Ho Chi Minh City Food Adventure: 3-Days of Cuisine & Culture

Highlights of the Trip 

Head off on a tantalising 3-day culinary journey through the heart of Ho Chi Minh City that will leave your tastebuds dancing with delight. This immersive tour is a dream for food enthusiasts and culture seekers alike.

Start by zipping through Saigon’s vibrant streets on the back of a scooter, savouring local delicacies and street food, and even learning the art of crafting crispy banana crackers. Dive into the essence of Vietnamese cuisine with a market visit to source fresh ingredients for your hands-on cooking class, guided by a local chef. Receive a certificate of culinary mastery and a cherished souvenir. Then, explore the city’s rich history and end your day with a mesmerising traditional water puppetry show.

For those with a passion for traditional cuisine and cooking (and eating!), this tour is a culinary odyssey not to be missed on your Vietnam travels.

Destinations and the Landmarks / Sights to Visit 

Ho Chi Minh City:

• Fine Art Museum:  A treasure trove of historical and contemporary art representing the rich cultural heritage of the country.
• Saigon Central Post Office: A prime example of French colonial architecture in Vietnam. Built between 1886 and 1891.

Cultural Experiences & Activities of this Holiday

Scooter Ride in Ho Chi Minh: Visit Chinatown, the Ho Thi Ky wholesale flower market.

Cooking Experience: Visit a local market to select fresh ingredients before being guided by a local chef to create a mouth-watering dish.

Traditional Water Puppet Show: This unique and ancient art form has been passed down through generations, originating in the villages of the Red River Delta in northern Vietnam.

Local Cuisine and Traditional Dishes to try while in Vietnam

During this tour, numerous opportunities will arise for you to savour the authentic local cuisine, whether from the menus of included meals or from your own culinary exploration during your free time in the itinerary. Indulge in traditional dishes that showcase the rich flavours of the region. This tour includes the chance to make crispy banana crackers during your scooter discovery of Vietnam. You will also experience a bowl of Pho (Beef Noodle Soup) and a Banh My (the most famous street food in Vietnam). Discover Nguyen Thien Thuat area, one of the most famous street food areas in Saigon.

Accommodation of this Tour

Eden Star Hotel (Deluxe Room) or similar

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival Ho Chi Minh City, city tour & evening street food

Upon arriving in Ho Chi Minh City by morning or noon flight, your guide will welcome you and show you around. At 18.00, the adventure of exploring Saigon begins with a scooter ride and savouring the local cuisine. Accompanied by a local Vietnamese rider, you will be taken to Chinatown, an evening local market, and Ho Thi Ky wholesale flower market. Here, you will have the chance to learn how to make Crispy banana crackers. Then, you will hop on the scooter and take a 30-minute ride to experience the narrow streets and alleys of the different districts and hidden corners of the city, where you can find cloth shops, food vendors, and walking parks. Afterward, you will stop for a bowl of Pho (Beef Noodle Soup) and a Banh My (the most famous street food in Vietnam). After the meal, you will be taken to Nguyen Thien Thuat area, one of the most famous street food areas in Saigon. Here, you will be able to immerse yourself in the diverse cuisine and local culture. Lastly, you will be taken to a local drinking spot for some beer and soft drink. Here, you can sit and chat with the tour guide, getting to know more about the ingredients of the cuisine and the local life. You’ll be back to your hotel around 22.00pm. You will spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City.

✓ Breakfast and Dinner

Day 2: Local market visit, (join in) cooking class, traditional water puppet show

This morning, you will be collected and taken to a rendezvous point to join the group. To begin, you will be visiting a traditional market to learn how to buy fresh ingredients, followed by an introduction to Vietnamese gastronomy. After this cultural preamble, guests get to work in the kitchen with the guidance of a Vietnamese chef who is proficient in English. There is a unique menu to choose from for each day of the week, which have been carefully crafted to give you a full taste of Vietnamese cuisine. Afterwards, you will dine on the dishes you have just cooked. After lunch, you will be presented with certificates of completion and souvenir gifts. In the afternoon, your guide will take you around Ho Chi Minh City, visiting the Fine Art Museum, Saigon Central Post Office, and the City Hall (exterior). Later in the day, you will be treated to a traditional water puppet show. You will then be driven back to your hotel, where you will spend the night in Ho Chi Minh City.

✓ Breakfast and Lunch

Day 3: Departure from Ho Chi Minh City

Today you will be free to explore or relax until your transfer to the airport for your next destination. End of tour.

✓ Breakfast

Price

£263

– Price per person based on two-people group size.

– The price is subject to availability, based on twin or double room sharing.

– Peak season surcharges may apply during local public holidays.

Please note, this package is an example of our many exciting daily offers. We are happy to check up-to-date prices for the dates and times that suit you for your perfect package holiday, or to tailor or upgrade elements of any package. Please feel free to contact us at enquiry@asiara-holidays.com or call us on 01473 356 000.

Tour Summary

Day 1: Explore Ho Chi Minh City on a scooter tour, sampling local cuisine and visiting Chinatown, evening markets, and street food areas.

Day 2: Visit a traditional market, participate in a cooking class, tour Ho Chi Minh City’s landmarks, and enjoy a traditional water puppet show.

Day 3: Free time to explore or relax before departure from Ho Chi Minh City.

FAQs

1. What is included in the evening street food tour on Day 1?
   • The evening street food tour includes a scooter ride to Chinatown, local markets, Ho Thi Ky wholesale flower market, and stops for sampling Vietnamese cuisine such as Pho and Banh Mi.
2. Can you provide more details about the cooking class on Day 2?
   • The cooking class on Day 2 includes a visit to a traditional market to purchase fresh ingredients, followed by hands-on cooking with a Vietnamese chef. Guests can choose from a menu of Vietnamese dishes and enjoy the meals they’ve prepared.
3. What attractions are visited during the city tour on Day 2?
   • The city tour includes visits to the Fine Art Museum, Saigon Central Post Office, and City Hall (exterior), providing insights into Ho Chi Minh City’s culture and history.
4. How long is the traditional water puppet show on Day 2?
   • The traditional water puppet show typically lasts for about an hour, showcasing Vietnam’s cultural heritage through a captivating performance.
5. Is transportation provided for the airport transfer on Day 3?
   • Yes, transportation for the airport transfer on Day 3 is included, ensuring a convenient end to the tour.

Tour Map