Gourmet Vietnam

This 11-day trip is so perfect for travelers whom would like to explore and enjoy Vietnamese cuisine from the north to the south with different tastes and dishes. Asia Essence Tours hope to bring you memorable experiences in your vacation.
Journey highlights:
Visit Saigon’s most historical highlights and take part in a cookery course
Get active through the canals in the water base land of Mekong Delta
A day being the ultimate fish farmers on Thu Bon River in Hoi An
Immerse into the breath-taking view of Chuon Lagoon in Hue
Taste the best of Hanoian street cuisines
Full day explore Halong Bay’s spectacular scatter of islands on a traditional junk boat
 
Day 1 - Ho Chi Minh City Arrival
Arriving in Tan Son Nhat airport, you will be welcomed by our local expert and transferred to hotel to check in. Depending on your flight arrival time, you can spend the day at leisure or wander around the city to get acquainted to the hustle traffic culture in Vietnam.
 
Meals: None
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
 
Day 2 - The untold story of Ho Chi Minh City (B,L)
Enjoy breakfast at the hotel. Then, our tour guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel; start your day tour of Ho Chi Minh highlights. The 1st destination is the Reunification Palace - formerly known as the museum of American War Crimes - was the former residence of the President of South Vietnam until April 30, 1975. You also visit some of the best samples of French colonial architecture, which are Notre Dame Cathedral church and Saigon Central Post Office. Next to the cathedral stands the Central Post Office that is the country’s largest post office was built in 1891. It is another fine example of French architecture and is Vietnam's largest post office. Enjoy a special lunch at a popular local restaurant.
After lunch, we continue to China town area to visit the most popular secret temple of Chinese Vietnamese community in Saigon, the Thien Hau Buddhist temple. The rest of the time is leisurely on shopping and visiting to the most bustling wholesale market in Saigon, also known as Cho Lon market, a well justified as Vietnam’s largest market. If having more time, you will have chances to visit a famous lacquer ware workshop and enjoy interaction with the local artist. Dinner is on your own arrangement.
Note: Notre Dame Cathedral is under renovation; therefore, only outside visit is allowed. You may ask your guide to switch to a visit of Tan Dinh church and Tan Dinh market next door.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
 
Day 3 - Ho Chi Minh City: Hands-on cookery experience (B,L)
This half-day tour offers a hands-on lesson on how to shop for and cook authentic Vietnamese cuisine. You will be driving to downtown’s Ben Thanh Market to meet a local chef. Stroll the market stalls learning how to spot the best herbs, spices and sweets. Opposite to northern Vietnamese food, southern dishes are often sweeter and spicier. At the cookery class, you will be learning the basics of southern Vietnamese cuisine. Depending on the time of year, your chef may introduce you to different dishes with a variety of seasonal ingredients.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
 
Day 4 - Into the Mekong Delta: Cai Be - Vinh Long (B,L)
The program starts with the visit to Cai Be a colorful floating market, cruising among local barges full of fruits and vegetables. Then, an optional stop can be made at local workshops where you can see how rice paste, coconut candy, pop-rice, and popcorn are made. It is so interesting to visit the handicraft village where you can see how they make some special products like making rice-net for spring-rolls, or sewing coconut-leaves… A delicious lunch will be served under the shadenjoy the peaceful time. Here, you will be able to see traditional houses made of wood and palm tree leaves and to see some local activities. You will have an opportunity to get on with the local people and see how they catch fish or pick up fruits by ancestral ways in Mekong Delta.
One more stop can be made at the nursery garden where you can learn how to have some high quality fruit trees. This offers you a choice to know the real famous farmers – Mr Tiger & his son who are very successful in Vietnam agriculture. We will enjoy some kinds of fruit from their garden as well as home made rice wine when listening to the traditional music. The boat will take you to visit the floating village to see how people farm catfish under their houses.
The cruise ends at around 3:30 pm in Vinh Long where your driver will be waiting for your transfer back to Ho Chi Minh City.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Ho Chi Minh
 
Day 5 - Ho Chi Minh City - Danang - The ancient town of Hoi An (B)
After breakfast, you are transferred to the airport for your internal flight to Danang. Your guide and driver will meet you at the airport and take you on the short drive to the sleepy riverside town, Hoi An, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site because of its unusually well-preserved ancient streets and homes. 
After lunch, set out to explore the quaint cobblestone streets of the town with the more than two-century-old Chinese houses. Sites include the Japanese Bridge, the Chinese Temple, and Phung Hung Chinese-trading house. After the visit, free to wander around, our guide is happy to suggest some best tailor shops in town for you. Or if you are looking for a relaxing end, try out a cup of tea or coffee at "Reaching Out Tea House" - a very special and unique ancient house where offer fabulous drinks served by impaired staff. End the day with a relaxing sunset boat trip.
 
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
 
Day 6 - Fisherman’s farming life (B,L)
After breakfast, we depart your hotel for a discovery around Hoi An. On arrival at Cua Dai pier, embark for a boat ride to the mouth of Thu Bon River to enjoy the daily activities of fishers such as throwing fishing net and trading their products. Your boat then continues cruising for about half an hour to a fishing village. Changing to smaller bamboo boat (a coracle) to discover a distinctive mangrove forest and try your hand on fishing crabs. Under the blurry sunlight inside the forest, you might feel a mysterious atmosphere covering this whole area. This excursion also gives you a chance to admire skillful fishermen who are working in the forest. Enjoy a delicious BBQ seafood meal at a lovely local house. Back to your hotel the afternoon and spend the free time at your leisure.
 
 Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hoi An
 
Day 7 - Hoi An - Danang - Hue: Chuon Lagoon (B,L)
In the morning, enjoy breakfast at the hotel then checkout and drive over the 500m-high Hai Van pass to Hue. Enjoy a stop at the scenic Lang Co Beach for a drink before continuing on to Hue - a UNESCO World Heritage Site and Vietnam’s former capital.
In the afternoon, begin with an interesting cycling tour of about 12 kilometers along poetic Nhu Y River, from Vinh Ve village to Chuon Lagoon – a part of the famous Tam Giang Lagoon. The scenery of the ancient village captivates visitors with the traditional architectural beauty of old pavilions, the sophisticated designs of the family temples with their imposing dragon carvings, rustic winding paths, and the meandering of the river leading visitors through golden paddy fields stretching as far as Chuon Lagoon. Here, you will embark on a boat trip for an amazing lagoon excursion. You will not only enjoy the beautiful scenery but also learn about the daily tidal life of the local people living on the lagoon: very interesting but also very poignant. Then, visit 1 or 2 local stilt houses on the lagoon; enjoy some delicious snacks of grilled seafood and local drinks (green tea).
 
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hue
 
Day 8 - Explore Hue: the former capital of Vietnam - Hanoi (B,L)
Today you will travel by private vehicle to an icon of Vietnam and as potent a symbol of Hue as the Citadel. Then, you’ll head to Tu Duc Mausoleum, one of the most beautiful tombs of Hue. It was inspired by the concept of tranquility and is a model of Vietnamese traditional art. It is also an opportunity to learn about the history of the Nguyen Dynasty and the French colonial period.
This afternoon, you will be transferred to the airport to catch your short flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, get transferred to your hotel in the city center. Free at your leisure.
 
Meal: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
 
Day 9 - Charming Hanoi sightseeing and street food discovery (B,L)
After breakfast at the hotel, our guide and driver will pick you up at the hotel to explore Hanoi capital. The first destination is Ho Chi Minh Complex, which includes Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, his house-on-stilts, One Pillar pagoda… Then enjoy an hour cyclo trip around Hoan Kiem Lake and the Old Quarters with ancient buildings and narrow streets. 
Having lunch with Pho bo Hanoi or Hanoi Noodle soup with beef and served with Hanoi flavorful spring roll. After lunchtime, we will visit the Temple of Literature - known as Vietnam’s first University built in the 10th century. Then, you will have chance to discover the street food of Hanoi under guidance of our local guide. We start a walking tour at Hanoi’s largest covered market, Dong Xuan. Your local guide will give you an insight into the intricacies and traditions of Vietnamese food culture including details on ingredients and historical backgrounds of popular northern dishes. Walking through the maze of bustling streets that make up Hanoi’s Old Quarter, we tempt our taste buds with the famed Hanoi dish Banh Cuon at a local eatery. Our next two snack stops are at outdoor barbeque stalls and a local fruit store. In the end you will visit a hidden café with stunning views over the picturesque Hoan Kiem Lake and enjoy our local delicacy egg-coffee. Return to your hotel.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
 
Day 10 - Hanoi - Fascinating Halong Bay - Hanoi (B,L)
Leave Hanoi this morning and head straight to Halong bay a stunning UNESCO World Heritage site with its 3,000 islands of towering limestone dotting the bay and Gulf of Tonkin (180km – 3.5 - 4 hour driving). After arriving at noon, you will board a beautiful boat for an amazing trip admiring the breath-taking sceneries on Halong Bay with an excellent menu of fresh seafood for lunch. Return to your hotel in Hanoi in the afternoon and spend the rest of day free at your leisure.
 
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel in Hanoi
 
Day 11 - Goodbye Hanoi (B)
Enjoy breakfast in the hotel and you are free on your own until transfer to Noi Bai International airport for departure.
Meals: Breakfast
 
Tour ends.

This tour is built upon our firsthand knowledge & experience, offering you the best choices available. The price of this trip varies depending on the number of people in your party, dates of departure, and availability of ground services.
The prices are quoted in US Dollars per person based on 2 pax/room

Categories

2 pax

4 pax

6 - 8 pax

Single Sup.

Superior

1153

906

804

236

First-class

1300

1053

951

383

Deluxe

1692

1444

1344

776

Child from 4 – 10 years old: 75%

 

Please click on CUSTOMIZE YOUR TRIPS and supply the required information, enabling us to send you your personalized quote within 24 hours!

Note: Amendments CAN be made to this tour to suite your requirements, but may incur price changes

 

WHAT'S INCLUDED?
Accommodation with daily breakfast at selected hotels 
Private Vehicles and Drivers
Transport from Hanoi to Halong and return by mini van
Private English speaking guides (Other languages if available, upon request)
Meals as mentioned in the itinerary (B= Breakfast, L= Lunch, D= Dinner)
Entrance fees for all mentioned sights visited
Drinking water available on the vehicles.
Service Charge & Government Taxes

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED?
International flights and domestic flights
Personal expenses (such as laundry, telephone, drinks, etc.)
Any bank fees or charges at your end
Meals other than those mentioned in the itinerary
Personal Travel Insurance
Tips for tour guide and driver in each region
Peak season or public holidays surcharge if any

HOTEL SELECTION:

The hotels listed below are our suggestions for the best value on this tour.  However, Asia Essence Tours offers many more options of hand-picked hotels, with different "star ratings", allowing you to customize the vacation to meet your taste and budget.
  

LOCATIONS

SUPERIOR CATEGORY

FIRST CLASS CATEGORY

DELUXE CATEGORY

LUXURY

Hanoi

Mercury Center  Hotel Emerald Waters Classy  Ambassador  Golden Rooster

Hotel du Larc  Hanoi Garden Hotel & Spa  Imperial Hotel & Spa

La Siesta Premium  La Siesta Classic Ma May La Sinfonia Del Rey

Capella
Sofitel Legend Metropole

Hue

Emm Hue

Alba Spa

Pilgrimage Resort & spa

Azerai La Residence Hue

Hoi An

Hoi An Luna Villa  Eden Hoian Villa  HoiAn Merrily de Art

Hoi An Ancient House Village Resort & Spa  
La Siesta Resort & Spa

Palm Garden
 Boutique Hoi An

Four Seasons The Nam Hai or Intercontinental Peninsula Danang

HCM City

Hoang Lan Hotel or Ben Thanh Retreats or Acnos Hotel

Au Lac Charner or Silverland Yen

Mia Luxury Saigon

Park Hyatt or Reverie


 

ABOUT HOTELS:

We, at Asia Essence Tours, are aware that a good tour must have good hotels. As the hotel cost will be the major expense of your vacation in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, it is essential that all of the hotels chosen by us are the highest quality for the price paid. All of our prices are based on twin, double or queen shared rooms.

BELOW IS AN EXPLANATION OF THE HOTEL "STAR" RATINGS:

Superior/ 3 Star (from US$ 40 - US$ 60 per room/night)

The Superior/ 3 Star Hotels are good value and normally centrally located. They all have comfortable en-suite rooms, good amenities and public areas to relax in. They are usually family run hotels, so offer great personalized service for your enjoyment and comfort. Most first class properties offer an in-house restaurant, and some may even have a swimming pool!

First-Class/ 4 star (from US$ 80 - US$ 110/ per room/night)

The 4* First-Class Hotels offer a wide range of services. Many superior hotels feature a choice of several in-house restaurants. In addition virtually all of them have a swimming pool. Some may even feature a spa or health club. This grade of hotel offers more for your enjoyment and comfort, while still remaining affordable.

Deluxe/ 5 Star (from US$120 - US$ 180++/ per room/night)

These 5* Deluxe hotels are usually owned by Worldwide, well known Hotel chains. The deluxe hotels feature excellent locations, offer the highest standards of service and facilities, and are known as the best hotels in each region. Facilities such as swimming pools and spas are the norm, and guest rooms are luxurious. These hotels offer first class service and amenities throughout.

ASIA ESSENCE TOURS™ BESPOKE STYLE SUITS EVERYONE

Flexibility: The sample itinerary can be modified to suit your interests, budget as well as your personal wishes including departure date, duration, accommodation used & how long you spend in each destination.

Tailor-Made Journey: This trip can be tailor made to create a unique holiday for your individual requirements by travel experts with intimate knowledge of the destination. It is a more individual trip that will suit those who enjoy immersing themselves in new cultures and environments, with the flexibility to plan a trip at your own pace. Quality and value are the hallmark of the trips, with most services being provided on a private basis.

Commitment to Excellence: We enjoys excellent relationships with all of the highly regarded hotels and finest properties in our destinations as well as with service suppliers so that we are able to negotiate the most attractive prices for our clients, which enables us to provide exclusive holidays and affordable special offers. We create one-of-a-kind vacations for groups and individuals. We love our destinations and do our best to make sure that our customers feel the same way. Our job is to make sure that everyone gets the right balance of comfort and excitement to enjoy the experience of a lifetime.

 

Extend This Tour With...

Best of Northern Vietnam


Best of Southern Vietnam


Hanoi Saigon Experience


Best of Central Vietnam