Southeast Asian Culinary Tour of the North and South

Street food in Bangkok, Thailand.

What to expect on this itinerary

Southeast Asia and its intricacies are flawlessly explored during this 7-day culinary tour through Thailand and Vietnam. Trace the roots of fabled dishes, meet the master chefs behind the country’s coveted haute cuisine, and dip into the history of these breathtaking regions on exclusive tours. Explore the distinctive flavors and cuisine of each region and city.

Countries Visited

Thailand, Vietnam

Places Visited

Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

Suggested Duration

7 Days

Customizable Itinerary

Expand All
Day 1

Bangkok – Southern Thai Dishes

Bangkok is a flourishing metropolis that features towering skyscrapers, massive LED advertisements, and kitted-out supercars. You will have the luxury of experiencing Thailand’s culinary scene once you have landed, transferred to your accommodation, and unpacked your belongings. You will then be collected by your guide and food specialist for a tour of Bangkok’s cuisine, beginning with a stop at a local market. In the evening, you will have the opportunity to dine at a sought-after night market, where chefs work tirelessly into the evening to serve up traditional meals.

What's Included:

Transfer
Accommodation
Tour
Day 2

Bangkok – Bangkok’s Delightful Cuisine

Day 3

Chiang Mai – Dining with an Ethnic Hill Tribe

Day 4

Chiang Mai – Farm-to-Table Feast

Day 5

Hanoi – The Capital of Vietnam

Day 6

Ho Chi Minh City – A Taste of Ho Chi Minh

Day 7

Ho Chi Minh City – Departure

Trip Highlights

  • Explore the street food scene of Bangkok on a guided tour to coveted establishments and stalls
  • Dabble in the bustling food scene of Bangkok with a tour to an authentic night market with beloved diners
  • Partake in a food tour of Bangkok’s top-rated restaurants and meet the master chefs of the restaurants
  • Retreat to an ethnic hill tribe of Chiang Mai to uncover traditional customs and tuck into their timeless
  • Delight in a farm-to-table meal at a venerated Chiang Mai agricultural restaurant
  • Witness the spectacular architecture and delve into culturally influenced delicacies of the Ba Dinh District of Hanoi
  • Delve into the world of Vietnamese cuisine with a behind-the-scenes culinary tour with Michelin-starred meals and top-tier establishments
  • Indulge in traditional breakfasts under the tented markets of Ho Chi Minh City

Detailed Description

Southeast Asia is comprised of many dynamic cities, each with their own distinctive cuisine. On this handcrafted tour, you will visit a few iconic culinary destinations in the region to discern the qualities of the varying flavor profiles of Southeast Asian cuisine. During your stay, you will tuck into the timeless dishes that are served at landmarked eateries, where modest culinary classics form a staple of the local culture. Afterward, you will have the opportunity to experience the contrast on a tour of the most elite dining establishments throughout the city.

The culinary scene in northern Thailand is very different from that of southern Thailand.  After Phuket, you will transfer to the thriving city of Chiang Mai. From visiting an ethnic hill tribe, where tradition underpins every facet of their lifestyle, to partaking in a gourmet farm-to-table feast, you will indulge in the nuanced flavors of northern Thai cuisine before continuing your journey to Vietnam.

Vietnam’s culinary culture is rooted in recipes that have been handed down between generations. With a brief stop at the buzzing capital of Hanoi to kick off your gastronomic endeavors, you will delight in northern Vietnamese cuisine with some cultural adventures to iconic heritage sites mixed in along the way.

To conclude your culinary excursion to Vietnam and Southeast Asia, you will transfer to Ho Chi Minh City. You will have one day that is dedicated to exploring the finest Vietnamese cuisine at venerated restaurants and another morning that will be designed to bring out the best in Vietnamese street food.

Starting Price

$2,600 per person (excluding international flights)

Your Zicasso trip is fully customizable, and this sample itinerary is a starting place for your travel plans. Actual costs are dynamic, and your selection of accommodations and activities, your season of travel, and other such variables will bring this budget guideline up or down. Throughout your planning experience with your Zicasso specialist, your itinerary is designed around your budget. You can book your trip when you are satisfied with every detail. Planning your trip with a Zicasso travel specialist is a free service.

What's Included

The starting price is based on travel during the low season for a minimum of two travelers staying in shared 3-star accommodations. Please inquire for a custom trip quote based on your travel preferences and travel dates.

4.9

Verified Traveler Reviews

Based on 1187 reviews

Tim I.
Vietnam, Cambodia Tour Review: Hanoi, Siem Reap, Saigon, Angkor Wat, Lan Ha Bay Cruise, 14-Day Trip

We worked with Zicasso's travel consultant at the tour company for several months in planning our two-week trip to Vietnam and Cambodia. She was very accommodating and helpful, never pushy or trying to upsell us. When we had questions, she was responsive and always prompt. We really appreciated her setting up a "fast-pass" through immigration at the Hanoi and Siem Reap airports when we arrived late in the evening.

Although our itinerary was busy, with seven flights, five cities, one cruise, and multiple guides and drivers, everything went smoothly. She checked in with us throughout the trip, keeping us updated, and even took us to lunch in Saigon. We had a very memorable time on our trip and have the tour company to thank for everything. Cảm ơn!

See more

Cathryn R.
Vietnam, Cambodia Vacation Review: Angkor Wat, 2 Weeks

The team did a terrific job of determining what we wanted to do, see, etc., and built a great itinerary. Once we were confirmed, they kept in touch with updates and ensured we had everything we needed. They also kept in touch while we were in the country, which was appreciated. They helped us with dinner reservations, etc. Our guides, hotels, etc., were excellent.

See more

Lourdes S.
Thailand Graduation Vacation Review: Bangkok, Krabi, Chiang Mai, Elephant Sanctuary, Food Tour, Beaches, 10-Day Trip

We recently returned from a 10-day trip to Bangkok, Krabi, and Chiang Mai. The trip was expertly planned by Zicasso's travel designer and their team, and it was nothing short of amazing. From the moment we stepped out from the jetway, we were warmly greeted by one of the travel company's team members. We were taken care of from the point of arrival to the point of departure and everywhere in between. They planned an unforgettable vacation to celebrate our daughter's college graduation and she was "wowed" with the elephants, the food tour, the beach, and, most importantly, the people.

I wholeheartedly recommend this travel company to plan your next dream vacation. It was nothing short of amazing and we look forward to returning.

See more

Fatima A.
Vietnam Tour Review: Cu Chi Tunnel, Ha Long Bay, Mekong River Delta, Hanoi, Cuisine, Mud Bath, 1 Week

Zicasso’s tour partner was extremely well organized. They went beyond our expectations and made sure everything was curated to our needs.

See more

Kara C.
Vietnam Trip Review: Hanoi, Hoi An, Tam Coc, Old Quarter, Cyclo Tour, Boat Ride, Food Experience, Local Cuisine, 12-Day Tour

Our trip to Northern and Central Vietnam was excellent, and we were so impressed by our Zicasso travel company. Our travel agent was extremely responsive prior to and during our trip. In the planning phase of our trip, he expertly answered all of our questions and adjusted our itinerary, as needed, promptly. During our time in Vietnam, he checked in by phone to ensure our trip was going smoothly.

We were very happy with our itinerary, the sites we visited, and all of our guides and drivers. We could tell the itinerary was planned with a lot of care and attention to detail. Just as a couple of examples, on days with longer drives, we had plenty of rest stops and opportunities to get coffee and snacks, and our guides did a great job of mixing indoor and outdoor activities to ensure we stayed as cool as possible as our trip to Vietnam was during the summer.

We'd also like to highlight the meals that were included as part of our tour. They were mostly set menus and the travel company did a wonderful job selecting each dish and taking us to restaurants with delicious food! It was a fantastic experience all-around.

See more

Heidi C.
Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia Family Travel Review: Local Cuisine, Nature, Culture, 18-Day Trip

Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia were absolutely beautiful. Zicasso's tour company organized the perfect vacation for our family, an exciting blend of experiences, with adventure, relaxation, culture, food, nature, and urban destinations.

See more

Customizable Itinerary

This is a sample itinerary to inspire a personalized trip designed with your travel specialist.

29,000+ Verified Traveler Reviews
Zicasso in the News