Hoi An Countryside: Vegetarian Cooking & Basket Boat Tour

Summary

Vegetarian cooking in Hoi An plus a basket boat ride through coconut palms

You’ll wander Hoi An’s lively market with a local guide, paddle a bamboo basket boat through coconut groves, and learn to cook traditional vegetarian dishes in a hands-on class. With hotel pickup and lunch included, expect laughter, new flavors, and small surprises you’ll remember long after the trip.

What’s the experience like?

Chopsticks tapping on the edge of a bowl — that’s how our morning started, standing next to our guide at the market in Hoi An. She handed me a bunch of fresh lemongrass and grinned when I tried to pronounce “rau ram.” I’m still not sure I got it right. The air smelled like herbs and something sweet, maybe jackfruit? We wandered past stalls where women were laughing and haggling over greens, and honestly, I could’ve watched them all day. But then we were off again, ingredients in hand.

Next thing I knew, we were wobbling into these round bamboo basket boats (I’d seen photos but didn’t realize how spinny they’d feel). Our fisherman showed us how to paddle — or tried to — while his nephew did this wild spinning dance with another boat nearby. Water splashed up my arm and there was this salty smell mixed with the green of the coconut palms. We even tried catching little purple crabs; I was terrible at it but the local kids cheered anyway. It felt like everyone just wanted us to have fun.

Back on land, cold water in hand (needed that), we met our chef for the vegetarian cooking class. She had this way of making everything look easy — folding rice paper for spring rolls or flipping banh xeo pancakes so fast you’d miss it if you blinked. My first pancake stuck to the pan but she just laughed and helped me scrape it off. Lunch tasted better because we made it ourselves; papaya salad with chili that woke me up, fried veggies with lemongrass that somehow reminded me of home even though it was nothing like home food. We swapped stories around the table until it was time to head back.

I keep thinking about those moments — sunlight flickering through palm leaves on the river, or the way our guide smiled when she saw us try her favorite dish. If you’re looking for a day trip from Hoi An that feels real (and includes pickup so you don’t stress), this one sticks with you.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Market, Basket Boat & Cooking Class

• Pick up at meeting point or hotel
• Visit local market and learn about ingredients
• Explore channels by bamboo basket boat
• Catch purple crabs with fisherman
• Make souvenirs with palm leaves
• Enjoy basket boat dancing performance
• Relax and join vegetarian cooking class
• Enjoy the dishes you prepared
• Return to hotel or meeting point

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included in this Hoi An vegetarian cooking tour?

Yes, hotel pickup is included if your accommodation is in central Hoi An.

What dishes do you make during the vegetarian cooking class?

The menu usually includes rice milk, banh xeo (rice pancake), spring rolls, papaya salad, and fried vegetables with lemongrass.

Are non-vegetarian options available on this tour?

The focus is on vegetarian dishes but menus can be flexible; ask your guide if you have specific needs.

How long does the day trip last?

The tour lasts about 5 hours including transport from/to your hotel or meeting point.

Is this tour suitable for children or infants?

Yes, infants and small children can join; prams/strollers are allowed and infant seats are available.

Do I need previous cooking experience?

No experience needed; the chef guides everyone step by step during the class.

What is included besides the cooking class?

The tour includes a local market visit, basket boat ride through coconut palms, English-speaking guide, recipe book, lunch or dinner depending on timing.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from central Hoi An or meeting point transfer back at the end of your tour, an English-speaking local guide throughout your experience, all ingredients for your hands-on vegetarian cooking class (with recipe book), a guided walk through Hoi An’s market to choose fresh produce together, a bamboo basket boat ride among water coconut palms (with optional crab catching), plus lunch or dinner featuring what you cooked yourself before heading back relaxed and full.