Vietnam Food Tour with Helen Nguyen

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 Vietnam and the many adventures to come.

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, Helen will introduce us to her 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.

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, Helen 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.

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.

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.

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.

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 Helen 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.

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 Helen 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.

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.

Today begins on the water, with a private speedboat gliding past Saigon’s ever-changing shoreline. Our route winds toward the Phu Chau Floating Temple, an ornately tiled sanctuary perched above the waves, accessible only by boat. After a morning exploring this sacred site, we return to land for a guided visit to Ben Thanh Market, where stalls brim with tropical fruit, fragrant herbs, and hand-embroidered linens.

This afternoon, lunch is on your own, followed by a relaxed afternoon to unwind at the hotel. Later on, we’ll reconvene 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.

It’s time to bid goodbye to Vietnam, Helen, 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.