Vietnam Real Food Adventure

12 Days | Savour the flavour of Vietnam, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.

4.9 out of 5 based on 80 reviews submitted.
Food
From
CAD $2,650
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Sip, slurp and crunch your way through Vietnam, experiencing one of the freshest and most fragrant cuisines on the planet. From pho and ancient buildings in Hanoi, banh khoai and imperial citadels in Hue, banh xeo and lantern-lit streets in Hoi An and banh canh and pulsating markets in Ho Chi Minh City, experience Vietnam’s cuisine and discover its tightly woven place within this culture. Drink in cafes and beer halls that sprawl out over city streets, buy fruit from wicker baskets draped over a vendor’s shoulders and sit at market stalls as aromatic noodle soups are whipped up in front of you. Experience all of Vietnam’s iconic sights, spend time cooking some of the country’s top dishes and get a true taste of Vietnam on this delectable Real Food Adventure.

Trip overview

Map of Vietnam Real Food Adventure including Vietnam
Start
Hanoi, Vietnam
Finish
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Theme
Food
Destinations
Vietnam
Physical rating
Indicates how physically exerting a trip is, and how fit you will need to be to enjoy it. More info on physical ratings
Style
Original
Ages
Min 15
Group size
Min 1 - Max 12
Trip code
TVZY
We’re in the process of figuring out how much CO2-e this trip generates. In the meantime, find out more about our climate commitments and carbon reduction target.

Why you'll love this trip
  • Embrace your adventurous side on a tour of Hue’s imperial monuments from the back of a motorbike (the local way of getting around). Then be treated to lunch, specially prepared for you by a chef who is the descendant of the royal family in the garden of their family home.
  • Don’t just taste your way around this foodie haven, don your chef hat and learn the recipes behind these incredible eats, too. Learn the secret spices directly from local chefs (often in their own homes) and be guided to the freshest ingredients in authentic local markets.
  • Explore the Mekong Delta – known as ‘Vietnam’s rice bowl’ for its abundance of rice paddies, fruit and flower orchards. Cruise on a traditional sampan, then meet fresh produce vendors along the way to your veranda-wrapped homestay for the evening.
  • A true bucket list experience - visit Halong Bay, set sail on the emerald-green waters, gliding between limestone karsts and stay on a traditional junk boat for the evening.
  • Discover the real flavours of Vietnam, digging into authentic eats like pho, banh mi, bun cha, bun bo Hue and a traditional seafood hotpot – a true feast for the senses.

Is this trip right for you?
  • The cuisine of Vietnam includes a lot of meat and seafood. For vegetarians and vegans we recommend reviewing the itinerary and inclusions to ensure that you will be able to fully participate and enjoy this trip. We also have many other trips to Vietnam which can accommodate a range of dietary requirements.
  • Depending on where you come from, the weather in Vietnam might be hotter and more humid than what you are used to. Please consider your suitability for the season you wish to travel in. Check out https://www.intrepidtravel.com/vietnam/weather-in-vietnam for more info.
  • In order to see as much as possible, this trip involves some long journeys, including by overnight train where the amenities are shared and basic. For more about what this experience is like, see our blog post here: https://www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/what-to-expect-on-an-overnight-train-in-vietnam/.
  • The motorbike tour of Hue has been assessed for safety and is closely monitored (helmets are provided and drivers are licensed). However, alternative transport can be arranged for those who would prefer not to travel by motorbike.
  • Facilities at the Mekong Delta homestay are quite basic. But an authentic, heart-warming experience of local Mekong life should more than make up for the lack of creature comforts.

Itinerary

This itinerary is valid for departures from 01 January 2024 to 30 April 2024.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 May 2024 - 31 December 2024

Map of Vietnam Real Food Adventure including Vietnam

Inclusions

Meals

11 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners

Transport

Plane, Private Vehicle, Taxi, Overnight sleeper train

Accommodation

Hotel (8 nights), Homestay (1 night), Overnight Boat (1 night), Overnight Sleeper Train (1 night)

Activities
  • Hanoi - Welcome Dinner
  • Hanoi - Street eats and market tour
  • Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise
  • Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike
  • Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
  • Hue - Thien Mu Pagoda
  • Hue - Imperial City entrance and guided visit
  • Hoi An - Seafood hotpot dinner
  • Hue - Salt coffee
  • Hoi An - Cooking class with local chef
  • Hoi An - Market tour and garden visit
  • Hoi An - Tea Tasting in Silence
  • Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
  • Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Cooking Class with local chef
  • Ho Chi Minh City - City tour
  • Mekong Delta - Boat cruise with visits to local producers
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Banh mi
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Ben Thanh market visit
Add on activities
  • Halong Bay - Kayaking Tour - VND250000

Dates and availability

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Important notes

1. A single supplement is available if you’d prefer not to share a room on this trip. The single supplement exclude Day 3 (Overnight Boat), Day 4 (Sleeper Train) and Day 10 (Homestay) where you will be in shared accommodation, and is subject to availability. Please speak to your booking agent for further information.
2. While we endeavor to cater for specific dietary requirements, some meals and food activities are set in advance and may be difficult to adjust. Please advise us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking so that we can ensure you’ll enjoy this trip.
3. Please provide your full name exactly as it appears on your passport at the time of booking (including any middle names listed on your passport) for transport tickets. Ticketing fees may apply for amendments to details within 45 days of departure, and in some cases, you will be required to cover the cost of issuing a new ticket if an amendment occurs.
4. This trip includes domestic flights. The luggage allowance is 20kg for check in luggage and 7kg for carry on.

Essential Trip Information

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Read Essential Trip Information

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 based on 80 reviews submitted.
Reviews are from travellers who have completed their trip and want to share their experience. We show all reviews, but may remove any that include profanity or inappropriate content, are unrelated to the trip or reveal personal details.

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DOUG · Traveled February 2024
My latest Intrepid Food Tour, of Vietnam , was exceptional. The people and the food were fantastic and Bon, our guide made it a most pleasant and memorable trip. Totally recommend. Where else do you travel by plane, bus, boat, train and sanpan on one tour!
Review submitted 29 Feb 2024

Simon · Traveled February 2024
What a wonderful experience, I doubt if I could have found a better way of seeing Vietnam and experiencing the marvelous food.
Review submitted 21 Feb 2024

Phyllis · Traveled January 2024
I first traveled with Intrepid in 1998, a trip to Northern Thailand. Then to China in 2018 and this year to Vietnam. Intrepid is my favorite tour company.
Review submitted 11 Feb 2024

Elizabeth · Traveled January 2024
This trip was amazing! Well organized, interesting destinations, delicious food, excellent cooking classes. Tour guide Anh added so much to the tour with her knowledge, enthusiasm, and obvious pride in her beautiful country. So glad I went.
Review submitted 17 Jan 2024

Aimee · Traveled December 2023
I couldn't rate this tour more highly. The itinerary and included activities are great for any food lover. You come away from the tour with a better understanding of Vietnamese food and culture. Our guide Lily was incredible and made the who experience feel stress-free and enjoyable. Although it is a food-focussed tour, there are also lots of culture and sightseeing activities. It was a great way to experience the diversity and beauty of Vietnam.
Review submitted 12 Jan 2024
Vietnam Real Food Adventure
From
CAD $2,650