroll through the night market. This place sells everything from clothes, souvenirs to handicrafts. There was also plenty of street food; I sat down to try some grilled dishes and fruit.

DAY 2: CHIANG MAI – PHA CHOR CANYON & LANTERN FESTIVAL

  • Morning: Pha Chor – a limestone canyon in Mae Wang National Park. This place has fewer tourists than the main spots; the landscape is quite unique, like a mini-canyon with rock pillars about 30m high. The path is easy thanks to railings, and it takes about 30 minutes to explore the whole area.
  • Afternoon: Stopped by Wat Ku Tao – a small temple with a unique brick chedi architecture, quite different from other temples in the region. Not too crowded, a quick visit then move on.
  • Evening: Participated in the Khomloy CAD Lantern Festival. This event happens once a year in Chiang Mai (in 2023, it was on Nov 27-28). Thousands of lanterns were released into the sky, creating an impressive spectacle. The festival atmosphere was quite lively, with food stalls and some cultural performances. It's advisable to book tickets in advance as they sell out easily.
  • Cuisine: In the North, remember to try Khao Soi – a curry noodle soup with coconut milk, served with chicken or beef. I had a bowl at a roadside shop and found it quite delicious, suitable for Vietnamese tastes.

DAY 3: CHIANG MAI – BANGKOK – KHAO SAN ROAD

  • Morning: Visited Wat Chedi Luang. The highlight is the large chedi, over 80m high, although it was partially damaged by an earthquake in the 16th century. The compound also contains several small temples and a wooden pillar, which is said to be a place where people come to pray for good luck.
  • Flew from Chiang Mai to Bangkok (approx. 1 hour 15 minutes).
  • Evening: Arrived at Khao San Road – the bustling backpacker street. Although I didn't stay long, I walked past some snack stalls, bars, and souvenir shops. The atmosphere was noisy and crowded, mainly with backpackers.

DAY 4: BANGKOK – PHUKET – PHUKET FANTASY SHOW

  • Morning in Bangkok: Visited two temples
    • Wat Traimit: Famous for its solid gold Buddha image weighing 5.5 tons. The temple is located right by Hualamphong train station; a 30-minute visit is sufficient.
    • Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn): The main prang (Khmer-style tower) is decorated with Chinese porcelain. You can climb partway up to view the Chao Phraya River, but the steps are quite steep, so be careful.
  • Flew from Bangkok to Phuket.
  • Evening: Watched the Phuket Fantasia show – a cultural performance combined with stage effects and beautiful costumes. The content revolves around Thai history and mythology. The area before the show has some food stalls and souvenir shops; you can arrive a bit early to look around.

DAY 5: PHUKET – PHI PHI ISLANDS (DAY TOUR)

  • Booked a speedboat tour via Klook. Early morning, a car picked us up from the hotel to Seastar Leam Nga pier.
  • Itinerary:
    • Pileh Lagoon: Water is clear and green; the boat stopped for swimming for about 30 minutes.
    • Lunch on Phi Phi Don (Ton Sai Bay) – simple buffet, enough to fill up.
    • Stopped at Monkey Beach (viewing from the boat, not going ashore) and Viking Cave – took a few photos.
    • Maya Bay: The setting for the movie "The Beach". Beautiful but crowded, and the stop time was limited.
    • Khai Nai Island: White sand beach, shallow water, relaxed swimming or sunbathing until the afternoon.
  • Late afternoon returned to Phuket.
  • Evening: Went to Patong Beach, strolled down Bangla Walking Street – the most bustling entertainment street in Phuket. Shops were crowded, neon lights were bright, mainly bars and clubs.

DAY 6: PHUKET – GO HOME

  • Woke up late in the morning, went to Big C supermarket to buy gifts. The supermarket here sells many snacks and cosmetics at cheaper prices than souvenir shops.
  • Note: From Patong to Phuket Airport is quite far, taking nearly 1 hour. Traditional taxis are cheaper than Grab, so leave early to catch your flight on time.
  • Took a direct Vietjet flight from Phuket back to Ho Chi Minh City. End of the 6-day trip.