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Exploring Vietnam Holidays

Viet-yum: A Culinary Tour

A culinary tour of Vietnam is only right for a country that boasts one of the finest cuisines in the world; gently influenced by its Thai and Chinese neighbours and its past-ties with France, Vietnam offers an immensely varied gastronomical experience. This tour not only takes you to the cultural highlights of the country, but allows you to sample the changing cuisine as you journey from the north to the south – from food tours, to cookery courses and restaurant experiences. By the end of the tour you are guaranteed to have some new favourite recipes, a slightly rounder belly and an enormous fistful of unforgettable memories. If you just want to do part of this tour or combine it with one of our other trips, that’s not a problem – we can tailor anything to your needs.

Your Itinerary

Day 1 - Welcome to Vietnam!

Upon arrival to Hanoi’s Noi Bai airport, your guide and driver will welcome you and drive you to your hotel, the Meracus 2, which is in the heart of the Old Quarter. Tonight you will be taken to dinner at Madam Hien Restaurant, which will give you a hearty and appropriate introduction to Vietnamese cuisine. (Junior suite).

Day 2 - Experience the cuisine & culutre of the capital

This morning you will be driven to the Spices Garden Restaurant at the Sofitel Metropole Hotel, where you will spend the morning learning and preparing Vietnamese dishes under the guidance of expert chefs before enjoying the lunch you have prepared.This afternoon you will take a private tour of Hanoi, starting with the Temple of Literature (the first university in Vietnam), then Tran Quoc Pagoda on West Lake and finishing with a cyclo tour of the Old Quarter.

Day 3 - From politics to street food

Today you will explore Hanoi like a local; walk down the capital’s winding streets with a private walking, try local street food and have a local whipped coffee in a hidden coffee shop before exploring Hoa Lo Priosn where American and French POWs were once held and the Temple of Literature built in 1076. Finish your day walking down the city’s railway tracks and then stop for a home brewed beer, the renowned Bia Hoi.

Day 4 - Transfer to the magical land of Halong Bay

This morning you will depart to Halong Bay, a UNESCO world heritage site, which is home to the world’s largest marine limestone ‘karst’ landscape. On arrival you will board your boat, a wooden junk, and enjoy a slap-up lunch as you motor out into the bay. The itinerary will depend on the weather but is likely to include swimming and kayaking. We adore Paradise Luxury for its tastefully appointed cabins and top notch cuisine. (Deluxe Balcony Cabin).

Day 5 - Enjoy a full day in the bay

As the day breaks, you are invited to join a Tai Chi demonstration taking place on the top deck. Enjoy a buffet breakfast before being transferred to the Paradise day-boat, which will take you to a gorgeous bay. During the winter months you will then visit Cat Ba island and see local village life, and in the summer months you visit a floating village before returning to Paradise Peak for lunch. This afternoon there will be time for a kayak, swim or a cave trip before enjoying dinner and your evening at leisure.

Day 6 - Bid farewell to Halong Bay

A colourful and tasty breakfast buffet will be served this morning as you make the most of the last sights of Halong Bay, sailing across its 2000 islets. You will disembark at about 11am and make your way back to Hanoi (about four hours) with your fellow cruise companions in an air conditioned mini-van. Later this afternoon you will catch a flight to Hue in central Vietnam and check into the Eldora Hotel (deluxe room).

Day 7 - Explore the ancient capital of Hue

This morning you will explore the ancient capital of Vietnam. The Forbidden Purple City, constructed under the Emperor Gia Long in the early 19th century, suffered during the Vietnam War but remains very significant. Afterwards, board a dragon boat and sail down the Perfume River to visit the striking Thien Mu Pagoda, then visit tombs of the emperors TuDuc and Khai Dinh. If time permits you can enjoy a short cyclo ride to Dong Ba market where you can buy traditional souvenirs.

Day 8 - From Hue to Hoi An

At 9am, you will start your day with Hue Street Food Tour. Discovering the city through cyclos, you will cross over the historical bridge Trang Tien to visit Dong Ba market, before continuing past the many beautiful historical sites and stopping at famous street restaurants to sample their best dishes. Later you will drive to Hoi An, which is a beautiful journey and check into the lovely La Siesta hotel. (Deluxe Balcony room).

Day 9 - Sample the world-famous cuisine of Hoi An

Your day will start at 8am with an “all you can eat” traditional Vietnamese breakfast served at The Market Restaurant. Later, you will visit Hoi An’s colourful and bustling market and learn about different fresh noodles, fresh fish, spices, herbs and exotic fruits. You will then enjoy a 2.5 hour cooking lesson at our favourite restaurant, Morning Glory, before enjoying the fruits of your labour. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.

Day 10 & 11 - Relax in Hoi An

Take two full days to enjoy this glorious beach town at your own leisure. Hoi An has it all; delicious cuisine, fabulous tailors and shopping and a beautiful beach just 4km away. Today you can explore, eat and sunbathe at your own pace (but do ask us about local excursions here including a fun fishing trip in traditional basket boats with local fishermen!)

Day 12 - Set down in Saigon

After breakfast, your guide and driver will transfer you to Da Nang airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon). Here, you will meet your new guide and driver and they will take you to the Ben Thanh market where you will discover the local products indigenous to the south and participate in a food experience at the market by trying to make your own spring rolls. You will check into the kitsch Majestic Hotel and enjoy your evening at leisure. (Colonial Pool View Room)

Day 13 - See the highlights and take a motorbike food tour

This morning you will enjoy a private tour of Saigon – taking in all the highlights, including the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum, the old Post Office and the Notre Dame Cathedral. Enjoy this afternoon at your leisure before taking a motorbike street food tour in the evening. You will meet different street vendors with an experienced motorcyclist and sample their specialities before visiting the night market and finishing with a Street Barbecue. 

Day 14 - Farm and cook in the countryside

Spend your morning visiting some agricultural villages where you have chance to see farmyard animals, buffaloes and fish in their natural habitat. You will also visit gardens with herbs, spices and vegetables. Adorned with a conical hat you will have the opportunity to farm like a local before taking a cookery class with three dishes and 1 dessert. You’ll return to the city at about 4pm.

Day 15 - Experience the delightful Mekong Delta

After breakfast, you will be driven to Cai Be where you can see a floating rice market and learning all about local trading life here on the Mekong Delta before boarding a small rowing boat to Chin’s House, where you can have a cup of tea and learn more about the life of Tan Phong Islet (and they key to making a good cup of lotus tea). Stop for lunch at the Mekong Eco Resort and chill on the banana hammock (you have to see it to believe it) before continuing to Can Tho and checking into the Victoria Hotel. (Superior Room).

Day 16 - From the Mekong to Saigon

After an early breakfast, around 5:30am, you will board a local boat to visit the Cai Rang Floating Market, the most famous floating market of the Mekong Delta. You will also visit Binh Thuy ancient residence, a very beautiful and typical southern delta house, before returning to Saigon. This evening you will dine at Cuch Gach Quan, a restaurant owned by an architect that serves Vietnamese food, which is decorated in a very unique way before resting at the Majestic.

Day 17 - Bon voyage!

This morning is free at your leisure before your driver and English speaking guide transfer you to Saigon Airport to catch your flight home. Bon voyage! (Breakfast included)

DETAILS: -

This itinerary costs from £3,260 per person B&B based on 2 sharing and including all private transfers but not international flights.

You can get flights from as little as £500 per person return and do ask us for advice. Alternatively we can book the flights for you but a booking fee may apply.

What's included?

INCLUDED:
  • Prices start from £3,260 per person
  • Accommodation on B&B basis
  • Cruise has breakfast, lunch and dinner included
  • Private transfers (air-conditioned vehicle)
  • All entrance fees with service of English speaking guide for excursions
  • Lunch on Days 2, 3, 14 & 15
  • Dinner on Days 1, 13 & 16
  • Internal flights (two)
  • Local taxes
  • All trips are ATOL protected or ABTA bonded to ensure you are fully covered
Make a booking
Hanoi
This vibrant capital of Vietnam has a fascinating display of street life, food and architecture in its charming Old Quarter – let us take you on a walking tour down its winding alleyways, weaving through hundreds of motorbikes and fruit sellers. It's our favourite city and we've found a selection of fabulous boutique hotels. More
Mai Chau & Pu Bin
This glorious rural corner of the country offers a mountainous landscape full of rice paddies, greenery and tribal groups. We love it because it's a bit more off the beaten track than the more popular Sapa area and have even established our very wooden stilt homestay in a local community. This is the place to head for hiking, cycling and just observing a more simple life. More
Sapa
The ultimate mountain retreat in Vietnam - Sapa is a night train away from the capital, Hanoi. Those who venture here are rewarded with the image of colourful tribal groups set against a backdrop of green mountains and terraced rice paddies. Some of the most beautiful scenery of Vietnam is on offer - although the tourist traffic can be high in peak season. More
Halong Bay
The must-see attraction of Vietnam: Hundreds of islets pierce through the waters of an emerald green bay. We have a fabulous selection of one and two-night cruises on offer, which are without a doubt the best way to see this area of outstanding beauty. More
Ninh Binh
A lovely slice of rural life is on offer here. We especially love Ninh Binh during the summer butterfly and rice harvest seasons. Expect gorgeous caves, wooden boat rides and pretty cycle rides. We especially love the Emeralda Resort here. More
Hue
The old imperial capital - this is the place to head for an insight in the ancient kings and dynasties of Vietnam. Set on the banks of the idyllic Perfume River, you can explore magnificent royal tombs of Kings gone by and the old Imperial Palace (that despite suffering in the American war is still well worth a visit). And we have discovered a fabulous selection of hideaway resorts. More
Hoi An
This is the place that has it all; arguably the best architecture, cuisine, shopping (tailors aplenty) and beaches of all of Vietnam. Most who make it here never want to leave - this Unesco World Heritage town is full of fabulous old Japanese merchants homes, French colonial homes and classic Vietnamese styles. Pick up a bike and explore on two wheels. More
Nha Trang
Home to some of our favourite beach resorts in all of Vietnam, Nha Trang offers a little piece of Paradise on the coast of Vietnam. The town itself lacks a little inspiration but if you're looking for sand, sun and luxury then look no further. More
Mui Ne
Sun, surf and sand, oh my! This lovely little fishing-cum-beach town has a plethora of fabulous resorts and boutique hotels. World renowned for kite surfing and waterspouts, Mui Ne is a great beach destination. More
Dalat
A popular weekend getaway for the Vietnamese, Dalat offers a cooler climate in the mountains. Lovely walks along with more adrenalin-fuelled activities like canyoning and mountain biking are on offer here. More
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
The mad, modern metropolis of Vietnam is alive with the sound of a thousand motorbikes. Officially named Ho Chi Minh City but affectionately know as Saigon by the locals, this city is fun and fast paced. It's the ideal base from which to explore the infamous tunnels of the Vietnam War where guerrillas and there families lived for many years. More
Mekong Delta
This enormous waterway of canals, streams and rivers is a lifeline for the locals - and people watching is perhaps the best activity of all on the Mekong Delta. Get up early for the floating markets or perhaps watch it lazily with a beer in hand from the sun deck on one of our cruises. More
Phu Quoc Island
Attention all beach lovers! This is the penultimate beach destination in all of Vietnam. Whether you are taken by its serenely calm waters, long sandy beach or cute cottage-like accommodation, Phu Quoc is stealing hearts across the world. We especially love it after sunset when lanterns and candles are lit on tables along the beach. In fact, we can't think of a more perfect setting for a seafood feast, while digging your toes into the sand. More
Con Dao Islands
If the budget can stretch to it, the Con Dao islands offer one of the most luxurious and beautiful beach experiences in Vietnam. Leave the rest of the world behind you when you enter Six Senses Con Dao, which feels like an ultimate private-island getaway. More

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