Vietnam was always one of the top places on my bucket list. Every client, and ever friend that has gone has raved about this amazing place. Living in Vancouver we are lucky to have such diverse Asian cuisine, but nothing compares to the real thing. Everyone I've ever talked to says the food in Vietnam is out of this world.
Vietnamese cuisine perfectly captures the essence of balance and vibrancy. I absolutely love the fresh ingredients, bold flavours, and the sheer variety it offers. Herbs like mint, basil, cilantro and lemongrass infuse their cuisine with a freshness that cannot be beat. The use of fish sauce, and chilis bring incredible vibrancy to the food. The deep richness of Pho bursts with umami, and has many variations. I particularly love Vietnamese spring rolls with the rice paper that has little bubbles along the wrapper which is both crispy and chewy. The classic Banh Mi is always a delicious option to grab on the go. I think most of all I'm excited to taste amazing new dishes we don't see here in Vancouver.
I always love nature, especially seeing things that are unique to a destination. We have amazing natural beauty here in Canada, but going around the world you see so many drastically different landscapes.
Just think about how many movies you've seen Ha Long Bay set both on earth, and in sci-fi and fantasy movies. These otherworldly islands, that jet up high from the ocean, and are covered in lush tropical vegetation, inspire awe. We will get to explore this beautiful bays tranquil waters from our cabins on the 2 day cruise. Here we will get to see the Trinh Nu and Sun Sot Caves, and the beautiful waters amongst these many islands.
We decided to go in February because it is a time when there are many festivals going on. Many of them are religious in nature so we may be lucky and see the festivities during our time there. There will be music and culture, and people dressed in traditional clothing. There may even be wrestling I've heard! We have not planned for this specifically because the dates are not set in stone for these events, but we do have plans to modify the itinerary slightly if we find ourselves close to one of these festivals. It is important for me to always be flexible. If we come across an amazing experience that will help us see into another culture, I will always stop and take it in.
Every country I go to I always check out the markets. As a foodie and trained chef I love seeing local ingredients, and checking out new spices or foods we don't get at home. You'll find me at the end of the tour trying to stuff ingredients into my bag to bring back home. This is why there is always a cooking class on my tours, I love to learn how to make new amazing food when I get home.
This trip will be a great mix of bustling cities and markets, and beautiful nature. We will be on the water quite a bit exploring Ha Long Bay and the Saigon River and Mekong Delta. We will experience a water puppet show, which traditionally happened when villages were flooded. We will learn about the Vietnam war and the cost to the people. There will be amazing food. Most of all we will get to meet the Vietnamese people, and experience their beautiful culture.
I hope you will join me on this adventure in February of 2025. Check out the itinerary.
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