Pho for the Soul: Tastes & Flavours of Vietnam

This 2 week Vietnam food itinerary travels from Saigon to Hanoi & Halong Bay, exploring the country through its regional cuisines, markets and street food. It’s ideal for travellers looking to understand Vietnam through flavour, tradition and everyday life.

Moving between the south, the central gems of Hoi An & Hue to northern regions, the journey reveals how ingredients, techniques and local culture shape each dish, creating a route defined as much by context as by taste.

The itinerary below is shown as an example route. Every journey we create is planned from scratch, and can be adapted — unless you like it exactly as it is.

  • Day 1 - Overnight Flight

    The adventure begins as you board your overnight flight to Saigon!

  • Day 2 - Saigon

    Meet your guide at Tan Son Nhat Airport before transferring to your hotel.

    This evening you'll head to the Dining Room restaurant, one of the finest in Saigon, famous for it's beautifully decorated dishes & innovative Vietnamese cuisine. Finish the night off at a jazz club.

  • Day 3 - Saigon

    Saigon is a melting pot of flavours & is known for its amazing street food scene. Meet up with a local foodie at your hotel and join other guests to sample various street food.

    In the evening, you'll experience Saigon's vivid nightlife & witness its historical sites beautifully lit up, as you whizz through the streets on the back of a Vespa.

  • Day 4 - Saigon

    Today you leave the bright lights of Saigon behind and head for Ben Tre, the gateway to the Mekong Delta.

    Take in the lush surroundings and wind down narrow roads on a tri-motorcycle. Visit quaint, local villages and take part in traditional activities.

    You'll be back in Saigon in time for dinner.

  • Day 5 - Hoi An

    Chill out at the hotel before transferring to the Airport for your flight to Danang. Your guide will be waiting to transfer you to your hotel.

  • Day 6 - Hoi An

    Your introduction to arguably Vietnam's most beautiful city is by way of a visit to the local market.

    Here you'll meet culinary expert, Neville Dean for a foodie experience to remember.

  • Day 7 - Hoi An

    Time to get rural. Head to the beautiful Cam Thanh Village - a beautiful, typical, central Vietnamese village known for its dense water coconut jungles and photogenic rice paddies.

    You'll take a bamboo basket-boat ride along the Co Co River, stopping off at local villages on the way. The tour ends with a traditional cooking class, deep in the Hoi An countryside.

  • Day 8 - Hue

    Your journey continues north, next stop: Imperial Hue.

    An evening food tour awaits. You'll get picked up from your new hotel and taken to a selection of local markets to sample yet more delicious street food.

    You'll start to notice the differences to the flavours sampled down south.

  • Day 9 - Hue

    Visit Zen House - a complex with a number of ancient buildings and gardens, typically Buddhist in style.

    You'll join your host in preparing a vegetarian lunch before learning about the art of meditation and Tai Chi.

  • Day 10 - Hanoi

    Today you head for Hanoi, Vietnam's bustling capital. The same routine applies upon arrival. After being dropped off at your hotel, the rest of the day is yours to explore Hanoi at your own pace.

  • Day 11 - Hanoi

    You'll link up with food blogger - Mr Van Cong Tu, today to sample the Hanoi street food scene. The route varies based on what's fresh that day.

    En route, you'll stop at some of Hanoi's most famous historical landmarks.

  • Day 12 - Halong Bay

    Time to head for the coast as your board your luxury Junk boat & head to a lesser known corner of Halong Bay, away from the crowds.

    Relax, take in the scenery, and enjoy the chef's specialities. For a more hands-on experience, there's a Vietnamese cooking demonstration.

    Away from the dinner table, you'll visit the mysterious Tien Ong cave and the beautiful Cua Van area.

  • Day 13 - Halong Bay

    Take an early morning dip in the bay and climb the hills onshore before cruising back to Halong City.

  • Day 14 - Overnight Flight

    After checking out you will be transferred to Hanoi Airport for your onward flight home.

From £2630pp

Itinerary highlights

  • Street food deep-dives with respected local food experts in Hanoi, Saigon and Hoi An
  • Regional flavours explored through markets, home-style cooking and hands-on classes
  • Time in contrasting settings, from buzzing cities to coastal and rural communities
  • Designed as a flexible example, that can be shaped around your interests

Price includes

  • Flights included
  • In destination transfers
  • Activities and excursions as detailed
  • All accommodation
  • Enquire now