Vietnam held a special place in the famous chef, traveler and food enthusiast’s heart, and now visitors can get a glimpse of the places and foods that he loved most.
“A Tribute to Anthony Bourdain: Taste of Vietnam” takes tourists across the country in 14 days, stopping at many of the restaurants and cities featured on his show No Reservations, according to Condé Nast Traveller. The tour is curated by Vietnam-based tour company Exotic Voyages and led by Diep Nguyen, who worked with Bourdain when he was last here filming Parts Unknown in 2016.
Nguyen explained to the travel site: “Anthony has been my inspiration for years and I know he has awakened culinary curiosity in millions of people around the world. During the time I had a chance to work with Anthony, I have observed how he managed to not only open people’s minds to different cultures and cuisines, but also breach language barriers with his eagerness to learn about a new country through his taste buds.”
The tour’s itinerary recreates Bourdain’s exploration of numerous different regions in the country. It includes visits to the Cai Rang floating market, Da Lat’s Van Thanh Flower Village, Hoi An’s old town, Minh Mang’s tomb in Hue and Ha Long Bay. In the cities, guests will stop at restaurants Bourdain featured on his show, including the Hanoi bún chả shop which has enshrined the table where the host dined with then-President Barack Obama. The first meal in Saigon is at District 3’s Com Nieu Sai Gon, of which Bourdain said is “always [his] best meal in Saigon. Just order 'everything' and eat yourself silly.”
Bourdain’s shocking death earlier this year ushered in a series of reflections on his impact on Vietnam, Vietnamese people and cultures all over the world from regular citizens and celebrities, including the former president. The all-inclusive tour, which starts at US$3,755 per person, reflects his popularity and the extent to which his impressions of Vietnam have inspired others to want to travel here.
Have a glimpse at the late Anthony Bourdain's experience in Vietnam through the clip below:
Bourdain's "ode" to Vietnam's motorbike culture. Video via YouTube channel CNN.
[Photo via Eater]
