Intrepid Vietnam Real Food Adventure

• Meals: 11 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 5 dinners
• Transport: Plane, Private Vehicle, Taxi, Overnight sleeper train
• Accommodation: Hotel (8 nights), Homestay (1 night), Overnight Boat (1 night), Overnight Sleeper Train (1 night)
• Included Activities

• Hanoi – Cooking Class
• Hanoi – Teahouse visit
• Halong Bay – Overnight boat cruise
• Hue – Motorbike trip including lunch
• Hue – Imperial citadel
• Hoi An – Herb Garden Bicycle Tour and Cooking Class
• Ho Chi Minh City – War Remnants Museum
• HCMC – City tour
• HCMC – Ben Thanh market

Day 1: Hanoi

Your adventure begins with a Welcome Meeting at 6pm on Day 1. Please look for a note in the hotel lobby or ask the hotel reception where it will take place.

Day 2: Hanoi

Start the day with a traditional breakfast of pho, a dish that originates in Hanoi, designed to awaken the senses and prepare you for the day. Then it’s time for a guided tour of Chau Long Market, where you will learn all about the ingredients and flavours of northern Vietnamese cuisine.

Day 3: Halong Bay

Travel by private minibus to the spectacular World Heritage-listed site of Halong Bay (approximately 4 hours). Set sail on emerald-green waters, gliding between limestone karsts and soaking in the old-world tranquillity.

Day 4: Overnight train

Take a bus back to Hanoi, then board an overnight train bound for Hue. Although conditions are basic, overnight trains are a rewarding experience. It’s an efficient way to travel long distances and a great way to get a sense of the country.

Day 5: Hue

Hue is Vietnam’s former royal capital and its cuisine is considered by many Vietnamese as the best in the country. The food is influenced by its imperial heritage (small dishes and a focus on aesthetic presentation) and its strong Buddhist heritage, reflected in the high proportion of vegetarian restaurants in the area.

Day 6: Hoi An

Start your day with a visit to the Imperial Citadel, which includes the Forbidden Purple City. The latter was almost totally destroyed during the Vietnam War’s Tet Offensive, but the foliage-covered ruins are still atmospheric and the gaping holes left by bombs give an idea of the destruction wreaked upon the country during the war.

Day 7: Hoi An

Start your day with a guided bicycle tour of the extensive herb gardens that lie on the outskirts of town, followed by a trip to a rustic food market. This is a great place to pick up knives and other Vietnamese cooking gadgets. Head back to Hoi An for a hands-on cooking class in classic central Vietnamese dishes, followed by lunch.

Day 8: Hoi An

For early risers, take the opportunity to visit the Hoi An fish markets They are at their most vibrant in the mornings. In the later afternoon, be welcomed into the home of a local family for lunch where you will learn to prepare My Quang (Quang noodle), a specialty of this city.

Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City

Take the short flight to Ho Chi Minh City (approximately 1 hour). Take a guided tour to get a feel for the city’s frenetic, fascinating blend of old and new, East and West. You will notice a strong French influence in Ho Chi Minh City, which means excellent coffee and baguettes.

Day 10: Mekong Delta

Take a private bus out to the Mekong Delta (approximately 2–3 hours), then cruise up this mighty river on a sampan (traditional boat), one of the most common forms of transportation in these parts. Glide past farms and orchards, to your guesthouse, set alongside a family home. Meet your hosts and take some time to wander the garden, relax or lend a hand with dinner preparations. Enjoy a southern Vietnamese feast on the wide verandah overlooking the garden as the sun goes down.

Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City

For those who fancy an early morning cycle, join your hosts on a ride to the nearby village market, then return to Ho Chi Minh City by bus. The rest of your day is at your leisure.

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City

Your trip comes to an end this morning. You’re free to depart the accommodation at any time.

Please note, prices listed are guide prices only and are based on 2 people sharing and don’t include any additional supplements. Holiday prices are fluid and dynamic and may be changed at a moment’s notice, prior to booking, at which point they are confirmed. Please call the team free on 0800 707 6229 for more departure dates available and a quote.