Vietnam Culinary and Art Discovery 12 Days

Join a British art historian on an inspiring journey to take a close look at the major shifts in 20th and 21st century Vietnam as seen through the eyes of Vietnamese artists. From the fresh white spaces of leading contemporary art galleries to the grand halls of the Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts museum, the journey takes participants from colonialism to independence, communism to globalization. After lunch, visit theWar Remnant Museum where the stories about Vietnam War will be told by hundreds of extraordinary pictures from legendary photographers. The journey continues to the Reunification Palace, also known as Presidential Palace. Free at leisure before your Vespa adventure in the evening around Saigon for a feel of the nightlife feast of Ho Chi Minh City, a city of traffic, food and fun. 

After breakfast, transfer to visit Cai Be floating market, a cultural feature of Mekong Delta. Try to visit it early and you will see the most vibrant scene on a Mekong River branch with hundreds of boats gathering for fresh produce trade. Continue the discovery of Mekong Delta through the tranquil winding lanes and crossing canals. Take in the fresh air, beautiful view and taste some freshly picked fruit in local orchards. Return to Ho Chi Minh City in the afternoon.

Optional: Let us know if we could reserve for you a seat at the stunning, one & only AO Show in the evening if the show is available at the Opera House. 

Fly about one hour to the former imperial capital - Hue.  Special lunch will prepared at a local family restaurant known for serving dishes in the traditional style of Hue's imperial court. There you will enjoy dining with all of colorfully presented Hue traditional cuisine with an explanation on the characteristics of a royal meal. Learn the special decoration for a royal meal. Transfer to your hotel for a well rest before exploring the UNESCO World Heritage City of Hue on a unique Cyclo. Ride along the banks of the Tinh Tam Lake and explore local life. See the city’s historic monuments including the Ngo Mon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns and Forbidden Purple City. 

In the morning, embark on a local boat cruising along the Perfume River, see the city’s monuments, including Thien Mu Pagoda and Hon Chen Temple. Afterwards, take a short drive bound for Hoi An. Enjoy a fresh seafood lunch at one of the best beaches in Vietnam, Lang Co Beach. Drive along the scenic coast and passing through Hai Van Pass to Danang, take a short walk to Cham Museum where reside the most important Cham masterpieces of the vanished Champa Kingdom. Driving on to Hoi An - a lovely ancient town. 

Wander around the ancient town of Hoi An with stops at traditional homes, art galleries to meet and talk with local artists and join a silk workshop. Hands-on gourmet cooking class - lots of fun with professional local chef with a passion for food that knows no bounds.
 
On the next day, be responsible and reduce your carbon emissions by hopping on a bicycle and explore the outskirt of Hoi An. Start by visiting fish market early in the morning by your preference, you will then continuing to visit many local work activities on wheels; from watching traditional fishing techniques to making the strange and unique Vietnamese bamboo basket boats or planting herbs garden by local villagers. At dusk, experience your skills to make popular floating lanterns before return to your resort.  

Flight to Hanoi and check in your hotel in Hanoi. Feel the beat of Hanoi by an authetic lunch meal at a local restaurant. Take a well-earned rest before visiting Fine Art Museum in the afternoon, a home of an exquisite and various collection of paintings, ceramics and lacquers that have gracefully stood the test of time. Enjoy a retreat of special cocktail reception and short walk around museum with a knowledgable expert. Shop the ingredients around a typical street market for dinner at Vietnamese home to leanr how to cook a typical Vietnamese dinner with the host. 

Vietnamese said "Food in Hanoi, Fashion in Saigon", you have a chance to discover culinary art here while strolling along "food alley" in the heart of Hanoi's restaurant area to prove the rumor has it that Hanoi is one of the best street food city in the world. 

The journey from Hanoi to Halong takes you through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the incredible scenery of river valley rice fields. Upon arrival in Halong Bay, you will embark ona private wooden junk for your next river cruise, lead by a friendly captain and his professional crew. You'll sip local wine and gaze upon thousands of precipitous limestone peaks jutting dramatically out of the bay, as a celebrated local chef prepares lunch as the boat glides lazily across the unbelievably calm sea.  The afternoon includes a visit to caves, swimming and kayaking before taking part in a Vietnamese seafood cooking demonstration on the boat's sundeck, where you can test your skills in a fruit & vegetable carving contest.  A delicious evening meal, prepared with ingredients procured during the afternoon at the local market, concludes the day. 

Just when you think you've taken in all the beauty you can absorb, today's cruise brings you through even more spectacular seascapes, fishing villages and floating houses. Following a delicious seafood lunch served on the boat, you'll return to the harbor for your final evening in Hanoi, where you can explore the local cuisine and shopping with the guidance of our specialists, who will remain available to provide suggestions as to the best local restaurants and dishes to choose from. 

A private car and our guide will be at your disposal to help you enjoy some free time for last purchases or simply relax before your transfer to Noi Bai International Airport.