A Taste of Vietnam

Arrive at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport and transfer to your hotel in the Old Quarter. Our partner hotels are centrally located with a cosy, boutique vibe, specially selected to be comfortable and convenient for you to simply walk out the doors and begin exploring the neighbourhood.

Spend the morning on a walking tour to learn about Hanoi’s unique history and culture. Visit the Northern Gate of the ancient citadel, a gargantuan fortress in the heart of the city, and the Cua Bac Church, a beautiful example of French and Catholic influence.

Stroll along leafy Phan Dinh Phung Street with its magnificent French-colonial villas on the way to the 11th century Taoist Quan Thanh Temple, one of the oldest and most culturally significant in the city.

Learn more about Hanoian culture with visits to the Chau Long Market near scenic West Lake, the historic Long Bien Railway Station located on the bridgehead of the impressive Long Bien Bridge, and Hang Than Street, the epicentre of Hanoi’s thriving wedding cake stores for insight into Vietnam’s unique wedding culture.

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Along the walk, stop to sample “pho cuon”, a delicious snack similar to fresh spring rolls, before hopping aboard a pedal-powered cyclo (rickshaw), perfect for photos and slow-moving sightseeing. Sit back and relax as your driver weaves through some of the Old Quarter’s busiest streets and end the morning with lunch at a local restaurant.

Please note:
•Meet at 8:00 am at the Open Space Bar & Coffee in the Army Hotel (25A Phan Dinh Phung Street)
•Tour duration: 5 hours
•Tour ends at a local restaurant.
•Tour is suitable for travellers who enjoy walking (approximately 4km) and have a reasonable level of fitness.
•Please bring hat / umbrella and be prepared for rainy season or high temperatures during the summer. Drinking water is highly recommended especially during summer months.
•Blackout dates: Lunar New Year period (exact dates updated on yearly basis)

Embark on an evening street food tour through the alleys of Hanoi’s historic Old Quarter, visiting markets and local eateries to sample some of Hanoi’s most iconic dishes, including: a bowl of beefy “pho” noodle soup; “banh cuon”, savoury steamed rice flour rolls stuffed with pork and wood ear mushrooms; “banh mi”, a classic Vietnamese baguette sandwich inspired by the French; grilled chicken wings, and other snacks.

Wash it all down with fresh draught beer at a neighbourhood “bia” joint, soaking in the lively atmosphere, and finishing off the night with a cup of fresh tropical fruit and shaved ice with a drizzle of condensed milk.

Please note:

Meet at 5:15 pm at Nang Café, 45 Nguyen Huu Huan
Tour duration: 3.5 hours
Walking distance: Approximately 2.8 km
Please advise in advance of any special dietary requirements
Itinerary and food samples may be adjusted according to shop availability
In case of rain, the itinerary may include a visit to a covered noodle stall
Not Available during Lunar New Year period (exact dates updated on yearly basis)

After breakfast, travel approximately 180 km to beautiful Halong Bay. Check in to your cabin aboard the intimate 12-cabin L’Azalée Deluxe Cruise, and enjoy lunch in the bright, cheery restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows as the ship begins cruising through the bay.

The rest of the day is a pleasing mix of relaxation and exploration with shore excursions to visit Surprise Cave, the largest and most spectacular in the bay, and a floating pearl farm, or kayaking around the islands.

Back on board, participate in a Vietnamese cooking class before sitting down to dinner. In the evening, try your hand at night squid fishing or relax in your cabin.

Wake up with the sun and participate in one of the most scenic Tai Chi sessions you’ll ever encounter on the sundeck of the L’Azalée. After breakfast, head ashore on Titov Island where you can climb the hill for 360-degree views or swim off the golden sand beach. Around mid-morning, return to the ship and enjoy brunch as you cruise back towards the harbour.

Disembark at the L’Azalée Cruises Lounge just before noon with private transfer back to Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport in time for your late afternoon flight to Hue. Transfer the short distance to ÊMM Hotel Hue with its 72 generously-sized rooms ideally situated just a 10-minute walk from the beautiful Perfume River and the graceful Trang Tien Bridge.

Spend a full day exploring the enchanting city of Hue, Vietnam’s capital during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). Visit the Citadel and the Imperial City modelled after Beijing’s Forbidden City. Many of the temples and palace buildings damaged by war over the years are now being restored to their former glory.

After, take a short drive into the surrounding countryside to see two of the most impressive Royal Tombs, the final resting place of Hue’s emperors. Board a boat for a cruise along the Perfume River with a shore excursion to see the 21m-high octagonal Thien Mu Pagoda constructed in 1844, one of Hue’s most iconic sights.

In the evening, enjoy a dinner at Spice Viet, a farm-to-table restaurant showcasing authentic Vietnamese cuisine using fresh, seasonal ingredients to create dishes that are healthy, green and delicious.

Spend a full day exploring the enchanting city of Hue, Vietnam’s capital during the Nguyen Dynasty (1802-1945). Visit the Citadel and the Imperial City modelled after Beijing’s Forbidden City. Many of the temples and palace buildings damaged by war over the years are now being restored to their former glory.

After, take a short drive into the surrounding countryside to see two of the most impressive Royal Tombs, the final resting place of Hue’s emperors. Board a boat for a cruise along the Perfume River with a shore excursion to see the 21m-high octagonal Thien Mu Pagoda constructed in 1844, one of Hue’s most iconic sights.

In the evening, enjoy a dinner at Spice Viet, a farm-to-table restaurant showcasing authentic Vietnamese cuisine using fresh, seasonal ingredients to create dishes that are healthy, green and delicious.

Choose from one of two menus :
Menu 1:

Fig salad with shrimp and pork
Chicken soup
Hue crispy pancake filled with pork & shrimp
Mixed rice in Dong leaf
Trio of Hue sweet soup
Menu 2:

Fish spring roll with fennel
Pumpkin & cream soup
Grilled pork
Stewed chicken with mushroom, served with a baguette
Hue traditional cake

Please note:

•Estimated pick-up time: 8:00 am
•Tour duration: 8 hours

After breakfast, drive three hours (130 km) south to the ancient town of Hoi An over the scenic Hai Van Pass, one of the most scenic stretches of coastal road in all of Vietnam. Check in to ÊMM Hotel Hoi An located on a quiet, leafy street just minutes from the Ancient Town.

In the evening, set off on a culinary adventure to discover the unique flavours of this photogenic town. Led by an expert local guide, visit an eatery which churns out up to 6,000 white rose dumplings a day, with the chance to try your hand at making these delicious pork and shrimp filled snacks. Visit a 250-year-old traditional house to see the architecture of the day and meet the host who is also a skilled silver craftsman.

The rest of the evening is spent sampling more Hoi An delicacies, including “banh can” crackers served with quail eggs, pork and a tasty salad, grilled pork satay, and the famed Cao Lau noodles or equally popular chicken and rice. Wrap up the evening with a velvety Vietnamese coffee, the perfect ending to any meal.

Please note:

Meet at 5:00 pm at Chao Bar at ÊMM Hotel Hoi An
Tour ends at approximately 7:30-8:00 pm at a local coffee shop
Please inform your local guide about any food allergies you may have
In case of rain or closure of tasting food spot, the itinerary and food items may be adjusted
Blackout dates: Lunar New Year period (exact dates updated on yearly basis)
Tour includes one bottle of water, one coffee or beer
Tour does not include Hoi An Ancient Town Ticket (VND 120,000 or approximately USD 6/person), required for entrance to Hoi An’s Old Quarter. Please bring this ticket with you on tour in case local authorities check.

After breakfast, meet at Vy’s Market Restaurant in downtown Hoi An and board a boat for a nearby market. Stroll along the stalls with a local guide to learn more about the uses of fresh noodles, dried spices, and fresh herbs, stopping to sample some exotic fruits before returning to town by boat.

Back at Vy’s Market Restaurant, sample dishes from 10 different food counters. See how rice paper is made from ground rice and water, try using a “bun” noodle machine, and see how Hoi An’s famous “cao lau” noodles are rolled, cut and steamed, all by hand.

Under the guidance of a local chef, learn how to create Vietnamese dishes from scratch, followed by a delicious lunch. Receive a copy of the recipes and a Vietnamese cooking utensil as a keepsake.

In the evening, enjoy dinner at Spice Viet Restaurant, known for its healthy, authentic Vietnamese cuisine prepared simply to highlight the freshest of ingredients.

SET MENU (min. 2 persons)

Fresh Hoi An spring rolls
Sweet and sour fish soup
Seasonal vegetables
Steamed rice
Stir-fried beef “luc lac”
Seasonal fresh fruit
Please note:

Estimated start time: 8:30 am
Class on shared basis
Entrance ticket to Hoi An Ancient Town not included

After a leisurely buffet breakfast featuring French pastries, freshly squeezed juices and iced Vietnamese coffee, transfer to the Danang International Airport for the short flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s vibrant economic and entertainment hub.

Check in to our partner hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, situated in a prime location offering easy access to famous city attractions, restaurants and shopping areas.

In the late afternoon, explore Saigon’s amazing street food scene on a culinary walking tour. As Vietnam’s largest city, Saigon draws residents from all over the country who bring with them their favourite regional specialties, making Saigon one of the world’s best foodie destinations.

Come with an empty stomach and an adventurous spirit as you sample some of Vietnam’s best street foods including stuffed “banh mi” baguettes, flame-grilled barbecue skewers, tasty noodle dishes, Vietnamese sweet puddings and perhaps even a grilled rice paper “pizza” served at streetside stalls which pop up just in the evenings.

Vietnamese cuisine is a wonderful balance of sweet and salty, cooling and warming ingredients, and fresh and fermented, with liberal use of fruits, vegetables, and fresh herbs. Spend the morning learning how to create Vietnamese favourites under the guidance of an executive chef.

Meet your guide at 9:15 am in the hotel lobby and take a trip to the Tan Dinh Market, a large, authentic market housed in a French colonial-era building from 1926. Take in the sights and smells of the market, learning about various fresh vegetables used in Vietnamese cuisine.

Head back to the hotel and learn how to transform these simple ingredients into delicious dishes, enjoying the fruits of your labour for lunch.

Depart from your hotel at 8:00 am and drive 2 hours southwest to Cai Be where the friendly crew of the Cai Be Princess welcomes you on board the luxury sampan with a chilled towel and refreshing drink.

Cruise the local waterways and observe as life unfolds on the river banks, an ever-changing kaleidoscope of peaceful landscapes and industrious river folk, as cargo barges loaded with fruit and vegetables glide on by. Enjoy a cup of hot tea and fresh fruit from the Delta, Vietnam’s “Rice Bowl”.

The morning’s shore excursions include a row boat trip at Tan Phong Islet to explore its narrow canals and hidden mangroves, a visit to a 19th century home to admire Indochinese architecture, and stops at local workshops turning out treats like coconut candy and puffed rice (the local equivalent of popcorn).
Step ashore at Le Longanier Restaurant for lunch in this exquisite colonial-style villa set in a lush tropical garden by the river, giving you a sense of privileged life during Indochinese times.

After lunch, stroll along a small canal towards the Ba Bon Bridge where your personal vehicle awaits to drive you back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Please note that actual itinerary may vary depending upon river tides, arrival time and other conditions.

After a hearty buffet breakfast, transfer by private car to Ho Chi Minh City’s Tan San Nhat International Airport for your onward travels.