What to experience in your Food Tours to Vietnam

Vietnam is a paradise for all beach lovers, culture enthusiasts and intrepid adventurers. Thus if you visit Vietnam merely for its natural beauty or cultural heritage, you would be doing the country a disservice, since Vietnam tours are incomplete without trying the food of Vietnam! We are proud of not only some of the best street food in the world, but also of culinary journeys that bring you Vietnamese food experiences in the most authentic and memorable way.
Partaking in a Food tour in Vietnam, no doubt you will have your taste buds danced during the whole trip. For a culinary scene that is diverse as Vietnam, deciding what to eat can be overwhelming. Don’t worry, our culinary journey will introduce the most representative dishes in each region at the most authentic places, with stories around them and teach you how to recreate the dishes at your own home. Read more to find out what exciting foodie adventures lie ahead in your Food tours in Vietnam.

Learning about Vietnamese Food 

Vietnamese cuisine, one the healthiest in the world, is all about freshness and the balance of flavours. The food is strongly influenced from the Chinese and Khmer dynasties to the French colonial rulers. A classic example of a Vietnamese dish that mixes historical cultural influences with the native cuisine is bánh mỳ and the national dish phở.

 
Banh my
Furthermore, regional cuisines vary intensely, each region has a dish they make especially well. There are three distinct areas – the North, the Central Highlands and the South – each of which has its own climate, culture and hence, food traditions. The North, with Hanoi as the representative, is more influenced by neighbouring China and the food tends to reflect its colder climate; the South – Saigon and Mekong Delta – draws more upon Khmer and Thai influences and its hotter climate means more emphasis on salads, grilled meats and so-called cooling foods; whereas Central Vietnam (Hue, Danang and Hoian) is more of a blend of the two styles.
Despite heavy historical and geographical influences, the Vietnamese cuisine is differently unique. It would be a shame to miss out local delicacies, which add that little bit extra to your Vietnam experience. Our culinary journey helps you to learn more about Vietnamese food which contains elements of the fine arts, science and the balance of the Yin – Yang. Savoring the Vietnamese food along our journey, it is such a great complex of flavours and contrasting textures.
Check a sample of Vietnam Culinary Journey and Tours to Vietnam here.

Tasting street food
Vietnamese food has achieved cult status around the world due to the global popularity of Phở noodle soup. However, we eat a lot more Vietnamese foods than just Pho, and in this journey, you will discover many other delights. 

 
Pho
In the North, let’s go for a Hanoi street food tour and enjoy delicious tastings. Step off the beaten track and go through the maze of Hanoi to seek real authentic food with food blogger, which just by the look, can make your mouth watering. Hanoi food tour will be incompleted without slurping a bowl of Phở noodle soup, which is considered as Vietnam's national dish. On the way in the Old Quarter, you will see many hawkers who sell fresh fruits. You will have time to take picture and taste some. Then, follow President Obama’s trip to eat the heavenly Bún Chả (Grilled pork on rice noodle). End the street food tour at a hidden café – one of Hanoi's best kept secrets and have a cup of Egg coffee. Or if coffee is not your style, a cold Hanoi beer awaits. 
 
Bun cha
Besides, Hanoi has so much more to fill up your belly. Try Ô Mai (Fruit jam) at Hang Duong street. There are two main types of making apricot, which is salted dry apricot or sugared dry apricot. Continue with Bánh Cốm in Hang Than street. As tasting a green rice flake cake, especially made by Nguyen Ninh, one can experience the full flavour of simple villages, a very different and typical Hanoi specialty or try Bánh Rán (Fried dough with mung bean) that is easily to buy from street vendor. Chả Cá Lã Vọng (Grilled Fish), is considered not only a delicious dish but also a trademark of Vietnamese cuisine.
 
Bun bo Hue
In the Central, have a flavourful bowl Bún Bò Huế (Hue’s Beef Noodle) in Hue where it was invented. Bun Bo Hue is greatly admired for its balance of spicy, sour, salty and sweet flavours. The broth is the main ingredient the gives the soup its distinctive flavour. Bánh Mỳ (Vietnamese baguette) is another world famous specialty that easily available to get your hands on all over the country. However, you must go to Banh My Phuong for best Banh My in Hoian according to the great Anthony Bourdain. 
 
Com tam
Down South, Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon, is listed as top ten best cities for street food in the world by Forbes. Therefore, make sure to try Cơm Tấm (Broken rice), Bánh Xèo (Sizzling pancake), Bún Thịt Nướng (Grilled pork rice noodle) and the must-drink Cà Phê Sữa Đá (Iced coffee with condensed milk). An abundant of fresh cheap seafood is ready to be cooked into mouth-watering dishes at any time, especially Ốc (Snails). Saigon food tour will give you a once in a life time taste of some of the most famous food in Southern Vietnam.
 
Ca phe sua da
Attending Cooking classes
If you want to have a deeper understanding of Vietnamese cuisine, the best way is to attend a cooking class. Cooking classes are numerous in major cities such as Hanoi, Saigon, Hoian and can be organized in private class from 2 pax to a small group. You will have first-hand experience of going to a Vietnamese traditional market, buying and cooking fresh local ingredients, and tasting your own completed dishes. These classes normally last for 2 -3 hours in the evening, making it a fun and educational add-on activity after city tour.
What is better than learning to cook authentic Vietnamese food on a cruise, under guidance of superb chef and gorgeous backdrop at Halong Bay? Foodies can partake in Vietnamese cooking demonstration before dinner and guaranteed to whet the appetite.
At Tra Que herb village, you can join gardening activities in preparing the land, fertilizing with seaweed, raking the ground, sowing, watering and picking vegetables before getting to preparing lunch with a local family. Take part in cooking class with “Tam Huu” Spring roll and Banh Xeo, then enjoy all that delish dishes for lunch.
 
Banh xeo
Experiencing Royal dinner
A special experience you can have during our Culinary journey is Royal Dinner at Ancient Hue Restaurant – a typical entertainment under the Nguyen Dynasty that will be re-created vividly at Ancient Hue restaurant. With this service, you are treated like kings and queens with authentic cuisines of Hue’s royalty. You will come into an ancient environment with ancient costumes, Royal music and performances while enjoying the Royal dishes carefully prepared to the finest detail for a sumptuous dinner that is fit for royalty. Royal dinner on cruise on romantic Perfume River can also be arranged upon request.

Dinning in the Dark
In Saigon, we organize a unique activity for you, which is Dinning in the dark at The Noir. More than just a meal, it is a sensory journey that will make you re-evaluate your perception of taste and smell. Be one of the first or try this one-of-a-kind dining experience for a unique date or group outing Saigon.

Boating on Floating Market
Last but not least, we head to Cai Be in the heart of Mekong Delta. Get on the boat and transfer to visit colourful floating market of Cai Be with vendors and buyers exchanging goods on the water, selling from tropical fruits to rice noodles. You will have chance to see a rice-paper and coconut candy factory, and taste honey tea as you watch local life going on around. Lunch at Ba Duc Ancient House with great healthy cuisine of Southern Vietnam prepared by dedicated people. A warm local lunch is a wonderful way to end your Food tour in Vietnam.
Joining the Vietnam Culinary Journey, where you will be satisfied with life-enriching experience and tasty local food await. Click HERE to book your favorite Tours To Vietnam with Threeland Travel or send us your inquiry directly through email [email protected] for instant advice!