Vietnam Food and Drink (12 days))

Galery

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Day 1: Hanoi Arrival (D)

We will pick you up from the airport and transport you to a hotel in the heart of the old quarter – great for taking in the heaving atmosphere that is Hanoi. The guide will offer advice and assistance on local cycle tour if you wish – otherwise take it easy. We will celebrate the first night with drinks and a very special local Hanoi dish of Cha Ca La Vong. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Summary:
Transportation: Car
Meals:Dinner
Accommodation: Twin shared room at hotel in Hanoi

Day 2: Hanoi – Home Demonstration Cooking - Ha Long (B, L)

08:00 Car and guide pick up at the hotel to Van Giang village, it is about 25km from Hanoi centre. On arrival the village, walking under lane trees with host to local market – that is very typical for market for countryside to buy some ingredient for cooking.

Walking through the village back to old house, visit the vegetable garden to take some ingredient for our cooking with host. You prepare, you cook then feast the lunch with host. After cozy lunch with host, driving to Ha Long Bay. Check in hotel on arrival Ha Long city for relax and leisure. Overnight at hotel in Ha Long City.

Summary:
Transportation: Car
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Accommodation: Twin shared room at hotel in Ha Long City
Home demonstration with market outing from 09:30 – 13:30

Day 3: Ha Long Cooking Cruise – Ha Noi – Alcohol Workshop –Cocktail Experience (B, L, D)

After breakfast at hotel, you're off to the nearby the bridge and into Hon Gai to visit the local outdoor seafood markets to see how the daily fresh fish and huge variety of 'weird & wonderful' seafood is landed and sold daily from the hundreds of small bamboo fishing boats fishing the Bay's waters. Walking through the markets to buy some ingredient for our cooking, it is cultural, real-life, safe, friendly, amusing, traditional and great photographic opportunities here.

Driving back Ha Long harbor for boarding private heritage style Asian junk .Together with chef, you will take a demonstration cooking on sun-desk for lunch. You prepare, cook and enjoy the lunch under blue sky in mystical landscape of limestone's islets. Admire the magnificent views and enjoying great food while relaxing cruise with excellent backdrop all along the way is breathtaking and definitely a great way to chill out before heading to the Ha Long Bay.

Disembarkation the junk for driving back Hanoi. On arrival Hanoi suburb, visit Alcohol Workshop to learn about the way to make Vietnamese’s alcohol (or Vietnamese vodka), tasting then take some drink to Lounge in Hanoi, we will have the opportunity to learn how to make 9 innovative cocktail recipes (detail menu will be provided) with Vietnamese traditional liquors. Celebrating dinner today with drink cocktail we have made.
Summary:
Transportation: Car
Meals: Breakfast; Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Twin shared room at hotel in Ha Noi
Demonstration cruise from 10:00 – 14:00
Cocktail class from 17:30 – 19:30

Day 4: Hanoi Cooking Class & City Tour with Street Food Taste (B, L)

Today, the combination by visiting some can't missed attraction in Hanoi and take part in great hand-on cooking class for some Hanoi traditional food would be uniquely. You will have great experience full off Hanoi; from the ancient Hanoi with nostalgic people in the Old Quarter to graceful Hanoi with French Quarter and elite Hanoi with amazing food.

After enjoy your cook at the center, you will continue to discover Hanoi's beauties then stop to admire the sunset on the river that is really the moment to soak up the sights, sounds, and smells of Hanoi. Trip end at your hotel. Overnight at hotel in Hanoi.

Summary:
Transportation: Car & Xich Lo cycle.
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Accommodation: Twin shared room at hotel in Hanoi
Cooking class with market from 10:00 – 14:00

Day 5: Hanoi – Da Nang – Hoi An (B, D)

Free at your leisure and shopping until transfer to the airport for flight to Da Nang. Pickup on arrival driving to Hoi An. Check in hotel on arrival Hoi An. Relax and refresh at hotel as your leisure. Late afternoon, great sunset dining cruise today with dink flow will be great memory for your trip. Overnight at hotel in Hoi An.
Overnight at the resort in Ba Na Hill.

Summary:
Transportation: Car & Flight
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Twin shared room at hotel in Hoi An
Dining cruise: 17:30 – 19:30

Day 6: Hoi An Hands-on Cooking Class (B, L)

Enjoy breakfast at your hotel then take a half-day cooking program. Start with colorful central market, boat trip on the Hoi An River, herb garden walk to learn about art of Vietnamese gastronomy, vegetables, herbs & spices. The open-air cooking center must be great to practice hand on cooking class with funny chef, helpful staff and friendly atmosphere.

Lunch with your own cooking before leaving the center. Afternoon, free to discover the Hoi An town with Japanese Bridge, ancient houses and tailor-made some great clothes or just relax on beach.
Summary:
Transportation: Walking & Boat
Meals: Breakfast & lunch
Accommodation: Twin shared room at hotel in Hoi An
Hands-on cooking class from 08:30 – 14:00

Day 7: Hoi An – Buon Me Thuot (B, L, D)

Morning depart from Hoi An to Buon Me Thuot, it is long driving (about 7hours) with great scenery on the way. Along the Ho Chi Minh trail, drive through the jungle and mountains with spectacular mountain views be ideal for photos. On the way, stop at a small waterfall, see rice paddies and visit Cham tower.

Arrival Buon Me Thuot in late afternoon, relax to prepare the magician dinner at Long House with Ruou Can (wine drunk out of a jar through pipes). This is great time to drink, talking and enjoy special local food. Overnight at Long House.

Summary:
Transportation: Car
Meals: Breakfast; Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Traditional Long House

Day 8: Buon Ma Thuot – Lak Lake - Da Lat (B, L, D)

Morning: Driving to Lak Lake, take a kayak to the other side of the lake for a two hour walking tour around the village to see their daily activities. Afternoon: Driving through M'Nong - an ethnic minority village, coffee plantations, pristine tropical forests to Da Lat. BBQ dinner at garden to welcome you to Da Lat.
Summary:
Transportation: Car
Meals: Breakfast; Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Twin shared hotel in Da Lat

Day 9: Da Lat Tour - Wine Taste (B, L, D)

Take Da Lat tour to the farm & mountain, vegetation field and local market by ancient local train. The unique train with 10 km of railroad tracks running through the romantic valley, lush garden blooming flower to Trai Mat. Walking in vegetable fields, visit wine workshop, taste the wine with Da Lat’s specialty….. We will buy some wine for our celebrating dinner tonight.  

Summary:
Transportation: Car & train
Meals: Breakfast; Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: Twin shared hotel in Da Lat

Day 10: Da Lat – Ho Chi Minh (B, D)

Free at your leisure or shopping until transfer to the airport for flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Pick up on arrival for check in procedure and relax. Dinner tonight with experience the Vietnamese dining cruise in Saigon River. Overnight at hotel in Saigon.

Summary:
Transportation: Car & Flight
Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: Twin shared hotel in Ho Chi Minh City
Dining cruise: From 19:00 – 20:30

Day 11: Saigon Home Demonstration Cooking & City Tour (B, L)

Have breakfast at hotel then driving to local home for morning home cooking with very friendly host. This morning, you will go to the local market with host to buy some ingredient for cooking. You will then prepare, chatting and learning the way to cook some delicious simple dishes that usually cooked in most of the Vietnamese families. The cooking with lunch is full of fun, laugh and cozy.
Afternoon, take a half day city tour to War Remnants Museum, Reunification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, the General Post office. Dinner free at your leisure. Overnight at hotel in Saigon.

Summary:
Transportation:  Car
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch
Accommodation: Twin shared room at hotel in Saigon
Home demonstration cooking with local market outing from 09:00 – 13:30

Day 12: Ho Chi Minh Departure (B)

Free at your leisure until transfer to the airport for your own flight back home

Summary:
Transportation:  Car
Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: None

End of service

Twin Shared in US$:

Includes:

•  Private transfer (A/C Van & Boat trip)
• Private junk cruise in Ha Long Bay
• Accommodation
•  English speaking local guides except on free days
•  Cooking classes and demos
• Dinning cruise
• Meals specified in program
• All domestic air tickets
• All entrance permission and visiting fees
•  Bikes
• Wine; Alcohol; Bia Hoi (Hanoi Beer) & some soft drink at stated in itinerary. 
• Mineral water & Tissue

Excludes:

• Visa (contact us for Vietnam visa on arrival)
• Insurance
• Beverages at the days of not mentioned.
• Personal expenses
• Tips
• Any services not mentions in the includes portion.

Hotel Information:

Terms and conditions: 

• Deposit and Payment:  30% of total invoice should be deposit at the time of booking for guarantee. Final payment is no later than 7days in advance of arrival date. 
• Cancellation: If cancelling less than 15 days, the deposit is non-refundable. After final payment is received a cancellation fee of approximately 75% applies. This percentage may be less depending on the date of cancellation. A cancellation fee of 100% is applicable within 03 days of travel.
• Pricing: All prices are shown in American dollars and are current at the date of printing this itinerary. If there is a dramatic fluctuation in the exchange rate or the price of services provided, which are beyond the control of Vietnam Food Tour, VFT reserves the right to adjust tour prices accordingly, even though the balance of payment may have been made. This would only happen in unusual circumstances.

• Itinerary Validity and Content: This itinerary is valid until 31 Oct 2013, unless otherwise specified. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy. Vietnam Food Tour shall not be liable for any injury, damage or loss caused by any inaccuracy. Vietnam Food Tour reserves the right to change tour arrangements or accommodations due to safety or security reasons, and will endeavor to provide alternative arrangements of the same standard as that originally booked.  

• Special Requirements: Please advise Vietnam Food Tour of any special requirements such as Special Meals, Medical Requirements etc., as soon as possible. If you get motion sickness, it is imperative that you bring with you motion sickness pills as we travel by coach and boat sometimes in our tour.
• Travel Insurance: We strongly recommend you organize travel insurance before departure in your country. Insurance covers cancellation fees payable for airline tickets, accommodation, loss of deposit, luggage etc.
• Clients’ Responsibilities: It is your responsibility to obtain passports, health certificates or other travel documents where required for the tour. It remains your responsibility to ensure that these documents are in order and to meet any additional costs incurred as a result of failure to comply with such requirements. It is also your responsibility to obtain any vaccinations that may be required to travel.