Day 1 (Arrival at Ho Chi Minh City) (-, L, D)

Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City in the south of Vietnam is renowned for architectural remnants of its colonial past, as well as its unique cultural heritage. This city is also the perfect stop for your epic food adventure. The teeming streets of the most populated city of Vietnam are full of gastronomic promises, waiting to delight yourtaste-buds. Our air-conditioned vehicle will pick you up from the airport; lunch is served at the hotel. Choose from a luxurious spread of Asian and French buffet. Enjoy a glass of cocktail from the bar, and relax at the hotel with options for a swim or a massage, before embarking on your first trip to discover the vibrantrealm of Vietnamese cuisine – prepare yourself for a nocturnal Vespa-ride!
Your initial stop is at Café Zoom, where you can enjoy a cocktail and experimental appetisers, such as a Poke Saigon or King Kebab.Explore the night-time city like a local on your Vintage Vespa. Visit the animated Chinatown and District 4 through the busy streets of Saigon to sample seafood in places that often remain hidden from foreign tourists. Travel through downtown via District 3, where you will come upon Banh Xeo, a shop famous for its local culinary specialities. Finally, immerse yourself in Vietnamese music at an often-overlooked but charming Vietnamese café, before you head towards a bar for the last round of drinks and live music.

Day 2 (Good Morning Saigon, Cooking Class,Tour of Saigon) (B, L, D)

Experience a slice of tranquillity in Ho Chi Minh City before the hustle and bustle of the day begin. Leave your hotel at 6 AMand travel to the park opposite New World Ho tel where locals practice the ancient martial art of Tai Chi. Join in for a refreshing session to build up an appetite! Soon it is time to visit the Ben Thanh Market through the northern entrance where you will witness the local way of buying and selling fare. Walk through the streets of Saigon to enjoy the prominent landmarks of the city, as well as the unique sights, scents, and sounds that the morning brings with it. End your tour with a bowl of delicious Pho Gah, the famous Vietnamese noodle soup for breakfast, with a beverage of yourchoice.
Enjoy a special masterclass at the Vietnam Cookery Centre. You will be given tutorials on authentic Vietnamese dishes, as you also discover some of the fascinating stories behind them.The course begins with learning about favourite Vietnamese dishes, the proportion of ingredients that make the perfect Vietnamese fish sauce nuoc mam, and techniques for preparing various kinds of rice. If you have ever wondered what the significance of the Yin-Yang is, now is when the mystery is revealed to you, along with an informative account of the history of Vietnamese cuisine, and the inspirations it draws from various cultures all over the world. The lesson ends with instructions on traditional Vietnamese dining etiquettes and the use of chopsticks. All in all, this experience is sure to be a memory that you will cherish for life.
The perfect end to this perfect day is to explore the enchanting cultural landmarks of Ho Chi Minh City. The city by the river Saigon was a prominent trading centre for merchants from China, Japan, and even Western nations. Visit the beautiful ThienHau – one of the oldest Chinese pagodas in town, the Notre Dame Cathedral that bears evidence of the significant cultural contribution of the French, and the post office that looks like a railway station. Visit the Reunification Palace, the historical witness to the end of the Vietnam War and symbolic of the Fall of Saigon, and the War Remnants Museum.

Day 3 (Arrival at Hue City, City Tour, Royal Cuisine Dinner at Ancient Hue) (B, L, D)

The next day, take a flight to the ancient city of Hue, famous for its magnificent royal architecture from the time of the Nguyen dynasty. The former imperial capital for the last royal dynasty of Vietnam stands on the banks of the Perfume River, named after its fragrant waters. This majestic seventeenth-century city is home to splendid palaces, temples, pagodas, and citadels, and the traditional art and music of imperial Vietnam. Explore the Hue citadel encompassing the Yellow Imperial City and the Forbidden Purple City; UNESCO has declared the royal complex as a World Heritage Site. For dinner, visit the Ancient Hue restaurant in Kim Long, a magnificent building of 3000 square metres built in the traditional style of royal Vietnamese architecture. The site is surrounded by five nineteenth-century houses and many fruit trees. Feast on anextravagant menu of traditional royal cuisine at the Ancient Hue restaurant that is a perfect fit to the city’s imperial past.

Day 4 (Visit to Tra Que Vegetable Village, Hoi An Night Life) (B, L, D)

The charming town of Hoi An lies only two and a half hours away from Hue. Visit the Tra Que village at the edge of Hoi An for a hands-on experience of farming life in Vietnam. The village produces scented vegetables that bring an exquisite flavour to Vietnamese dishes. Spend time in helping out the farmers with some of their daily chores. Walk around the vegetable patches, and help the farmers to fertilise the farmland, rake, sow seeds, water the plants and pick the produce. It is only fair that you enjoy a scrumptious locally prepared meal after all your hard work!
Experience the nocturnal beauty of the ancient town of Hoi An through a walking tour. Explore the town centre through the orientation walk, and have dinner at a local restaurant. Your solo adventure now begins as you walk through the coloured lantern-lit streets. Witness poetry reading meets or a traditional Bai Choi opera. Walk by the Hoai River and view pilgrims floating flower lanterns in the water.

Day 5 (Hoi An Cooking Class, Back to Hue) (B, L, D)

Spend half a day at the Red Bridge Cooking Class to further sharpen your culinary skills. Visit the Hai Scout Café for a refreshing welcome drink and go on to explore the fascinating local market, where you will get an opportunity to interact with local sellers and examine their produce, some of which will come in handy for your cooking lesson. Next, get a glimpse of the picturesque riverine life as you cruise across the Hoi An river on the Red Bridge boat. Walk through the Red Bridge School herb garden and learn about some famous local dishes. Observe the Red Bridge chefs prepare their delicious creations and then make your own. However, before you tuck in, you must master some fundamental lessons in Vietnamese style plating! The gourmet in you is sure to be sighing with joy as you return to Hue, and prepare for the next and final stop on your grand epicurean journey.

Day 6 (Hue to Hanoi – City Highlights, Water Puppet Show) (B, L, D)

The city of Hanoi is known for its historical landmarks. Upon arrival by flight, check into your hotel and get ready for a memorable exploration of the city. Start at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the former residence of the legendary leader, and the One-Pillar Pagoda. Visit the Temple of Literature, the first university of Vietnam, built over a thousand years ago. Explore Vietnamese history at one of the many museums of Hanoi that are rich archives of knowledge.
Enjoy a relaxing cycle rickshaw tour through the city after lunch at the Au Lac restaurant. Visit the breathtakingly beautiful HoanKiem Lake and the Ngoc Son Temple. In the evening, watch a lively show of water puppets, a Vietnamese art form that dates back to the 10th century. This art form emerged in the Red River Delta in Northern Vietnam as a form of harvest celebration by the farmers. Enjoy the unique skill displayed by the puppeteers who use secret techniques to control the puppets in the water behind screens.

Day 7 (Good Morning Hanoi, Cooking Class, Half Day West Lake Tour) (B, L, D)

An early morning tour is the best way to feel the pulse of the city as it gradually wakes up. Visit the pretty flower market, join in the local Tai Chi sessions around the HoanKiem Lake, and begin the day on a delectable note with a hot bowl of Pho! Continue your gastronomical exploration with a cooking class at the Hanoi Cooking Centre. The course begins with an introduction to Vietnamese cuisine, and a visit to the Chau Long Market accompanied by the chefs. Observe closely as the chefs acquaint you with their favorite ingredients and produce.This is also an excellent opportunity to click pictures, as the vibrant market scene is sure to offer you rich visual stories! The chefs will explain to you their culinary methods, and you will have the opportunity to take back the recipes in print, as well as samples of the local produce that you bought in the market. You will soon indulge in the delicacies you have prepared with the chef. Before leaving, be sure to check out the Hanoi Cooking Centre Shop for more recipe books and local spices!
Spend the rest of the day bicycling around the Westlake. Observe the historical landmarks such as temples and pagodas along the way. Pass by local markets and residential areas as you enjoy the fresh lakeside air. Visit the Quan Thanh Temple, the Tao Sach Pagoda and the TayHo Temple – all historic places of worship. Before returning to your hotel, stop at a Vietnamese café for a cup of tea as you take in the sights and sounds of the bustling city of Hanoi.

Day 8 (Street Food Trail, After Dark Experience) (B, L, D)

Enjoy a street-eat journey through the city specially designed by celebrity chef and writer Tracey Lister. Visit at least four different joints and taste the delights of authentic street-food that includes the now familiar but ever scrumptious Pho, Banh Cuon or rice pancakes, Bun Cha or sticky rice noodles with pork belly and pork patties, Banh Tom or Prawn Cake, and equally mouth-watering desserts. Visit the Chau Long and the Dong Xuan markets to acquaint yourself with the vast array of products and bargaining techniques, and make use of the tips on essential eating and shopping in Hanoi shared by your chef-guide.
Your journey continues after dark as you are picked up from your hotel at six and taken for a drive around the city after a safety briefing. Visit the Old Quarter and the HoanKiem Lake and explore the narrow alleys that are full of the promise of adventure. Explore the places that are not part of the mainstream tourist spots, while looking at some of the historical sites, and stop awhile for a hot beverage along the way. Enjoy the night time view of the Red River and the Long Bien Bridge as you drive beyond Old Quarter to explore Hanoi. Have dinner at a local Vietnamese restaurant and finish the day on a sweet note with a traditional dessert on the way as you return to your hotel.

Day 9 (Departure from Hanoi) (B, -, -)

Spend your day at leisure after breakfast, until you leave for the airport for your return. You can choose from an array of services provided at the hotel until your departure. You could also take one last stroll around the neighborhood to recall your experience of Vietnamese cuisine that is the unique product of the convergence of East Asian and French cultures in the country.

Gourmet Paradise Vietnam

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