North Vietnam Culinary Journey 6 Days

Hanoi Arrival

Arrive in Ha Noi and transfer to your hotel. The rest of the day is at your leisure.

Early evening, begin your journey with the Hanoi After Dark Vespa tour, accompanied by a private driver. This experience offers an exciting and stylish way to discover the city after sunset. Riding on a vintage Vespa, you witness Hanoi’s streets come alive with a bustling, vibrant, and colorful nighttime atmosphere. The route showcases the striking contrasts between the historic Old Quarter, the elegant French Quarter, and the dynamic modern districts. Along the way, you savor the essence of Hanoi’s cuisine through carefully selected local dishes. Each stop reveals authentic flavors and stories that reflect the city’s rich culinary heritage. The evening concludes at a trendy bar, where you can relax with premium drinks and enjoy live music in a comfortable setting.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi cooking class & city exploration

Your cultural journey begins with a convenient pick-up from your hotel before heading to a lively local market. Here, you’ll stroll through bustling stalls, handpick fresh ingredients, and immerse yourself in the authentic rhythms of Hanoi’s daily life. After exploring the market, continue your cultural discovery as you learn how spices, herbs, and family recipes reflect centuries of Vietnamese heritage. You will then transfer to a peaceful garden villa surrounded by lush greenery, offering the perfect setting for your hands-on cooking experience. Under the guidance of a professional chef, you’ll prepare authentic Vietnamese dishes passed down through generations, before sitting down to enjoy the feast you’ve created, complemented by additional specialties prepared by your instructor. The experience continues with a tasting of unique regional wines, each with its own cultural story. The journey concludes with a comfortable drop-off back at your hotel, leaving you with memorable flavors, recipes, and a deeper connection to Vietnamese culture.

Afternoon, you will begin a city tour with a cyclo ride through the fascinating Old Quarter - 36 historic streets where you can observe the daily bustle of life around the Old Quarter. Then you will be transferred to the Water Puppet theatre in downtown Ha Noi. The performance runs for approximately 50 minutes, and afterwards you will be transferred back to your hotel. Overnight in Hanoi. [Lunch]

Hanoi coffee & food tour experience

AM Coffee tour

The Vietnamese Coffee Culture Experience is a 3-hour group tour designed to introduce guests to the rich heritage of Vietnamese coffee through stories, sensory exploration, and hands-on activities. Participants will learn about the history of coffee in Vietnam, major growing regions, bean varieties, and processing methods, as well as how to identify pure coffee. The experience includes guided brewing and tasting of iconic Vietnamese coffee styles such as Vietnamese iced milk coffee, coconut coffee, egg coffee, pour-over coffee, and a traditional jam & rice wine–inspired specialty. This immersive journey offers more than just tasting coffee — it is a meaningful cultural experience that connects guests with Vietnam through every cup.

PM Free at leisure

Early evening, start your taste of the North Vietnam by a 3,5 hour foodie tour.

Our food expert guide pick up you at your hotel. After do the itinerary briefing, we take a walk or car transfer to the Old Quarter of Hanoi. Experience the bustling streets with mega scooters, motorcycles and cars. Get a glimpse into daily life when you stroll along our food & wet market, observe the native people sell & buy the food after work. Taste some Nem (The spring roll), Banh Tom (The shrimp cake), Thit Xien Nuong (BBQ pork & onion in bamboo stick).

Continue walk deeply into the Old Town, we stop in a street next to the Saint Joseph cathedral. This is a wonderful opportunity to taste different type of Vietnamese food, including Banh Mi (Vietnamese sandwich), NEM NUONG (Grill pork, salad, carrot, pineapple, fresh noodle), Pho Ga (Chicken noodle soup), Bun Cha (BBQ pork, rice noodle, fish sauce, salad, garlic…) or Mien Luon (deep fry eel, soup, noodle, burn onion, laksa leaves).

From the Old Quarter of Hanoi, we take a taxi to John McCain Lake, West lake and Ngu Xa village. Our food tour continues in a Pho Cuon restaurant. Taste Pho Cuon (Steaming rice paper, roll with beef, salad, coriander). Savour likely a truly local by a sitting in BIA HOI station (Hanoi Authentic Fresh Beer) or a local cafe, date back to 1946 where you can try the best Hanoi specialties - Ca Phe Trung (The egg coffee) and sunflower seed. We then walk or drive back to your hotel.

Note: Food stops may be changed without prior notice due to hotel location and clients requests.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Hanoi – Ninh Binh

In the morning, depart Hanoi for Ninh Binh Province, a region renowned for its dramatic karst landscapes, winding rivers, and rich historical heritage. Upon arrival, visit a local family where you can participate in a cooking class and follow by the lunch.

Afternoon, visit Hoa Lu, the ancient capital of Vietnam in the 10th century, where you will explore the historic Dinh Temple and Le Temple. These sacred sites are dedicated to the kings of the Dinh and Early Le dynasties, offering insight into Vietnam’s early statehood and royal traditions.

The journey continues to Tam Coc, often referred to as “Halong Bay on land.” Here, board a traditional sampan for a peaceful boat ride along the Ngo Dong River, gliding through rice fields and beneath towering limestone cliffs that rise majestically from the flat plain. The route passes through a series of natural caves, creating a serene and unforgettable experience amid unspoiled nature.

Overnight at hotel in Ninh Binh.

Ninh Binh – Ha Long Bay | Luxury Cruise & Overnight Onboard

In the morning, enjoy a private transfer from your hotel to Ha Long Bay. The journey offers a pleasant glimpse of Northern Vietnam’s countryside, with expansive rice paddy fields and rural landscapes along the way.

Upon arrival at the Ha Long cruise terminal, complete embarkation procedures and step aboard your luxury cruise vessel. A refreshing welcome drink is served as the cruise gently sails into the heart of Ha Long Bay – a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. Savor a refined lunch at the elegant onboard restaurant while admiring the spectacular limestone karsts rising from emerald waters.

During the afternoon, participate in carefully curated activities such as visiting a magnificent limestone cave, kayaking among dramatic islets, or simply relaxing on the sundeck as the sun sets over the bay. As evening falls, indulge in a gourmet dinner in an intimate and sophisticated setting, surrounded by the tranquil beauty of Ha Long Bay.

Nghỉ đêm trên tàu.

Morning Cruise – Ha Long Bay – Hanoi

Begin the day with the gentle light of sunrise over the bay. Enjoy breakfast onboard as the cruise continues its scenic route through towering limestone formations and calm waters. Take in the final highlights of Ha Long Bay before disembarkation.

After leaving the cruise, return to Hanoi by expressway, arriving in the early afternoon. The journey concludes with unforgettable memories of an elegant escape into nature.