Vietnam: A Culinary Journey

10 Days 9 Nights
  • 1
  • 80
  • 2 - 20
  • Private car, scooter
  • Hotel
  • All year round
  • Private tour

Overview

Designed for travelers who love culinary exploration and authentic Vietnamese food, this immersive journey takes you from Ho Chi Minh City to Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi, and Ha Long Bay. Enjoy street food tours, hands-on cooking classes, and local market visits while discovering UNESCO World Heritage Sites and traditional villages. Unique experiences by scooter, jeep, vintage Vespa, cyclo, and cruise perfectly blend gastronomy, culture, and Vietnam’s most iconic landscapes.

Highlights

  • Authentic street food experiences in Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, Hue, and Hanoi, including guided foodie tours and local market visits.
  • Hands-on cooking classes in Tra Que Village and Hanoi, learning traditional Vietnamese recipes from local chefs.
  • Cultural and heritage discoveries at UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as Hoi An Ancient Town, Hue Imperial Citadel, and Ha Long Bay.
  • Unique transportation experiences including scooter tours, vintage Vespa rides, cyclos, basket boats, and a traditional junk cruise.

Itinerary

  • Day
    01

    Ho Chi Minh – Arrival

    Upon arrival in Ho Chi Minh City, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure, allowing you time to relax after your journey.
    In the early evening, enjoy a unique culinary experience with a Saigon XO Foodie Scooter Tour. This guided tour takes you beyond the usual tourist routes to discover authentic local restaurants and street food venues favored by residents. The menu features a well-balanced selection of meat, seafood, fresh vegetables, and fruits, with minimal use of carbohydrates and gluten. Guests are assured a comfortable dining experience, with no inclusion of unconventional or extreme local dishes.

    Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

  • Day
    02

    Ho Chi Minh - Sightseeing

    A sightseeing tour of Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, includes photo stops at the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Central Post Office. Continue to Chinatown for a visit to a local market and either Thien Hau Temple or Quan Am Pagoda, offering insight into the city’s Chinese cultural heritage. At noon, observe a Cao Dai mass for a unique spiritual experience.
    The remainder of the day is at leisure. In the evening, you may independently explore Bui Vien Walking Street, where you can enjoy an informal dinner accompanied by local beer, street food, and beverages at your own pace.

    Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

  • Day
    03

    Ho Chi Minh City – Da Nang – Hoi An

    In the morning, transfer to Tan Son Nhat International Airport for your flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival, continue by road to Hoi An and check in at your hotel.
    In the afternoon, visit one of Hoi An’s renowned lantern workshops to learn the traditional craft of lantern making. Afterwards, enjoy a guided walking tour through the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Old Town, featuring an ancient merchant house, the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, the 400-year-old Japanese Covered Bridge, and the lively riverside market.
    In the early evening, embark on a Hoi An street food tour to savor local specialties such as Banh Mi, Com Ga, Cao Lau, Banh Xeo and Mi Quang, offering a memorable taste of the town’s rich culinary heritage.

    Overnight in Hoi An.

  • Day
    04

    Hoi An – Tra Que Village By Jeep

    Morning, your jeep and guide pick you up from your hotel for a countryside journey around Hoi An. Visit a local fishing village and morning market, explore a traditional fish sauce house, enjoy local coffee, and experience basket boat rowing in the water coconut palm forest. Continue to Tra Que Vegetable Village for a hands-on cooking class, lunch with local specialties, and a relaxing herbal foot massage, then visit an ancient pagoda and Thanh Ha Pottery Village before returning to your hotel around 3:30 PM.

    Overnight in Hoi An.

  • Day
    05

    Hoi An – Da Nang – Hue

    In the morning, drive to Hue via Da Nang City, the Hai Van Pass, and Lang Co Beach, with a stop at the Cham Museum en route. Upon arrival in Hue, the remainder of the day is at leisure.

    At 17:30, enjoy a guided Hue street food walking tour, sampling local specialties such as Banh Beo, Banh Nam, Banh Loc, Com Hen, and Bun Hen while strolling along the Perfume River. Continue across Trang Tien Bridge to the Imperial Citadel area for Banh Khoai, then visit the night market for local souvenirs.
    The tour ends at 20:30, with a leisurely walk back to your hotel.

    Overnight in Hue.

  • Day
    06

    Hue - Sightseeing

    Begin your day with a scenic dragon boat cruise along the Perfume River to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, the oldest and most iconic pagoda in Hue. Continue to the Imperial Citadel, the former political and cultural center of the Nguyen Dynasty, Vietnam’s last royal dynasty. Explore the Hue Royal Antiquities Museum, home to a remarkable collection of royal artifacts and ornaments from the Nguyen era. Later, visit Dong Ba Market to experience the vibrant daily life of local residents.

    Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant featuring traditional Hue cuisine. In the afternoon, visit Khai Dinh King’s Tomb, famous for its distinctive blend of Eastern traditions and Western architectural influences. Continue to Tu Duc King’s Tomb, admired for its harmonious layout, elegant symmetry, and tranquil natural setting. Conclude the tour with a visit to a traditional conical hat and incense-making village, where you can learn about Hue’s long-standing handicraft heritage.

    Overnight in Hue.

  • Day
    07

    Hue - Hanoi

    Take a morning flight from Hue to Hanoi. 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.

  • Day
    08

    Hanoi cooking class - Sightseeing

    Your cultural experience begins with a hotel pick-up and a visit to a vibrant local market, where you will explore daily life and select fresh ingredients. Continue to a tranquil garden villa for a hands-on cooking class, learning traditional Vietnamese recipes under the guidance of a professional chef. Enjoy the dishes you have prepared, complemented by additional specialties and a tasting of regional wines.

    In the afternoon, enjoy a one-hour cyclo ride through Hanoi’s Old Quarter, offering a glimpse into the city’s historic streets and traditional architecture. Visit a traditional Vietnamese long house, then transfer to the Temple of Literature to explore Vietnam’s first university and its Confucian heritage. After the visit, return to your hotel.

    Overnight in Hanoi.

  • Day
    09

    Ha Noi - Ha Long Bay

    Drive through rice paddy fields to Ha Long Bay. Board a junk for a cruise among the hundreds of islets of Ha Long Bay while enjoing lunch. Drop anchor in the late evening for an overnight stay among the dramatic limestone peaks rising out of the sea.

    Overnight on a junk.

  • Day
    10

    Ha Long Bay - Boat Cruise - Ha Noi

    Spend the morning cruising through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay before returning to the wharf. Transfer to back to Hanoi or Noi Bai airport for next departure.
    Overnight in Hanoi.

Includes

  • Private car transfer
  • English speaking tourguide
  • Pick up & drop off at hotel
  • Air ticket SGN-DNG & HUI-HAN
  • Meals as mention
  • Entrance fee
  • Mineral water & tissue
  • Accommodation

Excludes

  • Tip
  • Personal expense
  • Insurance

Deposit & Cancellation Policy

Deposit

+ A 50% deposit is required upon booking confirmation.

+ The remaining 50% must be paid at least 14 days prior to tour departure.

Cancellation

+ Cancellations made at least 14 days before the tour departure are eligible for a full refund.

+ Cancellations made between 14 -7 days before departure will incur a 50% cancellation charge.

+ Cancellations made less than 7 days or no show before departure will be subject to a 100% charge.