Everything you need to know about a 5-day self-guided trip to Thailand.

Where to go and what to do in Thailand?

Grand Palace of Thailand

The Grand Palace, the Royal Palace of Thailand, is located on Na Phra Lan Road, Phra Borom Maha Ratchawang Ward, Phra Nakhon District, Bangkok, Thailand. This famous landmark attracts visitors annually not only for its beautiful and modern architecture but also for its rich history of the Thai royal family.

Opening hours: 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM

Ticket price: 500 baht/person (approximately 350,000 VND)

Wat Pho

Built on the banks of the Chao Phraya River during the Ayutthaya period in the 16th century, Wat Pho is the oldest and largest Theravada Buddhist temple in Thailand. The temple complex is divided into two parts: the northern part houses the main hall with numerous Buddha statues and a traditional massage school, while the southern part contains the monks' residences and monastery.

Wat Pho is famous for having the largest reclining Buddha statue in Thailand, measuring 64 meters in length and 15 meters in height. The statue of Siddhartha Gautama Buddha is constructed of brick covered in plaster, gilded with gold leaf, and decorated with intricate patterns. In addition, the temple complex includes 91 circular stupas, comprising 71 small and 20 large ones.

Opening hours: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM

Ticket price: 200 baht/person (approximately 140,000 VND)

Wat Arun

Nestled peacefully on the west bank of the Chao Phraya River, Wat Arun is a magnificent temple whose beauty captivates visitors. Upon arrival, you'll be amazed by the sight of its towering spires standing majestically against the deep blue sky. But that's not all; Wat Arun also boasts colorful walls and a multitude of exquisitely carved mosaics made from ceramics, porcelain, and glass.

The most striking feature of the Wat Arun complex is undoubtedly the central tower, called "Phra Prang," which stands 82 meters tall and is entirely decorated with colorful porcelain and glass. The temple grounds are divided into two main courtyards with numerous statues of guardian deities, soldiers, and the god Indra riding the white elephant Erawan, also known as the god of thunder and lightning, a supreme deity in Hinduism. Despite its name, Wat Arun is most beautiful at sunset.

Opening hours: 8 AM to 6 PM

Ticket price: 100 baht/person (approximately 70,000 VND)

Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen

Wat Paknam Bhasicharoen is a royal temple located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River in the Phasi Charoen district of Bangkok. Paknam means "lock in the canal," referring to the temple's location. The main architecture of Wat Paknam is heavily influenced by traditional Thai architecture, particularly Theravada Buddhist architecture. The main building is tall and majestic, with numerous pillars and ornate carvings. The building has four floors, with the top floor dedicated to a statue of the Goddess of Mercy (Guan Yin). The interior design of the temple is extremely refined and elegant.

Shopping mall

Bangkok, the capital city, is home to countless shopping malls offering a wide variety of styles and prices. The intriguing mix of high-end brands, local handicrafts, and budget-friendly products creates a diverse shopping experience that attracts both domestic and international tourists.

If you're a shopaholic, you can check out some of Bangkok's busiest shopping malls such as Icon Siam, Siam Paragon, Central World, Terminal 21, MBK Center, Big C Rajdamri… Or you can visit Bangkok Fashion Outlet or Central Village Outlet to shop for many quality items at incredibly discounted prices.

Night markets

Bangkok's night markets are always considered a major attraction for tourists visiting the "Land of Smiles." Although they are all night markets, each has its own unique goods and characteristics. Therefore, you won't feel bored when visiting these markets.

In Bangkok, you can visit several famous night markets such as Jodd Fair, Chinatown, Khaosan, Pratunam, Chatuchak… to shop, enjoy street food, and experience Thai massage.

The distinctive cuisine of the "Land of the Golden Temples"

Michelin-starred restaurant

True to its reputation as a "culinary paradise," Bangkok boasts numerous Michelin-starred restaurants – a prestigious award in the culinary world. These Michelin-starred establishments range from luxurious to casual street food. A common thread among them is delicious food, and diners often have to queue for a long time to enjoy their meal.

You can enjoy dishes such as crab roe at Jay Fai, Pad Thai at Thip Samai, Mama noodles at Jae Oh, crab rice at Here Hai, Hainanese chicken rice at Go Ang, beef noodles at Wattana Panich, minced pork noodles at Rung Reung Pork Noodles, and more at renowned Michelin-starred restaurants.

Local restaurant

Unlike Michelin-starred restaurants where diners have to queue for a long time, local eateries are places that aren't famous with tourists but are familiar to the locals in Thailand. Therefore, the waitstaff may not be very proficient in English, but the menus still clearly list the dishes so that diners can easily choose.

Street food at the night market

Visiting Bangkok without experiencing the street food paradise at its night markets is a huge mistake. Thai cuisine is a blend of spicy, sour, sweet, and bitter flavors. Wandering through Thailand's night markets, you'll have the chance to enjoy street food at incredibly cheap prices, yet with flavors you won't easily forget.

Snack food paradise

Visiting Thailand, tourists will have the opportunity to experience incredibly unique snacks, reflecting the distinct culinary style of the Thai people that is incomparable to anywhere else. To explore the culinary paradise of Thailand, perhaps one trip is not enough, because the snacks alone offer countless visually appealing and unique options.

Transportation options in Thailand

To get to Bangkok, you can choose to fly to either Suvarnabhumi Airport or Don Muang Airport. Flying from Vietnam to Thailand does not require a visa, but your passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months. Upon arrival in Bangkok, you can buy a SIM card at TrueMove counters and exchange money at SuperRich counters at a cheaper exchange rate than in Vietnam.

In Thailand, the main modes of transportation are the BTS Skytrain, the MRT subway, and river buses. If you mainly use public transport, you can buy a one-day pass to save money. Alternatively, you can call a Grab or Bolt taxi, but travel is quite slow due to Bangkok's notorious traffic jams. Especially when visiting Wat Paknam, you can experience renting a private boat from the pier at Wat Mai Yai Nui for 300 baht per person (approximately 210,000 VND) for a round trip and take stunning photos floating on the Chao Phraya River.

Appropriate clothing for travel

Bangkok's weather and climate fall into two categories: hot and dry, or hot and humid. One thing is certain: Bangkok is quite hot; you'll rarely experience cold weather there. Therefore, breathable, sweat-wicking clothing is the best choice when traveling in Thailand.

When visiting temples, you should dress respectfully, avoiding shorts that are too short (above the knees) or sleeveless tops. If you happen to be wearing something too short, the temples also offer rental services for more modest and respectful clothing. In particular, you can rent traditional Thai costumes for 250 baht (approximately 175,000 VND) to take plenty of photos in the "Land of Golden Temples".

Phuong Mai is a reporter for Travellive Magazine in Hanoi.

Text and photos: Phuong Mai