A Culinary Adventure through Vietnam and Thailand

Duration 13 days
Ideal time to visit January–August
Price guide
From
  PP
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Embark on a delectable journey through the vibrant cuisines of Vietnam and Thailand with this tantalising culinary adventure. Immerse yourself in the rich flavours, fragrant herbs and spices that define these two culinary powerhouses. Indulge in the aromatic pho of Vietnam, tantalise your taste buds with fiery Thai curries and sample an array of street food delights that showcase the diversity and ingenuity of Southeast Asian cuisine.

Trip Highlights

  • Explore Hanoi by cyclo
  • Taste the flavours of Hoi An at a cooking demonstration
  • Hop on a Vespa to discover Ho Chi Minh after dark
  • Take in the sights of Bangkok on a dinner cruise
  • Experience an immersive cooking class in Chiang Mai
  • Explore Thailand's vibrant night markets

Bespoke trips with Jacada

We design one-of-a-kind journeys incorporating luxury in all its forms. Our bespoke trips include:

  • Luxury accommodation throughout
  • Privately guided tours
  • Private transfers
  • Meticulously selected experiences
  • Expertise and support from your Jacada Concierge
Black and white illustration of two guides pointing to a building in the distance
  • Days 1-3 Hanoi
  • Days 3-6 Hoi An
  • Days 6-8 Ho Chi Minh
  • Days 8-10 Bangkok
  • Days 10-13 Chiang Mai
A Culinary Adventure through Vietnam and Thailand
Price guide
  PP
  • Days 1-3 Hanoi
  • Days 3-6 Hoi An
  • Days 6-8 Ho Chi Minh
  • Days 8-10 Bangkok
  • Days 10-13 Chiang Mai

Itinerary in detail

Every Jacada trip is tailored to your personal preferences and interests. Below you’ll find a sample itinerary to inspire your own custom-designed journey.

Days 1-3

Discover Hanoi like a local

Your luxury trip starts with two nights in the vibrant Vietnamese capital, Hanoi. With its ochre-coloured buildings, tree-lined boulevards and scenic lakes, this captivating city is a whirlwind of colours, smells and sounds and a wonderful place to get a real flavour of life in Vietnam.

The narrow streets of Hanoi's train street

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By cyclo

Street food

Exploring Hanoi on a cyclo tour

Discover the charm of Hanoi on this enchanting cyclo tour, beginning at the historic Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, crafted from marble and granite. Go on to explore Ho Chi Minh’s residence, and the revered One Pillar Pagoda before discovering the lively old quarter and its ‘tunnel’ houses. Navigate the maze of backstreets, gaining insights into everyday life and the country’s rich history.

A street food tour with a local foodie

Streetfood is a quintessential pastime in Hanoi. Join our culinary connoisseur for a stroll through the Old Quarter to sample some of the region’s most delicious dishes. Begin with Vietnam’s beloved national dish, Pho Ga (chicken noodle soup), before immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of a local market. Other stops include a local bakery to sample Com cake, and traditional Vietnamese egg coffee.

Days 3–6

Three nights in Hoi An

Once an important port and trading town, Hoi An is one of Vietnam’s greatest cultural relics and a melting pot of Chinese, Japanese and French influences, while still being small enough to stroll around. Visit the atmospheric Old Town to see the Japanese Merchant Houses, the Chinese temples and old tea warehouses. Motorised traffic is banned from the town centre which has cemented Hoi An’s status as one of Vietnam’s most prized and pleasant towns.

 

Lights reflecting on the river at dusk in Hoi An, Vietnam

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Market tour

Farm tour

Women selling food on the street of Hoi An, Vietnam

Private market tour and cooking demonstration

Chef and proprietor Duc Tran from Mango Mango restaurant is a passionate and talented chef with in-depth knowledge of the Hoi An food scene. Duc will take you on a foodie adventure, starting at Hoi An’s colourful market to meet the vendors who supply him with some of the finest and freshest ingredients in Vietnam, before a cooking demonstration and meal at his boutique restaurant.

A farmer stands with a cow in rice fields, Vietnam

Tra Que herbal farm tour

Start your morning with a leisurely bike ride through the countryside, heading to Tra Que vegetable village, named after a sweet scented herb used to flavour Hoi An specialties like Cao Lau noodles. Get your hands dirty and venture into the garden, learning the traditional gardening methods from the farmers. 

Days 6–8

Two nights in Ho Chi Minh

A booming economy has given Ho Chi Minh city (often still referred to as Saigon) a new energy and lease of life. Socially the city is flourishing, with a sophisticated café culture, an exciting dining scene and burgeoning interest in eclectic art.

A view of Notre Dame Cathedral in Ho Chi Minh City / Saigon, Vietnam

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Saigon life

Vespa street food

Street vendors selling fruit in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam

Bonjour Saigon Tour

Rise with the locals and zig zag through the streets to reach the city’s largest flower market, Ho Thi Ky, filled with colourful roses, lotuses, lilies and orchids. Head to Tao Dan Park where people come to practise the graceful movements of Tai Chi and join in, if you wish. After a coffee break, wind your way to a family run noodle shop to enjoy a fresh, steaming bowl of pho for breakfast.

Street food, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Evening Vespa Street Food Tour

Get ready for a fascinating ride, as a passenger to your drive guide, by vintage Vespa to discover busy Saigon after dark, together with delightful food tasting in the most authentic local restaurants. Experience Southern Vietnam specialities before continuing to zig-zag through the hustle and bustle of the streets, ending your night at a cosy speakeasy bar to taste some signature cocktails (or mocktails).

Days 8–10

Two nights in Bangkok

Bustling and energetic, Bangkok has something for everyone. A haven for shoppers, historians, foodies and culture seekers alike, the capital is an integral part of any Thailand itinerary. It has everything from awe-inspiring temples to bustling markets and high-end shopping malls. And, of course there’s the food – renowned as some of the best in the world.

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Walking Tour

Dinner cruise

Food and drink sellers at Damnoen Saduak floating market in Bangkok

Old Bangkok street food walking tour

Explore tucked away alleys, sampling Bangkok’s famous street food and experiencing the Old Town on foot. Stroll through food stalls to enjoy the diversity of Thai delicacies, sampling various kinds of local food, old-style Thai coffee and Thai sweet desserts, and learn from the shop owners about their secret recipes.

A view of Wat Arun temple along the Chao Phraya river at night in Bangkok

Champagne dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya river

See Bangkok from a totally different angle on a champagne dinner cruise along the Chao Phraya River. Enjoy a glass of chilled champagne as a welcome drink before sitting down to an exquisite six-course dinner. Enjoy wonderful night-time views of the city as you cruise along – the boat comes with cosy lounge sofas where you can relax after dinner and soak up the views.

Days 10–13

Three nights in Chiang Mai

Explore this wonderful city and spend time enjoying the surrounding countryside. Much smaller and more relaxed than Bangkok, it’s steeped in history – while away the hours wandering around the temples and night markets in the Old Town. If you fancy heading out of town, you’ll be perfectly placed to explore the surrounding national parks and try out a few more adventurous activities.

 

People walking the streets of Chiang Mai, Thailand at dusk

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Cooking class

Afternoon tea

Walking tour

Pad Thai noodle, traditional food from Bangkok Thailand.

Cooking class at Pantawan cooking school

Start by picking out the freshest ingredients at a local market, then head to Pantawan Cooking School, set amid a beautiful garden and organic farm. You’ll learn about Thailand’s culinary history and the mouthwatering blend of sour, spicy and salty that makes Thai food so irresistible. Cook up a selection of delicious dishes which you can then enjoy in the beautiful surroundings of the garden.

Golden statues at Wat Phra Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai, Thailand

Afternoon tea at Doi Suthep

Take a leisurely stroll through the Doi Suthep area just outside Chiang Mai, enjoying serene mountain views mingled with graceful colourful blooms and Lanna umbrellas. Stop to enjoy an exquisite English afternoon tea including scones, finger sandwiches, cookies and cakes.

Wat Chiang Man temple, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai walking tour

Discover a more authentic side of the city, accompanied by a knowledgeable local guide. Step off the main streets to see hidden neighbourhoods brimming with charm, and visit bustling markets where Chiang Mai’s residents come to buy fresh vegetables, spices, and more. Highlight along your route include Wat Chiang Man, Chiang Mai’s oldest temple, the crumbling walls of the old town and the iconic Three Kings Monument.

 

“4wk Southeast Asia trip‌”

Ellie Khoury helped us plan an excellent customized 4 week tour through Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Gilda Tang was an excellent concierge. Together they worked as a team to smooth the experience.

Published 29th April 2024 on Trustpilot
Jacquie Mitchell