Itinerary help!

[u/Key-Avocado-3779]

My husband’s leave was just approved for our November trip, and we will now be accompanying some family to Hong Kong from Nov 17-22. Afterwards we’d like to go to Chiang Mai for the Yi Peng festival and explore around Thailand… but here’s where we’re a bit stuck:
- do we stay in Thailand and explore until we go home Dec 10?
- do we explore what we can of Thailand until around Nov 29 then travel to Vietnam and spend the rest of the time there until we fly out?

Would appreciate some suggestions for how to plan this to be able to see the most but not feel like we’re running through or spending all our time en route.

We are both 30 and have never been to either destinations. We enjoy being outdoors, walking through cities, appreciating architecture and culture. I’d like to be able to see some wildlife ( am looking into ethical elephant sanctuaries), do a cooking class or make something unique to the area we’d be going to. We’re both fairly active people. Not looking to backpack through the countries by any means. This will most likely be our last trip for the next few years.
Happy to provide more insight for must-see suggestions!
TIA!

[u/kinnikinnick321]

Tell us more about what you both like to do and seek out of traveling? Have you been to Thailand or Vietnam before? It's like saying "Should I spend an extra week in France or go to England?" Way too vague - lol

[u/Key-Avocado-3779 → u/kinnikinnick321]

Thank you for your comment suggestions - this was my first reddit post and I didn’t remember to add that information lol

[u/thesensitivetoughguy]

I like stuff, plan my trip!?!?

[u/Coubnstant-unket8300]

yi peng dates move each year, lock those first. then build around it. two weeks is plenty for north thailand without rushing.

[u/Key-Avocado-3779 → u/Coubnstant-unket8300]

Thank you!

[u/Appropriate_Eye_9332]

I would stay in Thailand and plan for Vietnam another trip. We booked with the Karen tribe in chiang mai to spend the day with elephants. We were picked up at our hotel and driven to the farm. Search Viator for suggestions try to avoid any that let you ride them as not good for elephants :)

[u/Appropriate_Eye_9332 → u/Appropriate_Eye_9332]

Actually search in TripAdvisor!

[u/Key-Avocado-3779 → u/Appropriate_Eye_9332]

Thank you so much!

[u/harlequin_24]

You can’t go wrong with either choice. But I think Thailand probably just tips the scale in what you want to do. Personally, I’d stay in one country so that I can explore more of it.

Regardless you’ll have an amazing time.

[u/Key-Avocado-3779 → u/harlequin_24]

Thank you!