Explore the markets of Hoi An with local knowledge by your side
Explore the markets of Hoi An with local knowledge by your side
Learn how to make Pho in Vietnam
Duncan Lu making rice paper rolls  | Duncan Lu
Hoi An crab seller
Mi Quang Ga  | Duncan Lu

Flavours of Central Vietnamwith Duncan Lu

Return inspired, well-fed, and ready to recreate the magic of Vietnam in your own home

8 Days from

$ USD

Trip Code: CVDL
View dates to BookEssential Information

Extra trip options & supplements

*Prices listed are per person

Single supplement
$480 USD

Duration

  • 8 Days

Activities

  • Culinary Touring
  • Hands on cooking classes

Accommodation

  • 7 nights in 5 star hotels

Meals

  • 5 Dinners
  • 6 Lunches
  • 7 Breakfasts

Difficulty Grading  

1 / 10

Discovery and Cruising

Duncan Lu Central Vietnam Cooking Adventure Trip highlights

  • Cook and explore with food presenter Duncan Lu, passionate about making authentic Vietnamese cuisine accessible to all
  • Shop local markets and master hands-on cooking techniques to recreate restaurant-quality Vietnamese dishes at home
  • Devour a bowl of Bun Bo Hue in its birthplace, learning the secrets behind this iconic dish
  • Cycle through scenic villages, rice paddies, and fruit orchards at a relaxed pace
  • Discover UNESCO-listed Hoi An, known for its rich culinary heritage
  • Glide through Cam Thanh’s coconut mangroves in a traditional basket boat, an experience unique to Central Vietnam
  • Uncover the hidden laneways and alleyways of Da Nang, where street food and local flavours come to life

Overview

Get ready for a delicious journey and discover the true flavours of Vietnam with food presenter and passionate home cook, Duncan Lu, on this hands-on culinary journey through Central Vietnam.

This exclusive new tour is designed for food lovers, home cooks, and anyone eager to demystify Vietnamese cuisine and learn how to create restaurant-quality dishes at home.

Unlike other food tours that focus on observing and tasting, this experience is all about getting involved. You’ll shop in bustling markets, visit local farms, and learn how to turn fresh ingredients into authentic Vietnamese dishes through multiple hands-on cooking lessons.

Duncan’s passion for Vietnamese cuisine goes beyond the plate. He’s on a mission to show travellers that making restaurant-quality Vietnamese food at home is not only possible but easy with the right techniques. By cooking alongside farmers and producers, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation of the ingredients and traditions that make Central Vietnamese cuisine so unique.

This unforgettable Vietnamese culinary journey takes you beyond the usual tourist trail to the heart of Vietnam’s food culture. Cycle through quiet villages, walk through rice paddies, and explore the historic streets of Hue, Hoi An, and Da Nang. Along the way, you’ll discover where iconic dishes like mi quang and bun bo Hue originated and learn to recreate them with confidence.

With minimal travel distances, you’ll have plenty of time to relax and soak in the atmosphere, whether that’s shopping in local markets, unwinding by the pool, or exploring the UNESCO-listed streets of Hoi An.

Perfect for food lovers and home cooks of all levels, this cooking journey through Central Vietnam with Duncan Lu will leave you inspired, well-fed, and ready to recreate the magic of Vietnam in your own home. Limited spots – secure yours now.

Itinerary

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Welcome to Vietnam! On this tour Duncan Lu will show you that there is so much more to Vietnamese cuisine than pho. We are taking a deep dive into the distinct cuisine of Central Vietnam and in particular the three dishes that each of our city bases are known for - Cao Lau in Hoi An, Bun Bo Hue in Hue and Mi Quang in Da Nang. The charming, old-world trading port of Hoi An with its cobbled streets, traditional homes and quaint shop houses is a perfect place to kick off our exploration of the cuisine of Central Vietnam. Boutique restaurants, hip cafes along the waterfront, delightful craft shops and artisans including some of Asia’s best tailors all can be found here. In the afternoon we'll meet with Duncan at the hotel and take a leisurely walking tour of the historic town. To fuel our walk, we'll try our first bowl of noodles, Hoi An's favourite street food, Cao Lau. We'll then walk to the serene Chua Ong Pagoda and iconic 400 year-old Japanese Covered Bridge. Later we enjoy our first group dinner together. Overnight Allegro, Hoi An NOTE: The closest airport for Hoi An is Da Nang airport (DAD). A transfer takes approx 60-90 minutes depending on traffic. Some airline services, including Vietnam Airlines arrive in to Da Nang late in the evening, as such you may need to arrive the day before the tour commences. We can book an additional nights accommodation at the group hotel, as well as airport transfers, please just ask our team.

Meals: D

This morning we head to a nearby village to learn about traditional farming. Strolling through the gardens, we'll observe the farmers at work, using methods that have remained unchanged for centuries. Duncan will tell you about all his favourite Vietnamese aromats and fresh herbs and we will hand pick some of these, to use in our upcoming cooking lesson. Next we'll explore the local market to buy more ingredients, including star anise, cardamom, sesame rice paper, water spinach and banana flower. Working alongside our chef & using these fresh, locally sourced ingredients, we will our first hands on cooking lesson on Vietnamese cuisine. After enjoying the lunch we've prepared, we can take an optional swim to cool off, before we return to Hoi An taking a leisurely half hour cruise along the river. Overnight Allegro, Hoi An

Meals: B,L

We'll start our day with a short bicycle ride through picturesque villages, passing orchards and rice paddies, which are at their most lush and green in August. We arrive at an organic farm & learn more about rural life and the projects taking place in this community, such as making their own organic pesticides and cultivating the soil for planting and watering. We'll also harvest some of the garden's vegetables to cook for our lunch which we'll enjoy al fresco in the garden. Duncan will share stories of his family recipes that utilise the organic garden vegetables before our eyes. In the afternoon, we'll get back on our bicycles for a short cycle back to the village pier where our boat awaits. From there we'll cruise to Thuan Tinh Island, where we swap to basket boats for a fun and unique way to explore the mangrove forest and watch the village fisherman in action. We return to our main boat and cruise along the Thu Bon river to Hoi An town, enjoying the architecture at water level, followed by a short transfer back to the hotel. Overnight Allegro, Hoi An

Meals: B,L

We continue our journey, moving on to Hue with a scenic drive offering some photo stops along the way. We'll see Lang Co Beach with it's clear turquoise water, white sand and lush green backdrop and take in a roadside lunch before arriving into Hue. The city is a blend of vibrant colours, pagodas and gardens lining the Perfume River. In the afternoon we'll take a short tour to get to know the area and view the Imperial Citadel, the home of Vietnam’s last royal dynasty. Hue is home of Bun Bo Hue, a rice noodle dish that is much more bold and spicy than pho & a must for our visit to this city. Dinner at one of Duncan's favourite places in Hue. Overnight: Senna Hotel, Hue

Meals: B,L,D

This morning we meet our local cooking host for a wander through central Dong Ba market, the oldest market in Hue. Duncan will help you navigate the bustling alleys of fresh produce and engage with the local street vendors. We gather the ingredients for our cooking class and stop for a taste of local Hue coffee - a salt coffee - before heading to our home cooking class. We will prepare a selection of typical Hue dishes. After lunch, we'll make our way to Chuon Lagoon where we'll board a small boat and learn about the Tam Giang lagoon system and the floating life of these water communities. Dinner is fresh lagoon seafood, enjoyed on the water and later we return to Hue. Overnight: Senna Hotel, Hue

Meals: B,L,D

Enjoy a leisurely morning before we set off for Da Nang which is just two hours away. We'll take our time and stop at scenic Lap An Lagoon, dotted with oyster farms and traditional, wooden stilt houses. Prepare yourself for noodle mania in Da Nang where Duncan will take you to his favourite eateries, championing local specialties, including today's lunch at Mrs. Hon's Fish Noodles, featured in the Michelin guide. Arriving into Da Nang, we will have some time to relax before a street food tour in the early evening. Here in Da Nang you will find more Mi Quang noodle stalls than pho, proving this is the city's favourite street food. After we'll check out a craft brewery and taproom, to experience Vietnam’s emerging craft beer scene. As Duncan will share with you, there are some meals here in Vietnam that are made purely to be enjoyed with beer! Overnight: Risemount Resort, Da Nang

Meals: B,L,D

Today we delve into the heart of Vietnamese coffee culture, here coffee is more than a drink, it’s a way of life! From Vietnamese egg coffee to pour overs and specialty arabica and robusta, explore Vietnam's expanding coffee scene with Duncan Lu. Afterwards we visit the local market to gather ingredients for our cooking class. Today we'll be making Mi Quang noodles, the pride of Da Nang and one of Duncan's favourite dishes to cook at home. Enjoy some time to shop or swim before our final group dinner where we'll indulge in Central Vietnamese Banh Xeo (sizzling savoury pancake) and hear from Duncan Lu as he explains the subtle difference to the variations of Banh Xeo from the North through to the South of Vietnam and ultimately what makes Da Nang Banh Xeo the best in the world. Overnight: Risemount Resort, Da Nang

Meals: B,L,D

Our tour concludes and we hope you'll take some of the recipes and techniques you have learned home with you, to keep enjoying the cuisine of Central Vietnam. For more Vietnamese home cooking inspiration, visit www.duncanlu.com.au/recipes to access all of Duncan Lu's Vietnamese recipes.

Meals: B

Ready to start your adventure?

View dates to Book

What’s included?

Included

  • Hosted by home cook and food presenter, Duncan Lu
  • 7 nights in 4 & 5 star hotels on a twin share basis
  • 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 6 dinners
  • Hands on cooking classes & market tours
  • Street food tour and craft brewery in Da Nang
  • Boat trip on Chuon Lagoon
  • Experience a basket boat at Thuan Tinh island
  • Local english speaking guide
  • Private air conditioned bus transport

Not included

  • Travel to Hoi An/from Da Nang
  • Travel Insurance (compulsory)
  • Visa
  • Airport transfers
  • Meals & drinks not listed in the itinerary
  • Single supplement if booked in your own room
  • Tips

About your guide

Duncan Lu is more than a food presenter—he’s a passionate advocate for authentic Vietnamese home cooking, dedicated to breaking the myths that great Vietnamese food is difficult to master. As a Vietnamese-Australian home cook, he brings an insider’s perspective, blending tradition with practical techniques to help you recreate restaurant-quality Vietnamese dishes at home.

You may recognise Duncan from Channel 7’s Plate of Origin, or his lively appearances on The Morning Show, Justine Schofield's Everyday Gourmet, and SBS Food. His deep knowledge and infectious enthusiasm have made him a go-to expert in Vietnamese cuisine. Even Australian food royalty Shannon Bennett raves about his culinary skills, calling his Vietnamese eatery the best place for rice-paper rolls and banh mi in Melbourne.

But what truly sets Duncan apart is his personal connection to Central Vietnamese cuisine. His first bowl of Mì Quang ignited a lifelong passion for the region’s flavours—a delicate balance between the deep, savoury complexity of the south and the refined subtlety of the north.

On this tour, Duncan doesn’t just take you to eat—he takes you inside the heart of Vietnamese food culture. You’ll shop with him in bustling markets, uncover hidden local gems, and learn how to master the techniques of true Vietnamese cooking in hands-on classes. With his expert guidance, you won’t just taste Central Vietnam—you’ll take home the skills to bring its bold, fresh flavours to your own kitchen.

For a sneak peek into Duncan’s world of Vietnamese home cooking, explore his recipe collection at www.duncanlu.com.au/recipes.

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