Saigon: Cyclo Cooking Class & Ben Thanh Market Tour

Summary

Saigon flavors by cyclo, market strolls and cooking with Chef Vu

You’ll feel Saigon wake up from a cyclo seat before diving into Ben Thanh market’s bustle with Chef Vu guiding you through bargaining and picking fresh ingredients. Hands-on cooking brings laughter (and maybe some kitchen mishaps), ending with lunch you’ve made yourself plus creamy egg coffee for dessert. It’s honest fun — expect real flavors and real people.

What’s the experience like?

I’d never been on a cyclo before this morning in Saigon — honestly, it’s a bit wobbly at first, but you get used to the slow roll and the city noise buzzing past. The driver grinned when I tried out my “xin chào” (probably said it wrong), and we rattled through District 1 as scooters zipped everywhere. By the time we stopped at Cyclo Resto, I was already wide awake and kind of hungry, which turned out to be perfect timing.

Chef Vu greeted us with this easy warmth — not that fake tour guide cheerfulness, but like he actually wanted to know where we were from. We sat around a table talking about what dishes we wanted to try. I picked bánh xèo because someone said it’s tricky to get right. Before heading to Ben Thanh market, our guide gave us a quick lesson on VND bills (I still fumbled them later) and showed us how to bargain without being rude. Inside the market, it was all smells — fresh herbs, fish, something sweet I couldn’t place — plus vendors calling out prices or just nodding if you looked lost.

Back in the kitchen, Chef Vu didn’t just show us what to do; he handed me the knife and watched me nearly massacre a mango for salad. He laughed but fixed it up fast — apparently there’s a trick to slicing without squishing everything. The kitchen filled up with sizzle sounds and that sharp scent of lemongrass hitting hot oil. It felt less like a class and more like friends figuring things out together (except Chef obviously knew what he was doing). Lunch was actually what we’d cooked ourselves — spring rolls that held together better than I expected, chicken noodle soup with this clear broth I keep thinking about.

I’m still not sure how my egg coffee came out so creamy at the end — maybe beginner’s luck? Sitting there with everyone eating what we’d made, it felt like one of those mornings you remember for reasons that don’t fit neatly in photos or itineraries. If you’re curious about Vietnamese food or just want something real in Saigon, this is probably it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Cooking class and market trip in Saigon

• 8:00AM pick-up by cyclo from hotel
• 30-minute cyclo trip to meeting point
• Meet at Cyclo Resto for menu discussion
• Learn market trip skills and bargaining
• Visit Ben Thanh market to buy ingredients
• Cooking class with professional chef
• Practice knife, marinating, and decoration skills
• Enjoy cooked dishes and egg coffee dessert
• Finish cooking class at 12:00PM

Top questions

Is hotel pickup included for this Saigon cooking class?

Yes, hotel pickup by cyclo is included if you’re staying in District 1 or 3.

How long is the cyclo ride during the tour?

The cyclo trip lasts about 30 minutes each way.

Do I need to bring anything for the Ben Thanh market visit?

No need — Chef Vu will guide you on using VND money and bargaining at the market.

What dishes do we cook in this Saigon cooking class?

You’ll help choose from options like bánh xèo pancake, fried spring rolls, chicken noodle soup, papaya salad, plus egg coffee for dessert.

Is lunch included after the cooking class?

Yes, you eat what you’ve cooked together as lunch after class.

Are children allowed on this tour?

Yes, but children must be accompanied by an adult and special rates apply when sharing with two paying adults.

Does the tour include an English-speaking guide?

Yes, an English-speaking guide leads both the market trip and cooking session.

Where does the tour start if my hotel isn’t in District 1 or 3?

If outside those districts, meet at Cyclo Resto at 133 Nguyen Du street in District 1.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup by cyclo from hotels in District 1 or 3 (or meet-up at Cyclo Resto), all cooking ingredients provided by Chef Vu himself, a guided stroll through Ben Thanh market where you’ll learn practical skills for shopping local-style, hands-on instruction in making classic Vietnamese dishes (with recipes to take home), lunch made by your own hands plus egg coffee for dessert—and even some of Saigon’s best ice cream along the way.