Vietnam · DINING EXPERIENCES
Every trip has one spare day too few. These 15 dining experiences earn the slot, priced and timed so the decision takes minutes rather than an evening.
Sail along the Saigon River after 5:30 pm for a 60 to 120 minute cruise, Vietnamese buffet or set menu, and skyline views.
“Really enjoyable experience. Had lots of fun on the cruise eating, and I ended up being welcome to go up and sing on the stage.”
Nha Trang sunset dinner cruise with hotel pickup, unlimited cocktails and a live band on a traditional junk, plus a 5-course lobster meal.
“Very different experience. My partner and I enjoy more simple things so this was very different for us and we loved it. We had a cloudy sunset but the weather was warm and still worth it. The boat was amazing inside and out. The staff were out of this world good. Great night on the water”
Walk Hue Imperial City with an English guide, photo stops, emperor stories, and lunch or dinner in 3-4 hours. Entrance fee extra.
“Great walking tour that took 4 hours but time seemed to pass quickly. David was very informative, we learnt so much and he was also able to judge what was of interest to us and paced the walk to suit us. So glad that we booked this, certainly worth it.”
See Ho Chi Minh City glowing at night on a Saigon River dinner cruise with transfers, Vietnamese buffet, and live music for about 3 hours.
“We had a great evening in our last night in Vietnam and it was a fitting end to our holiday. Our guide, Finn and his associate took us on a scooter tour through the narrow and busy streets of HCMC. Be warned, this is not for the faint hearted but it’s definitely a great way to immerse yourself in the culture. Finn was knowledgeable, helpful and had a way of being on hand if required but also, left us alone to enjoy our a la carte meal on board. The cruise was gentle with fantastic views of the city from the Saigon river. He organised a taxi home for us…”
A romantic 2-hour sunset dinner cruise on Hoi An’s Thu Bon River with seafood, a welcome cocktail, and lantern release.
“This was a lovely and relaxing experience. Only 10 of us so all had good position for seeing the sights. The service was great and the cocktails perfect then came the food! Delicious and well presented. The sunset was glorious. Whole trip was less than 2 hours so plenty of time after to walk along to night market.”
Ho Chi Minh night sights by cyclo or scooter, then a Saigon River dinner cruise with buffet and live Vietnamese dance and music.
“All is perfect Our guide very efficient and cool The cyclo night tour very well And the buffet very good Many thanks for all”
Motorbike-led Hoi An street food tastings, market sights, pagoda and rice paddies, plus dinner and beer. Rain or shine, $55.
“This tour was so much fun. We went places and tired foods we wouldn't have otherwise tired. The staff were so friendly and full of interesting information. Nothing was too hard for them.”
Watch the Gulf of Thailand sunset, go night squid fishing from Phu Quoc, then eat your catch on a 3-hour boat dinner trip.
“L’escursione non è male ti portano a vedere il tramonto e poi provi a pescare ovviamente è molto difficile solo pochi ci riescono la cena molto gustosa tutto sommato, passi il tempo non male”
3-hour Hanoi street food tour with 5 tastings in Dong Xuan and the Old Quarter, ending with egg coffee by Hoan Kiem Lake.
“I booked this on a whim but so glad I did. Our guide Mike was so informative, not only talking about food, but also other customs in Vietnam, and willingly answered all questions. The food was great and filling enough to make this the evening meal. Can fully recommend.”
2D1N 6-star Ha Long Bay cruise with fine dining, Sung Sot and Luon caves, Titop Island, Tai Chi, and kayaking.
“Great trip! We all enjoyed the cruise. The cruise manager Dan and his crew were very accommodating, the activities were all on time and the food was very nice! I would recommend.”
A 3-hour Da Nang night with a seafood dinner, night market bargaining, and a Han River cruise to see the Dragon Bridge lights.
“Lyn was amazing!! Such a good guide for first time in Da Nang. Felt very safe on bikes. Picked good food for us to eat and knowledge of area was also good. Wish we could have booked her cooking class, but short on time. Highly recommend.”
Enjoy a VIP dragon boat dinner on the Perfume River in Hue, with a royal-style 8-course meal, traditional singing, and lantern magic.
“It was novel and a fun thing to do. The dinner had some nice elements, but nothing to write home about. The entertainment was good, something different. The cruise itself didn't go far as we had to come back in half way through to pick up the entertainment and new passengers only doing the simple dinner cruise. All in all a rock in the box for something different.”
Two-day Sa Pa homestay trek from Hanoi with an English guide, Muong Hoa valley hikes, village visits, meals, and sleeper bus.
“Took the overnight sleeper which was nice and easy. A bit of time between drop-off and pick-up to be taken to office for shower / breakfast - don’t stress, just be patient. Trails aren’t too difficult (but this would change with rainfall), and there are plenty of opportunities to stop for rest and cold drinks. Local ladies do follow for part of the hike and are on hand to help out where the trail is a bit tricky. But there does come a point where they will try and sell to you before they leave for their villages. When it says ‘appropriate shoes and clothing’ - please pay attention to…”
Sunset Mekong boat cruise in Can Tho, canals and bridge views, night market street food, temple stops, and a vegan dinner option.
“Amazing tour down the Mekong River Guide Như Ý, was so knowledgeable and a lovely person. The tour was the highlight of my time in Can Tho. The vegan restaurant had great food. Highly recommend.”
A romantic Saigon River dinner cruise with city lights, a buffet spread, and live music, plus convenient transport and photo time.
“The Saigon dinner cruise was a wonderful evening full of charm and atmosphere. As the boat glided along the river, the city lit up with sparkling lights, offering the most beautiful views of Ho Chi Minh City at night. The buffet had plenty of tasty dishes, both Vietnamese specialties and international favorites, so there was something for everyone. The live music and traditional dance performances created a lively yet elegant mood. Sitting on the open deck after dinner, watching the skyline while feeling the cool breeze, was the perfect ending. It’s an experience I would happily recommend to anyone visiting Saigon.Read more”
Pick the day out, and we will tell you which one to book.
