Taste Your Way Through Vietnam
Experience Vietnam’s rich culture through its most unforgettable flavors. This small-group tour blends iconic sights with authentic culinary adventures — from Hanoi’s hidden street eats to lantern-lit dinners in Hoi An and buzzing food tours in Saigon.
A Culinary Journey Through Culture, History & Flavor
Dates: August 26 – September 6, 2026
Duration: 12 Days / 11 Nights
Destinations: Hanoi – Ninh Binh – Bai Tu Long Bay – Hue – Hoi An – Saigon – Cu Chi
Discover Vietnam Through Food, Culture & Local Flavor
Join a 12-day small-group Vietnam food tour from Hanoi to Saigon, diving into the country’s culture through its bold, unforgettable flavors. Enjoy street food, market visits, cooking classes, and peaceful countryside rides, all woven into a flavorful journey across cities, bays, and villages.
Trace Anthony Bourdain’s path through Hanoi’s hidden food alleys, try vegan dishes in Hue, cook with locals in Hoi An, and explore Saigon’s nightlife on a Vespa food tour. This adventure blends iconic sights with authentic tastes, a delicious way to experience Vietnam.
Why You’ll Love This Trip
• Dine at the Hanoi restaurant where Obama & Bourdain shared a meal
• Explore Bai Tu Long Bay by kayak and overnight cruise
• Ride through Hue by motorbike, visiting temples and royal tombs
• Join a vegan cooking class taught by Buddhist nuns
• Learn to cook authentic Vietnamese dishes in Hoi An
• Hop on a vintage Vespa for a night food tour through Saigon
• Crawl through the historic Cu Chi Tunnels
• Relax with free time in charming Hoi An
Hue by Motorbike
Follow Bourdain’s Trail Through Imperial Vietnam
Hop on the back of a motorbike and explore Hue like a local. Visit vibrant markets, ancient tombs, quiet canals, and the famed Citadel, all while sampling regional specialties like Bun Bo Hue. End the day with a vegan cooking class at a peaceful pagoda, led by a Buddhist nun. It’s history, flavor, and authenticity in motion.
Cruising Bai Tu Long Bay
Skip the Crowds, Sail the Hidden Gem
While Halong Bay steals the headlines, nearby Bai Tu Long Bay offers the same limestone majesty, without the tourist swarm. On this overnight cruise, you’ll kayak through quiet coves, explore hidden caves, learn to make Vietnamese spring rolls, and fall asleep to the gentle sway of the sea.
Street Food Tour in Hanoi
From Pho to Banh Cuon – A Night You’ll Never Forget
Hanoi’s streets come alive at night with sizzling grills, bubbling broths, and the chatter of locals sharing meals. On this guided evening food tour, you’ll taste signature dishes like Pho Bo, Banh Cuon, and local desserts, all in the same buzzing alleyways Anthony Bourdain once explored.
Cooking Class at Red Bridge, Hoi An
Shop, Sail, Cook: The Flavors of Central Vietnam
Start the day with a trip to Hoi An’s colorful market, then cruise the Thu Bon River to your open-air cooking school. Learn to make fresh rice paper, sizzling pancakes, seafood salad, and more. After you’ve cooked (and eaten!) your feast, relax poolside or craft your own Vietnamese lantern.
Cu Chi Tunnels
Walk Through History, Underground
Beneath the quiet countryside near Saigon lies a hidden world of tunnels once used by the Viet Cong during the war. On this eye-opening visit, you’ll crawl through preserved sections, explore secret rooms and kitchens, and even try cooking on a traditional smokeless stove. It’s a visceral experience that brings Vietnam’s modern history to life.
Vespa Night Food Tour, Saigon
Ride, Dine, Repeat, Saigon After Dark
Climb aboard a vintage Vespa and zoom through Saigon’s energetic streets like a local. From rooftop cocktails to sizzling seafood stalls and secret live music cafés, this all-you-can-eat-and-drink night ride serves up the perfect finale to your journey. Come hungry, leave thrilled.
Vietnam Food Tour with Eric
Ready for an adventure? Fill out the form to secure your spot on the trip of a lifetime!
Dates, Pricing & Payment Info
Travel Dates:
August 26 – September 6, 2026
Duration:
12 Days / 11 Nights
Tour Pricing (per person):
- Double Occupancy: $2,299
- Single Occupancy: $3,025
Payment Schedule
- 1st Deposit (Due Sept 4, 2025): $500
- 2nd Installment (Due Nov 19, 2025): $1,000 + airfare deposit
- Final Balance (Due April 15, 2026): Remaining land & air balance
Cancellation Policy
- First deposit is non-refundable at all times
- Cancellations before April 15, 2026: $500 is refundable
- Cancellations after April 15, 2026: All payments are non-refundable
- Airfare is always non-refundable
Included
- 11 nights in hand-picked 3–4 star accommodations
- Domestic flight (Da Nang – Saigon) and overnight train (Hanoi – Hue)
- Local English-speaking guides in each destination
- Daily breakfasts, many lunches and dinners
- All listed tours, entrance fees, transfers, and activities
- Unique culinary experiences and cooking classes
- Motorbike tour in Hue (or private vehicle on request)
- Vespa street food night tour in Saigon
Not Included
- International flights
- Travel insurance (required)
- Tips, personal expenses, optional activities
Itinerary Highlights
Day 1–2: Welcome to Hanoi
Start in Vietnam’s bustling capital. Visit the Ho Chi Minh complex, enjoy a premium water puppet show, and indulge in a Hanoi street food crawl.
Day 3: Ninh Binh Nature Escape
Explore Van Long Nature Reserve by sampan boat, cycle through the countryside, and hike to panoramic views of Ngoa Long Mountain.
Day 4–5: Bai Tu Long Bay Cruise
Skip the crowds and sail the serene Bai Tu Long Bay. Kayak among limestone karsts, dine onboard, and sleep under the stars.
Day 6: Hue by Motorbike
Tour Hue’s imperial sites by motorbike (or car), enjoy Bun Bo Hue for breakfast, and learn vegan cooking from Buddhist nuns at a local pagoda.
Day 7–9: Hoi An Cooking & Crafts
Take a scenic coastal drive, cook Vietnamese specialties at Red Bridge Cooking School, make your own lantern, and enjoy a free day to explore beaches, tailors, and cafes.
Day 10–11: Saigon & Cu Chi Tunnels
Fly south to Vietnam’s buzzing metropolis. Visit Cu Chi Tunnels, explore city landmarks, and finish with a Vespa night food tour.
Day 12: Departure
Transfer to the airport after breakfast.
Included Tours & Experiences
Your journey includes a thoughtfully curated mix of cultural landmarks, natural beauty, and hands-on local experiences. Here’s everything you’ll enjoy, all included in the tour price:
Hanoi
- Guided city tour (Ho Chi Minh complex, Old Quarter)
- Traditional water puppet performance
- Guided evening street food crawl
Ninh Binh
- Scenic sampan boat ride through Van Long Nature Reserve
- Countryside bike ride and mountain hike
Bai Tu Long Bay
- 2-day deluxe cruise through Bai Tu Long Bay
- Kayaking, cave visit, and onboard cooking demonstration
Hue
- Guided motorbike tour of Hue’s imperial sites (private vehicle option available)
- Vegan cooking class at a local pagoda, led by Buddhist nuns
Hoi An
- Morning market visit and boat ride on the Thu Bon River
- Vietnamese cooking class at Red Bridge Cooking School
- Lantern-making workshop
- Free day to explore Hoi An’s beaches, tailors, and cafés
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City)
- Guided tour of Cu Chi Tunnels
- Historic walking tour through Saigon’s key landmarks
- Vespa night food tour with multiple stops, live music & local eats
Contact Eric at Erica@AlpineAdventures.net for bookings and details or sign up to reserve your spot HERE!