Vietnam Real Food Adventure

Saturday, 21st December 2024
Meals Included: Dinner

Xin chao! Welcome to Vietnam. Your adventure begins in the country’s capital – Hanoi. If you arrive early, maybe grab an iconic coffee – typically served with condensed milk or, for the more adventurous, egg! You’ll meet your group and leader for an important welcome meeting at 5 pm, then head out for your first introduction to Vietnam’s lively culinary scene. Your leader will take you on a street food tour around the streets, as the sun goes down and the city comes alive at night. You might sink your teeth into the delicious food which only be found in Hanoi.

Arrival Transfer
Not included – please refer to pricing table

Included Activities
Hanoi – Walking street food tour

Accommodation
Babylon Grand Hotel & Spa

Special Information
It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place. If the group arrives late, the walking street food will be moved to day 3 before the overnight train.

Sunday, 22nd December 2024
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

This morning, hit the road for the spectacular World Heritage-listed site of Ha Long Bay. The harbour, with approximately 2000 limestone islands rising from the turquoise waters of Bac Bo Gulf, spans an area of about 1500 square km and is dotted with beaches and grottos. When you arrive, you’ll set sail on the emerald-green waters, gliding between limestone karsts to take in the incredible scenery from the best outlook of them all – the water! Then, you’ll explore Surprise Cave, one of the most striking caves in the bay, covering an area of more than 12,000 square m. In the afternoon, you’ll return to your boat and enjoy a delicious feast prepared by an onboard chef.
Tonight’s stay is something special as you’ll be sleeping on the traditional boat, letting the water lull you to sleep and really taking in the beauty of the surrounding bay.

Included Activities
Halong Bay – overnight cruise & activities

Accommodation
Renea Cruises

Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 4 hours.

It is recommended to pack a smaller overnight bag to take to Ha Long Bay for ease of boarding and disembarking. You can store your main luggage in Hanoi for tonight. Swimming in the bay from the boats is banned by the local authority. Kayaking is restricted to designated zones within the bay. There are increasing restrictions on the number of boats permitted to stay overnight in Ha Long Bay, which can sometimes result in a shortage of available vessels. To ensure all Intrepid travellers continue to enjoy the experience of a night on the water, occasionally you will stay on a larger boat (with approximately 12 cabins) and share your boat with another group. In this instance, the route taken and inclusions on board will remain the same.

Monday. 23rd December 2024
Meals Included: Breakfast, Brunch

You’d be forgiven for thinking you were still dreaming when you wake up on the bay this morning. If you’re an early riser, you might like to organise an optional kayak experience before you head back to Hanoi this morning. When you arrive, you’ll board an overnight train bound for Hue. Although conditions are basic, overnight trains are a rewarding experience. It’s an efcient way to travel long distances and a great way to get a sense of the country. Most trains have a dining carriage serving simple food, but maybe ask your leader for advice on which local salty and sweet snacks to stock up on before departure.

Accommodation
Day use room hotel: 4 travelers per room until 18:00
Overnight Sleeper Train

Special information
Sleeper trains typically have four berth compartments (occasionally six berth, depending on seasonal variations and group configuration) with bench seats that convert into sleeping bunks. A sheet, pillow and blanket are provided, although some travellers prefer to bring their own sleeping sheet. Passengers of different genders may sometimes be required to share a compartment and there will be occasions where you’ll be sharing with local travellers or travellers who are not part of your group.

Tuesday, 24th December 2024
Meals Included: Lunch

Arrive in Hue this morning – Vietnam’s former royal capital, where the cuisine is considered by many as the best in the country. The food is inuenced by its imperial heritage (small dishes and a focus on aesthetic presentation) and its strong Buddhist heritage, reected in the high proportion of vegetarian restaurants. After leaving your luggage at your hotel, embark on a tour of the city’s imperial  monuments from the back of a motorbike. Stop past Thien Mu Pagoda, an active Buddhist monastery since 1601, where you’ll see a car that belonged to one of the self immolating monks of the 1963  protests. After some time exploring, it’s time to eat! You’ll enjoy a plant-based Buddhist meal specially prepared for you by a chef who is a descendant of the royal family, in the garden of their family home. After, visit the royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc, then visit the Imperial Citadel, which includes the Forbidden Purple City. The latter was almost totally destroyed during the Vietnam War’s Tet  Offensive, but the foliage-covered ruins are still atmospheric, and the gaping holes left by bombs give an idea of the destruction wreaked upon the country during the war. Tonight, maybe ask your  leader for the best place to try imperial street specialties like banh hue (rice our cakes stuffed with shrimp, pork and spices).

Included Activities
Hue – Royal tomb of Emperor Tu Duc
Hue – Highlights & back streets by motorbike
Hue – Imperial City entrance and guided visit
Hue – Thien Mu Pagoda

Optional Activities
Hue – Home dinner – from USD $15 per person (depending on group size)

Tonight, head into the home of a local family and enjoy a freshly prepared dinner. You’ll be chatting with the host, listen to their stories or ask them the questions if you have any and laughing over  your chopsticks in no time! It’s more than simply a dinner; you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy a local’s home supper, and why not share your family tradition with them?

Accommodation
Villa Hue

Special information
The motorbike tour has been assessed for safety and is closely monitored. To participate please ensure your travel insurance covers riding pillion on a motorbike up to 125cc. If you prefer not to  participate, please let your leader know and they will arrange car transportation (cost included)

Wednesday, 25th December 2024
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

After a local breakfast of bun bo hue (a spiced beef noodle soup), you’ll go to a local coffee house where three generations of Hue locals are living together. Admire the traditional house and gardens  before meeting your host, Mr Khoa. Learn about his passion for coffee with a demonstration of how to make Hue’s traditional salt coffee, from the bean roasting process to the secret ingredients.  Maybe even have a go at making it yourself! After, head south by bus through coastal rice paddies and the mountainous Hai Van Pass to Hoi An. This beautifully restored city retains the feel of  centuries past, making it the sort of place that grows on you the more you explore.

After some time to settle into your hotel, you’ll make your way to a special beach side restaurant for a seafood hotpot dinner with your group. This is a particularly popular meal amongst the locals in  Hoi An!

Included Activities
Hue – Salt coffee
Hoi An – Seafood hotpot dinner

Accommodation
My Son Boutique Hoi An

Thursday, 26th December 2024
Meals Included: Breakfast, Dinner

Today, you’ll really get to know Hoi An, with a day filled with authentic experiences. First up, your leader will take you on an orientation walk around the Ancient Town. Then, you’ll discover Reaching  Out Tea House, a non-government organisation that supports the local deaf and mute community by providing employment and vocational training. The peace and quiet of this café stands in stark  contrast to the bustling streets outside.While here, you’ll sip delicious teas in total silence – a tranquil experience you won’t soon forget. After a little time to relax, you’ll get ready for a cooking class  with a local chef this afternoon. You’ll be escorted to a local market to shop for fresh ingredients and then taken through a culinary journey with hands-on demonstrations. Your local chef will even  share the stories behind the yin and yang elements, unveiling the secret of home cooked Vietnamese meals. Feast on your delicious creations, dishes that highlight the cooking of the Pho Hoi people.

Included Activities
Hoi An – Cooking class with local chef
Hoi An – Market tour and garden visit
Hoi An – Tea Tasting in Silence
Hoi An – Old Town walking tour

Accommodation
My Son Boutique Hoi An

Friday, 27th December 2024
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

This morning after breakfast, you’ll visit a village to see the production process of Vietnamese rice whiskey (made from plain boiled rice). Learn about the history of this traditional practise and see  how it’s made, with a sample or two along the way. Then, you’ll be treated to a home-cooked lunch in the village – a great opportunity to learn more about the locals. Head on to Quy Nhon – a coastal  city flanked by super clear waters, traditional fishing boats and sandy beaches. Tonight, maybe watch the sunset at Ky Co Beach or ask your leader for the best dinner spots.

Included Activities
An Nhon – Rice winemaker
An Nhon – Home-cooked lunch

Accommodation
Seagull Hotel

Special information
Your travel time today will be approximately 6 hours

Saturday, 28th December 2024
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Early this morning, you’ll visit the local market with your trip leader for a wander around and a fruit tasting of some local produce. Then, walk to Bun Ram Thuy for breakfast, before continuing to  Dang Coffee for your ritual caffeine hit (or a cold drink to ease the morning heat). After, you’ll have free time and the use of a day room to rest, relax or explore at your own pace. Tonight, you’ll hop  on an overnight train to Ho Chi Minh City.

Overnight Train
Quy Nhon – Market visit

Accommodation
Day use room hotel: 4 travelers per room until 18:00
Overnight Sleeper Train

Special information
Your travel time on the overnight train tonight will be approximately 12 hours.

Sunday, 29th December 2024
Meals Included: Dinner

Arrive in Ho Chi Minh City this morning, then join a walking tour to get a feel for the city’s frenetic, fascinating blend of old and new, East and West. You’ll notice a strong French inuence here, which  means excellent coffee and baguettes! Stop past the General Post Ofce and Notre Dame, then visit the War Remnants Museum to learn about the city’s sobering past. In the afternoon, you’ll  take part in a cooking class where you’ll learn some contemporary twists on traditional Vietnamese dishes with a passionate chef. Sit down and enjoy the delicious feast you’ve prepared for dinner.

Included Activities
Ho Chi Minh City – City tour
Ho Chi Minh City – War Remnants Museum
Ho Chi Minh City – Cooking Class with local chef

Accommodation
Avanti Hotel Saigon

Monday, 30th December 2024
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

After breakfast this morning, kiss Ho Chi Minh City goodbye as we make our way to the Mekong Delta. The delta is known as ‘Vietnam’s rice bowl’ for its abundance of rice paddies, fruit and ower  orchards. Once you arrive, you’ll hit the water and cruise up this mighty river, stopping at tropical fruit gardens and local cottage industries to sample honey, coconut candy and fruit, right at the  source. Enjoy being paddled slowly along the quieter backwaters in a sampan, one of the most common forms of transport in these parts. Continue to your homestay for this evening. Meet your hosts  and take some time to wander the garden, relax or lend a hand with dinner preparations. Enjoy a southern Vietnamese feast on the wide veranda overlooking the garden as the sun goes down.

Included Activities
Mekong Delta – Boat cruise with visits to local producers

Accommodation
Homestay

Special information
Today’s driving time is approximately 2.5 hours.
At this guesthouse, you’ll sleep on a simple camp bed in a dorm-style arrangement. Bedding and mosquito
nets are provided. Shared toilet and bathroom facilities are basic, with cold water only.

Tuesday, 31st December 2024
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch

Enjoy the freshest fruit of the Mekong Delta for breakfast, then head back to Ho Chi Minh City. Then, stop for a delicious crispy pork banh mi for lunch. The rest of the day is free to explore at your  own pace. Tonight, you might like to get together with your group and toast to a great trip over a farewell dinner.

Included Activities
Ho Chi Minh City – Banh mi

Accommodation
Avanti Hotel Saigon

Special information
Today’s driving time is approximately 2.5 hours

Wednesday, 1st January 2025
Meals Included: Breakfast

With no activities planned for today, your adventure comes to an end after breakfast. If you wish to spend more
time in Ho Chi Minh City, just speak to your booking agent ahead of time.

Departure Transfer
Not included – please refer to pricing table