Vietnam
Culinary Tour
A Taste of Vietnam
Summary
Type: Culinary Tour
Duration: 14 Days
Best Time to Travel: October – April
Places you'll discover
Halong Bay
Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh City
Hoi An
Hue
FROM
£1729
Per person based on 2 people sharing
Customise This Tour
Speak to our friendly Travel Experts
01279 507 956
Quick Enquiry: A Taste of Vietnam
A Taste of Vietnam - Itinerary
Vietnam can justifiably claim to have some of the best cuisine in Asia, if not the world and this trip lets you sample and cook some of its best dishes. Join your chefs at the local markets and shop for fresh produce and ingredients – an experience in itself!
Each region of Vietnam has its own distinct cuisine – from the signature Cha Ca fried fish and Bun Cha in the north to the subtle dishes of Hue to the spicy broths and meat dishes of the south. And throughout the country there is a plentiful supply of sumptuous seafood. This trip is a gourmet’s delight!
Day 1
Hanoi
Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.
Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2
Hanoi
Take a day tour to explore Hanoi’s illustrious history. In the morning, visit the imposing marble edifice housing the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum before moving onto his wooden stilt house and the One Pillar Pagoda. Then explore the Temple of Literature, which is imbued with the profound philosophies of Confucianism.
Walk around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Ngoc Son Temple. A one-hour cyclo tour of Hanoi’s Old Quarter allows you to catch a glimpse of ancient Hanoi and learn about traditional Vietnamese architecture.
Included:
Breakfast
Day 3
Hanoi
Transfer to the Hanoi Cooking Centre before a guided walk around Chau Long Market and pick up the ingredients for the cooking class. On completion of the cooking class, enjoy the meal and a chance to chat with the chefs.
Free afternoon at leisure.
Included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 4
Hanoi – Halong Bay
Drive through rice paddy fields to Halong Bay. Board a junk for a cruise among the hundreds of islets of Halong Bay.
Enjoy a seafood lunch and a swim (if weather permits). Drop anchor in the late evening for an overnight stay among the dramatic limestone peaks rising out of the sea with dinner on board.
Included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Day 5
Halong Bay – Hue
Spend the morning cruising through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Halong Bay before returning to the wharf.
Transfer to Noi Bai Airport for the flight to Hue. On arrival, transfer to your hotel.
Overnight in Hue.
Included:
Breakfast
Day 6
Hue
Take a morning boat cruise on the peaceful Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda and then take a car to the poetic mausoleum of Emperor Tu Duc.
Embark on a boat cruise on Lake Pichola with breath-taking views of the city by sunset. The lake is surrounded by hills, palaces, temples, bathing ghats and embankments. Two island palaces, Jag Mandir and Jag Niwas (Lake Palace) on the lake are magnificent. We visit Jag Mandir Island. This evening we enjoy dinner at Restaurant 1559 AD near Lake Pichola.
In the afternoon, proceed to visit the Imperial Citadel and the Dong Ba Market. The spectacular Citadel (which was built in accordance to strict principles of geomancy) houses a series of palaces, ornate halls, libraries, residences and colleges.
Included:
Breakfast
Day 7
Hue – Hoi An
Drive along the coast and via mountain passes to Hoi An with a stop en route at the photogenic village of Lang Co Beach. Visit the Cham Museum in Da Nang which houses the world’s finest collection of Cham artworks before proceeding to Hoi An.
Arrive in Hoi An, the remainder of your day is at leisure.
Overnight in Hoi An
Included:
Breakfast
Day 8
Hoi An
Pay a visit to one of Hoi An’s famous lantern workshops and learn how to make one yourself before setting out on a walking tour to explore this World Heritage Site. Highlights include an ancient merchant house, the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the vibrant riverside market.
Take a peaceful boat trip on the Thu Bon River and afterwards enjoy free time to further explore the old town.
Included:
Breakfast
Day 9
Hoi An
Experience the amazing sights, sounds and aromas of the Hoi An Market on a personally-guided tour with the chef of the Red Bridge Restaurant. Interact with the stall holders and purchase fresh ingredients for the day’s meals. After completing the shopping, take a boat cruise along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. Learn about Vietnamese herbs and spices, local ingredients, and the art of food decoration. The chef will demonstrate how to prepare some of Vietnam’s most delicious dishes. Guests then have an opportunity to prepare their own meals under the Chef’s guidance. Enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal of Vietnamese and Hoi An specialities.
Afternoon at leisure.
Included:
Breakfast
Day 10
Hoi An
Free time at leisure in beautiful Hoi An.
Included:
Breakfast
Day 11
Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City
Depart for Danang for the short flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival transfer to the amazing Cu Chi Tunnels, where Vietnamese guerrillas built a labyrinth of narrow tunnels during the war.
Return to Ho Chi Minh City for a half-day city tour. Highlights include the Reunification Palace (photo stop), Notre Dame Cathedral, the Central Post Office, Chinatown, Binh Tay Market and the Quan Am Pagoda.
Included:
Breakfast
Day 12
Ho Chi Minh City
After breakfast, it’s a short drive to the Vietnam Cookery Centre (please note: the school is not open on Saturday or Sunday) for a morning cookery class to learn the secrets to preparing some of Vietnam’s best-loved dishes. En route you’ll stop at the central market with the chef, in order to learn about the various herbs and ingredients you’ll be using.
Once at the school, the chef will demonstrate how to prepare some typical dishes before you are given the opportunity to try for yourself. Once you’ve completed a variety of dishes, it’s time to sit down and enjoy the fruits of your labour! Everyone receives a cooking manual and certificate on completion of the course.
Afternoon at leisure.
Included:
Breakfast
Lunch
Day 13
Ho Chi Minh City
Drive to Cai Be and take a boat cruise to the Cai Be River. You will have a chance to observe the lively activities of local merchants trading their produce from laden vessels. Visit a village where you will see some family run businesses that produce rice cakes and rice paper.
After eating lunch at a local house, you will proceed to Binh Hoa Phuoc islet for a sampan ride before disembarking at Vinh Long for your drive back to Ho Chi Minh City.
Included:
Breakfast
Day 14
Ho Chi Minh City
Departure transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport for onward flight.
Included:
Breakfast
Additional Information
What's Included?
- Accommodation with daily breakfast
- Lunches and/or dinners as specified in the itinerary
- All Internal transportation plus airport transfers
- Entrance fees and activities as mentioned in the itinerary
- Qualified English speaking Regional Guides
- Boat cruise in Hoi An and Mekong Delta
- Overnight in Halong Bay on junk boat
- Cooking Class in Hanoi, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City
- Mineral water on tour
What's Not Included?
- International flights
- Vietnam visas
- Travel insurance
- Drinks and meals not mentioned in itinerary
- Tips, laundry and other expenses of a personal nature
Accommodation Information
| DESTINATION | 4 Star Hotels | 5 Star Hotels |
|---|---|---|
| Hanoi | Silk Path (Deluxe) | Movenpick (Sup) |
| Halong | Indochina Sails | Jasmine |
| Hue | Saigon Morin (Colonial Deluxe) | La Residence (Sup River View) |
| Hoi An | Boutique Hoi An (Superior) | Palm Garden (Deluxe Garden View) |
| Ho Chi Minh City | Liberty Central City Point (Premier Deluxe)< | Intercontinental Asiana (Deluxe) |
A Taste of Vietnam Summary
Details
Type: Culinary
Duration: 14 Days
Best Time to Travel: October – April
Places you'll discover
Halong Bay
Hanoi
Ho Chi Minh City
Hoi An
Hue
FROM
£1729
Per person based on 2 people sharing
Speak to our friendly Travel Experts
01279 507 956
Customise This Tour
