GOURMET TREASURES

GOURMET TREASURES

Ha Noi - Ha Long Bay - Hue - Hoi An - Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta in 13 days

Delight the senses and discover the culinary treasures of Viet Nam. A mix of spectacular scenery and interesting sights, interspersed with cooking demonstrations, street food, and colorful markets will help you gain a deep understanding. of Viet Nam, its people, history and culture as you dine your way from Ha Noi to Ho Chi Minh City.

ITINERARY

Day 1 Arrive Ha Noi

On arrival at Ha Noi Noi Bai Airport, you will be met and transferred to your hotel. After our welcome drink and tour briefing we enjoy the first of many delicious dining experiences.

Day 2 Ha Noi

Ha Noi, stately and charming is ours to discover. We visit the Mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh, and his humble house on stilts, the famous One Pillar Pagoda, and the Temple of Literature (Viet Nam's first University) In the afternoon a cyclo ride through the 36 streets of the Old Quarter to vibrant Dong Xuan Market is followed by a chance to explore on your own. This evening we enjoy a performance of unique Vietnamese water puppetry as well as a traditional Northern meal.

Day 3 Ha Noi . Ha Long

Today we travel across the rural plain of the Red River Delta to the World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay where our boat and sumptuous seafood lunch await us. Cruising amongst the limestone islets there is opportunity to explore the wondrous caves and swim.

Dinner will also be served onboard, after which, our boat will moor in a quiet bay for the night. Cabins are twin share with private facilities and hot water.

Day 4 Ha Long - Ha Noi

We wake up to breakfast in this spectacular bay before heading back to the harbor and Ha Noi. There is time to refresh and relax, before we attend the Metropole Hotel cooking school, which includes a guided market tour and cooking demonstration, as well as dinner - sampling the dishes prepared of course!

Day 5 Ha Noi . Hue

A short morning flight brings us to the delightful University and Heritage town of Hue. In pace with this sleepy city, we explore its sights by cyclo, glimpsing the regal splendour of times past as we stroll the grounds of the imposing Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City. Absorb the energy, sounds and smells of bustling Dong Ba Market, before enjoying an evening banquet of Hue specialties as we drift on the Perfume River in our Royal Dragon Boat.

Our journey into the rich history, religion and culture of Hue, begins by exploring the impressive Tombs of the Nguyen Emperors, both majestic and peaceful, they remain as testament to the power of these former rulers. Thien Mu Pagoda considered one of the oldest in Viet Nam introduces us to both Buddhist history and legend. After enjoying a lunch of vegetarian fare at a Buddhist Monastery, we venture in the countryside and discover a wealth of crafts in the rural villages. This evening we observe a cooking demonstration before participating in a magnificent Royal Banquet, complete with traditional music and folk songs.

Traveling south we cross the breathtaking Hai Van Pass to arrive into the charming old Merchant Town of Hoi An. Our introduction to its network of Heritage streets, Chinese assembly halls, cultural museum, old shop houses and the famous Japanese Bridge, is followed with free time to explore on our own. Be tempted by the art galleries, hand crafted woodwork, ceramics, lanterns, embroidery and tailor shops where an entire wardrobe can be made overnight. In the evening we enjoy a feast of Hoi An's unique culinary delicacies.

This morning is free to discover the delights of this atmospheric town. In the afternoon we tour the colourful market and attend a cooking demonstration, learning the secrets of central Viet Nam's cuisine ingredients, which we later sample over dinner.

We visit World Heritage Site of My Son this morning. A former capital of the once powerful and prosperous Champa Kingdom, the remarkable towers have withstood time, war and the elements. Returning to Hoi An at noontime, the day is yours to enjoy the beach, shopping or further exploration.

A short morning flight brings us to dynamic Ho Chi Minh City, the powerhouse of the South. We immerse ourselves in the hustle and bustle as we travel by cyclo through its busy streets. A city filled with contrasts, we visit Notre Dame Cathedral, the War Remnants Museum and Reunification Palace before heading out to the Chinese District of Cho Lon with its bustling wholesale market and colorful grand Pagodas. This evening we enjoy a smorgasbord of southern dishes followed by a spectacular rooftop view of the city at night.

Leaving the churning metropolis behind we head south to My Tho, gateway to the Mekong Delta. Boarding our private boat we cross the mighty river, and navigate the leafy island waterways to arrive at a fruit orchard for exploration. Here we sample refreshing tropical fruit and learn about the Delta way of life from our friendly local hosts. We lunch on exquisite Delta specialties at a riverside restaurant before returning to Ho Chi Minh City.

The day commences with a market tour before attending our course at the Viet Nam Cookery Centre. After preparing a selection of traditional dishes, we enjoy lunch and receive our certificate of participation. The afternoon is free to explore and shop before our final memorable dinner.

A good opportunity to do some last minute shopping before your transfer to Ho Chi Minh City Airport for your ongoing flight.