Hoi An Eco Cooking Tour: Basket Boat, Market & Fishing Life

Summary

Hands-On Hoi An Cooking Class & River Adventure

You’ll get to shop at a real Hoi An market, paddle a bamboo basket boat through coconut palms, try your hand at fishing, and cook classic Vietnamese dishes with locals. It’s hands-on, relaxed, and gives you a real taste of daily life here.

What’s the experience like?

The morning air in Hoi An felt a bit cooler than I expected, with that earthy smell you get after a night of light rain. Our guide, Linh, met us right at the hotel door—she had this easy smile and knew everyone along the way. We hopped into a van and zipped off to the local market. It was busy, but not overwhelming. Linh pointed out the difference between morning glory and water spinach, and let us taste a sliver of fresh green mango from a vendor who winked at us. I’d never seen so many types of fish laid out on ice, and the herbs—lemongrass, coriander—smelled sharp and sweet at the same time.

After picking up what we needed for the cooking class, we headed to Cam Thanh village. There’s this moment when you step off the van and the air just feels different—cleaner, with a hint of salt from the river. We sipped a cold welcome drink (tasted like lemongrass and lime) before climbing into those round bamboo basket boats. I was a bit nervous at first—they wobble more than you’d think—but our boatman, Mr. Hieu, made it look easy. He showed us how to cast a fishing net, and honestly, I barely managed to get it in the water without tangling it. Still, we caught a couple of tiny crabs hiding in the water coconut roots. The sound of paddles tapping against bamboo was oddly calming.

Back at the open-air kitchen, we washed up and got to work. Our chef, Mai, was patient—even when I nearly burned my first rice pancake. She explained each step: how to roll spring rolls so they don’t fall apart, how to balance sweet and sour in banana flower salad. The best part? Sitting down together to eat what we’d made. The noodles with seafood were way better than any restaurant version I’d tried. By the time we finished lunch, I felt like part of the family—sticky fingers and all. We left full, a little sun-kissed, and smelling faintly of fish sauce.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hoi An Market and Fishing Tour

• Hotel pickup at 8:45 AM
• Visit local market and learn about ingredients
• Boat trip on river with fishing experience
• Fish and crab catching using traditional methods
• Welcome drink at restaurant
• Cooking class with 4-course Vietnamese meal
• Enjoy lunch of self-cooked dishes
• Return to hotel at 1:15 PM

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included in Hoi An?

Yes, pickup and drop-off from Hoi An hotels are included. If your hotel’s in Da Nang, there’s a small extra fee per person.

Can I join if I have no cooking experience?

Absolutely! The chef guides everyone step by step, so beginners are welcome.

Are vegetarian options available for the cooking class?

Let us know in advance—our chef can adapt most dishes to suit vegetarians.

Is this tour suitable for kids or older travelers?

The activities are gentle, but basket boats can wobble. Not recommended for those with heart issues or during pregnancy.

What’s included

Your tour covers hotel pickup and drop-off in Hoi An, all entrance tickets, a guided local market visit, basket boat ride, fishing experience, hands-on cooking class (with four Vietnamese dishes), lunch, and friendly local guides throughout. If you’re staying in Da Nang, there’s a small extra charge for transport.