Vietnam with Billy Ngo

January 4 - 14, 2026 | One Exclusive Departure

Heart & Soul of Vietnam

A cultural and culinary exploration with chef Billy Ngo

January 4 - 14, 2026 | 11 Days, 10 Nights

“I was blown away by how flawlessly Modern Adventure executed this trip. You exceeded my every expectation.”
Joan P.

Questions? Text or call us
+1 (855) 219-8018

$9,200

per person based on double occupancy; includes two internal flights flights from Hanoi to Hue, and from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City

James Beard “Best Chef” Award Finalist & Serial Restauranteur, Billy Ngo

The royal city of Hue is electric—mopeds sashay through narrow lanes between market stalls while barbers hawk haircuts from streets bathed in neon. You’re lost in all of it and overcome by the exquisite aroma of street food that seems to set the table for the night ahead. You note lemongrass wafting from simmering broths, the sweet-chili char of pork skewers and egg coffee steaming from mocha pots. This is the magic of Vietnam—mornings of soulful meditation and sun-kissed bicycle rides give way to vibrant market tours and joy rides on vintage Vespas. Every day here begins like a new chapter in a fairy tale, and your next adventure is just around the bend.

Trip Highlights

  • Cook alongside Billy
  • Halong Bay Cruise
  • Cyclo tour of Old Town Hanoi
  • Dinner with the locals in Hue
  • Lantern-making workshop
  • Basket boat experience
  • Blessing Ceremony in Hue
  • Hoi An market walk and cooking class

3 Reasons to Travel with Billy Ngo

Chef Billy Ngo, a 2024 James Beard Award finalist for Best Chef in California, is the visionary behind Sacramento’s acclaimed Kru Contemporary Japanese Cuisine. Born in a refugee camp in Hong Kong, he moved to the U.S. as an infant, carrying with him deep ties to Vietnamese culture and flavors. A graduate of the California Culinary Academy, Billy honed his craft in Sacramento’s top kitchens before opening Kru in 2005. His expertise has been featured on Chopped, Man Fire Food, and at prestigious events like Pebble Beach and Los Angeles Food & Wine.

Family Fusion

Chef Billy Ngo’s latest venture, Chu Mai, is a tribute to his mother and his Chinese-Vietnamese heritage. The menu reflects the flavors he grew up with—classic Southeast Asian dishes made with precision and heart. For the first time in his career, he’s cooking the food that’s truly personal to him, honoring tradition while sharing his family’s culinary story.

Friendly Face

A local reporter once described Chef Billy as having “a wide perma-grin that’s magically devoid of artifice.” That warmth and authenticity define not only his personality but also his approach to hospitality. Guests return for his vibrant flavors—but just as often for his easygoing energy, self-deprecating humor, and deep respect for the craft of cooking.

Don’t Settle

For Chef Billy, sourcing is everything. While he champions California’s bounty, he refuses to compromise on quality—whether it’s Hokkaido uni, New Zealand salmon, or king crab from the Arctic. His philosophy is simple: the best ingredients, treated with care, create an unmatched dining experience, rooted in technique, precision, and respect for the product.

Day by Day

*On rare occasions, this itinerary may change.

Day 1: Hanoi

January 4, Sun

Welcome to Hanoi, one of Asia’s most mesmerizing capitals. Today is all about easing into the ancient rhythm of the city, so we’ll refresh and rejuvenate after our long journeys and convene for a welcome dinner in the late afternoon.

Situated atop the former meeting spot of Vietnam’s top writers and journalists, our destination is a hotspot for innovative cocktails and inspired bites. Here, we’ll find La Table Hanoia, the award-winning eatery where Michelin-star chef, Alain Dutournier, crafts a delicious and playful menu—think saffron potato risotto with lobster bisque sherbet. It’s a multi-course celebration of craft and cuisine, and the perfect opportunity to raise our glasses in toast to Viet and the many adventures to come.

Tastemaker Moment: Billy will introduce himself and toast to an incredible journey

Day 2: Hanoi

January 5, Mon

Today, we begin our morning at the legendary Thanh Ha Market to commence our masterclass on Hanoi’s world-class street food. Alongside an expert guide, Billy will introduce us to his favorite local eats, from cà phê trúng (creamy egg coffee) to pho tiu (Vietnam’s original beef and noodle soup) at a hidden family-run shop.

Culinary tour de force complete, we’ll seek out repose at a local pagoda. Here, we’ll wind through gilded halls and intricate shrines, learning more about the pagoda’s role as a meeting spot for visiting Buddhist dignitaries. As the truly special culmination to our visit, we’ll sit down with the pagoda’s senior monk to explore the unique practices and philosophies that inform Vietnam’s Buddhist traditions.

We’ll round off our afternoon with a breezy cyclo ride through the city’s graceful Old Quarter before heading back to the hotel to freshen up for an incredible evening meal.

Tastemaker Moment: During the private street food tour, Billy will share his local favorites

Day 3: Ha Long Bay & Hanoi

January 6, Tue

After breakfast, we’re driving through sleepy villages and sun-kissed fields to one of the world’s most iconic seascapes: Ha Long Bay. Here, a private cruise awaits, ready to float us through an otherworldly landscape of limestone islands jutting from ancient emerald waters. From the boat’s upper deck, we’ll breathe in the symphony of looming, cave-lined karsts and sandy islets before gathering for a sumptuous lunch onboard. As a special treat, Viet will show us how to recreate a few of the dishes at home using a few easy tricks and choice ingredients; afterwards, we’ll settle back for a cup of creamy Vietnamese coffee to learn more about his cooking philosophy and approach in the kitchen.

At Bo Hon Island, we’ll disembark to explore Ha Long’s storied caves. Our first stop is Sung Sot, or “Surprise Cave,” named by the French for the mesmerizing view hiding behind the grotto’s mouth. We’ll then head onwards to Luon Cave, an ancient tunnel that serves as a portal to an ethereal hidden lake. Luon’s tranquil waters practically beg for a kayak ride or easy float on of its bamboo boats—either way, we’ll take our time to relax and explore here before heading back to the hotel for an evening of independent exploration.

Tastemaker Moment: Billy will answer everyone’s burning questions over a delicious cup of Vietnamese coffee for an informal Q&A

Day 4: Hanoi to Hue

January 7, Wed

Say tạm biệt (farewell) to Hanoi; after breakfast we’ll head to the airport for our short flight to Hue, seat of the Nguyen Dynasty and the national capital from 1802 to 1945. Keeping with the royal theme, we’ll meander onwards to the Royal Home of Tha Om and its stunning grounds, followed by lunch at a restored royal home and a visit to the former residence of a Nguyen Dynasty princess. The grand finale to our picturesque afternoon: a breezy boat trip down the Perfume River, complete with a stop at the iconic seven-story Thien Mu pagoda—one of the city’s best-preserved religious monuments.

Once we settle into a new hotel, we’ll reconvene for an authentic home-hosted dinner.

Tastemaker Moment: Billy will share his passion for Vietnamese food, the colonialist influences, and the differences with Vietnamese cuisine in the U.S.

Day 5: Hue

January 8, Thu

Our first stop is the Imperial Citadel, a UNESCO Heritage site and the perfect setting for a garden stroll. Profoundly settled, we’ll get ready for an iconic street food lunch by cyclo.

We’ll warm up with a drink and some light finger food, then wind our way to local restaurants and street food stalls to sample everything from rice with river clams to sizzling lemongrass pork skewers. Don’t be shy about dessert: the region’s famous sweet soups—made from lotus seed, kidney bean, and purple yam—await!

After this experience, more history awaits as we explore the Khai Dinh Royal Tomb, a masterpiece of modernism—architectural styles range from traditional Vietnamese to Gothic—and the resting place for the 12th emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty.

The evening is yours to embellish.

Day 6: Hue & Hoi An

January 9, Fri

In the morning we’ll bid farewell to Hue and begin our drive to the jewel of central Vietnam: Hoi An. The famous Pass of the Ocean Clouds is our route, and we’ll pause at the crest of this mighty mountain pass to drink in stunning views of the turquoise sea below.

On the way to lunch, we’ll stop in Nam O, a historic fishing village known for its centuries-old tradition of crafting fish sauce. Here, we’ll visit a local fish sauce producer as the salty breeze mingles with the rich aroma of fermenting anchovies, and life moves to the rhythm of the sea. After, we’ll continue on to Danang and settle down for a seafood lunch.

Just down the road, Hoi An awaits and once we settle in at the hotel, we’ll reconvene for a walk through the city’s historic Old Town. This picturesque riverside city was a major trading port for centuries, and mansions built by merchants still line the narrow streets of the Old Quarter. We’ll stop to admire temples, artisan workshops, and the bustling market, then visit the home of a master lantern-craftsman to learn more about the history, shape, and color of the lanterns—we’ll even have a chance to create our own.

In the evening, we’ll have time to catch our breath back at the hotel before reconvening for dinner at the iconic Mango Mango restaurant. The award-winning eatery is an ode to contemporary Vietnamese cuisine, and we’re honored to have our tastemaker walk us through the menu’s global influences before we tuck into our first-class spread.

Tastemaker Moment: Write messages on the locally crafted lanterns with Billy

Day 7: Hoi An

January 10, Sat

We’ll ease into the morning with an energizing yoga session at a nearby studio, any lingering muscle stiffness all but a distant memory after our inspired flow. Grounded by the stillness of our final savasana, we’ll make our way to Hoi An’s bustling trading post by boat. The experience is a celebration of every sense: the vibrant colors, the cacophony of sounds, the exotic fruits and vegetables. Afterwards, we’re off to a gourmet cooking class led by Billy and local legend Ms. Lulu. The duo will teach us the ins-and-outs of knife work and Vietnamese herbs, then we’ll roll up our sleeves to create our very own lunch of local specialities: crab wontons, papaya salad, and muc nhoi thit (squid stuffed with pork).

From there, the afternoon is ours to explore our scenic surroundings—we won’t meet up again until the evening for our local guide’s take on dining like a true Hoi An local.

Tastemaker Moment: Billy will lead our cooking class by crafting one of his signature dishes

Day 8: Hoi An

January 11, Sun

We hop on our bicycles this morning, passing through lush green rice paddies and grazing water buffaloes on our way to the water coconut forests of Cam Thanh. After trying our hand at fishing and crabbing in a traditional basket boat, we’re heading to the farming community of Tra Que, where we’ll roll up our sleeves to help harvest vegetables from the village garden. After a juggernaut of morning, we’ll reflect and pause for Vietnamese-style self care—an herbal foot massage to revitalize our tired muscles.

Later, we’ll join Billy in the home of a local family for a masterclass in traditional cooking techniques followed by a hearty, garden-fed lunch. From there, the afternoon and evening is ours to explore our scenic surroundings.

Tastemaker Moment: Billy will cook alongside the local family

Day 9: Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City

January 12, Mon

This morning we’re up bright and early for our short flight to Ho Chi Minh City. From the airport, we’ll go straight to lunch and belly up to the counter for some classic Pho.

Next, we’ll check into Hôtel des Arts Saigon, then embark straightaway on an immersive tour of the fabled city and its bustling streets, stopping to take in thought-provoking monuments like the Burning Monk Memorial and reveling in the French architecture.

Our day will end in quintessential Ho Chi Minh City fashion: aboard vespas, zipping through the city’s back allies, and sampling the very best street food along the way.

Tastemaker Moment: Billy will share his insights on the different local styles of Pho

Day 10: Ho Chi Minh City

January 13, Tue

After our urban adventures yesterday, we’re excited to dive into rural Vietnam. Southwest of Ho Chi Minh City are the spidery tributaries of the mighty Mekong River—they’re home to the bulk of the country’s produce and rice production. We’ll cruise through the waters to one of the region’s iconic floating markets, where vendors balance stacks of heavy melons on narrow wooden boats and hawk fiery chiles on bamboo poles. We’ll connect with locals who have been turning water hyacinth into decorative handbags and banana ropes into hammocks for generations. Once we’ve gotten a feel for river life, we’ll dock our boats on Tan Phong Island and mount bikes for a short cycling tour through the shaded roads of the village. Lunch is an unforgettable experience, a banquet of delicacies sourced along the Delta and served up family-style at the home of a local host.

After our time in the countryside, we’ll reconvene back in the city for a night of celebration. Our farewell dinner is at Mandarin—the perfect spot for casual but exquisite cuisine, and for raising a toast to ten days of joy and exhilaration.

After dinner, the night is yours to explore. You’ll find us at one of the city’s chic rooftop bars, nursing an unhurried nightcap in this city that never sleeps.

Tastemaker Moment: Billy will lead a round of farewell toasts

Day 11: Departures

January 14, Wed

It’s time to bid goodbye to Vietnam, Billy, and our new friends. With all that we’ve experienced and tasted, we know it won’t be long before we return to this magical land.

Street food was the star of this trip. I felt like I was on an awesome adventure with a group of friends.
Lindsay S.
I loved Vietnam. I was charmed by the people and seduced by the cuisine.
Janice B.
I was blown away by how flawlessly Modern Adventure executed this trip. You exceeded my every expectation.
Joan P.

Where We Sleep

Art-filled design hotels in Hue and Hoi An, a luxurious retreat in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City—our accommodations are stylish, modern takes on traditional Vietnamese styles.

Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi Centre

Hanoi

The Mövenpick Hotel Hanoi Centre is conveniently located in the heart of Hanoi’s central business district. Noi Bai International Airport is a 40-minute drive away and the city centre and Old Quarter are a 5-minute walk. The hotel features distinctive French architecture with beautiful and well-appointed rooms and suites.

La Residence

Hue

An Art Deco masterpiece built in 1930, situated on the banks of the Perfume River. Its stunning architecture embraces the past while incorporating contemporary twists. Whether you choose to kick back poolside or meander through its tropical gardens, La Residence is an absolute oasis of comfort.

Hotel Royal

Hoi An

An impeccable retreat facing the bucolic Thu Bon River and just a stroll away from Hoi An’s ancient Old Quarter. Relax in expansive rooms or at their serene pool, admire their brilliant gallery, or just take in the views from the highest rooftop bar in the city.

Hôtel des Arts Saigon

Ho Chi Minh City

With smooth lines and sumptuous curves inspired by the principles of Feng Shui, this airy, art-filled hotel combines timeless glamor with a very 21st-century sense of whimsy. Take tea at the Café des Beaux Arts, nestle down in the library with a book, or head to the rooftop saltwater pool for a refreshing dip — then perch on a waterside barstool to drink in panoramic views of the sun setting above the city below.

Book Vietnam with Billy Ngo

Number of Travelers

Payment

Reserve your spot today with a $1,500 per-person deposit plus room supplements (if relevant). Please see our terms and conditions for full payment details.

$9,200

per person based on double occupancy; includes two internal flights flights from Hanoi to Hue, and from Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City

Can't travel on these dates?
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+1 (855) 219-8018

Make It Private

We understand that certain dates can work better than others, or sometimes a more private experience is more appealing. We’d be happy to modify this departure so it fits the needs of you and your group.

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Questions?

That’s OK, we have answers. Read our FAQs below. Or text or call us at +1 (855) 219-8018 to speak with a Modern Adventure Trip Specialist.

  1. What does the price include?

    Ten nights at unique four- and five-star accommodations; transportation to the trip’s starting and ending points; two internal flights from Hanoi to Hue and Hoi An to Ho Chi Minh City; private travel for all day trips and excursions; private tours with local guides and cultural experts; exclusive VIP access and tastings; guided activities, hands-on workshops; adventures and expeditions; entrance fees; daily breakfasts, most lunches and dinners; local beverages with meals; gratuities for local staff.

  2. What does the price not include?

    International roundtrip airfare; travel insurance; activities not included in the trip itinerary; hotel incidentals including room service, laundry service and hotel bar tabs; food and beverage not included in itinerary; gratuity for tour leader.

  3. Where does this trip start and end?

    Our adventure begins at Hanoi’s Noi Bai International Airport (HAN), where we’ll transfer to Hotel de L’Opera Hanoi. Our last day is in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The closest airport is Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN). 

  4. What travel documents are needed?

    US citizens are required to obtain a visa before traveling to Vietnam. Modern Adventure will obtain this required travel document which is included in the trip cost. Additionally, your passport must be valid for six months beyond your arrival date.

    Not a US citizen? Please check with the Vietnamese Embassy or Consulate for information and requirements.

  5. Do I need to pay a solo traveler supplement?

    For solo travelers, there is a $2,000 single-supplement fee—paid at the time of booking to secure a private room. These spots are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.

  6. Who is going on this trip?

    Our adventures typically have between 10 and 20 guests, and our Modern Adventure Team. Our experiences are fun and inclusive and you can expect to be joined by a diverse group in terms of age, background and interests—including solo travelers, couples and friends traveling together. This adventure is for travelers age 18 and above.

  7. Who is leading this trip?

    This trip is led by an expert Modern Adventure Trip Leader. They’re an experienced travel guide, a representative of Modern Adventure and your go-to person for questions or concerns on the trip. We’ll be joined throughout our adventure by local, expert guides who are deeply knowledgeable with respect to local cultures, customs and history and are passionate about sharing that with us.

  8. What is the cancellation policy?

    You may cancel 120 days or more before departure and receive a full refund minus a $1500 per person service fee ($500 of which may be retained as a future travel credit, valid for one year after cancellation). If you cancel on or after 119 days in advance, there is a 50% cancellation fee. On or after 59 days in advance, there is a 100% cancellation fee. See our full terms and conditions for details.

  9. Do I need Travel Insurance?

    We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement for your trip costs; if your trip plans change for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to get medical help, emergency transport, and for theft, loss or damage of items while traveling. For best coverage, always insure the full trip cost within two weeks of your initial trip deposit and note that most ‘Cancel For Any Reason’ policies must be purchased on the date of your initial deposit.

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