cooking passions "Discover Vietnam"

13 Day Vietnam Cooking Tour - March 2014

13 Day / 12 Night NEW "Discover Vietnam" Luxury Cooking Tour

 Wednesday 12 March 2014 to Monday 24 March 2014

-  BOOKED OUT -

Our NEW "Discover Vietnam" has booked out! Sorry for those that we did not have places for. If you would like to be placed on our "Discover Vietnam" WAITLIST, just in case any further places become available please email Nico on nico@urbanprovider.com.au.

We are also accepting "Expressions of Interest" from those of you that would like to be placed on our PRE-NOTICE LIST for our 2015 tour. 

 

Another UNIQUE cooking passions "Small-Group" Food & Culture Experience

$AUD3205pp (Double/Twin Occupancy) ~ $AUD250 per day
$AUD3865 (Single Occupancy) ~ $AUD295 per day

We are extremely excited about escorting a small group of 14 travellers to one of our favourite food destinations - Vietnam. Join us as we share with you our "hand-picked" Vietnam experiences, cooking classes and luxury accommodation for 13 exciting days from March 12th to March 24th 2013.

Our cooking passions “Discover Vietnam” experience will overwhelm your senses with the incredible beauty, amazing flavours and rich history of Vietnam visiting the country from South to North including :

  • Vibrant and cosmopolitan SAIGON (Ho Chi Minh City)
  • the Parisian/Asian allure of HANOI
  • the charming 16th century ancient port town of HOI AN with it's talented tailor shops and "Full Moon Lantern Festival" which we have arranged to time with this year's visit
  • NEW - Tastes of Hoi An Food Tour - an amazing walking tour of Hoi An to experience the local delicacies and colourful local producers and street vendors.
  • NEW - Gourmet Cooking Class with Ms Vy - one of Vietnam's most recognised food personalities whose Hoi An restaurants and cooking school have garnered recognition throughout Vietnam and overseas.
  • NEW - 3 Day / 2 Night Halong Bay & Gulf of Tonkin luxury cruise to experience the serene beauty of the UNESCO World Heritage listed HALONG BAY aboard the newly launched AuCo luxury cruise vessel.
  • Hands-on Cooking Classes that explore the fresh and unique tastes & flavours of Vietnamese food
  • Plenty of free time for you to pursue your own Vietnamese cultural/cuisine/shopping/relaxing activities.

We've organised all of the delicious cooking experiences; all internal Vietnam airfares and transfers for you; most meals and selected beautiful centrally located luxury accommodation which are all in easy walking distance to the sites and shopping of the cities and towns we will be visiting. All you need to do is pack a bag and a sense of adventure and join us on a delicious journey through Vietnam.

cooking passions cooking tours are designed so you can do as little or as much as you like, while allowing you plenty of free time to explore and immerse yourselves in the sights, shopping and eating that YOU want to experience (we’ll be happy to provide suggestions from our previous experiences). We’ve arranged all of the deluxe accommodations, internal flights, cooking classes, and some meals, so that all you have to do is pack a bag, a sense of adventure and join us in one of Asia’s most delicious and exciting countries.

BOOKING DEADLINE : 30 August 2013 or while places remain

VIETNAM - The Destination 

    

Vietnam has become one of the most popular destinations for international travellers simply because it has so much to offer. It's beauty varies from the magnificent limestone peaks in Halong Bay to the the rice paddy lined canals of the Mekong Delta. People have finally begun to look at the country from another perspective, now that travelers and tourists from the West are being welcomed into what was once a forbidden country.

Influenced by Chinese & French culture, the Vietnamese have a strong sense of their own uniqueness and travelers are moved by the charm, hospitality and warmth that they are greeted by in the people. It may take a bit more effort and tenacity to plan an excursion into Vietnam than it would for another Southeast Asian country, but Vietnam has much to offer in terms of culture and sights. So, whether to experience a lively ancient culture, to see beautiful countryside, to get your adventure fix, or to just get a bit of beachside or cosmopolitan comfort, Vietnam has it all!

 

VIETNAM - The Food

 

Vietnamese food is one of contrasts and harmony, exploding with the freshness of lemongrass, mint, coriander and basil, while beautifully balanced with the use of chilli, sugar and fish sauce. Influenced by over 1000 years of the rich culinary legacies of China, India and France, Vietnamese cusisine is one of the original fusion cuisines of the world, and one which has taken the very best of these other cultures and refined it into its own unique culinary experiences.


cooking passions "Discover Vietnam" ITINERARY

Day 1 - Wednesday 12 March 2014 - SAIGON

 

- Your arrival in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Private Airport Limousine Transfer to 5-Star "Renaissance Riverside Saigon Hotel" (pictured) upon your arrival in Saigon. We have arranged for Riverview Deluxe Club* Rooms with views over the Saigon River, for our stay in Saigon.

 * Privileges for Club Floor Guests
• Access to our exclusive Club Lounge (18th) with panoramic Saigon River views
• Exclusive check-in / check-out services on 18th floor Club Lounge
• Complimentary buffet breakfast at the Club Lounge or Riverside Café (Ground Floor)
• Complimentary evening snacks and full private bar including premium spirits from 17.30-18.30
• Complimentary tea, coffee and refreshments throughout the day
• Complimentary local phone calls
• Computer workstations with complimentary internet access at the Club Lounge, subject to availability
• Business services including facsimile, photocopying and airlines ticketing services.

- Should you wish to arrive earlier than today's start to our tour, we can arrange for any additional nights at our hotel.

- Evening at your leisure to relax or start exploring HCMC.

ACCOMMODATION - Renaissance Riverside Saigon Hotel

 

Day 2 - Thursday 13 March 2014 - SAIGON

 

- 9am - Pick up and transfer to Saigon's famous Ben Tahn Markets for a guided tour with Vietnam Cookery School's chefs before heading to our morning cooking class.

- 1pm - Return to hotel and afternoon at your leisure.

-  pm - Evening at your leisure

Discovery Suggestions

  • CULTURE - Visit Saigon's historic landmarks including the Reunification Palace (above left); War Remnants Museum; Notre Dame Cathedral (above right)
  • SHOPPING - Ben Thanh Market Visit
  • RELAX - Poolside; Massage/Spa

ACCOMMODATION - Renaissance Riverside Saigon Hotel

 

Day 3 - Friday 14 March 2014 - SAIGON

 - 7am - Cu Chi Tunnels* via Saigon River Express - This morning we will have arranged our own Private Cruise to visit one of Southern Vietnam's most important tourist attractions - the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. Built during the American/Vietnam War, at its height, the tunnel system stretched over 250km from Saigon to the Cambodian border and was three levels deep. This fascinating network of tunnels were specially constructed to accommodated living quarters, field hospitals, schools and command centres. The tunnels have been widened for the benefit of tourists, and only those wishing to feel what it must have been like for life underground can have a go...there are lots of other sights to see on the surface. We'll travel along the Saigon River while witnessing the daily life that occurs along the river. Upon arrival at the Cu Chi Tunnels our Private Guide will escort us around this amazing attraction.


 Discovery Suggestions

  • CULTURE - Cu Chi Tunnel Tour (the incredible underground tunnel network of Vietnamese independance fighters)
  • SHOPPING - Cholon (Chinatown)
  • RELAX - Visit some of Saigon's great cocktail bars & restaurants

-  7pm - Saigon River Dinner Cruise - Tonight we will enjoy a 2 hour Dinner Cruise aboard the "BONSAI" - the largest existing dragon boat in Vietnam and a replica of a royal Vietnamese-style dragon boat dating back to the 19th century. During that time, such dragon boats used to be in the sole possession of the Vietnamese emperors. 

  

- 10pm - Return to hotel

 ACCOMMODATION - Renaissance Riverside Saigon Hotel

 

Day 4 - Saturday 15 March 2014 - HOI AN

- am - Check out from hotel. Taxi to Tan San Nhat airport to board flight to Danang. Transfer to Hoi An by bus.

- 2pm - Arrive Hoi An and transfer to our hotel. Hoi An is the charming ancient port town of central Vietnam and one of the most delightful places to visit in Vietnam, famous for it's lantern festivals, talented tailors and laid back riverside lifestyle. 

Discovery Suggestions

  • CULTURE - Stroll through Hoi An's ancient quarter, closed off to all "motorised traffic" during different times of the day
  • SHOPPING - Find a tailor shop or visit the market
  • RELAX - Chillout at a riverside bar

- pm - Evening at your leisure.

ACCOMMODATION - Ha An Hotel

 

Day 5 - Sunday 16 March 2014 - HOI AN

Today we are in for a truly special (& filling) treat, spending the morning with the inimitable, indefatiguable and passionate Neville Dean, one of Hoi An's biggest fans of its local cuisine and people. I was able to spend a day with Neville on our most recent trip to experience his "Taste of Hoi An" tour, which was one of the most informative lessons on Vietnamese food that I have ever encountered. We are extremely pleased to be able to offer this for our 2014 "Discover Vietnam" tour participants.

- 7:15am - 12:30pm - NEW "Taste of Hoi An Food Tour" . Our tour will commence with a visit to the colourful Tan An Village Markets where we meet local stall holders and talk about their food. Our walk then continues along both high streets and back streets discovering out-of-the-way producers and street vendors making and selling a wide variety of exotic foods. Our final destination is a comfortable tasting room at the Ancient House of Gia Dinh where we will taste a wide selection of Hoi An's local delicacies we encountered along the tour.

- Rest of the day & evening at your leisure.

  

 Discovery Suggestions

  • CULTURE - Stroll through the ancient quarter and see the 16th century Japanese Covered Bride, the Pottery Museum; the Tan Ky old house, the Cantonese congregation, the silk street of Hoi An and the Chinese-style temples and pagodas.
  • SHOPPING - Find a shoemaker or tailor shop or visit the riverside market
  • RELAX - Check out the lantern-strewn lanes of Hoi An then have a leisurely dinner at one of Hoi An's rooftop river restaurants.

ACCOMMODATION - ACCOMMODATION - Ha An Hotel

 

Day 6 - Monday 17 March 2014 - HOI AN

- am - Breakfast at the hotel

- 8:30am - 1:30pm - NEW "Gourmet Class with Ms Vy" at Morning Glory Cooking School . Ms Vy is one of Hoi An's most successful restauranteurs with four fantastic Hoi An restaurants now under her charge. Ms Vy is also the original teaching chef of Hoi An and her cooking classes are incredibly informative, where we not only learn how to make some classic Vietnamese dishes, but also learn how to recognise and buy the fresh produce, herbs and spices that are used in Vietnam cooking and medicinal purposes.


 

   

- pm - Afternoon & Evening at your leisure.

 ACCOMMODATION - Ha An Hotel

 

Day 7 - Tuesday 18 March 2014 - HOI AN

- am - Breakfast at your leisure

- Free Day

- For those interested, join Nico & Belinda for a leisurely bike ride through Hoi An's surrounding countryside as we make our way to the beach for lunch at one the lovely seaside restaurants at nearby Cua Dai Beach.

  

Discovery Suggestions

  • CULTURE - Arrange a tour to visit My Son and its ancient Cham Kingdom temples.
  • SHOPPING - Pick up your tailored clothes and shoes, and gather a few of Hoi An's beautiful lanterns as well.
  • RELAX - Take one of the hotel bicycles or get a taxi out to the beach, and call back into a cosy riverside cafe for a cocktail

- pm - Evening at your leisure.

ACCOMMODATION - Ha An Hotel

 

Day 8 - Wednesday 19 March 2014 - HANOI

- am - Breakfast and then checkout from hotel.

- Transfer to Danang Airport for boarding flight to Hanoi. Private Airport Limousine Transfer to our hotel upon our arrival in Hanoi.

Having celebrated its 1000th year, Hanoi is one of Asia's most enchanting cities, with it's blend of french colonial architecture and invigorating streetside chaos of motorcycles, cyclos, pedestrians and street vendors.

Discovery Suggestions

  • CULTURE - Visit the grounds of the 1000-year old Temple of Literature, Vietnam's first university; catch up with Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum or visit Hoa Lo Prison ("Hanoi Hilton").
  • SHOPPING - Visit the bustling 13th century Old Quarter markets for its many market streets lined with vendors and shops.
  • RELAX - Go for a stroll around the peaceful Hoan Kiem Lake and see the local Hanoians jogging, doing tai chi and playing badminton. 

- Lunch - We have arranged for lunch at one of Hanoi's finest restaurants, Club de L'Oriental, where we will be able to watch the chef's prepare our dishes from a wrap-around kitchen counter.

 

- pm - Evening at your leisure. We have a few suggested bars and restaurants that we can recommend for you to try.

ACCOMMODATION - Hanoi's NEWEST 5-Star Hotel - Hotel de L'Opera Hanoi

 

Day 9 - Thursday 20 March 2014 - HANOI

- am - Breakfast at the hotel

- am - Join us for a morning cyclo ride to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Presidential Palace

- pm - Afternoon & evening at your leisure.

 

 Discovery Suggestions

  • CULTURE - Take in one of Hanoi's famous Water Puppet shows at the Water Puppet Theatre (remember to purchase your tickets early).
  • EATING/DRINKING- Visit one of Hanoi's French-Colonial villa cafe/restaurants or pull up one of those tiny plastic stools and enjoy some local bia hoa - "Vietnamese pub culture" at the many cheap & cheerful roadside bars.
  • RELAX - View the Parisian grace of Hanoi's tree-lined boulevards with a cyclo ride around town. 

  

Day 10 - Friday 21 March 2014 - "NEW" HALONG BAY & GULF OF TONKIN - 3 Day / 2 Night Luxury Cruise

On all of our previous "Discover Vietnam" tours we have only been able to experience a short glimpse of the stunningly beautiful Halong Bay on an overnight cruise.

This tour, we have arranged for our participants to experience a unique opportunity of cruising further into the natural wonders of Halong Bay on The Au Co, which is setting new standards for luxurious cruising in Vietnam. The newly launched (March 2012) Au Co, is the first cruise of its kind to offer its passengers a 3 Day / 2 Night voyage to not only journey through the natural wonders of UNESCO's World Heritage Halong Bay, but uniquely will also allow us to discover the Gulf of Tonkin's adjacent Bays including Lan Ha and Bai Tu Long, both relatively unexplored by other tour ships.

 


- am - Checkout from our hotel for a 3 1/2 hour drive through the Red River Delta to Halong Bay.

- noon - Transfer to Halong Bay's newest and most luxurious cruising ship - The Au Co - launched in March 2012 - for a 3 Day/2 Night cruise through the limestone karsts (islands) and emerald waters of Halong Bay, giving us the chance to take in the stunning scenery of this World Heritage Site.

- Once on board, settle into your luxurious Executive Cabin with your own Private Balcony as we cruise leisurely towards Cong Dam in Bai Tu Long Bay, prior to a sumptuous lunch of Au Co's "5 Elements Cuisine".

15:30 - Visit Cong Dam floating fishing village by traditional rowboat

17:30 - High tea ceremony with Vietnamese traditional tea

18:00 - Happy Hour at the Sundeck Bar

19:00 - "5 Elements Dinner" while anchored for the evening

21:00 - Enjoy a nightcap at the Lan Ha bar or join the crew and try squid fishing at the reception.

ACCOMMODATION - The Au Co

 

Day 11 - Saturday 22 March 2014 - GULF OF TONKIN - Bai Tu Long Bay, Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island

06:30 - For earlier risers, start the day with a Tai Chi class on the sundeck or enjoy the breathtaking views of the bay as the boat starts cruising.

07:00 - Breakfast on board while cruising to Bai Tu Long Bay

09:00 - Guided kayaking in Vung Ho area, for those that would like to.

12:15 - Lunch while cruising towards Lan Ha Bay and Cat Ba Island.

14:30 - Guided biking or walking excursion in the National Park of Cat Ba Island and a visit to The Au Co organic farm.

17:30 - Vietnamese Cooking Demonstration onboard the Au Co.

18:00 - Happy Hour at the Sundeck Bar

18:45 - Visit to the Bridge and Engine Room

19:15 - BBQ Buffet available at the restaurant while anchoring for the evening.

 

21:00 - Enjoy a nightcap at the Lan Ha bar or join the crew and try squid fishing at the reception.

 

 

Day 12 - Sunday 23 March 2014 - HANOI

06:30 - For earlier risers, start the day with a Tai Chi class on the sundeck while the boat starts cruising quietly in Ha Long Bay.

07:00 - Coffee and Pastries on board

08:30 - Guided visit of Sung Sot (Surprise) Cave

09:30 - Farewell Brunch and check-out

10:45 - Disembark in Tuan Chau and shuttle bus return to Hanoi.

 

 

Discovery Suggestions

  • CULTURE - Take in one last view of Hanoi's manic traffic chaos from the safe surrounds of a second-floor bar/cafe overlooking one of hanoi's busiest roundabouts.
  • EATING/DRINKING- Enjoy a final dinner of Vietnam's delights at one of Hanoi's famous street-food restaurants.
  • RELAX - Enjoy the views of Hoan Kiem Lake with a final stroll around the lake and over the bright-red Huc Bridge, before relaxing at one of Hanoi's Parisian-style villa cares. 

ACCOMMODATION - Hanoi's NEWEST 5-Star Hotel - Hotel de L'Opera Hanoi

 

- 8 pm - Final Group Dinner at one of Nico's favourite French Colonial Villa restaurants in Hanoi. 

  

 Day 13 - Monday 24 March 2014 - HANOI - FINAL DAY

- am - Check out from hotel and departure from HANOI for home or your next chosen destination.

 

If you are able to join us on this special "Discover Vietnam" culture & food tour to Vietnam, please contact us on 08 9228 0507 or email nico@urbanprovider.com.au to reserve your places and request a Booking Form.

Also, please don't hesitate in contacting us should you have any questions on our tour.

 

PRICING & INCLUSIONS :
$AUD3205pp (Double/Twin Occupancy) ~ $AUD250 per day
$AUD3865 (Single Occupancy) ~ $AUD295 per day

The following is INCLUDED in the price:

  • 3 Nights 5-Star Deluxe Riverview Accommodation - Saigon - Including Hotel Limousine from Airport on Arrival
  • 4 Nights 3-Star Deluxe Garden Accomodation - Hoi An
  • 3 Nights 5-Star Deluxe - Hanoi - Including Hotel Transfer from Airport on Arrival
  • NEW - 3 Day / 2 Night Luxury Halong Bay & Gulf of Tonkin Cruise - Halong Bay
  • 2 x Domestic (Vietnam Airlines**) airfares;
  • NEW - 2 Hands-On Vietnamese Cooking Classes;
  • NEW - "Tastes of Hoi An" Walking Tour
  • Full Buffet Breakfast, Daily & Additional Itinerary Included Meals
  • Cu Chi Tunnel Tour & Boat Cruise
  • Saigon River Dinner Cruise
  • Hanoi "Cooking Demonstration" Lunch
  • Hanoi French Colonial Villa Final Group Dinner
  • All Land Transfers
  • Group Escorts
  • Pre-Trip Briefing (Perth)

*Due to the limited number of seats on internal flights in Vietnam, these book out very quickly, so bookings for the "Discover Vietnam" tour should be made as early as possible to ensure that internal flights and all accommodations can be secured. Domestic flights will be booked immediately with our Vietnam Travel Agent, once your Booking Form and Deposit has been provided, to secure these places.

 The following is NOT INCLUDED in the price:

  • International Airfares (Return Airfares ex-Perth start from around $1000pp. Please contact your preferred carrier or travel agent to arrange your most convenient flights to Vietnam. Nico & Belinda can advise of the flights that they will travel on, if you prefer)
  • Travel Insurance
  • Vietnam Visa costs ~ $AUD75 per person. We will provide you with details on how to apply.
  • Non-included meals & beverages for cooking classes and dinner cruise.
  • Optional "Suggested" tours & activities.

BOOKING DEPOSITS

A $500 per person non-refundable BOOKING DEPOSIT is required to secure accommodation and flights for the tour, at the time of your reservation.

FINAL PAYMENTS

Final Payment will be due on 12 December 2013 (90 Days prior to Tour Start Date).

“Discover Vietnam” Client Comments

  • Nico & Belinda, I'm lost for words to say. A simple 'thank you' must suffice for one of the most magical Asian experiences.  The fact that we all seemed to drop out of our urbane worlds for what, at the end, seemed like a blink of an eye, was a testament to your abilities to do what you do. The chance to share Vietnam with such a wonderful group of people was the icing on the cake…Ric and Jill

 

  • Hey Nico & Belinda, It was a perfect holiday, great mix of organised activities and free time, couldn't have asked for a better time! …Court & Jess

 

  • Hi Nico & Belinda, Thank you both so much for hosting an amazing trip. It was indeed a great bunch of people and it was a pleasure to be in the company of such a great welcoming bunch. I had a blast & wouldn't change a thing. I loved all the places we visited, tours and cooking classes and all your knowledge of places we went & all your stories that were shared. Take care guys & stay safe…Jules

 

  • Dear Belinda, dear Nico, Thank you so much for this wonderful trip. I enjoyed it very much and the combination of cooking and sightseeing is really a wonderful combination...Best regards, Manuela

 

  • Hi Nico & Belinda, Once again many thanks for your great cooking and culture tour of Vietnam. The areas we visited certainly provided a valuable insight to the country and it’s rich and tragic history...Cheers, John & Max

 

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Really enjoyed the cooking classes and have already made a few dishes...Julie

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