Vietnam Culinary Tour 12 days

Morning:

Visit renowned landmarks:

Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum: The resting place of Commander and President Ho Chi Minh.

Temple of Literature: Vietnam's inaugural national university, symbolizing the country's heritage.

Hoan Kiem Lake: Known for its historical significance, situated at the heart of Hanoi, a pivotal tourist spot.

Hanoi Old Quarter: An area steeped in history, showcasing numerous historical sites and exuding vibrant city life.

Lunch will follow the city tour.
Evening:

Embark on a Vietnamese street food exploration.

Delve into the local cuisine, savoring lesser-known dishes cherished by the locals:

Bun Bo (Sauteed Beef Rice Vermicelli): A popular rice noodle dish originating from Central Vietnam - Hue.

Banh Cuon (Steamed rice rolls): Steamed rice rolls filled with ground pork and chopped wood ear mushrooms.

Banh Mi: Acknowledged as one of the world's best street foods, offering a variety of flavors.

Ca Phe Trung (Egg Coffee): A distinctive and iconic beverage in Hanoi.

Accommodation: Hanoi Hotel

Morning:

Proceed to Halong Bay, renowned for its karst formations, captivating caves, picturesque beaches, and azure waters.

Board the Halong Bay cruise to revel in the bay’s natural splendor.

Indulge in a delightful seafood feast for lunch while cruising.

Afternoon:

Engage in various activities like cave exploration, kayaking, or a refreshing swim in the sea.

Return to the cruise for relaxation and dining.

Evening:

Relish a delectable dinner aboard the cruise.

Overnight stay on the cruise.

Accommodation: Halong Bay Cruise

Morning:

Participate in an early morning Tai-chi session.

Witness the captivating sunrise.

Savor breakfast while on board.

Explore the enchanting caves within the bay.

Noon:

Return to the main dock and journey back to Hanoi.

Enjoy lunch provided during the journey to the port.

Afternoon:

Proceed to Noi Bai airport for the flight to Da Nang.

Upon arrival at Da Nang airport, transfer to a hotel in Hoi An for check-in and an overnight stay.

Accommodation: Hoi An Hotel

Morning:

Relax until the evening hours.

Evening:

Embark on an Evening Walking Foodie Tour to uncover the culinary delights and cultural essence of Hoi An.

Traverse local markets, eateries, and restaurants for an immersive culinary journey.

Explore food stalls offering traditional Hoi An dishes, including:

Banh Mi: Sample the iconic Vietnamese dish available in various flavors.

Cao Lau: A distinct noodle with a texture akin to Japanese Udon, distinct from pho noodles.

Banh Beo: A popular snack cherished by the locals of Hoi An.

Banh Khot: Round pancakes made from rice flour, turmeric, coconut milk, quail egg, and vegetables, often found at a renowned street vendor near Hoai square.

Balut: An exotic dish, featuring the fertilized embryo of a growing egg, considered one of the world's top 10 unique foods, served either raw or steamed.

Savor traditional Vietnamese coffee renowned for its blend of robust drip coffee and sweet condensed milk.

Enjoy leisure time in Hoi An Ancient Town or return to the hotel.

Accommodation: Hoi An Hotel

Morning:

Prepare for transport to Hue, arranged either through a shuttle bus or private car, traversing the Cloudy Pass.

Pause at selected locations during the journey for photo opportunities or optional sightseeing (additional charges may apply).

Accommodation: Hue Hotel

Morning:

Begin the day's excursion at Thien Mu Pagoda, an esteemed Buddhist temple recognized for its antique architecture and set against the serene backdrop of the Perfume River.

Proceed to the Imperial Citadel of Hue, an expansive and awe-inspiring structure that provides insight into Vietnam's pre-modern history.

Take a leisurely stroll around the citadel to witness the grandeur of its front gate, the Flag Tower, The King’s Palace, and the Museums of Royal Antiquities.

Explore Dong Ba Market, Hue's oldest and most extensive marketplace, offering an array of affordable goods and local products.

Accommodation: Hue Hotel

Morning:

Proceed to Hue airport for your scheduled flight to Ho Chi Minh City.

Noon:

Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, travel to the designated hotel.

Take the rest of the day to unwind at the hotel or venture out to explore the city at your leisure.

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Morning:

Commence the day by preparing for pickup from your accommodation at 7:30 AM, marking the start of the day-long tour.

Between 8:45 and 10:00 AM, explore Ho Chi Minh Agricultural Villages located in Cu Chi District. Experience rural life firsthand, engaging in activities such as visiting buffalo areas, rice fields, and herb farms to immerse yourself in the life of a Vietnamese farmer.

Noon:

From 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM, engage in an interactive cooking session where you'll learn the art of crafting three delectable Vietnamese dishes and a sweet dessert. Following this session, relish the prepared dishes for lunch.

Upon completion, receive a certificate, a memorable souvenir, and the recipes used during the cooking session.

Afternoon:

Between 1:30 and 2:00 PM, after lunch, visit the rice paper-making village to observe the traditional method of its production, and if interested, participate in the process.

Explore the neighboring rubber tree forest, observing the local techniques of latex collection.

Between 2:00 and 4:00 PM, explore the Cu Chi Tunnels, a network of underground passages spanning 250 km. Here, you'll:

Gain insight into tunnel life through an introductory video.

Learn about the construction, living conditions, and wartime tactics employed within the tunnels.

Visit Hoang Cam's smokeless stove and have the option to participate in gun shooting with real bullets (additional fees apply).

Conclude the visit with boiled tapioca and hot tea.

Evening:

Return to Ho Chi Minh City via bus, retiring to your accommodation to relax.

Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

Morning:

Journey towards Cai Be Cao Dai Oratories, an emblem of local religious significance.

Explore the floating rice market in An Cu commune, renowned as Vietnam's largest rice exporter, offering insights into local livelihoods.
Noon:

Discover the ancient village of Dong Hoa Hiep commune and the vibrant Cai Be floating market.

Proceed to Tan Phong islet and Hai Yen Bee Farm, where a vast flower garden hosts honey-producing bees, providing an educational experience about beekeeping.

Pause at the Linhzhi mushroom area, engaging in activities like pulling fish hooves and crossing Monkey Bridges.

Delight in the orchard's offerings, relishing garden-fresh fruits amidst the melodies of Vietnamese folk music. Experience a serene rowboat journey through a small canal.

Indulge in lunch at The Mekong Ecolodge Resort, followed by check-in and relaxation.
Afternoon:

Engage in ditch fishing and vegetable picking in the restaurant's garden, partaking in dinner preparation activities.

Savor dinner at the Ecolodge.

Accommodation: Homestay

Morning:

Embark on an engaging itinerary, immersing in various activities alongside locals on Tan Phong Island by bicycle.

Learn the art of crafting rice paper for spring rolls.

Witness the traditional process of knitting banana hammocks from dried banana leaf ropes.

Engage in crafting jackfruit leaf cakes with the homeowner.

Gain insights into the traditional roofing technique using leaves for Vietnamese homes.

Delve into a water hyacinth knitting lesson, receiving guidance on crafting homemade gifts.

Visit the local schools and interact with the students.

Return to Mekong Ecolodge for a final night's stay before departing home.
Noon:

Experience the Hiep Duc ferry boat with locals as you traverse the Tien River.

Journey back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Accommodation: Ho Chi Minh Hotel

Morning:

Proceed to Tan San Nhat Airport.

Note: Hotel check-out time is at noon. Depending on room availability, a late check-out can be arranged with an additional fee.

Accommodation: Not Applicable