Vietnam for Foodies 13 days

Xin Chao! Welcome to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.

As soon as you step off the aircraft, a hostess will be waiting for you with a beaming smile and holding a welcome signboard with your name on it. She will assist you in getting through the fast-tracked (VIP) process to get your visa stamped. After you have collected your bags and gotten a stamp for your visa, the hostess will gladly lead you to your waiting guide and driver so that you may be transferred directly to the central location of your hotel. Have fun on your journey through the crowded streets. After you've settled in at your hotel, use the remainder of the day to get some rest and get ready for an exciting trip to Vietnam.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Morning

To begin, the guide will take you to the historic Chuong village, which is well-known for its conical hat-making heritage that dates back three hundred years. In this location, you will have the opportunity to interact with local artists and witness the intricate process of making these renowned Vietnamese hats. You will be hosted at the home of an artisan. Immerse yourself in the traditional skill of conical hat creation while expressing your originality and personality through your own hat.

Next, we will travel to the Quang Phu Cau village, which is renowned for its vivid incense craft that has been around for a hundred years. While you are strolling through the center of the town, you will see households involved in the creation of incense on a smaller scale.  You are going to go to a home that specializes in dying incense sticks. Interact with the kind and welcoming inhabitants, who are eager to share their stories and experiences with guests. Take photos of the colorful and eye-catching incense bundles.

Lunch at the teahouse Tam Vi (one Michelin Star), which specializes in traditional Northern Vietnamese cuisine from crab soup to escargot served with fresh herbs and vermicelli noodles. Return to the hotel after lunch to get a chance to use the rooftop swimming pool or go to the on-site spa.

Later afternoon

A culinary adventure takes you to taste sampling street food in the Old Quarter. It’s a great opportunity to try all those weird and wonderful foods you see, but just aren’t sure what they are! 

Your expert English-speaking local guide will give you an insight into the intricacies and traditions of Vietnamese food culture, including details on ingredients and the historical backgrounds of popular northern dishes. Don't forget to bring the camera to take some beautiful shots of the local nightlife. The pavement in Vietnam is a street food haven, not only for walking. 

We tempt our taste buds with the famed Hanoi dish Banh Cuon at a local eatery. Continuing into the atmospheric heart of the Old Quarter, we wander past street stalls and quiet residential lanes where you can observe local life that has changed little since Hanoi was founded over 1000 years ago. 

Our next stop is Banh My Shop “BANH MY”, a distinctive baguette with a range of fillings and an explosion of flavors. A little food stall with a few typical tiny Vietnamese chairs on the sidewalk, where we enjoy the delicious and fresh baguettes while observing the neighbourhood. 

Don't miss Kem Xôi (sticky rice with ice cream). Enjoy the ice cream's sweetness, sticky rice, and dry coconut crunch.

The local beer is a plus point for this short trip. Find an open seat, do as the locals do: pull up a stool and enjoy a drink while watching the world go by at Bia Hoi Corner.

You will be satiated and happy after many meals. Go directly to the train street, where small streets flanked with homes on either side of the track line the railway. Though train timetables indicate they arrive daily, sometimes they do and sometimes they don't. If you're fortunate, you might see one and feel the great train passing directly in front of your face before heading back to your hotel.

Overnight in Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Street Food Tour

Accommodation: Sofitel Metropole, Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel

Morning

Discover Vietnam's tasty secrets, savor the new sensation of a market visit, perfect the craft of local food, and transform your life.

Explore Vibrant Flavors With Vietnamese Cooking Classes. Transport your senses to the bustling epicenter of Vietnamese cuisine: Hanoi's atmospheric streets, where the sizzling noises of grills and wafting fragrances of pho entice your stomach at every turn.

KOTO Cooking Class will expose you to genuine tastes, components, and methods rooted in Hanoi's gastronomic legacy. Each hands-on class explores long-kept family recipes and artisanal skills under the direction of skilled chefs and former underprivileged and at-risk young people in our communities, so as to evoke the sights, sounds, and soulful flavors that have shaped Vietnamese cuisine for generations.  Discover the genuine local tastes at KOTO Van Mieu, where your palate will encounter fresh, local foods, and your cultural awareness will be fed.

Afternoon

Embark on an interesting trip to find this lively metropolis. Start in the Temple of Literature.  Stroll around Vietnam's first university, constructed in the 10th Century under the Ly Dynasty and much shaped by Confucianism, in its halls and courtyards. Continue to the Tran Quoc Pagoda, Hanoi's oldest pagoda, dating back to the sixth century.  It is situated on a small island in West Lake. Take note of the various statues with lotus flowers and other Buddhist treasures.

Explore Hanoi’s Old Quarter on foot and experience the daily life of Hanoians at the bustling and noisy, one of the biggest and oldest in Hanoi. Visit a small, charming coffee shop in the center of the Old Quarter to see Vietnamese egg coffee (Cà Phê Trứng) being produced. Before having one for yourself, see the staff "perform" this unusual technique developed amid a milk scarcity.

Later, take pleasure in seeing a show of Hanoi's famous water puppets. Originating in the villages of the Red River Delta of northern Vietnam, this ancient Vietnamese art form. Return to the hotel following a fantastic day.

Evening – Cheers Like a Local!

Ready to drink like a true Vietnamese? Hop in and head to a local beer house, where the fun never stops! Feel the vibrant energy as laughter fills the air and glasses clink to the sound of “Một, hai, ba, dô!” — Vietnam’s famous toast. Savor flavorful rustic dishes that ignite your taste buds and perfectly complement the refreshing local brews. In this lively atmosphere, the day’s fatigue melts away, leaving only the joy of shared moments, good food, and cold beer — the true spirit of Vietnam.

Overnight in Hanoi

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Accommodation: Sofitel Metropole, Peridot Grand Luxury Boutique Hotel

Day on the Bay – From Journey to Tranquility

After breakfast, set out on a scenic drive to Halong City, a journey of about two hours through the lush countryside of northern Vietnam. Upon arrival at the port, board a speedboat that will whisk you to your elegant cruise vessel — your floating home amid the breathtaking seascape of Halong Bay.

As the boat begins its voyage through a maze of limestone islands and emerald waters, enjoy a delicious lunch served on board. The view from the deck feels almost endless — countless islets rising dramatically from the sea, each with its own mysterious charm.

Spend the afternoon relaxing on the terrace deck or unwinding on your private balcony, soaking in the serene beauty of the bay. When you’re ready for a bit of adventure, hop into a kayak and paddle through hidden lagoons and tranquil coves — or simply enjoy a refreshing swim in the crystal-clear water.

As the day drifts into evening, return to the boat for a lively sunset party on the sundeck. Sip a cool drink, listen to soft music, and share stories with fellow travelers as the sun paints the limestone cliffs in shades of gold and crimson.

When night falls, anchor in a quiet bay and savor a sumptuous dinner prepared by the onboard chef. Afterwards, you may choose to try your hand at squid fishing, enjoy a nightcap under the stars, or simply relax and let the gentle rhythm of the water lull you to sleep.

Overnight on Halong Bay

Meal: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Accommodation: Indochina Sails, Hera Grand Lux Cruise

Morning – Serenity on the Bay

Rise early and join a peaceful Tai Chi session on the terrace deck as the first rays of sunlight dance across the emerald waters of Halong Bay. Feel your mind and body awaken with calm energy while the world slowly stirs around you. Afterwards, enjoy a light breakfast in the dining room with freshly brewed coffee, tea, and a selection of pastries — the perfect start to another beautiful day on the water.

After breakfast, set out on the day’s main adventure — exploring one of Halong Bay’s most stunning caves. Follow your knowledgeable guide through magnificent limestone formations as they share fascinating stories about the cave’s history and natural beauty.

Continue your cruise across the bay, gliding past towering limestone cliffs, hidden grottoes, and secluded beaches sculpted by centuries of wind and sea. The ever-changing scenery is a dream for photographers — a living canvas of jade waters, drifting fishing boats, and graceful junks on the horizon.

As you enjoy a delicious lunch on board, the boat makes its way back toward the pier, giving you one last look at the breathtaking splendor of Halong Bay — a place found nowhere else on Earth.

Upon arrival, bid farewell to the friendly crew and disembark. A private car will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Hoi An, where another driver will be waiting to take you to your hotel. Your next chapter begins in this charming coastal town.

Overnight in Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Little Riverside Hoi An, Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness

Morning

Take some time off and relax this morning. 

Afternoon

You will embark on an enlightening walking and street food excursion with your local guide to uncover the allure of this historic trading port that is situated on the banks of the Thu Bon River. Before crossing the Japanese Covered Bridge, take a stroll through the tiny lanes that are paved with cobblestones, view the structure that was influenced by early European traders, go to a local family church that serves as the center of ancestor worship, and step inside a pagoda that is designed in the Chinese style. It was the first bridge in Hoi An, and it was built in 1593 by the Japanese colony of Hoi An. Its purpose was to connect the town with the Chinese Quarter, which was located on the other side of the stream. It is recommended that you first explore the Fukien Association Temple and the Chua Ong Temple before proceeding to the Ceramic Museum to find hidden gems.

Throughout tonight's meal, we will indulge in some of the mouthwatering street food that Hoi An's old town has to offer.  Along with your local guide, you will have the opportunity to enjoy some traditional cuisine and discover some of the best street meals and restaurants that are run by families. Taste some of the traditional dishes that have been influenced by the various trading communities that have passed through Vietnam over the centuries. Some of these dishes include Com Ga Hoi An (Vietnamese chicken rice), Hoanh Thanh (Chinese-inspired wonton), Banh Vac (white rose cake), and Cau Lau (Hoi An noodle soup).

Overnight in Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Little Riverside Hoi An, Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness

On a tour in Hoi An, sail on a basket boat down the Thu Bon River. Watch a live performance, create traditional lanterns, and round up with a cooking session to hone your Vietnamese cuisine.

Morning

Meet your guide at the hotel, and then you will proceed to see a local market. In order to purchase the ingredients for the cooking class, you should negotiate with the local vendors. After that, get into a car and make your way to Cam Thach. Visit a village in Cam Thanh and take in the sights of the coconut palm trees located there.

Your guide will provide you with enlightening information about the community, and you will also have an understanding of the routines that the residents follow. You can take a leisurely ride around the Thu Bon River by boarding a traditional coracle boat and enjoying the voyage. Learn how to sail the basket boat and spend your time catching fish and “purple crabs” in the Canal, or attend a performance by some of the local artists and participate in a workshop on how to craft keepsakes out of palm leaves.

Before beginning the lantern-making class, take a break. Learn about the history of these lanterns and follow the instructions to create your own lantern, which you can keep as a souvenir. 

After that, you will take part in a cooking lesson that emphasizes hands-on experience. You will study the traditional methods of preparing and cooking Vietnamese food from scratch, and you will gain this knowledge in collaboration with your Chef. You will cook four well-known dishes, including Nem Ran (the fried spring rolls), Banh Xeo (rice pancakes), Nom Du Du (papaya salad with chicken), Cao Lau noodles, and Nem Cuon Hoi An (fresh spring rolls), by making use of the freshest ingredients and traditional Vietnamese tools that are still in use today.

After the class, you sit down and enjoy the dishes you and your chef created. Bid farewell to your chef and return to your hotel. 

Afternoon

Now is the time to unwind and enjoy Hoi An at your own pace with half a day to yourself. No better time than today to take advantage of your tour's included 60-minute massage at the hotel's spa (booking recommended). Another option is to make use of the hotel's swimming facilities.

Overnight in Hoi An

Meals: Breakfast, lunch

Accommodation: Little Riverside Hoi An, Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness

Morning

After breakfast, get a private car to Hue, the historic imperial city and UNESCO World Heritage site (about three hours). Travel over the mountain route of Hai Van Pass, which is believed to contain some of the world's most stunning beaches at either end, as well as "the grandest fortified gateway". On bright days, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Da Nang, Son Tra Peninsula, and Cu Lao Cham, as well as lengthy golden sand beaches that embrace sea bays.

Arrive at the hotel in Hue around midday. After checking into your hotel, you will be given a light lunch with Hue's local specialties at the local restaurant: Nem Lui (Hue Lemongrass Skewers), Banh Beo (Steamed Rice Cakes), Bun Thit Nuong (Vermicelli Noodles With Grilled Pork), and Banh It Ram (Fried Sticky Rice Dumplings).

Afternoon

You will travel through Hue's Citadel and learn about the importance of this former Imperial capital and political center during the Nguyen Dynasty's reign from the nineteenth to twentieth centuries. Your guide will tell you stories about the complex of palaces, temples, apartments, gardens, and ponds encased within defended walls, surrounded by a moat, and planned according to ancient philosophies. The most significant area was in the middle, known as the Purple Forbidden City; this is where the emperor and his closest confidants resided and worked, though many of the structures were damaged during the war and rebuilt. The emperors' tombs are scattered along the Perfume River. Stop by Minh Mang Royal Tomb, the ultimate resting place of one of the Nguyen Dynasty's most ardent Confucians, whose reign represented the pinnacle of Nguyen dominance in the country. 

Evening

Hue is known for its Royal Cuisine. The Nguyen Emperors' banquets were renowned. Some feats were supposed to involve 300 unusual foods served in over a thousand bowls. Tonight, you'll go out for a Royal Banquet. Traditional Hue Imperial Court music will entertain you, and you will be fed a multi-course banquet by Imperial Court royal tradition. Each dish is beautifully made to represent the dragon, phoenix, and peacock. A unique experience.

Overnight in Hue

Meals: Breakfast, lunch, and Dinner.

Accommodation: Azerai La Residence Hue, Ancient Huế Garden Houses

Morning

Begin your day with a peaceful cruise along the poetic Perfume River. This journey reveals the timeless charm and history of Hue, once the imperial capital of the Nguyen Dynasty in the 1800s. Your first stop is Thien Mu Pagoda, one of the city’s oldest and most iconic landmarks. Admire its seven graceful tiers, each symbolizing a different reincarnation of Buddha, and take in the serene beauty of its surrounding gardens, blooming flowers, and ornamental trees.

Continue to Dong Thien Pagoda for a meaningful encounter with local Buddhist nuns. Learn about their daily life in the temple, share stories, and enjoy a simple yet heartwarming vegetarian lunch lovingly prepared by the nuns themselves. Afterward, wander through the main hall, where an exquisite collection of Buddha statues reflects the deep spiritual heritage of this sacred place.

Afternoon

After lunch, your driver will take you to Hue airport for a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City, which the Vietnamese refer to as Saigon. Arrive and transfer to your downtown hotel for check-in. The rest of the day and evening will be at your pleasure.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Sofitel Saigon Plaza, The Myst Dong Khoi

Morning

After breakfast, your guide and driver will bring you to Ben Tre Town in the Mekong Delta, which is renowned for its expansive rice fields, numerous rivers, and magnificent scenery. This region, known as the "rice bowl" of Vietnam, provides the majority of the country's fruit, rice, sugar cane, and coconuts.

After a two-hour journey through verdant farmland, you will arrive in Ben Tre, where you will go on a motorized boat tour through the coconut forest's small channels. During the boat voyage, you will stop at local cottage enterprises to observe how the craft has been passed down through the centuries.

Take a stroll through the village lanes, stopping at local homes to sample fresh fruits and honey tea while hearing a Tai Tu music performance. Continue to another workshop where coconut candies and a variety of coconut husk and fiber products are manufactured by hand.

Take a small sampan through palm-fringed back canals, sailing calmly over secluded rivers surrounded by a vast array of tropical vegetation. The tranquil, rural location is a refreshing and therapeutic escape from the frantic bustle of HCM City, which appears to be in the distance.

Enjoy meeting locals while riding at the back of a Motor Cart (xe lôi) around rural hamlets, rice fields, coconut trees, and luscious orchard farms.

Afternoon

After lunch at a local restaurant, you will return to Ben Tre town and continue driving through the Mekong's fields and towns to Can Tho city, stopping if time allows at the Vinh Trang Pagoda.

Evening

Begin to enjoy Can Tho street delicacies and become a local gourmet. Our tour guide will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to the first local eatery, where you will sample Vietnamese pancakes and cupcakes. Dare to sample the Mekong Delta's best specialty cuisine. It is a challenging moment for you to experiment with frogs, rats, and eggplants in a clay pot. They are quite delicious. Try the unique flavors of southern Vietnam. We'll go to a BBQ restaurant where you can eat local cuisine while also learning how it's made. Learn a little about Can Tho's history while munching on delectable snacks. You will travel on a motorbike for around 5 minutes to have papaya salad and sip soya milk (if you can still eat more), followed by dessert with a fruit smoothie and coconut sticky rice before saying farewell and returning to the hotel.

Overnight in Can Tho

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Street Food

Accommodation: Victoria Can Tho Resort, Azerai Can Tho

Our tour guide will pick you up and walk to the boat station to get on the sampan, which is a real traditional small boat for the tour. On the way to the Cai Rang floating market, this time is the best time to watch the beautiful sunrise (sometimes) slowly rise over the Mekong River.

The Cai Rang floating market is a must-see in Can Tho, the Mekong Delta. The guide will tell you everything you need to know about the moving market. The best noodle soup on the river tour is part of the experience.

Get on a local boat and see how people really live on the Mekong. Our tour guide is very knowledgeable and will help you learn a lot.  Take a bite of the freshest pineapple on the river.

Visit the 9-Cua family's real traditional Can Tho rice noodle factory. The colored rice noodles and the fact that they are made by hand by locals will amaze you. Your sampan's long-tail engine will slow down, and you'll cruise slowly so that you can enjoy the sounds of nature as much as possible in Can Tho. There are beautiful Napa palms, water coconuts, freshwater mangroves, and coconut canals to see.

The exotic tropical fruit garden in Can Tho is a fun and educational place to visit. You'll be able to walk around the garden, listen to the informative tour guide tell stories, and taste the fresh tropical fruits in season. Visit the organic cacao farm in Can Tho. The farm was built in the 1960s and has been kept up to date. The guide will talk about the features, origin, and uses of cacao and Mr. Cacao, as well as how to make chocolates, wines, and cosmetics. Have a glass of the chocolate milk that comes with it.  

After an amazing half day on the river, lunch will be served at the local restaurant before coming back to Ho Chi Minh City and spending the remainder of the day at your leisure.

Don't mind asking your travel designer for recommendations on the town’s best restaurants for dinner.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Accommodation: Sofitel Saigon Plaza, The Myst Dong Khoi

Morning

After breakfast, you will be greeted by your guide and driven to Cu Chi, a small village located northwest of Ho Chi Minh City known for its network of subterranean tunnels that served as a haven and successful infiltration route for the Viet Cong during the closing stages of the Vietnam War.

Upon arrival, you will view a brief instructional movie before visiting the tunnels, the most renowned battlegrounds of the period. It is thought that the concealed network of Viet Cong tunnels spanned "hundreds of miles" in total length and contained living quarters, storage areas, temporary hospitals, kitchens, etc. Although the system was initially somewhat narrow, some sections have been enlarged for tourists, and you have the option to explore them.

Please note that these tunnels will be hot and claustrophobic, so if you want to watch from above ground, that is an option.

Cassava, the staple diet of the Viet Cong soldiers, is served alongside a tart tea. After exploring the Cu Chi Tunnels, return to the city with lunch at the local restaurant.

Afternoon

Finish the tour and return to your hotel for your leisure time.

Evening

Experience the vibrant nightlife of Vietnam with an exhilarating "Saigon by Night" tour. Take a ride on the back of a scooter and relax while sampling the greatest local dishes and drinks, and exploring the hidden gems of Saigon. This unique adventure provides a refreshing change from our daytime excursions, allowing you to immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere after dark. During the food tour, we will take you to the city's most popular street vendors and hidden lanes, showcasing where locals prefer to eat. So save your appetite, thrill your palate, and allow us to fill your stomach with delicious and authentic Vietnamese cuisine!

Rest assured, even vegetarians can enjoy a wide range of delectable choices! Safety is our top priority, so you can relax and enjoy the adventure.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Street Food

Accommodation: Sofitel Saigon Plaza, The Myst Dong Khoi

Start your day with a tasty breakfast at your hotel.

You will have free time to shop and explore before heading to the airport, where you can catch your flight home or to your next destination; we will assist you with the planning.

The tour is over, but the lovely memories you made in the last 13 days will last a lifetime. This is what we want to offer you: a tour that brings you wonderful local experiences and makes you smile each time you think of them! As you reflect on the journey, we hope you carry the spirit of adventure with you, inspiring future travels and explorations. Remember, each destination holds a story waiting to be discovered, and we can't wait to help you write the next chapter of your travel adventures!