Awaken your senses through the flavors of traditional herbs and spices in this exclusive culinary tour of Thailand and Vietnam. As you discover the origins of the Sriracha sauce by learning how to make it at its birthplace in Si Racha, Thailand, your culinary exploration will celebrate the gastronomic roots that are shared across borders revealing the varying degrees of flavors. With many kitchens moving away from their heritage in an attempt to embody sophistication, your journey will hone in...
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Bangkok – Arrive in Bangkok and Relax with the Remaining Day at Leisure
Bangkok is a city where the familiar sounds of a metropolis fade beneath exotic colors, hidden Buddhist temples, and the captivating aromas of traditional Thai food. Local culture underpins daily life with a sense of joy that seeps into the cuisine, the shops, the vendors, and into your explorations. Your experiences in the city can range wildly, from a chat with a Monk to an evening spent at a Chinese opera with the unique cultural connection between the two diverse heritages.
Your flight lands at Suvarnabhumi Airport, where your private transfer greets you upon arrival, and you will immediately feel the juxtaposition between the crisp and refreshing air-conditioned halls of the airport and the warm outside air. Colossal shopping areas are seen across the city set against a backdrop of 200-year-old villages as the ever-growing capital is sprinkled with intermittent gold spires peaking over antique homes in the shadow of skyscrapers.
Settle into the comforts of your luxury hotel and use the remainder of the day to explore leisurely the fascinating, fast-paced city. Your neighborhood of Banglamphu is considered the most quintessential district of Bangkok due to its picturesque lanes, fabulous markets, and golden temples tucked into the nooks set beneath shading trees. The temple, Wat Suthat, is an impressive display of devotion with Thailand’s largest Sukhothai-period bronze cast dating back to the 14th century.
What's Included:
Day 2
Bangkok – See the Grand Palace and Wat Po Temple, and take a Foodie Tour
Day 3
Bangkok – Delight in a Day Trip to Chonburi & Si Racha
Day 4
Bangkok – Enjoy a Foodie Walking tour, Microbrewery, and Fine Dining
Day 5
Chiang Mai – Explore Famous Khao Soi & Evening Foodie Cycling
Day 6
Chiang Mai – Wander Doi Suthep, Local Market & Village Cooking Class
Day 7
Chiang Mai – Relish a Coffee Plantation Tour and Fine Dining
Day 8
Hanoi – Fly to Hanoi and Indulge in an Evening Beer Tour
Day 9
Hanoi – Take in the Old Quarters, a Cooking Demonstration, and Weasel Coffee Tasting
Day 10
Hue – Fly to Hue for a Cyclo Tour and Dinner with a Royal Descendent
Day 11
Hoi An – Visit a Morning Market with a Cooking Class before Hoi An
Day 12
Hoi An – Relish a Full Day Rice, Herb and Fish Experience
Day 13
Saigon – Fly to Saigon for a Tour and Home cooked Vegetarian Dinner
Day 14
Saigon - Morning Saigon Foodie Experience and Chinese Medicine
Day 15
Saigon – Depart for Home
Trip Highlights
- Meet with the family of the original creator of Sriracha sauce at the same workshop that has been producing the award-winning recipe of the Gold Medal brand since the 1930’s
- Learn how to make your own Sriracha sauce from a local celebrity chef during your private cooking lesson in Si Racha, Thailand, the birthplace of the sauce
- Indulge in the flavors from three separate neighborhood restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide Bangkok in 2018 where a variety of dishes are highly regarded by the locals
- Embrace the remarkable difference between Southern and Northern Thai food when learning to cook five traditional Lanna dishes in Chiang Mai
- Dine at the famous bun cha restaurant where President Barack Obama and Anthony Bourdain dined together during one of the Parts Unknown episodes
- Meet with members of the Lahu community for insight into the past, present, and future culture supported by a sustainable, organic coffee plantation
- Taste the most expensive coffee in the world harvested from wild weasels during a private coffee tasting in Hanoi
- Enjoy an elaborate multi-course dinner in the extraordinary residence of Ben Xuan Garden House accompanied by a member of the former imperial family
- Experience the different flavors of Vietnam during an exclusive cooking class in the Central Vietnamese town of Hoi An
- Discover local microbreweries in Bangkok and Hanoi, famous for producing remarkably diverse flavors and styles of handcrafted beer
Detailed Description
Embrace the incredible diversity and the captivating ingenuity of classic culinary flavors during your 8-day culinary journey to Thailand with the option of extending this unique experience into Vietnam. Discover the cultural differences of Northern and Southern Thailand, as well as the variety of traditions that differ between Northern, Central, and Southern Vietnam as captured in the splendor of their deep culinary heritage during the extended tour. The taste of Sriracha has enchanted a generation of the Western World and inspires this fascinating journey to explore the roots of the spicy sauce. Including the southern beaches of Thailand and the multitude of chili sauce counterparts that span the northern forests and various regions of Vietnam, you will travel from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City for the ultimate culinary excursion to trace the flavorful evolutions of haute cuisine and distinct, locally preserved gastronomic practices.
Thailand is a country of history and culture known for radiant golden temples, tropical beaches, and exotic jungles. Your discovery of Thailand begins with four nights in Bangkok, a metropolis that blends the traditions from around the country in a single space. Discover the flavors of the city and the bases of Thai cuisine as you dine with restaurateurs and celebrity chef in open markets and iconic landmarks. Connect the spirit of Thai culture to the cuisine as you visit the Grand Palace complex and Wat Po Temple, and then indulge in an epic Sriracha tour inside the town of Si Racha (also spelled Sri Racha or Sriracha), on the Gulf of Thailand. Sample the powerful umami of an oyster omelet during a private cooking class where you will find levels of heat that are contained in a chef’s homemade Sriracha sauce, and then learn to make your own spicy chili sauce in the traditional manner. Meet with the family of the original creator of Sriracha sauce within a workshop hidden inside Old Bangkok. Discover the food, a sensational microbrewery, and Michelin recognized restaurants all throughout your exploration of Southern Thailand.
Your visit to Chiang Mai will span a few nights and open the doors to the rival flavors of Northern Thailand. The different recipes range from subtle to glaring as you sample the cuisine of famous markets and hidden vendors that offer traditional Lanna dishes. Learn the art of preparing the local flavors with private cooking classes for deeper insight into the customary recipes, and then meet with the Lahu community on a farm in the Mae Rim district. Learn how local roasting methods are an important part of preserving the community heritage of the coffee plantation and then move next to meet with elephants that have been rescued by the local elephant sanctuary. Balance these experiences as you indulge in the fine restaurants of the province that utilize seasonal ingredients and invite you to connect deeply with the people you meet and their cultural references.
For your optional extended tour, travel next to Vietnam as it boasts staggering beauty and compelling exotic customs found amid both historical towns and complex dynamic metropolises. Arrive in Hanoi for a couple of nights to uncover the tastes of the local microbreweries and the celebrated food stalls. Enjoy a day of coffee and chili as you sample the texture and flavor of “egg coffee,” the variety of chili sauces and condiments of North Vietnamese cuisine, and the smooth, rounded flavor of civet cat coffee. One night in Hue will introduce you to the blend of north and south in the Central tastes displayed in the former Imperial city, and you will savor the defining characteristics of the cultural city exemplified by a dinner in the stunning Ben Xuan House. Accompanied by a member of the sixth generation of the royal Nguyen dynasty, your meal will likely be a high point of your whole journey. The next day, take in a cooking class that will capture the essence of Hue with typical dishes and locally made chili sauce.
Move next to nights spent in Hoi An to bring the welcoming flavors of cau lau and steamed dumplings found in the fantastic night market. A day with fishers brings out the beauty of the landscape around the delta that provides rice, fish, prawns, and crabs. Learn about the organic production methods and harvesting, visit the marketplace, and enjoy a cooking demonstration on the quality, customary dishes of the village.
You will then reach Saigon for the last nights of your gastronomic journey to find that the history on display in Saigon, reflects the heritage of the cuisine including the cultural influences of colonial powers. Visit the monuments, sample ice cream shaped like roses, and delight in healthy vegetarian cuisine accentuated by herbs and spices. Enjoy the markets of Saigon in the form of banh mi and iced coffee with condensed milk, and visit the Fito Museum for deeper insight into the heritage and perpetual customs of Chinese herbs in Thailand. Dine on dim sum, relish the vibrant marketplaces, and indulge in restaurants recognized by the Michelin guide all before your return home.
Starting Price
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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