Food is one of the many highlights of a visit to Vietnam. This tour contrasts Vietnames is two main cities - the capital Hanoi and dynamic Saigon - paying special attention to the country is culinary delights. We are mixed a couple of Vietnamese cookery lessons with visits to our favourite local restaurants and the occasional French culinary Vietnamess cooking tour
Day
Itinerary
Hotel
1
Hanoi - Arrival - Introduction of Vietnamese Food
Arrive at Hanoi's Noi Bai Airport and transfer to hotel. Take a tour to Indochine Restaurant for an introduction to Vietnamese food. There is no doubt when you are introduced to nuoc mam, a fermented fish sauce and most dishes in Vietnam and cha gio, Vietnamese spring rolls. Overnight in Hanoi
2
Hanoi - Hanoi's Specialties
A full day tour visiting the One Pillar Pagoda, the Fine Arts Museum, the Temple of Literature, the Lake of the Restored Sword, 'Old Quarter', with its 36 ancient streets. Lunch at Cha Ca La Vong serving seasoned fish. In the evening enjoy a performance of the famous water puppet followed by dinner at the Season restaurant Overnight in Hanoi
3
Halong Bay - Fresh Seafood
An early start for the 160km drive to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where 3,000 rocky islands emerge from the emerald green waters. A fresh seafood lunch is served on board. In the evening a barbecue of local specialities is served on the terrace of the colonial Halong Bay Hotel. Overnight in Ha Long
4
Hue - Spicy Corner
Return to Hanoi by road with a picnic lunch before transfering directly to Hanoi Airport for the early afternoon flight to Hue. (Flight time varies depending on day of week). In the evening, cyclo ride to Tinh Gia Vien restaurant for dinner. Overnight in Hue
5
Hue - Cooking Class - Boat trip and Royal Banquet
At 7:30 in the morning, we follow Mrs. Cuc, the owner of Y Thao Garden House to Dong Ba central market, where she gives an instruction on how to choose food for our cooking lesson at 9:30 at Y Thao Garden House. Lunch is the food we have prepared. In the afternoon, Take the Boat on the Perfume River visit Thien Mu pagoda . Transfer by car to the Imperial Citadel for visiting.
Overnight in Hue
6
Danang - Lang Co - Hoi An
Leave Hue in the morning for a scenic journey on Highway One. The road passes by vivid green fields of rice and the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co with its blue lagoon and deserted sandy beaches before climbing over the dramatic Pass of Mountain Clouds. Once over the mountain pass the road drops down to Danang. Stop off at Danang to visit the famous China Beach, Marble Mountains whose caves contain dozens of Buddhist shrines. Arrive at the former trading port of Hoi An around five in the afternoon. Transfer to hotel and stroll down to the picturesque river front for a refreshing drink before dinner at Tam Tam Restaurant.Overnight in Hoi An
7
Hoi An -A Fusion Cuisine
A morning walking tour of the ancient town centre takes in former merchants' houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful market. For lunch try the local speciality, cao lau, a delicious soup made with noodles, pork and greens. This is an original dish found only in Hoi An and made by using the water from the town's ancient well (duly boiled). The afternoon free time as leisure . For a dinner visit a Hoi An institution, the White Lantern Restaurant, whose the owner, Ms Vy, dishes up sumptuous five-course meals featuring Hoi An's unique cuisine. Expect to sample more Hoi An delicacies like hoanh thanh and banh vac. Overnight in Hoi An
8
Ho Chi Minh City - A Taste of the South
Transfer to Danang Airport for fligt to Hochiminh city. Arrive , transfer to hotel .After a lunch of pho on Pasteur Street, a half day city tour includes the former Presidential Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Saigon Post Office and Cholon, the city's lively Chinatown. Dinner at one of Saigon's best-known restaurants, Vietnam House. The cuisine of the south uses many herbs and spices and has been influenced by Cambodia, Thailand and India among others. Curries using coconut milk are an example of this influence. The south also has a wide selection of tropical fruits and vegetables that are not readily available in the cooler north. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
9
Mekong Delta - Exotic food Full day trip to the watery world of My Tho in the Mekong Delta, just a couple of hours by road from the hustle and bustle of Saigon. Take a boat trip along the narrow waterways overhung with dense vegetation and try exotic fruits in one of the many orchards. Try the local speciality of Elephant's Ear Fish at a riverside restaurant. A fascinating glimpse into the daily life of the people who work, rest and play on the mighty Mekong and its numerous tributaries. Finally to Indochine Restaurant in Saigon, where we can enjoy the chef's cooking demonstration in the restaurant's airy, open-plan kitchen. Dinner at this beautifully restored colonial villa is the last supper our culinary tour through Vietnam. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City
10
Ho Chi Minh City - Departure The morning is free until transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for departure flight.
