A Taste of Vietnam

Hanoi, Vietnam

Upon arrival in Hanoi, you’ll be warmly welcomed and transferred to the city center for hotel check-in and tour briefing. This evening, you have dinner in Vietnamese gastronomy at one of the finest restaurants in the city.

Hanoi - City Tour

Hanoi retains numerous tree-lined boulevards, lakes, verdant parks, and the unique blend of French colonial buildings and Sino-Viet architecture. Today we explore this fascinating city, taking in the One Pillar Pagoda, the Fine Arts Museum, the Temple of Literature, the Lake of the Restored Sword, the bustling “Old Quarter,” and the famed Water Puppet Theatre.

Hanoi - Hoa Sua cooking school and experience the Hanoi streets

This morning we go with teacher chefs from Hoa Sua cooking school to a local market to choose the freshest things for the class at a French villa. No doubt we’ll be introduced to “Nuoc Mam”, a fermented fish sauce that complements most Vietnamese dishes and spring rolls. The beautiful setting and food and the young and friendly staff make for the restaurant’s reputation. Chilling out at “bia hoi” (beer) corner.
This is probably the most exciting and culturally fun thing to experience in Hanoi. Ta Hien Street is a popular spot for locals as well as tourists. Many of the shops brew the beer daily on their premises, so if they run out, that’s it for the day. And don’t expect any award-winning quality here either. The spot comes alive at night and is even more packed on weekends. There are other great little restaurants and bars spilling onto the side streets around it.

Overnight on Cruise - Discover the many islands and inlets

Today we journey east to Vietnam’s greatest natural wonder, Halong Bay. Arrive at around noon, board a lovely junk, and set sail. From the comfort of our junk, we’ll spend the day exploring this incredible setting and discovering the many islands and inlets found in the bay made famous in the film Indochine. You can challenge yourself with kayaking and swimming. Vietnamese seafood lunch and dinner included. Overnight on board.

Hue - Flight to Hue and have dinner

Wake up to the morning coffee and a wholesome breakfast whilst cruising on to other spectacles of the bay. Get ashore about noontime, bid farewell to Halong, and return to Hanoi for an early evening flight to Hue. The dinner tonight will give us the first impression of the former capital’s cuisine: Spicy and well displayed, reflecting the climate in Middle Vietnam and its imperial roots.

Hue - Cooking class in Thao Garden House and sail with dragon boat upstream the romantic Perfume River to Thien Mu

This morning, we accompany Mrs. Cuc, the hostess of Y Thao Garden House, to Dong Ba central market and have a lesson on the ingredients for the cooking class at her property. Lunch is the food we’ve prepared. In the afternoon, we travel on a dragon boat upstream the romantic Perfume River to Thien Mu, the most revered pagoda in Middle Vietnam. Proceed to the Imperial Citadel, the base of the last dynasty in the country. Round off the evening by attending a sample Royal Banquet. We’ll dress in regal costumes, serve ambrosia, and be entertained by court music.

Danang - Visit Tu Duc Tomb and explore the famous China Beach and the sacred Marble Mountains

This morning we drive to visit Tu Duc Tomb, a burial complex on a serene hill. There we’ll have a lecture on Vietnamese people’s thinking about life after death. We leave Hue mid-morning on a scenic journey through vivid green fields of rice and the photogenic fishing village of Lang Co, climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds. Stopover in Danang to visit the famous China Beach and the sacred Marble Mountains. Drive on to Hoian; settle into a hotel, and rest. Dinner will be at Tam Tam, an eatery located in a meticulously restored colonial property and appropriately run by a French man.

Hoian - See the Japanese Covered Bridge

A morning walking tour of the town’s ancient area to see the Japanese Covered Bridge, several former merchant houses, one or two Chinese Assembly Halls, and the colorful market. Savor Cao Lau, the noodle unique to Hoian, for lunch. The whole afternoon is free. You can opt for leisure, shopping, or water activities. The highlight of this evening is a sumptuous five-course meal featuring Hoian’s unique cuisine at the White Lantern Restaurant.

Saigon - Visit the capital city of Vietnam

We catch a morning flight to Saigon, Vietnam's biggest and most dynamic city. Visit the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Saigon Post Office, and Saigon’s Chinatown. Enjoy the Vespa Foodie tour by Vespa scooters.

Saigon - Boat trip along the narrow waterways in Mekong Delta

This morning we journey to the watery world of My Tho in the Mekong Delta, just a couple of hours by road from the hustle and bustle of Saigon. On arrival, we take a boat trip along the narrow waterways overhung with dense vegetation. Visit some of the exuberant orchards and try exotic fruits. Lunch at a riverside restaurant serving Elephant’s Ear Fish, Rice Ball, etc..., is all Deltas’ fare. Return to Saigon overnight.

Depart to the airport to fly back home

After breakfast transfer to the International Airport of Saigon back home.