From the subtle sweetness of Saigon to the sizzling spice of Hue to the harmonious flavors of Hanoi, this tour takes you right to the heart of the different regional cuisines from mouthwatering street food to sophisticated fine dining. See where the food is cultivated in the countryside, discover where it is bought in the local markets and learn how it is prepared with a cooking class. Vietnam is home to one of the world´s great cuisines and this culinary journey will make you an expert.

Day 1: HO CHI MINH ARRIVAL

Welcome dinner

Upon arrival at Tan Son Nhat airport in Ho Chi Minh City, welcomed by our guide and you will be escorted to your hotel in the city center.  Time for freshen up and relax after a long journey. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 2: HO CHI MINH CITY EXPLORATION – STREET FOOD BY CYCLO   

Breakfast - Lunch

Start your day with a good breakfast at hotel. After breakfast, explore Ho Chi Minh City’s historic by the locals, and experience the city as it was before the war. Visit the War Remnants Museum - originally opened in September 1975, it displays old military equipment and other related items from Vietnam War. We continue to visit the Reunification Palace, former residence of the Indochina Governor General and late President of the Republic of Southern Vietnam until the fall of Saigon in Apr 30, 1975. Walk down to see Notre Dame Cathedral and General Post Office which are beautiful examples of architecture from the French colonial period

Enjoy lunch at Thanh Dat  - one of the best places to sample specialties of Saigon noodle soup. The restaurant has been run by successive generations of the same family which adds a little history to your meal. The broth recipe here is a family secret which helps create a little mystique around the flavors.

Late afternoon, meet your guide again at your hotel’s lobby for street food tour by traditional cyclo (traditional three-wheel bicycle). Vietnam cuisine has brilliant balance of flavors, heat, sweetness, sourness, and fish-sauciness. It mixes together a range of flavors and tastes, but balance between fresh herbs & meats and a selective use of spices. Taste Vietnamese dishes and be satisfied mouth-feel during the dining enjoyment. In Vietnam, street eateries are everywhere to delight in either your stomach or your appetite at any time. We will slowly ride through bustling Saigon’s streets, visit local markets and taste some popular Saigon street food in the hidden area. Sampling a variety of street food while learning about the special significant of each dish; discover the delicious variety of tastings, simplicity and find out why Saigon street food experience is becoming popular over the last few years.
Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 3: HO CHI MINH – MEKONG DELTA  

Breakfast - Lunch

The “rice bowl” of Vietnam, Mekong delta is carpeted with rice paddies, floating markets, crisscross rivers and canals. Ben Tre, popular known for coconut, attracts visitors to its fresh-aired environment of large green coconut & fruits gardens. Join us, experience the slow pace delta life, meet very friendly local, feel the generous hospitality and blow away the stresses of modern life.

Take around 2.5-hours-drive from busting city to Mekong Delta. Upon arrival Ben Tre, boarding on a new, tasteful boat with design open on all sides to enjoy the river breezes and view. As meandering down the Mekong, you'll have a chance to explore the riverbanks: friendly local people, the stunning landscapes while sipping cold drink and seasonal fruit.

Your first visit is at coconut-shell-charcoal processingon a small islet. Observe the whole procedure and find out that the locals utilize every bit of the coconut. Back to the cruise and a short boating will drive you to the next attractions. Hop on the mainland, drop a visit to see how local peel off coconut husk by simple tools. Next is a tuk-tuk ride taking you to a local family making coconut-leaves-swobs. Meet our local family, hands-on weaving coconut-leaves-swabs, and making local traditional cakes.

Continue with a relaxing bike ride on the lush and ever green rural road. Cycle through peaceful villages, meet friendly & smiling locals saying hello and feel the tranquil scenes of rural life. Next is arowing boatthrough the crisscross canals. Be relaxed while observing the slow pace of Mekong Delta life. You then have a short walk on the narrow village lane to Mr. Ba’s family. His hospitable greetings and Continue with a relaxing bike ride on the lush and ever green rural road cakewill make you feel that being at home. His family member is happy to share you the local cake making procedure. Join them, try to make one local cake on your ownunder their enthusiastic instruction. Enjoytea with honey and dried coconut while chatting with them about their daily routine, the local culture, custom and why you don’t let a local fortune-teller tell you what is supposed to happen in the future.

Lunch is served with Mekong specialties atriverside restaurant. Enjoy the tranquil atmosphere before transferring to the pier where the waiting driver will take you back to Ho Chi Minh City.

DAY 4: HO CHI MINH – FLY TO DA NANG – EXPLORE HOI AN   

Breakfast – Lunch

After a delicious breakfast at hotel, leave to airport for a short flight to Danang City. Our local guide meets you at airport on arrival and drive another 40’ to the quant of Hoi An. Check-in then go on a walking tourof this charming Ancient town, visit its fascinate architecture, Old Japanese covered bridge, Chinese assembly hall and local marketwhere you will meet and chat with stall holders about their food. Our walking then continue along both high streets and back streets, discovering out-of-the-way producers and street vendors making and selling a wide variety of exotic foods and taste local special dishes. We will try the famous baguette – Banh Mi Phuong.

Anthony Bourdain described Banh my Phuong with the lot as a "symphony in a sandwich". A perfect arrangement of crisp bread fills with homemade pork liver pâté mixed with fat and ground pork, thinly sliced roast pork loin, pork meat-loaf, sprout-sized coriander, a healthy dose of mint, Vietnamese coriander, thinly sliced green onions, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, pickled-julienned carrots, and the sauces which remain closely guarded secrets. Taste it and find out why it’s widely known rapidly in last few years.

Continue explore charming Hoi An until end of afternoon, you are free to relax and shopping. Overnight in Hoi An

 DAY 5: EXPLORE COUNTRYSIDE HOI AN ON MOTORBIKE

Breakfast - Lunch

This countryside tour of Hoi An will give you real insight to local life. Setting off from Hotel/Resort in Hoi An, we ride over the bridge to Cam Kim Island and along the riverside into the beautiful rural countryside. First stops include an Ancestral House, spend time over 100 years and a traditional boat building yard before we set off to explore the sleepy island villages. Zig-zag riding through the breathtaking scenery of rice paddies & farmland and enjoy the cooling breeze. Next, learn from friendly local families the handicraft ofmat weaving, farming, and how to make (and eat) the perfect Banh Dap rice crackers. Meeting local families is a must-do to see the real way of life in Vietnam.

Then we continue riding scooters to visit to a local caféto fuel up on local drip-coffee & learn the art of coffee roasting. Then we make our way to the coast at the Thu Bon river mouth, along roads lined with Casuarina Pine & Cashew Nut Trees. Then visit Noi Rang market & Duy Hai fish marketto explore & experience cultural with local buyer & seller (Note: The Noi Rang market will close before 10:00am).
Finally, it’s up high and over the Cua Dai bridge offering spectacular panoramic views of Hoi An, which takes us to the water coconut palm fringed Cam Thanh and then drop-off at a local restaurant for lunch.
After lunch, return to your hotel.

Afternoon: Free as your leisure to explore numerous art galleries, souvenirs and tailor shops where you can get some express made-to-order clothes if you like.
Enjoy the rest of the late afternoon at leisure. Overnight in Hoi An

DAY 6: HOI AN – HUE IMPERIAL CITY

Breakfast - Lunch

After breakfast, leave Hoi An for Hue Imperial City which is about 130km.

On your way to Hue, take a break from the top of the cloudy Hai Van Pass to grab your own Vietnam central coast panoramic view and have lunch with local specialties – Bún Thịt Nướng (grilled park with fresh noddle).

On arrival Hue, stop to visit King Minh Mang Tomb that located on the left bank of the Huong River, which represents the perfect harmony between nature and architecture. Minh Mang King (1821–1840) boasted to have 64 princesses and 78 princes.

Boarding a cruise upstream Perfume River for visiting Thien Mu Pagoda which is also home to many young people who want to try out and learn from life as a monk. History of Thien Mu Pagoda, dating back from the year 1601.

After that, go to your hotel to check-in. Overnight in Hue.

DAY 7: DISCOVER HISTORICAL HUE & HANDS-ON COOKING CLASS

Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

After breakfast, follow your guide visit the Imperial Citadel where Kings of Vietnam’s last feudal dynasty ruled from 1802 to 1945, including Flag Tower, Nine Holy Cannons, Ngo Mon Gate, Thai Hoa Palace, Nine Dynastic Urns, Forbidden Purple City.

Continue our trip to Princess Ngoc Son garden house. Upon arrival, you will be welcomed by the current resident of the rustic Vietnamese residence Mr. Phan Thuan An - a very refined gentleman, owner of the house. This garden house actually belonged to his wife's great grandmother who was a daughter of Emperor Dong Khanh tht has been in his wife's family for 7 generations. With his introduction, history relative to his family and previous occupants of this residence will be recalled. The garden is oriented according to feng shui principles and serene setting. You will enjoy tea and cakes while learning about a royal era gone by.

We will then spend time at the well-known Dong Ba Market. All of the most special cultural gifts and souvenirs of Hue that remain until today can be found in Dong Ba Market. They include “non la bai tho” (conical hats having poems woven into their design) from Phu Cam Village, royal tea, lotus seed of Tinh Tam Lake and other local specialties. Dong Ba Market is also the place where you can try most of Hue’s delicious dishes within a place at a high quality standard. On the ground of the market, we will try many local specialties such as Banh beo, Banh nam, Banh loc, Nem Lui, Banh Khoai, Bun Thit Nuong (Rice noddle with grilled pork and vegie) and Che (sweet soup with many flavor).  Have Hue specialties at the bustle market for lunch. You are free after that to relax.

Late afternoon: You will be picked up to beautiful restaurant, enjoy demonstrationcookingin ancienttranquility atmosphere.Wecookand feastgreatHue’sRoyalduck and specialties. Transfer back your hotel afterward. Overnight in Hue.

DAY 8: HUE DEPARTURE – FLY TO HANOI – CITY TOUR   

Breakfast – Lunch

After breakfast, take a short morning flight to Hanoi – Capital city of Vietnam. Upon arrival, you’re greeted and transfer to the City central.

Enjoy lunch at local stall, where is even better than the restaurant of the Former US President Mr. Barack Obama ate Bun cha in Hanoi with Anthony Bourdain, an American chef, author, and television personality.

After your good lunch, we visitHo Chi Minh’s Mausoleum (viewed from outside),Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam (Temple of Literature & Vietnam’s first university). Constructed in 11^th century, the gardens and well-preserved architecture offer a relaxing glimpse into Vietnam's past. Take a guided walk to visit Hanoi Old Quarter and Hoan Kiem Lake. We will also visit Hoa Lo Prison which was a prison used by the French colonists in French Indochina for political prisoners, and later by North Vietnam for U.S. Prisoners of War during the Vietnam War.

Then we will go to your hotel to check-in, rest & relax. Overnight in Hanoi city.

DAY 9: HANOI HOME COOKING – CITY HIGHLIGHTS

Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

You will learn and enjoy one of the most famous specialties of Hanoi today but not at the restaurant, it is at local house!

Get ready to enjoy one of the most famous dishes of North Vietnam: Cha Ca La Vong (grilled fish). The dish made from turmeric marinated fish fried with dill and green onion to make special flavor. It is tossed together with handfuls of dill, spring onion, roasted peanuts and served on a bed of rice vermicelli noodles. Hanoi has several stores serving Cha Ca, but none of them can be equal to the Cha Ca Road’s in terms of quality and flavor. According to oral history, a family at Hang Son Street invented his home cook fish dish in addition to earning more money. The delicious taste of Cha Ca soon made it popular so much that the whole street was named after it later on.

Cha Camust be served while hot with rice vermicelli noodles, top of Vietnamese mint & coriander, along with nuoc cham, Vietnamese dipping sauce with its subtle notes of fish sauce, lime juice, sugar and a bit of heat from red chili. All makes Cha Ca tasty, savory and unique among best known dishes of Hanoi.

After breakfast, we will come to typical traditional local house in Hanoi, meet friendly host then together with her, going to a vibrant and authentic local wet market for introduction of shopping habit of Vietnamese people and briefing about schedule of today special cooking class. Visit the shopping area of alive chicken; fish and buy all ingredients for the cooking class’ menu. You will also have the chance to visit and learn about the herbs, vegetable in a family garden nearby before learning how to cook Chả Cá

Enjoy your own prepared lunch with one drink with friendly host.

After lunch, visit Tran Quoc Pagoda - Hanoi’s oldest pagoda on the bank of West Lake.  Next, we walk to Truc Bach Lake to visit the monument of John McCain, a famous American politician and naval officer. In October 1967, during the Vietnam War, his fighter plane was shot down over Hanoi. He parachuted into Truc Bach Lake, where he was rescued by the North Vietnamese. In fact, McCain spent the next five-and-a-half years as a high-profile prisoner of war in Hoa Lo Prison.

Before finish the day of exploration, try a glass of Bia Hoi - local draught beer at a small corner in the little Hanoi Old Quarter, and watch how the local life moving around you if you are less interested in beer. If not, follow our local guide to a local coffee shop for a short Egg coffee demonstration and enjoy the Egg coffee which is most famous in Hanoi. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

DAY 10: HANOI – THE NATURAL WORLD HERITAGE HALONG BAY  

Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner

After breakfast, take 3.5 hour drive to Ha Long Bay, one of the World Natural Heritages recognized by UNESCO with thousands of spectacular limestone islands rising from the clear, emerald sea in the Gulf of Tonkin.

Upon arrival, welcome aboard. Enjoy welcome drink before check in your cabin. While the junk is passing many rocky islets, caves, floating villages and beaches, a tasty lunch will be served on board with fresh seafood. Relax on the sundeck. Later on, the junk moves a quiet area to dock for overnight stay.

Dinner with Vietnamese food is served on board. Overnight stay on board

Note: The itinerary of cruise in Halong may change without prior notice depending on situation.

DAY 11: HALONG – HANOI – FAREWELL DINNER

Brunch – Dinner

The junk cruises around Ha Long Bay, passes by many islets named by their shapes such as Dog, Incense Urn, Fighting Cock, Finger, etc. Breakfast or brunch is served while the junk then continues cruising towards the wharf. After disembarkation, travel back to Hanoi city.  Check in your hotel and relax.

At late afternoon, walking to reach a street where you will get to know how the Hanoian cook and eat Pho in different ways. Since you have already tried a (or more) big bowl of traditional Pho noodle soup, you are here now in the capital of Pho, we would like to introduce different amazing types of Pho. The stories of Pho to be shared by our fascinated local guide during your tour tonight. First, you will be served some kinds of Pho, and other delicious dishes that not realized by many foreigners. Then, let’s explore a new way to enjoy Pho in Vietnam is “Pho” cocktail. The story of how “Pho” Cocktail invented to be told and you will know how it is loved and served at some selected bars & lounges in the old town of Ha Noi as a signature drink.

Enjoy Jazz music & Pho in a glass at the bar where the special cocktail is created. If you are lucky, you will have the chance to meet the Cocktail Barman Extraordinaire, who invented the cocktail. Talk with him and ask him to make a creative cocktail only for yourself and your mood of the day (additional cocktail at own expense). The bar also has a few other Vietnamese inspired creations on the menu. Many of signature cocktails are heavily influenced by Vietnamese culture and cuisine.

A great way to end the interesting day with unforgettable memories! Overnight in Hanoi city.

DAY 12: HANOI DEPARTURE   

Breakfast

This day is free at your leisure or shopping and discovering until transfer to the airport to catch your flight back home. Safety travel!

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