Arrival in Hanoi where
you will be met by an English speaking hostess and transferred to
your hotel, the Sofitel Metropole Built in 1901, the Metropole has
been the center of Hanoi history for the past 100 years. It is here
where Charlie Chaplin spent his honeymoon, where the first film
was shot in Indochina, and where armies have sought refuge.
Dinner tonight at one of Hanoi’s best and most fashionable
restaurants featuring Vietnamese cuisine.
Morning cooking class: The worldwide reputation of Vietnamese and
French food of the Sofitel Metropole has led to the opening of the
Metropole Cooking School. The food of Vietnam is about to be the
hottest cuisine to emerge from Asia. This exquisite cuisine is shaped
by Vietnam's long association with Chinese rule, French colonization,
Southeast Asian intrusions and her fierce individuality. Today’s
class begins with a walk, accompanied by the Chef of the Spices
Garden Restaurant, to the local market, where participants get a
chance to learn all about Vietnamese ingredients. After that, everyone
rolls up their sleeves in the kitchen to prepare a proper Vietnamese
meal. After the class lunch will be served in the Spices Garden
Vietnamese Restaurant to sample all the different dishes prepared
during the class.
This afternoon you will
discover Hanoi with an English speaking guide. Part of your tour
will include sightseeing by cyclo, a bicycle type taxi, by which
you’ll discover the Old Quarter made up of the so called "36
streets," most of which are named after the crafts or merchandise
traditionally sold there.
Dinner tonight at another of Hanoi’s fine restaurants. Afterwards
enjoy a performance of a traditional water puppet show. This fantastic
art form originated in northern Vietnam and is best seen in Hanoi.
The Municipal Water Puppet Theater is located on the shore of Hoan
Kiem Lake.
After breakfast check
out of the Sofitel Metropole. Travel by vehicle from Hanoi to Halong
Bay, a vast and picturesque bay covering an area of 930 square miles,
all the way to the Chinese border. It is known for its 4000 limestone
islands formed by erosion over thousands of years.
The best way to explore the bay is by traditional Vietnamese junk.
These traditionally built junks have facilities of the highest standard,
which include seven double cabins with suite bathrooms, a spacious
dining room serving traditional Vietnamese cuisine, plus a large
sun deck area. Enjoy an unforgettable journey in this spectacular
scenery. Enjoy lunch and sightseeing in the afternoon. Dinner is
on board.
Overnight in Halong on board.
Enjoy breakfast on board
and sightseeing before disembarking in the late morning.
Transfer to Hanoi airport for flight to Danang. You will stay at
the 4 star Life Resort located along the Thu Bon River and right
at the doorstep of Hoi An's colorful and bustling ancient town.
This small, atmospheric harbor town has changed little over the
past 200 years. Besides its cultural offerings, Hoi An is known
for its custom tailor shops.
Dinner tonight at local restaurant on the banks of the Hoi An river.
Overnight, Life Resort, Hoi An.
If you have ever known
Cao Lau, the famous dish of Hoi An, you also should know that one
of the keys to its flavor is fresh raw vegetables from Tra Que.
This small village is located on the banks of a lagoon, and for
generations the locals have been raising vegetables that end up
in chefs’ kitchens all over the country. Today you will spend
the whole day living and working among the villagers in Tra Que,
learning how they raise and prepare vegetables. You will cook together
and then have a lunch of Vietnamese dishes with the family.
Back to Hoi An where you
will tour the town by cyclo. Known as Faifo to early western traders, the town was one of South East Asia's major international ports during the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.
Dinner on your own tonight.
Overnight, Life Resort, Hoi An.
Transfer to Danang airport for flight to Saigon.
You will be met at the
airport by an English speaking host. Afternoon sightseeing of
Saigon with a private guide.
Dinner tonight at a local restaurant. Overnight at the Majestic
Hotel: this 1925 landmark on the picturesque, riverside corner of
Dong Khoi St. (formerly Catinat) still boasts historical charm despite
many renovations. The Majestic is a picture-postcard colonial building
and the perfect choice for your stay in Saigon.
 Morning
cooking lesson at the Vietnam Cookery Center: the hands-on cooking
course is conducted by a professional chef and translated by a MC
who will explain the teaching of the chef and talk about the history
and culture of Vietnamese cuisine. The lesson includes a market
visit and lunch.
Afternoon excursion to
the Cu Chi Tunnels : Cu Chi was an important base during the American
War, because of its strategic location. The Vietcong built a 200km
long network of tunnels connecting command posts, hospitals, shelters,
and weapon factories. Dug out by hand tools without the use of cement,
this amazing network was only recently opened to tourists.
Dinner. Overnight Majestic
Hotel.
Morning check out and transfer to airport
for departure.
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Vietnam
offers the culinary explorer one of the most exciting journeys possible.
This small country of 77 million packs a culinary punch, offering
as much diversity and history as that of larger nations. From the
colonization by the French to the influence of India and China,
the Vietnamese culinary map is marked by many cultures.
