Hue and Hoi An 5-Day Food Discovery Tour

• Arrival at Phu Bai Airport, where you will be picked up and driven to Hue, the ancient capital of Vietnam from 1802 to 1945. Check into your hotel at 14:00.
• In the afternoon, kick off your 5-day Hue and Hoi An culinary tour with a visit to Thien Mu Pagoda, the iconic symbol of Hue city. Stroll around Kim Long Village, visit an ancient house of a former mandarin, interact with locals, and experience their daily activities.
• In the evening, head to Dong Thien Pagoda for a vegetarian dinner prepared by the nuns. Our visit supports the Pagoda’s kindergarten, which educates children from needy families. We will engage with the nuns and learn more about the Pagoda before returning to the hotel.
• Overnight at the hotel in Hue.

We will pick you up at your hotel and head to the local market, where you can see fresh herbs, seafood, butchers, and fruits. You might want to try some tasty Hue street food at the market. It's a great opportunity for taking pictures and learning about Vietnamese food culture and history. Our guide will be happy to explain anything you would like to know.

After walking around the market and gathering ingredients for your cooking class, we will return to the kitchen to prepare and cook Hue local food.

Menu:

• Green mango salad with shrimp
• Fried chicken with lemongrass and chili
• Nem Lui (pork on lemongrass skewer)
• Hue peanut dipping sauce

In the afternoon, visit the Imperial Citadel and Tu Duc Tomb to discover the beautiful and impressive architecture of these unique structures in Hue, as well as learn the story of the King. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant featuring typical Hue cuisine.

Overnight at the hotel in Hue.

• Morning departure to Da Nang via the famous Hai Van Pass. Upon arrival, visit the Cham Museum renowned for its impressive collection of sandstone artifacts spanning from the 4th to the 13th century. Continue to Hoi An, a charming town often referred to as a living museum, once a bustling trading hub in Southeast Asia during the 16th century.
• Enjoy lunch at a local restaurant.
• Later in the afternoon, embark on a culinary tour of Hoi An to experience the vibrant local food scene as the sun sets. Begin with a visit to a local bakery famous for banh mi, a beloved Vietnamese sandwich made with the freshest ingredients.
• Next, indulge in BBQ pork rolled in rice paper paired with a traditional soy dipping sauce at a cozy local spot. Explore the central market to discover various local food stalls offering fresh produce, noodles, sweets, fruit, and seafood, while your guide provides insights into Vietnamese culinary traditions.
• Continue to a favorite restaurant for deep-fried wontons and white rose dumplings, followed by a visit to a renowned street vendor for chicken rice. Save room for dessert at a local home before concluding the tour at a scenic local cafe. Relax with Vietnamese coffee or beer, reflecting on the culinary delights experienced throughout the day.
• Transfer back to your hotel. Overnight at a hotel in Hoi An.

The car picks up and takes you to Hai Café.

We begin the day at 8:15 AM with a welcome drink at Hai Café (98 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Hoi An Ancient Town, Tel: 3863210), our designated meeting point.

Explore the vibrant Hoi An market, immersing yourself in its bustling atmosphere and experiencing the sights, sounds, and aromas. Engage with local vendors to learn about the fresh ingredients used in our upcoming cooking lesson.

Next, board the Red Bridge boat for a tranquil 25-minute cruise along the Hoi An River, enjoying views of local river life.

Upon arrival at the Red Bridge Cooking School, wander through their herb garden before delving into the secrets of preparing renowned Hoi An and Vietnamese dishes. The cooking session, led by Red Bridge chefs, includes demonstrations followed by hands-on preparation of each dish. You'll also learn Vietnamese food carving for plate decoration.

After the lesson, sit down to savor the dishes you've prepared. The session concludes around 1 PM, and you'll be transferred back to central Hoi An.

Note: After the cooking tour, you're welcome to use our 20-meter swimming pool for relaxation (towels and showers provided), after which you will make your own way to your hotel.

For groups of 5 or more, we offer private cooking classes.

Recipes (Our food does not contain MSG):

1. Making fresh rice paper
2. Fresh rice paper rolls with shrimp
3. Crispy Hoi An pancakes with shrimp, herbs and peanut sauce
4. 4. Seafood salad with mixed Vietnamese herbs served in half a pineapple
5. Mi Quang chicken noodles
6. Food decoration: Tomato rose and Vietnamese cucumber hand fan

Lunch includes the above dishes, as well as steamed ocean fish on a bed of freshly chopped vegetables (not part of the demonstration). Vegetarian options are available upon request.

• Enjoy your final day exploring Hoi An at your leisure before heading to Da Nang airport for your onward flight.
• End of all services.