Food is about memories, culture and connection, and on board Viet Sails Boutique, food becomes an integral part of your journey to explore Bai Tu Long Bay. Each meal reflects the rich culinary heritage of not only Vietnam but also other countries. The setting of the meal is surrounded by limestone mountains rising from the turquoise waters, creating moments where taste and place become inseparable. This is Vietnamese coastal cuisine at its freshest, most authentic, and most beautiful.
We operate on a single principle: always put freshness first. Our chefs select seafood from local fishermen, vegetables and herbs from coastal markets in Quang Ninh. The “bay to table” method helps you feel the fresh and authentic taste of the sea in every bite.
“We don’t just cook. We bring the taste of the bay to your table”
Highlights that appear on your plate throughout the journey:
For lunch on Day 1 (2 days 1 night and 3 days 2 nights), you can enjoy a rich seafood soup with fresh seafood, Banh Xeo (crispy Vietnamese crepe) with shrimp and pork, grilled oysters with green onions and crushed peanuts, or grilled pork with rice noodles and fresh herbs.
Dinner on Day 1 will elevate your experience with dishes such as: creamy pumpkin soup as an appetizer, fresh mango and shrimp salad, grilled basa fish wrapped in aromatic leaves, or shrimp dancing on hot stones, a special dish only available at Viet Sails.
In addition, dinner on Day 2 of the 3-day, 2-night itinerary introduces premium ingredients such as: vegetable cream soup, fresh coconut salad with Vietnamese herbs, braised abalone in mushroom sauce, or Ha Long squid cake (a signature squid cake of the bay that is loved by tourists).
Each meal balances pure Vietnamese flavors with pleasant flavors, ensuring that both gourmets and those with a refined palate will find their favorite dishes.
The most memorable meals are sometimes not the ones that are pre-prepared, but the ones you cook yourself. During the sunset parties on days 1 and 2, you will be treated to a Vietnamese cooking demonstration that is both educational and entertaining. The class takes place during golden hour, when the light on the bay is at its best. The class is relaxed, intimate and full of laughter, not like a formal cooking school, but simply like learning from a talented relative.
The spring roll making course will guide you through the process of making this iconic Vietnamese dish, seemingly simple yet incredibly sophisticated. Watch the chef walk you through the steps, from softening the delicate rice paper in warm water, to the all-important rolling technique that holds the rice paper tightly but not too tightly. Then, you will have the chance to try it yourself, with gentle guidance and encouragement as you roll your first spring roll.
Vegetable Carving shows how Vietnamese chefs transform watermelons, papayas and carrots into intricate flowers and decorations for special occasions. It is more of a show than a participant, as the knives are sharp and the skill takes years to master, but it is fascinating to see the chef’s hands work with such precision.
Location is as important as content. Viet Sails offers a variety of dining venues, each paired with the perfect time of day.
Breakfast is served in the indoor dining area with a Western buffet. Through the panoramic windows or from a table on deck, you can watch traditional fishing boats glide past the limestone mountains as the bay awakens.
Lunch is usually served in the air-conditioned dining room during the warmest hours of the day. The set menu is served course by course at your own pace, no waiting in line, no rush. The scenery constantly changes as the cruise moves between islands.
Dinner is often the culinary highlight of the day. As the sun sets and the stars come out, the atmosphere changes from peaceful to enchanting. Dishes are served on time, never rushed, never keeping you waiting. Soft music plays from speakers, conversations are light, and the giant limestone blocks around you become silhouettes against the darkening sky.
Viet Sails understands that guests come from all over the world, bringing different food preferences, restrictions and comfort levels with challenging culinary experiences. Our culinary team creates a menu that celebrates the essence of Vietnam, while ensuring everyone finds dishes they truly love.
Breakfast is a perfect example of this balance. Traditional Western options (eggs, bacon, toast, pancakes) are combined harmoniously with Vietnamese options for those who want to start the day with local flavours.
Lunch and dinner are designed as set menus, allowing the chef to focus on the quality and presentation of each dish. A meal can include a variety of dishes, such as grilled seafood (a popular favourite) or Vietnamese specialties such as steamed fish with herbs or unique stir-fried beef with vegetables.
Dietary adjustments are made with care when you inform the crew in advance. Vegan, gluten-free and allergy requests are strictly enforced, with the chef checking in regularly to ensure satisfaction.
Beverage options range from complimentary Vietnamese tea and coffee throughout the day, to refreshing tropical juices with meals, to a full bar serving wine, beer, cocktails and spirits (note that drinks other than tea/coffee/water will incur an additional charge).
Dining on the Viet Sails Boutique cruise is more than just a meal. It’s about tasting the ocean in freshly caught charcoal-grilled squid. It’s the unexpected sweetness of dragon fruit you’ve never tasted before. It’s the laughter during a cooking class, the clinking of glasses at sunset, and the quiet satisfaction of a meal that nourishes both body and soul.
When you return home, you’ll talk about Vietnam with the beauty of Ha Long Bay and the serenity of Bai Tu Long. But you’ll also remember the flavors of the food – grilled shrimp on stone, grilled basa fish wrapped in lolot leaves, or a strong cup of coffee on the deck overlooking the limestone mountains. Food becomes memory, and memory will keep you here long after you leave.
Notify us of any dietary requirements when booking. Our chef is experienced in creating delicious vegetarian, vegan, and allergen-free dishes using fresh local ingredients.
Ready to discover how Vietnam really tastes? Book with us now to enjoy delicious dishes by clicking right here.
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