Day 1: Arrival in Ho Chi Minh City (D)

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City and transfer to the hotel with some city sightseeing en route to the city center, passing Re-unification Palace. Dinner at Indochine Restaurant or at an authentic Vietnamese restaurant offering the first opportunity to try some of the delicious local specialities. The cuisine of the south uses many herbs and spices and has been influenced by Cambodia, Thailand and India among others. Curries using coconut milk are an example of this influence. The south also has a wide selection of tropical fruits and vegetables that are not available in the cooler north.

 

Day 2: Ho Chi Minh City (BLD)
After breakfast transfer to the Vietnam Cookery Centre for a morning cookery class to learn the secrets of preparing some of Vietnam’s best-loved dishes. Before the lesson, visit the central market with the chef to learn about the various herbs and ingredients used in Vietnamese cuisine. Preparation of typical dishes is demonstrated by the centre’s professional chef before participants prepare their own. At the end of the morning participants sit down to a lunch prepared themselves. Each participant receives a manual and certificate on completion of the course. An afternoon city tour of dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, takes in the former Presidential Palace, the Notre Dame Cathedral, Old Saigon Post Office, the History Museum, visit to a lacquerware factory, Thien Hau Pagoda and Binh Tay Market in the city’s bustling Chinatown. Dinner at Song Ngu Restaurant, one of Ho Chi Minh City’s finest seafood restaurants. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

 

Day 3: Ho Chi Minh City-Mekong Delta-Ho Chi Minh City (BLD)
A full day trip to the watery world of the Mekong Delta, just a couple of hours by road from the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City’s streets. Take a boat trip along narrow waterways overhung with dense vegetation and try exotic fruits in one of the many orchards. During the lunch, observe the cooking demo and sample the local delicacy, Elephant’s Ear Fish at Mekong Rest Stop in My Tho or Mr Giao’s Garden in Vinh Long. Return to Ho Chi Minh City for a fantastic feast at Rex Garden Restaurant in the famous Rex Hotel. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.

 

Day 4: Ho Chi Minh City-Danang-Hoi An
After breakfast transfer to Tan Son Nhat Airport for the short flight to the central port city of Danang. On arrival in Danang transfer to Hoi An, a major Asian trading port in the 17th and 18th centuries whose architecture and relaxed lifestyle has changed little over the years. Check into hotel. Lunch is at one of the many family run restaurants serving and prforming cooking demos of Hoi An specialties such as Cao Lau, Hoang Thanh and White Rose. Cao Lau, a delicious soup made with noodles, pork and greens, is only found in Hoi An, and must be made with water from the town’s ancient well. After lunch take a walking tour of the ancient town centre to visit the former merchants’ homes, the 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge and the colourful market. Rest of the afternoon at leisure. Dinner at Brothers Café. Overnight in Hoi An.

 

Day 5: Hoi An (BLD)
After an early breakfast transfer to a local rstaurant where visitors from all over the globe have learned Hoian’s traditional family recipes. This cooking course lasts all day long and includes shopping for ingredients at the Hoi An Central Market before returning to the school by cyclo to learn how it’s done. Once the meals are prepared you can enjoy the dishes you have spent the day mastering. Evening is at leisure. Dinner at White Lantern or Song Hoai Restaurant. Overnight in Hoi An.

 

Day 6: Hoi An-Hue (BLD)
After breakfast leave Hoi An for Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam. En route visit the Cham Museum, which contains the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world. The scenic route passes through Danang before climbing over the Pass of Ocean Clouds and dropping down to the wonderfully photogenic fishing village of Lang Co. Lunch at Thanh Tam Restaurant in Lang Co. Arrive in Hue and transfer to hotel. Food in Hue is spicy hot with lots of chilli being used and reflecting its imperial roots is often presented in carefully displayed small servings, a kind of Oriental nouvelle cuisine. Dinner at The Temple Restaurant. Overnight in Hue.

 

Day 7: Hue (BLD)
A morning boat trip on the romantically named Perfume River to visit Hue’s best-known religious site, Thien Mu Pagoda. Return to Hue for a short cooking class at the Huong Giang Hotel (one dish only) followed by lunch at the hotel. In the afternoon visit the elaborate mausoleums of emperors Tu Duc and Khai Dinh and the Imperial Citadel from where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. Dinner is at Far East Restaurant. Overnight in Hue.

 

Day 8: Hue-Hanoi (BLD)
After breakfast transfer to Hue Airport for the flight to Hanoi, the present day capital of Vietnam. Food in the north of Vietnam has a strong Chinese influence with stir-fried dishes and less spicy food than the south. Specialties of Hanoi include a noodle and meat soup called Pho and a marinated fish dish called Cha Ca. For lunch there is a chance to try Cha Ca at a Hanoi institution, the Cha Ca Hanoi Restaurant. In the afternoon visit the Temple of Literature and take a short sightseeing tour by cyclo to see the Lake of the Restored Sword and the Old Quarter. Dinner at Au Lac House Restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi.

 

Day 9: Hanoi (BLD)
After breakfast, join a special cooking class at the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel. The course starts with a walk, accompanied by the chef of the hotel’s Spices Garden Restaurant, to the local market where participants get a chance to learn all about Vietnamese ingredients. A cooking demonstration follows n the kitchen and everyone has the opportunity to play an active part. After the class lunch is served in the Spices Garden Vietnamese Restaurant to sample all the different dishes prepared during the demonstration. In the afternoon, visit the Hoa Sua Cooking School for disadvantaged students and enjoy dinner at the school restaurant. In the evening watch a traditional Vietnamese water puppet show. Overnight in Hanoi.

 

Day 10: Hanoi-Halong Bay (BLD)
After breakfast leave Hanoi by road for Halong Bay. Enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of the rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Arrive in Halong and board the Huong Hai or Bai Tho traditional sailing junk. While cruising along the stunning waters sample the regions fresh seafood. Visit the newly discovered Surprise Grotto, and on the next island see the yawning mouth of Bo Nau Cave. Watch the sunset over the bay while enjoying a scrumptious dinner. Overnight on board the junk.

 

Day 11: Halong Bay-Hanoi (BLD)
Wake up to fresh coffee and a wholesome breakfast before sailing back to Halong City. En route sail among the 3,000 limestone islands that make up this UNESCO World Heritage Site and take in Halong Bay’s magnificent views. Enjoy another delicious seafood lunch on board the junk. Transfer back to Hanoi by road and transfer to hotel on arrival. Dinner at a local restaurant. Overnight in Hanoi.

 

Day 12: Depart Hanoi (B)
Departure day. At leisure until transfer to Noi Bai Airport for onward flight. (B)

 

Remarks : Cooking demos & classes are in the stated venues or at similar one of the same standard.