Culinary journey in Vietnam

PRICES FROM 860 USD PER PERSON, BASED ON A GROUP OF 6 PEOPLE

Presentation

At each stage of your culinary journey to 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 by strolling between the alleys and market stalls. You will certainly be tempted by the art of mixing aromatic herbs and spices accompanying meats and vegetables, or by the cooking methods that delight your taste buds.

Detailed program day by day

Hanoi > Sapa > Bac Ha > Halong Bay > Ninh Binh > Hue > Hoi An > My Son > Da Nang > Saigon > Cai Be > Tra On > Can Tho

Hanoi

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

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

A tour in cyclo shows us buildings of the colonial era as the French school of Far East, today museum of the history of Vietnam, and the Opera, replica of the opera Garnier of Paris.

Then comes the visit of the museum of ethnography which gives us a vision and a good understanding concerning the whole of the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam.

Day 1 : 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 an egg coffee or iced milk coffee in an old house.

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

Visit one of the largest markets of Hanoi, great places of 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!

Day 2 : Hanoi

Hanoi, Mai Chau

Continuation of our trip to Vietnam towards the mountains of the North West of the country through the idyllic countryside. Discovery of rice cultivation - the regular diet and main component of Vietnamese meals.

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

Bike ride to visit villages and the local market. Settling in a family of the Thai minority. In their kitchen room, discover the preparation of some local dishes such as steamed fish in bamboo, glutinous rice, grilled kebabs, snails from the mountains. After dinner, traditional music show presented by the inhabitants of the village.

Day 3: Hanoi, Mai Chau

Mai Chau, Halong

Road to the 8th wonder of the world: Halong Bay.

Embark on a junk to start the extraordinary cruise around noon. We sail in Bai Tu Long Bay which is an extension of Halong Bay (less crowded and wilder). We cross hundreds of karst peaks to join Cong Do. Kayak ride, swim in the bay, and relax on one of the beaches of Ha Long.

Cooking demonstration before dinner. Seafood tasting (minced cuttlefish, shrimp soup, sea worm, clam, sea snails, ...) watching the sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin.

Day 4: Mai Chau, Halong

Halong, Hue

For lovers of starry skies or romantic night, sleep may have been cut short! No matter, a sunrise over the bay is well worth this small sacrifice!

Breakfast taken, the junk continues to sneak through these countless small islets to the beach of Ba Trai Dao. Enchanting setting if any, a swim is strongly recommended! We start the return while a lunch is offered in the living rooms.

Expected landing at Hon Gai around 11:30, time to check our packages and take the last pictures 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 join Noi Bai, the international airport, for our flight to Hue.

Arrival in Hue, transfer to the hotel.

Day 5: Halong, Hue

- Day 6: Hue - Culinary journey in Vietnam - Hue

Hue

The ancient imperial capital Hue, reputed to be the elite of Vietnamese gastronomy, is the next leg of our trip to Vietnam.

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

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

Located in the surrounding countryside, in places breathing peace, the tombs of Tu Duc and Khai Dinh fuel our curiosity of 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 dishes of the street: vegetarian dishes, com hen (rice with mussels), bun bo (beef noodle soup), various kinds of cakes and ravioli, desserts sweet. Opportunity also to test the royal cuisine that emphasizes refinement and beautiful presentation.

Day 6: Hue

Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An

Visit Dong Ba Market, 120 years old. This is the best place to feel the pulse of this city.

Drive to Danang through the famous Cloud Pass. Visit of the art museum of the disappeared kingdom Champa. Arrive at Hoi An, a charming little town that was originally one of Southeast Asia's major commercial ports in the 16th century. Night walk under the lanterns of Hoi An.

Day 7: Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An

Hoi An, Tra Que

Visit the morning market, where the stalls are full of fish, meat and fresh vegetables. Strolls through the colorful alleys and visit the well-preserved historic houses, temples and Japanese covered bridge.

At the same time, tasting the specialties: Mrs. Phuong's sandwich - the best of Hoi An and maybe Vietnam, the cao lau noodles - cooked with the water of a 2000 year old well, com ga - chicken rice,…

Small detour by car or bike to Tra Que, a village famous for its vegetables and spices. Walk around the village, meeting farmers and tasting spices coming directly from the garden. We can also attend cooking classes.

Other suggested activities in and around Hoi An include village tours, ruins excursion to My Son Shrine, bike rides through the countryside.

Day 8: Hoi An, Tra Que

Hoi An, Danang, Saigon

Transfer to Danang airport for flight to Saigon, the place of convergence of the best culinary flavors of different regions.

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

Discovery of gastronomy, including legendary street food: sandwich, salad, cracked rice, beer, iced coffee, etc.

Day 9: Hoi An, Danang, Saigon

Saigon, Can Tho

We continue to the Mekong Delta. The region takes shape like a chessboard of rivers and arroyos, peaceful villages and paddy fields as far as the eye can see.

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

Bike tour on shaded roads through lush orchards.

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

Day 10: Saigon, Can Tho

Can Tho, Saigon

On a small boat, discovery of the Cai Rang market, the largest floating wholesale market in the Mekong Delta.

Return to Saigon, end of your trip to Vietnam and departure flight.

Day 11: Can Tho, Saigon