Hoi An: Cooking Class, Market Tour & Basket Boat Ride

Summary

Hoi An flavors from the market to the river and kitchen

You’ll walk through Hoi An’s lively market picking out ingredients with a local guide before gliding through Bay Mau coconut forest in a basket boat. After a relaxing herbal foot soak, you’ll cook classic Vietnamese dishes from scratch—yes, even making your own rice paper—and share lunch together. Expect warmth, laughter, and new flavors you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

“You want to try this?” That’s what our guide, Minh, asked as he handed me a bunch of something that looked like coriander but smelled sharper — I still don’t know what it was. The Hoi An market was already buzzing at 9am, with women in conical hats laughing and bargaining over fish so fresh they almost jumped. We picked out green mangoes and lemongrass for the cooking class later, and Minh kept tossing little stories at us about each stall — apparently his aunt sells noodles two rows down, though I never figured out which one. The air smelled like grilled pork and wet herbs. I tried to say “cảm ơn” properly but Minh just grinned and corrected me gently.

After that we climbed into these round basket boats — honestly, I thought we’d tip right over but the fisherman steering us barely blinked as he spun us in slow circles under the palms of the Bay Mau coconut forest. There was this moment when everything went quiet except for the sound of water slapping against bamboo. It was humid but not too hot, and you could see dragonflies hovering low. By then my nerves had settled and I just let myself drift a bit — it’s hard to explain but it felt kind of peaceful in a way that sticks with you.

Back at the kitchen, we got a herbal foot soak (I wasn’t expecting that part) before tying on aprons. The cooking class itself was hands-on — we grated mango for salad, made rice paper from scratch (mine tore immediately), and tried to get those spring rolls tight enough not to fall apart. Minh showed us how to slice beef for pho “the right way” — his words — and laughed when I tried to pronounce “phở” correctly (I definitely didn’t). Lunch tasted better because we made it ourselves; even my lopsided spring rolls disappeared fast. We finished with fruit yogurt while swapping stories with the others in our group, everyone kind of sticky-fingered but happy.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cooking class with market and boat tour

• Hotel pick-up in Hoi An
• Visit local market for ingredients
• Cruise Thu Bon River to coconut forest
• Enjoy basket boat ride with fishermen
• Relax with herbal foot soak and massage
• Learn to cook 4 Vietnamese dishes
• Practice food decoration skills
• Enjoy dessert with seasonal fruit or yogurt
• Hotel drop-off

Top questions

How long is the Hoi An cooking class with basket boat ride?

The tour lasts about 4 hours, either morning or afternoon.

Is hotel pickup included for this Hoi An cooking class?

Yes, private transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off is included.

What Vietnamese dishes do you cook during the class?

You’ll make green mango salad with shrimp and pork, wet spring rolls (including homemade rice paper), stir-fried chicken with lemongrass & chili, beef pho noodle soup, plus dessert.

Does this day trip include a visit to Hoi An’s local market?

Yes, you start by visiting a local market in Hoi An to pick fresh ingredients for your cooking class.

Are dietary requirements accommodated on this tour?

Please advise any specific dietary requirements when booking so adjustments can be made.

What is the basket boat experience like in Bay Mau coconut forest?

You’ll ride traditional round basket boats steered by local fishermen through the coconut forest along the Thu Bon River.

Is there a foot massage included in this Hoi An cooking tour?

Yes, a relaxing herbal foot soak and massage are included before cooking begins.

How many people are in each group for this activity?

This is a small-group experience for more personal attention during each part of the tour.

What’s included

Your day includes private transportation with hotel pickup and drop-off in Hoi An, all activities from shopping at the local market to riding basket boats through Bay Mau coconut forest, an herbal foot soak and massage before your hands-on Vietnamese cooking class (with lunch), plus dessert—so you really don’t have to plan anything except showing up hungry.