Two Asian Cultures in One Tour Experience Bangkok & Ho Chi Minh City
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Thailand is renowned for its bold and vibrant cuisine, with dishes like Pad Thai, Green Curry, and Tom Yum Soup tantalizing taste buds with a harmonious blend of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors. Street food markets in Bangkok offer an immersive experience where locals and travelers alike savor fragrant dishes cooked right before their eyes. In Vietnam, the cuisine is characterized by its freshness and balance, with staples like Pho, Banh Mi, and fresh spring rolls showcasing the country's culinary artistry. The bustling street food culture in cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City invites you to savor dishes brimming with aromatic herbs and nuance. Both countries offer culinary journeys that are not only delicious but also deeply rooted in tradition and local culture, making them must-visit destinations for food enthusiasts. What better way to experience Asia than a dedicated culinary tour to savor its tapestry of tastes, colors and smells? This gastronomic odyssey is designed for gourmet enthusiasts with an appetite for cooking, eating and adventure. Explore Bangkok's streets as you discover diverse Thai curries, travel through the Mekong Delta--known as the Rice Basket of Asia, tour the largest floating market in Thailand and experience its ancient fishing villages. As you embark on ethnic food tours in two very diverse cities, you'll enjoy four hands-on cooking classes, completing your immersive education of Thai and Vietnamese cuisine. The culinary scenes in Thailand and Vietnam are a testament to the rich and diverse flavors of Southeast Asia.
Southeast Asia Culinary Holiday from Thailand to Vietnam
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Please note:
Tour inclusions can change depending upon
seasonality and weather conditions.
•4 nights Lodging in Thailand
•3 nights Lodging in Vietnam
•Round-trip Airport Transfers
•Daily Buffet Breakfast
•Lunch and Dinner Noted in Itinerary
•2 Thai Cooking Classes
•2 Vietnamese Cooking Classes
•Floating Vegetable Market Tour
•Temple of the Dawn Tour
•Visit Reclining Buddha in Bangkok
•Orientation Tour in Bangkok
•Mekong Delta & Rice Fields Tour
•Orientation Tour in Ho Chi Minh City
•Thailand Food & Market Tours
•Vietnam Food & Market Tours
•Mekong Family Visit with Lunch
While our tours are designed as soft adventure experiences, walking, climbing stairs,
and in rare cases mild hiking may be required. If you have mobility issues, you should
speak with one of our culinary travel specialists to determine if this tour is
appropriate for your situation.
AVAILABLE DATES
This tour has year-round dates available (Best dates from November - April). Simply tell us when you want to go. Tour operates for as few as 2 people, and as many as 8.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Please note: Actual itineraries are subject to change due to seasonality.
Click arrows (▶) to show details
Day 1
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Airport Transfers | Check-In | The Reclining Buddha Temple | Welcome DinnerYou'll be greeted at the Bangkok Airport by your private driver and escorted to your hotel. Spend your first nights in one of Bangkok's best four-star hotels. In the late afternoon you will visit the Reclining Buddha Temple, then take a ferry across the river to visit Temple of Dawn. Here you will enjoy a soft drink at a local restaurant as you enjoy the sunset over the Wat Arun Pagoda. This evening you will enjoy a Thai welcome dinner at Steve Café, a very popular riverside restaurant.
Day 2
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Daily Breakfast BuffetStart each day with a delicious breakfast buffet served by your hotel. Ranging from delicious Thai & Vietnamese specialties to Western Fare, each dish is made with fresh and local ingredients. From rice porridge and tasty Thai omelets to grilled pork skewers (think “Thai Bacon”), sweet breads and delicious buns, you'll sample a variety of exotic fruits and savory dishes before your day even begins.
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Damnoen Saduak Floating Market & Railways MarketAfter you've settled into your hotel, it's time to explore the city. Especially exciting is your visit to Damnoen Saduak floating market and Railways Market, where wooden boats are filled to the brim with fruits, vegetables and flowers.
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First Thai Cooking Class | DinnerDuring this hands-on cooking class you will have an immersive experience that is hard to find elsewhere. You'll be guided through succulent curries, stir-fried noodles, fresh spring rolls and other dishes by a professional, local chef. At the conclusion of your instruction, you will sit down with your chef and fellow students to dine on your creations.
Day 3
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Daily Breakfast BuffetStart each day with a delicious breakfast buffet served by your hotel. Ranging from delicious Thai & Vietnamese specialties to Western Fare, each dish is made with fresh and local ingredients. From rice porridge and tasty Thai omelets to grilled pork skewers (think “Thai Bacon”), sweet breads and delicious buns, you'll sample a variety of exotic fruits and savory dishes before your day even begins.
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Bangkok Orientation Tour plus more Floating MarketsToday, stroll through the Queen Sikit Botanical Gardens, visit a few of Bangkok's many temples, hike to the top of Golden Mount to see panoramic views of the city and experience traditional dancing at Erawan Shrine. Additionally, you'll visit Or Tor Kor floating market that is home to stall after stall of colorful fruits and exotic produce…one of the best places to try traditional food such as stir-fry noodles and mango sticky rice. Lunch will be provided in the market. Dinner is on your own this evening.
Day 4
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Daily Breakfast BuffetStart each day with a delicious breakfast buffet served by your hotel. Ranging from delicious Thai & Vietnamese specialties to Western Fare, each dish is made with fresh and local ingredients. From rice porridge and tasty Thai omelets to grilled pork skewers (think “Thai Bacon”), sweet breads and delicious buns, you'll sample a variety of exotic fruits and savory dishes before your day even begins.
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Second Thai Cooking Class with LunchEnjoy another traditional hands-on Thai cooking class where you will learn how to cook with fresh herbs & spices to create savory dishes such as green curries, pad Thai, and papaya salads. You will enjoy a relaxing lunch from your own creations.
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Evening Street Food Tour of Bangkok | DinnerBangkok is full of many neighborhoods, each with a unique approach to cuisine. From street stalls to local eateries and fine dining restaurants, take in culture and tradition with every bite. Learn the history of various recipes, why particular ingredients are used and savor a variety of new and mouth-watering flavors. Your food tour will provide more than enough sampling to serve as your dinner this evening.
Day 5
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Daily Breakfast BuffetStart each day with a delicious breakfast buffet served by your hotel. Ranging from delicious Thai & Vietnamese specialties to Western Fare, each dish is made with fresh and local ingredients. From rice porridge and tasty Thai omelets to grilled pork skewers (think “Thai Bacon”), sweet breads and delicious buns, you'll sample a variety of exotic fruits and savory dishes before your day even begins.
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Depart for Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamAfter breakfast, you will depart on your connecting flight to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam (flights between countries are not included in the price of your tour, so check with your culinary travel specialist for assistance and pricing). Airport transfers are included in your package.
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First Vietnamese Cooking Classes | DinnerOne of the healthiest cuisines in the world, food in Vietnam is often used as medicine. During your hands-on cooking classes held in a beautiful agricultural village, you'll experience a Vietnamese Medicine Garden with varied herbs, spices and vegetables. After learning about the Mushroom House and what it's like to be a Vietnamese farmer, select herbs and vegetables from the garden to prepare delicious, healthy Vietnamese dishes such as pho, bahn mi and summer rolls. After your instruction, you will enjoy dinner with the chef. This evening, you'll enjoy some free time in Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon).
Day 6
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Daily Breakfast BuffetStart each day with a delicious breakfast buffet served by your hotel. Ranging from delicious Thai & Vietnamese specialties to Western Fare, each dish is made with fresh and local ingredients. From rice porridge and tasty Thai omelets to grilled pork skewers (think “Thai Bacon”), sweet breads and delicious buns, you'll sample a variety of exotic fruits and savory dishes before your day even begins.
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Mekong Delta & Rice Field TourToday you and your guide will set out for the Mekong Delta, one of Vietnam’s two main rice bowls. On this journey, pass through lands comprised of low-lying rice paddies and rivers that are bordered by dense mangroves and palms. Boarding a longtail boat, you'll pass through the Mekong Delta and Ben Tre to explore fishing villages and the four islands of Dragon, Unicorn, Turtle and Phoenix. As you cruise along Vam, Xep, a small canal dotted with little village houses, glimpse the daily life of local villagers and join them for a traditional lunch. During the ride, your guide will explain the agriculture of the region and how it's incorporated into the local Vietnamese cuisine.
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Local Family Visit & Culinary Experience | Dinner in Ho Chi Minh CitySpend an afternoon with a local family in the Mekong Delta, learning about their culture and lifestyle. As you sit with them to dine on delicious homemade beef soups, noodle dishes and rice platters, you'll come to understand the importance of food in their daily lives. This is guaranteed to be one of the most unforgettable and enriching experiences of your trip. This evening you will enjoy dinner back in Ho Chi Minh City.
Day 7
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Daily Breakfast BuffetStart each day with a delicious breakfast buffet served by your hotel. Ranging from delicious Thai & Vietnamese specialties to Western Fare, each dish is made with fresh and local ingredients. From rice porridge and tasty Thai omelets to grilled pork skewers (think “Thai Bacon”), sweet breads and delicious buns, you'll sample a variety of exotic fruits and savory dishes before your day even begins.
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Second Vietnamese Cooking Class | LunchIn the mid-morning, you will experience another insightful cooking class with local chefs. This class will expose you to some of the traditional dishes that Vietnamese people enjoy every day. Fresh fish and local herbs will take center stage, as you learn techniques that you can duplicate when you return home. After your instruction, you’ll all sit down to enjoy a delicious lunch with the chef.
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Temples, Museums and Markets TourSpend the day exploring the beautiful and historical city of Ho Chi Minh. You will visit temples, museums, and markets where you will learn about the rich Vietnamese culture and history. During your tour experience a variety of different local Vietnamese foods as you explore some of the most famous markets in the city. Try dishes such as Bahn Mi, Pho, Beef Satay, and Custard Apples. (The cost of sampling foods in the market is optional and at your own expense).
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Ho Chi Minh by Night Food Tour | DinnerEnjoy a tasty "Ho Chi Minh by Night Food Walk" through some of the liveliest food scenes in the city, followed by another delicious dinner at one of the best local restaurants.
Day 8
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Daily Breakfast BuffetStart each day with a delicious breakfast buffet served by your hotel. Ranging from delicious Thai & Vietnamese specialties to Western Fare, each dish is made with fresh and local ingredients. From rice porridge and tasty Thai omelets to grilled pork skewers (think “Thai Bacon”), sweet breads and delicious buns, you'll sample a variety of exotic fruits and savory dishes before your day even begins.
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Check-Out and DeparturePack your newly acquired cooking skills and your tasty memories. After another wonderful breakfast at your hotel, you'll need to pack your bags and head to the airport. It is time for your journey back home.
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[Optional] Extension to Siem Reap, CambodiaExtend your stay in Southeast Asia with this incredible 4-day, 3-night journey to Siem Reap – home to the famous Ankor Wat Temple, delicious Khmer cuisine and a beautiful culture. Siem Reap is absolutely stunning in both architecture and history. The Ankor Wat Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is considered to be one of the new ancient wonders of the world. Discover the mysteries of Angkor on a full-day, small-group temples tour where you can watch the sunset over the iconic Angkor Wat, see the enigmatic faces of Bayron Temple and wander around Ta Prohm, taking in the trees intertwined with the ruins. Your other days will be spent taking a hands-on cooking course and exploring the markets and villages that surround Siem Reap. Ask your culinary specialist for details prior to finalizing your travel plans.
Chatrium Hotel Riverside
Chatrium Hotel Riverside Bangkok is a multiple award-winning 5-star hotel situated by the legendary Chao Phraya River, offering unparalleled and truly breathtaking views. Unwind in spacious guestrooms, each with river or cityscape views from private balconies, a convenient cooking station and state-of-the-art technology in entertainment and connectivity. The Chatrium Club Lounge provides exclusive service, adding an extra touch of luxury. Dine at any of six restaurants and bars, known to provide scrumptious buffets and Chinese cuisine. Enjoy the fully equipped Fitness Center, relax by the infinity pool or be pampered at Nemita Spa, all located within this luxury Bangkok hotel.
New World Saigon Hotel
The 5-Star New World Saigon Hotel is ideally situated in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City District 1 amid a bustling neighborhood of restaurants and entertainment venues, within walking distance to markets, museums and places of cultural interest. The hotel is located 20 minutes away from Tan Son Nhat International Airport and steps away from the central bus station, making it a perfect location to explore the city. Deluxe and Premier Rooms are designed with both business and leisure travelers in mind. Wonderfully soft beds and comfortable furnishings make every stay a pleasure, every room offers a marble bathroom, writing desk, and complimentary Wi-Fi to keep you in touch with friends, family, and colleagues. Views of either the park or cityscape will connect you with Vietnam's most vibrant city.
Bangkok, Thailand•Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What Currency is being quoted?
The Currency Code is listed directly after the published amount. If it states USD, then the quoted price is in United States Dollars. If it states CAD, then the quoted price is in Canadian Dollars. If it states EUR, then the quoted price is in European Union Dollars…etc. However, please note that all charges are processed in USD, and Epitourean’s Merchant Bank automatically calculates the currency conversion on the day of the charge.
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What does Double Occupancy mean?
Two persons traveling together, and staying in the same room. Tour prices are normally quoted as “per person, double occupancy” in case two people are traveling together and staying in the same room, but paying separately. The cost of the lodging is also shared by two people, thereby reducing costs. This could be a married couple, two friends or relatives.
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What is a Single Supplement?
Whenever a person travels alone, the cost of their lodging cannot be shared by another person. When tour products are priced, they are normally stated as “per person, double occupancy.” Whenever a guest occupies a room as a solo, the whole cost of the lodging must be incurred by that one individual. Tour companies accommodate this by charging a Single Supplement. Epitourean does its best to keep the single supplement as low as possible, but it is a real cost that tour companies must absorb, and must pass along to the single traveler.
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If I am a Solo Traveler, will I be paired with another person?
Epitourean never pairs a solo traveler with another person without a special request. If you book Single Occupancy, you will have a room entirely to yourself. However, should you wish to be paired with another solo traveler to save on the single supplement, you may make this request. We cannot guarantee that we can accommodate such requests, since it would take another solo traveling on the same tour for the same dates. But if requested, we will certainly try.
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Are flights included in the tour price?
No. Flights are never included in the price of our land-only tours. Epitourean does not provide air, rail or sea travel, unless expressly noted in the itinerary.
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May I give a culinary tour as a gift?
Yes. Epitourean has a special program designed specifically for this purpose. Our Gift Packages come with features such as special messages to the recipient, gift box option, gift link (without pricing), and floating dates (should you not know when the gift recipient wants to travel). Contact a Culinary Travel Specialist at 800-390-3292 or customerservice@epitourean.com to receive additional information about this unique offering.
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May we request separate beds if sharing a room?
Yes. In most cases, Epitourean can accommodate a request for two beds to be placed in one room. Just make sure to make this request in the comments section of the reservation process.
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Does each guestroom have a private bathroom?
Yes. Epitourean partners with the best lodging options in each destination, and private (en suite) bathrooms are a requirement. However, you should inquire as to the configuration of bathrooms should you have a special need. For example, some tours include accommodations in medieval villages, where either a shower or bath(but maybe not both) are present.
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Can your tours accommodate my dietary restrictions?
In almost all cases, Epitourean can accommodate dietary choices and restrictions. But we do request that you ask a Culinary Travel Specialist prior to making your reservation so that we can assess your individual situation.
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If I am unable to use a portion of the tour, can I get a partial refund?
Unfortunately, due to vendor and supplier contracts, we are unable to provide partial refunds for unused portions of any tour or tour component.
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Are Transfers included in the Itinerary?
Round-trip transfers from the airport or train station are normally included in our international tours. Transfers to the destination (for both international and domestic tours) are not included in the tour price. Please see the Sample Itinerary. If it mentions that transfers are included, then yes, transfers are included at no additional cost.
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What meals and excursions are included in the tour?
The Sample Itinerary should be your reference. If the meal or excursion is described in the Sample Itinerary, then it is included at no additional charge. For those days where it expressly notes Free time, then any optional activities you elect to participate in might have an additional cost. In addition, if the itinerary states "evening on your own," it would imply that you have the opportunity to visit a restaurant of your own choosing, and at your own expense. If you have any question about inclusions, please submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button under the price section.
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Is it possible to book pre or post tours or stays through Edible Destinations?
Yes, we often do have optional 2 and 3 night excursions that are priced separately from the tour. We can also assist with pre and post night stays in a hotel if you choose to come in early before the tour starts, or stay on after a tour ends. The price of those hotel stays are not included in the price of the tour, but we would be happy to provide a quote. Simply ask your Culinary Travel Specialist, or submit an inquiry by clicking on the blue "Ask Us a Question" button.
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Are Guide or Host Gratuities included in the price of the tour?
Since tipping guidelines and customs vary widely between countries, we do not include gratuities in the price of the tour. Your Culinary Travel Specialist can provide you with recommendations. But the general rule is to tip modestly when you are pleased with a guide’s services, either at the end of the tour, or at the conclusion of a specialty day excursion where you will only be with that guide (or chef) on that day.
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Should we plan on any personal expenses during the tour?
All lodging, meals, transfers, classes and excursions mentioned in the Sample Itinerary and Vacation Highlights are included in the price of the tour. However, we highly recommend taking local currency for purchasing personal items, souvenirs, tipping, etc. You can either get the local currency at an airport exchange service, ATM or from your local bank prior to travel. However, you should note that many hosted destinations do not accept credit cards for personal purchases.
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Do you recommend Travel Protection?
We recommend that you purchase a travel protection plan to help protect you and
your travel investment against the unexpected. Travel protection plans can include
coverage for Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Emergency Medical and Emergency
Evacuation/Repatriation, Trip Delay, Baggage Delay and more. For more information
on the available plans or to enroll, click on the link below or contact Travelex
Insurance Services at 800-228-9792 and reference location number 06-0248.
The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries
and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including
limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travelex CA
Agency License #0D10209. All products listed are underwritten by, Berkshire
Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (formerly known as Stonewall Insurance Company),
1314 Douglas Street, Suite 1400, Omaha, NE 68102. 11.17 E7N
Gifts and Gift Cards
The product descriptions provided here are only brief summaries
and may be changed without notice. The full coverage terms and details, including
limitations and exclusions, are contained in the insurance policy. Travelex CA
Agency License #0D10209. All products listed are underwritten by, Berkshire
Hathaway Specialty Insurance Company (formerly known as Stonewall Insurance Company),
1314 Douglas Street, Suite 1400, Omaha, NE 68102. 11.17 E7N
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