Vietnam
A CULINARY ADVENTURE IN VIETNAM
Discover the culinary highlights of Vietnam from north to south. Start in Hanoi with a street food tour and a Minsk motorcycle adventure, then explore the imperial city of Hue and enjoy a Vietnamese cooking class in ancient Hoi An. Discover the peaceful landscape of the Mekong Delta on a cruise, stopping at a family’s orchard and garden to taste local fruits. Then continue to Ho Chi Minh City for a cooking session with a popular chef and a night street food tour by Vespa.
Hanoi – Hue – Hoi An – Mekong Delta – Ho Chi Minh City
13 days, 12 nights
THE HEART OF VIETNAM
Arrive in the bustling, beautiful city of Hanoi, the beating heart of Vietnam. A city of many wonders, Hanoi is characterized by a rich blend of Chinese, French and other Southeast Asian influences. Its well-preserved colonial buildings stand alongside ancient pagodas, fascinating cultural museums and lively local markets. Enjoy fast-track assistance through the airport so you have more time to explore the colorful city. Your guide is waiting to greet you on arrival and accompany you to the grand Sofitel Legend Metropole, an iconic heritage property featuring colonial and neo-classical elements, conveniently located in the old city. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing at the hotel or exploring the city at leisure.
Overnight at Sofitel Legend Metropole, Hanoi
Meals: None
HIGHLIGHTS AND STREET FOOD OF HANOI
A light breakfast is recommended as there is lots of food to taste today. First, visit the mausoleum and cottage house of General Ho Chi Minh, and the One Pillar Pagoda. Then explore Hanoi’s culinary scene with the head of Hanoi Gastronomy Club and editor of Culinary Art magazine. Taste Banh Goi, a delicious pan-fried parcel, and Bun Cha, the famous local noodles. At Hang Da market, try assorted sweet fried fruits called O Mai. Stop for lunch at a rustic restaurant, Cha Ca La Vong, for their grilled fish in saffron-infused oil. Continue to the Temple of Literature and walk or ride a cyclo around the Old Quarter. Then head to Ngoc Son temple, in the middle of a lake. Later, enjoy a show at the Water Puppet Theater.
Please note: All the museums are closed on Monday and Friday and Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum is closed from September to December each year for re-embalmment of the body and can only be visited from outside.
Overnight at Sofitel Legend Metropole, Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
HANOI’S BACKSTREETS ON WHEELS
Enjoy the morning at leisure. At 13:00, embark on a thrilling backstreets adventure by Minsk motorcycle. Your excellent driver zigzags through Hanoi’s labyrinth of alleyways to stop at Vietnam’s largest second-hand mechanics and electronics market which sells anything from the latest smart phones to a pistol for a US Army Jeep, or a bicycle pedal. Then visit the home of a Vietnamese war veteran for a cup of tea and a chat with the family. Back on your Minsk, zip through the French Quarter then pass West Lake and Truc Bach Lake to arrive at a hidden village where you can taste authentic food at the local family-run food stalls. Return to the Old Quarter for egg coffee, then happy hour with locals at a Bia Hoi restaurant.
Overnight at Sofitel Legend Metropole, Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast
FROM MODERN TO ANCIENT CAPITAL
Check out of your hotel early this morning and transfer to the airport to catch a domestic flight bound for Hue in Central Vietnam. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the former imperial city was the seat of the Nguyen Dynasty emperors from 1802 to 1945 and retains much of the cultural charms of that era. Intriguing palaces, shrines and other landmarks are scattered around the city, which is beautifully situated on the banks of the Perfume River. Upon arrival at the airport, meet your guide and transfer to La Residence Hotel & Spa for check in. A former colonial governor’s residence, the hotel overlooks the imperial citadel and is a landmark in itself. Spend the day relaxing, or explore the city at leisure.
Please note: Early check in is not included and is subject to availability.
Overnight at La Residence Hotel & Spa, Hue
Meals: Breakfast
LANDMARKS OF AN IMPERIAL CITY
After breakfast, take a cruise on a dragon boat along the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda. The seven-tiered tower is one of Hue’s best preserved religious monuments. Then drive to the Imperial Citadel and the Forbidden City where the Nguyen Emperors once ruled and stroll around the grounds to gain an understanding of imperial history. In the afternoon, take a short drive to see an elaborate royal tomb, the final resting place of Emperor Tu Duc, the 'poet Emperor'. Representing the height of the Nguyen Dynasty, the tomb is fittingly opulent and set within an exotic garden amid a landscape of pavilions and a lake. Later, a dinner of royal cuisine is served at a restored home of Nguyen Dynasty descendants.
Overnight at La Residence Hotel & Spa, Hue
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
THE SCENIC ROUTE
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the hotel, then check out and prepare for departure at around 10:00. Embark on a 2.5-hour drive from Hue to Hoi An, passing the city of Danang on the way. The spectacular journey takes you along the scenic route over the Hai Van Pass where you are treated to spectacular panoramic views of the central coastline from the summit. Then, arriving in the historic port town of Hoi An, you are transferred directly to Anantara Hoi An Resort. Scenically positioned on the banks of the Thu Bon River, the charming boutique resort offers a pleasant retreat overlooking the river or a garden courtyard. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure, exploring the old town or simply relaxing at the hotel.
Please note: Early check in is not included and is subject to availability.
Overnight at Anantara Hoi An Resort, Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast
COOKING AND CULTURE IN HOI AN
A light breakfast is recommended, ahead of your culinary experience today. Begin at the market for a 1-hour guided tour with a local chef, learning about local products and how to select the freshest ingredients. Then continue to Morning Glory cooking school for a private class on cooking techniques as well as herbal remedies and tricks to using Vietnamese graters and knives. Follow step by step, as the instructor demonstrates each dish. Then enjoy the lunch that you made for yourself! In the afternoon, explore the pedestrianized streets of the old town and visit some important historical landmarks. You may also meet with a member of the Hoi An Relics Conservation Center for an interesting cultural interaction.
Overnight at Anantara Hoi An Resort, Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
TRADITIONAL FARMING AND FISHING EXPERIENCE
Start with a trishaw ride to Tra Que, a vegetable farming village, stopping en route for photos at An Bang Bridge. After a herbal welcome drink, the local farmers take you around the garden to see more than 20 kinds of herbs and learn about their uses. Learn how to fertilize the land with seaweed from the lake and cultivate vegetables using local methods. Then take a break and soak your feet in local herbs before enjoying lunch at a local home. In the afternoon, visit Cam Thanh, a village of water coconut palms. After a brief introduction, join the local fishermen at Coco River to see how they cast their nets. Then take a boat to Cua Dai Beach to ride a basket boat and try to catch some fish using local tools!
Overnight at Anantara Hoi An Resort, Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
CRUISING THE MEKONG DELTA
Depart early for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City. After a 2.5-hour drive, board your private Mango Cruise where you are greeted with a refreshing coconut juice. Along the cruise, stop at a coconut workshop to see how every bit of the coconut is utilized. Continue to a brick-making shop, where bricks are made by hand using centuries-old methods. Then explore Phong Nam village by bicycle and visit a rice noodle factory. Walk to a local family home for fresh fruits and tea in the garden. Ride a rowing sampan through a lush canal back to your Mango Cruise for lunch. Continue on your journey, stopping at a village to cycle through the quiet, peaceful scenery. Then return to your boat for a cooking demonstration and dinner.
Overnight on the Mango cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
STREET FOOD AND THE CITY
Enjoy breakfast on board as the boat continues towards Sa Dec town. Upon arrival, explore the charming town which was the backdrop for the film ‘The Lover’, based on the semi-autobiographical novel by Marguerite Duras. Visit the old family home as well as the high school where Marguerite’s mother was a teacher. Then cycle around Tan Qui Dong village, which is the main flower supply for Ho Chi Minh City. After a 3.5-hour drive, arrive in lively Ho Chi Minh City and check in at Hotel Des Arts Saigon, a chic and stylish boutique property. In the early evening, explore the city’s enigmatic street food flavors with a local expert and sample several different street dishes on a four-hour, all-inclusive walking tour.
Overnight at Hotel Des Arts Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast
HANDS-ON COOKING AND CITY HIGHLIGHTS
After a light breakfast, visit a vibrant market with a popular local chef to select the ingredients for your private cooking session. Then continue to the kitchen where the chef demonstrates various cooking techniques in a hands-on lesson. Using Vietnamese kitchenware, learn how to create a tasty 4-course meal, which you can enjoy for lunch afterwards. In the afternoon, explore the landmarks of the city such as the Old Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, Presidential Palace, Historical Museum and the Jade Emperor Pagoda. Then visit the bustling streets of Chinatown and discover some traditional herbal remedies. Stop by Thien Hau temple and join in a prayer service where the monks’ chanting creates an atmospheric mood.
Overnight at Hotel Des Arts Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
CU CHI TUNNELS AND STREET FOOD BY VESPA
Take a 2-hour-drive to visit the Cu Chi tunnels. Dug in 1948, the tunnel complex was used by the guerrilla army against the French and also served as a communications route, food and weapons caches and living quarters during the Vietnam War. Explore the underground passages to understand the history of the tunnels and meet a veteran who once lived in the tunnels to hear his personal account. In the evening, embark on a street food adventure by Vespa. Your driver takes you first to Zoom café, then to local restaurants to taste seafood and southern Vietnamese food. Continue to some authentic street food stalls followed by a Vietnamese-style coffee shop to listen to live music. Wrap up the evening at a local nightclub.
Overnight at Hotel Des Arts Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast
FINAL IMPRESSIONS OF VIETNAM
On your final morning in Vietnam, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel. Then take advantage of some free time which you can spend at leisure enjoying the facilities at the hotel or exploring the city on your own. You may also have some time to shop and pick up some last-minute souvenirs. Check out time from your hotel is at 12:00. In the afternoon, if time permits, you may continue exploring more of the city’s interesting landmarks if you wish, depending on your transfer time to the airport. At the appointed time, meet your guide at your hotel and take a short drive, approximately 30-minutes, to Tan Son Nhat International Airport to check in for your final departure flight back home or to your next destination.
Meals: Breakfast