Vietnam Real Food Adventure – 13 days

Welcome to Hanoi, Food tour of the evening in the Old Quarter 

After arrival at Noi Bai airport, you will be greeted at the pickup lobby by a professional driver. Enjoy a 45-minute drive to the city center (Hanoi Old Quarter). Be escorted to your hotel, check in, and relax.

• Note: Please keep in mind that check-in begins at 14h00.

Rest of the day is your leisure.

• Meal: NA
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Experience the best of Hanoi with the legendary Jeep Tour. Uncover hidden gems, explore the city’s culture, and go beyond the tourist paths. Immerse yourself in the real vibe of Hanoi and say, “I experienced the REAL Hanoi!”

Morning Tour:       07:30 – 12:00
Afternoon Tour:    12:30 – 17:00
Duration: 4.5 hours

Pick-up & Drop-off from your hotels in and around Hanoi Old Quarter.

HIGHLIGHT

• Visiting the top attractions of Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh Complex, Temple Of Literature, French Quarter, Old Quarter, Long Bien Bridge, Westlake.
• Explore the hidden gems of Hanoi, featuring with the maze of tiny backstreets and local people’s daily life.
• Diving into the local culture where local people live and work.
• Experience the REAL Hanoi as it is what it is, featured with the Good, the bad & the weird of the places.

• Meal: B, L/D
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi

Morning:

Enjoy a delightful breakfast at the hotel.

• 8:30: Our driver will pick you up for a quick and easy 2.5-hour journey to Halong Bay, a stunning World Heritage site.
• Arrive at the boat between 12:00 and 12:30, where the friendly crew will assist you with check-in. Our manager will provide safety rules and guidance.
• During lunch on board, take in the breathtaking scenery of Halong Bay with its unique islets.

Afternoon:

• Take a refreshing nap to prepare for afternoon adventures, such as cave exploration, kayaking, or swimming in the pristine waters of Halong Bay.
• Return to the boat around 17:00 – 17:30 for the Sunset Party and enjoy the “buy one, get one free” program.
• Indulge in a delicious dinner at 19:00.

Evening:

Engage in various nighttime activities on board, including squid fishing, board games, movies, and a night bar. Feel free to stay up late and enjoy the lively atmosphere.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
• Accommodation: Overnight on board

Morning:

• 6:00: Join the Tai Chi class on the sundeck to start your day with relaxation and rejuvenation.
• Enjoy a refreshing light breakfast buffet with a variety of starters, appetizers, and drinks.
• Embark on a bamboo raft rowed by local ferrymen who will share the area’s ecological history. If you choose to visit the fishing village, you may spot diverse aquatic life.

Note: Availability of the cave and fishing village depends on your cruise.

• Return to the ship around 10:00, review your belongings, and prepare for departure. If you have checked out, indulge in a buffet brunch while en route to Halong Bay.
• 11:00-11:30: Check-out, express gratitude to the crew, and bid farewell. Board the tender and head to Tuan Chau Pier.
• Take a rest midway. Drop off at your hotel in the Hanoi Old Quarter.

Afternoon:

Upon returning to Hanoi, you spend time exploring the ancient streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. Our food journey will start at 18.00 with some popular dishes in Hanoi.

Delight in soup-based specialties like Pho Bo (Vietnamese beef noodles), Bun Thang (rice vermicelli noodles with chicken and eggs), and Bun Bo Hue.

Savor delicious options such as Banh Cuon (Steamed Rice Rolls) and Banh Mi (Vietnamese bread).

Experience street dishes like Nom Bo Kho (Dried Beef Salad) and Nem Chua Ran (Fried Fermented Pork Roll), among others.

A private driver will pick you up from your hotel and drive you to Noi Bai airport (international or domestic terminal, based on your preference) in approximately 45 minutes.

• Upon landing at Hue airport, a professional driver will warmly welcome you at the pickup lobby.
• Enjoy a scenic drive along the beautiful coastline to your hotel, where you can check-in and relax.

Note: for domestic flights, please arrive 2 hours before departure.

• Meals: Breakfast
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Morning

Let’s get ready at the hotel lobby between 8:00 – 8:30 for pick-up.

Explore the famous Thien Mu Pagoda on the Perfume River’s bank, known for its ancient design and hidden secrets.

Continue the journey to the Imperial Citadel. Admire the front gate, Flag Tower, and The King’s Palace.

Conclude the morning with a short visit to Dong Ba Market. Walk through the kiosks, observe local sellers, and purchase interesting souvenirs before lunch at a local restaurant.

Afternoon:

Visit the Khai Dinh Tomb, a perfect blend of Oriental and Western Styles, and the smallest tomb of the Nguyen Emperors.

Proceed to the majestic Minh Mang Tomb, renowned for its landscape and oriental architecture. Marvel at the impressive ancient design reflecting Confucian identity.

Travel to a conical hat village. Witness the craftsmanship and interact with locals before returning to the hotel.

Our tour end at about 17:00 in your hotel lobby.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hue

Get transferred to your booked hotel in Hoi An by shuttle bus or private car, with optional sightseeing stops along the way (admission fee not included).

• Enjoy free time to explore Hoi An at your leisure.
• Take a leisurely stroll through the charming lanes near the Thu Bon River to admire the timeless beauty of Hoi An Ancient Town.
• Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge to learn about the lives of Japanese settlers in the 17th century.
• Explore the Fujian Assembly Hall, a place of worship for people from Fujian, China, who settled in Hoi An in the 17th century.
• Enjoy a delightful evening in Hoi An before the Tra Que village discovery tour tomorrow.

Spend a lovely night in Hoi An before the Tra Que village discovery on tomorrow.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Morning:

After breakfast, meet your local guide in the hotel lobby. At 8:00, proceed to a local farm in Tra Que Village.

Engage in farming activities with the local farmers, including field preparation, fertilizing with seaweed, raking the ground, seeding, watering greens, and other gardening tasks.

Continue working on the farm for the rest of the morning. Take a break to prepare lunch alongside your host family.

Enjoy a delicious lunch featuring local delicacies like spring rolls and local pancakes.

Afternoon:

Indulge in a relaxing foot massage before bidding farewell to your host family. Ride back to Hoi An.

In the late afternoon, visit the home of a craftsman who will provide a brief introduction to the history, shape, and color of lanterns, as well as the process of making them.

Get the opportunity to create your own lantern and keep it as a souvenir.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
•  Accommodation: Overnight in Hoi An

Afternoon:

Embark on a food adventure starting at sunset. Explore local cafes, food stalls, markets, and restaurants for a memorable culinary experience.

Indulge in Hoi An’s traditional dishes, including:

• Vietnamese bread (Banh Mi): A baguette with butter, jam, and cold meat, adapted by Vietnamese people to suit their tastes.
• Cao Lau: Noodles with a firmer and chewier texture, best enjoyed from street vendors specializing in Cao Lau.
• Banh Beo: A popular snack in Hoi An, this traditional Vietnamese cake requires navigating narrow alleys and local businesses.
• Banh Khot: Round pancakes made with rice flour, turmeric, coconut milk, quail egg, and vegetables. Try them from a street vendor near Hoai Square.

• Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
• Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An

Embark on a special excursion to explore the Cu Chi Tunnels and visit the Cao Dai Temple.

8h00 Am: Embark on an extraordinary journey starting from your hotel to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a significant site in Vietnam’s history.

Explore Cu Chi, an extensive underground city stretching over 250km, where the Viet Cong waged their resistance against American forces during the Vietnam War. These remarkable tunnels were meticulously hand-dug over two decades using only basic tools. Experience the tunnels firsthand with a special guided tour. Nearby, you’ll also visit the lesser-known Ben Duoc Memorial Temple, built in 1993 to honor the Vietnamese lives lost in Cu Chi.

Next, venture to the awe-inspiring Cao Dai Temple, one of Vietnam’s most sacred attractions. Caodaism is a distinct Vietnamese religion that incorporates elements from Confucianism, Buddhism, Taoism, and even Roman Catholicism. If you time it right, you can attend the midday mass, a fascinating cultural experience.

Savor a delicious lunch at a local restaurant before returning to your hotel in the afternoon, filled with unforgettable memories of this remarkable journey.

• Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
• Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City

From Saigon to Mekong delta, visiting Cai Be, boat trip, biking

After enjoying breakfast at your hotel, you will meet our knowledgeable tour guide and driver, who will accompany you on your journey to Cai Be. En route, you will have the opportunity to visit the captivating Cao Dai temple.

Upon arrival in Cai Be, you will embark on a delightful adventure aboard a private small boat, gliding through one of the branches of the legendary Mekong River. Immerse yourself in the enchanting rhythm of life along the river as you explore the picturesque canals adorned with orchards.

Discover the artistry of local crafts at workshops specializing in rice popcorn, coconut caramel, and rice cakes. Engage in a biking or walking excursion along village paths, leading you to the ancient and exquisite Phu Chau Pagoda, where serenity pervades, and you can interact with the friendly local residents.

Indulge in a delectable lunch at an open-air restaurant, where you will have the opportunity to savor the renowned local delicacy, the elephant ear fish. Conclude your journey with a delightful experience of rowing a small rowboat through the shaded canals, while relishing the flavors of seasonal fruits.

In the late afternoon, return to Saigon, carrying with you the cherished memories of this enchanting Mekong River excursion.

• Meal: B, L
• Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh city

Transferring to airport for flights to next destinations

A private driver will conveniently collect you from the hotel lobby for your transfer to Tan Son Nhat airport, taking approximately 30 minutes. Please specify whether you require the international or domestic hall.

Please note that for international flights, it is recommended to be at the airport 3 hours prior to departure, while for domestic flights, 2 hours is advised.

During rush hours (07:00 – 08:30 AM and 16:30 – 18:30 PM), the travel time from the city center to Tan Son Nhat airport may extend to approximately 1 hour.

• Meals: B