Culinary trip to Vietnam

Culinary trip to Vietnam

At each stage of your culinary journey in Vietnam, you will discover the culture, the nature of Vietnam, as well as new flavors. In the big cities, you will have the opportunity to taste our dishes for yourself while strolling between the alleys and market stalls. You will certainly be tempted by the art of mixing aromatic herbs and spices with meat and vegetables, or by the cooking methods that delight your taste buds.

Itinerary

Day 1: Hanoi

Stop At: Hanoi, Hanoi
According to the British newspaper Telegraph, Hanoi - the first destination is considered to be the "most attractive gastronomic city in the world".

Our trip to Vietnam begins with a cultural discovery of the ancient city: the Temple of Literature - the first university in Vietnam, the Tran Quoc pagoda, the oldest in Hanoi, the Quan Thanh temple with its bronze statue of genius, the bridge Long Bien, formerly Paul Doumer Bridge.

A cyclo tour takes us through colonial buildings such as the French school in the Far East, now the museum of Vietnamese history, and the Opera, a replica of the Paris Opera Garnier.

Next comes a visit to the ethnography museum, which gives us a vision and a good understanding of all 54 ethnic groups in Vietnam.

At the end of the day, a water puppet show at the Bong Sen theater.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night at the hotel.

Day 2: Hanoi

Stop At: Hanoi, Hanoi
Day dedicated to the discovery of the refined and varied gastronomy of Hanoi. We have breakfast with a world famous dish: pho - beef noodle soup, followed by egg coffee or iced coffee in an old house.

Discovery of the Hoan Kiem lake district and its green alleys lined with houses from the French colonial era, many of which are now upscale restaurants. We stroll through the incredible Old Quarter of Hanoi, where each street was historically dedicated to a specific trade. Tasting of local specialties such as bun cha (noodles and grilled pork), pho cuon (beef rolls), banh cuon (Vietnamese ravioli),…

Visit one of the biggest markets in Hanoi, great places of the daily life of the inhabitants to discover the multitude of fruits, vegetables and spices.

We can also practice an introduction to local gastronomy with the help of a chef!
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night at the hotel.

Day 3: Hanoi, Mai Chau

Stop At: Mai Chau, Mai Chau, Hoa Binh Province
Continuation of our trip to Vietnam towards the mountains of the North West of the country through the idyllic landscapes of the countryside. Discovery of rice culture - regular diet and the main component of Vietnamese meals.

Arrival at Mai Chau, a small valley surrounded by green mountains and dotted with lakes, rice fields, and houses on stilts.

Bike ride to visit villages and the local market. Installation with a family of the Thai minority. In their kitchen room, discover the preparation of certain local dishes such as steamed fish in bamboo, sticky rice, grilled skewers, mountain snails. After dinner, traditional music show presented by the inhabitants of the village.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night with the locals.

Day 4: Mai Chau, Halong

Stop At: Bai Tu Long Bay, Halong Bay 008433 Vietnam
Road to the 8th wonder of the world: Halong Bay.

Boarding on a junk to start the extraordinary cruise around noon. We are sailing in Bai Tu Long Bay which is an extension of Halong Bay (less crowded and more wild). We cross hundreds of karst pitons to reach Cong Do. Kayak ride, swim in the bay, and relax on one of Ha Long's beaches.

Cooking demonstration before dinner. Seafood tasting (cuttlefish mince, shrimp soup, sea worm, clam, sea snails, etc.) while watching the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Overnight on board.

Day 5: Halong, Hue

Stop At: Bai Tu Long Bay, Halong Bay 008433 Vietnam
For lovers of the starry sky or romantic night, sleep may have been cut short! No matter, a sunrise over the bay is well worth this little sacrifice!

Breakfast taken, the junk continues to weave through these countless small islets to the beaches of Ba Trai Dao. Enchanting setting if there is one, swimming is highly recommended! We begin the return while a lunch is offered to us in the lounges.

Disembarkation planned in Hon Gai around 11:30 am, time to check our packages and take the last photos on the bridge.

On the way back, visit the But Thap pagoda (17th century) with its many Buddha statues and its unique architecture.

Arrival in Hanoi, time to reach Noi Bai, the international airport, for our flight to Hue.
Duration: 18 hours

Stop At: Hue, Hue, Thua Thien - Hue Province
Arrival in Hue, transfer to the hotel.
Duration: 12 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night at the hotel.

Day 6: gee up

Stop At: Hue, Hue, Thua Thien - Hue Province
The former imperial capital Hue, renowned for being the elite of Vietnamese gastronomy, is the next stop on our trip to Vietnam.

We take the Perfume River to the pagoda of the Heavenly Lady (Thien Mu). Built in 1601 by a local lord, Nguyen Hoang, this Buddhist pagoda is wonderfully located, overlooking the river facing the mountains on the horizon.

Return to the city to visit the Imperial Citadel, where the last emperors of Annam of the Nguyen dynasty lived until 1945.

Located in the surrounding countryside, in places that breathe tranquility, the tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh fuel our curiosity for the afternoon.

On the way back, we discover all the secrets of making incense sticks.

In the evening, visit the night market of the city to taste traditional street dishes: vegetarian dishes, com hen (mussel rice), bun bo (beef noodle soup), different kinds of pancakes and ravioli, desserts sweet. Opportunity also to test the royal cuisine which emphasizes refinement and beautiful presentation.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night at the hotel.

Day 7: Hue, Danang, Hoi An

Stop At: Dong Ba Market, Tran Hung Dao St., Hue Vietnam
Visit the Dong Ba market dating back 120 years. This is the best place to feel the pulse of this city.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture, No 2, 2 Thang 9 Street, Da Nang Vietnam
Road to Danang through the famous Cloud Pass. Visit the Art Museum of the Vanished Kingdom Champa.
Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Hoi An, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province
Arrival in Hoi An, a charming little town which was originally one of the main trading ports of Southeast Asia in the 16th century. Night walk under the light of Hoi An lanterns.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night at the hotel.

Day 8: Hoi An, Tra Que

Stop At: Hoi An, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province
Visit the morning market, where the stalls are full of fresh fish, meat and vegetables. Stroll through the colorful alleys and visit well-preserved historic houses, temples and the Japanese covered bridge. At the same time, tasting the specialties: Madame Phuong's sandwich - the best of Hoi An and perhaps Vietnam, the cao lau noodles - cooked with water from a 2000 year old well, com ga - chicken rice , etc…

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Tra Que Vegetable Village, Cam Ha Commune, Hoi An 560000 Vietnam
Small detour by car or bicycle to Tra Que, a village renowned for its vegetables and spices. Walk around the village, meet peasants and taste spices straight from the garden. We can also attend cooking classes.

Other suggested activities in and around Hoi An: village tours, excursion to the ruins at My Son Shrine, bike rides through the countryside.
Duration: 5 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night at the hotel.

Day 9: Hoi An, Danang, Saigon

Stop At: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Transfer to Danang airport for the flight to Saigon, the place of convergence of the best culinary flavors from different regions.

Our trip to Vietnam continues with a hunt for colonial architectural treasures by staring our taste buds with some Saigon specialties. Orientation tour of the ancient pearl of the Far East: the Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, Central Post Office, Chinatown, local markets.

Discovery of gastronomy, including legendary street food: sandwich, salad, broken rice, beer, iced coffee, etc.
Duration: 8 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night at the hotel.

Day 10: Saigon, Can Tho

Stop At: Can Tho, Can Tho, Mekong Delta
We continue towards the Mekong Delta. The region takes shape like a chessboard of rivers and arroyos, peaceful villages and rice fields as far as the eye can see.

Boat ride on one of the branches of the river. Visit the workshops for making rice cakes, honey and coconut candies.

Bike tour on shaded roads through lush orchards.

Tasting of fresh fruit picked from the trees. We take meals with many dishes typical of this region: fish fondue, crab fondue, fish with elephant ears, ...
Duration: 6 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
Accommodation included: Night at the hotel.

Day 11: Can Tho, Saigon

Stop At: Cai Rang Floating Market, 46 Hai Ba Trung Near Cai Rang Bridge, Can Tho 900000 Vietnam
On a small boat, discover the Cai Rang market, the most important floating wholesale market in the Mekong Delta.
Duration: 4 hours

Stop At: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Return to Saigon, end of your trip to Vietnam and departure flight.
Duration: 4 hours

Meals included:
• Breakfast
• Lunch
• Dinner
No accommodation included on this day.