A Taste of Vietnam 13 Days

Xin chào! Welcome to Vietnam’s capital — a place where ancient streets meet modern rhythm.
Upon arrival, you’ll be greeted by our warm local team, who’ll help you breeze through arrival formalities and transfer you to your hotel in the heart of Hanoi.

Take the rest of the day to unwind or stroll around the Old Quarter, where the scent of grilled pork and the sound of motorbikes fill the air.
Your culinary adventure begins tomorrow — but tonight, just relax and let Hanoi introduce itself.

Overnight: Hanoi
Meals: —

Morning – The Art of Craft Villages
Your first day in Vietnam starts with a journey beyond the city — to places where tradition lives in every pair of hands.
Visit Chuong Village, famous for its handmade conical hats. Meet artisans who have passed down their craft for generations, and even try creating your own.

Continue to Quang Phu Cau Incense Village, where bundles of red incense sticks dry in the sun like giant flowers. Walk through the vibrant alleys and chat with locals who’ll happily share stories of their century-old craft.

Lunch is served at Tam Vi Teahouse — a Michelin-starred gem that celebrates Northern Vietnamese home-style cuisine with a refined touch.

Evening – Hanoi Street Food Tour
As the sun sets, follow your local guide deep into the Old Quarter for a tasting adventure. Try Bánh cuốn (steamed rice rolls), bánh mì, and the unforgettable kem xôi (sticky rice with ice cream).
Pull up a stool at Bia Hoi Corner, sip a cold beer, and do as the locals do — toast to new friends and good food.

End the night at Train Street, where life happens just inches from the railway. If you’re lucky, you’ll see the train pass by in a blur of sound and light — a uniquely Hanoi moment.

Overnight: Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Street Food Dinner

orning – Cooking Class at KOTO
Today, you’ll step into the kitchen and learn Vietnam’s most delicious secret — the joy of cooking from the heart.
At KOTO Cooking Class, young chefs (many from disadvantaged backgrounds) will guide you through market visits, ingredient picking, and hands-on preparation of iconic dishes like phở and nem rán.
This isn’t just a class — it’s a meaningful cultural exchange served with smiles and spice.

Afternoon – Hanoi City Tour
Wander through Hanoi’s timeless landmarks:

• Temple of Literature, Vietnam’s first university, built in the 11th century.
• Tran Quoc Pagoda, the city’s oldest pagoda, gracefully sitting by West Lake.
• Egg Coffee Experience – learn how this creamy treat was invented during milk shortages.

Wrap up your afternoon with a Water Puppet Show, an ancient folk art that tells village tales through music and movement on water.

Evening – Cheers Like a Local
Join the locals at a lively beer house for rustic dishes, laughter, and the famous toast: “Một, hai, ba, dô!” (One, two, three, cheers!).
It’s the perfect ending to a day full of flavor, heart, and humanity.

Overnight: Hanoi
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning – Journey to the Bay
After breakfast, drive through the green countryside toward the legendary Halong Bay — Vietnam’s natural wonder of limestone cliffs and emerald waters.
Board your elegant cruise and settle into your cabin as lunch is served on deck, surrounded by surreal seascapes.

Afternoon – Serenity & Exploration
Kayak through hidden lagoons, swim in calm coves, or simply relax on the sundeck with a cool drink in hand.
As the sun sets, enjoy a small sunset party — the sky turning gold and crimson over the karst peaks.

Evening – Dinner on the Waves
Savor a seafood feast prepared by the onboard chef, then perhaps try your luck at squid fishing or unwind under the stars.
Tonight, the gentle lull of the sea will be your lullaby.

Overnight: Halong Bay Cruise
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning – Sunrise over the Water
Wake up early to join a peaceful Tai Chi session on the deck as dawn paints Halong Bay in soft hues of pink and gold.
Enjoy breakfast with freshly brewed coffee and pastries before venturing out to explore one of the bay’s stunning caves — a natural masterpiece carved by time and tides.

Back onboard, brunch is served as you slowly cruise past the last limestone formations. Bid farewell to the friendly crew before transferring to the airport for your flight to Hoi An, the most charming town in Vietnam.

Evening – Welcome to Hoi An
Your driver will meet you at Da Nang Airport for the short transfer to your riverside hotel. Take a quiet evening stroll through the lantern-lit streets — where the glow of silk lamps reflects on the water and the aroma of grilled pork and rose dumplings fills the air.

Overnight: Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning – A Slow Start
Enjoy a relaxed morning. Wander along the Thu Bon River or visit one of Hoi An’s tailor shops if you fancy a custom-made outfit.

Afternoon – Walking & Street Food Tour
Meet your local guide for a flavorful walk through Hoi An’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site bursting with character.
Discover the Japanese Covered Bridge, visit a centuries-old Chinese Assembly Hall, and admire the ancient merchant houses that tell stories of traders from Japan, China, and beyond.

As the sun sets, dive into the town’s food scene:

• Cao Lầu noodles — a Hoi An specialty with a secret recipe dating back hundreds of years.
• Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc (White Rose dumplings) — delicate, beautiful, and made only here.
• Hoành Thánh chiên (crispy wontons) — a Chinese-inspired favorite.
• And of course, Cơm Gà Hội An (chicken rice) — comfort food, central Vietnam style.

Every bite reveals a layer of Hoi An’s history — a blend of cultures, flavors, and timeless charm.

Overnight: Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Street Food Dinner

Morning – Life on the River
Today you’ll meet local fishermen and learn their traditional way of life on the water.
Start with a visit to a bustling local market to pick fresh ingredients for your cooking class — bargaining is part of the fun!

Then, travel to Cam Thanh Village, where coconut palms line the waterways. Hop into a round basket boat and paddle gently through the canals. Laugh along with your guide as you try to catch “purple crabs,” watch palm-leaf weaving demonstrations, and enjoy a fun mini “boat performance” by locals.

Next, join a lantern-making workshop, a Hoi An tradition passed down through generations. Create your own colorful lantern to bring home as a symbol of good luck.

Finally, it’s time to cook! Under the guidance of a friendly local chef, prepare five iconic dishes such as:

• Nem rán (fried spring rolls)
• Bánh xèo (crispy pancakes)
• Gỏi đu đủ (papaya salad)
• Cao Lầu noodles
• Fresh spring rolls

After class, sit down to enjoy your creations — a delicious reward for your hard work.

Afternoon – Free Time & Relaxation
Return to your hotel for some well-deserved rest. Treat yourself to the 60-minute spa massage included in your tour, or simply lounge by the pool with a cocktail in hand.

Overnight: Hoi An
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, travel north to Hue, the former imperial capital of Vietnam.
Your route winds over the spectacular Hai Van Pass, famous for its sweeping ocean views and misty mountain curves. Stop for photos overlooking Lang Co Bay, one of Vietnam’s most beautiful beaches.

Arrive in Hue by midday and enjoy a light lunch at a local restaurant, featuring Hue’s delicate specialties such as:
Nem Lụi (lemongrass pork skewers), Bánh Bèo (steamed rice cakes), and Bánh Nậm (rice dumplings in banana leaves).

Afternoon – The Imperial City
Step inside the ancient Citadel, home of the Nguyen Emperors. Your guide will bring the past to life with tales of royal rituals, dynasties, and the architectural harmony inspired by Confucian philosophy.
Visit the Imperial City, Forbidden Purple Palace, and the serene Minh Mang Royal Tomb by the Perfume River.

Evening – Royal Banquet Dinner
Tonight, dine like royalty. Put on a traditional costume (optional) and enjoy an authentic Royal Dinner, with dishes shaped like dragons, phoenixes, and peacocks — accompanied by Hue’s graceful court music.
It’s an evening that captures the elegance of Vietnam’s imperial past.

Overnight: Hue
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Morning – Life Along the Perfume River
Start your day with a tranquil boat cruise on the Perfume River. Visit the iconic Thien Mu Pagoda, its seven-tiered tower watching over the water for centuries.

Continue to Dong Thien Pagoda, a serene monastery run by Buddhist nuns. You’ll share a simple yet heartfelt vegetarian lunch prepared by the sisters — a moment of quiet reflection and connection.

Afternoon – Journey South
After lunch, transfer to Hue Airport for your short flight to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).
Your driver will meet you at the airport and take you to your downtown hotel. Spend the evening exploring Saigon’s lively streets — from colonial boulevards to neon-lit markets — at your own pace.

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning – Journey to Ben Tre
After breakfast, leave the city’s buzz behind and drive south toward the lush waterways of the Mekong Delta — known as Vietnam’s “rice bowl.”
Arrive in Ben Tre, where life flows gently along coconut-lined canals. Hop aboard a motorboat and glide through narrow waterways shaded by palms.

Stop to visit small family workshops, where locals craft coconut candy and weave mats by hand — simple skills that sustain entire communities. Enjoy a cup of honey tea and taste tropical fruits fresh from the garden as local musicians play đờn ca tài tử, a traditional southern folk music.

Afternoon – A Ride Through the Countryside
Continue your journey by sampan boat, paddling peacefully through quiet canals, then switch to a motor cart (xe lôi) for a ride through local villages and fruit orchards.
After a delicious riverside lunch, travel onward to Can Tho, the Delta’s largest city.

Evening – Can Tho Street Eats
As night falls, hit the streets with your local guide for an evening food adventure. Try Vietnamese pancakes, grilled frog, or the daringly delicious rat stew in clay pot — a Mekong specialty!
End the night with a refreshing fruit smoothie or sweet sticky rice with coconut.

Overnight: Can Tho
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Street Food Dinner

Morning – The Rhythm of the River
Rise early for a boat trip to the Cai Rang Floating Market, the largest and liveliest in Vietnam.
Watch boats piled high with fruits and vegetables as traders exchange goods across the water. Your guide will explain the unique “flag system” — each boat hangs a sample of what it sells!

Try a bowl of steaming noodle soup served right from a floating kitchen — breakfast, Delta-style.

Next, visit a traditional noodle factory, where colorful rice noodles are made by hand, and stop at a cacao farm to learn how local farmers turn beans into chocolate, wine, and even cosmetics.

Afternoon – Return to Ho Chi Minh City
After lunch at a local restaurant, drive back to the city. The evening is yours to relax or explore Saigon’s vibrant nightlife.

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch

Morning – History Beneath the Ground
After breakfast, journey northwest to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a massive underground network used during the Vietnam War.
Learn how entire communities lived, cooked, and fought beneath the earth. For the adventurous, there’s a chance to crawl through the widened tunnels for a real-life experience — or simply watch from above if you prefer.
End the visit with a taste of cassava and tea, the staple diet of wartime soldiers.

Afternoon – Return & Relax
Drive back to Saigon and enjoy lunch at a local restaurant. The afternoon is free for last-minute shopping or a nap before the evening’s excitement.

Evening – Saigon Vespa Street Food Tour
Tonight, hop on the back of a Vespa scooter and experience Saigon after dark — its bright lights, laughter, and sizzling street food.
Your driver-guide will whisk you to local favorites, where you’ll sample everything from grilled seafood to noodle soup and Vietnamese pancakes, paired with local beer or rice wine.
It’s fun, fast, and full of flavor — the perfect finale to your culinary adventure.

Overnight: Ho Chi Minh City
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Street Food Dinner

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel. Depending on your flight time, you may have free hours to shop for souvenirs or sip one last cup of Vietnamese coffee.

Your driver will take you to the airport for your departure.
As your plane lifts off, take with you not just the taste of pho or the scent of lemongrass — but the smiles, laughter, and stories shared along the way.

Meals: Breakfast