Hoi An Cooking Class & Market Tour with Vietnamese Dishes

Summary

Hands-on Hoi An cooking class with market walk and chef tips

You’ll wander Hoi An’s lively market with a local guide, tasting tropical fruits and learning how to pick the freshest ingredients for classic Vietnamese dishes. Back in the kitchen, you’ll cook hands-on—rolling spring rolls, sizzling banh xeo—and share laughs (and maybe karaoke) before sitting down together to enjoy your meal. It’s warm, personal, sometimes messy—in all the best ways.

What’s the experience like?

We stepped off the street and right into the swirl of Hoi An’s market — I could smell fresh herbs before I even saw them. Our guide, Linh, grinned as she handed me a tiny sprig of something that smelled like peppery basil (I still don’t know the name). She pointed out piles of noodles, fish glistening on ice, and some fruit I’d never seen before. There was a moment when a vendor sliced open a dragonfruit for us to taste — the juice sticky on my fingers, sweet but not too much. I tried to ask about one of the herbs in Vietnamese; Linh laughed gently at my accent, but I think she appreciated the effort.

After about half an hour wandering and tasting, we walked back to the cooking school tucked in a quiet lane. The kitchen felt like someone’s home — fans humming overhead, sunlight slipping through bamboo blinds. We washed our hands and got right into it: chopping lemongrass for chicken, rolling rice paper for fresh spring rolls. The chef showed us how to dip rice paper just enough so it doesn’t tear (I messed up my first one, but nobody minded). At one point there was spontaneous karaoke — apparently tradition here? — and somehow I found myself singing along while stirring broth for pho. It was silly and warm and honestly made it feel less like a class and more like hanging out with friends.

Sitting down to eat what we’d made — banh xeo pancakes still sizzling from the pan, dipping sauces fragrant with lime and fish sauce — felt different than any restaurant meal. Linh explained how each dish fits into daily life here in Vietnam, which made every bite mean more. There was this quiet moment when everyone just paused to taste their own food; I remember thinking how wild it is that you can travel halfway across the world and end up feeling right at someone’s kitchen table. So yeah, if you’re curious about a real Vietnamese cooking class in Hoi An, this is probably the closest you’ll get without actually moving in.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Vietnamese cooking class and market visit

• Welcome at Gioan cooking class
• Visit local market with instructor
• Learn to select fresh ingredients
• Taste tropical fruits at market
• Hands-on cooking of favorite dishes
• Chef explains cooking steps
• Enjoy karaoke during cooking
• Savor your own Vietnamese dishes

Top questions

Where does this Hoi An cooking class start?

The class begins at Gioan Cooking Class at 222/17 Ly Thuong Kiet Street in Hoi An Ancient Town.

Is pickup included for this Vietnamese cooking class?

Yes, pickup is included as part of your booking.

How long does the market tour last?

The guided market visit lasts around 30-45 minutes before returning to cook.

What dishes do we cook during this class?

You’ll learn to make pho noodle soup, banh xeo pancakes with herbs and rice paper, fresh spring rolls with dipping sauce, and chicken with chili & lemongrass served with rice.

Are vegetarian or special diets accommodated?

The reference information doesn’t specify dietary options—contact the provider directly for details.

Is this Vietnamese cooking class wheelchair accessible?

Yes—all areas are wheelchair accessible and specialized infant seats are available if needed.

Do I need prior cooking experience?

No experience is necessary; chefs guide you step by step throughout the class.

Is lunch or dinner included?

Your booking includes either lunch or dinner—you’ll enjoy what you’ve cooked together after class.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your location in Hoi An, a guided walk through the local market with tastings of tropical fruits and introductions to key ingredients, hands-on instruction from experienced chefs as you prepare several classic Vietnamese dishes (like pho, banh xeo pancakes, spring rolls), plus either lunch or dinner where you get to eat everything you’ve cooked together before heading home satisfied.