Hoi An & Da Nang: Vietnamese Cooking Class with Pickup

Summary

Cook real Vietnamese food in Hoi An or Da Nang with locals guiding you

You’ll jump straight into cooking Vietnamese classics in either Hoi An or Da Nang — no market detours, just hands-on time making dishes like beef noodle soup and Banh Xeo alongside locals. Expect laughter, real flavors, and a meal you’ll remember long after you leave.

What’s the experience like?

“Don’t worry if your pancake falls apart — it’s all about the flavor,” our teacher grinned, flipping her own Banh Xeo with a practiced wrist. I’d barely arrived at Cam Thanh village outside Hoi An before the kitchen was alive with clattering spatulas and that sharp, herbal scent of fresh coriander. The class felt more like joining a family for lunch than anything formal — just us, a handful of travelers, and the kind of laughter that comes when someone’s spring roll explodes mid-fry (guilty). No market tour or basket boats here, just straight into the good stuff: cooking.

The whole thing moves fast but never rushed — we chopped papaya for salad while swapping stories about where we’d eaten the best pho so far (our guide swears by a place near Da Nang station). I tried to pronounce “Nuoc Mam” properly; Li laughed and corrected me three times. The beef noodle soup simmered on the stove, filling the room with this deep, savory warmth that made me forget about my jet lag for a minute. I think even my hands smelled like lemongrass by the end of it.

I liked that it was just two hours — enough to learn four dishes without feeling wiped out. Kids in our group got right into rolling up fresh spring rolls (rice paper sticking everywhere), and nobody minded if things looked messy. Eating what we’d cooked together felt oddly satisfying, like you could taste everyone’s effort in each bite. There’s something about sharing food you made yourself in Vietnam that sticks with you longer than any souvenir. I still think about that pancake flip sometimes, honestly.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cooking class in Hoi An or Da Nang

• Driver picks you up from hotel
• Transfer to cooking house
• Learn to cook 4 Vietnamese dishes
• Enjoy the food you cooked
• Return to hotel by van

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for both Hoi An and Da Nang classes?

Yes, pickup is included from central hotels in both cities.

How long does the cooking class last?

The class lasts around 2 hours.

Are children allowed in the cooking class?

Yes, families with small children are welcome.

What dishes will I learn to cook?

You’ll make four Vietnamese dishes such as beef noodle soup, spring rolls, pancakes (Banh Xeo), and papaya or mango salad depending on location and day.

Is the class wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas are wheelchair accessible.

Do I need to bring anything for the class?

No special items needed; everything is provided.

Where is the Hoi An cooking class held?

It’s held at Cam Thanh coconut village near Hoi An city.

Where is the Da Nang cooking class held?

The address is 146 Đoàn Khuê Street in Da Nang city center.

What’s included

Your day includes hotel pickup from central Hoi An or Da Nang, a bottle of water to keep you going, an English-speaking local instructor guiding every dish, and all ingredients for your hands-on Vietnamese cooking class before heading back full and happy.