FRI: AUSTRALIA/HANOI

Depart Australia on your flight to Hanoi. On arrival you will be met and transferred to the InterContinental Hanoi Westlake Hotel for two nights.

SAT: HANOI

Your culinary journey begins with a visit to the local ‘wet market’ to learn about the fresh Vietnamese produce that is used in everyday cooking. Continue onto the home of a ‘true Hanoian’ who learned her culinary skills from her grandmother, a former chef who once served the French elite in the 1930’s. See how to prepare and cook authentic northern Vietnamese cuisine before sitting down to enjoy a delightful meal. This afternoon, visit Ba Dinh Square to view Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum, his wooden cottage and the One Pillar Pagoda, the Buddhist Tran Quoc Pagoda and Quan Thanh Temple. This evening, dine at ‘La Verticale’, set in a charming 1930s villa. Meet the acclaimed Chef and owner Didier Corlou, who has lived in Vietnam for 15 years and has a clear love affair and appreciation of Vietnamese food.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1 | Dinner 1

SUN: HANOI/HALONG BAY

Travel to Halong Bay via the rich farmlands and villages to join your overnight cruise onboard the “Emeraude”. Observe the natural beauty of the unique grottoes that rise towards the sky as you leisurely sail the emerald green waters of the bay.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1 | Dinner 1

MON: HALONG BAY/HOI AN

Watch the sun rise over the bay before your return to the pier and transfer to the airport in Hanoi. Fly to Danang where you will travel to the charming ancient town of Hoi An and stay two nights at the Life Heritage Resort. Dine tonight at one of Hoi An’s best restaurants famous for its original and creative cuisine that has been described as Vietnam-Latin-American-Japanese fusion.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Dinner 1

TUE: HOI AN

A delightful morning visiting a local farming family where you will experience their daily lifestyle and discover the flavours of fresh Vietnamese cuisine and organic herbs. Learn how to make tam huu, a local delicacy and then enjoy a light home cooked meal including bang khaoi, a speciality savoury pancake wrapped in rice paper. This afternoon, a walking tour of the ancient town will take you to the unique Japanese covered bridge, a Chinese communal house and the colourful market.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1

WED: HOI AN/HUE

Set off this morning on a walking tour to the colourful ‘wet market’ in search of the freshest ingredients most common in Vietnamese cooking. Join a fun class where you will not only learn step-by-step cooking techniques but also herbal remedies and the tricks of vegetable carving. Your efforts will be rewarded with a delicious lunch cooked by yourself. This afternoon, travel north to Hue and stop at the fishing village of Lang Co. Stay two nights at the La Residence Hotel & Spa.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1

THU: HUE

Start the day with a visit to the vibrant Dong Ba Market to see its abundance of fresh produce and then join a cyclo tour through the ‘Old City’ to Tinh Tam Lake. Travel onto the Imperial Citadel, built in the early 19th century and modelled on the Forbidden City in Beijing and visit the Tomb of Emperor Khai Dinh – the last monument of the Nguyen dynasty. Dine tonight at the private ‘garden house’ of one of Hue’s most famous architects where the lady of the house will personally prepare your meal and serve in the traditional Vietnamese manner.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Dinner 1

FRI: HUE/SAIGON

Transfer to the airport for your flight to Saigon and stay three nights at the Sofitel Saigon Plaza. Your tour will include Cholon (Chinatown), the traditional Medicine Museum, the Reunification Palace, History Museum, Opera House, City Hall, the Central Post Office, Dong Khoi Street and Ben Thanh Market.

Meals: Breakfast 1

SAT: SAIGON

Morning visit to a local home where your host will take you to a local suburban market to select ingredients to make a selection of favourite Vietnamese meals. Your host will teach you the secrets and techniques of preparing the dishes which you will enjoy as your lunch today. Return to the hotel where the rest of the day is at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1

SUN: CAI BE MEKONG EXCURSION

Take a two hour drive to the delta town of Cai Be, where colourful floating markets, emerald rice fields and lush waterways are the highlights of this region. Board a local boat to explore the floating markets and stop at the cottage factory where ‘pop-rice’, rice paper and coconut candies are made. Continue by boat to Dong Hoa Hiep Island and observe the daily lifestyle of the rural people. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner at Hoa Tuc Restaurant where refined Vietnamese food is served.

Meals: Breakfast 1 | Lunch 1 | Dinner 1

MON: SAIGON/AUSTRALIA

Farewell Vietnam as you transfer to the airport for your overnight flight home.

Meals: Breakfast 1

TUE: ARRIVE AUSTRALIA