Vietnam Real Food Adventure
Vietnam Real Food Adventure
Vietnam Real Food Adventure
12 Days Starting in Hanoi and ending in Ho Chi Minh City
Visiting: Hanoi, Halong Bay, Overnight Train, Hue, Hoi An, Quy Nhon, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta
Tour operator:
Tour code:
TVZY
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
1 - 12
Age range:
15-99 years
Tour operated in:
EnglishInterests:
Tour Overview
Sip, slurp and crunch your way through Vietnam, experiencing one of the freshest and most fragrant cuisines on the planet. From pho and ancient buildings in Hanoi, banh khoai and imperial citadels in Hue, banh xeo and lantern-lit streets in Hoi An and banh canh and pulsating markets in Ho Chi Minh City, experience Vietnam’s cuisine and discover its tightly woven place within this culture. Drink in cafes and beer halls that sprawl out over city streets, buy fruit from wicker baskets draped over a vendor’s shoulders and sit at market stalls as aromatic noodle soups are whipped up in front of you. Experience all of Vietnam’s iconic sights, spend time cooking some of the country’s top dishes and get a true taste of Vietnam on this food focused adventure.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1: Hanoi
Location: Hanoi
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: dinner
Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins in the country’s capital – Hanoi. If you arrive early, maybe grab an iconic coffee – typically served with condensed milk or, for the more adventurous, egg! You’ll meet your group and leader for an important welcome meeting at 5 pm, then head out for your first introduction to Vietnam’s lively culinary scene. Your leader will take you on a street food tour around the streets, as the sun goes down and the city comes alive at night. You might sink your teeth into bun cha (a grilled pork and noodle dish that’s loved in Hanoi) or try some banh cuon (steamed rice paper rolls) and lau (Vietnamese hot pot).
Included Activities:
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Day 2: Halong Bay
Location: Halong Bay
Accommodation: Boat
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
This morning, hit the road for the spectacular World Heritage-listed site of Ha Long Bay. The harbour, with approximately 2000 limestone islands rising from the turquoise waters of Bac Bo Gulf, spans an area of about 1500 square km and is dotted with beaches and grottos. When you arrive, you’ll set sail on the emerald-green waters, gliding between limestone karsts to take in the incredible scenery from the best outlook of them all – the water! Then, you’ll explore Surprise Cave, one of the most striking caves in the bay, covering an area of more than 12,000 square m. In the afternoon, you’ll return to your boat and enjoy a delicious feast prepared by an onboard chef. Tonight’s stay is something special as you’ll be sleeping on the traditional boat, letting the water lull you to sleep and really taking in the beauty of the surrounding bay.
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 3: Overnight Train
Location: Overnight Train
Accommodation: Overnight sleeper train
Meals Included: breaksfast
You’d be forgiven for thinking you were still dreaming when you wake up on the bay this morning. If you’re an early riser, you might like to organise an optional kayak experience before you head back to Hanoi this morning. When you arrive, you’ll 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. Most trains have a dining carriage serving simple food, but maybe ask your leader for advice on which local salty and sweet snacks to stock up on before departure.
Day 4: Hue
Location: Hue
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: lunch
Arrive in Hue this morning – Vietnam’s former royal capital, where the cuisine is considered by many 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. After leaving your luggage at your hotel, embark on a tour of the city’s imperial monuments from the back of a motorbike. Stop past Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery since 1601, where you'll see a car that belonged to Thích Quảng Đức, the worldly famous self-immolating monk of the 1963 protests. After some time exploring, it's time to eat! You’ll enjoy a plant-based Buddhist meal specially prepared for you by a chef who is a descendant of the royal family, in the garden of their family home. After, visit the royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, then visit 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. Tonight, maybe ask your leader for the best place to try imperial street specialties like banh hue (rice flour cakes stuffed with shrimp, pork and spices).
Included Activities:
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Day 5: Hoi An
Location: Hoi An
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
After a local breakfast of bun bo hue (a spiced beef noodle soup), you’ll go to a local coffee house where three generations of Hue locals are living together. Admire the traditional house and gardens before meeting your host, Mr Khoa. Learn about his passion for coffee with a demonstration of how to make Hue’s traditional salt coffee, from the bean roasting process to the secret ingredients. Maybe even have a go at making it yourself! After, head south by bus through coastal rice paddies and the mountainous Hai Van Pass and Da nang to Hoi An. This beautifully restored city retains the feel of centuries past, making it the sort of place that grows on you the more you explore. After some time to settle into your hotel, you’ll make your way to a special beachside restaurant for a seafood hotpot dinner with your group. This is a particularly popular meal amongst the locals in Hoi An!
Included Activities:
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Optional Activities:
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Day 6: Hoi An
Location: Hoi An
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, dinner
Today, you’ll really get to know Hoi An – first up, your leader will take you on an orientation walk around the Ancient Town. Then, you’ll discover Reaching Out Tea House – a non-government organisation that supports the local deaf and mute community by providing employment and vocational training. The peace and quiet of this café stands in stark contrast to the bustling streets outside. While here, you’ll sip delicious teas in total silence – a tranquil experience you won’t soon forget. After a little time to relax, you’ll get ready for a cooking class with a local chef this afternoon. You’ll be escorted to a local market to shop for fresh ingredients and then taken through a culinary journey with hands-on demonstrations. Your local chef will even share the stories behind the yin and yang elements, unveiling the secret of home-cooked Vietnamese meals. Feast on your delicious creations, dishes that highlight the cooking of the Pho Hoi people.
Included Activities:
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Day 7: Quy Nhon
Location: Quy Nhon
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
This morning after breakfast, you’ll drive south, to the coastal town of Quy Nhon.On the way,visit a village to see the production process of Vietnamese rice whiskey (made from plain boiled rice). Learn about the history of this traditional practise and see how it's made, with a sample or two along the way. Then, you’ll be treated to a home-cooked lunch in the village – a great opportunity to learn more about the locals and their traditions. Head on to Quy Nhon – flanked by clear waters, traditional fishing boats and sandy beaches. Tonight, maybe watch the sunset at Ky Co Beach or ask your leader for the best dinner spots.
Included Activities:
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Day 8: Overnight Train
Location: Overnight Train
Accommodation: Overnight sleeper train
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Early this morning, you’ll visit the local market with your trip leader for a wander around and a fruit tasting of some local produce.Durian, jackfruit, rambutans are a feast for the eye. Then, walk to Bun Ram Thuy for breakfast, before continuing to Dang Coffee for your ritual caffeine hit (or a cold drink to ease the morning heat). After, you’ll have free time and the use of a day room to rest, relax or explore at your own pace.Don't leave Quy Nhon without trying the local banh xeo, the crispy Vietnamese pancake. Tonight, you’ll hop on an overnight train to Ho Chi Minh City.
Included Activities:
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Day 9: Ho Chi Minh City
Location: Ho Chi Minh City
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: lunch
Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City this morning, then join a walking tour to get a feel for the city's frenetic, fascinating blend of old and new, East and West. You’ll notice a strong French influence here, which means excellent coffee and baguettes! Stop past the General Post Office and Notre Dame, then visit the War Remnants Museum to learn about the city’s sobering past. For lunch, you’ll take part in a cooking class where you'll learn some contemporary twists on traditional Vietnamese dishes with a passionate chef. Sit down and enjoy the delicious feast you've prepared over lunch and then enjoy a free afternoon to continue your explorations.
Included Activities:
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Day 10: Mekong Delta
Location: Mekong Delta
Accommodation: Homestay
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch, dinner
After breakfast this morning, kiss Ho Chi Minh City goodbye and make your way to the Mekong Delta. The delta is known as ‘Vietnam’s rice bowl’ for its abundance of rice paddies, fruit and flower orchards. When you arrive, you’ll hit the water and cruise up this mighty river, stopping at tropical fruit gardens and local cottage industries to sample honey, coconut candy and fruit, right at the source. Enjoy being paddled slowly along the quieter backwaters in a sampan, one of the most common forms of transport in these parts. Continue to your homestay for this evening. 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 veranda overlooking the garden as the sun goes down.
Included Activities:
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Day 11: Ho Chi Minh City
Location: Ho Chi Minh City
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: breaksfast, lunch
Enjoy the freshest fruit of the Mekong Delta for breakfast, then head back to Ho Chi Minh City. When you arrive, take a guided walk around one of Vietnam’s most pulsing markets – Ben Thanh. This is the perfect place to pick up any last-minute snacks, cooking utensils, ingredients, or presents for friends and family. Then, stop for a delicious crispy pork banh mi for lunch. The rest of the day is free to explore at your own pace. Tonight, you might like to get together with your group and toast to a great trip over a farewell dinner.
Included Activities:
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Day 12: Ho Chi Minh City
Location: Ho Chi Minh City
Meals Included: breaksfast
With no activities planned for today, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you wish to spend more time in Ho Chi Minh City, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
What's Included
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Accommodation
Hotel (7 nights), Homestay (1 night), Overnight Boat (1 night), Overnight Sleeper Train (2 nights) -
Hanoi - Street Food Tour
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Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise
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Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
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Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike
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Hue - Imperial City entrance and guided visit
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Hue - Thien Mu Pagoda
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Hoi An - Seafood hotpot dinner
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Hue - Salt coffee
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Hoi An - Tea Tasting in Silence
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Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
What's Not Included
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Tipping and Gratuities
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International Travel
Included Activities
- Hanoi - Hidden Tea House visit & tasting
- Hanoi - Master Winemaker visit & tasting
- Hanoi - Xo Community visit
- Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise
- Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike (lunch included)
- Hue - Perfume River cruise
- Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
- Hue - Thien Mu Pagoda
- Hue - Imperial City Full Day Tour Urban Adventure
- Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
- Hoi An - My Quang noodle demonstration
- Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
- Hoi An - Tra Que Culinary Village visit
- Hoi An - Tra Que Hands-on cooking class with local chef
- Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum
- HCMC - City tour
- HCMC - Ben Thanh market
- Ho Chi Minh City - Cooking Class with Local Chef
- Mekong Delta - Homestay & Home Cooked Meal
Transport
- Private Vehicle , Taxi , Overnight sleeper train
Accommodation
- The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
- Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
- WINDOWLESS ROOMS:
- Some hotels in South East Asia have windowless rooms, or windows that don't necessarily have a view. This is often due to high population density in large cities, however local building standards also do not require rooms to have windows. We do request rooms with windows, however they aren't always available.
Important Information
- 1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement exclude Day 2 (Overnight Boat), Days 3 and 8 (Sleeper Train) and Day 10 (Homestay) where you will be in shared accommodation, and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
- 2. While we endeavor to cater for specific dietary requirements, some meals and food activities are set in advance and may be difficult to adjust. Please advise us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking so that we can ensure you’ll enjoy this trip.
- 3. Please provide your full name exactly as it appears on your passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for transport tickets. Ticketing fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases, you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket if an amendment occurs.
Mode of Transport
- Private Vehicle , Taxi , Overnight sleeper train
Check out our Q&As
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Is this trip right for you
The cuisine of Vietnam includes a lot of meat and seafood. For vegetarians and vegans we recommend reviewing the itinerary and inclusions to ensure that you will be able to fully participate and enjoy this trip. We also have many other trips to Vietnam which can accommodate a range of dietary requirements.
Depending on where you come from, the weather in Vietnam might be hotter and more humid than what you are used to. Please consider your suitability for the season you wish to travel in. Check out https://www.intrepidtravel.com/vietnam/weather-in-vietnam for more info.
In order to see as much as possible, this trip involves some long journeys, including by overnight train where the amenities are shared and basic. For more about what this experience is like, see our blog post here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/what-to-expect-on-an-overnight-train-in-vietnam/.
The motorbike tour of Hue has been assessed for safety and is closely monitored (helmets are provided and drivers are licensed). However, alternative transport can be arranged for those who would prefer not to travel by motorbike.
Facilities at the Mekong Delta homestay are quite basic. But an authentic, heart-warming experience of local Mekong life should more than make up for the lack of creature comforts. -
What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Please contact us for latest COVID-19 policies
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Intrepid Travel has been taking travellers around the world for over 30 years
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Since 2002, The Intrepid Foundation has supported over 130 organisations across the world. We’re creating positive impact through the joy of travel, community and connection.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
Over 50% of traveller travel solo with Intrepid. You can choose to share a room with another solo travelle of the same sex for no additional charge, or choose to pay a single supplement if you’d like your own room. Please request this when booking, and we will secure you a single supplement wherever possible. Please note, if you are booking a last-minute trip, it may be harder for us to secure a single room
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Free Date Changes
Intrepid Travel allows you to make 10 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 56 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Intrepid Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform intrepid travel, 56 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Intrepid Travel requires a minimum deposit of 400 USD per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of intrepid travel charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 30% of booking price.
At 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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Terms and Conditions