The Culture and Cuisine of Vietnam 10 Days/ 9 Nights

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Price: From $2417/paxDuration: 10 days / 9 nightsTour route: Danang, Hanoi, Hoian, Hue, SaigonTransportation type: Airplane, CarTour code: IET - VN 17.1Day 1. (D) Arrival SaigonArrive at the airport in HCMC. Private transfer to the Park Hyatt Hotel Saigon for two nights – free time in the afternoon- evening drinks in Club Lounge. Dinner at Vietnam House Restaurant HCMC .The cuisine of the south uses many herbs and spices and has been influenced by Cambodia, Thailand and India, among others. Curries using coconut milk are an example of this influence. The south also has a wide selection of tropical fruits and vegetables that are not readily available in the cooler north.Day 2. (B,L,D) Ho Chi Minh City (former Saigon)After breakfast, depart for a half day city tour including the Unification Palace, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Old Saigon Post Office and Cholon, the city's lively Chinatown. Traditional “pho” shall be served for lunch at a local café on Pasteur Street . Free time until evening drinks in Club Lounge followed by dinner at Nam Phan Restaurant. The elegant Nam Phan Restaurant offers a menu of beautifully presented Vietnamese cuisine - described by the owners as "high-end", with classical dishes and modern interpretations all freshly prepared to order by the resident team of professional chefs. In fact Nam Phan promises to be a great gourmet experience.Day 3 (B,D) HCMC - DanangAfter breakfast, private transfer to airport and flight to Danang for one night stay at the Furama Beach Resort – recently voted best beach resort in Vietnam. Free time for the rest of the day. Enjoy the resort. Dinner with wine served at the hotel.Day 4.(B,D) Danang - Hoi AnAfter breakfast, private transfer to The Golden Sands Resort Hoi An for two nights. Hoi An was a major Asian trading centre in the 17th and 18th century and many of the original buildings remain. Enjoy a guided walking tour of the ancient town centre, including the 400-year- old Japanese covered bridge and the colourful local market area of this unique UNESCO-designated World Heritage city. Rest of afternoon is free before dinner at the famous White Lantern Restaurant for a five-course meal featuring Hoi An's unique cuisine.Day 5.(B, D) Hoi AnAfter breakfast, morning cycle tour through the paddy fields down to the nearby beaches. Free time in the afternoon. Evening dinner at Tam Tam Restaurant – situated in an old colonial villa and run by a French expatriate. It provides a great combination of food, wine and people-watching.Day 6.(B,D) Hoi An - HueDepart Hoi An after breakfast, private transfer to the Morin Hotel in Hue for 2 nights. On the way, we will stop at the Tu Duc Mausoleum with its traditional Vietnamese architecture. Free time for the rest of the day, before enjoying a cyclo ride to the Tinh Gia Vien Restaurant for dinner. Food in Hue tends to be spicier than in most other parts of Vietnam, a kind of Oriental Nouvelle Cuisine.Day 7. (B, L, D) HueAfter an early breakfast, we depart for a cooking class run by the owner of the Y Thao Garden House, starting at the Dong Ba Central Market. She will give instructions on how to choose food for our cooking lesson. Lunch is the food we prepare. In the afternoon, travel by Dragon Boat down the Perfume River to the Thien Mu Pagoda standing by the riverbank with its seven story tower. A Royal Banquet will be served in the evening at the Huong Giang Hotel situated on the banks of the Perfume River.Day 8. (B,D) Hue - HanoiTransfer to Hue airport for flight to Hanoi and private transfer to the Sofitel Metropole Hanoi Hotel for 2 nights.Depending on flight times, late afternoon cyclo tour to the fine Emperor Restaurant set in a beautifully restored French Colonial Villa. The chefs serve up Southern Vietnamese specialities. A traditional folklore show is included with dinner.Day 9. (B,D) HanoiA full-day tour of Hanoi to include the Fine Arts Museum, French and Chinese influenced architecture, the Lake of the Restored Wword and the “Old” Quarter. Dinner at the Le Tonkin Restaurant, which specialises in preparing authentic Northern Vietnamese Cuisine. Drinks afterwards at Vertical bar nearby.Day 10. (B) Departure HanoiTransfer to Noi Bai Airport after breakfast to connect with international flights home.This is a sample itinerary so the cost really depends on your hotel choice, number of people in your group and time of travel. An indication of the cost for this itinerary is between US$2417 -US$4955 per person based on four people traveling in high season.INCLUSIONS:+Transportation in private air-conditioned vehicle with driver+ Accommodation: twin sharing room at mentioned hotels or similar one+ English or French speaking guide + Entrance fee to indicated sights + Meals as indicated : B = breakfast, L = lunch, D = dinner+ Water puppet show + Cyclo trip+ Domestic flight (in Southeast Asia)mention in program+ Boat trip in mention in program.+ Train ticket mention in programEXCLUSIONS: + Other meals+ Tip+ Drinks+ Airport tax+ Single room supplement+ Personal expenses+ Travel insurance+ Visa+ Flight in / out of Southeast Asia+ Any optional additional tours+ Activities during free time+ Surcharge for peak season+ Local holiday days and gala dinner.

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