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Thailand Tour with Yia Vang
November 19-25, 2026 | One Exclusive Departure
Thailand, Layer by Layer
An insider's look into Thailand’s culinary landscape, from heritage ingredients to home kitchens.
“My trip was life-changing. I want to go on several more!”
Questions? Text or call us
+1 (855) 219-8018
$8,000
per person based on double occupancy; includes two internal flights between Bangkok and Chiang Mai.

America’s Leading Hmong Chef & 2x James Beard Award Semifinalist, Yia Vang
The road to the village winds upward through lush green hills, the din of the city left far below. By late afternoon, you’re perched on a wooden bench in a Hmong village, watching steam rise from a pot of medicinal herbs and listening to stories that feel older than the forest. It’s a long way from the alleyways of Bangkok’s Chinatown from a few days ago, where you tried your first bite of crispy fried banana dipped in sugarcane syrup. Tomorrow you’ll stand beside a chef grinding curry paste, learning how lime leaf and holy basil can speak volumes before venturing out into town to experience the sights and lights of Yi Peng Lantern Festival. But here, in the cool shade of the hills, time slows. A pot simmers. A thread is pulled. And something shifts quietly, lastingly.
Trip Highlights
- Private Michelin-starred welcome dinner
- Iconic temple visits by boat and tuk tuk
- Riverside lunch with Wat Arun views
- Rooftop cocktails overlooking the city
- Street food tasting by Vespa
- Visit to a traditional village
- Chef-led Thai cooking class
- Experience Yi Peng Festival with locals
- Intimate tasting menu dinner

3 Reasons to Travel with Yia Vang
Yia Vang is the chef and storyteller behind Union Hmong Kitchen and the acclaimed restaurant Vinai. Named after the Thai refugee camp where he was born, the restaurant now stands among TIME’s 100 Best Places in the World for 2025. A two-time James Beard semifinalist, he elevates Hmong flavor traditions with emotional clarity—especially his parents’ refugee legacy—and a deep reverence for regional stories. Vinai’s rapid rise has been marked by features in the New York Times, Eater, and Bon Appétit, embedding Hmong heritage at the heart of American culinary innovation.

Restoration Station
Vinai isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a return. Named for the Thai refugee camp where his family once sought safety, Yia Vang built Vinai as a place of nourishment, dignity, and deep cultural memory. In his kitchen, food becomes a vessel for healing, where suffering is met with flavor, and longing answered with restoration.
Long Journey Home
Thailand was once the place Yia Vang’s family fled. Now it’s a place he seeks to understand. His journey from displacement to purpose honors the spirit of his parents, and the millions like them, who dreamed of a future where their children could choose their own path and share their own story.
Soup for the Soul
Northern Thailand’s Hmong homes often double as restaurants. Here, wooden porches serving steaming bowls of herbal broth that taste like memory. Yia channels this soulful simplicity at his restaurants where what may look like chicken soup carries generations of wisdom, warmth, and care. It’s grandma’s healing bowl, elevated with intention and served with heart.
I would do exactly the same trip again!
I can’t believe that 20 strangers so quickly bonded into a cohesive group.
Such a totally immersive experience. Incredible.
Where We Sleep

Sleek, serene, and rooted in Thai heritage, our stays pair contemporary design with timeless hospitality. From a chic urban sanctuary in Bangkok to a riverside retreat in Chiang Mai, each hotel offers a peaceful base infused with thoughtful touches and a deep sense of place.
COMO Metropolitan Bangkok
BangkokTucked along vibrant Sathorn Road, COMO Metropolitan Bangkok is a serene city hideaway. Sleek interiors of Thai makha wood, silk drapes, and limestone baths create a minimalist cocoon, while curated local art adds warmth and depth. A perfect balance of urban energy and calm refinement, it’s a quiet haven at the heart of Bangkok’s bustle.

Anantara Chiang Mai Resort
Chiang MaiSet beside the Mae Ping River on the former British consulate grounds, Anantara Chiang Mai blends colonial elegance with contemporary Thai design. Lush gardens, a peaceful spa, and riverfront dining invite deep relaxation, while the city’s temples, galleries, and markets sit just beyond. It’s a graceful retreat where heritage and serenity meet in the heart of Chiang Mai.


Book Thailand Tour with Yia Vang
Make It Private
We understand that certain dates can work better than others, or sometimes a more private experience is more appealing. We’d be happy to modify this departure so it fits the needs of you and your group.
Start HereQuestions?
That’s OK, we have answers.
Read our FAQs below. Or text or call us at +1 (855) 219-8018 to speak with a Modern Adventure Trip Specialist.
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What does the price include?
Six nights at unique four- and five-star accommodations; transportation to the trip’s starting and ending points; two internal flights between Bangkok and Chiang Mai; private travel for all day trips and excursions; private tours with local guides and cultural experts; exclusive VIP access and tastings; guided activities, hands-on workshops; adventures and expeditions; entrance fees; daily breakfasts, most lunches and dinners; local beverages with meals; gratuities for local staff.
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What does the price not include?
International roundtrip airfare; travel insurance; activities not included in the trip itinerary; hotel incidentals including room service, laundry service and hotel bar tabs; food and beverage not included in itinerary; gratuity for tour leader.
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Where does this trip start and end?
Our adventure begins at Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), where we’ll transfer to COMO Metropolitan Bangkok. Our last day is in Chiang Mai, Thailand, with a transfer from Chiang Mai International Airport (CNX) to Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK).
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What travel documents are needed?
US citizens are required to obtain a visa before traveling to Thailand. Modern Adventure will obtain this required travel document, which is included in the trip cost. Additionally, your passport must be valid for six months beyond your arrival date.
Not a US citizen? Please check with the Thailand Embassy or Consulate for information and requirements.
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Do I need to pay a solo traveler supplement?
For solo travelers, there is a $1,500 single-supplement fee—paid at the time of booking to secure a private room. These spots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Who is going on this trip?
Our adventures typically have between 10 and 20 guests, and our Modern Adventure Team. Our experiences are fun and inclusive and you can expect to be joined by a diverse group in terms of age, background and interests—including solo travelers, couples and friends traveling together. This adventure is for travelers age 18 and above.
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Who is leading this trip?
This trip is led by an expert Modern Adventure Trip Leader. They’re an experienced travel guide, a representative of Modern Adventure and your go-to person for questions or concerns on the trip. We’ll be joined throughout our adventure by local, expert guides who are deeply knowledgeable with respect to local cultures, customs and history and are passionate about sharing that with us.
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What is the cancellation policy?
You may cancel 120 days or more before departure and receive a full refund minus a $1500 per person service fee ($500 of which may be retained as a future travel credit, valid for one year after cancellation). If you cancel on or after 119 days in advance, there is a 50% cancellation fee. On or after 59 days in advance, there is a 100% cancellation fee. See our full terms and conditions for details.
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Do I need Travel Insurance?
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement for your trip costs; if your trip plans change for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to get medical help, emergency transport, and for theft, loss or damage of items while traveling. For best coverage, always insure the full trip cost within two weeks of your initial trip deposit and note that most ‘Cancel For Any Reason’ policies must be purchased on the date of your initial deposit.