Cooking Class Hoi An: Market, Basket Boat & 4 Dishes

Learn to cook Vietnamese food, then sit down to eat it

A morning or afternoon cooking class in Hoi An where you visit a local market, take a bamboo basket boat through coconut palms to fish with nets, then cook four Vietnamese dishes with a chef at a family restaurant before enjoying the meal you prepared. English guide, hotel pickup, water and recipes included.

The experience

The class runs 4.5 hours: either 8:30 to 1 p.m. or 2:30 to 7 p.m., and starts with a visit to a local market where you learn how to select ingredients and negotiate with sellers. From there, you head to Cam Thanh Eco-Village and board a traditional bamboo basket boat for a paddle through coconut palm waterways. The boat trip includes hands-on net fishing and a chance to catch purple crabs in the canal, followed by a welcome drink at a family-run bamboo restaurant in the countryside.

At the restaurant, a chef teaches you the traditional methods behind four Vietnamese dishes: papaya salad with prawn, deep-fried spring rolls, braised chicken in clay pot with steamed rice, and Vietnamese pancakes. You learn the differences in ingredients and techniques, and the class wraps with printed recipes you take home. After cooking, you sit down to eat what you made alongside four prepared side dishes (morning glory, soup, steamed rice and seasonal fruit), so the meal comes to eight dishes total.

The guide drops you back at your hotel when it's done. The class accommodates vegetarian and dietary requirements if you mention them when booking. Small groups keep the pace manageable and the instruction personal.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• market visit with a guide.
• bamboo basket boat trip through Cam Thanh Eco-Village.
• net fishing and crab catching in the canal.
• welcome drink.
• instruction in four Vietnamese dishes from a chef.
• all ingredients and cooking equipment.
• the four dishes you prepare plus four prepared side dishes.
• printed recipes.
• bottled water.
• English-speaking guide.
• all entrance fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 08:00 and 14:30

Book up to2h before

AgesAdult (11 to 90 years) · Child (4 to 10 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish and Vietnamese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Infant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Hoi An Cooking Class

Is this one for you?The morning or afternoon slot is fixed, so you'll need to plan around a 4.5-hour block. The schedule is what keeps the market, boat trip, fishing and cooking all inside one morning or afternoon without gaps. Small groups mean personal instruction from the chef, which matters if you want to actually learn the techniques rather than just follow along.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Vietnamese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 10 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What do I actually cook in the Hoi An cooking class?

You cook four dishes: papaya salad with prawn and herbs, deep-fried spring rolls with chicken, braised chicken in clay pot served with steamed rice, and Vietnamese pancakes. The chef teaches traditional methods and ingredient selection, and you receive printed recipes to take home.

Does the basket boat fishing part involve getting wet?

The bamboo basket boat trip includes hands-on net fishing and crab catching in the canal, so you should expect water contact. Wear clothes you don't mind getting damp and bring a change if you're concerned.

What's included in the price, and what do I need to pay extra for?

The class includes hotel pickup, the market visit, basket boat trip, fishing, the welcome drink, all instruction, the four dishes you cook, four prepared side dishes, bottled water, an English-speaking guide, and transport back to your hotel. No additional fees or tips are required.

Can I do this class if I have dietary restrictions or I'm vegetarian?

Yes. The operator can cater to vegetarian diets and other dietary requirements: mention them when you book so the chef can adjust the four dishes you'll cook.

Is the morning or afternoon class better for my schedule?

The morning class runs 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., and the afternoon class runs 2:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Both are the same length and include the same activities. Pick whichever fits your day better.