Day 1: HANOI / Arrival (D)
Meet and greet with Viettours’ guide, have an orientation tour before transfering to hotel. Take a cyclo, the Vietnamese version of the rickshaw to "/>

Hanoi


Tour

The Vietnamese Culinary Tour

Day 1: HANOI / Arrival (D)
Meet and greet with Viettours’ guide, have an orientation tour before transfering to hotel. Take a cyclo, the Vietnamese version of the rickshaw to Indochine Restaurant for an introduction to Vietnamese food. The restaurant is a well restored French villa, Indochine serves specialties originating primarily from southern Vietnam. You will no doubt be introduced to “nuoc mam”, a fermented fish sauce that compliments most dishes in Vietnam and “cha gio”, Vietnamese spring rolls. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 2: HANOI (B-L-D)
A full day city tour of Vietnam’s capital – Hanoi – cradle of Vietnamese civilization. Hanoi is a unique Asian city with tree-lined avenues, French architecture, peaceful lakes and oriental temples. Tour includes Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, One Pillar Pagoda, Temple of Literature, the Fine Arts Museum, the Lake of the Restored Sword and the Old Quarter. Lunch at “Cha Ca La Vong” a hundred – year restaurant (to eat history here!) serving seasoned fish. In the evening a visit to a performance of the famous water puppets is followed by dinner at the Le Tonkin restaurant, which specializes in superbly prepared northern Vietnamese cuisine. Northern Vietnamese food has a strong Chinese influence with stir-fried dishes and less spicy food popular. Specialties of Hanoi include “Cha Ca” Hanoi and the ubiquitous noodle and meat soup known as “Pho” which is usually eaten at pavement food stalls for breakfast, Vietnam’s answer to fast food. Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 3: HANOI – HALONG (B-L-D)
An early start for the 160km drive to Halong Bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, where 3,000 rocky islands emerge from the emerald green waters. A fresh seafood lunch is served on board. In the evening a barbecue of local specialties is served on the terrace of the colonial Halong Bay Hotel. Overnight in Halong.

Day 4: HANOI – HUE (B-L-D)
Return to Hanoi by road with a picnic lunch before transferring direct to Hanoi Airport for the early afternoon flight to Hue (Flight time varies depending on day of week). On arrival in Hue, transfer to the hotel. In the evening, have a cyclo ride to Tinh Gia Vien restaurant for dinner. Food in Hue is spicy with considerable use of chilli and, reflecting its imperial roots, is often presented in carefully displayed small servings, a kind of Oriental nouvelle cuisine. Overnight in Hue.

Day 5: HUE (B-L-D)
At 7:30 in the morning, we follow Mrs. Cuc, the owner of Y Thao Garden House to Dong Ba central market, where she gives an instruction on how to choose food for our cooking lesson at 9:30 at Y Thao Garden House. Lunch is the food we prepare. In the afternoon, travel by Dragon Boat on the romantically named Perfume River to Thien Mu pagoda standing on the riverbank with its seven-storey tower. Transfer by car to the Imperial Citadel from which the Nguyen emperors once ruled Vietnam. Royal banquet at the Huong Giang Hotel on the banks of the Perfume River.

Day 6: DANANG – HOI AN (B-L-D)
In the morning, drive to visit Tu Duc Mausoleum with its traditional Vietnamese architecture. Leave Hue mid-morning for a scenic journey on Highway One. The Vietnam’s most scenic route passes through the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co to the pass of Ocean Clouds. Lang Co is well known for its fresh seafood restaurants and a lunch of locally caught shrimps and squid on the edge of the lagoon is a must. Stop off at Danang to visit the famous Non Nuoc Beach, once a 'rest and recreation' resort for American GIs and pass by the sacred Marble Mountains whose caves contain dozens of Buddhist shrines. Arrive at the former trading port of Hoi An around five o’clock in the afternoon. Transfer to hotel and stroll down to the picturesque river front for a refreshing drink before dinner at Tam Tam Restaurant, located in a meticulously restored colonial property and appropriately run by a French man. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 7: HOI AN (B-L-D)
During the 17th and 18th centuries, Hoi An was a major Asian trading centre and much remains as it was then. A morning walking tour of the ancient town centre takes in former merchants' houses, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colorful market. For lunch try the local specialty, “cao lau”, a delicious soup made with noodles, pork and greens. This is an original dish found only in Hoi An and made using the water from the town's ancient well (duly boiled). The afternoon is free to cycle through rice paddies to the nearby beach, shop for souvenirs among the antique shops and art galleries or just sit at a pavement café and soak in the atmosphere of this friendly little town. For a dinner visit a Hoi An institution, Cargo Restaurant, whose the owner, Ms Vy, dishes up sumptuous five-course meals featuring Hoi An's unique cuisine. Expect to sample more Hoi An delicacies like “hoanh thanh” and “banh vac”. Overnight in Hoi An.

Day 8: HOI AN – HO CHI MINH CITY (B-L-D)
Transfer to Danang Airport after breakfast for the early flight to Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals. Transfer to hotel with an orientation tour. After a lunch of “pho” on Pasteur Street, a half day city tour includes the Unification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, General Post Office and Cholon, the city's lively Chinatown. Dinner at one of Saigon's best-known restaurants, Vietnam House. The cuisine of the south uses many herbs and spices and has been influenced by Cambodia, Thailand and India among others. Curries using coconut milk are an example of this influence. The south also has a wide selection of tropical fruits and vegetables. Overnight in Saigon.

A relaxing "Health and Beauty" package is optional. Participants can enjoy 30 minutes of one of the following: shampoo and head massage; manicure; foot massage or facial massage.

Day 9: HO CHI MINH CITY – MEKONG DELTA – HO CHI MINH CITY (B-L-D)
Full day trip to the watery world of My Tho in the Mekong Delta, just a couple of hours by road from the hustle and bustle of Saigon. Take a boat trip along the narrow waterways overhung with dense vegetation and try exotic fruits in one of the many orchards. Try the local specialty of Elephant's Ear Fish at a riverside restaurant. A fascinating glimpse into the daily life of the people who work, rest and play on the mighty Mekong and its numerous tributaries. Finally to Indochine Restaurant in Saigon, where we can enjoy the chef's cooking demonstration in the restaurant's airy, open-plan kitchen. Dinner at this beautifully restored colonial villa is the last supper our culinary tour through Vietnam. Overnight in Saigon.

Day 10: HO CHI MINH CITY / Departure (B)
Departure day. At leisure until being transfer to the airport for onward flight. Home sweet home.


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Information

Days:>= 5 days
Price:500usd - 1000usd
Start from:  Hanoi

Sender

Name: viettourism

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Related Places

Hanoi Ha Long Bay Hue
Da Nang Hoi An Ho Chi Minh City