Vietnam Culinary Discovery 12 Days from Hanoi

Please note some tours do not mention the price to provide you with the flexibility to tailor-make your holiday according to your specific preferences and budget. This approach allows you the freedom to adjust various aspects of the tour, such as the hotel category, duration of stay, or addition of activities, without being constrained by pre-set prices. By not including prices upfront, you have the opportunity to create a personalized itinerary that perfectly aligns with your needs and desires.

Overview: 

 Embark on a flavorful journey through Vietnam with Travelmates. Over ten delicious days, you’ll dive deep into the country’s vibrant culinary culture—tasting everything from iconic street bites to refined fusion creations. Visit bustling local markets and join hands-on cooking classes to uncover the secrets behind Vietnam’s most beloved dishes.

The hotels used for this trip are handpicked with local characters and good locations from three to four-star with private, western style bathrooms, air-conditioning and some have swimming pools. The accommodations are our suggestions for your reference and can be tailored to your personal interests. 

All road travels are in comfortable and airconditioned vehicles. We use a sedan or a crossover car for 1-2 travelers, a minivan of 16 seaters for 3-6 travellers or mid-sized buses of 29 seater bus for 7-11 travelers 

 This itinerary is suitable for travellers with an average level of fitness and independent mobility. The tour involves walking over uneven surfaces and climbing stairs in hot and humid conditions. There are two domestic flights and several small boats. You will need to be able to board and disembark boats independently, sometimes between muddy or slippery river banks. There are some long road journeys (up to four hours). By day you will walk through markets and villages, meet local people, and sample local food. 

Please contact sales@travelmates.asia for prices and a customized itinerary to suit your needs and points of interest. 

ITINERARY

Day 1: Hanoi Arrival -/-/D

Xin chào and welcome to Hanoi! Upon arrival, your friendly Travelmates guide will greet you at Noi Bai Airport and transfer you to your hotel in the heart of the city. Settle in, unwind, and get ready for your first delicious taste of Vietnam. Hanoi, a city of contrasts, defies easy categorization. It's both modern and traditional, chaotic and serene, and always full of surprises. But one thing is for sure: it's a place that’s captivating, to all the senses. 

In the evening, savour a welcome dinner at Tam Vi, a Michelin-starred Vietnamese restaurant with a cosy ambiance.

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi B/L/D

Today’s tour begins at 08:30. Set off on a half day guided tour of Hanoi’s highlights. A city of contrasts, defies easy categorization, it's both modern and traditional, chaotic and serene, and always full of surprises. 

Dive right in with a visit to the Temple of Literature. In 1076 Quoc Tu Giam - Vietnam's first university, also referred to as Van Mieu, was established within a temple to educate Vietnam's royalty, mandarins and members of the elite, for an incredible 800-years. Next, you will visit Vietnam Women’s Museum. Highly acclaimed, the museum displays highlights of Vietnam’s vast cultural diversity and the significant role women play in Vietnamese society. Conclude the exploration with a stroll through Hanoi’s Old Quarter. A maze of alleyways and hidden treasures, learn about local life in the ‘36-guilds’ as you weave through the frenetic streets on foot. 

Transfer back to your hotel for a short rest. 

This afternoon you will meet with our Travelmates local guide for a walking tour of the Hanoi Old Quarter's backstreets to visit some local markets and specialty food stores to try some dishes and learn more about Hanoi daily life and culinary customs. 

The street food tour starts at a local coffee shop for Hanoi's famous drink - Egg coffee where interesting life stories can be shared together. There are hot and cold versions for your choice. The former is served as a yellow concoction in a small glass. It’s consumed with a spoon and tastes almost like a coffee flavored ice cream. The strong coffee taste at the bottom of the cup seeps through the egg and is quite thick and sweet. This is a must-try drink for every visitor to this capital city.

Continue on to visit a small food market in Hanoi, stop for “Che”, a local dessert drink made with sugar cane, green bean, black bean, glutinous rice, and lotus seed. 

Continue your walk into the heart of the Old quarter to see the daily life of the local street vendors. Sample Banh Tom “shrimp cake” or Nem Vuong " square fried spring roll", local Hanoi specialties, in a small food alley of Dong Xuan. 

Finish the tour in one of the most crowded local street sidebar for some refreshing local beer “bia hoi” then sampling the very delicious “Banh Cuon”, a "wrap and roll" fresh pancake rolled with chicken or pork paste. 

Overnight in Hanoi

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong Bay B/L/D

The perfect way to see the UNESCO World Heritage areas of Halong and Lan Ha Bay is to spend a night aboard a charming boat. The mystical scenery, where thousands of limestone islands jut out of the emerald sea, sculpted into wondrous shapes covered in lush flora is truly breathtaking.   

Following breakfast, leave Hanoi at 09:00 for the 2.5hours drive to Halong City. Arrive at the pier around noon and proceed with check-in formalities. 

After the welcome onboard and checking into the cabin, lunch will be served whilst cruising. In the afternoon, enjoy some visits or activities (depending on the boat’s set itinerary). Towards the end of the afternoon, the boat will anchor for the night surrounded by karst formations. 

Enjoy sunset on the deck followed by dinner, then retiring for the evening. 

Please note: Subject to change depending on weather conditions.

Overnight on Halong / Lan Ha Bay

Day 4: Halong Bay – Hanoi – Danang (B or Brunch)

Wake up to a peaceful morning surrounded by the dramatic limestone islets of the bay and enjoy breakfast (or brunch, depending on your cruise). As your boat makes its way back to shore, soak in the last serene views before disembarking.

A three-hour transfer brings you to Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport for your short flight to Da Nang. Upon landing, your private guide and driver will be waiting to greet you for the 50-minute journey to Hoi An.

Once a bustling trading port, Hoi An is now a beautifully preserved UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its timeless charm, cultural richness, and inviting atmosphere.

Rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An

Note: 

- The cruise’s itinerary may be subject to change depending on weather conditions.

Day 5: Hoi An - Tra Que Cooking Class and Street food tour B/L/D

Escape to an organic farm set up by a passionate team of locals to learn all about Vietnamese cuisine. Try local produce and unique ingredients to cook a meal that perfectly balances the flavours of yin and yang.   

Today, leave the hotel at 08:30 for a short transfer to the organic farm. Located about 3km from the central Hoi An, this tucked away farm was established by an expert in nutrition based out of the love of food and local cuisine. Be greeted by the passionate team at the farm and start the experience.

Just like the varied landscape of Vietnam, the cuisine contains a brilliant balance of aromatics, heat, sweetness, sourness, and umami flavour from the use of fish-sauce. The cuisine is all about the balance between yin and yang; the sweet and the salty, the cool and the warmth, the fresh and the fermented. Follow the expert in nutrition and explore the farm while listening to inspiring stories about how to use food and vegetables for healthy living. Pick-up some ingredients before heading to the lovely kitchen to make dishes.  

There will be multiple dishes to create, during the hands-on experience using rice flour with an old stone grinder to make rice paper in a traditional way. Once complete, sit down and feast on a delicious meal of authentic local cuisine. 

After filling up on these home-cooked delights, return to Hoi An. 

In the afternoon, embark on a delicious journey through the heart of Hoi An, as we guide you through local cafés, vibrant markets, hidden food stalls, and beloved eateries that define the city’s rich culinary heritage.

We’ll start at a family-run bakery that's been perfecting the art of banh mi for over two decades—crispy on the outside, flavorful on the inside, and filled with the freshest local ingredients. Then, head to a humble street café for banh can crackers—hot, crispy bites topped with quail eggs, pork, and salad, all bursting with texture and flavor.

Next, take a seat like a local on a tiny plastic stool and wrap up juicy BBQ pork with rice paper and fresh herbs, dipped in a savory soy-based sauce—an unforgettable favorite of central Vietnam.

The journey continues to Hoi An’s bustling central market, where your local guide will introduce you to the vibrant ingredients behind traditional dishes, from fresh noodles to seasonal fruits and handmade sweets.

Venturing into hidden alleys, we’ll arrive at a secret spot to try Hoi An’s iconic white rose dumplings and crispy fried wontons. Still hungry? There’s more: a plate of fragrant chicken rice and a sweet finish with local dessert cake enjoyed in a welcoming local home. 

Overnight in Hoi An

Day 6: Hoi An - Half Day Walking Tour B/-/-

Be enchanted by the historic wonders and charm of UNESCO-heritage Hoi An. Spend a half day with a local guide, exploring the ancient town. Explore former merchants’ homes, colourful communal halls, narrow lanes lined with traditional houses and the iconic Japanese Bridge.

Today’s tour will begin at 08:30. Be charmed by Hoi An, one of Vietnam’s most picturesque towns. 

Meet a knowledgeable local guide for this introductory, half day Hoi An city tour, learning all about its illustrious past as a trading port. Take a walk through town, seeing remarkably well-preserved traditional houses that have withstood hundreds of years of weather and war. 

Make a stop at the Japanese Bridge, one of two such bridges in Vietnam. The bridge spans a small waterway and was built more than 400 years ago to connect the Japanese community with the Chinese who lived on the other side of the water. Admire the carvings and paintings inside the bridge, learning about their symbolism and cultural significance.

Continue to a Chinese communal hall, a colourful mélange of bright gates, dragon statues and elaborate rooftops. Get an introduction to ancestor worship while visiting the family altar and watching local devotees making offerings.

Explore smaller laneways and local neighbourhoods, gaining a better appreciation of Hoi An’s endless charm. After this insightful glimpse of Hoi An, return to the hotel or your next destination.

Rest of the afternoon at leisure.

Overnight in Hoi An

Day 7: Hoi An - Hue B/-/D

Enjoy this morning at leisure before the departure from Hoi An to Hue City, the former royal capital of the Nguyen Dynasty.  

Just over an hour from Hoi An, drive over the Hai Van mountain pass, one of the world’s greatest coastal stretches. Jungle-topped mountains slope down into the sea, shaping uninhabited bays, forging gushing waterfalls, and even influencing the weather. The whole pass is 20 km in length — so time to enjoy the view. 

Cruise down the pass north, with sweeping views, over a railway track then along the beautiful Lang Co Lagoon before continuing north to Hue City to the hotel for check in.

Enjoy a private dinner at the lovely Tha Om garden house. 

A traditional Hue nha vuon (garden house) features both front and back entrances, framed by a low wall, decorative stonework, and lush plants in the yard and surrounding the house. At the center of the garden stands a binh phong—a brick screen wall—positioned in front of the house to shield and honor the ancestral altar in the main room. A charming path leads from the gate, often lined with tea bushes or apricot trees. These houses are typically built with wooden frames and tiled roofs, supported by large wooden pillars resting on round or square stone bases, sometimes intricately carved. At the heart of the home lies the family’s ancestral altar, a central symbol of spiritual reverence.

Overnight in Hue

Day 8: Hue: Half Day Highlights of Hue and evening foodie tour with Vespa B/-/D

Today’s tour will begin at 08:00. Take a short, but insightful, tour through historic Hue. With hundreds of years of history, it would be impossible to see everything in a day but this tour gives a fabulous overview of the city’s culture and history.

Kick off this half-day tour in Hue with a visit to the UNESCO-listed Imperial Citadel. Roam the expansive grounds, admiring buildings that reflect the pomp and ceremony of the once-mighty Nguyen Dynasty. Hear the stories of the majestic buildings and intriguing former emperors. Take a look at areas damaged by conflicts, both ancient and modern, and learn of Hue’s role in Vietnam’s military history. Stop at Kien Trung Palace, once the residence of Vietnam's last emperors, which has been superbly renovated by the local conservation department in recent years.

Continue by cyclo to get a closer look at the tranquil gardens and traditional buildings of the areas. Arrive at Tinh Tam Lake, a lake filled with lotus flowers (season dependent). Meaning ‘Peace of Mind’ the emperors used to relax along the water's edge and is still a popular place for Hue residents to wind down.  

Then leave the city centre and travel through Hue’s beautiful countryside. Arrive at Khai Dinh’s tomb for a stroll. One of the Nguyen Dynasty’s former emperors, this remarkable complex blends traditional Vietnamese in design with European touches, making it unique from the other tombs in Hue. Return to the hotel or next destination after this last visit.

This delicious Hue evening experience begins with a 17:30 pickup from the hotel in Hue by vintage Vespa motorbike. Once acquainted with your bike and driver, drive to the first stop for a refreshing drink at a bar located in the centre of Hue. 

Continue to a nearby local restaurant to sample some of the city’s favourite specialities such as Banh Beo, Banh Nam and other Banh Uot (literally wet cakes).  

Continue through the streets to the Imperial Citadel, draped in light. Take a short stroll around the grounds of the historic Citadel and the Flag Tower to see the transformation between night and day. See how food stalls and pop up games for children are set up to entertain the many locals who gather here on a nightly basis. Taste some delicious local ‘pizza’ banh trang accompanied by pork skewers. 

Ride around the Citadel and reach the centre of Hue to try the renowned ‘bun bo Hue’, the signature dish of the city. Top off this tasty evening discovery with a delicious local dessert in a small backstreet, before returning to the hotel around 21:30.

Overnight in Hue

Day 9: Hue - Vegetarian Cooking Class B/L/-

Discover Hue's renowned vegetarian cuisine with a cooking class that provides a unique insight into the city's cultural heritage. The class will take place in a traditional garden house for a tranquil outdoor cooking experience and gain a deeper understanding of the connections between food, culture, and spirituality in Vietnamese society.

As the nation’s capital for roughly 200 years, Hue is the cradle of quintessential Vietnamese cuisine. Even though there is so much food to try, vegetarian cuisine finds its own fame through the effect of Buddhism on locals’ life, when most locals have at least two meat free days per month.

Today’s tour will begin at 09:00 with a short transfer to the An Cuu Market, one of the biggest markets in Hue, where locals shop daily. Meet our chef and follow him to explore the fresh ingredients while discovering different veggies used in our dishes today. A 15 mins transfer away from the city centre will take you to the garden of one of the oldest families who founded Ngoc Anh village in 1558, where your cooking class places. Take your time to explore the garden before starting your cooking lesson.

Following, it is time to start cooking. Learn about the balance of Hue vegetarian cuisine, the cultural and spiritual traditions that have influenced Vietnamese vegetarian cuisine, including the principles of Buddhism that advocate for a meat-free diet. During the six dish course (two cooked by you and 4 by the chef), be surprised by how Hue’s people turn veggies into delicious dishes and understand how cuisine evolved to adapt to the change of modern life but still keep the soul of traditional food.

Return to the hotel by 14:00 and be fulfilled with delicious memories and a deeper understanding of the connections between food, culture, and spirituality through vegetarian cuisine.

Overnight in Hue

Day 10: Hue – Ho Chi Minh City B/-/D

Transfer from Hue Hotel to Phu Bai Airport in the comfort of a private, air-conditioned vehicle with a private driver and a guide for the short flight to dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by the locals. Once known as the ‘Pearl of Indochina’, Saigon boasts an enormous architectural wealth, mirroring its colourful history. From the pagodas, museums and European architecture of the city’s recent past to the growing number of skyscrapers, Saigon is like a trip through time. 

After the transfer from the airport, jump right in and learn all about this southern city with a walking tour through the historic city centre. See the architecturally splendid City Hall, historic Dong Khoi Street, the Continental Hotel and the Saigon Opera House. 

Then step off the main road into a historic building revolutionised by the city’s youth. Here, locally owned retail stores, coffee shops and art spaces offer a glimpse into the city’s creative generation. If time allows, sit for a coffee at one of the building’s cafe’s. 

Continue on foot to the Central Post Office. Here, you can also glimpse the former CIA building, where one of the last helicopter evacuations took place in 1975. 

 Stroll through lovely 30 April Park to perhaps the city’s most famous landmark - the Reunification Palace. Now preserved in a time warp, the ‘war rooms’ in the basement plus the opulent display’s are fascinating.  

Finish up the day at another historic site, the Ben Thanh Market. Still functioning as a local neighbourhood market, the central location also welcomes travellers with a variety of stalls. 

Having gained greater understanding of Saigon's culture and history, return to the hotel for a refresh before starting a street food adventure on two-wheels at 18:00. 

In the evening, get picked up from the hotel by your driver for an exciting scooter ride through the rush of Vietnam’s busiest city. Ride pillion through unassuming streets and alleys to witness an insider’s view of the Saigonese and their famed cuisine. 

Begin your culinary adventure with a visit to the go-to spot for sizzling ‘Banh Xeo’, a Vietnamese pancake, and bite-sized ‘Banh Khot’. Not only will you savour the crispy, flavorful dish that’s beloved by locals, but you’ll also have the opportunity to witness firsthand the culinary expertise of the skilled cook who prepares it with care. 

Continue through the backstreets and venture to a vibrant residential complex to witness the daily lives of locals. You’ll observe small apartments where three generations may reside under one roof, while neighbours converse and share stories of their day. Lively, colourful and vibrant, sit down for a seafood dinner, a well-loved meal among Saigonese. If fortunate, catch a glimpse of the charismatic owner. 

Once sated, take the lesser-known paths of the city to reach the bustling flower market that remains open round the clock. From there, make your way to a bustling night market nestled in a nearby residential complex, where the city's young and adventurous come to congregate. Join the locals sampling delectable savoury bites or indulgent desserts if your taste buds are feeling tempted.

Finish up this two wheeled culinary adventure with a local equivalent of beef bourguignon soaked up with banh mi at an establishment that’s been in operation since 1975. To finish, and if the stomach allows, sample some of the Saigon’s best coconut ice cream.  Your scooter will then transport you back to your hotel where the tour ends.

Note: 

- Scooter tours are not recommended for children under 5-years old and only suitable for children 6-years+.

Overnight in Saigon

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City B/-/-

Today’s half day tour begins at 08:30. Start with a different discovery of Saigon; the caffeine habits of the locals and the significance of coffee drinking in Vietnamese culture.

Coffee was introduced to Vietnam by the French in the late 19th century with the country quickly becoming a leading exporter as vast areas of the highlands were given over to this important new cash crop. Today, the Vietnamese have taken coffee to new gastronomical levels, which continues to evolve. 

Start with a stroll through a buzzing local residential area and delve right into local life while browsing the street, watch people enjoying their coffee, reading their newspapers or chatting with each other.  

Here, visit a 90-year-old coffee shop, the oldest in Saigon. Get to know the unique way of making coffee while listening to tales related to this trade.

As part of the tour, you will have a chance to visit a charmingly restored ‘shophouse’ located in the historic part of the city, which still operates as a trading area. Once there, discover the exquisite flavours of Vietnamese specialty coffee and learn how to prepare a delicious ‘caphe trung’, aka egg coffee. 

Caffeine fueled, conclude the tour with a drive back to your hotel.  Rest of the day and evening at leisure.

Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City - Departure B/-/-

Spend the day at leisure until the time for transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for the onward flight.

Accommodation Options

Location	Standard - 3 Star	Deluxe - 4 Star	Luxury - 5 Star
Hanoi	Golden Silk	The Lapis	Melia Hanoi
Halong	Bai Tho Junk	Orchid Classic	Ginger Cruise
Hoi An	Hadana Boutique	La Siesta	Hotel Royal Hoi An Gallery
Hue	Thanh Lich Boutique	Indochine	Azerai La Residence
Saigon	Liberty Central	La Siesta Premium	Sofitel Plaza

IMPORTANT NOTES: 

Cancellations for accommodation, flight, trains and cruises will be specific as suppliers' terms and conditions, and for touring cancellations within 7 days or no show will incur a 100% cancellation fee. Specific cancellation and amendment terms will be specified in the actual booking confirmation.