Day 1: Arrival in Hanoi
Your trip begins in Hanoi. As we drive from the airport into the heart of the city, your first real taste of Vietnam begins. Once you settle into your hotel, take a walk through the Old Quarter - a maze of history, food stalls, and lively shopfronts.
The evening kicks off your food journey with a walk through local markets and street food corners. Expect to sample:
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Bun cha (grilled pork with vermicelli noodles)
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Cha ca (turmeric-marinated fish with dill)
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And top it off with a chilled glass of bia hoi - fresh draft beer poured on the sidewalk.
Bun cha Hanoi
Day 2: Ninh Binh
After breakfast, head out to Ninh Binh - a peaceful countryside dotted with limestone mountains and rice paddies. You’ll bike through quiet villages, glide down the Tam Coc River in a traditional sampan boat, and enjoy a home-cooked lunch with a local family. It’s a chance to see rural life up close - no filters needed.
The day ends with a hike up to the viewpoint at Mua Cave, where you’ll get sweeping views of the valley below - the kind that makes you pause and think, “Wow, I’m really in Vietnam.”
Top of Hang Mua cave
Day 3: Pu Luong Nature Reserve
Next stop: Pu Luong. This nature reserve is home to the White Thai ethnic group, known for their traditional stilt houses and crafts. You’ll trek through terraced rice fields, pass wooden water wheels, and experience a slower, more grounded way of life. Ever tried your hand at weaving or bamboo basket-making? Now’s your chance.
Pu Luong nature reserve
After lunch, it’s off to Mai Chau’s Mai Hich village, where you’ll sleep in a cozy homestay surrounded by mountains and farmland.
Day 4: Mai Chau
Wake up to the sounds of roosters and morning chatter in the village. Today’s highlight? A hands-on cooking class where you’ll learn to make Com Lam, a dish of sticky rice roasted in bamboo. It’s rustic, flavorful, and an iconic part of local Thai cuisine.
Com lam - sticky rice roasted in bamboo
After lunch, it’s time to return to Hanoi and prepare for your overnight train to Hue. But not before you slurp down a comforting bowl of pho, Hanoi-style.
Day 5: Hue city
You’ll arrive in Hue bright and early and dive into a bowl of bun bo Hue, a spicy beef noodle soup that’s deeply tied to the city’s royal past. Then it’s off to explore the Imperial Citadel, where emperors once ruled.
Bun bo Hue
At Dong Ba Market, you’ll snack like a local on nem lui (grilled lemongrass pork skewers) or bun thit nuong, and explore the maze of stalls packed with spices, snacks, and daily life.
Day 6: Hue city
Today, float along the Perfume River by dragon boat to Thien Mu Pagoda, a spiritual icon in the region. Later, visit one of the emperors’ tombs - think mossy stone, serene lakes, and haunting beauty.
Thuy Xuan incense village
Wrap up your day with a visit to a conical hat village and incense-making workshop, where you’ll get a hands-on peek into Vietnam’s traditional crafts.
Day 7: Hoi An town
After breakfast, hit the road to Hoi An, Vietnam’s ancient trading port. Once there, wander through its colorful streets, visit historic homes, and admire the legendary Japanese Bridge. The town glows at night, quite literally - you’ll release lanterns on the Hoai River, sending wishes into the water as the sky fills with soft lights.
Dinner? Think Cao Lau, Hoi An’s signature noodle dish, plus plenty of other local favorites at the night market.
Cao Lau in Hoi An
Day 8: Hoi An Countryside and Cooking Class
Hop in a jeep and explore the countryside - visit farmers, ride past rice paddies, and take in the peaceful rhythm of daily life. Later, you’ll roll up your sleeves for a cooking class, using fresh ingredients you may have seen growing that morning. It’s interactive, informative, and ridiculously fun.
Hoi An jeep tour
Day 9: Saigon
Catch a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City, where modern skyscrapers and colonial buildings coexist with buzzing motorbikes and alleyway cafes. After lunch with a classic banh mi, you’ll visit the War Remnants Museum, a sobering but essential stop to understand Vietnam’s recent history.
Banh mi Huynh Hoa in Saigon
Day 10: Cu Chi Tunnels and Nighttime Eats
In the morning, crawl through the Cu Chi Tunnels - an underground maze used by Viet Cong soldiers. You’ll hear stories of resilience, creativity, and survival that stick with you long after.
In the evening, hop on the back of a scooter for a thrilling street food tour. You’ll weave through the city, tasting banh xeo (Vietnamese pancakes), bo kho (beef stew), Vietnamese pizza, and more. This is Saigon at its most energetic and delicious.
Banh xeo - Vietnamese pancakes
Day 11: Mekong Delta
Trade the city noise for coconut trees and slow boats. In Ben Tre, you’ll explore by motorbike, visit a coconut candy factory, and float down canals fringed with palms. Lunch is local and lovely, enjoyed at a family home.
This peaceful day in the Mekong Delta shows you yet another side of Vietnam - one where life flows with the tide.
Day 12: Goodbye for Now
Enjoy a slow morning, grab last-minute souvenirs, and say farewell to a country that’s fed you well - body and soul.
This Vietnam food and culture trip is more than a vacation. It’s a full sensory experience: slurping noodles on the street, hearing traditional instruments in Hoi An, feeling the breeze on a Mekong boat, and laughing with locals during a cooking class. With New Asia Tours, you won’t just eat like a local - you’ll live like one. Let’s plan your food and culture journey today!
