“Discover the culinary gems of Vietnam”
11 Days Private Tour Discover the Culinary Gems of Vietnam
Hanoi, Vietnam
Private Culinary Tour in Vietnam
There is no easier way to get into the heart of a country than through food, and this Discover The Culinary Gems of Vietnam in 11 Days tour includes encounters with locals who will teach you the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine and give you a unique insight into Vietnamese customs and culture. This tour will bring you a completely new journey of the senses.
Highlights
- Try the most remarkable dishes of Vietnamese street food in different regions
- Cruise in the magnificent Halong Bay
- Have a dining experience in the house of the former Vietnamese princess
- Explore the ancient capital Hue by cyclo
- Visit the floating market on the lively Mekong Delta
- 10 nights accommodation
9 days with instruction
Group size: Maximum of 15 participants
Airport transfer included:
Noi Bai International Airport
Accommodation
Check-in Time:
14:00
Check-out Time:
12:00
Hotel list
4-star hotels
- Hanoi: Tirant Hotel or similar
- Halong Bay: Lapandora Cruise or similar
- Hue: Eldora Hue or similar
- Mekong Delta: Mekong Lodge
- Ho Chi Minh: Cọchinzen Hotel or similar
5-star hotels
- Hanoi: Apricot Hotel or similar
- Halong Bay: Era Cruise or similar
- Hue: Silk Path Hotel or similar
- Mekong Delta: Mekong Lodge or similar
- Ho Chi Minh: The Myst Dong Khoi or similar
Check-in room at 14:00, check-out room at 12:00 noon (except early check-in or Late check-out mentioned in the program).
Program
Your vacation begins with the charming capital, Hanoi, touring the city’s “must-sees”, and diving into Hanoi’s deep-rooted food culture by visiting local markets and sampling street fares in hidden alleys with a local food expert. You can catch good options for Cha Ca, Bun Cha, and Pho, the signature Vietnamese food that will come to anyone’s mind when coming to Vietnam.
Then, discover UNESCO-listed Halong Bay on a cruise. Enjoy the delicious seafood along with exploring the magnificent views of limestone formations.
Journey south to Central Vietnam to the ancient imperial of Hue, where you will explore the town’s ancient sites and enjoy a traditional meal like former Royals at Ngoc Son Princess’s house.
Continue to the vibrant metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City, known as the “Paris of the East” which has blossomed as one of Asia’s hottest destinations. Here, hop on the bike and savor the city’s food scene with a foodies tour.
Moreover, take a trip down the mighty Mekong and drift alongside splendid paddy fields, relax in the lush gardens, and try to see the freshest tropical fruit you can find.
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome to Vietnam - Hanoi arrival
Your Vietnam adventure begins with your arrival in Hanoi. Your private driver will meet you at the airport, holding a signboard with your name. He will escort you to your accommodation right in the heart of the city, with the fascinating Old Quarter at your fingertips. You can easily explore the city at your own pace or relax at the hotel after the flight.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2: Foodie tour with a blogger
Meet with a local food expert for a mouth-watering tour of Hanoi—indulging all five of your senses on a journey through fascinating markets and delicious food. Start the day with a visit to Thanh Ha, a busy, eclectic market alive with the sounds and smells of Hanoi. Capture the essence of Vietnamese culture while browsing the food stalls, hearing about local culinary culture, and sampling unusual Hanoi delicacies.
Carry on to the Dong Xuan market, where amid the stalls selling handbags, clothes, and other goods, you'll find some of the city's most popular noodle shops. Sample treats such as pho sot vang (noodle soup with pork and herbs), and bun dau (tofu served in soup with rice noodles and fermented shrimp paste). Your guide's extensive culinary experience will help illuminate the secrets of these dishes and Vietnamese culinary traditions.
Meander to the Old Quarter and explore the maze of laneways of this historic neighborhood. See ceremonial cake stalls and stop to taste a special French-influenced dessert as your guide explains the tradition of food gifts for celebrations. Continue walking along Hang Cot Street where preserved fruits are sold and onto other streets with unusual and special items for sale.
Wrap up your culinary adventure at one of Hanoi's small, busy coffee shops. Sit down for a sweet iced coffee or a slow-dripped hot brew while watching the passing scenes of local life.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch
Day 3: Cruising to magnificent Halong Bay - Overnight on cruise
In the morning, check out of the hotel, and get picked up by the cruise team. Take the most scenic route to reach Halong Bay, taking you across the Red River Delta with emerald green rice paddies stretching for as far as the eyes can see. On arrival at the pier, you will board the cruise and enjoy the fantastic views of limestone rocks and the karst grottoes. Have an utterly delicious seafood lunch and enjoy the time at the sundeck exploring the bay.
The cruise will stop in a secret place where you will spend time kayaking or swimming, so you can explore the karst grottoes closer. Towards the evening, you will return to the boat for an early dinner, followed by some time at leisure. You can optionally attend the activities taking part on the boat or just relax.
Overnight on cruise.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Note: In case of bad weather (the boat is not allowed to push off or not allowed to overnight in the sea), the Ha Long Bay tour could be canceled without notice. Realistic Asia will consider other replacement tours or a refund based on the specific circumstances.
Day 4: Wake up on the Dragon Bay - Back to Hanoi
Rise early today to view the sunrise at the wonder of nature with breakfast served in the dining room. A Tai Chi class on the sun deck will awaken your mind and muscles. Then head off to visit the limestone cave full of stalagmites and stalactites. After your exploration return to the boat to check out and enjoy the brunch while the cruise is sailing back to the harbor. Later you will be transferred to your accommodation in Hanoi.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch
Day 5: Travel from Hanoi to Hue City
Relish the remaining moment in Hanoi before your private driver escorts you to the airport to take the flight to Hue. When you arrive at Hue Airport, your driver will pick you up and transfer you to your accommodation in the city center. The rest of the time is free for leisure.
Overnight in Hue.
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 6: Explore the imperial citadel - Dinner at Ngoc Son Princess House
Start today's explorations of Hue with a visit to the Imperial Citadel, a grand UNESCO-listed complex where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. After exploring the ruins of this vast monument, take a cyclo ride through the Old City to Tinh Tam Lake, where the Emperors used to come to relax. Decorated with blooming lotus flowers in summer, this peaceful spot is popular with university students who come to study at the many local-style coffee shops along the shore.
Continue to Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the oldest and most beautiful pagodas in Vietnam, then break for lunch at a local restaurant. More sightseeing awaits at the Mausoleum of Tu Duc. Built decades before its occupant’s death, this tomb was used as a palace retreat before becoming the Emperor’s hallowed resting place.
Continue to Khai Dinh’s Tomb, which combines traditional Vietnamese design with European touches to create one of the city's most unique and beautiful structures. Your evening comes to a close at the Ngoc Son Princess House, where you'll sit down to dinner amid the splendor of this beloved garden house. Enjoy a meal of traditional Hue specialties prepared by the family at their historic home while you hear stories of the city's fascinating past.
Overnight in Hue.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 7: Travel from Hue to Ho Chi Minh City
Have breakfast at the hotel, and have free time until the driver will meet you for a transfer to the airport for your next flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel. After the hotel check-have some leisure time in Ho Chi Minh City.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 8: Ho Chi Minh street food tour
This morning your personal tour guide will meet you with a motorbike for a half-day tour of the city. Hop on the back and head through the city's lively streets, passing the many Vietnamese guitar makers’ stores, interesting eateries, and residential apartment buildings. The walking portion of your explorations starts from Nguyen Thien Thuat Street and ends at Ban Co Market, where you'll be invited to try chè (a Vietnamese dessert made of beans, sticky rice, and coconut milk).
Continue to Districts 10 and 5 to witness the colors, smells, and sounds of typical Ho Chi Minh life as you pass shops and street food stands and dodge passing rickshaws. Stroll along the traditional medicine streets of Chinatown, then visit the Chinese Thien Hau Temple (dedicated to the worship of the Heavenly Queen).
End your adventure at a local restaurant for a lunch of local favorites like com tam (broken rice) or bun bo (beef noodle soup). Afterward, your guide will take you back to your hotel by motorbike.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch
Day 9: Sailing through the mighty Mekong Delta
Depart from Ho Chi Minh City around 8 am, and head to Mekong Delta, the land of nine dragons. Upon arrival at Cai Be, you will board the boat, which will take you through Mekong’s fertile alluvial water, which shapes the richness of the land, to Mekong Lodge. Upon arrival at the resort, check in your private bungalow and enjoy a delicious lunch by the riverside.
Have some rest, and get ready for a cycling trip to Tan Phong Island. Here you will visit some local handicraft workshops and see how locals make banana leaf hammocks, water coconut leaves thatch, or home decor products made of water hyacinth. Visit fruit gardens where you can enjoy freshly picked fruits and Vietnamese folk music. Then take a small rowing boat trip through the canal. Have dinner at the restaurant and have a relaxing evening at the resort.
Overnight in Cai Be.
Meal plan: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 10: Experience on the floating market
Begin your second day at Mekong Delta with a buffet breakfast. Then take a boat trip to Cai Be floating market, a cultural feature of the Mekong Delta. You will see the most vibrant scene on the Tien River with hundreds of boats gathering for the fresh produce trade. Then spend some more time on the island visiting more handicraft villages. Then check out of the hotel and drive back to Ho Chi Minh.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh.
Meal plan: Breakfast
Day 11: Time to say goodbye - Ho Chi Minh departure
Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip. Complete the hotel check-out formalities after which you can visit the local markets and buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Later, proceed for departure and board your flight back home. The trip ends here.
Meal plan: Breakfast
Location
This culinary tour takes place in Vietnam. You will visit places such as Hanoi, Halong Bay, and Hue.
Food
The price includes meals as outlined in the itinerary. Also provided is water on the coach.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Drinks
The following drinks are included:
- Water
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
What's included
- All sightseeing tickets according to the itinerary
- Tissues and water on the coach
- Service charges and government tax
- 24/7 hotline support guaranteed
- Door-to-door pick-up and drop-off services by private car
- Air-conditioned bus between Hanoi and Halong Bay (2-way)
- Private round transfer between Ho Chi Minh and Cai Be
- Private car for the excursions
- Experienced English-speaking guide
- French / German / Spanish / Russian / Chinese speaking guides are available upon request. The surcharge will be applied
What's not included
- Travel insurance
- Other activities and services
- International flights and departure taxes
- Beverage, personal expenses, tips, and gratuities
- Early check-in and late check-out (if not mentioned)
- Compulsory gala dinner on 24 Dec, 31 Dec and 21 Jan (Tet)
- Public holiday surcharge (Christmas and New Year, Tet holiday) if applicable
- Surcharge for airport cabs from 12:00 a.m. – 05:00 a.m.
- E-Visa (Vietnam: 25 USD per person)
- Services not mentioned above
- Flight Hanoi to Hue (with 20 kg luggage allowance) - to be paid upon arrival
- Flight Hue to Ho Chi Minh (with 20 kg luggage allowance) - to be paid upon arrival
How to get there
Recommended Airports
HAN
Noi Bai International Airport
20 km
Transfer included
Airport: Noi Bai International Airport
Airport transfer included: Noi Bai International Airport
No additional charges. You can request this in the next step.
Cancellation Policy
- A reservation requires a deposit of 20% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 30 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.
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