Vietnam Food Tour 12 days: Culinary Adventure

On arrival at Tan San Nhat Airport, picked up and transferred to hotel. Ho Chi Minh City, a bustling metropolis, contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping areas and sidewalk cafés. If have enough time, we stroll around Saigon down town. Overnight at the hotel in Ho Chi Minh city
 

Morning after having breakfast, depart for the famous Cu Chi Tunnels 
Located 70 km northwest of Saigon, Cu Chi Tunnels were an incredible underground network constructed by Vietnamese soldiers in the American war. Nowadays, the tunnels have become a popular tourist attraction of Vietnam.
Afternoon, we take a half day of city tour to visit all famous sites of this bustling city. The first destination is the Reunification Palace
Reunification Palace is a unique construction designed for the President of South Vietnam during Vietnam War. When entering, visitors can not only admire its architectural beauty but also enjoy fresh atmosphere created by trees and grasses around.
Followed by some French colonial structures including the Old Saigon Post Office & Notre Dame Cathedral
Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most famous architectural monuments influenced by European architecture. Both its exterior and interior are impressive with bright red color of bricks, stained glass panels and carved tiles, attracting many tourists.
After visiting the Jade Emperor Pagoda, we continue our trip to the bustling Ben Thanh Market, which is firstly well-known as the place for real Vietnamese food. There are a number of vendors and food stalls in the market food section that offers guests many freshly delicious dishes. You also can find any goods for daily use as well as variety of eye-catching local handicrafts, souvenirs here. 
Overnight at the hotel in HCM city
 

Start your day with a visit to HCM agricultural villages where you have chance to visit the cow areas, Buffalo Areas, Rice Fields, Big Herbs, Spices, Vegetables and Mushrooms areas and become a real Vietnamese farmer to pick up the ingredients for your cooking class. We then continue join our hand on cooking class with 3 famous main dishes and 1 dessert and conclude by enjoying what you have cooked. In the afternoon we explore the rice paper factory where you can understand the whole process to make rice paper from the flour to the final products. Lastly amaze yourself with a visit to cow milk and animal farm. Here you have chance to understand the whole the process to look after the Dairy Cow, get hands to milk the cow and enjoyed to make the aroma Vietnamese coffee by your self
Transfer back to Saigon for your overnight
 

After having breakfast, we continue our south journey by road to Hoian.
The ancient town of Hoian is a small town in Central Vietnam. In the 16th and 17th centuries, Hoian was a busy international commercial port for foreign merchants. Today, Hoian is popular for its peaceful beauty, eclectic architecture, tailors and cafes.
The scenery en route is very beautiful. We make a stop at Lang Co beach for coffee and refreshments before winding our way up the spectacular Hai Van Pass to admire the stunning views north to Lang Co beach and south to Danang City. Continue on our way down to the other side and head to Da Nang where we will stop at the Cham Museum, the famed China Beach, and the Marble Mountains. Arrival in Hoi An, we will have our first glimpse of this beautiful boutique town recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site. The tranquil and charm of Hoi An with its low tiled houses of Chinese appearance, Japanese covered bridge, and the colorful riverside market make it one of Vietnam’s most delightful places. Overnight at hotel in Hoian
 

We will spend time with local farmers and fishermen on this tour. We journey by bicycle and boat and explore the countryside of Hoi An and experience traditional farming and fishing methods as we discover the waterways and fishing villages.
Firstly we arrive at Tra Que Village. The village is famous for its fresh local herbs and vegetables, and is named after the sweet smelling herb that is used to flavour many local Hoi An dishes. The farmers in the village use no fertilizers in their soil, using instead, an algae found only in a lagoon adjacent to the village. It produces abundant and delicious herbs and vegetables. Among many others, the herbs are used to flavor Banh Xeo, Cao Lau and My Quang, all local dishes. Local people insist on these herbs for the very best quality dish. Enjoy a village tour to learn about the gardens that are abundant with red eye chilli, lemongrass, basil, coriander and spring onions. Jump right in and see how the plots are planted, tended and watered with the guidance of local family farmers.
 
At around 10:30 we return to our bikes and travel through  the countryside, passing coconut palms and shrimp farms as we go.  We arrive at the house of a local fishing family. A local family and guide will take you on a journey through the untouched waterways, fringed by river coconut palms in the unique coracle boat: a mystery of navigation. Take the opportunity to see a local fisherman dredge the river bed in search of river snails. Remember your camera as the journey is special. After our coracle boat experience we put our bicycles on our Chic boat to travel to a local village.
At around 13:00 Our hosts have prepared a delicious lunch for us and we can enjoy our food with them. After your lunch, here we take a bicycle around the village to meet the locals who make the fishing nets that are so important to the fishermen and women. We have time to learn about the life and customs of the locals and enjoy their crafts of mat building and weaving. It is very common for the local craftsmen to sing their ancient folk songs as they work. The songs are soothing and relaxing and we take time to enjoy the spell binding music. End of road, making our way to the “Bamboo House” built by a bamboo craftsman, we enjoy the traditional art of bamboo furniture making. These trades have been handed down through the generations and continue to play a vital role in Hoi An culture.
At around 15:00 we board the boat again and continue our journey along the river. The water- way is filled with birdlife and the local fishermen will be preparing for the night’s fishing. It’s a hive of activity and the photo opportunities are endless.
Return to Hoi An and travel by bicycle to your hotel.
 

Today you have free time until we pick up and transfer you to Hue. We will stop at the Cham Museum, the famed China Beach, and the Marble Mountain. Overnight in Hue
 

Morning, walking for few minutes to the boat pier in Perfume River, we then take a boat trip on the picturesque Thien Mu pagoda, or Heavenly Lady Pagoda.
Built in 1601, it is one of the best know religious and must-see sites in Hue. Both landscape and monuments here are always in harmony and bring a feeling of peace for travelers. 
Disembark the board for a visit the elaborate mausoleum of former emperor Tu Duc. 
Nestled in a narrow wooded valley in Duong Xuan Thuong village, stretching along the Perfume River, Tu Duc mausoleum is considered to be the most beautiful & picturesque sites of Hue city. The tomb was designed by the Emperor Tu Duc himself and this is the largest works of architecture of Nguyen Dynasty’s royal palaces and tombs. Its major parts and buildings have been built even before the King death; therefore, Emperor Tu Duc used it as a retreat area. And later after the coup because of unjust taxation in 1866, Tu Duc continued to use the tomb’s palace as residence.
Have lunch by your own account. In the afternoon we continue to visit the Citadel and the Forbidden Purple City
Stretching along the Perfume River, Tu Duc mausoleum is considered to be the most picturesque site of Hue. The tomb was designed by the Emperor Tu Duc himself and this is the largest architectural work of Nguyen Dynasty’s royal palaces and tombs.
If time permits, we continue to do the walking and shopping in Dong Ba Market to enjoy the specialty of Hue city. Overnight at the hotel in Hue
 

Today you will be picked up at Toa Kham wharf and take a dragon boat with the tour guide along Perfume river toward Thuy Bieu village. Wen then embark on a bicycle along verdant paths visit Nguyen Phuoc Toc worship palace, Luong Quan temple and visit local people’s daily life. Visiting ancient houses, called “nha Ruong”, over 100 years and taking part in daily activities with the local people such as making sesame candy and processing rural dishes. At noon let enjoy sesame candy and have lunch with Vietnamese traditional family. Dishes are made from local materials by skillful hand of woman of poetic Hue. In the afternoon we ride bicycle visit Than temple- worship Mai-am princess, the daughter of Minh Mang king in the pass. Mr. Hieu will introduce to you about his ancient tamp and money collection. Leaving Thuy Bieu village to come back to city. Don’t forget to say thanks to friendly people and skillful woman, who gave you an impressive experience in Vietnam countryside. On the way come back to Hue city, we stop to visit Tiger Arena (Ho Quyen) and Screaming Elephants Altar (Voi Re), Long Tho pagoda, Long Tho market, ... Tour guide also introduces to you about Hue Railway station, Ho Chi Minh museum, Quoc Hoc school.
 

8.30-09.00 am: Pick you up from hotel to our meeting point by local transportation.
09.00 am: Professional English-speaking Tour guide of Hanoi Local Food Tours will meet you at the meeting point. Start the journey discovering the local food world in Hanoi like a real local man and take some steps to be into Hanoi Old Quarter Area.
Walking through some old streets there, you have a chance to see with your eyes the beauty of history and culture of this city: visit St. Joseph's Cathedral to see the architectural style of this place which is described as resembling Notre Dame de Paris and enjoy “Banh Cuon” (Steamed rice rolls), a dish originating from northern Vietnam. This delicious food is steamed “crepes” made from rice flour and filled with a savory ground pork and wood ear mushroom mixture.
Then, keep walking to enjoy a bowl of Pho – a taste of heaven that you could not anywhere better than Hanoi. After that, widen your knowledge of the culture and the Buddhism history while walking on Buddhism Street and exploring to traditional handicrafts of the Hanoian. On the way, our expert English-speaking tour guide will give you a deep insight of Vietnamese traditional medicines when walking through Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street.
Visit Bach Ma Temple to learn about the culture and history of the Vietnamese before discovering traditional market which features the unique beauty of a peaceful countryside market left in the heart of the Hanoi Old Quarter Area.
Then you will savor the real taste of the Hanoian at a small corner of Hanoi by drinking a cup of “Bia Hoi” (Fresh beer) to enjoy the daily life’s flavor of the local before coming to Ma May Street to visit a traditional Vietnamese house – the “Heritage House” and enjoy “Nom Bo Kho” (Dried beef salad), a very tasty and popular food of the Hanoian.
Then stop off at a small but traditional space and atmosphere of a restaurant to enjoy “Che” (Sweet gruel) – a very special and famous sweet soup in the Hanoi Old Quarter.
Enjoy one more dish - Bun Cha (Vermicelli with grilled pork), an absolute highlight of authentic local culinary you must try like Obama President at the first visit to Hanoi. Originated from the north of Vietnam, Bun cha remains as one of the oldest traditional dishes in Hanoi. Finally, get the chance to enjoy a very special flavor of the Vietnamese – “Ca Phe Trung” (Egg coffee)
12.30 Turn back to the meeting place and say goodbye to Hanoi Local Food Tours.
 You should skip or have a light breakfast before joining the tour.
In the afternoon we follow this with the Temple of Literature, which is well known as the first university of Vietnam. This temple provides an opportunity to learn more about education in Vietnam since 1000 years ago until recent history.
And lastly visit the impressive Ethnologic Museum that is dedicated to Vietnam's 54 ethnic groups. This museum has both indoor and outdoor exhibition area with the most popular architectural styles of house’s ethnic people. The museum closed on every Monday.
Overnight at your hotel in Hanoi
 

Breakfast served at hotel and then starts a 3-hour drive through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta to Ha Long City.
Declared as a World Heritage site by the UNESCO in 1994, Ha Long Bay is one of Vietnam’s most spectacular natural attractions. Nearly 200 km far from Hanoi, the bay is dotted with 1600 limestone islands, capturing visitors’ attention.
Arrive in Halong ad board a luxury wooden sailing junk for a cruise through the limestone cliffs and emerald waters of Ha Long Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site. While on board we will be served a sumptuous fresh, local seafood lunch followed by a swim and exploring some of the limestone caves in this area. When the sun comes down we drop anchor for the night nearby a remote island.  Dinner served on board. Overnight on Junk
 

Rising to the tranquil beauty of the bay we have time for an early morning dip with joys and emotions for watching sunrise on sea followed by breakfast. This morning we continue to move around the bay to find more secluded areas. The junk will be near us at all times serving as a back-up vessel for those that require it. At around midday we will return to the main harbor before transferring to our awaiting vehicle for a 3-hour journey to Hanoi for your overnight
 

After breakfast spend the rest of your time in Hanoi until transfer to airport for your international flight back home. End of Asia King Travel’s service. Thank you for choosing our Vietnam Food Tour 12 days!