Have you ever dreamt of exploring Vietnam not just with your eyes, but also with your taste buds? A journey where each stop is a new chapter in a colorful culinary symphony? The Vietnam Food Tour is the key to unlocking the world of unique flavors, and our journey today begins in the beloved Central region, where Da Nang, Hoi An, and Ba Na Hills await with countless surprises.
Da Nang – An Exciting Culinary Journey Begins
A morning in Da Nang starts with a breakfast that embodies local flavor, awakening all senses and preparing you for a day of exploration. Instead of familiar dishes, try a bowl of bun cha ca (fish cake noodle soup), a renowned specialty of this coastal city. The broth, sweet and clear from fish, the chewy and flavorful fish cakes, a touch of distinctive fermented fish sauce, and fresh herbs, all blend together to create an unforgettable taste. Or you can choose mi Quang (Quang noodles), a dish imbued with rustic soul, featuring golden noodles, savory braised chicken or shrimp, crunchy roasted peanuts, and crispy rice crackers.
After breakfast, our culinary exploration will take a pause as we head to a must-visit destination in Da Nang: Ba Na Hills.
Ba Na Hills: Beyond Scenic Views, a Culinary Experience in the Clouds
Ba Na Hills is not only famous for its majestic natural landscapes, four seasons in a day climate, and the unique Golden Bridge, but also a place where you can experience culinary delights amidst the clouds. After conquering Ba Na peak via a cable car system holding multiple world records, you’ll immerse yourself in the ancient French architectural space and enjoy the cool air.
Although Ba Na Hills primarily focuses on restaurants serving international cuisine to meet the diverse needs of tourists, you can still find dishes with Vietnamese flavors here. In the luxurious setting of the restaurants, enjoy a lunch with a combination of European and Asian dishes, or simply sip a hot coffee and admire the majestic mountain scenery – a memorable culinary experience in Ba Na. In particular, don’t forget to explore Debay Wine Cellar, where you can savor fine wines in a unique stone cellar space, imbued with French architectural imprints.
Hoi An: Central Vietnam’s Culinary Paradise Captivates Visitors
Leaving Ba Na Hills, our next stop on the Vietnam food tour is Hoi An, a charming ancient town recognized by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site. Hoi An is not just a picturesque ancient town with moss-covered roofs and shimmering lantern-lit streets, but also a culinary paradise with countless delicious specialties.
Before exploring the ancient town’s cuisine, experience an interesting and rustic activity: riding a basket boat to explore the Bay Mau Coconut Forest. Sitting on a small basket boat, weaving through the green coconut palm groves, you will feel the peace and tranquility of the river countryside. Afterwards, you can try paddling yourself, testing your skills in controlling this unique basket boat.
Arriving in Hoi An ancient town, you will step into a diverse and rich culinary world. Strolling along the narrow streets, you will easily encounter eateries and street vendors selling all kinds of hấp dẫn specialties. Cao Lau is a dish you must try when you come to Hoi An. The chewy Cao Lau noodles, rich sauce, fragrant roasted pork, served with fresh herbs and crispy rice crackers, create a distinctive flavor unlike any other.
Next, enjoy mi Quang, a familiar dish but with a very unique Hoi An flavor. The Quang noodles here are thicker and chewier, the broth is richer, usually served with chicken, shrimp, quail eggs, and sesame rice crackers. Another equally famous dish is banh mi Hoi An (Hoi An baguette). The baguette here is made according to a special recipe, crispy crust, diverse fillings with pate, Vietnamese sausage, grilled meat, fresh herbs, and rich sauce. You can find famous banh mi shops like Banh Mi Phuong, Banh Mi Madam Khanh to enjoy this renowned flavor.
In addition, Hoi An has many other attractive snacks such as banh xeo (crispy pancake), goi cuon (fresh spring rolls), ram cuon cai (grilled pork wrapped in mustard greens), tao pho (tofu pudding), che bap (corn sweet soup)… Take time to explore and enjoy all these delicious dishes to fully experience the unique culinary flavors of Hoi An.
During your exploration of Hoi An, don’t forget to visit famous cultural sites such as the Japanese Covered Bridge, a symbol of the ancient town, the Sa Huynh Culture Museum, handicraft workshops, and ancient assembly halls and old houses imbued with historical imprints and unique architecture. These destinations not only help you understand more about Hoi An’s culture and history but also serve as wonderful backdrops for you to capture memorable photos.
Da Nang by Night: A Non-Sleeping Food Feast and Memorable Experiences
In the evening, we will return to Da Nang to continue our Vietnam food tour. Da Nang by night is not only vibrant with dazzling lights and shimmering bridges spanning the Han River, but also a culinary paradise with countless hấp dẫn choices.
If you want to enjoy fresh seafood, head to the seaside restaurants or the seafood night market. Da Nang is famous for its fresh and delicious seafood dishes such as grilled shrimp, steamed squid, crab stir-fried with tamarind sauce, grilled snails with scallion oil… You can hand-pick fresh seafood and request it to be prepared to your liking.
Besides seafood, Da Nang also has many other hấp dẫn street food dishes. Mi Quang is still an excellent choice for dinner. You can find delicious mi Quang eateries everywhere in the city. Banh trang cuon thit heo (steamed pork rolled with rice paper) is also a dish loved by many. Soft and sweet boiled pork, thin and chewy rice paper, fresh herbs, and rich fermented fish sauce, all blend together to create an irresistible flavor. If you like hot dishes, try banh xeo or nem lui (lemongrass skewers). Crispy banh xeo, savory shrimp and pork filling, dipped in sweet and sour fish sauce. Fragrant nem lui, served with herbs and rice paper.
To end a day of exciting culinary and travel exploration, you can choose to take a boat trip on the Han River to admire the shimmering and magical Da Nang city at night. Or simply find a riverside cafe, enjoy a cup of coffee and watch the poetic Han River, feeling the vibrant rhythm of this beautiful coastal city.
The Vietnam food tour in Da Nang, Hoi An, and Ba Na Hills is just a small part of the colorful Vietnamese culinary picture. Each region in our country has its own specialties, dishes with unique flavors, reflecting the culture and history of each land. Continue your Vietnam food tour to fully experience the diversity and richness of Vietnamese cuisine, and let each dish tell you a story about culture, about people, and about the beautiful country of Vietnam.