866-501-7477 info@vexploretours.com
866-501-7477 info@vexploretours.com

Experience Cultural and Culinary of Vietnam

0
Price
From$5,288
Price
From$5,288
Full Name*
Email Address*
Your Enquiry*
* I agree with Terms of Service and Privacy Statement.
Please agree to all the terms and conditions before proceeding to the next step
Save To Wish List

Adding item to wishlist requires an account

3771

Why Book With Us?

  • Expert Knowledge
  • 100% Tailor Made Tours
  • Private Journey
  • Best Guides
  • Selected Accommodations
  • Customer care available 24/7
  • Value money guarantee

Have a Question?

Do not hesitate to give us a call. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.

866-501-7477

info@vexploretours.com

Availability : November 28 - December 11, 2027

14 Days / 13 Nights

Small Group

10 - 12 Traveler

A culinary adventure to savor the diverse flavors of Vietnam offers visits with local farmers, authentic hands on culinary classes, street food tours, legendary market discoveries, and the exclusive opportunity to learn about culture and history while preparing a meal and dining with a family of royal lineage. Iconic sites and stunning mountain scenery captivate at every turn to add more unforgettable memories.

Tour Details

Price Includes

  • Private air-conditioned vehicle as per program
  • Private local English speaking guide in each city
  • 9 days private escorted tour included admission and boat fees
  • LanHa Bay Cruise 3 days 2 nights based on Twin/Double share
  • 11 nights of premium accommodations based on Twin/Double share
  • Meals 13 breakfasts, 10 lunches, 6 dinners

Price Excludes

  • Visa fees
  • Personal expenses
  • Travel insurance
Itinerary

Day 1Arrival Hanoi

Arrive in Hanoi airport, meet your guide and private transfer to hotel.

Day 2Explore the Backstreets of Hanoi by Private Jeep - Hanoi, Vietnam's Capital City

Morning, explore the vibrant city of Hanoi with our Private Jeep Tour and to imerse yourself to experience the real Hanoi with day-in-the-life experiences. We will take you through the maze of backstreets, tiny alleyways, local homes, schools, and random markets, where you can witness how the locals live, work, and entertain. You will get a glimpse of the city that is not usually seen by most tourists. Moreover, you will have the opportunity to explore some of the most captivating local sights in Hanoi, including the serene West Lake, Tran Quoc Pagoda, Truc Bach Lake, Saint Joseph Cathedral and the famous Long Bien Bridge, all of which have unique stories to tell. Don’t forget to bring your camera to capture some of the most amazing and unique photos. 

Please note that we use Vietnam Army Legend Jeeps

Have lunch at an authentic restaurant.

In the afternoon, we will begin our journey at Van Mieu, also known as the Temple of Literature, which features intriguing historical artifacts and Vietnam’s first university. Afterwards, we can explore the charming ‘Train Street’ cafes while enjoying the. delicious Vietnamese coffee, freshly brewed from the filter—it’s a real delight! Visit Hoan Kiem Lake before taking a scenic cyclo ride through Hanoi’s bustling Old Quarter. This relaxing activity provides a wonderful view of the city’s iconic streets. Return to the hotel and the rest of the evening is free at leisure.

Breakfast, Lunch

Day 3Hanoi Street Food & Art & Private Water Puppet Show

In the morning, we will drive to Chau Long Market, one of the largest markets in Hanoi, offering an impressive market experience. Stop at a popular restaurant known for serving Hanoi’s famous dish, Pho Cuon, which consists of flat-rolled noodles filled with grilled beef and vegetables. Afterward, we will drive back to the Old Town. Enjoy a leisurely stroll around the Old Quarter. Stop at Bach Ma Temple, a sacred site that dates back to the 11th century. Be sure to try Banh Cuon, Vietnamese rolled flour cakes served with Cha Que, which is sausage flavored with cinnamon. These are best enjoyed dipped in fish sauce. No Hanoi street food tour would be complete without Nem and Bun Cha, which make excellent lunch choices. Nem consists of special seafood spring rolls, which CNN voted a top culinary favorite. Bun Cha features grilled pork served with rice noodles and vegetables. 

Afternoon, we will visit Vietnam National Fine Art Museum. Then you have the chance to visit the residence of the talented artist Phan Thanh Liem, who is a descendant of the renowned artist Phan Van Huyen. The latter was widely recognized for his impressive skills in traditional water puppetry. By visiting Phan Thanh Liem’s residence, you will be able to delve into the intricacies of creating water puppet shows. You will even have the chance to witness a performance in their intimate “mini home theater.” This unique experience is a remarkable opportunity to spend time with a local family and gain invaluable insight into their rich and fascinating culture. Return to your hotel.

Breakfast, Lunch 

Day 4Ha Noi - Lan Ha Bay - Nostalgia Cruise

Take a scenic drive to Halong and check-in procedures at the lounge while having a welcoming special tea. Transfer by speedboat to the Nostalgia Cruise at Tuan Chau Island. Onboard the Nostalgia Cruise enjoy a refreshing welcome drink. You will have a cruise briefing with safety instructions. A special lunch will be served. We then set sail for Lan Ha Bay. Visit Ao Ech – a little paradise isolated from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. Kayaking at Ao Ech in Lan Ha Bay offers a peaceful and awe-inspiring experience, as if you’re exploring a secret world hidden within pristine nature. Return to Nostalgia Cruise. Admire a sunset on Lan Ha Bay. It is an ideal time for photography enthusiasts to capture the stunning moment of sunset at Lan Ha Bay. As the sun sets, indulge in Happy Hour (buy one, get one free) at the bar, Join the cooking demonstration, where our chef will teach you how to prepare notable Vietnamese dishes. Enjoy dinner at the restaurant on Nostalgia Cruise. After dinner, enjoy the landscape of the bay up on the top deck. Relax while enjoying drinks from the bar. Join squid fishing at night or watch a movie.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5Lan Ha Bay - Nostalgia Cruise

The day starts early onboard Nostalgia Cruises with Tai Chi session on the sundeck. Breakfast is served in the dining room with morning view of the bay’s landscape. Transfer to the day boat to visit Viet Hai village. You will take a bicycle trip along the village path and go through rain forests and dark tunnel. Optional electric car service is available (at an extra cost). Enjoy stunning scenery of Vietnamese farmers’ rice fields on the way. Stop at the village to relax. Visit an ancient local house, made from straw, mud, bamboo…Dip your feet into a lake with garra rufa fish which eats away all your daily stress,… See the lives of local people. Back to day boat for visiting Lan Ha Bay. Lunch served on day boat. Visit Ba Men Temple a peaceful peaceful body of water has beautiful scenery, making it the perfect place for scenic kayaking or relaxing on a sandy beach. Return to Nostalgia Cruises. Enjoying swimming at the untouched area. Then, you will join a traditional cooking class. Our chef will instruct you in the making of some Vietnam dishes. Watch the magnificent sunset over the Gulf of Tonkin. In the early evening the boat has its Happy Hour deal. Dinner will be served at a restaurant on cruise. Enjoy the landscape of the bay at night up on the top deck. Relax whilst enjoying drinks from the bar. You may want to try your luck with squid fishing or play some board games in the restaurant. Overnight on board.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6Nostalgia Cruise Lan Ha Bay

Rise early to witness the bay at its very best while enjoying an invigorating Tai Chi session on the sundeck. After breakfast we progress by bus to Trung Trang cave which is located in the middle of Cat Ba National Park. The cave is 300m long through the mountain, possessing a mysterious beauty due to the geological tectonics in million years along with many historical vestiges. Return to the cruise for checkout procedures. While cruising back you can enjoy a delightful brunch. Disembark at 11:45am at Tuan Chau. Private transfer to Airport to flight to Hue. 

Arrive Hue, meet guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in. 

Breakfast

Day 7Hue Heritage & Culture Tour - Private Home Dining Experience

Drive through the peaceful countryside, passing streams and verdant rice paddies, to visit Thanh Tien Paper Flower Village. Continue to Luc Bo Cultural Space for a hands-on conical hat crafting experience, then visit An Hien Garden House, a traditional garden house showcasing Hue’s culture. Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, visit the former Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Head to the iconic seven-story Thien Mu Pagoda “Heaven Fairy Lady”, a symbol of Hue. In the evening, we visit the Tuyet Nguyen family and enjoy an authentic Vietnamese dinner while learning more about the culture and traditional customs. Transfer back to your hotel.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8Hue - Exclusive "Aodaigo" Tour

Step into the world of Vietnamese culture with our exclusive “Aodaigo” Tour. You will be greeted by our “Aodaigo” ladies, dressed in traditional Áo Dài attire, who will take you on an exciting scooter ride. You will be seated comfortably on the back of the scooter while you experience the sights, sounds, and smells of Vietnam in a unique way you will never forget. 

Our first stop will be at Quốc Học High School, an iconic institution founded on October 23, 1896, and known as the oldest high school in Vietnam. Next, ride eastward along the city river to the tile-roofed Thanh Toan Bridge in Thanh Toan Village. This village, approximately 8 km from Hue City, offers breathtaking countryside views, including farmers working in their tranquil rice fields. You will also get to interact with friendly locals at the small market and learn about their daily life. Head to Vọng Cảnh Hill, where you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the Perfume River. You will also have the opportunity to visit a local family and learn how to make specialty Hue cakes like “banh beo” and “banh loc.” This will be a great chance to learn about local cuisine. Then enjoy a delicious Central region lunch.  After lunch, we will visit Tu Hieu Pagoda, which is known as the resting place of the Nguyen Dynasty’s eunuchs. The Tu Hieu Pagoda is renowned for its beauty and fascinating stories of the eunuchs. You will get to experience the unique architecture of this historical place and admire its intricate details. Visit Dong Ba Market and stop for “chè Huế” (special sweet soups of Hue). As the afternoon approaches, we will ride back to the hotel, where you can relax and reflect on the wonderful memories of your “Aodaigo” Tour. Evening, we will relish a delectable dinner at a local restaurant, followed by a stroll around the town’s charming streets.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9Hue - Danang - Hoi An - Afternoon Old Town Walking Tour - "Hoa Dang" Experience

After check out, we drive to Danang and Hoi An. We stop at the Marble Mountain as Known Ngu Hanh Son. Marble Mountains is a cluster of five marble and limestone hills. The five mountains are named after the five elements: Metal, Water, Fire, Wood, Earth. All of the mountains have cave entrances and numerous tunnels, and it is possible to climb to the summit of Mount Thuy. Transfer to Hoi An, have lunch at a local restaurant. Check-in the hotel. 

Afternoon, take a walking tour along Hoi An’s waterfront from the Japanese Covered Bridge to the main market. Stop at the ancient house Tan Ky, the ornate Fu Kien Chinese Temple and continue down to the Hoian local market. We visit tailor shop for custom clothes fitting. Evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.  After dinner, take a moment to explore the charming streets of Hoi An. Experience the lantern-releasing ceremony, also known as “Hoa Dang,” a tradition that symbolizes the ancient town’s culture and showcases the spiritual beauty of its people. This ceremony expresses wishes for health, peace, and prosperity for oneself and one’s family. Allow the beauty of this moment to inspire you and fill your heart with joy.

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10Full Day Tour - Tra Que Village & Cooking Class

day will be an exciting day to explore the local farming community in Tra Que village. Upon arrival, we will be warmly welcomed by the friendly farmers who will share with us their centuries-old farming practices and the history of their village. We will delve deeper into the cultivation of vegetables and learn how they use them in traditional Vietnamese medicine.  To further enrich our experience, you will participate in farming activities such as preparing the land by digging and loosening the soil using traditional tools and fertilizing it with seaweed from the nearby lake. The seaweed not only adds nutrients to the soil but also prevents diseases, ensuring healthy and bountiful harvests. Then, enjoy a relaxing foot massage using medicinal herbs that promote blood circulation and overall well-being.

Later on, you will be introduced to the art of cooking Vietnamese cuisine, with the guidance of the chef at Tra Que Restaurant. We will learn and prepare some of the famous local dishes, using fresh ingredients sourced directly from the farm. The highlight of the day will be a delectable lunch where we will savor our own creations, surrounded by the lush greenery and tranquil atmosphere of the farm. It will be an unforgettable culinary experience that will tantalize our taste buds and leave us with fond memories.

As the day draws to an end, we will bid farewell to the farmers and return to our hotel, feeling enriched and inspired by the local culture and traditions. 

Breakfast, Lunch 

Day 11Hoi An - Danang - Saigon - Saigon By Night Tour by Vespa

Transfer to the airport for flight to Saigon. 

Arrive in Saigon, meet guide and transfer to the hotel for check-in. 

Late afternoon, experience Saigon’s nightlife by taking on the back of a Vespa with a local driver. As you journey through the bustling city, you can admire some of Saigon’s most iconic landmarks, including the majestic Opera House, the grand City Hall (Hotel de Ville), the stunning Notre Dame Cathedral, the Post Office, Ben Thanh Market. Explore hidden alleys, stop at a local Vietnamese-style coffee shop. Feel like a local as you feast on authentic, fresh seafood dishes, eating street-side and then enjoy the local favorite that is the delicious Banh Xeo, a traditional Vietnamese savory pancake. End the evening at a lively music bar where you can witness the unique styles of the new generation of Vietnamese.

Breakfast, Dinner

Day 12Full Day Mekong Delta - Cai Be & Tan Phong

Today, we will be driving to the rural town of Cai Be, where we will take a small boat to visit local villages and gain an intimate glimpse into the daily lives of the locals. Along the way, we’ll have the opportunity to stop at local workshops that produce some of the region’s most exquisite products. We’ll witness the fascinating process of making pop-rice, rice paper, and coconut candy and learn about the traditional techniques used to craft these delicacies. As we venture deeper into the countryside via smaller canals, our destination will be the charming Tan Phong Island. Here, we are fully immersed in the local culture and marvel at the impressive craftsmanship of those who make stunning country cottage roofs from coconut palm leaves and export various products, including baskets, bags, hats, and wallets made from water hyacinth. We get the chance to explore the island on foot or by bike. 

Furthermore, we will be delighted with Southern Vietnamese folk music and enjoy a delicious lunch at a local house. After lunch, we can walk around the village or have some leisure time before returning to Saigon.

Breakfast, Lunch 

Day 13Hoa Tuc Cooking Class (private class)

Experience an unforgettable culinary adventure by joining Hoa Tuc’s cooking class at Hoa Tuc Contemporary Vietnamese Cuisine, a Michelin Guide Restaurant. Embark on a journey to learn how to cook unique Vietnamese dishes, along with significant recipes of international cuisine, provided by top chefs from Hoa Tuc’s brother brands.

Your tour starts with a visit to a local market where you can immerse yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of the Tan Dinh market and soak up the sights, sounds, and smells of the local culture. Accompanied by our Vietnamese Chef, you will explore the market and purchase the necessary ingredients for the cooking lesson, ensuring that you have the freshest and most authentic ingredients for your dishes. Afterward, the Chef will bring you back to the class. You will begin a hands-on cooking class and learn how to prepare, cook, and present an array of Vietnamese dishes. The class takes place from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm, and during this time, you will cook and enjoy a delicious Vietnamese meal, paired with a seasonal dessert, which will be provided. At the end of the class, we will provide you with detailed recipes, so you can recreate the dishes at home and impress your friends and family with your newfound culinary skills.

Everyone has unique dietary requirements, if you are vegetarian or have food allergies, let us know in advance, and we will adapt the menu to accommodate your requests.

Breakfast, Lunch 

Day 14Saigon departure

Private transfer to Saigon airport. 

Breakfast

 

Photos

Proceed Booking