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Exploring Vietnam Holidays

Southeast Asia Food Tour

A Southeast Asia food tour is a great way to experience the different cultures of this dynamic region. Taste your way through three bustling cities, two UNESCO-designated heritage cities, and one of Thailand’s beautiful beaches. From the start of this 15-day trip through Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia, you’ll be looked after by local guides who know all the best spots to try mouth-watering dishes unique to each place. Try your hand at preparing traditional recipes in cookery classes, bicycle past rice paddies, zip through Saigon on a motorbike stopping for street food, let a local auntie tell you stories while plying you with dessert: we’ve hand-selected a variety of tantalizing experiences so that you get a true taste of Southeast Asia culture and food.

This itinerary is here to inspire you as all of our holidays are tailor-made to suit you. We’re happy to add or subtract days or destinations and adjust as you see fit. If you’re interested in eating your way through Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, or elsewhere in Southeast Asia, give us a call at UK 020 7112 0019 to speak with one of our experts or email vietnam@fleewinter.com.

Your Itinerary

Day 1 - Saigon Street Food motorbike Tour

Welcome to the modern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon). After checking into your historic hotel you will embark on an evening motorbike street food tour which will give you the chance to explore small alleyways and try some of the city’s best (and hidden) delicacies including the famous street side barbecue washed down with a bottle of Beer Saigon. The perfect introduction to your foodie journey!

Accommodation

Day 2 - Saigon Unseen

Today’s tour of Saigon Unseen will show you all the best corners of the city that so many miss (with fab food stops of course). From the central park and China Town, to the unmissable War Museum, Reunification Palace and Central Post Office; you will leave no stone unturned. Food highlights include a delicious lunch in a unique setting and an early evening tea tasting experience.

Days 3 & 4 - Relax in Hoi An

On the morning of Day 3 we fly you to the pretty UNESCO town of Hoi An, home to some of the prettiest architecture, finest tailors and most importantly best food of Vietnam! With the beach just 3 miles out of town you might opt to upgrade to a beach hotel or add in a few more days to relax at leisure here. It’s the perfect place to stroll at leisure with fabulous restaurants lining the streets so we’ve planned nothing else for two days… enjoy.

Accommodation

Day 5 - Hoi An Cookery Class

Today’s cookery class begins at the central market for an introduction on the local ingredients before heading to the Market Restaurant, an interactive dining venue, where you can try samples from over 10 different food counters. Then it is your turn to play chef as you learn how to cook some of the local dishes before sitting down to eat what you have prepared. The rest of the day is free at leisure.

bangkok

Day 6 - Fly to Bangkok

Today your driver and guide will collect you from your Hoi An hotel and take you to Da Nang Airport where we will fly you to Bangkok, where we will take you on a midnight food tour: Cruise along Bangkok streets via the iconic 3-wheel, Tuk Tuk, to visit Bangkokian’s favorite places to eat. Taste a variety of savory menus, including the local favorite Northeastern Thai Food, the town’s best Pad Thai, and other popular snacks.

Accommodation

Day 7 - Nang Loeng Neighbourhood Discovery

Discover Nang Leong’s hidden neighbourhood today, where performance art and food cultures are preserved as if you have time traveled back to the period of its beautiful origin.
Explore the neighborhood with local auntie who was born and lived there and try delicious local Thai desserts. Explore the local food market & enjoy authentic Thai food.

Day 8 - A taste of Phuket

This morning, we will fly you to Phuket, where we will take you on a tour around the island’s historical old town. The contribution of foreign influences has produced a cuisine you won’t find anywhere else in the world. Arab and Indian merchants, Portuguese and French, and later Chinese immigrants, all brought their contributions to Phuket’s amazing mix of cultures and tastes. We will take you to the hidden places only the locals know about.

Accommodation
island

Day 9 - Cooking class on an island

This morning, a speed boat will take you to Koh Yao Noi, a picturesque island in Phang Nga Bay. Your charming host, Khun Mina, is also an expert cook, and she will show us how to make some classic Thai dishes such as a Thai curry, stir fried dishes and a local spicy salad. After lunch, take a walk around Koh Yao Noi and learn about the local community, maybe do a little shopping, or enjoy a cup of coffee on the street.

Day 10 - From Phuket to Penang

Today, we will transfer you to the airport for your flight to Penang, Malaysia. This island is home to the UNESCO-protected heritage area of George Town where art, and food take centre stage. The city is easily walkable so spend some time exploring before your guide collects you for a trip to the Pasar Malam. This is a locals’ market so join in the fun before your trishaw ride to a hawker centre to try a variety of local dishes for dinner.

Accommodation

Day 11 - Explore the Malaysian countryside

This trip is all about food so today, get a glimpse of where some of these delectable dishes come from. Join a bicycle tour that takes you to paddy fields, fruit orchard, plantations, fishing villages, a nutmeg centre, and more. A bicycle is the best way to see Balik Pulau, “the back of the island” where vegetation is verdant, the hills are gentle, and the pace of life is pleasantly slow.

Day 12 - Food & Heritage in George Town

Enjoy a walking tour this morning with your guide that packs in the local favourites of this multi-cultural city. Stop by Chowrasta Market and an alley where bread is traditionally toasted over coals used to boil water for coffee; sample dim sum including steam buns and dumplings; watch teh tarek being “pulled” and use it to wash down fresh roti canai, and end the tour with a banana leaf rice lunch.

Day 13 - Penang to Kuala Lumpur

This morning we’ll fly you from Penang to bustling Kuala Lumpur. The afternoon and evening are yours to explore this vibrant city. Consider hunting down newly discovered favourite foods on a walk through Little India or Chinatown, do a bit of shopping, go for drinks at one of the high rise bars, or sit back and take in the view of the Petronas towers from the hotel’s rooftop pool.

Accommodation

Day 14 - Home Cooking Malay Style

After a visit to a traditional wet market this morning, you’ll head out to a home in the suburbs of Kuala Lumpur laden with fresh ingredients for the final cookery lesson of your trip. Try your hand at preparing Malay cuisine in a home kitchen with both modern and traditional utensils at hand. Malay hospitality is warm and friendly and the recipes you’ll learn have been passed down for generations.

Day 15 - Farewell, Asia!

After two full weeks tasting your way through Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia, it’s time to head home. Pack up your cookery books, grab a few more steam buns for the road, and maybe have a think about where to spend your next holiday. Your driver will collect you for the ride to the airport today.
Bon voyage!

DETAILS -

This itinerary costs from £2,925 per person B&B based on 2 sharing and including all private transfers but not international flights.

You can get international flights from as little as £600 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 £2,925 per person
  • Accommodation on B&B basis
  • 3 dinners: (days 1, 8, 10)
  • 5 lunches: (days 2, 5, 7, 9, 14)
  • 5 flights: (HCMC – Da Nang; Da Nang – Bangkok; Bangkok – Phuket; Phuket – Penang; Penang – Kuala Lumpur)
  • Private transfers (air-conditioned vehicle)
  • All entrance fees with service of English speaking guide for excursions
  • Local taxes (except Malaysia tourism and Penang heritage taxes which can only be collected in person)
  • All trips are ATOL protected or ABTA bonded to ensure you are fully covered
 Make a booking

A Southeast Asia food tour is a great way to experience the different cultures of this dynamic region. Taste your way through three bustling cities, two UNESCO-designated heritage cities, and one of Thailand’s beautiful beaches. From the start of this 15-day trip through Vietnam, Thailand, and Malaysia, you’ll be looked after by local guides who know all the best spots to try mouth-watering dishes unique to each place. Try your hand at preparing traditional recipes in cookery classes, bicycle past rice paddies, zip through Saigon on a motorbike stopping for street food, let a local auntie tell you stories while plying you with dessert: we’ve hand-selected a variety of tantalizing experiences so that you get a true taste of Southeast Asia culture and food.

This itinerary is here to inspire you as all of our holidays are tailor-made to suit you. We’re happy to add or subtract days or destinations and adjust as you see fit. If you’re interested in eating your way through Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia, or elsewhere in Southeast Asia, give us a call at UK 020 7112 0019 to speak with one of our experts or email vietnam@fleewinter.com.

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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