Vietnam Culinary Tour

Welcome to Hanoi- we’ll greet you at the airport and get you checked in to your hotel for your stay for next two nights. Explore, relax or sleep, the city awaits you tomorrow.

After breakfast at hotel, the tour guide will meet you at the hotel, and transfer you to the Spices Garden Restaurant (at Sofitel Metropole Hotel). We will join in the group with other clients to attend a cooking class with the chef. Everyone rolls up their sleeves in the kitchen to prepare a proper Vietnamese meal. We will cook the dishes, class lunch will be served in the Spices Garden Vietnamese Restaurant to sample all the different dishes prepared during the class. This afternoon you will discover Hanoi. We will visit to Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam, Tran Quoc Pagoda, West Lake, then we will visit Hanoi Flag Tower. Wonder around Hoan Kiem lake then visit Ngoc Son Temple and enjoy one hour cyclo trip around the trading area in Hanoi Old Quarter. Attend the Water Puppet Show, enjoy dinner. (B, L, D)

Leave Hanoi for Halong Bay. Upon arrival, get on a Junk cruising around Ha Long Bay with a delicious local seafood lunch, passing Dog island, Incense Urn island, Ga Choi island, Finger island, Hoa Cuong Island and visit Surprise Cave and short swimming at Titov beach (if weather permitted). Have dinner on board and enjoy night fishing. Overnight on board (B, L, D)

In the morning, cruise to Bai Tu long Bay, Fire island, Bo Nau island, fishing village. After early lunch on boat, we arrive at Ha long Wharf around noon. Back to Hanoi by car and end your tour by 4 PM. We will recheck at your Hanoi hotel for an overnight. (B, L)

After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport for our morning flight to Hue. On arrival, we will visit the quiet city which is widely known for it’s magnificent architecture of its citadels, palaces, royal tombs, pagodas and temples built under the Nguyen Dynasty – we will visit the major sites including the Imperial Citadel with Forbidden Royal City, Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace, have lunch at restaurant. You will get some free time for shopping in Dong Ba market. Overnight in Hue for the next two nights. (B, L)

The morning begins with a hands-on cooking class at Vuon Y Thao restaurant, highlighting the regal flavors of Hue cuisine as we prepare our own midday meal. Enjoy the lunch with the dish you cooked. In the afternoon, we take boat trip on Perfume River to visit Thien Mu, one of the ancient beautiful pagoda and Khai Dinh Emperor’s Royal Tomb. Return to your hotel for some relax time. (B, L)

In the morning, we take a private car from Hue to Hoian. After an early lunch, we drive to Myson Holy Land – one of the world heritage sites of Vietnam. Back to Hoi An in the afternoon for relaxation at the beach or on the bank of Thu Bon river or go shopping. Overnight in Hoi An for two nights. (B, L)

Firstly, go to the market and learn how to buy typical Vietnamese ingredients for cooking. Then get on a boat for a leisurely 25 minute cruise along Hoian River to the Cooking School – Red Bridge. Learn how to cook some of Hoian’s and Vietnam’s well-known dishes which is the combination of Vietnam and Chinese cuisine. The cooking lesson runs for about 2 hours – each dish is first demonstrated by the chef before you prepare the same dish yourselves. Later, sit down and enjoy exactly what you have cooked. Back to Hoian town by boat.(B, L)

After breakfast at hotel, some free time until your transfer to airport, for your flight to Ho Chi Minh city also called as Saigon. Arrive Saigon airport, where your tour guide will be waiting for you, and will take you to your hotel where your stay is booked for the next 3 nights. (B)

Morning cooking lesson at the Vietnam Cookery Center: the hands-on cooking course is conducted by a professional chef and translated by a MC who will explain the teaching of the chef and talk about the history and culture of Vietnamese cuisine. The lesson includes a market visit and lunch. Afternoon excursion to the Cu Chi Tunnels : Cu Chi was an important base during the American War, because of its strategic location. The Vietcong built a 200km long network of tunnels connecting command posts, hospitals, shelters, and weapon factories. Dug out by hand tools without the use of cement, this amazing network was only recently opened to tourists. (B, L)

After early breakfast, leave your hotel for My Tho. On arrival, get on a private boat cruising along small creek to Mekong River estuary, to Phoenix Island and stop at a garden restaurant for Vietnamese lunch. The motorized boat cruises more along natural creeks and quiet village in Ben Tre Province. Visit orchards, bee – keeping farm, taste natural honey and honey wine, enjoy tropical fruit, traditional music, wonder around a distillery, explore the local coconut candy production process, taste candy & coconut pulp. On the way back to Ho Chi Minh, stop at a bonsai garden in My Tho. (B,L)

Free at leisure until your transfer to the airport for departure flight.. (B)