Real Food Adventure in Vietnam

Hanoi (D)

Upon arrival at the airport, our guide will meet and transfer you to the hotel in Hanoi for check in. After a short break, set off your street food tour around Hanoi. This is a great chance to savor some of the specialties of the city.

Overnight at your hotel in Hanoi.

Hanoi (B, L, D)

In the morning, enjoy breakfast with a traditional dish of pho – a widely popular dish throughout the city. After breakfast, enjoy a guided tour of Chau Long Market where you can find most of the ingredients and flavors of the cuisine in the north of Vietnam. There is also a chance to enjoy local coffee served with yogurt. Your next stop will be Dong Xuan Market which is famous for typical street food dishes. Enjoy lunch alongside the locals. 

Continue your culinary adventure with a visit to Hanoi Cooking Centre located in the Old Quarter. Take a great opportunity to learn the secrets of cuisine in the north of Vietnam. After that, it’s time to enjoy your creations for dinner. You also visit one of the city’s hidden teahouses to sample some kinds of tea such as green or white tea.

Halong Bay (B, L, D)

After breakfast, leave Hanoi for a private minibus drive to Halong Bay – the natural wonder of the world. Halong Bay is home to thousands of limestone islands surrounded by emerald water and dotted with numerous beaches and caves. Upon arrival, you will board a traditional boat to explore the bay. 

Overnight on board.

Overnight train (B)

This morning, transfer back to Hanoi by bus and take an overnight train to Hue which takes around 12 hours. From the train, you can easily enjoy the changing scenery of mountains and countryside along the way. 

Overnight on train.

Hue (B, L)

Today you have the special opportunity to enjoy the unique cuisine of the former capital of Vietnam – Hue. The food of the region is influenced by its imperial heritage and Buddhist heritage (most of the restaurants in the region served vegetarian food).

Start your stunning culinary tour of the city with a bowl of bun bo Hue – a popular dish throughout the country. After breakfast, take a sightseeing tour of the city on the back of a motorbike or in a car (if you wish). Your first stop will be Thien Mu Pagoda – a famous Buddhist structure of the region. After the visit, embark on a dragon boat for a leisurely cruise on the charming Perfume River. Hop back on your motorbike and make your way to the lunch stop. After lunch, take some time to visit the royal tomb of Tu Duc King and then transfer back to Hue. 

In the evening, grasp the chance to try some Imperial street delicacies.

Overnight at the hotel in Hue.

Hoi An (B, D)

In the morning, enjoy a tour of Hue with a bus drive. You will learn about Vietnamese history during wartime with a visit to the historic Imperial Citadel. Continue south passing through immense rice fields and stunning scenery of the mountainous Hai Van Pass. Along the way, make a photo stop at the charming My Khe Beach. Arrive in Hoi An after around 4-hour drive. 

There is a Imperial range of interesting activities you can join in Hoi An. Once there, do not miss out the chance to do some shopping and get some clothes tailored. 

Upon arrival, enjoy a guided orientation tour with a walk around the ancient town. In the evening, learn how to make one of the famous dishes in the central Vietnam – banh xeo – a popular street food you can find at any restaurant in the area.

Overnight at the hotel in Hoi An.

Hoi An (B, L)

Today, there is a special chance to learn more about unique cuisine in central Vietnam. Begin your journey with a guided bike tour of the stunning herb gardens of Tra Que Village. While visiting the local market, you will get to know more the uses of some of the herbs and vegetables. After getting some ingredients, transfer back to Hoi An and join hands – on cooking lesson. During the lesson, you will learn some useful cooking techniques that you can apply to cook your meal at home. After wards, enjoy the fruit of your labor. The rest of the day is free for you to relax or explore the city on your own.

Overnight at the hotel in Hoi An.

Hoi An (B)

Today is free to relax. You could do some shopping or stroll around the region to get a real taste of local life. If the weather permits, you could transfer to the local beach for a refreshing swim.

In the evening, take in the tranquility of the city with some seafood by the water or enjoy a barbeque feast on a nearby island.

Overnight at the hotel in Hoi An.

Ho Chi Minh City (B)

In the morning, transfer to the airport for a flight to Ho Chi Minh city. Upon arrival, take a guided tour of the city to feel the perfect blend of tradition and modernity. The highlight of your tour includes the War Museum, GPO, Notre Dame Cathedral and the commercial heart of the city – Ben Thanh Market. This is a great place to purchase some souvenirs as gifts for your family and friends. Make a stop at KOTO café for a delightful cup of coffee. 

Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Mekong Delta Homestay (B, L, D)

In this morning, take a bus drive to the lush Mekong Delta. Upon arrival, board a boat for a stunning tour of the floating markets where you can find all the local produce on display. Buy some ingredients for dinner before heading to some workshops to witness the amazing producing process of local food such as rice paper, coconut candy or popcorn. Continue meandering along small canals passing through farms to venture deeper into the countryside. There will be a great opportunity to observe the traditional methods of catching fish or collecting fruits. Make a stop at a local house for a homestay and help your host cook some local southern dishes. After that, enjoy dinner with the hosts and chat with them to learn more about unique local way of life.

Overnight at the local house.

Ho Chi Minh City (B, D)

Today, take a bus for a drive back to Ho Chi Minh City. In this final evening, you have a great chance to join our cooking class on unique cuisine of the south of Vietnam. Our celebrated food expert will help you during the class. After finishing, enjoy your fruit of labor for dinner. 

Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh City (B)

This morning, you are free to relax until being transferred to the airport for your onward flight. Meals on your own. End of services.

• See More: Vietnam Culinary Tours
• Tour Operator: Vietnam Aurora Travel