As told to the Wendy Wu Tours Team, Belinda shares her experience on the Vietnam Trail tour, noting her first impressions, standout moments, cultural highlights and personal insights from travelling through Vietnam on a fully inclusive guided tour.
Which Wendy Wu tour did you travel on, and what were your first impressions?
I went on the 16-day Vietnam Trails in March 2026. I was excited to arrive in Vietnam and attend the Welcome dinner on the first night where I met our National Escort and the other people in our group. First impressions were that the tour is well-organised, we have an experienced and knowledgeable guide and that we were going to be well looked after and have fun on tour as well as being treated to some fabulous experiences along the way.
What was the standout highlight of your trip?
I love to cook so without a doubt my favourite day was in Hoi An when we attended a cooking school. But it was so much more than a cooking class! First, we had a tour of the food market in Hoi An and learned about Vietnamese ingredients and preparation of food. We then got electric cars to the cooking school in the countryside just outside of Hoi An where we got dressed up in typical farmers clothing and planted a crop of spinach, watered the plants using traditional methods and then tried our luck with casting fishing nets.
A surprise awaited us after all this farming work. We were treated to a head and neck massage before we even started the cooking class. We then went on to cook delicious dishes in a fabulous location under the watchful eye of the head chef.
What was your favourite destination or stop along the way, and why?
Favourite city was Hoi An but I also loved the hiking through the Hmong village outside of Sapa.
What cultural experience stood out the most?
I loved the bamboo acrobatic performance in Hoi An by Lune Production that included live music, dance and acrobatics to tell the story of Vietnam’s cultural history. It was action packed and very entertaining.
What was your favourite meal or food experience on tour?
Apart from the meals we prepared and ate at the cooking school, I loved the hot pot experience of cooking fresh seafood and meats with a variety of vegetables. It was a great way to share not only the food but the cooking experience with my fellow travellers.
I also loved my very first egg coffee at the Hidden Gem Café in Hanoi. What an interesting place and the perfect setting to try egg coffee.
Did you try anything for the first time while in Vietnam?
Yes! In terms food I tried the famous egg coffee, jellyfish and green papaya salad (to my surprise this was very tasty), as well as salt coffee.
As for activities; a cyclo ride, batik painting, morning Tai Chi in Halong Bay.
How did travelling on a fully inclusive Wendy Wu tour enhance your experience?
There is no way I would have experienced and seen as much if I had travelled independently.
The tour was a great mix of seeing and experiencing so much of Vietnam but with free time to relax and explore on my own.
I think a fully inclusive tour is a must if you want a great balance of sightseeing experiences, history and culture without having to think about transport and transfers, deciding where to eat and what to do each day.
What was it like travelling with a National Escort / local guides?
Our National Escort was fabulous. He was knowledgeable about all aspects of Vietnam including history, culture, the people, food, village life and much, much more. He not only told stories of his country but also included personal stories about his upbringing, his family and daily life in Vietnam.
He was also very caring and considerate ensuring we all knew exactly about timings, meeting points and what was ahead for the next day.
It was great to know that we were well looked after and with such an experienced and knowledgeable guide.
The local guides complemented our National Escort perfectly as they were able to give us a more in depth understanding of their local area such as in the Mekong Delta and the food market in Hoi An.
What was your favourite included experience on the tour?
The cooking school closely followed by overnight in Halong Bay and hiking through the Hmong villages of Sapa.
What’s one thing you’d now tell customers before they travel to Vietnam?
Give everything a try! Even if you’re not familiar with some of the food or activities, you never know, you might find something that you love whether it be the food, the batik painting or learning more about the country’s history and culture.
What are your top tips for first-time travellers to Vietnam?
The food is fabulous, the rich history and culture is fascinating, the people are warm and hospitable.
What should people pack or be prepared for?
Pack a hat, sunscreen, good walking shoes, a sense of adventure and a willingness to try something new.
While our itinerary was informative and with sufficient detail, it left room for some lovely surprises along the way (e.g. the head and foot massage at the cooking school).
Describe your Vietnam experience in 3–5 words
Fabulous, educational, fun, surprising and memorable!
Would you go back? Where to next?
Absolutely I would go back to Vietnam! My next trip planned is to India later this year.
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