Welcome to your next great adventure!
Vietnam is one of our absolute favourite countries to visit. The people, the culture, the history, the natural beauty—Vietnam ticks all the boxes! Most important of all? The incredible food!
The dishes and overall cuisine in this country are unparalleled in our travels. Now’s your chance to eat like a Very Hungry Nomad in Vietnam!
Join us for the trip of a lifetime as we spend 12 days travelling and tasting our way through this delicious country!
SGL/DBL/TWIN room at comfortable 3-star hotels
Your adventure’s itinerary
Put on your walking shoes and prepare your taste buds, you’re about to embark on a trip of a lifetime! Click each day below to see details of what you’ll get the chance to experience, to learn where you’ll be staying, and what delicious adventures you’ll encounter.
Welcome to Vietnam!
Say hello to our local guide, your host, Rach, and the members of our food-loving group this afternoon for our welcome meeting! Afterwards, we’ll head out for a leisurely walk through the Old Quarter, also known as the 36 streets. This bustling area of narrow streets is home to thousands of small businesses and shopkeepers.
This evening we’ll enjoy an introduction to Vietnamese food and drink, the basic ingredients, various styles, and of course, lots of sampling. Starting on foot from your hotel, we’ll make our way to the local market for a visual and sensory overload of produce.
Sampling is key, and we’ll make a couple of stops at a local street food restaurant to experience the local specialties: vermicelli noodles with tender grilled pork, broth and herbs, fresh garlic, and chilies.
Some classic dishes like cha ca, delicious marinated grilled fish. Hanoi offers countless tasty local options. There are scores of local delights, and your guides will explain each of these to you.
Last but not least, savor a glass of Bia Hoi — a fresh, local draught beer — at a street corner in Hanoi’s Old Quarter.
Meals Included: Dinner
Inclusions:
After breakfast, we will begin our journey to explore the peaceful Ninh Binh (approximately 2.5 hours drive).
Upon arrival, start to explore the rural villages, valleys, and limestone mountains by bicycle, where you can take pictures of the amazing scenery and landscape.
Board the sampan boats in the famous Tam Coc dock to drift down villages, mountains, and lush rice fields. Passing through 3 caves amid a dramatic natural jungle-clad limestone mountains raised majestically out of floods.
Home-cooked lunch at a local family.
Visit Hoa Lu, the site of Vietnam’s capital during the Dinh Dynasty (968-980) and the early Le Dynasty (980-1009). The ancient citadel once covered 300 hectares of land; however, the passage of time has left few remains of this once-glorious capital of Vietnam.
Transfer to Mua Cave and hike 500 steps to the top of Dragon Mountain to see a panoramic view of Ninh Binh.
Overnight in Ninh Binh.
Meals Included: Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner
Inclusions:
Taking a 2-hour drive to Pu Luong Nature Reserve, where the largest ethnic group living in this area are the White Thai tribe, you will pass through these minority villages and get a glimpse into a way of life and experience local culture and see what life is like for these Vietnamese minorities.
Long-established ways of living have been passed down for generations in Pu Luong.
The Thai people have retained the traditions of their ancestors as an integral part of their culture and community. Weaving, embroidery, basket making and bamboo furniture are all key skills for the Thai people. Take the opportunity to learn about any of these traditions with a craft workshop.
Leisurely trek through terraced rice paddies, hills, and villages. Interact with locals and explore traditional activities.
After lunch, drive to Mai Hich village in the Mai Chau Valley to stay overnight at a homestay.
Meals Included: Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
Inclusions:
Morning walk through the surrounding peaceful villages as local begin their day (approximately 7 km – 2 hours). Then, we will return to our homestay to start a cooking demonstration featuring local Thai hill tribe cuisine – Com Lam, which translates to “bamboo sticky rice.”
Bamboo sticky rice is a simple but excellent dish, using glutinous rice cooked in bamboo tubes as the main ingredient. The sticky rice harvested on the hills is used to make Com Lam. Sticky rice is placed in a bamboo pipe with water.
Ethnic people frequently utilize stream water and season it with salt for a more delectable taste. Banana leaves will then be used to seal the bamboo pipe before it is roasted over red embers or a hot fire.
That procedure will take roughly 30 minutes to complete. After that, the cooked rice will be extracted from the tubes by breaking them with your hands.
After having a special lunch, pack your luggage and get ready to enjoy a scenic drive back to Hanoi. Upon arrival, enjoy a bowl of Pho, beef noodle soup before heading to the railway station to take an overnight train to Hue.
Meals Included: Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
Inclusions:
Arrive in Hue this morning, our local guide and driver will pick us up to enjoy a local breakfast of Bun Bo Hue (a special beef noodle soup).
Start our day with a visit to visit the Citadel – Imperial city is the home of Vietnam’s last royal dynasty – the Nguyen Dynasty.
Afterward, our guide will take us to Dong Ba market – the busiest market in Hue, with various kinds of foods and goods. Here you can see how the local people buy and sell things. we will enjoy a delicious local lunch – Bun Thit Nuong or Nem Lui at this market.
Overnight in Hue.
Meals Included: Breakfast. Lunch
Inclusions:
After breakfast, take a dragon boat to visit Thien Mu Pagoda, which is one of the most fascinating and ancient pagodas in Hue city.
It is situated on Ha Khe hill, on the north bank of the Perfume River, in Huong Long village, 5 kilometers from Hue city, which is easy to reach from the city center.
Then, visit one of the Emperor’s Tombs, it considered the most majestic of all the Royal Tombs. Renowned for its architecture, which harmoniously blends into the natural surroundings.
Visit the conical hat village and incense stick workshop (practical experience with making conical hats and incense sticks).
Overnight in Hue.
Meals Included: Breakfast. Lunch
Inclusions:
After breakfast, drive to Hoian. Check in a hotel and enjoy some free time to relax.
Next, we’ll visit Hoi An Old Town. Go to the Phuc Kien Chinese Assembly Hall, a colorful mélange of bright gates, dragon statues, and elaborate rooftops. Get an introduction to ancestor worship while visiting the family altar and watching local devotees making offerings.
You will see remarkably well-preserved old houses Phung Hung Ancient House or Tan Ky Ancient House that have withstood 200 years of weather and war. Learn about the prosperous merchants who used to live in these homes, trading with buyers from all around the world. Especially, you will enjoy art shows at Hoi An Traditional Performing Arts House.
Make a stop at the Japanese Bridge. The bridge spans a small waterway and was constructed more than 400 years ago to connect the Japanese community with the Chinese who lived on the other side of the water. Admire the carvings and paintings inside the bridge, learning about their symbolism and cultural significance.
Additionally, visit some of Hoi An’s well-known handicraft shops and artwork galleries. Discover smaller laneways and local neighborhoods, gaining a better appreciation of Hoi An’s endless charm.
6.00 pm: Enjoy your time with the boat ride on Hoai River and release the flower lanterns to pray for the best luck for you and your family.
Immerse yourself in the colourful space of the lantern street. Enjoy a free evening. Perhaps visit a night market, explore the charming city of Hoi An, and enjoy a dinner with specialty foods from Hoi An.
Meals Included: Breakfast. Lunch
Inclusions:
Start at 07:30 with a special breakfast, then you will experience the authentic countryside lifestyle of Vietnam with the Hoian Countryside Jeep Tour.
This immersive day trip will take us on a journey through rural areas surrounding Hoi An.
Explore the agricultural practices of local farmers, visiting their crops, and livestock. Interact with friendly locals and experience genuine cultural exchanges, forming new friendships. We’ll have an unforgettable day trip that covers the Hoian countryside, offering an adventure to remember.
Afterwards, enjoy a cooking class, then take it easy to relax in the afternoon or stroll around the ancient town.
Meals Included: Breakfast. Lunch
Inclusions:
Free and easy in the morning in the ancient town of Hoian. Check out of the hotel.
Transfer to Danang airport to catch a short flight to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly named Saigon).
Upon arrival, we’ll be picked up to drive to the center of the city. Enjoy banh mi, the Vietnamese sandwich, for lunch.
Visit the fascinating War Remnants Museum. This will be an emotionally hard-hitting experience given the graphic content of the museum. Nevertheless, it will be a valuable stop for anybody wishing to learn more about different perspectives surrounding the Vietnam War and its continuing effects today.
Meals included: Breakfast. Lunch
Inclusions:
Morning: Cu Chi Tunnels
Upon arriving at Ben Duoc Tunnels, we’ll go through and enter into the old base of the Viet Cong. You will be surrounded by thick forest, shaded by beautiful trees and bamboo. Your guide will show you around the location while explaining all about the magnificent, clever tunnels.
Prepare to be amazed by the cunning traps and the sheer resourcefulness of the Viet Cong. From camouflaged entrances into the tunnels and bamboo booby traps amongst the forest to the intricate ventilation system, you’ll see it all.
To end our Cu Chi tunnel experience, you’ll get to learn about the amazing hidden kitchens that were inside the tunnels and even try out some typical Viet Cong food.
Afterwards, heading back to Ho Chi Minh City to relax, and waiting for the next adventure in the late afternoon.
Late afternoon: Street Food Tour on Scooter (17:00–21:00)
Explore Ho Chi Minh city at night and sample the best food in Saigon. You will get into hustle and bustle traffic with millions of motorbikes in rush hours. Seeing and enjoying a lot of street foods. Like a slogan “Go Everywhere, Eat Everything”.
We’ll be picked up at our hotel, and travel with English- speaking guide on a motorbike. Our first stop will be at a famous local food house, specializing in Bún Thịt Nướng – Rice noodles with grilled pork, one of the most popular dishes in southern Vietnam.
Next up, we enjoy Bánh Xèo – Pancake and Bánh Khọt – mini-Pancake (South and coastal area) served with a basket of vegetables and see how to make a perfect one from the local chef.
After that, ride to “the biggest flower market” which is open 24/7 and take a short walk to see beautiful bouquets at the shop and get a secret gift from your local guides. Go deeper into alleyways to see the “street food market” and how locals live and eat. And enjoy more and more foods (Vietnamese Pizza – Bánh Tráng Nướng, Grilled Beef with Lemongrass – Bò Nướng Sả.
Venture into District 10, where the city’s street food scene thrives. Reward your taste buds with a heavenly dish of coconut ice cream and beef stew – Bò kho at a shop established in 1975.
Included Meals: Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
Inclusions:
Leaving the hustle and bustle of Ho Chi Minh City and starting your trip to depart for Ben Tre coconut farm, the town lies on the left side of the Mekong River.
Upon arrival, take a motorbike ride and experience the heart of your Ben Tre tour with a countryside ride.
Wind through picturesque rural landscapes, feeling the cool Mekong breeze. Discover charming villages off the beaten tourist path. Visit a traditional coconut factory, mat weaving house and random stop. Learn about daily life and cottage industries in the Mekong Delta
We’ll enjoy a home-cooked lunch at a local home.
Board a traditional sailboat for a serene journey along the Mekong. Glide through small, quiet canals fringed with lush coconuts. Relax and soak in the peaceful Mekong Delta atmosphere.
Drive back to the Ho Chi Minh City, freshen up and get ready for our farewell dinner!
Meals Included: Breakfast. Lunch. Dinner.
Inclusions:
Today, after breakfast, our Vietnam Food Lover’s Adventure ends. We hope you’ve enjoyed exploring this diverse (and delicious) country with us!
Thank you, and we hope you’ll join us again in another destination to eat and explore!
Meals Included: Breakfast
Complete the form below to request a spot on the upcoming Vietnam Food Lover’s Adventure with Very Hungry Nomads, which will take place in Vietnam from 04 -15 May AND 07-18 September 2026.
Group Size: Minimum 5 people required to run this trip/ Maximum 12 spots in total.
Price: $2,150 USD per person (twin share; Single Supplement available at an additional fee)
To secure your spot on the tour, we require a non- refundable deposit of USD 750.
Please note that your spot is not confirmed until you have paid the deposit, so don’t wait! Send us your booking request below, and we’ll provide our bank details to pay your deposit to confirm!
Why Are Deposits Non-Refundable?
The deposit for your trip is non-refundable because planning and preparations begin as soon as you book. This involves upfront costs and staff work behind the scenes to perfect every detail. The deposit also ensures participant commitment. Since plans can change, we highly recommend travellers have travel insurance to cover unforeseen circumstances.
We use Heymondo; coverage starts from $55 pp (get a 5% discount here).
Please ensure the accuracy of all of your contact details (e.g., email address, social media accounts, phone number), as we will use these to contact you to book and confirm your spot.
