Hoi An: Basket boat ride & cooking class with lunch

Summary

Cooking, coconut palms & real life in Hoi An

You’ll wander Hoi An’s bustling market with a local guide, float through coconut palms in a basket boat, try your hand at fishing village traditions, and cook authentic Vietnamese dishes before sharing lunch together — moments you’ll remember long after you leave Vietnam.

What’s the experience like?

I didn’t expect to laugh so much before noon. Our guide, Minh, met us right at the hotel in Hoi An ancient town — he waved like we were old friends, which set the mood. First stop was the local market, where the air smelled like fresh herbs and something I couldn’t quite place (fermented fish sauce maybe?). Minh showed us how to pick out morning glory and explained why everyone haggles over chilies. I tried saying “rau muống” and got a grin from one of the vendors — not sure I nailed it.

The drive out to the fishing village was short but felt like another world. Rice paddies flashed past, then suddenly we were gliding along the Cua Dai river in these round bamboo basket boats. The water coconut palms made everything look green and secretive. A fisherman named Tam handed me a net — I was hopeless at tossing it, but he just laughed and showed me again. We caught a purple crab (tiny but feisty), and Tam twisted a palm leaf into a little grasshopper for my daughter. She still has it taped to her notebook.

Back on dry land, we started our Vietnamese cooking class under an open shelter that smelled of lemongrass and charcoal smoke. Chopping garlic with sticky fingers, tasting sauces straight from the pan — it all felt more real than any restaurant meal. Lunch was noisy and relaxed; Minh told us stories about growing up during the war years that made me see Hoi An differently. I keep thinking about that — how food and history get tangled up together here.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hoi An Market and Basket Boat Ride

• Hotel lobby pick up
• Visit local market and buy ingredients
• Transfer to fishing village
• Basket boat trip in coconut palm forest
• Fishing experience with local fishermen
• Learn about Vietnamese–American war stories
• Cooking lesson and enjoy meal
• Return to hotel

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Hoi An cooking tour?

Yes, pickup from your hotel in Hoi An ancient town is included.

How long does the basket boat ride last?

The basket boat ride through the coconut palm forest is part of the morning activities; exact duration varies but usually around 30–45 minutes.

Are meals included in this day trip?

Yes, either lunch or dinner is included after your cooking class.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, transportation and all areas are wheelchair accessible.

Can infants join this experience?

Yes, infants can join and specialized infant seats are available if needed.

Will we visit a local market in Hoi An?

Yes, you’ll start by visiting a local market to buy ingredients for your cooking class.

Do I need prior cooking experience?

No experience is needed; guides will help you with each step during the cooking lesson.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Hoi An ancient town, all transportation between stops, entry to the coconut palm forest with a basket boat ride led by local fishermen, hands-on fishing activities, a Vietnamese cooking class using ingredients from your own market visit, plus lunch or dinner and a recipe book to take home.