Specialty itineraries designed to enhance your creativity
Experience
Colour, Food, Textiles, Architecture, Markets, Living Culture & the Arts
Slow Travel with your host Anna Barnes
artist, chef & anthropologist
Guaranteed Departure
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Guaranteed Departure ⋆
North East Vietnam
Anna’s Art, Food & Culture Experience
Tutor - Suhita Shirodkar
Urban & People Sketching
Suhita’s Instagram suhitasketch
HOST - Anna Barnes
14th-23rd October, 2025
slow travel & small group
Fully hosted and guided 10 day Art, Food & Culture Experience in North East Vietnam
Travel Sketching, Food Adventure and Cultural Immersion
Hanoi, Ninh Binh & Halong Bay
An Experience for All
This journey is open to everyone—regardless of age, background, or walk of life—who seeks to embrace slow, responsible travel alongside like-minded creatives. At its heart, this experience is about deep cultural immersion, offering a rich exploration of Vietnam’s culinary history and food traditions. Along the way, you’ll also learn the art of sketching on location with renowned artist Suhita Shirodkar.
Art, Food & Culture
Your host, Anna Barnes, has spent years building a trusted network of local connections, allowing us to go beyond the typical tourist experience. With her guidance, you’ll gain rare insight into Vietnam’s vibrant culture—meeting local families, stepping behind the scenes of daily life, sketching the world around you, and indulging in some of the country’s finest cuisine.
Sketching workshops are thoughtfully structured into six progressive lessons, each taught on location by Suhita Shirodkar, offering you the chance to capture the essence of Vietnam through art.
Art
Suhita Shirodkar
Urban & People Sketching
Suhita’s suhitasketch will venture out with you and Anna each morning to participate in carefully curated experiences. On location Suhita will deliver her sketching workshops. We have scheduled workshops on location in which you will be sketching the local environment, people, food and natural environment & streetscape.
Food
A sensory delight, rooted in tradition and crafted by the hands of generations.
In Vietnam, street food isn’t just a meal—it’s a way of life. It tells the story of its people, their resourcefulness, and their deep connection to the land. Food stalls “pop up” at just the right time, serving fresh, seasonal dishes until they’re gone. Each vendor is a master of their craft, perfecting a single dish over decades, sometimes generations, creating flavors that can’t be replicated.
Anna has spent years weaving through Vietnam’s bustling markets and hidden alleyways, seeking out the very best local eats. With 30 years of experience as a chef and a deep understanding of food safety, she knows exactly where to find the most authentic and delicious dishes. As she’s traveled, she hasn’t just tasted Vietnam—she’s sketched the food, the vendors, and the vibrant street life, capturing the heart of a culture where every bite tells a story.
Culture
The essence of an Anna’s Art, Food & Culture Experience is deep cultural connection. Northern Vietnam is a land of rich history, diverse traditions, and a way of life beautifully preserved through generations. With us, you will journey through breathtaking landscapes—towering limestone karsts, lush rice fields, and tranquil waterways—each with its own story to tell.
See through our eyes, feel through our experiences, and truly connect.
Engage with the warm and welcoming people of this remarkable region, gaining insight into their daily lives. With our guidance, you will enrich your cultural understanding, ignite your creativity, and awaken your curiosity.
Program
Small group (maximum 10 guests) ensures you will receive plenty of personal tuition during the sessions
Fully hosted by Anna Barnes of Art Food Culture and Art Tuition by Suhita Shirodkar
9 nights accommodation in North East Vietnam
3 nights Hanoi (Vietnam’s Capital City
4 nights in Ninh Binh (Tam Coc)
2 nights in Halong Bay
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9 nights Accomodation in North Vietnam
9 breakfasts
8 lunches (street food, market vendors and local restaurants) accompanied by Anna and Suhita
6 dinners (street food, market vendors and local restaurants) accompanied by Anna and Suhita
6 x 3hr Workshops on location, led by Suhita Shirodkar
Exclusive Group Introductory Zoom lesson with Suhita before you go
Creative Support & Inspiration throughout
Vintage Vespa Tour in Hanoi
Guided Street food Tasting Tour
Market Walking Tour
Row boat ride through the pretty waterways of Ninh Binh’s Tam Coc
Majestic limestone karsts
Day trip to Vietnam’s largest Buddhist Temple complex Bai Dinh Pagoda
Mua Caves and Lying Dragon Mountains
Hanoi “Train Street”
Taste the famous Egg Coffee and Obama Bun Cha
Vietnamese (and English speaking) Licensed International Guide on all outings
Lunch at Koto - Social Enterprise Restaurant helping street kids
2 nights/3 days in UNESCO Halong Bay onboard 4.5 star cruise with private room & ensuite.
Cooking Classes and food tasting
Private Van transport (air-conditioned, seatbelts, licensed and insured)
Drinking Water will be made available. Please bring your own stainless steel refillable bottle. Say NO to single use plastics.
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International airfares
Visas
Travel insurance (mandatory for all Anna’s Art Food Culture Experiences)
Transfers from Hanoi airport (HAN) to Hotel (get in touch we can organise this for you)
Some meals
Beverages- alcohol and imported soft drinks
Extra activities and tours organised in your free time (at your own cost)
Personal expenses, laundry, minibar, tips, airport transfers, extra nights accomodation etc.
Anything not mentioned in the Included list
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Day 1, 2 & 3 in Hanoi
Welcome dinner
Guided walk in Hanoi’s Old Quarter
Vietnam Womens Museum
Hanoi Street food tour via Vespa
Visit Train street and try the local specialty “egg coffee”.
Taste the famous Bun Cha (bbq pork and noodles), Cha Ca La Vong (Tumeric and dill fish) and Pho (beef noodle soup) of the North.
Guided Market Tour
2 Workshops with your Tutor
Free time to Create
Day 3,4,5,6 in Tam Coc (Ninh Binh)
Visit to Ninh Binh, Tam Coc, Trang An Grottos & Mua Caves
Boat trip on Ngo Dong River among limestone mountains by local rowers
Bai Dinh Temple Complex -Vietnams biggest with Vegan Lunch
3 Workshops with your Tutor
Free time to Create
Day 8,9,10
3 days & 2 nights on a our Private Ship exploring the UNESCO heritage Halong Bay.
Kayaking, Cooking Demonstration, Swimming and Island life
1 workshop with your Tutor
Free time to Create
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Small group, maximum 10 guests. All inclusive Experience.
Solo Travellers USD $4400
Twin Travellers USD $4280(when booking two places at the same time, twin or double room share)
All prices in USD. To see what it will cost approximately in your own currency you can use any online conversion site. Try https://www.xe.com/currencyconverter/ Remember that currencies are in constant fluctuation.
USD $500 non refundable deposit required to reserve your spot. (Fully refunded if ArtFoodCulture cancels the trip).
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All accomodation for this trip is rated as 4 and 5 star.
October 11, 12, 13 Hanoi Old Quarter Hotel
October 14, 15, 16, 17 Tam Coc Resort Hotel
October 18, 19 Halong Bay Cruise Ship
Anna's Art, Food, and Culture Experiences prioritize the activities and connections made during the day rather than focusing extensively on luxurious accommodations. However, they ensure that participants stay in the best hotels available in the local areas being explored. These accommodations range from 3 & 4-star hotels to eco lodges or locally run farm stays, depending on the destination.
Regardless of the type of accommodation, they guarantee safety, cleanliness, and comfort for a good night's sleep. Essential amenities such as power, WiFi, and air conditioning are always provided to ensure a convenient stay.
The trips are organized and priced based on single occupancy, but participants traveling with friends or family members have the option to share accommodations, resulting in cost savings. Anna's Art, Food, and Culture Experiences do not pair strangers together for shared accommodations, and they do not charge single supplements, ensuring fairness and affordability for all participants.
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Anna’s Art Food & Culture Experience’s begin at 4pm on the first day advertised. We have a warm welcome for you. It is imperative you arrive on time.
The Experience ends in Hanoi on the last day advertised in the late afternoon. Please ensure your flights depart with plenty of time for any unexpected delays we may encounter on the road.
When you reserve your place with a deposit, and the trip has been officially announced as proceeding, you will be given access to the Guest area for all the extra information you will need.
We have a trusted travel agent who can help you buy flights, visas and insurance.
The closest airport is Hanoi. Airport code HAN.
Onward travel and additions to your itinerary can be organised for you. Please get in touch should you wish to explore other areas of Vietnam. Anna knows them well and has many good people to connect you with.
You will be advised when minimum numbers have been reached no later than 120 days before the start date.
If the trip does not reach minimum numbers you will be notified and receive a full refund of your deposit.
Balance due 120 days before departure.
Suhita Shirodkar
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Masters in Design , Pratt, New York
Instructor at workshops around the world
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• Learn how to travel sketch anywhere through a range of quick sketching and more meditative techniques and styles
• Capture the spirit, color, and energy of markets and streets
• Learn to draw action-filled people sketches fearlessly
• Learn how capture vibrant color in all your sketches
• Create rich, texture-filled sketches using a versatile, compact mixed-media kit -
PENS/PENCILS:
Fountain Pen with waterproof ink. I use De Atramentis Document Ink in Black
Bring your usual fountain pen. I use a Sailor Fude De Mannen 55 degree nib pen but any fountain pen you are comfortable with works.
A Pentel Pocket Brush Pen
A 4B or 6B drawing pencil, sharpener and eraser
Pitt Oil Based Black Pencil
Water-soluble Colored Pencils: 10-12 pencils in vibrant color, plus 4-5 regular colored pencils you love ( if they are special colors you love but cannot find in watersoluble pencils)
A white Sharpie Peel-off China marker
PAINT:
• Your usual watercolor kit. Should be compact enought o use on-location
• A small tube of white gouache
• Small lak-proof water container with lid (I use Nalgene containers)BRUSHES:
• Water brush
• 1/ to 1 inch wide flat brush
• 2 travel brushes: I bring one round tip, size 8-10 and one dagger brush . You can also bring a smaller round brush.
PAPER:
• Your favorite sketchbook that can handle mixed media: we will use pen and ink, watercolor, and colored pencil. I use an 8x10 inch Stillman and Birn Beta sketchbook
OTHER STUFF:
• Binder clips
• Hat
• waterbottle
• A foldable stool to sit on and/or a small foam mat. Must be ightweight and must fit into your sketchbag or be strapped on the side of it• A bag that fits all your belongings when sketching on location. I prefer a backpack but a crossbody bag works too. Make sure your hands are free: we will sometimes stand and sketch quickly in busy places!
• Sturdy walking shoes that you have broken in already
• Sunglasses -
Suhita loves sketching everywhere, but nowhere more than in Asia. The markets, the colors, the energy.. she translates it all to the page in her sketches and promises to teach you to do that too.
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Teaches urban sketching workshops all over the world including workshops in USA, Mexico, Brazil, Europe and India.
Anna Barnes
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2004 MDSc (Master of Design Science, Digital Media) - The University of Sydney.
2004 Dean's Honour Award - The University of Sydney.
1997 Executive Chef "Best Specialty Restaurant" winner Sydney.
1996 2nd Chef “Best Specialty Restaurant” winner.
1989-1999 Chef (Sydney Restaurants-specialty cuisines).
1992 BA (Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts and Social Anthropology- The University of Sydney)
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-Navigating the challenges of sketching in a new country.
-Pack a practical and portable sketch kit.
-Quickly set up and sketch scenes in various settings.
-Approach strangers and sketch them in their environment.
-Choose the perfect spot in a local café or market to sketch.
-Capture the essence of rural landscapes, such as rice fields.
-Feel confident sketching anywhere, anytime.
-Sketch in busy markets without disrupting the flow of business.
-Understand what you see by capturing the shapes and movements in your sketchbook.
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-Travelers Notebook - Inserts I like to use; Kraft Paper Insert, and Cream MD Paper Insert OR a good quality A5 sketchbook such as Stillman & Birn Gamma Series with softcover in portrait orientation.
-Albrecht Durer Faber-Castell x 12 colours of your choice (water soluble pencils)
-Prismacolor Premeire Pencils (optional)
-Pencil Sharpener
-Pens - Uni-ball EYE fine (or micro) black waterproof (made in Japan)
-Pentel brush pen (black)
-Posca pen 0.7mm (white)
-Escoda Reserva Travel Brushes size 2 & 6 OR fine and medium sized plastic waterbrushes
-Small Glass Bottle with screw top lid (for water)
-Twsbi Eco Fountain Pen (optional)
-Lamy Safari Fountain Pen (optional)
-Platinum Carbon Ink (optional for fountain pens)
-De Atramentis Document Ink - Urban Sienna, Green Grey (optional for fountain pens)
-Small Metal Foldable Travel Palette filled with 1/2 pans of your own preferences of Daniel Smith Watercolors squeezed from the tubes: OR a travel watercolour set such as Winsor & Newtown Cotmans Pocket Plus (12 x 1/2 pans)
These are my favourite Daniel Smith Watercolors (optional)
Moonglow
Lunar Blue
Raw Umber Violet
Perylene Green
Green Apatite Genuine
Undersea Green
Deep Sap Green
Sap green
Buff Titanium
Potter’s Pink
Opera Pink
Rose of Ultramarine
Permanent Alzarin Crimson
Carbazole Violet
Nickel Azo Yello
New Gamboge
Aussie Red Gold
Van Dyck Brown
Transparent Brown Oxide
Raw Sienna
Cobalt Teal Blue
Manganese Blue Hue
Cerulean Blue Chromium
French Ultramarine
Indigo
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coming soon…
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Anna Barnes is the founder of Art Food Culture. Please see the “about” page.
