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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 92 reviews submitted.
Food
From
NZD $2,750
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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 May 2024 to 31 December 2024.

View the itinerary for departures between 01 January 2024 - 30 April 2024

Map of Vietnam Real Food Adventure including Vietnam

Inclusions

Meals

9 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 5 dinners

Transport

Private Vehicle, Taxi, Overnight sleeper train

Accommodation

Hotel (7 nights), Homestay (1 night), Overnight Boat (1 night), Overnight Sleeper Train (2 nights)

Activities
  • Hanoi - Street Food Tour
  • Halong Bay - Overnight Boat Cruise
  • Hue - Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
  • Hue - Highlights & back streets by motorbike
  • Hue - Imperial City entrance and guided visit
  • Hue - Thien Mu Pagoda
  • Hoi An - Seafood hotpot dinner
  • Hue - Salt coffee
  • Hoi An - Tea Tasting in Silence
  • Hoi An - Old Town walking tour
  • Hoi An - Cooking class with local chef
  • Hoi An - Market tour and garden visit
  • An Nhon - Rice winemaker
  • An Nhon - Home-cooked lunch
  • Quy Nhon - Market visit
  • 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 - Ben Thanh market visit
  • Ho Chi Minh City - Banh mi
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 2 (Overnight Boat), Days 3 and 8 (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.

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 92 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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Pamela · Traveled October 2023
Bon, our tour guide was the best, his knowledge and passion of all aspects of the Vietnamese culture, had us living and breathing this great country. Loved it.
Review submitted 09 Nov 2023

Angela · Traveled October 2023
WOW! Words just can’t explain one of the most amazing travel experiences that I’ve had in my life. The knowledge and experience was second to none, our tour leader consistently went above and beyond to help us with anything we needed at all. There was not a question that went unanswered and not a thing that he wasn’t willing to help us with. Whether it was organising extra activities, transport, recommendations on where to eat, what to see or do, during and after our tour. I have the utmost respect for our tour guide and highly recommend him and Intrepid tours.
Review submitted 28 Oct 2023

Debra · Traveled October 2023
This food-centric tour of Vietnam is spectacular. In addition to the food, learning about the history and culture of Vietnam was great. Our guide was the best and truly enhanced the experience. I love that we were able to meet and mingle with so many locals in all of our destinations. And the food! It was a true culinary experience. I would recommend this trip and have already recommended Intrepid Traveler to friends. Two enthusiastic thumbs up
Review submitted 19 Oct 2023

Hans · Traveled October 2023
It was our second trip with Intrepid. And this alone is a sign, that Intrepid offers excellent service and a fair and - in the matter of surcomstances - sustainable tour.
Review submitted 16 Oct 2023

Bec · Traveled September 2023
Anh was an amazing guide. We were on a foodie tour but her knowledge of culture and history ensured the tour was so much more than just delicious. Will definitely be bac Vietnam
Review submitted 12 Oct 2023
Vietnam Real Food Adventure
From
NZD $2,750