Vietnam Foodie and Culture Tour

Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to your hotel. Depending on your time of arrival, you will have the rest of the day free to explore Vietnam's vibrant capital city. Dinner is in the home of a local family. Meet them, learn about their lives and enjoy some delicious home-cooking.

This morning you will watch a cooking demonstration by a local chef who will teach you how to make some typical Hanoi dishes.

After lunch you'll visit some of the city’s markets. Hanoi has many amazing markets where you can buy a breathtaking variety of food, clothing, and textiles and handicrafts. The markets are also great places to sample Vietnamese street food and coffee. In the late afternoon, you will be taken on a food tour of the old quarter with its bustling old commercial streets. Don’t miss the chance to sample classic dishes like Pho Bo, Banh Cuon, sticky rice and egg coffee.

This morning leave Hanoi behind and be driven to Ha Long Bay. One of the most spectacular destinations in Vietnam, this UNESCO-protected bay is home to thousands of rainforest-covered limestone islands, creating an enchanting landscape. You will begin your boat cruise around midday. Lunch will be served as the boat sails through the bay. After lunch, you will leave the main boat and explore by sampan (bamboo boat). You will visit the Cua Van floating fishing village and see how local people manage to conduct their daily life on the water. You'll also stop at Tien Ong Cave, an ancient cave system where stalagmites have formed over thousands of years. Back on the boat, enjoy a cooking demonstration and a drink before dinner, while taking in the magical scenery.

Get up early to watch the sunrise over the bay. If you wish, you can take part in a morning Tai Chi session! As the boat cruises back to the harbour, you will have the chance to take plenty of photos. You will arrive back at the harbour mid-morning and be transferred to Hanoi airport for your flight to the old Imperial city of Hue.

A packed day of activities awaits you today, as you explore the countryside surrounding Hue. First, you will cycle to Thanh Toan Bridge, an 18th-century decorative bridge in the village of Thuy Thanh (8 KM). There will be time to take photos, visit the village, the agricultural museum, and the market.

Next, you’ll travel to Chuon Lagoon in Tam Giang, one of Southeast Asia's largest tidal lagoon systems. You'll explore the scenic lagoon by boat, and experience the life of local fishermen first-hand, before sitting down to a seafood lunch. Next is an easy cycle to Thuy Bieu Village. This village on the banks of the Perfume River is known for its old houses, lush shady gardens, and Thanh Tra trees. Thanh Tra is a large Vietnamese citrus fruit like a grapefruit. You will visit houses in the village and watch incense-making and silk painting demonstrations. At the end of the day, you'll be taken to your homestay in Thuy Bieu where dinner is prepared by a local family.

Today you’ll discover more about Hue and see some of the city's most interesting sights. The first stop is the Huyen Khong Son Thuong Pagoda, a modern working pagoda set among beautiful gardens on the outskirts of Hue. Next is the Temple of Literature, dedicated to Confucius, on the banks of the river. Hue is known for its distinctive cuisine, and lunch involves watching a demonstration of how to cook local dishes, which you can then eat! In the afternoon you'll visit Thien Mu Pagoda, the oldest pagoda in Hue. This will be followed by a dragon boat ride down the river to watch the sunset. On the way back you'll stop by the Dong Ba Market, a typical Vietnamese market where you can pick up souvenirs and some street snacks if you’re hungry.

After breakfast, you will set off for Hoi An. On the way, you'll stop at some scenic spots including Lang Co Beach, and the Hai Van Mountain Pass, which has spectacular views of the coastline. If there is time, you might also stop at the Cham Museum in Da Nang. Arrive in Hoi An and settle into your hotel. Hoi An is an ancient town on the Thu Bon River, known for its fantastic culinary scene and waterfront. It is also a great place for traditional Vietnamese clothing, and so if you are looking to get some clothes made cheaply by a local tailor then you can get them made here.

Today is another day packed full of authentic experiences as you visit some of the farming and fishing communities outside Hoi An. See how local people sustain themselves by fishing and learn some of the traditional fishing methods. Afterwards, have a fun ride down the river in a traditional bamboo basket boat! Then it’s time for another bike ride along country roads to a village for lunch. In the afternoon you return to the city to see its photogenic temples, pagodas, and ancient houses. In the evening, dinner is early as you'll spend the evening on a foodie tour of the city sampling local specialities like Cao Lau, Com Ga and Bánh mì.

Today you will get the chance to delve even deeper into the fascinating cuisine of Hoi An. In the morning you'll go on an expedition to the local market to source ingredients for the dishes you will cook later. Then you’ll take a trip down the river to a local cooking school. After being shown around the herb garden, take part in a two-hour cooking lesson. where you'll also have a go at the art of Vietnamese fruit and vegetable carving! After the lesson, sit down and eat what has been cooked! Before heading back to Hoi An, there is some time to relax and enjoy the school's swimming pool if you wish.

In the morning there is some free time to explore Hoi An. Around midday, you'll board the train or catch a flight to Ho Chi Minh City, South Vietnam’s authentic, lively metropolis. After checking into your hotel there will be some free time to begin your exploration of the city.

It’s another food-filled day today starting with a half-day cooking class. First, scour Ben Thanh Market, HCMC's busy central market, for ingredients. The class will run from 10 AM to around 1 PM. Afterwards, there will be free time in the city to shop, explore and see the sights at your leisure. At around 5 PM, get ready for one of the most fun excursions of this tour, a night-time scooter tour of the city! You will be met by an English-speaking guide and given a safety briefing and instructions before hopping on a scooter and heading off to discover the city’s hidden corners and secret restaurants. Expect to be back at the hotel around 10 PM.

This morning you'll travel to the Mekong Delta, an area of fertile flood plains known as Vietnam’s ‘rice bowl’. You'll visit a floating market and cycle along the backroads observing the peaceful rural way of life. Stop by a factory and see how local speciality coconut candy is made by hand. After cruising down the Mekong River to Vinh Long, you will continue cycling along paths through rice paddies and orchards. In the evening there will be free time to explore in Can Tho. Head down to the waterfront where you’ll find floating restaurants and bars.

The morning begins with a visit to Cai Rang floating market, one of the largest and most authentic floating markets in the Mekong. This is an opportunity to observe life on the Mekong River and hunt around for interesting produce, some of which you won’t have seen before! Afterwards, there will be some free time in Can Tho before you depart for Ho Chi Minh City. Celebrate your last evening in HCMC as you wish - perhaps with a special meal, or a Vietnamese folk music performance.

Depending on the time of your flight, you might be able to squeeze in some last-minute shopping before transferring to the airport for your return flight.