A Taste of Vietnam with Brian McDonald

TrovaTrip will provide 3 arrival transfers from Hanoi Airport/Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) to the hotel between 8:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. Exact transfer times within this window will be determined closer to your arrival based on provided traveler flight information. Travelers arriving outside of the requested flight guidelines will need to make their own arrangements to meet the group at the hotel.

Get to know your group and toast to the adventure ahead! Your welcome dinner at a local restaurant is included. Dinner tonight will be a set menu of Vietnamese cuisine with water included. Additional food and drinks may be purchased at your own expense. Subject to change based on availability.

Join me to explore some of Hanoi's hidden craft cocktail bars. Sip some of the most creative cocktails Hanoi now has to offer plus visit one of Asia's top 50th cocktail bar. Cocktails included and some snacks along the way. Additional cost for this evening tour after our welcome dinner. TBC

Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental, full/American, or buffet style. The hotel offers a combination of local, American, and intercontinental breakfast. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

This morning, you'll be picked up from the hotel for a 10-minute private to the start of a full day of exploring Hanoi. Embark on a culinary and cultural adventure in Hanoi, starting with a visit to a traditional café to sample local coffee variations such as ca phe sua da or the unique 'egg coffee.' Continue to savor a delicious banh mi from a street food stall before exploring the Ngoc Son Temple at Hoan Kiem Lake, a historical area where artisans and traders have thrived for nearly two millennia. Wander through the Old Quarter's streets, named after the goods once sold there, from silk to silver, experiencing how some have evolved while others preserve their heritage. Dive into Vietnamese food culture by sampling northern delicacies and seasonal fruits, exploring the bustling streets and quiet lanes that showcase Hanoi's ancient lifestyle. Visit Dong Xuan market for a taste of local snacks, learn about Vietnamese meal routines, and stroll up 'food alley'. Venture out to West Lake for Pho Cuon and a lesson in Vietnamese wrap 'n' roll, capture sunset views from Long Bien Bridge, and finally, immerse yourself in the local scene with a draught beer at a bia hoi spot, blending exploration and taste in a day filled with Hanoi's timeless charm and vibrant street life. In the early evening, you'll be transferred back to the hotel for the remainder of the evening free at leisure.

Make a stop at a local restaurant during the Explore Hanoi Like a Local tour for an included lunch. Lunch is typically a set menu of Vietnamese cuisine with water included. Additional food and drinks may be purchased at your own expense. Subject to change based on availability.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental, full/American, or buffet style. The hotel offers a combination of local, American, and intercontinental breakfast. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Take a 30-minute private transfer to the cooking class. Today, immerse yourself in the vibrant flavors and traditions of North Vietnamese cuisine with a hands-on cooking class led by Ms. Ai, a celebrated local chef and a top contender from Master Chef Vietnam 2014. The day starts with a short drive to Chef Ai's house, where you'll venture together to a nearby 'wet' market. There, amidst the hustle and bustle, learn about the ingredients essential to local dishes, selecting fresh produce for your cooking lesson. Back at Chef Ai's family kitchen, dive into the art of creating beloved Northern dishes like Pomelo Salad with shrimp, Vietnamese style grilled fish, and the unique Egg coffee, guided by the chef's expertise and personal recipes. After cooking, the experience culminates in a delicious meal, enjoying the fruits of your labor in a warm, home-cooked lunch, closing your culinary journey with a taste of authentic Vietnamese hospitality. After lunch, you'll be transferred 30 minutes back to the hotel to spend the rest of your day exploring at leisure.

Lunch is included as a part of the cooking class. You’ll be enjoying the fruits of your labor that includes a salad, main course, and dessert -- Pomelo Salad with shrimp, Vietnamese style grilled fish, and Egg coffee with water and tea included. The menu is subject to change based on seasonality and availability.

Overnight in Hanoi.

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental, full/American, or buffet style. The hotel offers a combination of local, American, and intercontinental breakfast. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Depart the hotel this morning and transfer to the Hanoi Airport. Your hotel pick up will be scheduled 2.5 hours prior to your domestic flight time to Da Nang.

Take a domestic flight from Hanoi to Da Nang. IMPORTANT: Passport information is REQUIRED to book your domestic flight ticket on your behalf. If your completed passport details are not submitted through your Trip Form at least 45 days prior to trip, you may be responsible for arranging your own domestic flight ticket to Da Nang. Luggage Guidelines: Travelers are allowed 1 piece of checked luggage with a maximum weight of 50 lbs (23 kg) and 1 piece of carry on luggage with a maximum weight of 25 lbs (12 kg).

Upon arrival, you will be picked up from the Da Nang airport and transferred to your hotel in Hoi An.

Enjoy an included lunch during the Go Noi Village Agricultural Experience by Bicycle tour.

Head out on a 30-minute private transfer to Go Noi village, where you'll be welcomed by Mr. Phap at his farm -- a key part of a collective focused on organic vegetable production. You’ll start your cycling tour with a scenic bike ride through quaint villages and lush rice fields, leading you to the collective's organic farms. Here, diverse crops like chili pepper, water bindweed, lettuce, basil, spinach, squash, and edible chrysanthemums flourish. You can try your hand at engaging directly with the land through various farming activities, including harvesting, planting, weeding, tilling, watering, and applying organic compost to the crops. The adventure continues as you bike towards a quaint pier on the Thu Bon River, leading to a 15-20 minute river crossing. Upon arrival, discover a charming bamboo bridge, a vital access point for local farmers to their fields. Crossing this bridge, you'll walk through fields of peanuts, sweet potatoes, pumpkin, corn, and aromatic herbs, immersing yourself in the authentic rural life along the Thu Bon River and interacting with the farmers. Covering 9-12 miles on cruiser bikes, the journey promises gentle exploration through Vietnam's heartland. Conclude your day with a 30-minute transfer back to your hotel, ready to unwind after a day rich in culture and nature.

Overnight in Hoi An

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental, full/American, or buffet style. The hotel offers a combination of local, American, and intercontinental breakfast. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

After breakfast, embark on a 20-minute private transfer to the pier, where you'll catch a speedboat for a 30-minute journey from to the Cham Islands, landing at Bai Huong village. There, you'll meet Mr. Lau, a native fisherman of the island. With Mr. Lau, set off to explore the marine park, encompassing eight islands and over 5,000 hectares of water, including 165 hectares of coral reefs, through multiple snorkeling stops in protected areas. The Cham Islands, a UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve since 2009, boast tropical forests and are inhabited by crab-eating macaques, with a landscape dominated by a 517-meter mountain. Experience swimming and snorkeling in secluded spots, enjoying the well-preserved coral reefs and learning about the local fishermen's lifestyle. Savor a fresh seafood lunch in Bai Huong village. Post-lunch, enjoy wandering through the village, visiting its pagoda, capturing memories from the pontoon, and swimming at Bai Huong’s main beach, before returning to Hoi An pier by private speedboat. Then a 20-minute private transfer takes you back to the hotel for the remaining day at leisure. A mask, snorkel, and life jacket (as needed) will be provided.

Lunch in Bai Huong Village is included as a part of the Cham Island Experience. Lunch will typically be a seafood themed set menu, shared family style with water included. Additional food and beverages may be purchased at your own expense. Subject to change based on availability.

Begin your evening with a leisurely stroll through the historic streets of Hoi An, where you'll have the chance to taste the city's most exquisite cocktails in hidden, centuries-old settings. At each concealed stop within the Old Town, enjoy specially crafted cocktails that incorporate a unique, local twist. As you navigate the ancient alleyways, our expert guide, or chủ nhà, will share little-known tales and insights. This journey not only tantalizes your taste buds but also enriches your understanding of the complex cultural interactions—Vietnamese, French, Japanese, Chinese—that have shaped this enchanting locale. Experience the blend of cultures firsthand in the fusion that defines Hoi An's charm. The tour features four secret locations and includes four drinks. Additional food and beverages may be purchased at your own expense.

Overnight in Hoi An

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental, full/American, or buffet style. The hotel offers a combination of local, American, and intercontinental breakfast. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

Embark on a tranquil sunset dinner cruise along the scenic Thu Bon and Hoai Rivers from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, where the beauty of Hoi An's river culture and the mesmerizing sunset views set a perfect backdrop. Aboard a beautifully refurbished local barge, you're greeted with a welcome cocktail and an appetizer, ushering in an evening of relaxation and culinary delight. Capture the stunning sunset and vibrant river life on camera, then indulge in a leisurely five course meal prepared live, with attentive service throughout. Enjoy the option to purchase from an excellent wine list, and don't miss the chance to release floating candle lanterns into the river, creating magical moments against the backdrop of the setting sun, all from the comfort of our observation deck.

Your farewell dinner this evening is included as a part of the Thu Bon Sunset River Cruise. Dinner will typically be a five course set menu of Vietnamese cuisine. Additional food and drinks may be purchased at your own expense. Subject to change based on availability.

Join me as we go and visit one of the best and newest Rhum distilleries in Vietnam. We will go visit a very special one that is located just 20km from the old town of Hoi an. The tour will include a nice welcome cocktail, then we will tour the factory and learn about the process of making French Style Rhum here in Hoi an. After the tour will be a tasting flight included, followed by lunch before we head back to the tour hotel. Tour cost will TBA.

Overnight in Hoi An

Breakfast at the hotel is included. Typical hotel breakfasts are continental, full/American, or buffet style. The hotel offers a combination of local, American, and intercontinental breakfast. The exact breakfast offered will be determined by your finalized hotel.

TrovaTrip will provide 2 departure transfers from the hotel to Da Nang International Airport (DAD) between 8:00 A.M. and 12:00 P.M. Exact transfer times within this window will be determined closer to your arrival based on provided traveler flight information. Travelers arriving outside of the requested flight guidelines will need to make their own arrangements to the airport.