12 Days Vietnam Culinary Tour

Price from $4040 per person on twin sharing basis + Domestic flights from $699 per person

Hanoi – Halong – Hanoi – Hue - Hoi An – Ho Chi Minh City

Embark on a 12-day culinary adventure in Vietnam where you will be introduced to the best of Vietnamese cuisine. This tour focuses on the unique flavors and cooking styles of Vietnam, offering hands-on cooking classes and demonstrations. Savor the delicious dishes in some of the best local restaurants handpicked by our representatives while also enjoying the sights of Hanoi, the breathtaking Halong Bay, the bustling markets of Hue, the ancient town of Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City.

ltinerary

Day 1

Hanoi (D)

Arrive in Hanoi and transfer to hotel. Enjoy Vietnam's most famous performing art form, the Water puppet theatre for a one hour show followed by Dinner at the famous Indochina Restaurant.

Day 2

Hanoi (B/L/D)

Take a morning tour of Hanoi and visit Ho Chi Minh Complex. Enjoy Hanoi Cooking class in the old quarter, in the afternoon you will visit Ngoc Son Temple and then take a Cyclo ride through the old quarter before settling down for dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant.

Day 3

Hanoi - Halong Bay (B/L/D)

Proceed for Halong Bay tour on a traditional Junk to discover this World Heritage site, known as the 'land of 3000 islands'. Overnight on board the junk.

Day 4

Halong - Hanoi - Hue (Brunch/D)

Enjoy the sunrise on your junk. Continue sailing and disembark at the pier in Halong Bay. Return to Hanoi in the afternoon and straight to train station for overnight train to Hue.

Day 5

Hue (B/L/D)

Arrivel in Hue; enjoy breakfast at a local restaurant before starting your day tour of Hue. Explore Hue’s famous royal tombs and the illustrious examples of grand dynasties past, the garden houses. Visit the tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh. Enjoy your lunch prepared by nuns at a pagoda. Later visit Thanh Tien village and then Tha Om Garden before returning to your hotel.

Day 6

Hue - Danang - Hoi An (B)

Drive to Hoi An en route visiting Cham Museum and Marble Mountains. On arrival in Hoi An, start your tour of Town Centre with a visit to Chua ong pagoda, Japanese Bridge and Phuc Kien.

Day 7

Hoi An (B/L/D)

Enjoy a great day out in a local community farming project just outside of Hoi An. Start with a short bike ride. Stop at Tra Que village to take a walk around the farm. After toiling away in the garden, be rewarded with a herbal foot bath and massage. Join in with a short cooking demo followed by a lunch featuring the delicious vegetables fresh from the farm!

Day 8

Hoi An (B/L)

This morning, proceed for a cooking class at Red Bridge Cooking School, Enjoy an informal cooking class of Hoi An specialities, and also tour the school's herb gardens, later drive back to your hotel. The rest of the day is at leisure.

Day 9

Hoi An - Danang - Ho Chi Minh City (B/D)

Flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Enjoy a city tour of Ho Chi Minh, showcasing a mix of French colonial architecture, Chinese influences and War Museum. Dinner at Vietnam House restaurant.

Day 10

Ho Chi Minh City (B/D)

Visit Cu Chi Tunnels, an amazing complex of underground bunkers which were used by a guerrilla army during the Vietnam War. In the afternoon, visit the Vietnam Cookery Centre for a course preparing Vietnamese food and enjoy Dinner.

Day 11

Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong - Ho Chi Minh City (B/L/D)

Day trip to Mekong Delta to see agrarian life in vibrant southern Delta. Enjoy a sampan boat ride to the floating markets. Lunch at a local house and see a family run a traditional business. Dinner at a Vietnamese restaurant.

Day 12

Ho Chi Minh City (B)

Transfer to the airport.

Private program - can start any day of the week and can be customised or operated in reverse

Included: Accommodation in 4* Hotels, meals as shown above, transfers & sightseeing using air-conditioned private car, local English speaking guides, entrance fees at monuments, current taxes, 24-hours local contact number for emergencies.

Note: Please contact us if you require more information on different Hotel categories.

Prices quoted are valid till 30 September 2025Cost above is indicative, based on Low Season in NZ Dollars and subject to change due to fluctuation in exchange rates. Please read T&C before booking. Call 09 410 5060 or 0508 EXOTIC (0508 396 842) or email info@exotic.net.nz for more information.