Guide

Experienced English speaking guide French/German/Spanish/Russian/Chinese speaking guides are available upon request. The surcharge will be applied

Meals

As per the tour program: B=breakfast L-Lunch D-Dinner

Others

– All sightseeing tickets according to the itinerary – Tissues and water on coach – Service charges and government tax – 24/7 hotline support guaranteed

Flights

- Hanoi to Hoi An (with 20 kg luggage allowance) - Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City (with 20 kg luggage allowance) ** The cost of internal airfares is paid separately upon arrival to Realistic Asia as a local payment. The airfare fees are separated from the main tour cost because the prices of internal airfare can vary based on a number of factors, such as travel period, availability of flights, and fuel taxes. We keep it as a local payment to benefit our travelers by keeping tour costs lower and providing more flexibility during the booking process, and ensuring that travelers have a smooth and stress-free experience while on their trip.

Transport

- Door-to-door pick-up & drop-off services by private car - Air-conditioned bus between Hanoi and Halong Bay (2-way) - Private round transfer between Ho Chi Minh and Cai Be - Private cars for the excursions

Accommodation

HOTEL LIST: 4-star hotels Hanoi: Tirant Hotel or similar Halong Bay: La Pandora Cruise or similar Hoi An: Silkotel Hoi An or similar Ho Chi Minh: Alagon Sai Gon Hotel or similar 5-star hotels Hanoi: Apricot Hotel or similar Halong Bay: Doris Cruise or similar Hoi An: Palm Garden Hoi An or similar Ho Chi Minh: The Myst Dong Khoi or similar Check-in room at 14:00 // Check-out room at 12:00 noon (Except Early check-in or Late check-out mentioned in the program).

Hygieneprotocol

For visiting South-East Asia it is recommended (but not mandatory) to be vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B, Japanese Encephalitis, Typhoid, and Covid-19.&nbsp; Please note, to enter Vietnam you need to provide a vaccination certificate for Covid-19, in Laos and Thailand you can enter without a certificate but need to provide a negative PCR or rapid test issued no earlier than 48 hours before arrival. In Cambodia, if you do not have the vaccination certificate you will be obligated to make a test at the airport upon arrival.&nbsp; Please contact our team before the trip to get the latest updates on vaccination requirements

Not included:

Optional

Other activities and services not included

Insurance

Travel Insurance is not included

Others

X International flights and departure taxes X Beverage, Personal expenses, tips, and gratuities X Early check-in and late check-out (If not mentioned) X Compulsory Gala Dinner on 24 Dec, 31 Dec and 21 Jan (Tet) X Public holiday surcharge (Christmas and New Year, Tet holiday) if applicable X Surcharge for airport cabs from 12:00 am – 05:00 am X Visa stamping fee on arrival at the airport (Vietnam: $25/person) X Services not mentioned above

Start planning your experience

Day 1 Welcome To Vietnam – Hanoi Arrival
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Welcome To Vietnam – Hanoi Arrival

Your trip begins with your arrival in Hanoi. Your private driver will meet and greet you at the airport. You will be escorted to the hotel by private transportation. Check in to the hotel and get over the jet lag. You can mooch through the streets of the city. Historic charm, architectural marvels, and various products are splashed all over this area. After enjoying the first day yourself and return to the hotel for a relaxing sleep. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 2 Hanoi Cooking Class With Master Chef (B/L)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hanoi Cooking Class With Master Chef (B/L)

Today’s tour begins at 08:30 or 15:30. Travel to Chef Ai‘s House for the start of an exciting Hanoi cooking class. Meet with Ms Ai, who is passionate about Vietnamese cuisine, with about 15- year experience and in top 5 of Master Chef Vietnam 2014. Together, head to the neighbourhood’s wet market, walking distance from her house. See the variety of goods on offer, learning from the chef about their uses in traditional cuisine and purchasing items for the day’s cooking class. As well the marketplace is a fabulous place to observe local ways of life and learn about how Hanoi’s residents shop for fresh produce. Armed with the necessary ingredients, return to Chef Ai‘s family home. Once in the kitchen, the chef will share the secrets behind North Vietnam’s most popular foods. Using Chef Ai‘s recipes, slice, dice and cook delicious dishes. Once ready, sit down and feast on the home cooked meal bringing the culinary adventure to a close. (L)
Day 3 Hanoi Vespa Tour (B/L/D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hanoi Vespa Tour (B/L/D)

Explore more of Hanoi today in style from the back of a vintage Vespa scooter. Your guide will meet you at your hotel and take you for a ride through the atmospheric streets of the Old Quarter, admiring its famous landmarks such as the Opera House and the narrow Train Street. Head toward Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to see the President's Place, Parliament House, and other government offices while your guide shares stories about the history of Hanoi. Pass Huu Hiep Lake and the crash site of the US plane shot down during the 1972 bombing raids of Hanoi—a poignant reminder of recent history. Then ride along the calm and beautiful West Lake to see the Monument to John McCain. Your next stop is an idyllic hidden village on an island in the Red River, where you can meet a resident family and learn more about local life. Then it's on to a nearby kumquat farm, where the small trees are grown as a traditional gift for the New Year, symbolizing luck, health, wealth, fertility, and peace. Stop for some famous "egg coffee" at a local coffee shop, then head back to the Old Quarter via the Long Bien Bridge. This magnificent structure was built over a hundred years ago and connects the Hoan Kiem and Long Bien districts. The tour finishes with a hearty lunch at a local restaurant and a transfer back to your hotel. In the evening, our driver will take you to Ly Club Restaurant - one of the most famous restaurants in Hanoi for dinner. Overnight in Hanoi.
Day 4 Hanoi – Ha Long Bay – Overnight On Cruise (B/L/D), Bus
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hanoi – Ha Long Bay – Overnight On Cruise (B/L/D), Bus

In the morning, check out of the hotel, and get picked up by the Cruise team. Take the most scenic route to reach Halong Bay, taking you across the Red River Delta with emerald green rice paddies stretching for as far as the eyes can see. On arrival at the pier, you will board the cruise and enjoy the fantastic views of limestone rocks and the karst grottoes. Have an utterly delicious seafood lunch and enjoy the time at the sundeck exploring the Bay. The cruise will stop in a secret place where you will spend time kayaking or swimming, so you can explore the karst grottoes closer. Towards the evening, you will return to the boat for an early dinner, followed by some time at leisure. You can optionally attend the activities taking part on the boat or just relax. Overnight on cruise Note: In case of bad weather (the boat is not allowed to push off or not allowed to overnight in the sea), the Ha Long bay tour could be cancelled without notice. We will consider other replacement tours or a refund based on the specific circumstances.
Day 5 Sunrise On The Sundeck - Back To Hanoi (B/L), Bus
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Sunrise On The Sundeck - Back To Hanoi (B/L), Bus

Rise early today to view the sunrise at the wonder of nature with breakfast served in the dining room. A Tai Chi class on the sun deck will awake your mind and muscles. Then head off to visit the limestone cave full of stalagmites and stalactites. After your exploration return to the boat to check out and enjoy the brunch while the cruise is sailing back to the harbor. Later you will be transferred to your accommodation in Hanoi. Overnight in Hanoi
Day 6 Travel From Hanoi To Hoi An - Flight Included (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Travel From Hanoi To Hoi An - Flight Included (B)

Have breakfast at the hotel, and have free time until our driver will meet you for a transfer to the airport for your next flight to Hoi An. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel. After hotel check-in has some leisure time in Hoi An. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 7 Hoi An Foodie Tour (B/D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hoi An Foodie Tour (B/D)

This evening you will explore Hoi An's off-the-beaten-path highlights and taste the most remarkable dishes of this charming town. Your guide will meet you at the hotel and transfer you to a local farming village about 2.5 miles (4 km) from the town center. Here you can learn more about the daily life of the local farmers before getting back to Hoi An and immersing yourself in a foodie's paradise with the flavorful local cuisine. Start your culinary exploration with a selection of well-known local dishes such as white rose dumplings, banh beo (steamed rice cakes), banh nam (rice dumplings) my quang (flavorful rice noodles), Hoi An pancakes, barbeque pork rolls, and the famous banh mi sandwich. Wrap up your food tour with the best Vietnamese coffee before exploring more of Hoi An by night or heading back to your hotel. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 8 Hoi An Cooking Class At Red Bridge Restaurant (B/L)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Hoi An Cooking Class At Red Bridge Restaurant (B/L)

Meet your guide at the hotel around 8:15 am and start this beautiful day with a welcome drink at Hai Cafe. Then visit Hoi An’s colorful market to experience its amazing sights, sounds, and aromas. Interact with the local sellers and learn about all the ingredients to be used in the cooking lesson later. Next, you'll board a boat for a leisurely cruise along the Hoi An River to the Red Bridge Cooking School. On the way, get a close-up view of local river life and keep your camera ready for the many scenic photo-ops. Visit the school's herb garden, then learn about some of Hoi An and Vietnam’s most well-known dishes. The two-hour cooking class starts with Red Bridge chefs demonstrating each dish before you prepare the same dish by yourself. After a brief introduction to Vietnamese food carving (plate decoration), you'll sit down for a delicious lunch. Later we will transfer you back to your hotel. Overnight in Hoi An.
Day 9 Travel From Hoi An To Ho Chi Minh City - Flight Included (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Travel From Hoi An To Ho Chi Minh City - Flight Included (B)

Have breakfast at the hotel, and have free time until our driver will meet you for a transfer to the airport for your next flight to Ho Chi Minh City. Upon arrival, you will be transferred to the hotel. After hotel check-in has some leisure time in Ho Chi Minh City. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 10 Discover The Vibrant City And Dining With All Five Senses (B/L/D)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Discover The Vibrant City And Dining With All Five Senses (B/L/D)

Take the morning trip to visit Independence Palace, also known as the Reunification Palace, which was built on the sight of the former Norodom palace. The Independence palace is a widely known landmark of Ho Chi Minh City and was designed by the architect Ngo Viet Thu. Continue seeing beautiful structures from the French Colonial times such as the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the historic Central Post Office. Continue to the remarkable site of the War Remnants Museum the museum has a vast display of both the Indochina wars. Then we will transfer you to the restaurant for Lunch. Return to your hotel. This evening you'll awaken all five senses and experience a culinary journey through taste, smell, touch, and sound at Noir: Dining in the Dark Saigon. Start with a welcome drink while listening to the restaurant's concept and mission. Proceed to the dining area to savor a unique fine dining experience in the complete darkness as you work your way through an exquisite, multi-course set menu. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 11 Explore The Fantasting Cu Chi Tunnel (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Explore The Fantasting Cu Chi Tunnel (B)

Today you'll take a deep dive into Vietnamese history and explore the famous Cu Chi Tunnels, used as a shelter for Vietnamese soldiers during the war. After the 1.5-hour drive to Cu Chi, you'll learn about how the tunnels were constructed and how they helped people survive in the harsh conditions of wartime. Wander the remaining tunnel systems which include the living areas, kitchens, and bedrooms side by side with other martial facilities like storage, weapons factories, field hospitals, and command centers. You'll also spot hidden doors and dangerous traps within the maze-like tunnels. Finish the tour with special tea and cassava (guerilla food during the war) and join your driver for the transfer back to your hotel in Ho Chi Minh. Overnight in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 12 Time To Say Goodbye - Ho Chi Minh Departure (B)
12:00 am - 11:59 pm

Time To Say Goodbye - Ho Chi Minh Departure (B)

Relish a healthy breakfast on the final day of your trip. Complete the hotel check-out formalities after which you can free to visit the local markets and buy souvenirs for your loved ones. Later, proceed for departure and board your flight back home. Trip Ends.

12 days tour

Flavors Of Vietnam In 12 Days - Culinary Private Tour - 4 St

This tour includes:

Not included:

Start planning your experience

Itinerary of your trip Flavors Of Vietnam In 12 Days - Culinary Private Tour - 4 St

Welcome To Vietnam – Hanoi Arrival

Hanoi Cooking Class With Master Chef (B/L)

Hanoi Vespa Tour (B/L/D)

Hanoi – Ha Long Bay – Overnight On Cruise (B/L/D), Bus

Sunrise On The Sundeck - Back To Hanoi (B/L), Bus

Travel From Hanoi To Hoi An - Flight Included (B)

Hoi An Foodie Tour (B/D)

Hoi An Cooking Class At Red Bridge Restaurant (B/L)

Travel From Hoi An To Ho Chi Minh City - Flight Included (B)

Discover The Vibrant City And Dining With All Five Senses (B/L/D)

Explore The Fantasting Cu Chi Tunnel (B)

Time To Say Goodbye - Ho Chi Minh Departure (B)

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