This cooking class in Hoi An is really two experiences in one. First you shop at the local market and spin through the Bay Mau coconut forest in a round bamboo basket boat; then you put on an apron and cook five Vietnamese dishes with a professional chef, and sit down to enjoy everything you made. Hotel pick-up and drop-off are included, and you can choose a morning or afternoon session, with or without the boat ride.
| Activity | Market visit, basket boat ride and hands-on cooking class |
|---|---|
| Duration | About 4.5 hours with basket boat (morning or afternoon) |
| Where | Hoi An market and Bay Mau coconut forest (Cam Thanh) |
| Price | From $18 (cooking only) – $22 with basket boat |
| Dishes | 5 dishes, vegetarian menu available |
| Included | Pick-up and drop-off, ingredients, guide, chef’s hat and apron, cookbook |
Why Choose This Cooking Class in Hoi An?
- Convenient: pick-up and drop-off at your hotel, with a guide throughout.
- More than cooking: a basket boat ride and crab fishing in the coconut forest, great for photos and fun on the water.
- A full table of Vietnamese food: you cook it, then you eat it, and you leave with a cookbook to try again at home.
What Happens During the Cooking Class in Hoi An
1. Market shopping
After hotel pick-up, spend about an hour at the local market with your guide choosing fresh ingredients for the class.
2. Basket boat in the coconut forest
At Rung Dua Bay Mau, a water coconut forest a short drive from Hoi An, climb into a traditional round bamboo basket boat. Glide through the calm waterways, learn about local fishing traditions, try crab fishing and enjoy the show of the spinning boats (about an hour).
3. Garden, herbal drinks and folk games
At the cooking school, pick herbs from the organic garden, make a herbal drink from them and try traditional folk games.
4. Cook with a chef and enjoy your meal
Put on your chef’s hat and apron and prepare five dishes step by step under the guidance of a professional chef, then sit down together to eat what you cooked.
The Menu
| Standard menu | Vegetarian menu |
|---|---|
| Pho (Vietnam’s famous noodle soup) | Tofu in clay pot with steamed rice |
| Hoi An spring rolls | Hoi An spring rolls |
| Fish in clay pot (ca kho to) | Vegetable soup |
| Green papaya salad | Green papaya salad |
| Rice pancake (banh xeo) | Rice pancake (banh xeo) |
You learn how to build a fragrant pho broth with star anise, cinnamon and cloves, how to marinate and slow-cook fish in a clay pot, how to roll fresh spring rolls tightly, how to balance the tangy dressing of a papaya salad and how to fry a crispy turmeric banh xeo.
Cooking Class in Hoi An: Packages and Prices
| Package | Schedule | Adult | Child (4–11) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking class + basket boat (morning) Market, boat ride, cooking | Pick-up about 8:30 AM, back about 1:00 PM | $22 / person | $14 / child |
| Cooking class + basket boat (afternoon) Market, boat ride, cooking | Pick-up about 1:30 PM, back about 6:00 PM | $22 / person | $14 / child |
| Cooking class only (morning) No basket boat | Pick-up about 10:30 AM | $18 / person | $14 / child |
| Cooking class only (afternoon) No basket boat | Pick-up about 3:30 PM | $18 / person | $14 / child |
What’s included
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- All ingredients and your meal
- Guide and professional chef
- Chef’s hat, apron and cookbook
- Basket boat ride and crab fishing (basket boat packages)
With or Without the Basket Boat?
If you have the time, we recommend the full cooking class in Hoi An with the basket boat. For just $4 more you get a market visit, a spin through the Bay Mau coconut forest and crab fishing, which turns a cooking lesson into a complete half-day experience. Choose the cooking-only class if you have already done the basket boat, are short on time, or simply want to focus on the food.
Tips for Your Cooking Class in Hoi An
- Come hungry. You eat everything you cook, and five dishes is a generous meal.
- Tell us about dietary needs. A vegetarian menu is available; mention allergies when you book.
- Wear light clothes and a hat for the boat ride and the garden.
- Keep your cookbook. The recipes are designed so you can cook them again at home.
Why Learn to Cook Vietnamese Food in Hoi An?
Hoi An sits in the heart of central Vietnam, a region known for bold, fresh flavours, and its long history as a trading port brought Chinese, Japanese and European influences into the kitchen. A cooking class in Hoi An lets you learn national classics like pho alongside local favourites such as banh xeo and Hoi An spring rolls, using fresh herbs picked straight from the garden. It is one of the most popular activities in town, and one of the few souvenirs you can take home in your head.
Great for families: children aged 4–11 join the cooking class in Hoi An at a reduced price, and hotel pick-up and drop-off are always included.
How to Book the Cooking Class in Hoi An
To book your cooking class in Hoi An, tell us your preferred package, date, number of guests and whether you need the vegetarian menu using one of the options below. Your confirmation is issued within 15 minutes.
Contact the organizer directly
Leave your name and how to reach you. The organizer's contact and QR code will appear right away, so you can message them about the cooking class.
Contact person
Phone / WhatsApp / Line / Zalo
Let Hoi An Fairy Tour contact you
Not sure yet? Tell us your plan and our local team will reach out with free advice, prices and availability.
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Our team usually replies within 15 minutes (8am – 10pm Vietnam time) via the app you chose.
Payment options: pay directly, by domestic bank transfer, or by PayPal (3% transaction fee).
More Food Experiences in Hoi An
- Taste instead of cook: the evening Hoi An food tour.
- Just the boat: a basket boat ride in Hoi An with or without pick-up.
- Brew it yourself: coffee making class in Hoi An.
- Vegetarian? See the best vegan restaurants in Hoi An.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the cooking class in Hoi An?
$22 per adult and $14 per child (4–11) with the basket boat ride, or $18 per adult for the cooking class only.
What dishes will I cook?
Pho, Hoi An spring rolls, fish in clay pot, green papaya salad and banh xeo rice pancake. A vegetarian menu with tofu in clay pot and vegetable soup is available.
Is there a morning and afternoon class?
Yes. The basket boat package picks up around 8:30 AM or 1:30 PM. The cooking-only class picks up around 10:30 AM or 3:30 PM. We confirm the exact time when you book.
Is hotel pick-up included?
Yes. Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Hoi An, ingredients, a guide, chef’s hat, apron and cookbook are all included.
From Vincent – the Author
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