Hoi An Private Cooking Class & Basket Boat Tour with Chef

Summary

Hands-On Vietnamese Cooking and River Adventure in Hoi An

You’ll shop at a bustling Hoi An market, cruise through coconut groves by basket boat, then cook (and eat!) classic Vietnamese dishes with a local chef. It’s hands-on, relaxed, and full of real flavors—perfect if you want to experience Hoi An like a local.

What’s the experience like?

The morning air in Hoi An always feels a bit sticky, but that’s part of the charm when you’re heading out to the local market. Our guide, Chef Thanh, greeted us with a grin and led us through narrow aisles packed with herbs, fish, and chatter. I tried bargaining for fresh mangoes—let’s just say the vendor was amused by my attempts. The smell of basil and fish sauce lingered on my hands even after we left. Thanh explained how to pick the best shrimp for our salad, pointing out which ones were caught that morning.

Next up: the basket boat ride. I’d seen these round boats before but never tried one. Climbing in felt wobbly at first, but soon we were gliding past tangled coconut palms. The water was calm except for the occasional splash from a crab scuttling nearby. Local artists spun their boats in dizzying circles—kids on the shore cheered them on. Thanh showed us how to weave little grasshoppers from palm leaves; mine looked more like a squashed bug, but it made me laugh.

Back at Thanh’s home kitchen, we got to work. He made everything look easy—chopping mango for salad, rolling pork spring rolls so tight they didn’t fall apart in the pan. My first attempt at pho ga noodles was clumpy, but Thanh just winked and showed me how to fix it. Lunch was loud and lively; everyone swapped stories while we dipped crispy rolls into sweet-sour fish sauce. The fruit platter at the end tasted extra sweet after all that effort.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Market, Boat Ride, and Cooking Class

• Explore local market and buy ingredients
• Basket boat ride in coconut forest
• Watch coracle boat performances
• Make souvenirs from palm leaves
• Boat shaking and crab-catching activities
• Hands-on cooking class at Lantern Restaurant
• Enjoy the dishes you cooked

Top questions

Is this cooking class suitable for beginners?

Absolutely! Chef Thanh explains each step clearly and helps everyone out—no experience needed.

Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?

Please let us know your needs when booking; we’ll do our best to adjust recipes where possible.

How long does the whole tour take?

The full experience usually lasts about 5 hours, including transfers and lunch.

What should I wear or bring?

Light clothing is best—it can get warm at the market and on the river. Bring sunblock and your appetite!

What’s included

Your hotel pickup and drop-off (in Hoi An), English-speaking chef guide, all ingredients for cooking, basket boat ride through the coconut forest, lunch with drinks—all sorted so you can just enjoy the day.