14 Days - A Culinary Journey Throughout Vietnam

Highlights:
    •    Relax, sunbathe and swim in the East Sea in Mui Ne
    •    Learn how to cook local favorites in Saigon with a top Vietnamese Chef
    •    Discover the unique beauty of the Red and White Sand Dunes in Southern Vietnam
    •    Savor the freshest seafood imaginable in the fishing town of Mui Ne as you dine on that morning’s catch

Day 01: Saigon
Arrive in Vietnam’s largest city - Saigon. You are met by your driver at the airport, where you will be transferred to the Park Hyatt Hotel. Spend the rest of the day exploring the city. Enjoy the shopping the city is so well-known for - wander along the boutique-lined Dong Khoi Street looking for one-of-a-kind finds. Relax and take it easy as the next day you will enjoy a full tour of the city.

Day 02: Saigon
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at your hotel. After breakfast, your guide will show you the city. Pay a visit to the famous sights of the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Reunification Palace, the War Remnants Museum and the Post Office. Check out and sample Vietnamese local snacks at the Ben Thanh Market and the Bin Tay Market in Chinatown. Stock up on unusual goods at the Binh Tay Market, the city’s main wholesale center. Savor a delicious, local market lunch. That evening, peruse the Ben Thanh night market - which has a completely different atmosphere from the market during the day. There are tons of fresh dishes to choose from at the several food stalls.

Day 03: Saigon
Learn to cook authentic Vietnamese food yourself! Your friends and family at home will be impressed with your skills after you take a Saigon cooking class. You will tour a local market with your chef, who will show you the ingredients you will be using. You will learn how to cook three different Vietnamese dishes - after which you have the reward of eating your scrumptious creations. This evening, enjoy an incredible street food tour like the locals do - from the back of a scooter!

Day 04: Saigon - Mui Ne
After breakfast at the hotel, you will take either a drive or a train to Mui Ne - the resort capital of Vietnam. The coastal town became a hotspot in 1995, after travelers came to the city for an incredible view of the total solar eclipse. Enjoy relaxing by the crystal blue water of the Oriental Sea. Stay at a beachside resort Princess d'Annam.

Day 05: Mui Ne
After a lavish breakfast, walk up to the Mui Ne fishing village. Watch as the local fishers pull in the morning’s fresh catch. Wander through the busy market. Next, go see the stunning Red Sand Dunes, White Sand Dunes and Lotus Lake. That evening, enjoy dinner at the popular Cay Bang Seafood restaurant. You get to pick your dinner live from the restaurant’s many tanks!

Day 06: Mui Ne
After breakfast, unwind seaside. Go for a swim and soak in the sun’s warm rays. Around lunchtime, make your way to the Mui Ne Cooking School. This laid back beachside school will teach you the secrets of the local specialties. After cooking, relish your own creations for lunch! Enjoy the rest of the day in a food-coma-induced haze by the sea.

Day 07: Mui Ne - Saigon
Spend the morning relaxing before checking out of your hotel to return to Saigon by car or train. That afternoon, spend the day wandering through Saigon, revisiting your favorite memorials or markets from your tour earlier in the trip. Next, your driver will take you to the best Saigon seafood restaurant - Hong Hai. Hong Hai has a wide variety of fresh seafood cooked in the traditional Nha Trang Style. Sleep easy at the luxurious Park Hyatt hotel.

Day 08: Saigon - Danang - Hoi An
After breakfast at the hotel, check out and catch a flight to Danang. Once you arrive, you will be transferred to the well-preserved, ancient town of Hoi An. Wander through the charming town until evening time, when you have the treat of visiting Mango Rooms. Mango Rooms is a unique dining experience where you can watch the top chef and owner Mr. Duc, cook up an incredible fusion meal. The restaurant’s kitchen is completely open. Spend the night at The Nam Hai resort, located on Hoi An’s pristine beachside.

Day 09: Hoi An
Familiarize yourself with the stunning UNESCO world heritage site of Hoi An as you enjoy a full tour of the area. Cruise down the Thu Bon river and watch the local fishermen deep in their work. Savor a local lunch at the Central Food Market. Try the traditional Hoi An noodle dish, Cao Lau, along with White Rose wantons and chicken rice. Enjoy a delicious dinner at the elegant Cargo Club. There is a large variety of both local and international dishes sure to fit whatever your stomach and taste buds desire.

Day 10: Hoi An
Now that you’ve sampled many of the local favorites, it’s time to learn to make them yourself! This morning, your cooking class instructor will take you to the local market to show you the ingredients you will be using to cook Hoi An favorites. She will welcome you into her home, where you will learn to cook and then of course, eat local dishes. After sunset, stroll through the charming city and retire at your leisure in your lavish beachside resort.

Day 11: Hue
Feel as though you are traveling back in time as you take the road to Hue, Vietnam’s ancient imperial capital. Relax at the luxurious, modern La Residence Hotel & Spa. Next, breathe in the fresh air as you take a cyclo tour of the citadel. Wander through the complex on foot. You will visit the famous sites of Ngo Mon Gate, Supreme Royal Court Palace, 12 Nguyen Kings altars, Forbidden City, Royal Theatre, and the Royal Library. After freshening up at your hotel, enjoy the special cultural experience of dining at a local family’s home. You will enjoy a true Hue-style meal.

Day 12: Hue - Hanoi
Around 7:30 this morning, your guide will take you to the fabled Perfume River. Enjoy a boat trip down the gorgeous waterway. Stop by the beautiful Thien Mu Pagoda. The holy atmosphere is a unique cultural experience. Next stop is the King Tombs of Tu Duc. Tu Duc was a beloved poet in the Nguyen Dynasty during the early 19th century. Next, visit a local Buddhist temple to try a vegetarian meal prepared fresh by Monks. Try meditation before your meal to experience a special side of the Buddhist theory. After lunch, visit the local orphanage. Take a Xe Om to visit the outskirts of the town full of rolling hills and lush green paddies. Chat with locals to learn about their everyday life. Hop on a plane to Hanoi, where you’ll be transported to your hotel - we recommend the Sofitel Legend Metropole.

Day 13: Hanoi
It’s time to extend your cooking repertoire once again. After breakfast (keep it light!), the local market a visit with your chef who will teach you to select local ingredients. You will learn to cook Northern specialties. Enjoy your own creations for lunch. Your guide will then take you for a half-day walking tour of the city’s charming Old Quarter. For dinner, take a seat at the famous Highway 4 restaurant. If you’re feeling adventurous, try buffalo, snake or locust. You can also sample a potent local rice wine.

Day 14: Departure
After a leisurely breakfast in your hotel, go for a stroll through the city. Stock up on local spices and souvenirs on your last day of your adventure. Grab any last authentic bites at the local market that you can’t find at home. Depart for the airport and your onward flight in the evening.