A 12-Day Culinary Journey Through Vietnam – Culinary Private Tour – 4 Stars and 5 Stars Option

Your trip begins with your arrival in Hanoi. Your private driver will meet and greet you at the airport. You will be escorted to the hotel by private transportation. Check in to the hotel and get over the jet lag.

You can mooch through the streets of the city. Historic charm, architectural marvels, and various products are splashed all over this area. After enjoying the first day yourself and return to the hotel for a relaxing sleep.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Today’s tour begins at 08:30 or 15:30. Travel to Chef Ai‘s House for the start of an exciting Hanoi cooking class. Meet with Ms Ai, who is passionate about Vietnamese cuisine, with about 15- year experience and in top 5 of Master Chef Vietnam 2014.

Together, head to the neighbourhood’s wet market, walking distance from her house. See the variety of goods on offer, learning from the chef about their uses in traditional cuisine and purchasing items for the day’s cooking class. As well the marketplace is a fabulous place to observe local ways of life and learn about how Hanoi’s residents shop for fresh produce.

Armed with the necessary ingredients, return to Chef Ai‘s family home. Once in the kitchen, the chef will share the secrets behind North Vietnam’s most popular foods. Using Chef Ai‘s recipes, slice, dice and cook delicious dishes.

Once ready, sit down and feast on the home cooked meal bringing the culinary adventure to a close. (L)

Explore more of Hanoi today in style from the back of a vintage Vespa scooter. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you for a ride through the atmospheric streets of the Old Quarter, admiring its famous landmarks such as the Opera House and the narrow Train Street.

Head toward Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to see the President’s Place, Parliament House, and other government offices while your guide shares stories about the history of Hanoi. Pass Huu Hiep Lake and the crash site of the US plane shot down during the 1972 bombing raids of Hanoi—a poignant reminder of recent history.

Then ride along the calm and beautiful West Lake to see the Monument to John McCain. Your next stop is an idyllic hidden village on an island in the Red River, where you can meet a resident family and learn more about local life. Then it’s on to a nearby kumquat farm, where the small trees are grown as a traditional gift for the New Year, symbolizing luck, health, wealth, fertility, and peace.

Stop for some famous “egg coffee” at a local coffee shop, then head back to the Old Quarter via the Long Bien Bridge. This magnificent structure was built over a hundred years ago and connects the Hoan Kiem and Long Bien districts. The tour finishes with a hearty lunch at a local restaurant and a transfer back to your hotel.

In the evening, our driver will take you to Ly Club Restaurant – one of the most famous restaurants in Hanoi for dinner.

Overnight in Hanoi.

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

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 cancelled without notice. We will consider other replacement tours or a refund based on the specific circumstances.

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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 awake 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

Have breakfast at the hotel, and have free time until our driver will meet you for a transfer to the airport for your next flight to Hoi An. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel. After hotel check-in has some leisure time in Hoi An.

Overnight in Hoi An

This evening you will explore Hoi An’s off-the-beaten-path highlights and taste the most remarkable dishes of this charming town. Your guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to a local farming village about 2.5 miles (4 km) from the town center. Here you can learn more about the daily life of the local farmers before getting back to Hoi An and immersing yourself in a foodie’s paradise with the flavorful local cuisine.

Start your culinary exploration with a selection of well-known local dishes such as white rose dumplings, banh beo (steamed rice cakes), banh nam (rice dumplings) my quang (flavorful rice noodles), Hoi An pancakes, barbeque pork rolls, and the famous banh mi sandwich. Wrap up your food tour with the best Vietnamese coffee before exploring more of Hoi An by night or heading back to your hotel.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Meet your guide at the hotel around 8:15 am and start this beautiful day with a welcome drink at Hai Cafe. Then visit Hoi An’s colorful market to experience its amazing sights, sounds, and aromas. Interact with the local sellers and learn about all the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later.

Next, you’ll board a boat for a leisurely cruise along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. On the way, get a close-up view of local river life and keep your camera ready for the many scenic photo-ops. Visit the school’s herb garden, then learn about some of Hoi An and Vietnam’s most well-known dishes.

The two-hour cooking class starts with Red Bridge chefs demonstrating each dish before you prepare the same dish by yourself. After a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration), you’ll sit down for a delicious lunch. Later we will transfer you back to your hotel.

Overnight in Hoi An.

Have breakfast at the hotel, and have free time until our 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 hotel check-in has some leisure time in Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Take the morning trip to visit Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, which was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Continue seeing beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the historic Central Post Office.

Continue to the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of both the Indochina wars. Then we will transfer you to the restaurant for Lunch. Return to your hotel.

This evening you’ll awaken all five senses and experience a culinary journey through taste, smell, touch, and sound at Noir: Dining in the Dark Saigon. Start with a welcome drink while listening to the restaurant’s concept and mission. Proceed to the dining area to savor a unique fine dining experience in the complete darkness as you work your way through an exquisite, multi-course set menu.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Today you’ll take a deep dive into Vietnamese history and explore the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, used as a shelter for Vietnamese soldiers during the war.

After the 1.5-hour drive to Cu Chi, you’ll learn about how the tunnels were constructed and how they helped people survive in the harsh conditions of wartime. Wander the remaining tunnel systems which include the living areas, kitchens, and bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers. You’ll also spot hidden doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels.

Finish the tour with special tea and cassava (guerilla food during the war) and join your driver for the transfer back to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip. Complete the hotel check-out formalities after which you can free to visit the local markets and buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Later, proceed for departure and board your flight back home.

Trip Ends.