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Chiang Mai, Thailand
Culture/food
• Old City temples + evening street food crawl
• Night Bazaar / Sunday Walking Street (if timing works)
Adventure/nature
• Doi Suthep for sunset
• Day trip: Sticky Waterfalls (Bua Thong) or Doi Inthanon (big nature day)
Fun/unique
• Thai cooking class (the “eat what you cook” one is always a win)
• Muay Thai night (even if you’re not a fight guy, the atmosphere is class)
Chill
• Café hopping in Nimman + massages (you’ll become addicted)
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Ko Samui, Thailand
Night markets + food
• Temple viewpoint day (Big Buddha / Wat Plai Laem area)
• Beach club / chill day
(If you find Samui a bit built-up, you can steal a night from here and give it to Ko Tao for more diving time.)
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Ko Tao, Thailand
Best bits
• Snorkel trip (easy win)
• Diving: either fun dives or do your Open Water if you’re tempted
• Viewpoints + sunset bars
• One full “do absolutely nothing” day
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Ko Pha Ngan, Thailand
Day 1 (Sat 11 Apr) – Arrive & prep
• Get settled
• Buy:
• Big water gun
• Waterproof phone pouch
• Flip flops you don’t care about
• Sunset beers at a west coast beach (Haad Yao / Secret Beach)
Day 2 (Sun 12 Apr) – Warm-up
• Beach day / waterfalls
• Early night or light party
• Everyone’s gearing up
Days 3–5 (Mon 13 – Wed 15 Apr) – SONGKRAN
Daytime
• Thong Sala main streets = madness
• Everyone drenched within 30 seconds of leaving accommodation
• DJs on trucks, bars blasting music, locals hosing tourists
Night
• Beach parties, jungle raves, pop-up events
• Full Moon style energy but spread across multiple days
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Koh Samui, Thailand
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Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
City
• War Remnants Museum (heavy but important)
• Rooftop bar night + street food tour
Day trips (choose one or two)
• Cu Chi Tunnels
• Mekong Delta day trip (or overnight if you want it slower)
If you’re not a big city person, you could trim to 3 and add to Hanoi / extra beach buffer — but 4 is totally fine with trips.
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Hội An, Vietnam
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Hanoi, Vietnam
In the city
• Old Quarter wander + egg coffee
• Train Street (only if it’s operating safely/legally at the time)
• Water puppet show (sounds touristy—actually fun)
Day trip options (choose ONE)
• Ninh Binh (views, boats, temples) — better “wow” day trip than most people expect
• Ha Long Bay — iconic, but feels more “tour package” (still great if it’s on your bucket list)
If you do want Ha Long properly, consider adding a night so it’s not a long day of transport.
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Hà Giang, Vietnam
This is usually about the Hà Giang Loop.
• With 3 nights, the sweet spot is: arrive + briefing → 2–3 day loop → back → leave.
• Go with an easy rider if you want maximum scenery, minimum stress.
• Expect: insane viewpoints, mountain passes, village stops, homestays.
(If you want a more relaxed loop, add a night from Vang Vieng.)
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Ninh Bình, Vietnam
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Cyprus, Cyprus