VIETNAM CULINARY TOUR

DAY 01: HA NOI ARIVAL.

Arrive Noi Bai international airport. After completing immigration formalities and clearing customs you will be met by our guide outside the baggage claim area who will escort you to a private waiting vehicle for your transfer to your hotel in Ha Noi (35 km | Approx. 45 minutes). Our guide will be holding a welcome board with your name. Check in hotel, you're handed a welcome drink at the check-in desk.

Evening: Enjoy the Imperial Citadel of Thang Long Night Tour.

Start your night adventure around 18:30 to 19:00 at Doan Mon, the grand South Gate of the Forbidden City. Here, you can not only capture captivating photos with "royal guardians" and "palace maidens" but also be mesmerized by art performances on the glass floors of the Doan Mon archaeological pit. Next, immerse yourself in the breathtaking Thang Long Palace Performance, an ancient dance display. The intricate movements and costumes will transport you back in time. Continue the journey to the Kinh Thien Palace to present incense to the 52 kings of the old citadel…

Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. Overnight in Ha Noi.

DAY 02: HA NOI STREET FOOD & CITY TOUR.

Walk around the Hoan Kiem Lake. The best way to explore the lake is to walk around it. There is a different atmosphere at every time of the day. In the very early morning you will see people exercising. Some run around the lake, others use the outside exercise machines and you will see a lot of people doing Tai Chi.

We then take a short walk to the local food market. It is typical market as thousand of them around the city that supply food for the regular meal of local people. Then take the walk through the Old Quarter of Hanoi, you can feel the traditional atmosphere of the most attractive part in Hanoi and witness local people enjoy their breakfast on the pavement along the ride. Experiences a bowl of “Pho bo” (noodle with beef) at Pho Bat Dan or Pho Bo Hang Dong (subject to the availability of the restaurant) – famous typical Northern Vietnam Pho. In that pho local traditional restaurant, people should wait in line and pay and get their own bowl of Pho. After that Pho breakfast, we can visit nearby Lo Banh pho Ba Ngoan (noodle factory – Mrs. Ngoan) to see the process of noodle making (no additives). Mrs Ngoan had made noodle since 1954 at the same address and now her daughter in law inherit the factory. This noodle factory provide noodle to all of the famous Pho places around Hanoi. The Pho place and the visit to the factory are really special. All the chefs going with us loved it. Then we will continue waking tour around the Old Quarter, our guide will introduce to you some of the authentic local food like Banh Cuon (steam rice pancake rolled with mince perk and mushroom), Cha Ca La Vong (the most famous and authentic local food in Hanoi), enjoy some coffee in local coffee shop followed by “Bun cha” lunch (Vermicelli with grilled pork – another Hanoi famous street food – Bun Cha Dac Kim Duong Thanh).

Afternoon, we enjoy a private Ha Noi half day city tour.
•    Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. The museum offers an excellent view of the customs and habits of 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam with various unique cultural features.
(Note: Museum of Ethnology is closed on Monday weekly).
•    Temple of Literature - Vietnam’s first university (Founded in 1070 by Emperor Le Thanh Tong).
•    The oldest bridge of Ha Noi “Long Bien Bridge” to take photos and see the local life of Hanoi. 
•    The Maison centrale in Hanoi, also known as Hoa Lo Prison or the ‘Hanoi Hilton’.
•    Enjoy a cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, also known as “36 streets.
•    Enjoy a traditional water puppet performance “Roi Nuoc” (Approx. 50 minutes).

Dinner will be served at a local restaurant. (Top 10 must-try dishes in Ha Noi will be served during your dinner).

Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure and overnight in Ha Noi.

DAY 03: HA NOI COOKING & BAT TRANG VILLAGE.

Breakfast at hotel. This morning you will have the opportunity to take a cooking class at a famous restaurant with our chef. We secret his name to surprise you.

• Class 1: Traditional cooking

• Schedule: 9.30 am to 13 pm

• 9:30 – 10:00 am: Meeting with Chef and market visit

• 10:15 – 13:00 pm: Demonstration and tasting with 5 dishes

• Tasting menu:

• Vietnamese banana flower salad

• Hanoi nems (deep fried spring rolls)

• Grilled chicken with lemon leaves

• Bun cha

• Sautéed pumpkin branches.

After your lunch. We transfer to Bat Trang village (15 km | Approx. 30 minutes).

• Experience about the lives and traditional handicraft of this ancient typical village in the Red River delta.
• Walking around the village see hundreds of pottery shops. Stop at a pottery workshop to learn about the porcelain-making process.
• Try your hand at making your own pottery, learn how to control the wheel to form the shape of the products.
• Wait for a while for the workshop owner to dry it and then you can draw and decorate your own masterpiece at your interest.
• Visit the Bat Trang pottery market.
• Visit Bat Trang Pottery Museum.

Transfer back to the city.

Dinner at Cha Ca La Vong (the most famous and authentic local food in Hanoi serving rice noodle with grilled fish on the charcoal kitchen)

Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. Overnight in Ha Noi.

DAY 04: HA NOI LOCAL VILLAGE & LOCAL LUNCH.

Today we will take a day excursion to the Red River Delta. Drive to Tay Phuong, one of ten most beautiful pagodas in

Vietnam. Located on the top of the hill, this pagoda is very famous about the collection of Buddha and Arhat statues

from 17th century and great architecture. Then take 45 minutes bike ride the rural area around Pagoda through green

rice field, local villages. It will be the great chances for you to discover the daily life activities in the Red River Delta,

interact to local people and feel the real atmosphere of rural area. After that, back to the car for driving to the ancient

village of Duong Lam, the place so called “Hoi An of the Red River Delta” as still preserve many hundred-year-old

houses. It will be your unique experience as you walk along tiny ancient alleys, visit Communal House in Mong Phu

hamlet - the only hamlet whose original village entrance gate remains intact, dedicated to national heroes. This is a

typical Northern Vietnam village with its nice architecture. You can visit a local tofu making factory then enjoy the

home hosted lunch at a local family (Mr Huyen home). The house owner will explain to you the process and see a

specialty “tuong” (sauce made from soybean and special sticky rice) which Northern Vietnam rural family use often

for the daily dishes. Back to Hanoi late afternoon.

Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure. Overnight in Ha Noi.

DAY 05: HANOI – HA LONG BAY – A NIGHT CRUISE (B,L,D).

Breakfast at hotel.  Our driver will pick you up at your hotel, then we depart for Ha Long city to visit Ha Long Bay, a World Natural Heritage site and a World of New7Wonders. (170 km | Approx. 02 hour 30 minutes). Upon arrival in Ha Long. Check-in between 11:30 - 12:00 at the boat port.

Enjoy welcome drinks and cruise briefing.

Enjoy lunch while cruising to the magnificent Ha Long Bay. Passing the Fighting cocks Islet, the Elephant leg Islet, the Castle Islet, the Soi Sim Island…

Luon Cave excursion on bamboo rowing boats or kayaks.

Swimming or sunbathing at Titov beach.

Pre-dinner sunset cocktail party

Enjoy and learn the Vietnamese cooking demonstration on the sundeck.

Savour a delicious set dinner in dining room.

Night-time squid fishing.

(The itinerary above may be changed depending on the cruise we choose and weather permitting).

DAY 06: HA LONG BAY – HA NOI – HOI AN.

Greet the day with a morning Tai Chi Exercise with an opportunity to view the sunrise over the bay.

Light breakfast. Coffee, tea, and pastries are served in restaurant.

Arrive at Surprise Grotto - one of the most famous grottos in the entire Ha Long, we will visit the cave by tender.

Enjoy the international brunch buffet served in the restaurant.

Check-out on board and disembarkation at boat port.

Our driver will pick you up and transfer back to Hanoi.On the way back to Hanoi, visit Tho Ha the famous

village of terracotta products before 20th century. Discover village through narrow and zigzag alleys with the old

houses had been constructed from broken part of terracotta from the past. Walking over village cemetery to the dike,

where you can see the village from distance over the beautiful lake. Drive to Noi Bai Airport for the flight to Danang.

Upon arrival, drive and check in your hotel in Hoi An.

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 07: HOI AN.

An early, light breakfast at the hotel as we're heading on a food tour + cooking class this morning.

We meet our local culinary guide and tour the trading post by boat before reaching Hoi An’s colourful central food market. Enjoy live cooking demonstrations and tastings. From here we walk to a cooking studio to gain an in-depth understanding of Vietnamese cuisine with a famed local chef. You will work with the chef to prepare 4 specialty courses while she delves into the philosophy and culture of food in this city.

Late afternoon we will meet up and travel just outside of Hoi An to the home of a private chef. Here the chef who will prepare a wonderful feast while learning about the ingredients used in traditional Vietnamese cooking.

DAY 08: HOI AN.

A very early morning start to visit the bustling Hoi An fish market. Hoi An is very famous for the best fish in this region, and every morning, hundreds of people and chefs alike visit this market for the best picks of the day.

Your guide will take around the market to meet local fishermen and get a better understanding of how the market operates. After the fish market, we will make our way back to Hoi An town and stop by a coffee factory to learn about the roasting process and what makes Vietnamese coffee special. You’ll enjoy a simple breakfast in the market before returning to the hotel. You’ll have some free time to yourself today. There are bicycles at the hotel for those who want to go for a ride around the city.

Afternoon: We enjoy a walking around the historic town to visit:

• Hoi An Market.
• Phuc Kien Assembly Hall - One of five official assembly halls in Hoi An (was established in 1697).
• 400-year old Japanese Covered Bridge - The symbol of Hoi An.
• Chua Ong Pagoda (Quan Cong Temple), a centuries-old spiritual treasure trove of Hoi An was established in 1653.
• Tan Ky old house, a living museum with more than 200 years old in Hoi An.
• Hoi An Central market.
• The silkworm & handicraft workshops.
• Enjoy a short cruise on the river to experience the Lantern Floating, a small boat riding with a lantern drop for good luck.

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An.

DAY 09: HOI AN – HUE IMPERIAL CITY.

Breakfast at hotel. Our guide and driver will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel. We leave Hoi An to Hue (135 km | Approx. 03 hours), on the way to Hue city we will visit:

• Cham Museum - One of the largest collections of Cham sculpture and artwork in the world.
• Explore a nearby stone-cutting craft village.

Afternoon:

• Explore Hue Citadel Complex including Royal Citadel and Forbidden Citadel - UNESCO World Heritage sites, set up by Nguyen Dynasty from 1805 to 1945.
• Visit the striking Flag Tower, the imposing Ngo Mon Gate, Dien Tho Residence (Dien Tho Palace), Thai Hoa Palace, the magnificently decorated reception hall, the Halls of the Mandarins, and the original Nine Dynastic Urns…
• Visit the bustling Dong Ba Market - one of the romantic symbols of this city, interact with local people.
• Enjoy “Royal dinner”. Enjoy a delicious food while listening to melodious music and having a feeling of being the King and Queen. All wear traditional royal clothes.
• Meet and talk with people who are descendants of kings and royal family to have an in-depth experiences of Nguyen dynasty.

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Hue.

DAY 10:  HUE.

Today we will venture just outside of Hue to explore local countryside villages, inclusing the famed Thanh Toan bridge, a local market, and Thanh Tien & Sinh village to witness the art of paper flowers and woodblock printing with local artisans.

From here we will enjoy a simple lunch and stop by a tea house to learn more about the traditions of tea in Vietnam.

This evening we will visit a historic Garden Home of Hue. The home is the former residence of Princess Ngoc Son. It features immaculately landscaped gardens and imperial architecture. We will meet with the family that lives there and learn more about the history of the home and area.

We’ll then enjoy a special dinner of Hue specialties in their beautifully-furnished dining room with elaborately carved reliefs.

DAY 11: HUE ROYAL TOMBS – THUY BIEU VILLAGE – FLY TO SAIGON.

Breakfast at hotel. Our guide and driver will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel. We will visit:

• Visit the Mausoleum of Emperor Minh Mang in a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes.
• Visit the elaborate royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc - One of the most beautifully designed complexes among the tombs of the Nguyen dynasty. 

Afternoon: 

• Enjoy a journey to the grapefruit village of Thuy Bieu (7km from Hue city center).
• Walking to visit the old temple dedicated to the genius of the village, at school, and in a family which owns three of the older houses. These buildings are characterized by engravings and sculptures in wood: dragons, phoenix and other natural landscapes on columns, beams or rafters.
• Continuation by bike all along the river of perfumes in the nature, among flowers and thousands of grapefruits. Stop at the local market, to buy if you want notebooks, pencils, pens, to offer to the orphanage.
• Boat trip along the romantic Perfume River carries us through a tranquil setting of gardens and lakes.
• Visit Thien Mu Pagoda - one of the oldest ancient architectural structures for religious work ship in Hue.
• Admire the sunset aboard of the boat during the return to Hue. 

Our guide and driver will pick you up then transfer to Hue airport to take a short flight to Saigon. You are welcome at the airport then transfer to your hotel.

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Saigon.

DAY 12: SAIGON - CU CHI TUNELS – SCOOTER STREET FOOD. 

Breakfast at hotel. Our guide and driver will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel and then transfer to Cu Chi district, 50 km to the northwest of Saigon city (approx. 01 hour 30 minutes).

• Visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, watch a short introductory video showing how they were constructed, then spend the next hour exploring the maze of tunnels.
• Experience history first-hand as you crawl the legendary Cu Chi tunnels, sample local food and food eaten by soldiers who lived in the wonder of Vietnam's unique military art.

Afternoon. Free your time at leisure.

18:00. Enjoy the best street food at night. Climb on the back of a bike to immerse yourself in the crazy traffic. Join thousands of other motorbikes as you ride the Saigon streets and your driver takes you through notable neighborhoods, including District 3 where the Saigon locals live.

Stop to enjoy some banh xeo (South and Central rice pancakes), and learn how they are made from a chef with over 20 years experience before riding down Saigon hidden alleyways, where you will encounter old apartment buildings. Go on a short adventure to climb up to the top of some old buildings and see the contrasting architecture between modern and authentic Saigon. You can even visit a local pagoda which was built inside an old apartment by a female monk. Visit the biggest Ho Thi Ky night flower market and soak up the wonderful bouquets. Take a short walk around the area, and get a special gift from your guide.

Next, drive to District 5 and pass Tran Phu street famous for its oil paintings. Stop at a local restaurant to savor Bún Chả (grilled pork with noodles, Hanoi style), known as “Obama Noodles” after President Obama and Anthony Bourdain tried them in 2016. Venture into District 10, where the city’s street food scene really thrives. Excite your taste buds with a heavenly dish of coconut ice cream at a shop established in 1975. Watch as the owner prepares some coconut ice cream right before your eyes.

Take a spin around the city for enticing views of the night life, and experience the hustle and bustle of fashion street. Squeeze through narrow alleyways that cars can’t access, and journey along the banks of the Saigon River with a welcoming breeze.

DAY 13: SAIGON – BEN TRE – SAI GON. 

Breakfast at hotel. Our guide and driver will pick you up at the lobby of your hotel.

• We transfer to Ben Tre (90 km & approx. 02 hours).
• Take a private leisurely boat trip, stocked with cold, cold towels, bottled water, fresh, seasonal fruits, and green tea, cruise along the Ben Tre river, you will have the opportunity to witness the daily activities of the local people.
• The boat then takes you to the old brick kiln, where you can learn about traditional brick making techniques.
• The boat ride continues along a small river branch, with rows of green water coconut trees and cork trees on both sides. This picturesque scenery adds to the charm of the journey. The boat makes a stop at a facility specializing in peeling coconuts and making coconut meat, allowing you to witness the skilled work of the workers. You can also try their hand at peeling coconuts with the guidance of the workers. 

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant (Top 10 must-try dishes in Mekong delta will be served during your lunch). 

• Next, the boat takes the group to Cai Son nipa canal, where you can admire the nipa palm groves and visit a coconut candy production facility. Here, you can learn about the traditional handmade coconut candy making process and savor some delicious coconut candy. You can also enjoy honey tea while listening to Southern amateur music.
• The journey continues to Nhon Thanh market, where you can visit the famous Nhon Thanh mat weaving village and learn about the traditional craft of mat weaving. You will have the opportunity to try weaving mats themselves under the guidance of skilled artisans
• Enjoy Xe Lam-Auto rickshaw around the village to have a look at the orchards and visit local people’s house. to experience the daily life of Mekong people.
• You also have the opportunity to experience traditional boating through a small canal surrounded by shady coconut trees. This unique experience allows visitors to get up close and personal with the stunning natural beauty of Ben Tre. 

Transfer back to Saigon city.  

Free your time at leisure. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh city (Saigon).

DAY 14: SAIGON - DEPARTURE 

Breakfast at hotel, enjoy a half day Saigon city tour:

• The twin towers of Notre Dame Cathedral, a red brick edifice with twin spires constructed.
• The historic Saigon Central Post Office.
• The Reunification Palace, the headquarters of the Saigon government during the American war.
• The War Remnants Museum for a vivid perspective of the American war through the eyes of the Vietnamese.
• Walking tour along Dong Khoi Street, known as Rue Catinat in French-colonial times.
• Enjoy a walking tour to visit the famous Ben Thanh Market, this will give you a good insight into the Vietnamese markets as well as an opportunity to interact with locals.

Our tour guide and driver will pick you up and transfer to the airport to take your departure flight.