Compare Culinary tour of Vietnam by Audley Travel vs Vietnamese Whirl: a Journey of Urban and Rural Discovery | November 15, 2022 by Culture Trip

Day 1 : International outbound flight

Today you begin your journey by boarding your international outbound flight to Hanoi.

Day 2 : Ky Son

Upon arrival in Hanoi you will be greeted by an Audley representative and transferred to the rural village of Ky Son where you will be staying for the next couple of days.Once known for growing poppies used in the opium trade, Ky Son is now a flourishing farming community with age old traditions contrasting with modern irrigation systems.

Day 3 : Ky Son

Today will be spent venturing out into the village where you will have the opportunity to meet the locals and learn about traditional farming practices. A leisurely cycle ride through the countryside is nicely rewarded back at Moon Garden where a herbal foot massage and home cooked meal await.

Day 4 : Mai Chau

After breakfast you will journey out to the beautiful Mai Chau Valley. Here emerald mountains tower above acres of rice paddies and ethnic minority villages dot the foothills. While staying in Mai chau you will have the chance to sample some ethnic Thai cuisine, share a glass of rice wine and learn about the local cultures.

Day 5 : Mai Chau

Spend a full day in Mai Chau where you can enjoy a guided walking or cycling tour of the area. The morning will be spent visiting local homes, farms and factories before relaxing at your hotel in the afternoon.This evening you can enjoy a cold local beer while watching the sun fade over the horizon.

Day 6 : Hanoi

From peaceful Mai Chau you will travel to Vietnam's capital, Hanoi. Here the pace of life changes and ox carts are replaced with scooters.While in Hanoi you will have a chance to learn a little about the city's origins, recent history and most importantly its grasp on the country's food scene.This afternoon you will join a local blogger for a fascinating street food tour of Hanoi. You will negotiate narrow alley ways, peruse market stalls and question your taste buds while being treated to a wealth of knowledge from your guide.This evening you may want to sample one of Hanoi's many wonderful restaurants (we have a few favourites that we can highly recommend). One dish to watch out for is Bun Cha, which is thought to have originated in Hanoi.

Day 7 : Hanoi

An early rise today to sample the country's staple breakfast, the hugely popular beef noodle dish, Pho. This will be sampled at a local cafe which has been around for many years serving the people from Hanoi their favourite dish. Beforehand you will enjoy a short tour around the city taking in the flag raising ceremony at HCM Square, botanical gardens and bustling markets.Afterwards your guide will introduce you to some of the city's most well known sites before returning to your hotel for a well earned rest.

Day 8 : Halong City

An early rise today as you are collected from your hotel and taken to Halong bay, a journey of about three hours. Upon arrival you will have time to sample a sweet (but strong) Vietnamese coffee before boarding your Junk boat.After settling in to your cabin you will sail out to the bay through a maze of islands and inlets. A freshly prepared seafood lunch can be enjoyed before journeying ashore to one of the bay's most beautiful vantage points.The afternoon can be spent exploring the area by kayak or simply relaxing on-board.Before retiring to bed enjoy a sundowner on the top deck.

Day 9 : Hoi An

This morning you will begin your journey back to the mainland passing remnants of a vast fishing trade that once ruled the waters.Upon arriving back in Halong City you will be met by your guide and transferred to Hanoi Airport in time for your evening flight to Danang. On the way you will have time to visit a rural community famed for its water puppetry and also stop for lunch at a local restaurant.Upon arrival in Danang you will be greeted by an Audley representative and transferred the short distance along the coast to Hoi An.The UNESCO recognised Hoi An was once a busy port linking merchant trade from the north and south of the country. Chinese and Japanese architecture is evident throughout and such is its diversity the town now boasts some of the country's most interesting and delicious cuisine.

Day 10 : Hoi An

Today you will head out on the water in traditional bucket boats to experience the everyday life of a Vietnamese fisherman. Explore local fishing communities before trying your hand at catching your own. A fresh seafood lunch will be served on-board afterwards.The afternoon is free to explore or relax at your own leisure.This evening you may want to try one of the town's many riverside restaurants and sample local specialities such as White Rose dumplings or Cau Lau noodles.

Day 11 : Hoi An

This morning you will join a local chef for a tour around Hoi An's markets before taking a boat to the renowned Red Bridge cooking school. Here under the guidance of a Vietnamese chef you will learn to marry local ingredients together and create a number of select dishes frequented in the country's cuisine. The fresh herbs used in Hoi An's cooking are renowned for bringing to life many dishes.The afternoon is free to explore or relax at your own leisure.

Day 12 : Saigon

After breakfast you will be collected from your hotel and taken to the airport in time for your afternoon flight to Saigon.Upon arrival in Saigon you will be met by your guide and taken to your hotel.Saigon is modern, vibrant and daring, especially when it comes to its food and the next couple of days will act as a fitting end to your Vietnamese culinary adventure.This evening you will join a small group of food enthusiasts for a city Vespa tour. Your driver will whisk you through the streets of Saigon's outer lying districts stopping off at a number of street vendors, intimate music venues and atmospheric bars giving you a unique and fascinating perspective of local life.

Day 13 : Saigon

Today you will venture out on to the streets of Saigon visiting many of the major sights including the Notre Dame cathedral, War Remnants Museum and Old Post Office.This evening you may want to dine in one of the city's many fine restaurants. We can recommend a few of our favourite options.

Day 14 : International return flight

Today is free to explore or relax at your own leisure before catching your flight home in the evening. Your return flight will arrive the same day.

Day 1: Arrive in Hanoi

Accommodation: La Siesta Classic Ma May

Activities Included: Street food tour

Upon arrival in Hanoi, you’ll be transferred to the hotel where our Local Insider will help you check in. They will accompany the group throughout the trip. Feel free to explore the area or grab a drink at the bar before meeting your fellow travellers at 5.15pm. Kick off the evening by heading out to a local night market for your first taste of Vietnamese street food. Try delicacies such as bun cha (meatballs with noodles and herbs), pho (noodle soup) or goi cuon (fresh spring rolls), washed down with a cold Hanoi beer.

Day 2: Venture into the heart of Hanoi on foot

Accommodation: La Siesta Classic Ma May

Activities Included: Hanoi walking tour

Optional Activities: Cafe tour experience

After breakfast, set out on a walking tour of Hanoi. You’ll start at Ba Dinh Square, where president Ho Chi Minh read the Independence Declaration on 2 September 1945. Take time to appreciate the imposing marble mausoleum built in his honour. Next, stop by the Temple of Literature, a picturesque complex housing the oldest university in Vietnam, dedicated to the ancient Chinese scholar, Confucius. In the afternoon, join an optional guided stroll through the lively Old Quarter, finishing up at a cafe where you’ll be able to try a creamy egg coffee – a Hanoi speciality.

Day 3: Experience rural farm life in Mai Chau

Accommodation: Mai Chau Ecolodge

Activities Included: Farm experience

Today, you’ll swap the bustle of Hanoi for the tranquility of the Mai Chau, a lush valley 140km (87mi) southwest of the capital, inhabited by several ethnic minority groups in the mountains of Hoa Binh province. Following a lunch of local delicacies, you’ll cycle through rice fields to a White Thai village and experience farm life – including collecting food for buffalos and feeding them. Enjoy fresh fruit and honey tea with the indigenous people while embracing their slower pace of life. Come nightfall, you’ll dine at a homestay.

Day 4: Hike through the countryside and visit Na Chao village

Accommodation: La Siesta Classic Ma May

Activities Included: Walking tour, White Thai village visit, Bamboo-weaving class

This morning, you’ll take a short transfer to Bao La commune and continue from there to reach Na Chao village. Get a deeper feel for the Mai Chau countryside by following a short hiking trail and glimpse inside the traditional stilt houses built and lived in by local families. You’ll learn all about the history and culture of the White Thai ethnic group, who live in the area, and attend a class on weaving bamboo baskets at a White Thai house before returning to Hanoi in the afternoon.

Day 5: Embark on an overnight cruise to Lan Ha Bay

ACCOMMODATION: Jasmine Cruise

Activities Included: Halong to Lan Ha Bay cruise, Tien Ong cave visit, Cua Van village visit, Cooking demonstration

Arrive at Hon Gai pier in Halong where you’ll set sail for Lan Ha Bay – a quieter, lesser-known alternative to neighbouring Halong Bay. Expect similarly awe-inspiring seascapes, characterised by dramatic limestone karsts jutting out of emerald waters. After a buffet lunch, you’ll get the chance to explore Tien Ong cave and the serene fishing village of Cua Van. Hop back on the boat and unwind with a cocktail as the sun sets. Conclude the day by watching the chef prepare a selection of Vietnamese dishes for dinner.

Day 6: Swim, kayak and try tai chi in Lan Ha Bay

Accommodation: Overnight train from Hanoi to Hue

Activities Included: Lan Ha Bay to Halong cruise, Tai chi class, Kayaking, Swimming

Start the day by focusing the mind and body with a tai chi class on deck. After, a tender boat will take you to a pristine sandy beach from which you can swim and kayak in calm, clear waters. If you’re up for a challenge, why not climb the nearby hilltop for a view across the bay? After reboarding the ship, you’ll cruise slowly back to Halong. It’s time to bid farewell to the crew and return to Hanoi to board an overnight train to Hue. Be prepared – there are no showers on sleeper trains in Vietnam.

Day 7: Arrive in Hue and join a street food tour

Accommodation: Eldora Hotel

Activities Included: Hue cyclo food tour

Wake up in Hue, the capital between 1802 and 1945. After arriving at the station, check into the hotel and spend the afternoon at leisure. In the evening, you’ll join a street food tour by cyclo – a rickshaw-style form of transport, popular in Vietnam – and get an authentic feel for the city, stopping at a number of restaurants, markets and hidden eateries to sample a variety of Hue specialities – noticeably distinct from typical Vietnamese cuisine. Bun ho hue (spicy beef noodle soup), nem lui (pork and lemongrass skewers) and banh beo (steamed rice cakes with shrimps) are among the local favourites.

Day 8: Attend a cooking class and explore the ancient Hue Citadel

Accommodation: Eldora Hotel

Activities Included: Market visit, Cooking masterclass, Hue Citadel visit, Perfume River boat transfer, Royal tea ceremony, XQ Hand Embroidery Art Museum visit

Now you’re familiar with Hue’s food scene, it’s time to learn about the flavours and techniques behind the local delicacies by visiting a market and attending a cooking masterclass with gastronomy artisan, Ms Huy. After enjoying the fruits of your labour, head to the ancient Hue Citadel, where you can admire the lavish architecture of the royal palaces in the Imperial City. You’ll then sail along the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda and experience a royal tea ceremony in the style of the Nguyen Dynasty, finally stopping at the XQ Hand Embroidery Art Museum on your way back to the hotel.

Day 9: Learn qigong in a Zen house and arrive in Hoi An

Accommodation: La Siesta Hoi An Resort and Spa

Activities Included: Qigong session

This morning, you’ll attend a traditional qigong session in a Zen house, learning about this ancient Chinese meditative practice before tucking into a healthy breakfast, which will include numerous local specialities. After, continue on to the final stop of your trip, Hoi An, an atmospheric coastal town featuring a colourful mix of Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese and French-colonial architecture, intersected by canals. The signature local dish, cao lau (spicy braised pork with rice noodles, bean sprouts and greens), is worth seeking out. There’s no shortage of excellent restaurants here.

Day 10: Kick back and explore Hoi An

Accommodation: La Siesta Hoi An Resort and Spa

Optional Activities: Cham Islands day trip

Fancy taking it easy today? Feel free to do so. But if you’re keen for an adventure, take a private speedboat to the Cham Islands, an archipelago consisting of eight granite outcrops 15km (9mi) off the Hoi An coast. A local fisherman, Mr Lau, will greet you on the main island (Hon Lao) and guide you around the biosphere reserve where you can snorkel and swim among flourishing coral reefs and marine life. Enjoy a seafood lunch and take a stroll through Bai Huong village before returning to the mainland.

Day 11: Take a guided walking tour of Hoi An

Accommodation: La Siesta Hoi An Resort and Spa

Activities Included: Walking tour and sightseeing, Farewell dinner

Optional Activities: Treasure hunt by bicycle

The final full day of the trip will begin with a guided walking tour of Hoi An. Soak up the ambience of the old centre as you meander the lantern-lit streets, passing striking historical landmarks such as the Chua Ong Pagoda, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall and Japanese Covered Bridge. The latter was built to connect the Japanese and Chinese districts back when Hoi An was a major trading port between the 15th and 19th centuries. In the afternoon, you’ll have the option to join a treasure hunt by bicycle – a memorable way to cap off your Vietnamese adventure.

Day 12: Depart from Hoi An

After one last breakfast, it’s time to pack your bags and checkout of the hotel. Bid farewell to your fellow travellers at midday and make your way to Da Nang International Airport via an included transfer to catch your flight home – or extend your stay in Vietnam.