Flavors of Vietnam - 10 Days
Highlights
- Tour the highlights of Hanoi on foot and on a Vespa
- Take private cooking classes in Hanoi and Hoi An
- Cruise the emerald waters of Ha Long Bay in a luxury ship
- Enjoy a "dining in the dark" experience in Ho Chi Minh City
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Hanoi, Self-Guided Tour | Hanoi |
| Day 2 | Master Chef Cooking Class | Hanoi |
| Day 3 | Hanoi Vespa Tour | Hanoi |
| Day 4 | Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Overnight Cruise | Ha Long Bay |
| Day 5 | Morning Cruise, Transfer to Hanoi | Hanoi |
| Day 6 | Fly to Da Nang, Transfer to Hoi An, Countryside & Food Tour | Hoi An |
| Day 7 | Private Cooking Class in Hoi An | Hoi An |
| Day 8 | Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Self-Guided-Tour | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Day 9 | Half-Day City Tour, Dining in the Dark | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Day 10 | Depart Ho Chi Minh City |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi, Self-Guided Tour
Welcome to Vietnam! This dynamic country's history and cultural heritage date back well over 2,000 years. In fact, the city you'll arrive in—Hanoi—has a settled history dating all the way back to the third century BCE. That means there are a lot of fascinating historical sites to marvel at—and plenty of fine cuisine to enjoy.
Get off to a quick start with your arrival at Hanoi's international airport. There, a driver will pick you up for the transfer to your hotel in the city. After settling in, you can head out to get acquainted with this ancient marvel of a metropolis on a self-guided tour.
Start by exploring the labyrinthine streets of Hanoi's Old Quarter on foot or by three-wheeled cyclo. Dive right into the country's renowned food scene on a visit to Bun Cha Huong Lien to try bun cha (noodle soup with grilled pork). The restaurant's interpretation of this beloved Hanoian dish is so famous that even Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain have come to try it. Later, sip cocktails on the Pan Pacific Hotel's rooftop bar and admire sunset views over Tay Ho (West Lake) to wrap up your evening in style.
Day 2: Master Chef Cooking Class
Your culinary journey through Vietnam officially kicks off this morning with a cooking lesson alongside an esteemed local chef, Mrs. Ai. It starts with a scenic walk to the local market for a fascinating look at what is essentially the nerve center of the community. While you enjoy the sights and smells of fresh produce, Chef Ai will offer insight into how locals choose the best products, plus introduce you to the requisite spices that define the famous flavors of Vietnamese cuisine.
Afterward, continue to Mrs. Ai's home for a cooking class. There, you'll learn the fundamentals of this cooking style and how to balance delicate flavors and spices until they sing in perfect harmony. After putting the finishing touches on your traditional dish, everyone will sit down to feast on the home-cooked creations. Your dish will also be paired with other Vietnamese specialties prepared by the chef.
Day 3: Hanoi Vespa Tour
Explore Hanoi in style today on a vintage Vespa scooter. Meet your guide in the morning and embark on a half-day ride through the atmospheric streets of the Old Quarter to admire its famous landmarks, such as the Opera House and Train Street. Head toward the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to see the Presidential Palace, Parliament House, and other government offices while your guide shares stories about the history of Hanoi.
Pass Huu Tiep 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 West Lake to see the Monument to John McCain, the former US Senator who was a prisoner of war in Hanoi during the Vietnam War (known locally as the American War). Your next destination is a village on an island in the Red River, where you can meet a resident family and learn more about rural life.
Then it's on to a nearby kumquat farm, where peach blossom trees are grown as a gift for Tet (Vietnamese New Year), symbolizing luck, health, wealth, fertility, and peace. Stop for Hanoi's signature egg coffee, then drive back to the Old Quarter via the Long Bien Bridge. This magnificent structure was built over a hundred years ago to connect the Hoan Kiem and Long Bien districts. The tour finishes with lunch at a local restaurant and a transfer back to your hotel.
Day 4: Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Overnight Cruise
In the morning, meet your guide for the four-hour drive east to the coast and Ha Long Bay. Located on the Gulf of Tonkin, over 1,000 karst islets rise above jade waters and resemble the spine of some mythological creature (ha long translates to "descending dragon"). The unique beauty of this region is unlike anywhere else and thus has been bestowed with UNESCO World Heritage status.
Upon arrival at the marina, you'll board a multilevel cruise ship for an overnight tour. After settling into your cabin, head up to the deck, where a delicious seafood lunch awaits. Then, you can spend hours relaxing on the sundeck as the ship sails across glassy emerald waters to the most secluded corners of the bay. Later that afternoon, you'll stop at a secret cove for a swim and a kayak trip to explore hidden beaches and grottoes.
Return to the ship just in time to participate in a cooking masterclass offered by the onboard expert chef. During the workshop, you'll learn to make traditional specialties like nem (Vietnamese fried spring rolls) and enjoy them for dinner afterward. Spend the remainder of the evening relaxing, or cast a line from the back of the boat and do some night squid fishing.
Day 5: Morning Cruise, Transfer to Hanoi
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 6: Fly to Da Nang, Transfer to Hoi An, Countryside & Food Tour
Leave in the morning on a transfer to the airport, where you'll catch a 1.5-hour domestic flight south to Da Nang. From there, you'll transfer about an hour by car south down the coast to the city of Hoi An. Sitting on the Thu Bon River, this historic city was a major trading port with the West from the 15th through the 19th centuries, attracting merchants from around the globe. Its international legacy is represented in the assortment of architectural styles in Hoi An's Ancient Town. Once here, you'll check in to your hotel.
Shortly after getting settled, you'll leave the hotel for an exploration of Hoi An's off-the-beaten-path highlights as well as taste its remarkable street food. Meet your guide and transfer 2.5 miles (4 km) outside the town center to a local farming village. Here you'll learn about the farmers' daily routine as well as the traditional methods they use to cultivate organic crops.
Upon returning to Hoi An, you'll embark on a culinary exploration of the city as you sample its most famous dishes. These include white rose dumplings, banh beo (steamed rice cakes), banh nam (rice dumplings), my quang (flavorful rice noodles), Hoi An pancakes, barbecue pork rolls, and the famous bahn mi sandwich. Finish the food tour with a cup of the best Vietnamese coffee around before heading out to enjoy Hoi An's nightlife or returning to your hotel for the evening.
Day 7: Private Cooking Class in Hoi An
Meet your guide at 8 am and start the day with a coffee at Hai Café. Then, walk over to Hoi An's colorful municipal market to immerse yourself in the sights, smells, and sounds of this popular shopping area. Here, you'll interact with the local vendors and learn all about the ingredients you'll be using in today's cooking lesson. Next, you'll board a boat for a leisurely cruise along the Thu Bon River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. During the ride, sit back and relax as you watch scenes of local river life unfold on the banks.
Once at the school, you'll visit the herb garden, where your instructor will teach you about the ingredients that comprise the region's most well-known dishes. The two-hour cooking class starts with professional chefs demonstrating each dish, after which you'll prepare the same dishes on your own. Then, everyone will sit down for a delicious lunch. Afterward, you'll return to your hotel.
Day 8: Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Self-Guided Tour
After breakfast, your driver will pick you up at the hotel for the one-hour ride north to the airport in Da Nang, where you'll catch a 1.5-hour flight south to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, another driver will pick you up and transfer you to your hotel. The former Saigon is a fascinating city in that it has managed to preserve its cultural roots and traditions in the face of a communist revolution, a devastating war, and ever-encroaching modernity. After getting settled, you can venture out and explore the city on your own.
You could browse the popular Ben Thanh Market for clothes and souvenirs and sample some delicious offerings at the Street Food Market outdoor food hall. If your legs are tired from all that walking, pop in at one of the many spas for a relaxing foot massage. For unparalleled views overlooking the city, head up to the Skydeck on the 49th floor of Bitexco Tower. If it's later in the afternoon, hang out and enjoy a beer as the sun sets over the city skyline.
Day 9: Half-Day City Tour, Dining in the Dark
Meet your guide in the morning for a half-day Ho Chi Minh City tour. It starts at the Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace. This famous building was the headquarters of the Saigon government during the Vietnam War until its fall in 1975. Continue past beautiful French colonial landmarks, like Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office, to the War Remnants Museum. During a tour, you'll witness exhibits that show the American War through the eyes of the Vietnamese. After lunch at a local restaurant, you'll return to your hotel.
Later, when the sun goes down, you'll venture out for a very special dinner at Noir: Dining in the Dark. The name says it all, as here you'll enjoy a meal in total darkness as you're waited on by visually impaired servers. This is no mere gimmick; the goal of removing sight from the environment is to maximize your other senses. As you enjoy the multicourse menu, you'll notice your sense of smell is heightened, your sense of touch more intuitive, and your sense of taste more acute. It's a concept that plays with perception to maximize this one-of-a-kind dining experience.
Day 10: Depart Ho Chi Minh City
More Great Vietnam Itineraries
Map
