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A rice terrace at Hoang Su Phi, Ha Giang province, Vietnam. Photography: Nhan.

The flavours of Vietnam

By Tiffany West

Briefly …

Food tourism is booming, and Vietnam’s flavours are leading the way. A new World Expeditions trip with chef Duncan Lu invites travellers to taste, cook and connect along the country’s central coast.

Around the world, food has become one of the most powerful ways we can connect with culture. What was once an incidental pleasure of the journey has evolved into a reason to travel in itself. According to the World Food Travel Association’s ‘State of the Food Travel Industry Report’, 81% of global travellers now consider food and drink an essential part of their travel decisions, while 53% choose destinations specifically for their culinary reputation.

The post-pandemic travel resurgence has only strengthened this trend. Travellers are seeking authentic, sensory experiences – moments that feel rooted in local life rather than orchestrated for visitors. As culinary scholar Erik Wolf notes, “Food travel is the act of exploring the world through its flavours, people and stories – it’s as much about connection as consumption.” (World Food Travel Association, 2024).

For solo travellers in particular, food offers a social bridge. Sharing a table, joining a market tour, or tasting something unfamiliar can dissolve the boundaries between stranger and guest. Whether in bustling cities or remote villages, food provides an entry point to culture that feels honest, personal, and unfiltered.

For many solo travellers, Vietnam’s food is the heartbeat of the journey – not just a highlight, but a language of its own. The hum of the streets, the sizzle of a pan, and the first bite of something fragrant and new can transform a day of exploring into something profoundly connective.

A lively night market scene in Hanoi, Vietnam. Photography: Michael Lock.

Recent traveller reflections capture this vividly. A reviewer for Hanoi Food Tasting Tours described the experience as “a great experience for solo female travellers,” adding that joining the group made navigating the maze of street vendors feel approachable and safe (TripAdvisor, 2024). Another traveller praised Hanoikids Voluntary English Tour Guiding Club as “a must for solo travellers,” saying that sharing stories and dishes along the way made the food feel even richer (TripAdvisor, 2024).

A feature on VietnamTravelers.com described how joining a Vespa food tour in Hanoi turned what might have been a daunting solo night out – navigating traffic and unknown dishes – into something exhilarating. “It felt like being part of the city’s rhythm, not just watching it,” the writer noted, crediting their guide for opening doors to places they’d never have found alone (VietnamTravelers.com, ‘Join a Vespa Food Tour in Hanoi as a Solo Traveler’, 2024).

For solo travellers, joining a small group or guided tour often provides the perfect balance – a safe and social way to taste boldly, explore freely, and share in the communal spirit that defines Vietnam’s street-side tables.

Duncan Lu. Photography: World Expeditions.

‘Flavours of Central Vietnam’ with Duncan Lu

As food becomes a bridge between travellers and local culture, Vietnam’s central coast is emerging as one of the most immersive regions to experience it first-hand. Among the standout additions to World Expeditions’ ‘Curated Adventures’ is the new hands-on culinary journey ‘Flavours of Central Vietnam’ with Duncan Lu, set to run from 8–15 May 2026. Designed for food lovers, home cooks of every level, and anyone eager to demystify Vietnamese cuisine, this immersive food tour is all about getting involved.

Travellers will explore Vietnam’s culinary heartland alongside Vietnamese Australian chef, TV personality and passionate home cook Duncan Lu, known for appearances on Everyday Gourmet, SBS Food, Plate of Origin, and his popular line of Vietnamese food products.

Colourful buildings with festive silk lanterns in Hoi An, Vietnam. Photography: Curioso.

‘Flavours of Central Vietnam’ with Duncan Lu is firmly rooted in one distinct region, a deliberate choice that allows for a slower pace and more intimate experiences beyond the usual tourist trail. This unhurried approach ensures plenty of free time to explore, shop, swim or relax between interactive culinary sessions. Cycle through quiet villages, walk through rice paddies, and explore the historic streets of Hue, Hoi An and Da Nang. Along the way, discover where iconic dishes like mi quang and bun bo Hue originated — and learn to recreate them with confidence.

The Marble Mountains are five marble and limestone hills located in Ngũ Hành Sơn District, south of Da Nang city in Vietnam. Photography: Saiko.

The trip includes shopping expeditions to bustling markets, visits to local farms and multiple hands-on cooking lessons during which Duncan will share his secrets to transforming fresh, wholesome ingredients into authentic restaurant-quality Vietnamese dishes. Travellers will be inspired, well-fed and equipped to recreate the flavours of Vietnam in their own homes.

Duncan’s passion for Vietnamese cuisine goes beyond the plate. “This trip is more than a food tour,” he tells The Solo Traveller. “It’s a cultural homecoming. I want guests to leave with the skills and confidence to cook real Vietnamese dishes at home and a deep understanding of flavours and traditions.”

For many solo travellers, Vietnam’s food is the heartbeat of the journey – not just a highlight but a language of its own. Photography: Cascoly.

Highlights include cooking classes, a street food safari and craft brewery experience, a traditional basket boat ride through Cam Thanh’s coconut mangroves, and visits to lively markets and working farms to source ingredients firsthand.

“This isn’t about ticking off sites,” adds Duncan. “It’s about rolling up your sleeves and learning something lasting. Making restaurant-quality Vietnamese food at home is not only possible but easy with the right techniques. By cooking alongside farmers and producers, our guests will gain a deeper appreciation of the ingredients and traditions that make Central Vietnamese cuisine so unique. I want to see people recreating these flavours for their friends and family long after the trip ends.”

The tour dates are 8 May 2026–15 May 2026, and you can learn more about Flavours of Central Vietnam with Duncan Lu here.

Sources

World Food Travel Association, TripAdvisor – Hanoi Food Tasting Tours, TripAdvisor – Hanoikids Voluntary English Tour Guiding Club, and VietnamTravelers.com

Tiffany West is The Solo Traveller’s Editorial and Pictorial Assistant Lead. This feature includes information provided by international news agencies and public relations representatives, published here with editorial oversight. You can read The Solo Traveller’s editorial policy regarding external sources here.