Culinary Vietnam Trip

You are flying today from Schiphol via Dubai to Hanoi.

Xin chao! Welcome to Hanoi, a modern yet charming city full of history and culture. You will be greeted by your driver and local guide and taken to your atmospheric hotel in the stylish French Quarter of Hanoi. Upon entering your hotel, you step back in time and feel the charm and luxury of days gone by. This hotel is the perfect place to relax and unwind after your journey.

In the evening, you can enjoy a welcome dinner at the star-rated restaurant Tầm Vị, a very atmospheric restaurant located in a vintage tea house. The antique interior and rustic elegance go hand in hand with the essence of Vietnamese cuisine served here.

Coffee Culture and Riding on a Vespa

Vietnam not only boasts a fantastic cuisine but also a rich coffee culture of its own. Here, you will have an extensive introduction to this culture in the morning. You will take a walking tour through the Old Quarter of Hanoi with a local guide. In a small family-run shop, hidden in a narrow alley, you will get to taste the iconic 'egg coffee,' a creamy blend of strong coffee, egg yolks, and condensed milk. This coffee is affectionately called a dessert in a cup. Of course, you will also hear the story behind the origins of this coffee. You then continue your walk to a small street café, where, just like the locals, you will enjoy a cà phê sữa đá (Vietnamese iced coffee with milk) sitting on a low stool by the street.

After these coffees, it is time to see how Vietnamese coffee is actually produced. In a small shop, you will observe how different types of coffee beans are roasted and ground. You will discover the difference between Arabica and Robusta beans and learn how the traditional Vietnamese phin filter brewing method works. Enjoy your last cup of coffee that morning at a special location, on the now-famous 'Train Street.' If the timing is right, you might even see the train pass very close by.

It is time for a special lunch, consisting of a typical Northern Vietnamese dish: bun cha. This is a flavorful broth with grilled pork, rice noodles, and fresh herbs.

The afternoon offers a few hours of relaxation before continuing your exploration of Hanoi and Northern Vietnamese cuisine. At the end of the afternoon, you will hop on the back of a Vespa, and your experienced driver will take you through the narrow streets of Hanoi's old quarter. Enjoy the breeze on your face as you experience this vibrant city at sunset, while the colorful lights turn on everywhere. Along the way, you will stop at various small restaurants and food stalls to taste local dishes. The tour concludes at a jazz club, where you can enjoy a drink and good live music to end the day on a high note.

JEEP ADVENTURE

After breakfast, you will depart from Hanoi in a vintage jeep. Enjoy the picturesque roads winding through rice fields and vegetable gardens, passing through rural villages in the Red River Delta. Get to know local farmers and learn more about daily life in the peaceful countryside.

Next, you will visit a small village specialized in pottery making. Here, you will see how the residents work in their workshop and create beautiful pieces. Of course, you will also have the opportunity to try your hand at making your own creative version of a cup or vase. Nearby, there is a genuine local market where you can observe how locals trade and negotiate. You will also taste some local specialties, such as steamed sticky rice slices. Lunch will be served at a local restaurant where skilled chefs will prepare a selection of traditional dishes. Finally, you will return to Hanoi via a different route.

Later in the afternoon, you will be taken to a charming location situated within the city but feeling like a countryside farm. Here, a cooking demonstration will be held by chefs Ron Blaauw and Dick Middelweerd, followed by a delicious dinner.

You will be driven to the airport in the morning for the flight to Danang in the central part of the country. Upon arrival, the transfer will take you to your charming resort, ideally located on the edge of the old town of Hoi An and directly on the Thu Bon River. After check-in, you will enjoy lunch at this resort.

In the evening, you will be driven to Danang for a Vietnamese dinner at Bánh Xèo Tôm Nhảy Cô Ba. This small family restaurant is praised in the Michelin guide for its crispy, thin bánh xèo pancakes topped with fresh local ingredients. But their other local Vietnamese dishes are equally irresistible.

Tasting Walk

This morning, you can take it easy. You may relax by the resort’s pool or enjoy a leisurely walk in the charming surroundings. Lunch will be served at a restaurant within walking distance of the resort, beautifully located along the Thu Bon River.

In the afternoon, you will stroll through the enchanting old town of Hoi An. Visit the market with its colorful stalls filled with fresh produce, local products, and souvenirs. Locals still do their daily shopping here. As you wander around, the vibrant colors and enticing aromas of beautiful fresh ingredients will surround you, and you will have the opportunity to taste some local delicacies and exotic fruits.

Next, you will continue walking through the atmospheric narrow streets, decorated with lanterns and lined with wooden houses, yellow-walled merchant buildings, and vibrant temples. You will visit some of Hoi An’s special spots and sample even more local specialties along the way. The cuisine of Hoi An is unique, featuring several exceptionally flavorful dishes you are sure to try. The White Rose Cakes are a prime example—delicately folded dumplings shaped like a rose.

Cycling in the Surroundings

Start your day actively with a bike tour through the rural area of Hoi An. This area is flat, making for a relaxed cycling experience. You will get to know local life better, cycle past and through small villages, and meet some friendly residents. Learn more about the farming life here as you ride along fields of corn or sweet potatoes and visit shrimp and crab farms. You will also see how traditional crafts are still practiced here, such as the local blacksmith, carpenter, or mason.

After lunch, the afternoon is free for you to enjoy at your own pace. In the early evening, it’s time to join Ron and Dick for a cooking workshop. Together, you will prepare a Vietnamese dinner using local techniques and fresh ingredients.

You will be picked up at the hotel and transferred to Danang Airport for your flight to Ho Chi Minh City, a true metropolis in southern Vietnam. This is already evident from the skyline dominated by modern skyscrapers. Among them, you will also find beautiful historic buildings, such as the classical Notre Dame Cathedral and the colonial-era old post office.

Upon arrival, you will be taken to your hotel in the old town center, formerly known as Saigon. This luxury boutique hotel could easily be a art museum, not only because of the many beautiful paintings and antiques that adorn it, but also due to its art-deco decor and artistic accents.

This evening, a special dinner awaits. You will dine at the acclaimed star restaurant Anan, known for its creative dishes bursting with Vietnamese flavors. Here, you will enjoy a modern Vietnamese tasting menu prepared by the Vietnamese-American chef.

In the morning, you will visit a local market in Ho Chi Minh City. Ron and Dick will introduce you to the many fresh herbs, spices, vegetables, and other local ingredients they will use for tomorrow's farewell dinner. The market tour will conclude with a special tasting of local shellfish. An irresistible delicacy that the chefs are looking forward to sharing with you.

In the evening, you will dine at yet another gem of Saigon. At the stylish starred restaurant Coco Saigon, you will enjoy a tasting menu of modern Vietnamese cuisine. Delight in creative dishes with perfectly balanced flavors.

After breakfast, you will leave the city to visit the Cu Chi Tunnels, an impressive underground network of tunnels used by Vietnamese soldiers during the Vietnam War. Together with a guide, you will explore the narrow tunnels with hidden chambers and hear fascinating stories about how the local population endured this period.

Back in the city, you will enjoy lunch at another charming restaurant. This building was formerly an opium factory and has now been redesigned in French colonial style.

After a relaxed afternoon, an unforgettable farewell dinner awaits in the evening. Your guides Ron and Dick will take over a restaurant tonight and prepare a dinner that reflects the many special highlights of your trip. The ultimate culinary summary of your journey and an evening full of conviviality.

This day is completely at your leisure, so you can sleep in, explore the city on your own, and perhaps buy some last-minute souvenirs. After lunch at the excellent restaurant of your hotel, it will be time for the transfer to the airport for your flight back to the Netherlands.

You arrive in Amsterdam today, richer in many special memories. Unfortunately, the time has come to say goodbye to your group and, of course, to Ron Blaauw and Dick Middelweerd.