Routing: Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta - Da Nang - Hoi An - Hue - Hanoi - Ha Long Bay

Trip duration: 14 Days 13 Nights

Tour Style: Bespoke, Family Tour, Food Tour

Tour Start: in Ho Chi Minh / Tour End: in Ha Noi

Group size: 2 - 15 pax

 Day 1: Ho Chi Minh Arrival - Welcome dinner (D)

Our driver will pick you up at Tan Son Nhat International Airport and transfer you to your hotel for check-in and drop off your bags and get some rest. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam's bustling economic hub and largest city, is a vibrant metropolis blending historical charm with modern dynamism.

Relax after your long flight and enjoy a delicious welcome dinner. 

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh city tour - Street-food tour (B, D)

After breakfast, we will start our half-day city tour. Our first destination in the city is the War Remnants Museum where we can be informed about the US invasion of Vietnam, and its absorbing exhibits give visitors an invaluable insight into a defining chapter in the Vietnam war’s history. Departure to Reunification Palace which was named in global history in 1975 and was built for the South Vietnam Government during the Vietnam-American War. After that, we will visit the famous French architecture Notre Dame Cathedral, and General Post Office. Move to visit Binh Tay market - also known as Cholon Chinatown Market. This market mainly serves the local population with its extensive range of fresh fruits, vegetables, poultry, meat and seafood from regions across Vietnam. Pay a visit to Thien Hau Lady temple - a Buddhist temple dedicated to the Chinese sea goddess, Mazu. The interior has colorful roof decorations by representing scenes from the nineteenth century in a Chinese city. Moreover, the most well-known interior design work which dominates the main altar is the three statues of the ‘Lady of the Sea’.

Then we will move to a local coffee shop to experience "Vot" Coffee - a special way to make coffee that you have never known. This is a very special method of brewing coffee in Ho Chi Minh city – using a cloth strainer and a clay pot (or a small steel pot). Local people call this coffee “Vot” which means cloth strainer in English. “Vot” coffee shops exist in hidden and quiet corners where people come to find the taste of the past. To make a cup of coffee, the roasted coffee powder is put into the cloth strainer and cooked in the clay pot on medium fire of charcoal in a while. It’s simple but not easy to make a perfect coffee. The heat shouldn’t be too high because the coffee will be sour. The shouldn’t be low because the coffee will be cold. The maker must stir the powder continuously while cooking to make the best coffee. After being cooking well, the coffee is kept warm in another pot on charcoal and served hot coffee or used to make iced coffee. The ready “Vot” coffee is always smelling and tasty.

In the evening, we begin the food tour around 6 o'clock to discover the most interesting thing in Vietnam. That’s street food tour. First of all, we will go Ho Thi Ky Flower market walking all around and enjoying street food (BBQ, skewers, mixed rice paper, fruits…) inside the market. Then we will go straight to Chinatown, we will stop a Vietnamese Chinese Herbal tea shop and visit Cha Tam Church (A 300 years catholic Church). From here you can choice so many thing: Dumpling in a local shop, Pho, Broken rice, Banh Xeo, Pancake with egg… Then we will be back to Nguyen Hue walking street. You might get tired already, so we will have a beer/juice or smoothies in Bui Vien walking street or you can join a sky bar in De Tham. Back to your hotel and finish your day. 

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh - Mekong Delta - Cooking class with local people (B, L)

After breakfast, you will commute to Mekong Delta, a vast and fertile region in southwestern Vietnam. It is a captivating labyrinth of rivers, canals, and lush landscapes. Often called the "Rice Bowl" of Vietnam, this area is renowned for its vibrant waterways, where traditional wooden boats navigate the narrow channels, and floating markets bustle with local commerce.

After having lunch, take a cooking class, in which you will be taught how to make a traditional dish of the local people.

Day 4: Floating market - Biking in the forest - Back to Ho Chi Minh (B, L)

Start the day as we will visit to one of the most iconic attraction of Mekong Delta - the floating market. The floating markets in the Mekong Delta, Vietnam, are bustling hubs set on the region's waterways. Boats of all sizes serve as floating storefronts, offering a vibrant mix of fresh fruits, vegetables, seafood, and local snacks. The markets are lively and colorful, with traders and buyers haggling in a unique, picturesque setting.

In the afternoon, you will take part in another exciting experience of the region. The captivating biking journey will depart from your accommodation, cycle around the Tan Phong Island; explore the beautiful landscape and unique culture in the island. Soak up the tranquil daily life by seeing the farmers working on their fams : Durian, Rambutan , Longan, Mango, Guava… Talk to the local people and listen to a kind of Vietnamese folk music - a significant cultural practice of Western Vietnam.

Later, go back to Ho Chi Minh city and stay overnight there.

Day 5: Ho Chi Minh - Fly to Da Nang - Hoi An ancient town (B, L, D)

After your complimentary breakfast, you will be transfered to the airport for a flight to Da Nang.

Upon arrival in Da Nang, our driver will come and take you to a local restaurant for a light lunch. Then go to Hoi An, take a walk through town, seeing remarkably well-preserved traditional houses that have withstood 200 years of weather and war. Learn about the prosperous merchants who used to live in these homes, trading with buyers from all over the world. The next destination is the Japanese Covered Bridge, one of two such bridges in Vietnam. This beautiful bridge was first constructed in the 1590s by linking it with the Chinese quarters. Following Tran Phu Street, you will reach The Assembly Halls. There are 4 Assembly Halls in Hoi An which you can find when walking along Tran Phu Street. Each of those Halls has belonged to a Chinese community who has their own beliefs, different assembly halls worship different gods and goddesses.

Why walking around the town, you will have chance to have a sip of special drink in Hoi An is "Mót". Made from a blend of local herbs, including pandan leaves, the drink is often served over ice and sweetened with sugar or honey. It’s typically enjoyed as a refreshing treat in the hot climate of Hoi An.

After your walking around the town, we will move to visit a cozy coffee shop in Hoi An overlooks beautiful paddy fields, offering a peaceful spot to relax with a fresh breeze and scenic views. Perfect for a quiet escape.

In the evening, you will have a dinner in a boutique restaurant in the town. After your meal, move to a bar. Get some shot and enjoy your romantic night in Hoi An.

Day 6: Hoi An: Biking, Boating and Cooking Class (B, L)

Today you will attend to a special cooking class. No island is more beautiful than Cam Kim and Tra Que Village and your adventure starts with a short boat trip crossing the river from Hoi An:

- Visit local families who live in the area and learn more about their lives.

- Cycle along the quiet roads amid beautiful scenery

- Experience and take part in some of the traditional local crafts including making sleeping mats and visit Kim Bong carpentry, listen to the history of the village, the ship-building yards, the handicrafts and sculptures.

- At Kim Bong ferry station to old city, from the boat, you can enjoy the busy daily life of Hoi An people

- Ride the bicycles to the TRA QUE Vegetables village with stop on the way to see countryside landscape and life of the farmer/ fishermen.

- The guide introduces the history of Tra Que village, local daily works of the villagers and see the farmers working to grow and take care of their herb garden while cycling around the village.

- Then one of the farmer will show you their daily activities, they are training you how to do their works: grow vegetables and watering vegetables by using the local farming tool...ect

- We then will come in a local restaurant where we attend cooking class about traditional local dishes.

- At the end of the class everyone sits down to enjoy what they have made. Recipes from the class will be made available to you so you can recreate them at home.

- Lunch will be served with what we cooked.

When you finish the cooking class, our driver will transfer you Cua Dai River for an amazing experience. Get on the special bamboo Basket boat, exploring the Seven hectares water palm forest, learn how to catch purple crabs… Then back to your hotel for relaxing.

Day 7: Hoi An: Morning in fishing market - Free time (B)

In the early morning, you will go to Fish market in Hoi An**** and watch the local fishermen catching the fish and the trading process of the local in the market. This experience will give you a clear understanding on one of Hoi An oldest traditions that has support many households in Hoi An. After that, back to your hotel and enjoy your free time. 

Day 8: Hoi An - Hue - Citadel - Sunset tour on Perfume River (B, L, D)

On this day, you will leave Hoi An for Hue - a poetic and beautiful city. The city is located along the Perfume River, which adds to its picturesque charm. The river and the surrounding countryside offer scenic beauty and a tranquil atmosphere, contrasting with the more bustling urban areas.

After arriving and having lunch, visit the Citadel - a famous histocric UNESCO World Heritage site of this city, situated alongside the Perfume River. The Imperial Citadel of Hue, also known simply as the Citadel, is a sprawling fortress complex that served as the political and cultural heart of Vietnam during the Nguyen dynasty (1802-1945).

In the evening, join a boat ride on the romantic Perfume River and have the local dishes served on the boat with many other entertaining activities.

Day 9: Hue - Cooking class with royal chef - Visiting Ancient Tombs (B, L)

After breakfast, our guide will take you to the biggest market in Hue named Dong Ba where you can see all the typical features of a traditional Vietnamese market. After visting the market, you will come to Ancient Hue restaurant to have a short break and enjoy welcome drink with a cold towel. Then the instructor will present a cooking demonstration of the dishes that you are going to prepare and sampling those dishes. Each one will receive a set of recipes of the cooking course. Time to put your hands-on the cooking utensils. Everyone will be provided a private chair and taught under close guidance of instructor and the assistants. We will learn to make 3 dishes: Long life salad, Dragon boat fried rolls, and Royal stewed fish- Steamed Rice. After finish our cooking, you will taste your own cooking creation.

Back to your hotel and enjoy your free time.

Day 10: Hue - Fly to Hanoi - Street food by motorbike (B, D)

After enjoying your complimentary breakfast at the hotel, our driver and tour guide will take you to the airport for a short flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival in Hanoi, we begin our half-day city tour in Ha Noi. Make our way to Ho Chi Minh Complex to visit outside the Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum where preserved Uncle Ho’s corpse for people all over the country and international visitors to visit their beloved old father, and Ba Dinh Square where President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence on September 2, 1945. Another signature place in the complex is One Pillar Pagoda – a unique architectural style pagoda built in 1049. After that, we will visit the Presidential Palace and Ho Chi Minh’s Residence which was used as his workplace and home back in the old time respectively, and Ho Chi Minh Museum. After that, visit the Temple of Literature - Quoc Tu Giam which is one of the most iconic places in Hanoi. In the afternoon, you will visit the fascinating. In the late afternoon, we come back to Hoan Kiem Lake to watch a fantatic water pupet show, and have an hour on the cyclo to discover the alive Hanoi 36 streets in the Old Town.

Im the evening, we begin the food tour around 6 o'clock in the afternoon. The history and traditional Vietnamese food culture will be introduced by trying some of the greatest northern dishes. Seasonal fruits and a kind of "French-style" snack from a random street cart will be the eat between meals. Walking down the Hanoi’s Old Quarter, Bun Cha Ta, Banh Cuon, some of the famous dishes will be served at a local eatery. Pay attention to the skilled chefs demonstrating how this tasty dish is cooked. Then take a leisure walk deep down to the center to feel the local life and the beauty of an unchanged ancient Ha Noi for almost a thousand years. Our guide will take you to one of Hanoi’s best kept secrets, a hidden street food restaurant to taste the top ten street foods in Hanoi is Banh My Hanoi, Vietnamese Rice Wine and famous Egg Coffee. This must-go café is one of the most famous and original of its kind in Hanoi.

Day 11: Hanoi: Cooking class in Giang Bien with The East chef (B, L)

Enjoy your breakfast at the hotel.

08:00 - 08:30: Our tour guide and driver will drive to the outskirt of Hanoi for the cooking class in Giang Bien Farrming Area.

08:30 - 09:45: Welcome by local farmers and make our way to the farming area. Participate in harvesting fruits and vegetables, and learn about cultivation processes such as soil preparation, fertilizing, seeding, and growing.

11:45 - 13:00: Cooking class where we use the ingredients harvested in the morning to make Northern Vietnamese dishes with the local farmers.

13:00 - 13:30: Our class ends with wonderful memories and gifts to bring home.

Day 12: Hanoi - Ha Long Bay (B, L, D)

After breakfast, you’ll take a 2.5-hour drive to Halong Bay, one of the great natural wonders of the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Upon arrival, the boat crew will welcome you and transfer you to the junk for check-in and enjoy a cruise around Halong Bay with a delicious local seafood lunch served on board. At the same time, you can behold thousands of limestone islands and grottoes rising from the clear, emerald water. After lunch, you’ll join some activities on a boat to discover the beauty of the bay such as visiting a cave, kayaking, or enjoy swimming in the sea before getting back to the junk for relaxing and dining. In the evening, you can join night fishing with locals. Overnight on board. 

Day 13: Ha Long Bay - Hanoi - Fine dinning in Michelin Star Restaurant (B, Br, D)

Your breakfast will be served while floating on the sea giving you another opportunity to capture the beauty of Ha Long Bay before disembarking time. Join a cooking class that shows you how to make Vietnamese spring rolls and other traditional food if you wish. The early lunch will be served before getting back to the main dock and transferring you back to Hanoi.

Have a fine dining in Michelin Star restaurant. Enjoy your last time in Hanoi.  

Day 14: Ha Noi - Departure

We enjoy one last hearty breakfast with our travel companions before getting transferred to Noi Bai International Airport where your journey with us ends.

*** Ends of service ***