Vietnam Real Food Adventure





Savour the flavour of Vietnam, from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City
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 food focused adventure.
4.9
133 reviewsStart: Hanoi, Vietnam
End: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Duration
- 12 days
- Group size
- 1 to 12
- Minimum age
- 15 years old
- Style
Basix: Simple accommodation, local transport and lots of free time
Original: Tourist-class hotels, some meals included and a great mix of included activities and free time
Comfort: Comfortable accommodation, with a relaxed pace of travel and many included meals and activities
Premium: Our best accommodation, exclusive inclusions and our most experienced leaders
- Original
- Theme
Our themes categorise trips based on a common interest or activity, while showcasing the highlights of a destination.
- Food
- 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
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 a 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.
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay and set sail on the emerald-green waters, gliding between limestone karsts 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 Cao Lau – a true feast for the senses.
View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2026 - 31 December 2026
Itinerary
Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins in the country’s capital – Hanoi. If you arrive early, maybe grab a delicious Vietnamese coffee (typically served with condensed milk or, for the more adventurous, egg)! Meet your group and leader for a welcome meeting at 5 pm, then head out for your first introduction to Vietnam’s lively culinary scene. Your leader will take you on a street food tour around the streets, as the sun goes down and the city comes alive at night. Maybe try bun cha (a grilled pork and noodle dish loved in Hanoi) or lau (Vietnamese hot pot). Thinking of arriving a few days early to explore the majestic Northern Vietnam? Then check out our Ninh Binh Mini Adventure (TVAN) -for an off-the-beaten path discovery of Pu Long and Ninh Binh. Or you can try our Hiking In Sapa (TVAG) - for a big doze of dramatic mountain landscapes, crisp fresh air and colorful hilltribes.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Dinner
- Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure
- Hanoi - Ninh Binh Mini Adventure (TVAN) - USD355
- Hiking in Sapa (TVAG) - USD432
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.
This morning, hit the road for the spectacular UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay. The harbour, with approximately 2000 limestone islands rising from the turquoise waters of Bac Bo Gulf, spans an area of about 1500 square km and is dotted with beaches and grottos. When you arrive, you’ll set sail on the emerald-green waters, gliding between limestone karsts to take in the incredible scenery from the best outlook of them all – the water! Then, you’ll explore Surprise Cave, one of the most striking caves in the bay. In the afternoon, you’ll return to your boat and enjoy a delicious feast prepared by an onboard chef. Tonight’s stay is something special as you’ll be sleeping on the traditional boat, letting the water lull you to sleep and really taking in the beauty of the surrounding bay.
- Boat (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise
- Halong Bay - Kayaking Tour - VND250000
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
It is recommended to pack a smaller overnight bag to take to Ha Long Bay for ease of boarding and disembarking. You can store your main luggage in Hanoi for tonight.
Swimming in the bay from the boats is banned by the local authority and limited to some designated beaches. The tour leader will take you to one of them. Kayaking is restricted to designated zones within the bay.
There are increasing restrictions on the number of boats permitted to stay overnight in Ha Long Bay, which can sometimes result in a shortage of available vessels. To ensure all Intrepid travellers continue to enjoy the experience of a night on the water, occasionally you will stay on a larger boat (with approximately 12 cabins) and share your boat with another group. In this instance, the route taken and inclusions on board will remain the same.
The accommodation on the boat is on a twin-share basis with ensuite bathroom.
If you’re an early riser, you might like to wake up for sunrise this morning, watching the bay come alive. Perhaps organise an optional kayak experience to see the limestone karsts from a new perspective. Tonight, you’ll head back to Hanoi and board an overnight train bound for Hue. Perhaps grab some snacks today for the train, then settle in and play some cards with your group or watch the scenery pass you by from the window.
- Overnight sleeper train (1 night)
- Breakfast
Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours and your time on the overnight train will be approximately 12 hours.
Although conditions are basic, overnight trains are a rewarding experience. It's an efficient way to travel long distances and a great way to get a sense of the country. Most trains have a dining carriage serving simple food, but maybe ask your leader for advice on which local salty and sweet snacks to stock up on before departure.
Sleeper trains typically have four berth compartments (occasionally six berths, depending on seasonal variations and group configuration) with bench seats that convert into sleeping bunks. A sheet, pillow and blanket are provided, although some travellers prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet. Passengers of different genders may sometimes be required to share a compartment and there will be occasions where you'll be sharing with local travellers or travellers who are not part of your group.
Arrive in Hue this morning – Vietnam’s former royal capital - and enjoy a local breakfast of bun bo hue (a spiced beef noodle soup). The food here is influenced by its imperial heritage (small dishes and a focus on aesthetic presentation) and Buddhism, reflected in the many vegetarian restaurants. After leaving your luggage at your hotel, embark on a tour of the city’s imperial monuments from the back of a motorbike. Stop past Thien Mu Pagoda – an active Buddhist monastery since 1601, where you'll see a car that belonged to Thich Quang Duc, the worldly famous self-immolating monk of the 1963 protests. After some time exploring, it's time to eat! You’ll enjoy a plant-based Buddhist meal specially prepared by a chef and descendant of the royal family, in the garden of their family home. After, visit the royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc and enjoy some free time this evening. You may like to ask your leader for the best place to try imperial street specialties for dinner tonight like banh hue (rice flour cakes stuffed with shrimp, pork and spices).
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
- Hue - Highlights & back streets tour by motorbike
- Hue - Thien Mu Pagoda
The motorbike tour has been assessed for safety and is closely monitored. To participate please ensure your travel insurance covers riding pillion on a motorbike up to 125cc. If you prefer not to participate, please let your leader know and they will arrange car transportation (cost included).
This morning you’ll go to a local coffee house where three generations of Hue locals are living together. Admire the traditional house and gardens before meeting your host, Mr Khoa. Learn about his passion for coffee with a demonstration of how to make Hue’s traditional salt coffee, from the bean roasting process to the secret ingredients. Maybe even have a go at making it yourself! After, visit the Imperial Citadel and Forbidden Purple City before heading south by bus through coastal rice paddies and the mountainous Hai Van Pass to Hoi An. This beautifully restored city retains the feel of centuries past and tonight, you’ll head to the Old Centre – a UNESCO World Heritage site full of colourful streets, heritage buildings and specialty shops. Try Cao Lau (a local noodle dish) with your group tonight, then head out among the lanterns for a nighttime orientation walk with your leader.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Hoi An - Cao Lau dinner + lantern orientation walk in Hoi An
- Hue - Salt coffee
- Hue - Imperial City entrance and guided visit
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.
Today, you’ll really get to know Hoi An – first, your leader will take you on a walk around the Ancient Town. Then, you’ll discover Reaching Out Tea House – a non-government organisation that supports the local deaf and mute community by providing employment and vocational training. While here, you’ll sip delicious teas in total silence – a tranquil experience you won’t soon forget. After a little time to relax, you’ll get ready for a cooking class with a local chef this afternoon. You’ll be escorted to a local market to shop for fresh ingredients, then you’ll go through a culinary journey with hands-on demonstrations. Your local chef will even share the stories behind the yin and yang elements, unveiling the secret of home-cooked Vietnamese meals.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Hoi An - Tea Tasting in Silence
- Hoi An - Cooking class with local chef
- Hoi An - Market tour
Enjoy a free day in Hoi An to explore at your own pace. Maybe relax at the hotel pool or go for a bike ride in the nearby rice fields. You can stroll around Hoi An’s Old Centre for some last minute shopping – you'll have your hotel room for the whole day, before driving to Danang along the coast. Maybe visit the beach for a while before boarding an overnight train bound for Nha Trang.
- Overnight train (1 night)
- Breakfast
Your travel time on the overnight train will be approximately 11 hours.
Arrive in Nha Trang this morning at around 10 am, then have some breakfast. After checking into your hotel, maybe stroll around the city, visit the Po Nagar Cham Towers or head to the Tran Phu Bridge for scenic views of the city and coastline. This afternoon, you’ll meet back up with your group for a seafood dinner – a local speciality in Nha Trang.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Nha Trang - Seafood dinner
Leave Nha Trang this morning and drive on to Ho Chi Minh City, once known as Saigon. Stop for lunch along the way, then when you arrive, take a walking tour to get a feel for the city's fascinating blend of old and new, East and West. You’ll notice a strong French influence here, which means excellent coffee and baguettes! Stop past the General Post Office, then take a guided walk around one of Vietnam’s most pulsing markets – Ben Thanh. This is the perfect place to pick up any last-minute snacks, cooking utensils, ingredients or presents for friends and family. Try the world famous crispy pork belly Bahn mi, then visit the War Remnants Museum to learn about the city’s sobering past.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Lunch
- Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum
- Ho Chi Minh City - City tour
- Ho Chi Minh City - Banh mi
- Ho Chi Minh City - Ben Thanh market visit
Your travel time today will be approximately 7 hours.
After breakfast this morning, kiss Ho Chi Minh City goodbye and make your way to the Mekong Delta. The delta is known as ‘Vietnam’s rice bowl’ for its abundance of rice paddies, fruit and flower orchards. When you arrive, you’ll hit the water and cruise up this mighty river, stopping at tropical fruit gardens and local cottage industries to sample honey, coconut candy and fruit, right at the source. Enjoy being paddled slowly along the quieter backwaters in a sampan – one of the most common forms of transport in these parts. Continue to your homestay for this evening. Meet your hosts and take some time to wander the garden, relax or lend a hand with dinner preparations. Enjoy a southern Vietnamese feast on the wide veranda overlooking the garden as the sun goes down.
- Homestay (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Mekong Delta - Boat cruise with visits to local producers
Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.
At this guesthouse, you'll sleep on a simple camp bed in a dorm-style arrangement. Bedding and mosquito nets are provided. Shared toilet and bathroom facilities are basic, with cold water only.
Enjoy the freshest fruit of the Mekong Delta for breakfast, then head to Cai Be for a hands-on cooking class with a local chef. Enjoy the tranquil setting and the spice garden as you learn some contemporary twists on traditional Vietnamese dishes with your passionate chef. Sit down and enjoy the delicious feast you've prepared over lunch and then enjoy a free afternoon to continue your explorations. Tonight, you might like to get together with your group and toast to a great trip over a farewell dinner.
- Hotel (1 night)
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Ho Chi Minh City - Cooking Class with local chef
Your travel time today will be approximately 2.5 hours.
With no activities planned for today, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you wish to spend more time in Ho Chi Minh City, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.
- Breakfast
Inclusions and activities
10 breakfasts, 6 lunches, 5 dinners
Private Vehicle, Taxi, Overnight sleeper train
Hotel (7 nights), Homestay (1 night), Overnight Boat (1 night), Overnight Sleeper Train (2 nights)
- Hanoi - Street Food Experience Urban Adventure
- Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise
- Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
- Hue - Highlights & back streets tour by motorbike
- Hue - Thien Mu Pagoda
- Hoi An - Cao Lau dinner + lantern orientation walk in Hoi An
- Hue - Salt coffee
- Hue - Imperial City entrance and guided visit
- Hoi An - Tea Tasting in Silence
- Hoi An - Cooking class with local chef
- Hoi An - Market tour
- Nha Trang - Seafood dinner
- Ho Chi Minh City - War Remnants Museum
- Ho Chi Minh City - City tour
- Ho Chi Minh City - Banh mi
- Ho Chi Minh City - Ben Thanh market visit
- Mekong Delta - Boat cruise with visits to local producers
- Ho Chi Minh City - Cooking Class with local chef
- Hanoi - Ninh Binh Mini Adventure (TVAN) - USD355
- Hiking in Sapa (TVAG) - USD432
- Halong Bay - Kayaking Tour - VND250000
This trip generates 87 kg of CO2-e per person per day
Learn more about our climate commitment.
When you travel with us, The Intrepid Foundation gives you more opportunities to support important causes in destinations you visit.
Before you book you should know
- 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.
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
WINDOWLESS ROOMS:
Some hotels in South East Asia have windowless rooms, or windows that don't necessarily have a view. This is often due to high population density in large cities, however local building standards also do not require rooms to have windows. We do request rooms with windows, however they aren't always available.
Hotel Hong Ngoc Cochinchine
95-97 Nguyen Truong To str., Truc Bach, Ba Dinh,
Hanoi
VIETNAM
Phone: +84 2437164143
Fax: +84 38285054
Description
Located within walking distance to Hanoi's Old Quarter, the newly renovated Hong Ngoc 5 features 35 well appointed rooms, a restaurant serving buffet breakfast, bar and café, and lift. Room facilities include IDD phone, air conditioner, cable TV, mini bar, bathroom with bathtub, and natural daylight.
http://www.hongngochotel.com/Overview204.html
Instructions
Intrepid can assist with pre-booking an arrival transfer from the airport - enquire with your agent. Please advise your flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to your departure.
For your confirmed arrival transfer, you’ll be met as you exit the Terminal Hall by a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign. If you cannot find your transfer representative, or if your flight is delayed, please call our hotline on +84 903 117 770. Neither the driver nor any representative should ask you for additional payment.
Alternatively, metered taxi ranks are available outside the airport entrance. Exit the Customs Hall and walk through the airport exit gates A4 and A5 on level 1. You will find Noi Bai Airport Taxis (+84 24 3886 8888) readily available. Noi Bai Airport Taxi drivers wear a yellow uniform shirt. Taxi fare to your hotel in town will cost approx. VND350,000.00 in total. These taxis won't use a meter, but generally charge a fixed fare. Please avoid taxi touts who tell you that they have a metered taxi parked outside the airport.
Alternate joining points
Alternate joining point 1
For trips departing on the following dates, use this joining point.
16 Nov 2025 (TVZY251116)
Adonis Hotel Hanoi
55 Quang Trung Street, Nguyen Du Ward, Hai Ba Trung District,
Hanoi
VIETNAM
Alternate joining point 2
For trips departing on the following dates, use this joining point.
19 Oct 2025 (TVZY251019), 09 Nov 2025 (TVZY251109), 30 Nov 2025 (TVZY251130), 07 Dec 2025 (TVZY251207)
Hanoi Larosa Hotel
36 Nguyen Khuyen Street,
Hanoi
VIETNAM
Alternate joining point 3
For trips departing on the following dates, use this joining point.
26 Oct 2025 (TVZY251026), 21 Dec 2025 (TVZY251221)
Hanoi Emotion Hotel
26- 28 Hang Bot St, Dong Da Dist
Hanoi
VIETNAM
Phone: 84 903363090
Instructions
Intrepid can assist with pre-booking an arrival transfer from the airport - enquire with your agent. Please advise your flight arrival details at least 14 days prior to your departure.
If you have pre-booked an airport transfer you will be met on as you exit the Customs Hall by a transfer representative holding an Intrepid sign with your name on it.
If you cannot find your transfer representative, or if your flight is delayed, please call our hotline at +84 903 117 770. Additionally please proceed to the Information Counter, your driver will wait here if you do not meet upon arrival.
Please note that neither the driver nor any representative should ask you for additional payment.
Metered taxi ranks are available outside the airport entrance. Go out of the customs hall and walk through the airport exit gates A4 and A5 on level 1, you will find Noi Bai Airport taxis (+84 4 3886 8888) readily available outside. Noi Bai Airport taxi drivers wear yellow uniform shirt. Taxi fare to your hotel in town will cost approx. US$18 (VND350000) in total. Please note these taxis are not on meter - but generally charge per trip. Please AVOID taxi touts who tell you that they have a metered taxi parked outside the airport.
Normal check in time at the hotel is after 14:00.
Dates and prices
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 2 (Overnight Boat), Days 3 and 7 (Overnight 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.
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.
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