Southeast Asian Culinary Tour of the North and South

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.
Customizable Itinerary
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:
Bangkok – Bangkok’s Delightful Cuisine
Chiang Mai – Dining with an Ethnic Hill Tribe
Chiang Mai – Farm-to-Table Feast
Hanoi – The Capital of Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City – A Taste of Ho Chi Minh
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.
Verified Traveler Reviews
Based on 1017 reviews
I was incredibly impressed with every aspect of our experience with Zicasso’s travel company. I was traveling with my 83-year-old mother, so I wanted to be sure we worked with a company we could trust. The initial steps of creating the itinerary were personalized and efficient. The communication before and during every day of the trip was clear and consistent.
Each guide and driver was prompt and friendly, and provided a level of care and flexibility that made every step of the journey so smooth. Guides were incredibly knowledgeable and well connected in their respective cities to create seamless experiences for us. When we asked for any change or addition during the trip, everyone responded quickly and met our every need.
It was truly a trip of a lifetime, all thanks to the brilliant team at the travel company. I highly recommend them to anyone looking for an adventure in Asia and I look forward to engaging them for my next trip.
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Our trip to Vietnam was nothing short of exceptional, and it stands out as one of the most well-organized and enjoyable travel experiences we’ve ever had. From start to finish, every detail was thoughtfully arranged, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the beauty, culture, and history of the country without any stress or logistical concerns.
The journey began in Hanoi, where we were immediately impressed by the seamless airport pick-up and smooth transfer to our hotel. The accommodation was ideally located—comfortable, clean, and perfectly situated for exploring the Old Quarter. Guided tours were expertly paced, balancing iconic highlights with quieter moments that let us absorb the rhythm of daily life. Our guide was knowledgeable, engaging, and clearly passionate about Vietnam’s history and culture.
From Hanoi, we traveled to Ha Long Bay, and this portion of the trip was truly unforgettable. Transportation was punctual and comfortable, and boarding the cruise was effortless. The overnight cruise itself exceeded expectations: elegant cabins, excellent service, and breathtaking views of the limestone karsts rising from emerald waters. Activities such as kayaking and cave visits were well coordinated, never rushed, and thoughtfully timed to avoid crowds. Meals on board were outstanding and added to the overall sense of luxury and relaxation.
Next, we ventured to Ninh Binh, often called “Ha Long Bay on land,” and it was a highlight of the itinerary. The scenic drive was smooth and our accommodations offered a peaceful retreat surrounded by dramatic landscapes. Boat rides through the rice paddies and towering cliffs were serene and magical. Again, the logistics were flawless—clear schedules, attentive guides, and effortless transitions between activities.
Our journey continued south to Hue and Hoi An, with flights and transfers handled seamlessly. In Hue, the historical sites were presented in a way that made Vietnam’s imperial past come alive. The hotel was elegant and restful, perfectly complementing the city’s reflective atmosphere. Hoi An, with its lantern-lit streets and charming architecture, was a dream. The accommodation here was particularly memorable—beautifully designed, centrally located, and paired with exceptional service. Tailoring experiences, cycling excursions, and free time were all balanced perfectly.
What truly set this trip apart was the level of organization. Every transfer, hotel check-in, tour, and meal arrangement was smooth and stress-free. We never once had to worry about timing, transportation, or communication. The attention to detail and professionalism of the tour arrangements allowed us to focus entirely on enjoying Vietnam’s incredible scenery, cuisine, and culture.
In summary, this Vietnam trip—from Hanoi and Ha Long Bay to Ninh Binh, Hue, and Hoi An—was flawlessly executed. Exceptional planning, seamless transport, high-quality accommodations, and attentive guides made it an outstanding travel experience. We would wholeheartedly recommend this itinerary to anyone seeking a comprehensive, comfortable, and deeply rewarding journey through Vietnam.
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Our trip was exceptional in every way. The seamless transfers, great informative guides, beautiful hotels, and the way Zicasso's travel specialist pivoted our stay in Da Nang due to flooding in Hoi An to a beautiful spa. The wonderful sites we saw, the tuk-tuk food tour in Bangkok, and the extra things. It was all great!
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The trip covered a lot of ground, with four cities in Thailand and Siem Reap in Cambodia. The details and the logistics of the trip were timely and well communicated by Zicasso's travel company. The guides were punctual, well-informed, and passionate about the countries' histories.
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The services provided were super-helpful and the sites visited were great. The hotel bookings were perfect, too.
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Zicasso’s travel company absolutely crushed it. A huge shout-out to our travel specialist for planning the perfect honeymoon—every detail was dialed in, from hotels to transfers to experiences. And massive thanks to the travel specialist and the team for being so responsive and helpful while we were in Thailand—communication was flawless.
This was a super-complex 22-day trip and somehow everything ran perfectly smooth. Every hotel was amazing, every guide was knowledgeable and fun, and we never once felt stressed or confused. My wife and I are genuinely blown away.
We could not recommend this travel company more. If you’re planning a big trip, especially something special like a honeymoon, this is the team you want.
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