VIETNAM CUISINE AND LIFE 14DAYS

Day 1: Hanoi arrival, good morning Vietnam

Chao Ban! Welcome to Hanoi, we meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel for check-in. Today is free at your leisure to rest or explore, discovering your own first impressions of Vietnam. Stay overnight in Hanoi.

Inclusion: Transfer pick up, guide pick up, hotel.

 

Day 2: Hanoi cooking class, foodie tour

This morning we join in a cooking class at a Cooking Centre. In this class, we prepare some traditional dishes of Hanoi for lunch with our Chef.

In the afternoon, we visit the famous markets - where dozens of street hawkers sell anything from live seafood to exotic fruits and spices. Our foodie tour starts at late afternoon at the Old Quarter, where you get the chance to explore the Hanoian life and savouring delicious street food. Back to your hotel at around 9:00 PM and stay overnight in Hanoi.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrances fees, breakfast, lunch, hotel.

 

Day 3: Hanoi – Halong bay

At 8:00 AM departure for Halong Bay on a private van. At around 12:45 PM we check in and begin cruising. Our lunch is served at 1:30 PM while cruising to the Cua Van floating fishing village area. Upon arrival, we transfer by tender to Tien Ong Cave. Then we make a short trip to the fishing village by small bamboo boats or kayak. At 5:00 PM our Chef demonstrates the preparation of a particular Vietnamese cuisine in the dining room. Have dinner and stay overnight on the boat.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrances fees, breakfast, lunch, dinner, junk, permit

 

Day 4: Halong – Hanoi, flight to Hue

Early risers can enjoy the sunrise and the quiet breath-taking beauty of the landscape. Breakfast is available at 6:30 AM. At 7:00 AM, we enjoy Tai Chi instruction on the sundeck. More cruise on the bay and finish packing and check-out at 9.30 AM.

At 11:00 AM disembarkation and transfer by tender to Tuan Chau Marina. Our transfer picks up and heads the road back Hanoi airport for flight to Hue. On arrival, our guide picks up and takes you to your hotel for check-in. Overnight in Hue.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, boat/junk, breakfast, lunch, flight ticket, hotel

 

Day 5: Hue - Kim Long Village

Have breakfast at your hotel then we start our biking trip to Thanh Toan Bridge, about 8 km from Hue City. On arrival, you can enjoy exploring this old bridge with its architecture and visit a small museum, which displays Vietnamese farmer’s instruments. After visiting Thanh Toan Bridge, we take a ride about 5 km to see more of Hue countryside hidden charms with colourful villages. Enjoy lunch with traditional Hue dishes.

This afternoon we take a ride uphill to visit Vong Canh Hill, with the best view for you to take pictures of Perfume River. After that, we visit Voi Re Temple and transfer to Kim Long and buy fresh ingredients at a local market. Prepare dinner with the host family and stay overnight at garden house.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, bike, helmet, all meals, homestay

 

Day 6: Kim Long – Phu Mong– Hue

This morning we will visit Huyen Khong Pagoda and witness daily activities of local people. Breakfast is served at the garden house. On the way back to Hue, we stop at Phu Mong Village to join in a cooking class. Have lunch then our driver takes you to Van Thanh Temple and Thien Mu Pagoda for more exploration and enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of Perfume River. Stop over to visit Dong Ba Market. Our driver takes you to your hotel at around 5:30 PM.

Inclusion:  Transport, guide, entrance fees, boat, breakfast, lunch, hotel

 

Day 7: Hue - Hoian

After breakfast at your hotel around 8:30 AM, we go on a relaxing 1 hour Vietnam cyclo ride then transfer to Hoian. There is some stunning sightseeing en route and we may make stops at Lang Co Beach, Hai Van Pass, Cham Museum, and the Marble Mountains depending on time. Arrive in Hoian in the evening. Check-in and stay overnight in Hoian. Tip: This is a very good chance for you to get great tailor-made clothes at reasonable prices. Hoian is well known for its tailoring.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, breakfast, Vietnam cyclo, hotel

 

Day 8: Hoian fishing & foodie tour

At 8:00 AM, we meet you at your hotel for a very short transfer to the boat docks. Today, we go to a fishing village where you see and experience the life of the fisherman. We then cycle on the country road through the rice paddy and corn fields then head towards the main town of Hoi An at 5:00 PM.

 At around 6:00 PM is the start of our early dinner when we walk and experience some of the great local food of Hoi An on the street. At 8:30 PM, we end our trip at one of the bars for your evening drinks or simply back to your hotel for resting the night.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, lunch, local boat & basket boat, water & snack, street food, bike & helmet, hotel

 

Day 9: Hoian cooking class

At 8:00 AM, you are picked up and we transfer to Tra Que Organic Village, where we join local farmers to work their fields using the traditional methods of hundreds of years ago, picking fresh herbs for our cooking lesson later, before trying a special herbal drink at a local home. Arriving at the cooking school, we prepare 4 famous dishes of Centre Vietnam, including the special dish ‘My Quang’. After the cooking class, we take a short cruise (25 minutes) along the Hoi An River back to central Hoi An.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, breakfast, lunch, cooking class, hotel.

 

Day 10: Hoian – HCM City

More time in Hoian then we transfer to Da Nang airport for noon flight to HCM City. On arrival, pick up and transfer to your hotel for check in.

This afternoon, free at your leisure to explore the city. Stay overnight in HCM City. 

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, breakfast, domestic flight ticket, hotel

 

Day 11: HCM City cooking class – scooter tour

Have breakfast at your hotel and our guide picks you up at 8:00 AM for transfer to our meeting point. Market visit with our Chef through the vibrant Ben Thanh market to purchase ingredients. At 9:40 AM our Chef brings you back by Taxi (fee included) to our cooking class. Hands-on Cooking Class from 10:00 AM till 1:00 PM. Back your hotel around 2:00 PM. Then free at your leisure.

At 5:30 PM, your personal English-speaking guide meet and greet you and explain safety instructions, before our scooter tour started. You will get to experience the nightlife of HCM City and try local snacks, before our guide introduces the most popular Vietnamese food tradition: “The Street Barbeque”.

At around 10:00 PM, we drive you back to your hotel. Stay overnight in HCM City.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, breakfast, lunch, cooking class, hotel

 

Day 12: HCM City – Mekong Delta – Can Tho

Depart at 8:00 AM to Cai Be (about 2.5 hours). On arrival, we board a boat to visit the floating market on the Mekong River. A short boat trip to Dong Phu Island, and then we start our cycling trip to explore the local Mekong life. You have a chance to learn how to make Coconut candy and some other product from coconut.  After lunch, we cruise to Vinh Long for some more cycling through rural riverside villages. The evening is free, but we recommend you a promenade along the city's quay. Stay overnight in Can Tho.

Cycling distance: 30-50 km

Level: 2/5

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, bicycles, entrance fee, local boat, seasonal fruit, lunch, hotel.

 

Day 13: Can Tho – HCM City

Today we take early morning boat trip to the interesting and chaotic Cai Rang Floating Market at 6:30 AM to enjoy the beautiful Mekong Delta scenery. More time in Can Tho then go back to HCM City. Arrive in HCM City around 5:00 PM. Check -in and stay overnight in HCM City.

Inclusion: Transfer, guide, entrance fee, breakfast, lunch, local boat, hotel.

 

Day 14: HCM City departure

Have breakfast at hotel. Depending on your flight you may have time for shopping then we transfer you to the airport in time for your flight back home. Goodbye and wish to see you again soon!

Inclusion: Transfer drop off, breakfast.

 

COSTS: US$1450/person group from 4 people  

 

Exclude: Visa, insurance, drinks and snacks outside the included mealtimes, personal expenses, other costs not mentioned in the details. Tips are appreciated.

Inclusion: See inclusive items listed after each day.

 

ORGANISATION

Transportation schedule: Please be aware that flight times, trains, hotels and other services are subject to availability. When flights/trains are cancelled or delayed, Footprint will endeavor to secure alternative arrangements of similar value.

Updates on transportation schedule: Hotel, flight and train details will be updated once the booking is confirmed (your confirmation e-mail).

Tour guide: English speaking guides

Closed sites: Some sites might be closed during the time you visit Vietnam (e.g. the HCM mausoleum in Hanoi is closed on Mondays and Fridays). Please consult with your travel agent if you want to have further information concerning this issue.

ACCOMMODATION

Hotel:  We use 3star standard hotels with twin-shared rooms (Please inform us if you want to have a room with a double bed). Upgrades are available on request. The check in (if not stated otherwise) is at 2:00 PM, and the check-out is at 12:00 PM (noon). An early check in is subject to availability.

TRANSPORT 

Flight: Domestic flights are booked (if not requested otherwise) with Vietnam airlines. Their maximum weight for checked in luggage is 20 kg. Please be advised to keep some free space in your luggage for souvenirs

Car / Van Quality: New air-conditioned cars or vans depending on the group size

Ha Long Bay: The ride will be with a shared minivan. The ride on the bay will be within a deluxe junk.

FOOD

The breakfast will be either a choice of Western style meals or Vietnamese meals in the guesthouse/hotels. The included lunch and dinner (see inclusions in the daily itinerary description), the meals will be either served in street vendor or in local restaurants depending on the destinations.

If you have any allergies, special requests or if you are on a special diet please let us know. We will arrange it for you in advance.

PREPARATION OF THE CUSTOMER

What to bring: Passport, change of clothes, sunglasses & hat, toiletries, sun-block, insect repellent, flashlights, proper hiking boots/shoes, personal first aid kit & medicine, small VND notes for buying drinks. If you feel the need, you can bring along a luggage lock for your belongings.

Health: Please be aware that due to legal reasons our local tour guides are prohibited from administering any type of drug or medication for the clients, including headache pills and antibiotics. Please ensure that you are adequately prepared.

Insurance: In order to travel safe, a good insurance is essential. Thus, please ensure that you have booked an appropriate insurance prior departure.

 

TREKKING/CYCLING INFORMATION

Experience: The trekking is at intermediate level. Nevertheless, our guide will be flexible to suggest you the most proper trekking route adapted to your physical fitness.

Age: The age restriction for cycling is 10 years. Younger children can join the trip, but will be carried in an attachment of the bike suitable for children.

Bike: We use bikes of the brand Trek and the model 4500.

Route: The route can be changed due to external circumstances such as weather (the rain season between June and October can cause muddy paths in mountainous regions). Nevertheless, this should not discourage you as we will find proper alternatives.

Trekking/Cycling Time: The time is approximate and depends on the weather and the speed.

 

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