Highlights of Vietnam's Cuisine & Culture - 16 Days

Highlights

• Taste the real side of Vietnam with street food tours in four different cities
• Float through limestone grottoes and see temples at Trang An in Ninh Binh
• Spend two nights cruising through the beautiful landscapes of Ha Long Bay
• Cycle past rice paddies and explore an organic vegetable farm near Hoi An

Brief Itinerary

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi, Explore the City

Xin chào! Welcome to Hanoi, Vietnam's exciting capital. On arrival, a private driver will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in. Drop your bags and refresh before venturing out to the lively streets. Wander tree-shaded avenues lined with a mix of centuries-old architecture, from ancient temples to French colonial buildings. While there are newer parts of Hanoi, most visitors are drawn to the charms of the Old Quarter, where you can stop for a Vietnamese coffee and watch roving local vendors go about their day.

Day 2: Free Morning, Sightseeing & Street Food Tour

Enjoy a slow morning in Hanoi before this afternoon's sightseeing and street food adventure. Sleep in to shake off jet lag, then find a Vietnamese coffee to revive you with its caffeine and sugar content! In the afternoon, you'll see the most exciting parts of Vietnam's capital. Start at the Hoa Lo Prison, built and used by French rulers in Vietnam for political prisoners, and then by the government of North Vietnam for war prisoners. After, see the Ho Chi Minh Complex where the late president rests in peace. Finally, visit a traditional stilt house and the respected One-Pillar Pagoda.

Then in the evening, your tour guide will lead you across the Old Quarter for an evening street food tasting. Walk through the maze of streets, and explore the most popular street food dishes in Hanoi at both famous and hidden family-owned restaurants, such as bun chả (rice noodles with barbecue meat), and banh cuon (rice rolls). Watch as the locals cook up these fragrant plates right before your eyes. You'll end the street food tour with a taste of egg coffee.

Day 3: Private Cooking Class & Market Experience

This morning you'll meet Chef Ai, a passionate and well-known chef in Hanoi. She was in the top five in Master Chef 2014 and today she will share the secrets of delicious Vietnamese cuisine during a market tour and private cooking class. First, Chef Ai will take you to an authentic local market where you'll shop for the freshest in-season ingredients and learn about traditional Vietnamese flavors before walking to her house. Here, inside her cozy kitchen, you'll prepare a feast together.

Chef Ai will teach you to prepare delicious three-course Vietnamese meal, sharing stories about food and her passion for local culinary traditions as you cook together. You'll get to choose from three menus, with options such as mango salad and fried spring rolls. Once the dishes are ready, you'll sit down for lunch together where you can ask any last-minute questions before saying goodbye. The rest of the afternoon is yours to explore Hanoi.

Day 4: Day Trip to Ninh Binh: Trang An Boat Ride & Visit Hoa Lu

Early this morning you'll set off on a special full-day tour to Ninh Binh, one of the natural wonders of Vietnam and a place that is often called "Ha Long Bay on Land." A private driver will take you two hours south toward Ninh Binh, set on the Red River Delta. You'll head straight to Trang An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its spectacular limestone karst peaks whose sheer vertical walls rise 656 feet (200 m) above the water. Over three hours you'll float by dense rainforest, rice paddy fields, and limestone grottoes, and see spiritual sites like Dia Linh mountain.

After the spectacular boat ride, stop for a traditional Vietnamese lunch and then make a short transfer to Hoa Lu. This site was Vietnam's capital in the 10th and 11th centuries and it features decorative temples built in honor of former emperors and queens. While the ancient citadel has largely disappeared, the temples of the Dinh and Le dynasties still stand surrounded by rice paddies. You'll have time to explore the historic ruins and temples before transferring back to Hanoi for the evening.

Day 5: Transfer to Ha Long Bay, Board Two-Night Cruise

Finally, it's time to venture toward the coast. This morning a transfer will take you 2.5 hours east where you'll board a two-night cruise on Ha Long Bay. Here you'll float among thousands of spectacular limestone islands that make up this unique UNESCO World Heritage Site. More than 1,500 karst islets rise above jade waters and resemble the spine of a mythological creature. On arrival at the marina, you'll board a multi-level cruise ship. Settle into your cabin, then head up to the deck where a delicious seafood lunch awaits.

Spend the afternoon relaxing on the sun deck 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 where you'll learn to make traditional specialties like nem (Vietnamese fried spring rolls) and enjoy them for dinner. Spend the remainder of the evening relaxing, or head out on a small boat for a bit of night fishing with the locals.

Day 6: Optional Activities in Ha Long Bay

Rise early for a tai chi session on the sundeck as the sun rises, then enjoy a light breakfast of tea, coffee and pastries. It's your second day on the water in Ha Long Bay and you'll experience the best of this unique destination today. This morning you'll transfer to a smaller excursion boat and spend a few hours at a fishing village to see how the locals live. Enjoy some sightseeing, then relax on a beautiful beach or go swimming until it's time for lunch onboard.

In the afternoon you can choose to set off again and go explore some coastal caves or simply relax on board. In the evening, you'll gather for another beautiful dinner and night aboard the cruise.

Day 7: Disembark Cruise, Transfer to Hanoi, Fly to Hue

Wake early to enjoy the cool morning air of Ha Long Bay at sunrise. Enjoy breakfast on board, then squeeze in one last swim. This morning you'll cruise around the bay, exploring another magnificent limestone sea cave and towering karst islets before returning to the port. A transfer will take you 3.5 hours to the airport in Hanoi, where you'll board a flight to Hue, Vietnam's Imperial Citadel.

Hue was created in the 19th century for the Emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty and it was the capital from 1802 until 1945. Tomorrow you'll explore the city's sights, so this evening you can rest. On arrival at Hue airport, take a private transfer to your hotel. This evening, you could take a sunset cruise on the Perfume River or visit a night market and try local street food or dishes, such as bún bò (beef noodle soup).

Day 8: Full-Day Imperial Capital Sightseeing Tour

Hue's citadel is one of the most important structures of the Nguyen Dynasty, and it holds memories of a powerful feudal era in Vietnam. Today you'll explore the past with a local guide. Start your full-day tour with a boat trip along the Perfume River to Thien Mu Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hue. Then visit the Imperial Citadel, where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Here you'll also visit the Royal Antiques Museum. After pop into the bustling Dong Ba Market to see the daily life of local people before stopping for lunch at a local restaurant.

In the afternoon, you'll visit the elegant Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, whose architecture combines the elements of Eastern art and Western design. The small tomb is very flamboyant, with giant dragons forming the side walls, a blackened concrete exterior, and colorful mosaic interior with elegant murals. Then continue to Tu Duc Royal Tomb, the most impressive of all the royal mausoleums built by Emperor Tu Duc between 1864 and 1867. No one actually knows where King Tu Duc is buried, as all the servants who buried the king were beheaded to keep his final resting place a secret. 

Day 9: Hue Street Food Tour, Transfer to Hoi An

Discover the flavors of Hue on this morning's guided street food tour. A local host will lead you across the city via cyclo bikes, offering a relaxed and authentic way to experience Hue while sampling its famous traditional plates. Your cyclo driver will stop at various food stalls where you'll try local favorites, from bun bo Hue (beef vermicelli soup) to banh khoai (fried pancakes) to banh loc (tapioca dumplings). Along the way, your guide will share stories about each dish, many of which are unique to this city. You'll round out the morning with something sweet and Vietnamese coffee!

After the tour, a private driver will transfer you 2.5 hours south from Hue to Hoi An, a former trading port with an incredible historic center. The drive will pass through one of the most spectacular routes in Vietnam, the Mandarin Road. You'll also take the Hai Van Pass (Ocean Cloud Pass) and pause in Da Nang to take in panoramic views over China Beach. Finally, arrive in Hoi An, where you'll check into your accommodation and have free time to explore this charming town famous for its many tailor shops.

Day 10: Hoi An Sightseeing & Food Tour

This morning you'll set off on a delicious sightseeing and food tour in Hoi An. Meet a local guide who will lead you through the charming streets of this ancient town, while sharing some of its local dishes and treats. Start in the heart of Hoi An's Ancient Town, where you'll visit famous landmarks like the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge and Chinese Assembly Halls. You'll enter the busy Hoi An Central Market, which is best experienced in the morning when the locals pass by for breakfast and to shop for food. Here you'll taste some of the town's unique local breakfast dishes.

Over the course of four hours you'll learn about Hoi An's history, architecture, and cuisine, setting you up to explore the town solo. You could use the rest of the afternoon to browse charming stores and boutiques for local souvenirs, relax at a riverside café, or get your order in for tailored clothing—Hoi An is famous for its made-to-order tailor shops, but they need a few days to prepare your items.

Day 11: Cycling in Cam Thanh & Thanh Dong Organic Farm Visit

Today you'll experience the life of a local farmer and learn about life in the Vietnamese countryside. A guide will take you to Vong Nhi village, where you'll jump on bikes and cycle through peaceful farm landscapes, passing the green water coconut forest, prawn and red snapper farms, and the enduring beauty of rice fields. After a short time you'll arrive at Thanh Dong Organic Farm, huge organic garden that supports 10 local families. Here you'll stroll through the vegetable garden and hear the farmers' story about how they changed to using organic methods of cultivating herbs.

After, join in some farm activities. Depending on the day, you might get to prepare and apply organic manure to the land, rake the ground, sow herb seeds, and water or pick vegetables. After the farm you'll board a basket boat and ride along the Do River to The Field Restaurant. Once here you'll pop on an apron and get to work with a short cooking class. Help prepare a couple of traditional dishes for a Vietnamese family-style lunch. After, you'll return to the city where the rest of the day is yours to enjoy.

Day 12: Free Time in Hoi An, Night Market & Boat Ride

Today is yours to enjoy Hoi An your way. You could use the time to go to a fitting for your custom-made outfit, and drop by the market for a street food lunch. Later you could take a taxi or cycle out to one of the nearby white sandy beaches, such as An Bang or Cua Dai, where you can unwind by the ocean or indulge in a seaside massage. Or stay in the city and join a traditional workshop where you'll learn how to make your own silk lanterns. Head back to the hotel to refresh ahead of this evening at the night market.

At the heart of the Ancient Town, Hoi An's night market is a highlight with colorful lanterns, street food, and boat rides. Take your time exploring the many stalls, shopping for clothing, shoes, handicrafts, trinkets, and accessories, and finding tasty food and snacks for a light dinner. After the market, step into one of the little wooden boats—lit up by silk lanterns—and take a trip on the Hoai River.

Day 13: Transfer to Da Nang, Fly to Ho Chi Minh City, Free Time

Rise early to stroll through the historic center during the more quiet hours, and sit down for a bowl of steaming pho at breakfast time (just like the locals). Soon it will be time to take a 50-minute private transfer to Da Nang for your 80-minute flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Also known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City might not be the capital but it is the most populated city in Vietnam, with around 10 million people calling it home. On arrival, take a transfer to your accommodation in the center.

With the rest of the afternoon you could delve into the city's past at the War Remnants Museum, where poignant exhibits offer a glimpse into Vietnam's wartime history, and see the Notre Dame Cathedral. Then head to Nguyen Hue Walking Street around sunset. This pedestrian-only thoroughfare is lined with cafés, bars, and shops, and locals gather here to relax and people watch.

Day 14: Cu Chi Tunnel Tour, Evening Food Tour

This morning you'll drive to the Cu Chi Tunnels, situated 44 miles (70 km) from the city, with a local guide. These tunnels were created in 1948 to assist the Viet Minh in their combat against French occupiers. Construction continued during American bombings, resulting in an underground city with living areas, kitchens, storage, weapon factories and field hospitals. The Cu Chi Tunnels could house up to 10,000 people who lived underground for years, getting married and raising children. Two sections of the tunnels are open for visitors to crawl through and better understand the war.

Return to the city where you'll join a street food adventure on two wheels. This city is home to five million scooters, and this evening you'll hold onto a local as they zip you around the city on the back of a moped. Take in the landmarks and squeeze down small alleyways as you hop between street food stalls and local dining spots. At the first stop you'll taste local specialties such as Vietnamese pancakes and spring rolls, continue to a seafood restaurant, and end at an acoustic music café for dessert and Vietnamese singers. Finally pop by a bar for rock music or jazz. 

Day 15: Day Trip to Ben Tre in the Mekong Delta

This morning a guide will drive you out two hours to Ben Tre, a peaceful part of the Mekong Delta known for its lush coconut groves, mangroves, sugar cane plantations, and water-logged paddies. Arrive at Hung Vuong Pier where you'll board a cruise on the Ben Tre River. You'll stop off at various workshops to show you how the local economy works, including a coconut processing workshop, where you can sample fresh coconut and see how every single part of this versatile nut is turned into coconut candy and other products.

You'll also see brick workshop and honey bee farm, and stop for a cup of tea with a local family that makes hand-woven rush mats. For lunch, the boat will drop you off at a quiet village where you can explore the village by bike or xe loi (motor cart) to observe daily life. You'll pass lime-green rice fields, vegetable farms, and exotic fruit orchards, and can try rowing along a creek. Finally, return to the car and make the two-hour drive back to Ho Chi Minh City for your final evening in Vietnam.

Day 16: Depart Ho Chi Minh City

It's your final morning in Vietnam! If you have time (and luggage space) pop out for some last-minute souvenir shopping, and enjoy a traditional breakfast. You can also head for the street food stalls. When the time is right, a private transfer will collect you for the drive to the airport in time for your departing flight home or onwards. Safe travels!

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