CAMBODIA AND VIETNAM CULINARY TOUR – 12 DAYS

Tour Itinerary:

Day 1: SIEM REAP – ARRIVAL

Day 2: SIEM REAP – GROUP ANGKOR TOUR (B/L/-)

Day 3: GROUP SIEM RIEP COOKING CLASS (B/L)

Day 4: SIEM REAP – PHNOM PENH by bus (B)

Day 5: PHNOM PENH SIGHTSEEING & HALF-DAY GROUP COOKING CLASS (B/D)

Day 6: PHNOM PENH – SAIGON BY BUS (B)

Day 7: SAIGON – COOKING CLASS – CUCHI ( B/L)

Day 8: HALF DAY CITY TOUR- FLIGHT TO HANOI ( B)

Day 9: HANOI – HA LONG – FLAMINGO CRUISE (GROUP TOUR) (B/L/D) (Specify cooking menus on the cruise)

Day 10: HALONG BAY – HANOI ( B/L)

Day 11: PRIVATE HALF DAY WALKING TOUR & STREET FOOD TOUR (B/D)

Day 12: HANOI – DEPARTURE

Day 1: Cambodia Vietnam Culinary Tour via Angkor, Saigon, Halong & Hanoi: SIEM REAP – ARRIVAL

Warmly welcome at Siem Reap International airport, you are met by our guide & driver and then transferred directly to hotel for check-in.

O/N at hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 2: Cambodia Vietnam Culinary Tour via Angkor, Saigon, Halong & Hanoi: SIEM REAP – GROUP ANGKOR TOUR (B/L/-)

Breakfast at hotel, you’ll be at leisure a bit and then:

08:00 hrs : Our shuttle bus with tour guide will pick you up from your hotel and transfer to South Gate of Angkor Thom.

Walk through the South Gate of Angkor Thom via the Naga Bridge, taking some photos.

Walk from South Gate of Angkor Thom to Bayon temple via the big trees, play with monkeys (be careful with your things as monkey might try to take it away from you)

Visit to Bayon Temple and walk to Baphuon, Elephant Terrance, Leper King Terrace and the Royal Enclosure

13:00 hrs: You’ll be driven to ANGKOR WAT Temple area

Visit to Angkor Wat Temple until sunset

17:30 hrs: Our shuttle bus with guide will bring you back to hotel for the night

O/N at hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 3: Cambodia Vietnam Culinary Tour via Angkor, Saigon, Halong & Hanoi: PRIVATE SIEM RIEP COOKING CLASS (B/L)

Breakfast at hotel.

Participants learn how to prepare Khmer dishes in addition to choosing products at a local market. These course are conducted by our chefs who make every effort to ensure that you have a good time. Once you have completed your cooking class, you will be comfortably seated on the terrace in our garden to enjoy the food we have prepared together. 0830AM: Pick from your hotel, and ready for market shopping with your chef teacher before we ready for the class, learn more about the local product, local organic foods, ad ingredient together exploring what is the Khmer spices of the food.

 *** NOTE: The Traditional Khmer cuisine is full of spices but it’s not hot like its neighbors 09:00AM back our class and ready for cooking. You will get more explain and teaching about what is the Traditional Khmer cooking, Enjoy our lunch for the food that you have been cooked, 1330pm estimated time back to hotel.2

O/N at hotel in Siem Reap.

Day 4: Cambodia Vietnam Culinary Tour via Angkor, Saigon, Halong & Hanoi: SIEM REAP – PHNOM PENH by bus (B)

Breakfast at hotel

Transfer to Siem Reap station for a bus to Siem Reap. On arrival, you will be met and transferred to the hotel.

After that, you are free to visit to the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda, located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of  its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles or Genocide Museum or S21, the former Tuol Svay Prey High School which the Khmer Rouge set up a prison at this site in May 1976, to detain individual accused of opposing the Pol Pot regime, and was Angkar’s premier security institution, the Killing Field of Choeung Ek. Night accommodation at hotel.

O/N in PhnomPenh.

Day 5: Cambodia Vietnam Culinary Tour via Angkor, Saigon, Halong & Hanoi: PHNOM PENH SIGHTSEEING & HALFDAY COOKING CLASS (B/D)

Breakfast at hotel.

We will visit to the Royal Palace, built by King Norodom in 1866 on the site of the old town, and the Silver Pagoda, located within the grounds of the Royal Palace, the Silver Pagoda is so named because of its floor, which is made up of 5000 silver tiles. Visit to Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum or S21, was the former Tuol Svay Prey High School. The Khmer Rouge set up a prison at this site in May 1976, to detain individual accused of opposing the Pol Pot regime, and was Angkar’s premier security institution, and Wat Phnom temples.

In the afternoon, Going to local market where chef will introduce you to Cambodia fruits, vegetables, herbs and how to choose quality seasoning products. You’ll be given enough time to explore, take pictures and observes vendors selling their products. Return to cooking class venue where refreshment cold water and towel awaiting you.

The Chef will present a cookery demonstration of the dishes that you will have to prepare! And you will receive a booklet with the recipes of the day. Assisted by our chef you will lean and experience the traditional Khmer cuisine. And three dishes are waiting to be prepared by you!

Time to taste and enjoy your own culinary creation in a convivial Khmer setting.

It’s time to put your hand on cooking utensils again. In the afternoon, you will be taught how to make dishes that requires more time to prepare and dessert. Enjoy your own culinary Creation and relax.

O/N in PhnomPenh.

Day 6: Cambodia Vietnam Culinary Tour via Angkor, Saigon, Halong & Hanoi: PHNOM PENH – SAIGON BY BUS (B)

Breakfast at hotel

Transfer to Phnom Penh bus station for departure to Saigon by morning bus (Giant Ibis Bus)

On arrival at Saigon, you are met and transferred to hotel for check-in.

The bustling Ho Chi Minh City, still called Saigon by many locals, is a center of commerce, finance, culture and tourism in Vietnam. This metropolis, contradiction of its northern counterpart, is crowded with bikes and motorbikes, excited by numerous shopping areas and sidewalk cafes. (If time permits) we stroll around the downtown to explore the different local ways of life.

O/N in Ho Chi Minh City.

Day 7: Cambodia Vietnam Culinary Tour via Angkor, Saigon, Halong & Hanoi: SAIGON CITY AND CU CHI TUNNEL TOUR (B)

Breakfast at hotel.

We spend a half day exploring the captivating Ho Chi Minh City. The most places of interest are located near the town center. We pass by the now-demolished wartime American Embassy on our way to the Reunification Palace. This famous edifice was a former residence of the President of Southern Vietnam until end of Maril 1975. Close to the palace are some striking French colonial structures including the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Old Sai Gon Post Office. We follow these with a visit to the Jade Emperor Pagoda and the War Remnant Museum with a wealth of images from the notorious conflicts. The sightseeing ends up with a walk around the retail Ben Thanh Market where anything and everything is for sale!Afternoon: Transfer about 30km north-west of Ho Chi Minh City to Cu Chi town. Cu Chi tunnels were used as the base from which the Vietnamese mounted their operations of the Tet Offensive in 1968. The incredible underground network in Cu Chi stretched over 200 kilometres and became legendary during the American war. The extensive tunnels have been specially constructed with living areas, weapon factories, filed hospitals, command centres, plus accommodation. Today we have an excursion to Cu Chi Tunnels to visit an exposition hall and a widened section of the tunnels to get a feel of the underground life. There are also possibilities to fire off rounds from an AK47 or MK16 at the nearby rifle range.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 8: Cambodia Vietnam Culinary Tour via Angkor, Saigon, Halong & Hanoi: HALF DAY COOKING CLASS- FLIGHT TO HANOI (B, L) 

Breakfast at hotel.

In the morning, You’ll have a cooking class with Chef. The class will also start with a visit to the local market with Chef, which will help you to understand more about Vietnamese ingredients and their substitution. You’ll go through a cooking lesson with full of fun pride, then finally enjoy the dishes you made by yourselves. The menu of your class depends on the date but you will have 5 traditional dishes any day. ( The menu depends on each day ).

Cooking Class in Ho Chi Minh city

You have free time by your own to have more experience in Ho Chi Minh city until transfer to the Tan Son Nhat airport to catch a flight to Ha Noi.

On arrival at Hanoi airport, you will be greeted by our guide and driven to Hotel.

Overnight at hotel. 

Day 9: Cambodia Vietnam Culinary Tour via Angkor, Saigon, Halong & Hanoi: HANOI – HA LONG – FLAMINGO CRUISE (GROUP TOUR) (B/L/D) (Specify cooking menus on the cruise)

7:30 – 08:30: Our SHUTTLE BUS with tour guide will pick you up at your hotels (Note: This pick-up is just applied for those who use our shuttle bus service)

10h30: Stopover in Hai Duong city where you can experience our hand-made Vietnamese handicraft products.

12h30: Arrive in Tuan Chau Marina Pier (Tuan Chau Island). Followed by activities:

+ Boarding FLAMINGO CRUISEs for departure.

+ Welcome drink will be served and cruise briefing, safety instructions, check-in cabins by Cruise Manager.

+ Great lunch is served while cruising passing by islets, through Hoa Cuong floating village.

+ Exploration of Halong Bay passing by Soi Sim Beach, Coconut Three Island. Then arrive in the area of Surprising Cave.

+ Kayaking & swimming or climbing up to the mountain and getting a complete view of Halong Bay at Titov Beach

+ Joining our COOKING CLASS on the sun-deck. Let’s see how to make the fresh/fried spring rolls and mix fish-sauce.

+ Enjoy sunset party with fruits and wine.

19:30: Under the magnificent night sky, Our luxury set-menu dinner is served with a variety of Vietnamese and Asian foods.

Evening activities include:

+ Join the SQUID FISHING on boat with our crews. You can enjoy the squid cooked with assistance from our chef.

+ Or Laze yourself with our happy-hour drinks at the bar.

Overnight on Flamingo Cruise.

Day 10. Cambodia Vietnam Culinary Tour via Angkor, Saigon, Halong & Hanoi: HALONG BAY – HANOI ( B/L)

06:15: Tai Chi class on the Sun-deck.

07:15: Have breakfast with Coffee, tea and Bakeries on board.

08:00: Visit the SURPRISING CAVE (Hang Sung Sot) discovered by the French in 1901. Opened for tourists since 1936, now it is a must-to-see and a symbol for geology value of Halong.

09:30: Check out time. Then relax on the sun-deck or inside the restaurant to enjoy the bay’s scenery.

10h15: Enjoying a traditional Vietnamese lunch while cruising back to the pier.

12:00: Disembarkation at Tuan Chau Pier. Our car will be at your disposal to pick you up then drive back to Hanoi.

16:00: Arrive in Hanoi. End of the trip!

Overnight in Hanoi.

Day 11: Cambodia Vietnam Culinary Tour via Angkor, Saigon, Halong & Hanoi: PRIVATE HALF DAY WALKING TOUR & STREET FOOD TOUR (B/D)

Breakfast at hotel

From your hotel, we take you to visit Ho Chi Minh complex, walking around Ho Chi Minh’s Mausoleum – the final resting place of Vietnamese great father or Uncle Ho, President Ho Chi Minh’s stilt house – where Ho lived on and off from 1958 to 1969… The next place is One Pillar Pagoda a group of structures consisting of a pagoda and a tower built in the middle of a square pond. Leave One Pillar Pagoda for the Temple of Literature the first college of Viet Nam dedicated to Confucian. Back to Hoan Kiem Lake and have a stopover with Ngoc Son Temple.

At 18.00, our tour guide will welcome you at your hotel lobby, then start the tour to Hanoi Old Quarter “36 streets” to visit some famous and specialized- food families or stalls/ local restaurants, shops where they run their business every day, certainly you will watch and taste some particular dishes, we can customize vegetarian or special food too.

Special thing that tour guide would like to introduce some popular authentic food in lovely mini restaurants (not luxury restaurants) where you feel comfortable to sit down and enjoy some favourite dishes and nice drinks too.

It’s interesting to hear from tour guide about the history of the old quarter in Hanoi, it is thousand years old and today retains much of the old flavour that made the area special in earlier times, each street was the exclusive domain of one trade (guilds) so there are whole streets of blacksmiths, silver shops, paper shops, headstone makers and more. Originally there were just 36 streets in the old quarter but today there are more than 50 streets.

It is very difficult to find some local food stalls and mini restaurants on your own in hidden alleys and sidewalks, certainly the best way to make it easy is joining with us, taking part in this special tour to learn about Vietnamese cuisine, culture, people and language.

After all, Food on Foot Tour will give you an unique experience to try the foods of the local Hanoi people, we ensure the food is handled hygienically and provide a comfortable venue for the tastings. The benefit also goes back to the vendors or restaurants/ families as we buy directly from them.

At 21.00, our tour guide say goodbye to you, and will help you order taxi or show you direction back your hotel.

Overnight at hotel.

Day 12: Cambodia Vietnam Culinary Tour via Angkor, Saigon, Halong & Hanoi: Hanoi – Departure

Breakfast at hotel, you will be free till guide comes & picks you up to the airport for flight back home.

—End of service—

3 star hotels: 

Silk D’Angkor hotel Siem Reap-Superior http://silkdangkor.com/ or similar one
Grand Palais Hotel Phnom Penh- Superior www.legrandpalaishotel.com
Ha Hien Signature Hotel – Deluxe http://www.maydeville.com/oldquarter/home.htm
Flamingo Cruise Halong – Deluxe http://luxuryflamingocruises.vn/2-day-halong-cruise-tour-with-luxury-flamingo-cruise.html
May De ville Old Quarter Hanoi – Superior http://www.maydeville.com/oldquarter/home.htm

 4 star hotels:

Somadevi Hotel Siem Reap-Superior https://www.somadeviangkor.com/
Frangipani Royal Palace Hotel Phnom Penh- Deluxe https://www.frangipanipalacehotel.com/ or similar one
Miillenium Boutique hotel Saigon – Junior Deluxe http://millenniumboutiquehotel.com/
Flamingo cruise Halong– Deluxe http://luxuryflamingocruises.vn/2-day-halong-cruise-tour-with-luxury-flamingo-cruise.html
Tirant Hotel Hanoi – Deluxe http://www.tiranthotel.com/

 Includes:

Private, air-conditioned transportation

Accommodation (Shared room- twin room or Double room)

Overnight cruise in Halong Bay

Local English speaking guides

Entrance fee at indicated sights

Angkor Wat group tour, Siem Riep  group cooking class tour, Phnom Penh half day tour & Group cooking class tour, Private Half Day tour & food tour in Hanoi, half day Saigon city tour and Cu Chi tunnel, Half day cooking class in Saigon

Domestic air ticket (Ho Chi Minh – Hanoi)

Water puppet tickets in Hanoi

Meals as indicated in the itinerary: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch & D = Dinner

Govt tax and service charge

Luggage handling and drinking water.

Excludes:

Visa stamping fee on arrival

Travel insurance in all kinds

Single supplement

Other foreign language guides

Special event rates

Tips, drinks and other personal expenses