Intrepid Travel has cooked up exclusive small-group Asia food adventures hosted by renowned Australian celebrity chef Luke Nguyen and cook Brendan Pang, taking travellers on new immersive culinary journeys through Vietnam and Taiwan in 2026.
The new Intrepid Travel Asia food adventures build on Intrepid Travel’s successful 2025 guided tours with Nguyen with three departures for the refreshed Luke Nguyen Vietnam Food Adventure small-group itinerary available in June 2026.
The nine-day food adventure from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, showcasing Vietnam’s culinary culture through street eats, Michelin-starred dining and hands-on cooking experiences.
It’s priced from AUD$6,410 per person and includes some tasty exclusive experiences, including market and street food tours, a private cooking class with Nguyen in Hoi An and dining at his restaurants: the brand-new Tran Dynasty in Hanoi and Vietnam House in Ho Chi Minh City.
Nguyen said food is a powerful way to connect with a place and its people.
“I’ve been travelling back to Vietnam for more than 15 years and partnering with Intrepid lets me share that side of the country in an authentic way, through my favourite language: food,” he said.
In addition, Intrepid Travel introduces the one-off Brendan Pang Taiwan Food Adventure from 9–18 October 2026.
The brand-new Taiwan food adventure is a 10-day round trip from the capital, Taipei, to the mountain regions, led by Pang and a local Intrepid leader.
Priced from $6,500 per person, highlights include an immersive traditional Taiwanese culinary experience with Pang as well as a market tour and cooking class with local chef Ivy Chen, an oolong tea tasting in the mountains and a bike ride through one of Taiwan’s oldest areas.
Pang said Taiwan holds a special place in his heart and he’s excited to share his favourites with Intrepid travellers.
“Taiwan has a very special place in my heart as living there deepened my love for bold flavours and authentic street-food culture,” he said.
“I’m so excited to be returning and sharing my favourite local markets, hidden gems and restaurants with Intrepid travellers. This trip is all about eating like a local, meeting the people behind the food, and experiencing Taiwan in a way you just can’t do on your own.”
Intrepid Travel Asia Food Adventures in 2026
Intrepid Travel ANZ General Manager Yvette Thompson said the tour operator is thrilled to team up with Nguyen and Pang on exclusive food adventures as part of the Tailor-Made range.
“This partnership is an exciting example of the travel and hospitality industry coming together to create the unique experiences that travellers are craving. It’s the perfect blend of food, travel and connection – the kind of trip that stays with you long after you’ve returned home,” she said.
For travel advisors, the Intrepid Travel Asia food adventures offer a high-yield opportunity, tapping into culinary tourism, celebrity appeal and small-group exclusivity – all strong conversion drivers in the premium experiential space.
For more info, head to intrepidtravel.com
KARRYON UNPACKS: Intrepid Travel Asia food adventures blend celebrity chef and cook cachet with immersive gastronomy, offering advisors a premium, story-driven product that capitalises on Asia’s enduring culinary appeal.
