Food and culture

Gastronomic Tour

Immersion in culture through authentic street food

ChillDry 2–4 hours Year-round 4 places

What it is and why

Vietnamese cuisine is symphony of tastes, hidden in low plastic stools along sidewalks. Gastro-tour transfers you from banal cafes to places where for generations cook one single soup or bun. Guide will help overcome language barrier, tell what herbs lie in your plate and how correctly eat snail or bun-cha.

You will visit noisy evening markets, try rare delicacies of region and learn where serve best Vietnamese coffee. This is not just lunch, but cultural diving, during which you will learn to distinguish nuances of sauces, rules of choosing fresh products and etiquette accepted in simple family establishments.

Where to do it in Vietnam

Points on the map are real places where this activity can be done. Numbers in the list match the markers.

Old quarter of Hanoi
Hanoi
Mecca of street food: bun-cha, pho soup, egg coffee and best snacks in labyrinths of streets.
Districts 3 and 4 of Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh
Heart of night street food. Ideal for tasting seafood and banh-mi.
Old town of Hoi An
Hoi An
Unique dishes: Cao Lau noodles, which are cooked only here, and famous sandwiches.
Imperial cuisine of Hue
Hue
Finest rice desserts and soups, originating from imperial kitchens.

Tips

Rule of golden section: choose places where most locals sit — there always fresh products.
Do not fear street cafes: high turnover of clients guarantees that food does not stagnate.
Always have with you wet wipes and antiseptic, although most locals use boiling water for rinsing dishes on table.
Come hungry: portions in tours are small, but their quantity can reach 7-10 different dishes.

Caution

If you have sensitive stomach, avoid raw seafood and large amount of ice in drinks in very cheap eateries.
Clarify in advance about presence of peanuts or coriander, if you have allergy or personal dislike — "no coriander" (khong rau thom) need to learn immediately.