“Embark on this amazing culinary journey”
12 Day Authentic Culinary Tour in Vietnam
Hanoi, Vietnam
Amazing Vietnam Culinary Tour
The founder of modern marketing Philip Kotler once said that “kitchen of the world” is a suitable image for Vietnam, with her bounty of good dishes. Different from other parts of the world, Vietnamese food contains elements of the fine arts, science, and the balance of the yin and yang. You will discover a wide range of real authentic Hanoi food with a local food blogger, from the world-famous Pho to the less well-known egg coffee in this tour. Let’s embark on this culinary journey and learn more about its’ taste!
Highlights
- Stroll through the maze of Hanoi to seek the real authentic food of the Hanoians
- Turn back time to join a Royal dinner event in an ancient house restaurant
- Explore Tam Giang lagoon - the largest brackish lagoon in Southeast Asia
- Try an exciting “farmer day” at Tra Que herb Village
- Dining in the Dark at the Noir (Saigon)
- Exploring Vietnam through cooking class with the locals from North to South
- Various visits to a local market in each place to learn about different local ingredients
- 11 nights accommodation
11 days with instruction
Airport transfer included:
Noi Bai International Airport
Accommodation
Check-in Time:
14:00
Check-out Time:
11:00
You will be accommodated on a twin-sharing basis in 3-star, 4-star, or 5-star hotels, according to your choice.
3-star hotels
- Hanoi: HanoiOi Hotel - Premium Deluxe room
- Halong Bay: Victory cruise – 4* ROH
- Hue: Rosaleen hotel - Superior room
- Hoi An: Kim An - Superior room
- Saigon: Liberty Parkview - Deluxe room
- Can Tho: Saigon – Can Tho Superior room
4-star hotels
- Hanoi: Tirant Hotel - Deluxe room
- Halong Bay: La Regina Royal Cruise – 5* Noble Suite
- Hue: Moonlight Hotel - Superior room
- Hoi An: Belle Maison Hadana - Deluxe room with balcony
- Saigon: Ramada Encore by Wyndham Saigon - Junior Deluxe
- Can Tho: Ninh Kieu Riverside - Superior river view
5-star hotels
- Hanoi: Pedidot Grand Luxury boutique - Premier Deluxe
- Halong Bay: Era cruise – 5* ROH
- Hue: Indochine Palace - Palace Deluxe room
- Hoi An: Allegro Hoi An - Junior Suites
- Saigon: Majestic - Colonial Deluxe
- Can Tho: Victoria Can Tho - Superior room
Program
Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi - city tour
Welcome to Vietnam! The local tour guide will be welcoming you at Noi Bai airport; it will take 35 minutes' drive to the center of Hanoi to check into the hotel. It’s then your own time to relax after a long-haul flight. In the afternoon, you will have an overall view of the capital through a “cyclo” visit, which will start around the Old Quarter of Hanoi, stop at Ngoc Son Temple located on the Hoan Kiem Lake (the “Sword” Lake), and at Quan Thanh Taoist Temple. In the late afternoon, you will enjoy a unique fascinating show of Water Puppetry, a traditional stage art of Northern Vietnam. The dinner will be at your own arrangement for flexibility. Overnight in Hanoi.
Please note:
- Hotel check-in time is around 14.00
- Depending on your arrival time, the program will be adjusted accordingly.
Day 2: Duong Lam Village - Street food tour
Breakfast at the hotel. Today, you will take time to visit Duong Lam Ancient village - about 65 kilometers from Hanoi with about 1,200 historical years. The village is well-known for its surviving laterite brick houses, built three to four centuries ago. Visit Mia Pagoda (built in the 15th century) and admire 287 statues of all sizes. Then take a walk on the village path to visit Mong Phu Temple (dedicated to national heroes) King Ngo Quyen Temple and King Phung Hung Temple.
You will move on to the ancient houses producing local specialties, such as soft green-lentil cake and rice cake filled with brown onion (depending on the season), especially learn about the procedure of making 'Tuong' - a salty paste made from fermented soybeans, which is popular in vegetarian meals, particularly those prepared and eaten by Vietnamese Buddhist monks.
Lunch with a local family in local style. Transfer back to your hotel in Hanoi for your short relaxation.
Late afternoon, you will step off the beaten track and go through the maze of Hanoi to seek real authentic food with a local guide, which, just by the look, can make your mouth water.
- Hanoi food tour will be incomplete without slurping a bowl of Pho noodle soup, which is considered Vietnam's unofficial national dish.
- On the way to the old quarter, you will see many hawkers who sell fresh fruits. You will have time to take pictures and taste some.
- Follow Obama President's trip to eat Bun Cha (Grilled pork on rice noodles).
- The street food today end at a hidden café - one of Hanoi's best-kept secrets and have a cup of egg coffee. Or if coffee is not your style, a cold beer awaits.
Back your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 3: Hanoi - Halong / Lan Ha Bay - cooking class
If you wish to see how the Hanoi people rise and shine in the morning, wake up early and run to a lake close by your hotel, you can join an exciting scene of hundreds of locals, passionately attentive in their morning exercises of Tai Chi Quan, jogging, martial arts, classical dance and so on.
After breakfast at the hotel, you will head to Halong Bay, a Natural World Heritage designated by UNESCO since 1994 and 2006, and check in the overnight boat. Enjoy a trip to Halong with stops to visit caves or to swim and enjoy the sunset on the sea. This is the perfect time for you to enjoy a cocktail or two as the sun sets over the karst landscape. Foodies can partake in Vietnamese cooking demonstrations before dinner, and guaranteed to whet the appetite. Dinner with fresh seafood. Overnight onboard.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 4: Halong Bay - Hanoi - Flight to Hue
Suggested flight Hanoi - Hue: VN1545 at 18:00 - 19:10
Morning wake up with a Taichi-Quan or yoga exercise guided by the crew before having breakfast whilst your boat goes on between Halong islets. Brunch on board. Return to the Wharf to be back to Noi Bai Airport by bus at midday for your onward flight to Hue.
Upon arrival at Phu Bai airport - Hue, you will be welcomed by the local tour guide and transferred to the city center. Dinner is at your own arrangement for flexibility. Overnight in Hue.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 5: Hue city tour - royal dinner
Being recognized by UNESCO as the first Cultural World Heritage for Vietnam, Hue is highlighted by the old royal architectural works and the most traditional Vietnamese lifestyle. You will discover the charm of the city from the Royal Citadel, Forbidden City, Hue Royal Museum, and Dong Ba bustling market. Lunch is at your own arrangement for flexibility.
In the afternoon, go on to Thien Mu pagoda and visit the Tombs of King Minh Mang, the best-preserved monuments of the Nguyen Emperors since the early 19th and early 20th centuries.
Have a Royal Dinner at Ancient Hue Restaurant - a typical entertainment under the Nguyen Dynasty will be re-created vividly at Ancient Hue restaurant. With this service, guests will have the chance to experience the authentic cuisines of Hue’s royalty. Guests will come into an ancient environment with ancient costumes, royal music, and performances while enjoying the Royal dishes carefully prepared to the finest detail for a sumptuous dinner that is fit for royalty. Overnight in Hue.
Included meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 6: Hue - Tam Giang Lagoon - Hue
Breakfast at the hotel. Your visit today starts from Thai Duong Ha Village, an accident fishing village that has hundreds of years of history. Continue with a visit to the fish market which is busy all day long. At the market, you will experience the bustling life of fishermen and traders from Tam Giang Lagoon as well as see all types of fish, shrimps, and crabs.
Head to Tam Giang pier and take a boat to discover Tam Giang Lagoon, the most wonderful lagoon in Vietnam. Experience the daily life of local people, and fishermen and enjoy the spectacular views in Tam Giang Lagoon, relax and experience the fresh air, and peaceful atmosphere here.
Your last stop today will be at Rú Chá- a tiny islet (rú) on the Tam Giang Lagoon. Originally, Rú Chá was a mangrove forest before local people encroached on the land for farming, leaving the emerging part of the forest a 5ha islet. Dinner is at your own arrangement for flexibility. Overnight in Hue.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 7: Hue - Hoi An ancient town - Hoi An
Breakfast at the hotel, on the way from Hue to Hoi An via the magnificent “Ocean Cloudy” Pass today, you can stop to visit the Lang Co Beach and Marble Mt., and contemplate the wonderful seascape from the mountaintop halfway through the pass. Arrive at the hotel in Hoi An.
In the afternoon, together with the guide in Hoian, you’ll walk over the tile-roofed Japanese Bridge, visit taciturn Chinese Assembly Halls, visit ancient houses and Trading Houses, pagodas, and stroll into the market located by Thu Bon river, where you may find out the same feelings of the artists, who see the rooftops of Hoi An a magical old world of Oriental feel and source of inspiration. This is also a wonderful town to shop for lanterns, soft silk, and raw silk, or get your clothes tailored within a day.
Lunch and dinner are at your own arrangement for flexibility. Overnight in Hoi An.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 8: Hoi An - Tra Que Village - Cooking class - Saigon
Suggested flight Saigon - Da Nang: VN 129 at 16.00-17.30
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart from your hotel and ride the bicycle in 30 minutes to Tra Que herb village. Take a short stroll around the vegetable garden and listen to the history of the village. Then, join gardening activities in preparing the land, fertilizing with seaweed, raking the ground, sowing, watering, and picking vegetables.
Enjoy a foot soak before getting to preparing lunch with a local family. Join cooking with ‘Tam Huu’ spring roll, ‘Banh xeo’ - a local pancake of people in Viet Nam middle region.
Lunch at the local family with local style. Bid farewell to your host family before heading straight to the airport for your onward flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, the local tour guide will be welcoming you at the airport; transfer to Saigon Centre to check in at a hotel. Dinner is at your own arrangement for flexibility. Overnight in Saigon.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 9: Saigon city tour - dining in the dark
Breakfast at the hotel. Your first stop will be the Reunification Palace, the witness of the fierce Vietnam War that ended in 1975. The grand building today is a Museum and Hall of official receptions. Nearby the palaces are the colonial-styled Post Office and the Notre Dame Cathedral, built between 1877 and 1883 and one of the city’s major landmarks.
The lunch is on your own arrangement for more flexibility before starting the city tour later on.
In the afternoon, you continue to Thien Hau Temple, one of the most important pagodas in the city, this richly decorated temple is dedicated to Thien Hau, the Goddess of the Sea and patron of sailors. She is said to travel over the oceans on a mat and ride the clouds to wherever she desires.
Your next stop will be China town, settled in the late 18th century, this labyrinthine section of Ho Chi Minh City bustles with restaurants, temples, exotic stores, and markets and cross Binh Tay market, the main marketplace in China Town, where a great deal of wholesale trading occurs. Experience the commotion of this integral part of the city's daily business.
Back to your hotel for short refreshment.
This evening, you will have dinner in the dark at The Noir. This is more than just a meal but a sensory journey that will make you re-evaluate your perception of taste and smell. Be one of the first or try this one-of-a-kind dining experience for a unique date or group outing in Saigon. Overnight in Saigon.
Included meals: Breakfast, dinner
Day 10: Saigon - Cu Chi Tunnel - at leisure
After breakfast, head out of Saigon to visit Cu Chi Tunnels, 70 kilometers northwest of Ho Chi Minh City. This network of tunnels, which stretched for over 200 kilometers, is one of the most famous and historical aspects of the Viet Nam War. Upon arrival, watch a short introductory documentary before following the guide into the winding, underground network to explore the war memorial park.
Discover the Cu Chi site, which includes weapon and booby-trap exhibitions, and visit different underground bunkers featuring kitchens, meeting rooms, ammunition depots, and hospitals. View authentic relics from the war such as camouflaged tunnel entrances and a bullet-riddled tank. Here, you have a chance to taste with salt boiled cassava beans - foods common in Cu Chi tunnels. Cassava and tapioca are boiled in Hoang Cam stove flues with underground pipes.
Lunch and dinner are at your own arrangement for flexibility. Overnight in Saigon.
Optional excursion: Private craft beer walk and talk
This tour can start at the time of your choosing and includes stops at 3 craft beer tap rooms and a craft beer bar where you will learn pretty much all there is to know about the craft beer scene in Saigon!
Price: 75 USD / person for a 2-person package
Include:
- East West Brewing Co
- Pasteur Street Brewing
- Malt (craft beer bar)
- Heart of Darkness
Includes: 10+ craft beers, a light snack, and the personal attention of an expert guide.
Included meals: Breakfast
Day 11: Saigon - Ben Tre - Can Tho
After breakfast at the hotel, you will head to the South to Ben Tre, the homeland of coconut and family factories with local products.
On arrival in Ham Luong Pier (Add: 200 C Hung Vuong St, ward 5, Bentre town). Boating on Ben Tre river, one of the tributaries of the Mekong river, going along mangrove trees growing up ashore of the waterway. Witness lively activities of the town market on land and transferring on the waterway as fishing boats, and coconut cargo boats.
Stop at traditional brickwork to see how to make bricks by hand. Turn on Cai Son canal winding through the coconut jungle, visit the coconut workshop, and have a look at the stages of coconut processing from husk off, prize out to peel out by hand. Go on the small waterway and stop at the coconut candy workshop, have a look at them making candy by hand, try some sweets, enjoy some fruits and listen to local music as well. Go on by boat and step ashore and take a short walk to the farmer's house who makes sleep mats.
Join a small cooking session with a cake named “Bánh lá mít” - Smile of Mekong with a local guide. It is a simple cake made from flour and wrapped in jackfruit leaves.
Hop on a tuk-tuk through a coconut grove, deep in the coconut jungle in the country. Then, stop for lunch at a local restaurant. Relax and keep going by rowing boat on a shady palm tree canal. Drop off at a local market or An Thạnh pier.
Continue your journey to Can Tho for overnight. Dinner is at your own arrangement for flexibility.
Included meals: Breakfast, lunch
Day 12: Mekong Delta - Saigon - Departure
Start from Ninh Kieu boat quay, where you cruise along the small and picturesque canals and stop to see the Cai Rang floating market (the nicest one with heaps of rowing boats). You will stop to enjoy the beautiful scenery and the daily activities of the locals who live along the Mekong canals. Walking through the village to visit a rice husking mill and a rice/noodle shop, where you observe how it is made. Then transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for the departure flight. Lunch and dinner are at your own arrangement for flexibility. End of services!
Included meals: Breakfast
Location
Hanoi
Hanoi is a complicated city torn between old and new, and an inimitable mix of ancient culture, colonial charm, and modern-day luxury. Hanoi is in a constant state of flux and defies anyone who tries to box it in.
Halong Bay
Halong Bay is towering limestone pillars and tiny islets topped by forest rising from the emerald waters of the Gulf of Tonkin. Designated a World Heritage Site in 1994, Halong Bay's scatter of islands, dotted with wind-and wave-eroded grottoes, is a vision of ethereal beauty and, unsurprisingly, northern Vietnam's number one tourism hub.
Hue
Hue owes its charm partly to its location on the Perfume River - picturesque on a clear day, atmospheric even in less flattering weather. Today the city blends new and old as sleek modern hotels tower over crumbling 19th-century Citadel walls. Hue remains a tranquil, conservative city with just the right concentration of nightlife.
Hoi An
Graceful, historic Hoi An is Vietnam’s most atmospheric and delightful town. Once a major port, it boasts the grand architecture and beguiling riverside setting that befits its heritage, and the 21st-century curses of traffic and pollution are almost entirely absent.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City, formerly Saigon, is Vietnam at its most dizzying: a high-octane city of commerce and culture that has driven the country forward with its pulsating energy. A chaotic whirl, the city breathes life and vitality into all who settle here, and visitors cannot help but be hauled along for the ride.
Mekong Delta
The ‘rice bowl’ of Vietnam, the delta is carpeted in a dizzying variety of greens. It's a water world that moves to the rhythms of the mighty Mekong, where boats, houses, and markets float upon the innumerable rivers, canals, and streams that crisscross the landscape like arteries.
Food
The following meals are included in the price:
- Day 1: No meals
- Day 2: Breakfast, lunch
- Day 3: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Day 4: Breakfast / brunch
- Day 5: Breakfast, dinner
- Day 6: Breakfast, lunch
- Day 7: Breakfast
- Day 8: Breakfast, lunch
- Day 9: Breakfast, dinner
- Day 10: Breakfast
- Day 11: Breakfast, lunch
- Day 12: Breakfast
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dinner
The following dietary requirement(s) are served and/or catered for:
- Vegetarian
- Regular (typically includes meat and fish)
- Seafood
If you have special dietary requirements it's a good idea to communicate it to the organiser when making a reservation
Things to do (optional)
- Private craft beer walk and talk is available at 75 USD / person for a 2-person package
What's included
- English-speaking tour guides for transfer and sightseeing (Stations guides)
- 11 nights accommodation on twin / double / triple sharing basis
- Meal plan: Daily breakfast at hotels, lunches and dinners as mentioned in detailed program
- Transporation (1-4 pax: Shuttle bus Hanoi – Halong – Hanoi, private air-con transfer in the rest of the trip, for 5+ pax: private air-con transfer)
- Private boat trip in Tam Giang Lagoon and Mekong delta as per program
- Private cabin on shared overnight Junk in Halong Bay
- Cyclo / Green car trip strolling around Hanoi Old Quarters
- Cooking class as per program
- Water during transfer
- Entrance fee and Zone fee
- Show tickets
What's not included
- International, domestic flights, and airport departure tax
- Meals not mentioned in detailed program
- Vietnam Visa arrangement and stamp fee (If any)
- Early check-in, late check-out surcharge
- Tipping for guides, drivers, and other local staff
- Banking fee for payment by bank transfer
- Other expenses not mentioned in the program
- Use of vehicle and guide service outside working time (surcharge fee applies)
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 30% of the total price.
- The deposit is non-refundable, if the booking is cancelled.
- The rest of the payment should be paid 15 days before arrival.
For this organizer you can guarantee your booking through Tripaneer.com. All major credit cards supported.
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