Vietnam Cooking Class

Day 01: Saigon Arrival (D)
Flight to Saigon. Upon arrival, check in to your hotel. Take the orientation walk around the center of the city. Welcome dinner at local restaurant and overnight in Saigon.

Day 02: Saigon and Cooking Class (B.L.D)
This morning we have a cooking class with Vietnam Cookery Center. An accompanied tour to the spectacular Ben Thanh market 1 hour before the class. During the market visit we will describe the classic Vietnamese produce, from fruit and vegetables, to meats and seafood. Our guests will learn how to recognize the different Vietnamese ingredients and be guided in their application. Back to Vietnam Cookery Center. Even inexperienced cook can create tasty dishes within a few hours. Continue by a hands-on initiation to the Vietnamese Cuisine Art, giving you the opportunity not only to learn how to cook them and reproduce them once you return to your home country, but also to taste our delicious dishes.
Menu: Salad, one local soup, braised fish or pork. Enjoy food self-prepared and by the restaurant. Afternoon, we will take you to visit Cho Lon, the biggest whole sales market in Saigon then visit Thien Hau Pagoda – where you can see hundred of local people come to worship for their Health, Luck and Happiness. Dinner and overnight in Saigon.

Day 03: Saigon - Da Nang - Hoi An (B.L.D) by flight
This morning we will be at leisure before transferring to Tan Son Nhat airport for a departing flight to Da Nang. Upon arrival at Da Nang Airport, visir Cham Museum then enjoy lunch at Apsara restaurant. Transfer to Hoi An, which was originally one of the major trading centers of Southeast Asia in the 16th century.
In the afternoon take the walking tour to Hoi An, you will have the chance to experience all the typical traditional handicraft of Hoi An, such as wood carving, mat weaving, lantern making, silk worm raising, spinning and weaving, table cloth making and embroidery picture. Then take a walk to Hoi An ancient town. We will start the walk from small alley from Phan Chu Trinh Street to Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street. This is the typical ancient street of Hoi An, that can show you great atmosphere of the ancient town. Visit the Japanese Cover Bridge, the symbol of Hoi An. After that visit Tan Ky, the most well known and authentic ancient house in town. Then take a walk along the Nguyen Thai Hoc - the ancient street of Hoi An to the market of the town. Visit the local market and Phuc Kien Congressional Assembly Hall, the communal place for Chinese community from Fukien province in China as well the worshiping temple to Thien Hau, the Goddess protecting people on the sea – that was so important for the Chinese Merchant and Fishman in the past. Dinner and overnight in Hoian.

Day 04: Cooking Class - Hoi An (B.L.D)
Morning we will take you to visit very impressive and busy fish market near Hoi An. The market is for wholesales for the best fish in the area that have been caught at night on the sea and sill so fresh. Back to Hoi An for breakfast at Cao Lau Restaurant, the most authentic noodle in town. After that, visit to Tra Que herb village near Hoian. This village very famous for growing organic herb for supplying to Hoi An. You will interact with local farmer their and learn about different kind of herb and the way how they grow them. Visit to a local made bread factory before going to restaurant for cooking class.
 

Cooking Class:
You start with a 1 hour market tour to learn about Vietnamese ingredients & how to choose fresh foods.  Next is a short talk on the art of Vietnamese gastronomy, vegetables, herbs & spices & how to prepare & use them. The practical includes learning cooking & cutting techniques & how to use a Vietnamese vegetable grater & knife. You will get hands-on experience on bellow menu:

1.    Fresh Spring Rolls & Shrimp
2.    Green Papaya Salad
3.    Grilled tuna in banana leave
4.    Crispy Pancake
Afternoon depart for the cyclo trip to Cam Nam Village. The cyclo will take you from the town to Cam Nam Bridge. You will have the first stop for the photo opportunity of the activities and scenery on the Thu Bon River. Then the cyclo will take you along the Thu Bon River bank, where you can have another photo stop for panorama view of Hoi An from other side of river. You will ride along the riverside and cycle through local villages of Cam Nam. This is untouched area by tourism with very friendly and hospitable local people. You can see their daily life activities or even viewing the interior of their house and their life through always opened doors. The cyclo trip will be ended at green small canal covered by water coconut trees. Embark on the boat and take a cruise to Thu Bon River. You can experience the local daily life along river, such as fishing, farming, catching clam…. Dinner and overnight in Hoian.

Day 05: Hoi An - Hue (B.L.D)
This morning we drive from Hoi An to Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam. Upon arrival in Hue, check in and have lunch at Y Thao, the authentic family run restaurant serving the food in Royal style. In the afternoon, take a cyclo trip from your hotel over the famous Trang Tien bridge and to Dong Ba market. The cyclo will take you through the streets to the ancient citadel of Hue, and past local shops where you will observe daily life and see the architecture of this famous citadel. Stop at Noon gate of the Imperial Citadel for a walking tour to the inner area of the citadel where the Nguyen Dynasty ruled between 1802 and 1945. This tour includes the Flag Tower, Noon Gate, Nine Dynastic Urns, Nine Holy Cannons, Thai Hoa Palace, and the Forbidden Purple City. Dinner in the local restaurant and overnight in Hue.

Day 06: Hue and Cooking Class (B.L.D)
We will visit Dong Ba Market in early morning. This is the biggest whole sales market in Hue for food, vegetable, herb, spices and fruit. In the morning, everything is so fresh and this is best time and best way to experiences and learn about the food and daily life activities in Hue. Back to the hotel for breakfast then visit Thien Mu pagoda, the symbol of Hue city, and then we take a walk around Kim Long Village. It will be a great opportunity to learn about the lifestyle of the local people there. We then visit Tu Duc Tomb where we will discover the beautiful and impressive architecture of this unique construction in Hue and learn about its King. At noon, visit Dong Thien Pagoda to enjoy a vegetarian lunch prepared by the nuns. Our visit contributes to the Pagoda’s kindergarten that educates children from needy families. We will interact with the nuns and learn more about the Pagoda before going back to the hotel. In the afternoon, we will have one more chance to take part in a cooking class at local restaurant. Enjoy food self-prepared and by the restaurant. Overnight in Hue.

Day 07: Hue - Hanoi (B.L.D) by flight
This morning we drive to Phu Bai Airport for the flight to Hanoi. Upon arrival, visit the Ethnology Museum before having lunch in a Season of Hanoi restaurant. Visit Hoa Lo prison, the place known as the “Hanoi Hilton” by American Pilots during the War. Check into the hotel. You will have time to freshen up before going to the Water Puppet show. Dinner at Cha Ca La Vong (the most famous and authentic local food in Hanoi serving rice noodle with grilled fish on the charcoal kitchen and overnight in Hanoi.

Day 08: Hanoi and Cooking Class (B.L.D)
Morning we will take a short walk to the local food market. It is typical market as thousand of them around the city that supply food for the regular meal of local people. Then take the walk through the Old Quarter of Hanoi, you can feel the traditional atmosphere of the most attractive part in Hanoi and witness local people enjoy their breakfast on the pavement along the ride. Experiences a bowl of “Pho bo” (noodle with beef) at Pho Bat Dan or Pho Bo Hang Dong (subject to the availability of the restaurant) – famous typical Northern Vietnam Pho. In that pho local traditional restaurant, people should wait in line and pay and get their own bowl of Pho. After that Pho breakfast, we will continue waking tour around the Old Quarter, our guide will introduce to you some of the authentic local food like Banh Cuon (steam rice pancake rolled with mince perk and mushroom), local bakery with very strong influence from French style.

Enjoy some coffee in local coffee shop followed by “Bun cha” lunch. Afternoon you will have the opportunity to take a cooking class at Anh Tuyet Restaurant and learn how to prepare 3 traditional dishes of Hanoi.You start with a 1 hour market tour to learn about Vietnamese ingredients & how to choose fresh foods. Next is a short talk on the art of Hanoian gastronomy, vegetables, herbs & spices & how to prepare & use them. The practical includes learning cooking & cutting techniques & how to use a Vietnamese vegetable grater & knife. The menu includes: Nem (Fried meat rolls), Ca Hap (Steamed Fish with dill) and Nom (Mixed Salad). Dinner at the restaurant and overnight in Hanoi.

Day 09: Hanoi - Mai Chau (B.L.D)
Depart from Hanoi to Mai Chau, the peaceful valley to the West of Hanoi. This trip gives you a lot of photo opportunities with spectacular scenery of the mountain area and the rice fields. Upon arrival at Mai Chau, check in and lunch at a local house of the Thai people in Pom Coong village. In the afternoon we will take a walk around the valley to visit some nearby villages, the carpeted green rice fields and the Mai Chau Market, where you can buy the food you will need for cooking at your home stay in the long house. After dinner, enjoy a traditional music show performed by local people in the village.

Day 10: Mai Chau - Hanoi (B.L.D)
In the morning drive up to Xa Linh, then take a 2 hour trek through the primitive jungle to the area of Muong people. Located on a beautiful plateau on the bank of Hoa Binh reservoir, this village is hidden from tourists and is very friendly to visitors. You will have lots of chances to interact with the hill tribe people there before returning to the bus. Next we go to the village of the Mong people at Xa Linh. Then we drive back to Mai Chau for lunch at the house on stilts of the Thai family. After lunch, you can say good-bye to our very hospitable host and drive back to Hanoi. Dinner at local restaurant and overnight in Hanoi.

Day 11: Hanoi - Halong Bay - Overnight on boat (B.L.D)
Morning depart to Halong bay through Red River Delta. Upon arrival to Halong
12h00 – 12h30 : Embark on the traditional wooden junk followed by a short cruise briefing.
13h00 – 15h30 : Savor a delectable lunch as cruises among the limestone islands.
15h30 – 16h30 : Kayak among the hidden areas of the bay, around the Bo Nau Cave area. Back to the junk
16h30 – 17h30 : Cruising to Soi Sim island. Go swimming and relaxing at the beach of Soi Sim or climb up to the top of the island for a panorama view of Halong Bay.
17h30 : Cruise back to the main boat for a shower. Relax or snap photos as the sun starts to set.
19h00 : Dinner is served. Socialize with other guests, fish for squid, or just laze around. Overnight on board.

Day 12: Halong Bay - Cooking demonstration - Hanoi (B.L.D)
06h30 - 07h00 : Start your day with Tai Chi exercises or a photo hunt.
07h30 - 08h30 : Have breakfast at sunrise.
08h30 - 09h30 : Explore the amazing Sung Sot Cave - the nicest cave in Halong Bay.
09h30 : Return to the boat. Freshen up and check out of your cabin.
09h30 - 10h30 : Continue your cruise exploring the Bay, passing Ba Hang fishing village, Dog Islet, and more.
10h30 – 11h30 : While heading back to the habor, watch the cooking demonstration before enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch.
12h00 – 12h30 : Disembark and drive to Hanoi. Dinner at local restaurant.

Day 13: Hanoi - Deparute (B)
At leisure until transfer to Noi Bai Airport for departure flight. Tour Concluded.