12 Days | Vietnam Foodie Adventure

Private tour: Hotels, Meals, Transports, Guide…

Tour ID: LVA04
Tour type: Private Tour
Duration: 12 days - 11 nights
Country: Vietnam
Start city: Hanoi
End city: Ho Chi Minh
US $1,738
The price is for one person with a group of 2 tourists. The more people in the group, the cheaper the price’
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Highlights

Vietnam is not only renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes and world-recognized cultural and natural heritage sites, but also for its rich cultural diversity and vibrant cuisine. From north to south, each region offers its unique flavors and culinary traditions, featuring fresh, flavorful dishes that reflect local lifestyles. This 12-day journey is specially designed for food lovers who are eager to explore Vietnamese culture and connect with its people. Throughout the trip, you’ll have the chance to engage with locals, who will welcome you as friends and invite you to share warm, intimate family meals, offering a truly authentic and memorable experience.

Trip map

Itinerary

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Welcome to your holiday with us.

Upon your arrival at Hanoi International Airport, look for our driver who will be waiting for you with a sign bearing your name. The journey from the airport to your hotel will take approximately one hour and is an entertaining experience full of chaotic traffic, hectic architecture, and overloaded motorbikes.

Cap off the day with a free walk through the Old Quarter, also known as the 36 streets. This bustling area of narrow streets is home to thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers.

Hanoi Specialties

Grilled meats, fresh seafood, tangy salads, and a cornucopia of sesame, garlic, cilantro, chili, and lime are just the starting point for one of Asia’s darling cuisines.

Today, we’ll enjoy an introduction to Vietnamese food and drink, the basic ingredients, various styles, and of course, lots of sampling. Starting on foot from your hotel, we’ll make our way to the local market for a visual and sensory overload of produce.

Sampling is key, and we’ll make a couple of stops at a local street food restaurant to experience the local specialties: vermicelli noodles with tender grilled pork, broth and herbs, fresh garlic, and chilies.

Some classic dishes like cha ca, a delicious marinated grilled fish. Hanoi offers countless tasty local options. There are scores of local delights, and your guides will explain each of these to you.

Last but not least, savor a glass of Bia Hoi — a fresh, local draft beer — at a street corner in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

Inclusions: Airport transportation. Dinner. English Speaking Guide.

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Overnight at the Hanoi hotel

On your own

After breakfast, we will start to explore the peaceful Ninh Binh (2.5 hours).

Upon arrival, start to explore the rural villages, valleys, and limestone mountains by bicycle, where you can take pictures of the amazing scenery and landscape.

Board the sampan boats in the famous Tam Coc dock to drift down villages, mountains, and lush rice fields. Passing through 3 caves amid a dramatic natural jungle-clad limestone mountains raised majestically out of the floods.

Visit Hoa Lu, the location of the capital of Vietnam during the Dinh Dynasty (968-980) and early Le Dynasty (980-1009). The ancient citadel once covered 300 hectares of land, however, the passage of time has left few remains of this once glorious capital of Vietnam.

Transfer to Mua Cave and hike 500 steps to the top of Dragon Mountain to see a panoramic view of Ninh Binh.

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Overnight at Ninh Binh Bungalow

Breakfast, Lunch

Pu Luong Nature Reserve trip

Taking a 2-hour drive to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, where is the largest ethnic group living in this area is the White Thai tribe, you will pass through these minority villages and get a glimpse into a way of life and experience local culture, and see what life is like for these Vietnamese minorities.

Long-established ways of living have been passed down for generations in Pu Luong. The Thai people have kept the habits of their ancestors as an important part of their culture and community. Weaving, embroidery, basket making, and bamboo furniture are all key skills for the Thai people. Take the opportunity to learn about any of these traditions with a craft workshop.

Leisurely trek through terraced rice paddies, hills, and villages. Interact with locals and explore traditional activities.

After lunch, drive to Mai Hich village, where located in the Mai Chau valley, to stay overnight at a homestay.

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Overnight at the homestay

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

A morning walk through the surrounding peaceful villages as locals begin their day (approximately 7 km—2 hours). Then, you will be back at your homestay to start a cooking demonstration with the local Thai hill tribe cuisine—Com Lam, which means bamboo sticky rice.

Bamboo sticky rice is a simple but excellent dish, using glutinous rice cooked in bamboo tubes as the main ingredient. The sticky rice harvested on the hills is used to make Com Lam. Sticky rice is placed in a bamboo pipe with water. Ethnic people frequently utilize stream water and season it with salt for a more delectable taste. Banana leaves will then be used to seal the bamboo pipe before it is roasted over red embers or a fire. That procedure will take roughly 30 minutes to complete. After that, the cooked rice will be extracted from the tubes by breaking them with your hands.

After having a special lunch, pack your luggage and get ready to enjoy a scenic drive back to Hanoi. Upon arrival, enjoy a bowl of Pho, beef noodle soup, before heading to the railway station to take an overnight train to Hue.

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Overnight on the train

Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Arrive in Hue this morning, your local guide and driver will pick you up to enjoy a local breakfast of Bun Bo Hue (a special beef noodle soup).
Start your day with a visit to the Citadel – Imperial City is the home of Vietnam’s last royal dynasty – the Nguyen Dynasty.
Afterward, our guide will take you to Dong Ba market – the busiest market in Hue, with various kinds of foods and goods. Here you can see how the local people buy and sell things. We will enjoy a local lunch – Bun Thit Nuong or Nem Lui at this market.

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Overnight on the train

Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, take a dragon boat to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, which is one of the most fascinating and ancient pagodas in Hue city. It is situated on Ha Khe hill, on the north bank of the Perfume River, in Huong Long village, 5 kilometers from Hue city, which is easy to reach from the city center.

Then, visit one of the Emperor’s Tombs, it considered the most majestic of all the Royal Tombs. Renowned for its architecture, which harmoniously blends into the natural surroundings.

Visit the conical hat village and incense stick workshop (practical experience with making conical hats and incense sticks).

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Overnight at the Hue hotel

Breakfast, Lunch

After breakfast, drive to Hoian. Check into a hotel and relax.
Visit the next destination to Hoi An Old Town. Go to the Phuc Kien Chinese Assembly Hall, a colorful mélange of bright gates, dragon statues, and elaborate rooftops. Get an introduction to ancestor worship while visiting the family altar and watching local devotees making offerings. You will see remarkably well-preserved old houses, Phung Hung Ancient House or Tan Ky Ancient House, that have withstood 200 years of weather and war. Learn about the prosperous merchants who used to live in these homes, trading with buyers from all around the world. Especially, you will enjoy art shows at the Hoi An Traditional Performing Arts House. Make a stop at the Japanese Bridge. The bridge spans a small waterway and was constructed more than 400 years ago to connect the Japanese community with the Chinese who lived on the other side of the water. Admire the carvings and paintings inside the bridge, learning about their symbolism and cultural significance. Additionally, visit some of Hoi An’s well-known handicraft shops and artwork galleries. Discover smaller laneways and local neighborhoods, gaining a better appreciation of Hoi An’s endless charm.


6.00 pm: Enjoy your time with the boat ride on Hoai River and release the flower lanterns to pray for the best luck for you and your family. You will immerse yourself in the fanciful space of the lantern street. Free your time with the night market and enjoy the shimmering space of Hoi An. Dinner with Hoi An specialty food.

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Overnight at the Hoi An hotel

Breakfast, Lunch

Start at 07:30 with a special lunch, then you will experience the authentic countryside lifestyle of Vietnam with the Hoian Countryside Jeep Tour.

This immersive day trip will take you on a journey through rural areas surrounding Hoi An. Explore the agricultural practices of local farmers, visiting their crops, and livestock. Interact with friendly locals and experience genuine cultural exchanges, forming new friendships.

You’ll have an unforgettable day trip that covers the Hoian countryside, offering you an adventure that will stay with you forever.

Afterwards, enjoy a cooking class, then, take it easy to relax in the afternoon or stroll around the ancient town

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Overnight at the Hoi An hotel

Breakfast, Lunch

Free and easy in the morning in Hoian ancient town. Check out the hotel.

Transfer to Danang airport to catch a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly named Saigon).

Upon arrival, you’ll be picked up and driven to the center of the city. Enjoy Banh My- the Vietnamese sandwich for lunch.

Visit the fascinating War Remnants Museum. This will be an emotionally hard-hitting experience given the graphic content of the museum. Nevertheless, it will be a valuable stop for anybody wishing to learn more about different perspectives surrounding the Vietnam War and its continuing effects today.

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Overnight at the Hoi An hotel

Breakfast, Lunch

Morning: Cu Chi Tunnels
Upon arriving at Ben Duoc Tunnels, we’ll go through and enter the old base of the Viet Cong. You will be surrounded by thick forest, shaded by beautiful trees and bamboo. Your tour guide will show you around the location while explaining all about the magnificent, clever tunnels. Prepare to be amazed by the cunning traps and the sheer resourcefulness of the Viet Cong. From camouflaged entrances into the tunnels and bamboo booby traps amongst the forest to the intricate ventilation system, you’ll see it all.
Now, it’s your turn to experience them up close! Embrace this amazing experience of dipping underground and exploring the tunnels. The Viet Cong were particularly small and slim, so the tunnels were originally designed so they could just fit in. Nowadays, for educational purposes, the tunnels have been widened slightly. Prepare for a snug adventure as you move through them.
To end our Cu Chi tunnel experience, you’ll get to learn about the amazing hidden kitchens that were inside the tunnels and even try out some typical Viet Cong food. Afterwards, heading back to Ho Chi Minh City to relax, and waiting for the next adventure in the late afternoon.

Late afternoon: Street Food Tour on Scooter (17:00 – 21:00)

 Explore Ho Chi Minh City at night and sample the best food in Saigon. You will get into the hustle and bustle traffic with millions of motorbikes in the rush hours. Seeing and enjoying a lot of street food. Like a slogan,“Go Everywhere, Eat Everything”.

Pickup Time: between 5:30 pm and finish around 9:00 PM We’ll pick you up at your hotel, and you’ll travel with an English-speaking guide on a motorbike. Your first stop will be at a famous local food house, specializing in Bún Thịt Nướng – Rice noodles with grilled pork, one of the most popular dishes in southern Vietnam. Next up, we enjoy Bánh Xèo – Pancake and Bánh Khọt – mini-Pancake (South and coastal area) served with a basket of vegetables and see how to make a perfect one from the local chef.

After that, ride to “the biggest flower market,” which is open 24/,7 and take a short walk to see beautiful bouquets at the shop and get a secret gift from your local guides. Go deeper into alleyways to see the “street food market” and how locals live and eat. And enjoy more and more foods (Vietnamese Pizza – Bánh Tráng Nướng, Grilled Beef with Lemongrass – Bò Nướng Sả.

Venture into District 10, where the city’s street food scene thrives. Reward your taste buds with a heavenly dish of Coconut ice cream and Beef stew – Bò kho at a shop established in 1975.

 

Leaving the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and starting your trip to depart for Ben Tre coconut farm, the town lies on the left side of the Mekong River.
Upon arrival, ride a motorbike. Experience the heart of your Ben Tre tour with a countryside ride. Wind through picturesque rural landscapes, feeling the cool Mekong breeze. Discover charming villages off the beaten tourist path. Visit a traditional coconut factory, a mat weaving house, and a random stop. Learn about daily life and cottage industries in the Mekong Delta
Have lunch at a local house.
Board a traditional sailboat for a serene journey along the Mekong. Glide through small, quiet canals fringed with lush coconuts. Relax and soak in the peaceful Mekong Delta atmosphere.
Drive back to Ho Chi Minh City, freshen up, and relax. Farewell dinner

Today, your memorable trip of journey VIETNAM FOODIE ADVENTURE 12 DAYS will be done.

So quickly, today is the last day of the journey to explore the capital, Hanoi, and other beautiful destinations.

We sincerely thank you for choosing to use the service that we have provided with great enthusiasm and passion.

We hope you will give us the chance to get back the best experiences and vacations.

You will have a later morning than usual. Have breakfast and walk around the streets to buy souvenirs and food… as gifts before departure.

A private car will take you to the airport to end this exciting journey.

Thank you and see you again, goodbye from the heart of the New Asia Tours team

Price Policy

Inclusion
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  • 2 nights in Hanoi
  • 1 night in Pu Luong Nature Reserve
  • 1 night in Mai Chau valley
  • 3 nights in HCMC

Private tour guide and transportation

Almost includes breakfasts and Lunches

Local English-speaking tour guide or other language as per your requirement.

Included all entrance fees and sightseeing tickets, no hidden cost at all

Exclusion
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  • Extra personal beverages,
  • Tips, and personal expenses.
  • Others not mentioned in “ Exclusion” of above
  • Extra personal beverages,
  • Tips, and personal expenses.
  • Others not mentioned in “ Exclusion” of above
  • Extra personal beverages,
  • Tips, and personal expenses.
  • Others not mentioned in “ Exclusion” of above

Price Plan

Deluxe  Package

  • 3-4-5-star accommodation and cruise
  • Private package tour
  • To be customized

Get the quotation

Acommodation Options

City

 3-star 4-star 5-star
Hanoi City Conifer Grand Hotel Silk Path Capella
Halong Bay Syrena Cruise Signature Cruise Hermes Cruise
Hoi An Town Rose Garden Hotel Delicacy Hotel HA Boutique Resort
Ho Chi Minh City    Sky Gem Hotel Northern Sai Gon Park Hyatt

Customer Reviews

4.9/5 Star
Excellent
14 reviews
Write your review
5.0
Excellent - au flag Nicolas C
Unmatched Vietnam experience

I just got back from an amazing trip, and I owe it all to Mary Duong! From the very start, Mary made the planning process so easy and enjoyable. She really took the time to get to know what I was looking for and put together a fantastic itinerary that perfectly matched my interests.

Her recommendations were spot on—every hotel, restaurant, and activity was a hit! I loved how she included some hidden gems that I would have never found on my own. Mary was always available to answer my questions and offer tips, which made me feel so supported throughout the trip.

If you’re looking for someone who genuinely cares and knows the ins and outs of travel, Mary is your go-to person. I can’t recommend her enough! Thanks, Mary, for making my trip unforgettable!

5.0
Excellent - au flag Ilene Mccoll
Reputable agency for a great vacation

I know the New Asia Tours agency from the introduction of my friends. At first, I’m not sure about how to plan a long trip from Vietnam to Combodia. After consulting a few tours of NEW and some of their policies, I know that this one is suitable for me.
The tour appears to offer a variety of activities and excursions, allowing travelers to delve into the local culture, history, and natural beauty of each destination. Whether it’s a morning greeting the dawn of the sea at Halong Bay ora day to explore the Angkor Thom & Bayon, there seems to be something for every type of traveler.
Moreover, there was not any struggle for us to travel between 2 countries because everything had been planned so well. Whether it’s by comfortable coach, domestic flights, or river cruises, the tour guide always ensured seamless transitions and minimized travel-related stress for us

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