Hoi An: Cooking Class, Market & Basket Boat in Cam Thanh

Hoi An flavors market bustle and Cam Thanh’s calm by river

You’ll wander Hoi An’s bustling market shoulder-to-shoulder with locals, float through Cam Thanh’s peaceful palms in a bamboo basket boat, and cook real Vietnamese dishes side by side with your guide. Expect laughter over spring rolls, fresh flavors you can’t quite name, and small moments that stick with you long after you’re back at your hotel.

Step-by-step itinerary

Market visit and cooking class

• Hotel pick up at 08:30
• Drive to local market with chef
• Explore market and see ingredients
• Transfer to Cam Thanh village
• Enjoy countryside views en route
• Welcome drink and rest at restaurant
• Join cooking class with local chef
• Cook and learn local dishes
• Return to hotel at 13:00

The Experience

We hopped out of the car right at the edge of Hoi An’s old town, where the morning air already smelled faintly like herbs and motorbike exhaust. Our guide, Linh, waved us over with a grin that made me feel like we’d met before. The local market was full-on chaos—sellers calling out prices, someone slicing papaya with a speed I’ll never have, and those little plastic stools everywhere. Linh handed me a sprig of something sharp (fish mint?) and tried to teach me the name in Vietnamese. I definitely got it wrong; she just laughed and shrugged. Picking out ingredients for our cooking class felt oddly personal—like we were shopping for a family meal instead of a tour.

The drive to Cam Thanh village was quick but suddenly everything changed—rice paddies instead of scooters, and water coconut palms crowding up along the road. We switched to these round bamboo basket boats that wobble more than you’d think (I nearly lost my hat). The guy paddling us sang quietly under his breath; I caught maybe one word in five but it sounded happy. Sunlight flickered through the palm leaves while we floated past fishermen working their nets. There was this moment where everything went quiet except for the splash of water on wood—I still think about that.

Back at their family-run restaurant, we cooled off with iced tea before starting the cooking class. Our chef showed us how to roll spring rolls tight enough so they didn’t fall apart in the pan (mine… almost made it). The sizzle from the banh xeo batter hitting hot oil was louder than I expected, and the smell—crispy rice mixed with fish sauce—made my stomach growl even though it wasn’t noon yet. Lunch felt less like a lesson and more like sitting down with new friends who let you mess up without caring much. When we left for our hotel, I realized I’d barely checked my phone all day.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup in Hoi An by air-conditioned vehicle, a guided walk through the bustling local market to pick up ingredients for your meal, transfer out to Cam Thanh village by car or boat depending on conditions, a ride in traditional bamboo basket boats among water coconut palms with local fishermen showing their craft, hands-on cooking class led by a chef at their family restaurant where you’ll prepare several classic Vietnamese dishes together—and finally lunch before heading back to your hotel early afternoon.

Good to know

Public transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cam Thanh Family Tours

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Top questions

How long does the Hoi An cooking class & market tour last?

The activity starts around 8:30 am and returns to your hotel by about 1 pm.

Is hotel pickup included for this Hoi An cooking class?

Yes, pickup from your hotel in Hoi An is included in the experience.

What dishes do you cook during the class?

You’ll make papaya salad, Hoi An spring rolls, rice pancakes (banh xeo), braised fish in clay pot, grilled clams, steamed rice, and fruit.

Do you visit a local market as part of this day trip?

Yes, there’s a guided visit to a local market in Hoi An to shop for fresh ingredients before cooking.

Is there a basket boat ride included?

Yes, you’ll ride traditional bamboo basket boats through Cam Thanh village’s coconut palms as part of the tour.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Infants are allowed but must sit on an adult’s lap during transport.