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Who This Experience Is For
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Foodie

You crave Vietnamese food but don't stop at phở and bánh mì. If Huế imperial cuisine and homestyle food (cơm nhà) intrigues you, this trip is right for you.

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OTBP Adventurer

You crave an off-the-beaten-path type of Vietnam adventure with raw authenticity and genuine interactions with locals.

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Culture & History Buff

From Huế's imperial citadel to Hội An's Ancient Town, you will get an in-depth look at the history and culture of Vietnam. 

Note: Itinerary may change, changes will be communicated to travelers in advance when possible.

 Itinerary

    • Get oriented on your first day in Vietnam. Get SIM cards at Viettel. Get to know your fellow travelers! 

    • Grab a bánh mì đặc biệt (baguette loaded with all toppings) or bún chả cá (fish cake noodle soup) before heading to Mỹ Khê Beach to relax for the day.

    • On the second day, we will grab a breakfast of bánh xèo before heading to the Marble Mountains and Lady Buddha. For a late lunch, we will grab some mì quảng (turmeric noodles) before we take some free time before we venture to the Dragon Bridge (lights up at 9pm on weekends).

    • In Hoi An, we will wander around both Hoi An Ancient Town and surrounding local neighborhoods to try local foods such as traditional pork barbecue, stuffed squid, chicken rice (com ga), and traditional desserts such as banh troi nuoc (very similar to Chinese tang yuan).

    • Participate in a Vietnamese cooking class in Hoi An, where we will make an assortment of local dishes after visiting a local market.

    • Learn about the rich history of Hoi An, including the history of Chinese (Fujianese and Guangdong), Japanese, and European merchants and immigrants and how they all influenced the cuisine of Hoi An. 

    • Take a short ride back to Da Nang and board the scenic Hai Van Pass train to Huế. 

    • Upon arrival, check into the hotel and eat dinner at a traditional Vietnamese homestyle meal at a restaurant owned by our dear local friend in Huế. 

    • The next day, explore the Imperial Citadel, Vietnam’s political, cultural, and religious center of the Nguyễn Dynasty (1802–1945).

    • Dinner will be imperial Huế cuisine at our favorite restaurant in Huế (think bánh bèo, bánh Ướt, bánh khoái, nem lụi, ram Ít, and more)

    • Walk around the Old Quarter and try a creamy egg coffee (cà phê trứng) at Café Giảng before we sit down to try one of Hà Nội's street food classics: bun cha with spring rolls. Spend the rest of the day exploring important historical sites of Hanoi and museums before we enjoy a chả cá lã vọng (turmeric dish with dill). If you have a seafood allergy, notify us in advance and we will replace this dish with a non-seafood alternative.

    • On our final day, try a Hà Nội-style phở as your last breakfast before departing.

Highlights

Vietnamese Cooking Class

Learn how to make multiple types of Vietnamese specialty dishes with a Vietnamese chef

Image by Vy Huynh

Try Vietnamese Egg Coffee

At Cafe Giang, savor the legendary egg coffee, known to the world since 1946 

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Try on Classic Vietnamese Attire

Don classic Vietnamese attire from the imperial times, take photos, and enjoy imperial cuisine!

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What Is Included 

    • Grace & Yongjian will accompany you on entire experience (except to/from airport and during free time). We LOVE sharing the beauties of Vietnam with our friends and encourage you to ask any questions!

    • Whenever necessary, we will have local guides and drivers accompanying us as well.

    • For all our experiences, we strive to pick accommodations that are clean and authentic.

    • Whenever possible, we choose to support small, local guesthouses run by people from the community.

    • Costs differ between single and double occupancy, please review the costs below

    • Every morning, you will enjoy breakfast either at the hotel or at a local breakfast stand.

    • Lunches and dinners that are provided on certain days will be family style (sharing with fellow travelers) where you will try different traditional dishes of the region we are in. We are HUGE foodies and we can vouch for the quality of the food we pick!

    • If you have any dietary restrictions (vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, halal, gluten-free, etc.) or food allergies, please inform us in advance of the trip so we can make this trip enjoyable and safe for you. 

    • We will cover essential apps and practical on the ground tips that will help you navigate Vietnam like a local. It's also an opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers and ask us any questions!

    • For any sites mentioned in the itinerary that require an entrance ticket, the cost of the ticket for each traveler will be covered.

    • Tickets are non-transferable and non-refundable. 

    • All overland transportation, including trains, buses, and rideshares.

    • Metro rides within cities are not covered.

    • Transportation during free time is not covered. 

    • Any transportation to Ho Chi Minh City (flight or train) before the trip begins is not covered and any transportation after Day 9 is not covered. 

    • To remember your trip, you will receive a From Roots to Bridges themed goodie bag! Inform us of your t-shirt size prior to the trip. 

What Is Not Included 

- Travel Insurance (REQUIRED for every traveler)

- Vietnam Tourist Visa (if required)

- Meals Not Included in the Itinerary 

- Alcoholic drinks 

- Personal Expenses (souvenirs, gifts, etc.)

- Room service, laundry, incidentals

- Activities not a part of the itinerary 

- Hospital bills and related medical expenses 
- Damaged or lost personal possessions 

Costs

White Bedroom

Single Occupancy

$1500 USD (includes VAT)

You will have a room to yourself,

bathroom may be shared with others 

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Double Occupancy

$1000 USD (includes VAT)

You will share a room with a person of the same gender or your requested roommate

What Our Travelers Say 

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Aline (Jul '25)

Although I had already spent a month traveling in China before joining Grace and Yongjian, the road trip I took with them to Kaiping and Jiangmen was unforgettable. Traveling in China without speaking Mandarin can be challenging and exhausting. But with Grace and Yongjian, everything went smoothly as we explored remote villages, interacted with locals, and enjoyed authentic Cantonese dishes. Their deep knowledge of Chinese history and culture made the experience enriching, relaxing, and well-organized, yet flexible. Above all, Grace and Yongjian are incredibly passionate and enthusiastic about what they do. Their energy and love for sharing their culture made the whole experience so special.

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Max & Nikki (Jun '25)

We had traveled to China independently before. This time, we wanted to delve deeper and get to know aspects of the country that remained closed to us as solo travelers without a Chinese driver's license and language skills. Grace and Yongjian organized a road trip to the less touristy province of Guizhou. They took us to remote villages, hidden viewpoints and neighborhood restaurants that we would never have reached on our own. The trip was characterized by their enthusiasm for the country, its people and food, as well as the very personal stories and experiences they shared. It was like a road trip with friends; except we didn't have to take care of anything ourselves.
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Jurrien & Sandra (Mar '25)

Together with Grace and Yongjian, we travelled for almost 2 weeks through the province of Yunnan. Having never been to China, we felt a bit overwhelmed with the required preparations for this huge country. Even before we crossed the border from Vietnam to China, they prepared us in every possible way. From how to use Alipay and WeChat, to buying SIM Cards and setting up a VPN.  Their knowledge about the area was astounding. Especially on the topics on (local) cuisine and culture, they introduced us to so much we didn't know. The itinerary chosen, suited well with our interests and the execution went very well. 
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Sebastien (Mar '25)

China wasn’t on my travel list until Yongjian and Grace's captivating passion and deep knowledge opened my eyes to its wonders. Their guidance was essential in securing a SIM card, managing payments, booking trains and ordering food. This allowed me to fully embrace Yunnan’s rich diversity, from vibrant markets and museums to stunning landscapes and historical sites. The region’s varied ethnic groups and incredible cuisine enriched every moment. This trip not only left me with precious memories and a new perspective on travel and China but also the gift of friendship with two remarkable people I now call friends. 
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Angela & Yang (Oct '24) 

During our trip to China, especially in Fuzhou, Grace and Yongjian made our experience truly unforgettable. Although we have visited China several times before and speak the language (more or less), it can still be challenging to navigate the country, as everything changes so quickly. What made the journey even more special were the fascinating stories they shared about their own trips and the history and culture of the region. Touring with Grace and Yongjian was an absolute pleasure, and I would highly recommend their services to anyone, who want an effortless and memorable trip!
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Matt (Sep '24)

I've lived in mainland China for over seven years and I was thrilled to join Yongjian and Grace for my first visit to Fujian Province. Together the three of us made stops at the historic district of the Three Lanes and Seven Alleys, Xichan Temple, and the Overseas Chinese Museum. It was a pleasure touring Fuzhou with Yongjian and Grace, who were kind enough to introduce local delicacies and locate vegetarian restaurants to accommodate my dietary restrictions. I would wholeheartedly recommend booking a tour with Yongjian and Grace--you will not be disappointed!
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Ted (Aug '24)

I had a wonderful time traveling with Yongjian and Grace. They created a comprehensive itinerary with unique, hard-to-find experiences while remaining flexible and open throughout the trip. Their approach to travel planning reflects their commitment to cultural authenticity and meaningful engagement
with the communities they visit.
I would definitely go on another trip with them!

I'm Interested! What's Next?

Book via WeTravel

Secure your spot via WeTravel. At the time of booking, you will submit a 20% deposit to hold your spot. The deposit counts towards your total payment. If you cancel your spot, we are unable to refund your deposit. If the trip doesn't run due to a lack of participants, you will receive your deposit back.

Join Our Community

All travelers in your group will be onboarded to an online community platform so you can get to know your fellow travelers as you prepare for this group travel experience. On the platform, you will receive a full itinerary and you can ask questions and submit any special requests.

Submit Full Payment

Full payment will be requested 60 days prior to departure. If you’re booking within 60 days of your departure, you will be asked to pay make the full payment immediately. Payments are made on WeTravel.

Attend Pre-Departure Orientation

30 days prior to departure, we will host a virtual pre-departure orientation where you will view the full detailed itinerary, healthy and safety measures, what to pack, what apps to download, and any other details that will help you feel prepared for the experience. 

Frequently Asked Questions
 

    • If you would like to join this experience but with a shorter length, email us at hello@fromrootstobridges.com and we will consider that for a future iteration of this experience if there are enough interested travelers to fill a group. 

    • Otherwise, if you decide to join an experience late or leave early, whether planned or unplanned, you will still be responsible for the full cost of the experience. 

    • To avoid unexpected expenses from early departures, we strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that includes trip interruption coverage

    • This group experience is designed for adults, 21 years and older. 

    • If you have minors who would like to join an experience like this, we can arrange a private experience specifically for your family.

    • Please note that each minor requires at least one adult 21+ years old to accompany them.

    • Refer to our Private Experiences to learn more. 

      • When booking this group travel experience in WeTravel, please respond to the question "Is there a place not mentioned in the itinerary that you'd like to go to?"  and if there is enough interest in visiting that destination, we will consider adding it to the itinerary if possible. The cost of the experience may change. 

      • Alternatively, we can host a Private Experience for you and anyone you'd like to bring along. 

    • Please refer to this official webpage to learn more about Vietnam tourist visa. 

    • From Roots to Bridges will not accept responsibility if you are refused entry to Vietnam because you lack the correct visa documentation.

    • You should book your departure flight from your home country to Ho Chi Minh City.

    • The last city in our trip is Hue so you can choose to fly from Hue to Ho Chi Minh City or from Hue to Hanoi and then back to your home country. 

    • Download Grab and Xanh SM (ridesharing), Google Translate (or similar), and Vexere (if you want to book bus tickets).

    • In Vietnam, we will bring you to a physical store to to buy a SIM card from Viettel.

    • If you do not have a SIM card slot in your phone, buy an E-SIM like the 3HK E-SIM.

    • Please refer to these CDC Guidelines for what vaccines to get prior to traveling to Vietnam. 

  • ​Please refer to our Cancellation Policy Page

    • We understand that medical emergencies may cause you to not be able to attend this experience or cut the experience short.

    • Therefore, we require our travelers to buy travel insurance before the experience begins to cover unforeseen cancellations. 

Our Travel Philosophy

We started traveling full time around Asia in 2023 with a desire to reconnect with our ancestral homeland, China. Along the way, we decided to explore other parts of Asia and landed on Vietnam. Spending two months in Vietnam solidified our love for Vietnamese culture, cuisine, people, landscapes, and more. Our best memories in Vietnam were those that we formed in the more off-the-beaten path destinations and we are eager to show you those places, people, and dishes that made Vietnam feel like a second home for us.

Contact us

Experience You Are Inquiring About

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Cultural & Culinary Journey: Vietnam

FEBRUARY 20 - 27, 2026 · 8 DAYS

Many of the world's foodies are familiar with Vietnam's global icons: pho and banh mi. But few realize the differences between Northern and Southern Vietnamese pho, rooted in a long history of French colonialism and Chinese Hokkien/Teochew immigrants to Vietnam. Have you ever tried mì quảng, cao lầu, bánh xèo, bún chả cá, bánh bẹo, and nem lụi? While this experience covers Đà Nẵng, Hội An, Huế, and Hà Nội, well-known cities that draw in many foreign tourists to Vietnam, we will take you beyond the well-trodden tourist trails into local neighborhoods, family-owned eateries, and fresh local markets where Vietnam's true flavors and culinary diversity thrives. Every dish tells a story: of imperial feasts in Huế, French influences in Hà Nội, and the spice-laden trade history of Hội An. This isn’t just eating—it’s decoding a culture through its flavors. And we can’t wait to share those layers with you.

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From Roots to Bridges

© 2025 by From Roots to Bridges

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