Vietnam cooking culinary art tours 8 days 7 nights

Upon arrival in Hanoi, you will clear customs and immigration, and be met by our tour operator and head to the hotel. After relaxing and a brief lunch, taking a cyclo ride, one of the most typical vehicles in Hanoi, is a human-powered transport with a seat at the front for passengers and the driver at the back. With this an hour leisurely ride, which is a perfect chance for photos, slow-moving sightseeing and closer touch with the locals.

Enjoy a walking tour through the maze of bustling streets that make up Hanoi’s Old Quarter, we tempt our tastebuds with the famed Hanoi dish Banh Cuon at a local eatery. Watch in awe as the skilled chefs demonstrate for you how this tasty dish is put together. Continuing into the atmospheric heart of the Old Quarter, we wander past street stalls and quiet residential lanes where you can observe local life that has changed little since Hanoi was founded over 1000 years ago.

Our next stop is where we sample some Bun Cha consisting of vermicelli, herbs and grilled pork. Continue to other food stalls in Hang Bo and Ho Hoan Kiem Street where we try some dishes such Che “Vietnamese style pudding” - this specialty is one not to be missed!

Finally, enjoy Egg coffee. Night in Hanoi

This morning you will have your first cooking lesson from 9h00 AM to 12h00 . The class lasts 3 hours, starting with the market trip. The guide will bring you to a traditional market and tell you about the main ingredients in Vietnamese cuisine, so you can have a clearer overview about Vietnamese food and an insight into Vietnamese herbs and spices ( herbs and spices are important in Asian dishes). You will get to know some key useful Vietnamese words to buy and bargain the necessary ingredients yourself , which is very useful for you to bargain anything you want to buy afterward in your Vietnam trip.

After buying the necessary ingredients for the class you choose, you will come back to our class kitchen and listen to the dishes’ principles and general methods, then watch how the guide prepare the foods. After that you can cook yourself and enjoy your Masterpiece!!!

After lunch, you will begin to tour Hanoi, accompanied by your guide. Your route will take you past the granite and concrete mausoleum where Ho Chi Minh lies in state and the government buildings to the Museum of Fine Arts. Here you will have one of the country’s most famous artists as your guide. In front of the museum is the Temple of Literature, called “Le Pagoda des Corbeaux” by the French because of the huge flocks of crows gathering in the mango trees near the entrance. It is here that Vietnam’s first university was founded. Leaving the museum, you will walk around Hoan Kiem Lake in the middle of the city passing the One Pillar Pagoda, built in 1049 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong to celebrate the birth of his only son, and Ho Chi Minh’s house, given him by the people of the country in thanks for his leadership. Overnight at the hotel.

Head out of Hanoi to Halong Bay, recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Board a boat for a 5 hour cruise to explore the mystery and beauty of Ha Long Bay, where among the approximately 1500 square miles of water, sprout numerous limestone islets and strangely shaped rock sculptures. The name, Ha Long, or ‘Descending Dragon’ evokes memories of the many dragon legends that are part of Vietnam's long history and the mystical belief in yang, the dragon energy and Ying, the mountain energy. Enjoy a leisurely boat trip through the bay stopping to explore some of the many islands, caves and grottoes. Return to Hanoi . Overnight at the hotel.

Catch a morning flight south to Danang, Upon arrival, pick up and transfer to Hoi An. visit Marble Mountain on the way. 

Check-in arriving, then visit Hội An ancient town: Japanese bridge, old house, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, pagoda...Walking and shopping at Nguyễn Hoàng night market and visit lantern street, Hoài river

This evening, street food tour is the perfect introduction to the lively night time food culture of Hoi An! On this tour, you will zip off the normal tourist trail and discover off the beaten track food joints of the city, hang out with locals, eat, drink and make some new travel buddies!

The car and tour guide transfer you to your hotel at 21h00. Night in Hoi An

08:30: Our guide pick up at the hotel

Go to the market with our chef (about 30 minutes) by taxi.

We will have chance to see and experience the noise as well as directly contact to sellers. In addition to this, we will show the ingredients for using in our lesson. 

09:15: Transfer to Cam Thanh village by car or boat on the way, you can explore the beautiful views of the Vietnamese countryside, see the water and coconut trees growing together.

11:00: Enjoy a welcome drink and take a rest at our restaurant, then join cooking class. Our chef will teach you how to cook some local food. After the lesson, enjoy what you have cooked.

13:00: Return to the hotel. Free and night in Hoi An

Today we got a morning flight to Saigon. Upon arrival in Saigon, you head to visit Saigon. Built on the site of an ancient Khmer settlement and an outpost for early pioneers in the 14th century, Saigon (now known as Ho Chi Minh City) did not begin to come into its own until the early 17th century. The derivation of the name, Saigon centers around the waterside location. Some say the name comes from the Annamese word ‘Thay Ngon,’ meaning a highly populated area near a dammed river. Others claim it is a transcription of the Khmer word Prei Kor or ‘Kapok Tree Forest.’ In any case, the city is fast regaining its reputation as one of Asia’s most vibrant cities. The tree-lined boulevards and French colonial architecture hearken to the city’s recent past, while the bustling markets, changing infrastructure and dynamic people look to the future. You might want to shop in Ben Thanh Market or head over to Cholon, the Chinese Quarter. Overnight in Saigon.

Cooking lesson at  The Saigon Culinary Art Center

Morning session: 8.30 am - 12.00 pm

The course start by visiting to a colorful market with Chef to approach to culinary aspect and the culture of  Vietnamese gastronomy.

You will explore Vietnamese ingredients, learn more about Vietnamese food and its spices. 

Back to MAI HOME, our Chef would introduce you the dishes and the ingredients which will be used.

Then, your apron on,  everybody would be busy to put their hands-on cutting and chopping, preparing food for cooking. 

Carving fruit or vegetables is also offered by Chef to amaze your dish with its beautiful presentation! 

Throughout the course, you have the opportunity to observe all the skills of Chef and the tricks that can achieve any recipe, even those that seemed the most difficult.

However, if only observe, it’s not enough! Chef would like you to create it yourself, to repeat the same gestures!

Finally, savoring your own creation. Enjoy this moment for sharing the experience with Chef.

Highlighted your performance by a "Certificate of Recognition" and you also win a book of recipes to renew your dishes with your beloved ones. 

Free in the afternoon. Night in HoChiMinh

The day is free at your leisure until the transfer for your departure from Saigon’s Tan Son Nhat airport. The end tour