Overview
Central Vietnam is incredibly diverse and known for its historical sights, long beaches, picturesque villages and outstanding imperial cuisine.
Visit local markets with your culinary expert in Hoi An. Enjoy tantalizing sights and flavours, as you zigzag through picturesque villages on foot or by bicycle before cooking a delicious feast.
Take the scenic drive to imperial Hue where you share a meal with monks in and learn about ancient recipes.
Recommended for:
If you prefer to travel at your own pace with our local guides, our private trips are for you. Our culinary journeys focus on immersion into the local culture. We introduce you to experts who invite you into their culture and kitchens to participate. Min 2 guests.
Highlights:
Location
Hoi An
UNESCO-listed Hoi An Ancient Town is an exceptional well-preserved trading port dating from 15th to 19th century.
An atmospheric town and culinary Mecca with an incredible array of delicious eateries, lounges and vibrant markets and tea houses.
Surrounded endless green rice fields and windswept beaches makes Hoi An one of the most enticing villages in SE Asia to explore on foot, cycle or motor bike.
Hue
Set on the Perfume river, The Royal city is home to palaces and pagodas, tombs and temples, culture and imperial cuisine.
A UNESCO World Heritage site, this capital of the Nguyen emperors still resonates with the glories of imperial Vietnam and mostly known for its historic values. If you are interested in culture and royal splendour, Hue complements your stay in laid back Hoi An perfectly.
Cuisine
Vietnam is famous for its lively, fresh flavours and artfully composed meals and cuisine.
Taste and learn dishes such as bun Bo Hue (beef and vermicelli noodle soup), Banh Xeo (savoury crispy pancake), Pomelo Salad with Shrimp, Green Mango Salad, Fresh Spring Rolls with Mint, Fish in banana leaf, Coconut curries, Stir fry lemongrass Squid…
Hue Imperial Cuisine
Hue’s cuisine is elegant, light and noble, different from other regions’ of Vietnam. Spices, especially chilli, play an important role in Hue’s cooking and cuisine decorating art. As you are trying Hue dishes today, remember that these were mostly served to the Emperor only in the past.
One of the dishes that you cannot miss in Hue is “con hen” – rice with baby clams- a very simple and low-priced specialty. A bowl of “com hen” will bring you the sweet-smelling flavor of rice and herbs, mixed with the buttery, sour, bitter taste of spices, grease, baby clams.
Other flour-based dishes are worth trying: banh bot loc (rice pastry with meat and shrimp), banh la cha tom (soft pastry wrapped in leaves with meat, shrimp, and egg), banh hot thit quay (roast pork pastry), banh la (sweet sticky rice wrapped in leaves)… Bun thit nuong (rice vermicelli with grilled meat), Bun bo gio heo (rice vermicelli with beef and pork) are loved by many tourists.
Hue is also famous for its extraordinary special “che”- sweet soups. There are nearly 50 kinds of “che”, from the simple, common to elaborate ones. Four typical kinds of “che” that Hue citizens most proud of are: che khoai tia (purple sweet potatoes sweet soup), che long nhan boc hat sen (longan wrapped in lotus seed sweet soup), che troi nuoc nhan tom thit (floating sticky rice cake with shrimp sweet soup) and che dau van bot loc (bean and rice pastry sweet soup).
Accommodation
Choose between our suggested partner hotels, depending on your budget and preference:
Hoi An: Boutique Hoi An Resort **** or The Nam Hai Resort & Spa*****
Hue: La Residence Hue Hotel & Spa (Hue) or Pilgrimage Village Resort
Dates 2024
Available year-round upon request.
Dates to avoid: Christmas and Vietnamese Lunar New Year (Tet)
Our suggested itinerary is based on 3 or 4 nights and can be entirely tailor-made according to your preferences. It is a food experience in its own right or can be added on to an extended itinerary.
Prices 2024
Hoi An – 3 nights/ 4 days
Per person in US$*
Based on 2 guests: from US$ 980
Single supplement: US$ 350
Final price based on actual dates and season.
Upgrade to The Nam Hai Resort & Spa***** upon request.
Hoi An & Hue – 4 nights/ 5 days
Per person in US$*
Based on 2 guests: from US$ 1,580
Single supplement: US$ 380
Final price based on actual dates and season.
Upgrade to The Nam Hai Resort & Spa***** upon request.
Includes
Included in Hoi An – 3 nights/ 4 days
- Three nights accommodation at Boutique Hoi An Resort ****, double occupancy
- Daily breakfast
- Private return airport transfers from Danang to hotel and transportation on tour.
- Sightseeing with local English speaking guides
- Bicycle tour
- Meals as specified
- Excursions and activities as outlined in itinerary
- Hands-on cooking courses, food tours with tastings
Included in Hoi An & Hue – 4 nights/ 5 days
- Two nights accommodation at Boutique Hoi An Resort ****, deluxe room and three nights at La Residence Hue Hotel & Spa****, superior river view. Double occupancy
- Daily breakfast
- Private airport transfers from Danang or Hue to hotel and transportation between Danang & Hue and on tour.
- Sightseeing with local English speaking guides
- Bicycle tour
- Meals as specified
- Excursions and activities as outlined in itinerary
- Hands-on cooking courses, food tours with tastings
Excludes
International airfare, visa fees, drinks with meals, any meals not specified, tips.
Getting There
Fly to Danang or Hue. We arrange all domestic transfers.
Map
Day 1
Arrival in Danang and transfer to Hoi An – check into hotel and explore Hoi An at leisure
Day 2
Morning food tour through Hoi An – afternoon bicycle through the stunning country side – evening guided walking tour through the UNESCO site – dinner river-side
Day 3
Scenic drive from Hoi An – Hue – Vegetarian lunch at Ba La Mat pagoda – Sightseeing Hue – Salt Rice dinner
Day 4
Visit to traditional market – hands-on cooking class with well-know cook book author – afternoon at leisure – dinner on royal cuisine
Day 5
Morning at leisure – transfer to Hue airport– departure
