CULINARY JOURNEYS: DISCOVER VIETNAMESE CUISINE

In the afternoon, walk to the unseen oldest quarter of the city. At Le Cong Kieu, (Antiques Street) you will find a range of antiques real and fake, along with military items from the war and relics from French occupation.

Continue to the Beaux Arts Museum, home to various modern arts and stroll around the nearby galleries where you can see local artists exhibiting their works. Dinner tonight is Banh Xeo, a savory pancake stuffed with prawn, pork and vegetables. Opened in 1941 this specialty restaurant is popular with locals and visitors alike. You can choose local style dining here or high tables.

Walk around the old town center to its colorful market, past the houses which were originally home to merchants of this port town, and see its unique 400 year old Japanese Covered Bridge.

Day four’s lunch is at Morning Glory restaurant. This restaurant serves a range of ‘Street Food’ including specialties of Hoi An and the upstairs balcony has a great view overlooking the street.

After lunch ride down Hoi An’s narrow country roads, seeing water buffaloes, organic vegetable farms and rice paddies on the way to Tra Que. In this village see the farmers work on their organic herb garden before having a home cooked meal including bang khaoi, a savory pancake wrapped in rice paper.

The evening is free at your leisure.

Everything is here from sticky rice and tropical fruits to spring rolls, noodles and unique Hoi An specialties. The tour begins with a ‘wet market’ featuring a huge variety of ingredients. Chat to the vendors to learn more about the names and uses of the things on display. You’ll wander through backstreets to unseen vendors selling specific foods and learn about the history and development of Vietnamese food in this region.

Travel in the afternoon to Hue, the former Imperial capital; where ancient tombs and mausoleums commemorate the former glory of the city. See the finest collection of Cham sculptures in the world at the Cham Museum, before heading down to the scenic fishing village of Lang Co via the Pass of Ocean Clouds.

The ‘royal cuisine’ of Hue is widely regarded as the best in the country. It originated in the time of the Nguyen Dynasty, where the royals had very particular taste and preferences. Try this cuisine tonight with dinner at the private ‘garden house’.  At the house you will be greeted with a traditional Vietnamese welcome and the lady of the house will prepare a fabulous meal which will be served to you in the private garden.

Your guide will explain the routine of Vietnamese meal times and let you sample some local specialties like Bun Dau and Pho Tiu. Dang Kuan is Hanoi’s main market and your first stop. It’s filled with dried foods and aromatics; and your guide will help you to discover these, the essentials of Vietnamese cuisine.

Next, learn about Vietnamese celebrations and food gifts which are given as you walk down to Hang Than Street and its French-influenced dessert shops. Here you’ll see seasonal fruit which is specially treated and is a hugely popular local snack. Nearby Phung Hung Street is a great example of tradition meeting modernity. The market area has been slowly changed but still retains its character. Towards the end of the tour we’ll stop at the Old Quarter’s busiest coffee shop for some refreshment before you transfer back to the hotel.

Tonight go back in time to the 1930’s at La Verticale, located in a villa in town. Chef and owner Didier Carlou has lived in Vietnam for 15 years and his menu reflects his love for the country’s cuisine.

Arrive at Halong City in the late morning and board a traditional wooden junk (or a classic replica steamship - The Emeraude) for an overnight journey into the bay.

Sailing past a variety of rock formations, many named after their resemblance to things (Sail, Dog, and Incense Pot). Weigh anchor as the sun begins to set over the bay and enjoy a relaxed dinner with fresh seafood and fruits before settling down for the night.