Flavors of Vietnam & Cooking Class 11 days

Morning

After landing at Tan Son Nhat International Airport, a private transfer will be waiting to take you to your hotel.

NOTE: The check-in time is 14:00, there is a surcharge for check-in earlier.

Afternoon

Spend your free time exploring Ho Chi Minh City's bustle. The following half-day excursions are available in Saigon:

Morning

Vietnamese coffee will be supplied with breakfast.

When you arrive at the hotel, our driver will pick you up and take you to the culinary class. Learn how to barter like a native in the market. The largest and oldest market in Ho Chi Minh is Binh Thuan Market, which you will pass through. 

The host's house will be the location of the culinary demonstration. The menu and items for your upcoming meal will be sent to you. 

As long as you follow the chef's directions, you may complete classic dishes and sample your products.

Afternoon and Night

The remainder of the day is your time to explore Ho Chi Minh City on your own, or you can choose one of our optional tours to fully experience this city:

Morning

Your day begins between 07:00 - 07:30, with a convenient hotel pickup in Ho Chi Minh City. Sit back and enjoy the scenic drive to Ben Tre Province, as you pass lush green landscapes and observe the peaceful rhythms of local rural life.

Upon arrival, your Mekong Delta journey unfolds with a serene cruise along the Ham Luong River, one of the nine major estuaries of the Mekong Delta. This tranquil waterway is framed by swaying coconut palms and traditional riverside villages, offering a peaceful introduction to the region's natural beauty.

The cruise includes a visit to a local coconut workshop, where you will witness the traditional process of turning coconuts into a wide variety of handcrafted goods. Here, you will meet skilled artisans and friendly locals who embody the spirit of Ben Tre's craftsmanship.

Next, take a leisurely stroll to a mat-weaving house, where local women skillfully weave colorful sleeping mats using age-old techniques. Sip on freshly brewed tea and enjoy a selection of seasonal tropical fruits, offering a delightful taste of the Delta's bounty.

Continue your cultural immersion with a ride on a 'xe loi' (motorized rickshaw) or bicycle, passing through peaceful village paths lined with lush fruit orchards. This segment offers a glimpse into the daily lives of the Mekong's residents and a closer connection to the region's natural landscapes.

Afternoon

After a delicious lunch at a riverside restaurant, you will board a traditional sampan boat for a memorable ride through the narrow canals that define the Mekong Delta’s iconic scenery. Glide beneath a canopy of water palms as the quiet rhythm of paddles blends with the sounds of nature all around you.

Around 17:00, the tour concludes as you return to your hotel in Saigon or continue to your next destination, carrying with you unforgettable memories of a day steeped in culture, nature, and the unique spirit of southern Vietnam.

Morning

Please wake up and enjoy your final meal in Ho Chi Minh City.

After checking out of your hotel, you will be taken to the airport to catch your aircraft to Da Nang. Then, our driver will pick you up at the Da Nang airport and take you across the Thu Bon riverbank to Hoi An.

Check into your hotel accommodation in Hoi An and unwind.

After that, you can spend the remaining time on your own exploration of Hoi An Ancient Town.

Around 08:15, begin the morning with a welcome drink at a local coffee shop. After meeting your guide, visit Hoi An’s colourful local market to experience its lively atmosphere and discover a wide variety of fresh produce, herbs, seafood, and local ingredients.

Continue to the river and board the Red Bridge boat for a relaxing 25-minute cruise along the Hoi An River. Enjoy views of local river life along the way before arriving at the Red Bridge Cooking School.

Explore the school’s herb and vegetable garden, then join a 2-hour Vietnamese cooking class led by a Red Bridge chef. Learn how to prepare several well-known Hoi An dishes, with each recipe demonstrated before you prepare it yourself.

The lesson also includes a short introduction to Vietnamese food carving, where you will learn to create simple plate decorations.

Sit down and enjoy the dishes you have prepared, such as fresh rice paper rolls with shrimp, crispy Hoi An pancakes, seafood salad with Tra Que herbs, and Mi Quang chicken noodles.

NOTE:

• Vegetarian and other dietary requirements can be accommodated with suitable replacement ingredients.
• Dishes may vary depending on the season and availability of local ingredients.

Finish the cooking experience and transfer back to central Hoi An, arriving at approximately 13:00.

Morning

Enjoy a relaxing morning in Hoi An with breakfast before checking out of your hotel. Then, travel to Hue City by shuttle bus or private car.

After a long journey, check into your hotel in Hue and unwind. 

Afternoon

You will be picked up by our driver and guide at the hotel to begin the boat tour of Hue City. 

When you arrive in Hue, you'll embark on a dragon boat ride along the Perfume River. 

As you glide across the gentle waters, you'll catch glimpses of the Imperial Capital of the Hue Dynasty and the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda. The boat journey offers a peaceful way to explore Hue's rich history and admire the scenic river views.

Night 

The rest of the time is yours, and stay overnight in Hue 

Optional: Spend your dinner time with a top chef and listen to the evolution of Hue's cuisine and enjoy the dinner cooked by the chef.

Get On A Dragon Boat On Perfume River

Morning/ Afternoon

After breakfast, get ready for your journey to Hanoi.

From the airport, our driver will transport you to the hotel so you may take advantage of your free time in Hanoi.

Night

This will be a series of days where you can discover the unique cultural features of Vietnam, including tonight, here are some interesting activities that we offer you:

Morning/Afternoon

Begin your journey into Hanoi's vibrant daily life with a visit to Thanh Ha Local Market. Bustling with color and energy, this is where locals gather to buy fresh produce and daily essentials - offering you an authentic look into the city's everyday rhythm.

Continue your exploration of the tranquil Hoan Kiem Lake, the symbolic heart of Hanoi, and stroll through the charming Old Quarter, where narrow alleys are filled with traditional shops, cafes, and colonial architecture. As you wander through these iconic streets, you'll feel the perfect blend of old-world charm and modern vibrancy.

Next, head to the historic Long Bien Bridge, an architectural relic from the French colonial era. Spanning the Red River, it connects the bustling city with the peaceful countryside, and is a powerful symbol of resilience through wartime.

Just beyond the bridge lies Banana Island, a hidden oasis of greenery and quiet farmlands in the middle of Hanoi. This tranquil spot showcases a different rhythm of life—slower, simpler, and rooted in tradition.

Continue the cultural journey with a visit to B52 Lake, where the remains of a downed American bomber plane from the war rest in silence. This site provides powerful insight into Vietnam's complex past and its enduring spirit.

Noon/ Night

Following your historical and cultural immersion, transfer approximately 15 minutes to a local host's home, where you will be warmly welcomed as a friend from afar. This personal connection adds a heartwarming layer to your Hanoi experience.

Join your host in visiting a nearby market to select fresh, local ingredients for your hands-on cooking session. You will not only observe but also participate in preparing beloved Vietnamese dishes such as fresh spring rolls, Bun Cha (grilled pork with noodles), and stir-fried chicken with fish sauce.

Enjoy the fruits of your labor over a shared meal with your host family, exchanging stories and laughter. This is more than just a meal - it is an intimate cultural exchange that leaves lasting impressions and genuine memories.

NOTE: The full itinerary will include all highlights mentioned above. However, the sequence may be adjusted depending on real-time conditions to ensure the best experience. Along the way, you will also explore lesser-known secret paths to uncover a more authentic side of Hanoi, away from the usual tourist routes.

Morning

After finishing breakfast at the hotel in Hanoi, take a shuttle bus to Halong Bay.

Arrival at the city of Halong Bay and boarding of an overnight junk boat. While the boat is passing islands, taste your first lunch.

Afternoon/ Night

Relax and refill your soul and health before we have some discovery in the afternoon. Halong Bay is famous for its majestic caves. Therefore, it’s time to make a cave discovery.

You find out a lot of stunning caves here, such as Surprising Caves, Maze Cave, and Trinh Nu Cave.

When you go back to the ship, have dinner of freshly cooked fish.

NOTE: The detailed activities depend on each cruise schedule.

Day 9 Enjoy Halong Bay On Overnight Cruise

Morning 

Enjoy a tranquil start to the day with breakfast aboard the yacht while in Halong Bay.

The journey continues passing by various islets, islands or caves.

Return to the boat, pack your things, and complete check-out before taking a shuttle bus back to Hanoi.

Afternoon/ Night

On your route, explore the Old Quarter of Hanoi. You should refresh your mind and go to sleep soon because you had an energetic day.

Check out of the hotel and be taken to Noi Bai International Airport after breakfast. Return trip to Hanoi. Your journey comes to an end.