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Fresh herbs feature prominently in Vietnamese cooking. Almost every meal is accompanied by bountiful herbs which are torn, tossed or rolled into soups, noodle dishes, sandwiches or more.
While exploring the local food in central Vietnam, we took Hoi An cooking classes to better understand the fundamental ingredients of Vietnamese cuisine.
In the ancient city of Hoi An Vietnam, you’ll find several cooking classes and culinary activities.
Most cooking classes offer visits to the central market or to nearby villages.
The cuisine of Vietnam beguiles and charms. Here are 6 of the best cooking classes in Hoi An to consider on your Vietnam travels.
Table of Contents
Best Hoi An Cooking Class Comparison Table
| Hoi An Cooking Classes | Price ($ USD) | Start Time | Duration (hours) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking with Jolie in Hoi An – Real Cooking Class | $38.98 | 8:00 am | 5 h | Vietnamese home cooking |
| Water Wheel Cooking Class | $52 | 8:00 am or 1:30 pm | 5 h | Tra Que vegetable village tour |
| Hoi An Eco Cooking Class | $31.49 | 9:00 am or 2:30 pm | 5 h | Visit Cam Thanh village with crab fishing |
| Market Tour, Boat Ride, Cooking Class | $35 | 8:30 am or 1:30 pm | 5 h | Market tour and boat ride |
| Gio An Cooking Class | $50 | 9:00 am | 3 h | Flexible menu and schedule |
| Sabirama Cooking Class | $46.16 | 8:00 am or 1:00 pm | 5 h | All-in-one Experience |
We provide USD conversion at the time of writing. Prices might vary slightly when you book your class.
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Whenever you travel, we recommend having travel insurance to prepare for the unexpected. We use Allianz travel insurance which is an affordable option for US residents. Another great option we used and recommend is World Nomads travel insurance which covers residents from all over the world.
Top Cooking Classes in Hoi An
1. Cooking with Jolie in Hoi An – Real Cooking Class
Your host Jolie, a professional chef, will teach you real home Vietnamese cooking in a fun and engaging way.
In this 5-hour cooking class with Jolie, you’ll visit an organic farm, meet the farmers and pick up fresh ingredients at the central market.
You will have a taste of Hoi An local coffee, like iced black coffee, coconut coffee and also green tea and ginger tea.
After that, you will head back Jolie’s home, where the real fun begins. You will meet with the other two chefs and her mother and learn about Vietnamese food culture and the key ingredients.
Together, you will learn to four traditional Vietnamese dishes and one dessert. Vegetarian alternatives are available.
The menu varies, though you can expect to make fresh rice paper spring rolls, Pho nooodle soup, rice pancakes, fish and more.
This Hoi An cooking class is focused on healthy fresh and organic fruits and vegetables. As such, all the produce you’ll cook with will be organic for the most authentic tastes.
As you get immersed into the secrets of Vietnamese cuisine, you’ll also learn about the importance of balancing flavors.
The class ends with a variety of fresh fruits and different fruit juices for a healthy and delicious sweet finish.
For a real Vietnamese home cooking experience, this is one of the best cooking classes in Hoi An.
Cost: About $38.98 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 5 hours. Class starts at 8:00 am
Group Style: Small group cooking classes conducted in English
RELATED: Your Guide To The Best Food in Hoi An and Authentic Restaurants
2. Water Wheel Cooking Class
Water Wheel Cooking Class is located in Tra Que vegetable village, known for nationally for its nutritionally rich and aromatic herbs.
Taking a cooking class in Tra Que, while exploring the local food specialties in Hoi An, was one of our highlights in the city.
This Tra Que village cooking class experience is quite extensive. It begins with visiting the organic farm and watch farmers talk about Vietnamese herbs.
You’ll learn about the history of the vegetable village and why the herbs are so famous throughout Vietnam.
The cooking portion of the class involves learning to make several Vietnamese recipes. You’ll make spring rolls, main courses like fish in banana leaves or Vietnamese pancakes.
Fruit salads and fruit juices are also on the menu. And, vegetarian and vegan options are available.
In addition to the traditionally prepared dishes,you will also have a chance to ride a water buffalo.
A bamboo basket boat ride including a head-shoulder-foot massage are also part of the unique experiences.
The Tra Que vegetable village cooking experience ends with an incredible sit down Vietnamese lunch made by you.
If you are looking to gain a deeper appreciation for Vietnamese herbs, consider Water Wheel cooking school.
From meeting farmers, visiting a herb garden, buffalo and bamboo boat rides and amazing Vietnamese dishes, this Hoi An cooking class has it all.
Cost: About $52 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 5 hours. Class starts around 8:30 am or 1:30 pm
Group Style: Small group cooking classes conducted in English
Watch our Hoi An Cooking Class in Tra Que Village
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3. Hoi An Eco Cooking Class
This fun Hoi An Eco Cooking Class takes place in the picturesque Cam Thanh village, about 5km away from Hoi An old town.
Immersed in peaceful rural surroundings, you’ll first visit a local market and then set sail on the river in a traditional basket boat.
These boats, known locally as “Thung Chai” are used for crab fishing. You’ll have the chance to try catch crab while sailing on the canals of the Bay Man Nipa forest.
Back in the kitchen, you’ll learn about Vietnamese culinary culture while cooking with local professional chefs.
You will cook delicious dishes like spring rolls, papaya salad, chicken noodles, shrimp crackers or banana flower salad with beef.
You will also learn to make fresh rice flour using a stone mortar, an ingredient used in the rice pancakes.
The secrets of how to make the much loved Vietnamese peanut sauce will become apparent as you make it yourself.
And, the recipes will be available to take home, so you can taste Vietnam again in the comfort of you own kitchen.
This Hoi An Eco cooking class is best for those who want to experience the real rural Vietnamese life.
Cost: About $31.49 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 5 hours. Classes start at 9:00 am or 2:30 pm
Group Style: Small group cooking classes conducted in English
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST RECIPE: To whet you appetite as you prepare for your Hoi An, travels, learn to make a simple Vietnamese dipping sauce. Get the recipe Best Authentic Vietnamese Peanut Sauce Recipe For A Creamy Dipping Sauce
4. Market Tour, Boat Ride and Cooking Class
Located in the countryside of Hoi An Vietnam, this cooking class offers unique local culinary experiences.
A visit to a local producers’ market will start the cooking school experience. You’ll bargain with vendors and get to see stalls full of seasonal fruits, herbs, noodles, vegetables, meats and fish.
After that, you will have a trip on Thu Bồn River in a bamboo basket boat, through the coconut palm forest.
Locals will teach you how to fish with a fishing net as you listen to traditional folk music.
Your immersion into local Vietnamese culture continues as you head to the kitchen to make traditional dishes.
You will learn to make at least four different Vietnamese dishes for either lunch or dinner depending on the class you choose,
The menu may include learning to make fresh rice paper rolls, pho noodles, sweet bean soup and others. Recipes can also be adapted for vegetarian, vegan or other dietary preferences.
You’ll get personalized attention from the chef, making this one of the best hands on cooking classes in Hoi An.
Cost: About $35 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 5 hours. Classes start at 8:30 am or 1:30 pm
Group Style: Small group cooking classes conducted in English
RELATED: The 14 Most Delightful Popular Vietnamese Desserts to Indulge In
5. Gio An Cooking Class
Offering traditional Vietnamese cooking at its best, this Gio An Cooking Class offers the most flexible cooking experience.
In this Hoi An cooking class, you have full freedom to decide what you want to learn to cook. The menu is flexible and you choose what you want to learn to make, or create your menu.
From a full selection of 32 dishes, you can choose to learn to cook four traditional foods, or choose two dishes out of 15.
Not only the menu is flexible, but the schedule as well. Starting from 8:00 am, you can join the cooking course at any hour you want, until 8:00 pm.
Happy Hanh and Vina are the professional chefs that will guide you through this cooking adventure.
The experience begins with a visit to a local market to get familiar local ingredients and sample tropical fruits.
In the class, the chefs will lead you step by step as you learn traditional Vietnamese cooking techniques and methods.
Examples of dishes you’ll learn to make include Banh Xeo, rice paper rolls and dipping sauce, lemon grass chicken and more. You’ll leave with a copy of the recipes to recreate the dishes at home.
For those who already know Vietnamese cooking or want to learn how to cook particular dishes, this class offers total flexibility.
This is one of the best cooking classes in Hoi An for personalized menus and cooking experiences.
Cost: About $50 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 3 hours. Class starts around 9:00 am
Group Style: Small group class, minimum two people, conducted in English
RELATED: Your Guide to Vietnamese Street Food: 20 Local Foods Worth Trying
6. Sabirama Cooking Class
At Sabirama Cooking School you will delight in a local experience in the countryside, in the village of Cam Thanh.
This cooking class in Hoi An combines Vietnamese small adventures before cooking.
You’ll visit a local market for an introduction to Vietnamese ingredients including fresh herbs, vegetables, meat and seafood.
To get to the cooking school, you will take a boat ride, along the Thu Bon River. Then, enjoy a fascinating experience being pulled in a water buffalo cart to arrive at the school.
Upon your arrival, you will be welcomed with a foot, head and shoulders massage, a common practice amongst Vietnamese people.
During the class, you will learn how to prepare four local dishes. Mango salad with shrimp and pork, rolled rice paper with minced pork and vegetables, Pho Bo and Vietnamese chicken curry will delight your senses.
Another Vietnamese delicacy is the dessert, the sticky rice cake, a local cake you should definitely try. Vegetarian and vegan options are available as well.
The schedule is flexible to fit your traveling plans. There are morning and afternoon classes available for your convenience.
If you are looking for the complete Vietnamese cooking experience, Sabirama Cooking Class is your answer. Market tours, a river cruise, water buffalo ride, massages and a cooking school in one place.
Cost: About $46.16 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 5 hours. Classes start around 8:00 am or 1:00 pm
Group Style: Small group cooking classes conducted in English
What to Consider When Choosing Cooking Classes in Hoi An
These best cooking classes in Hoi An all offer authentic Vietnamese cooking expereinces.
Some classes dive deep into the traditional cuisine, while others offer you a vast menu or great adventures.
As you plan for your Hoi An cooking class, here are a few things to consider.
What Kind of Hoi An Cooking Class Experience Do You Want?
During our trips in Hoi An, we were delighted to learn to make and taste the authentic Vietnamese dishes.
Choosing the perfect cooking class has to be based on your personal tastes and preferences.
Would you prefer a morning class or an evening one?
Would you like to take a trip to the market before the class to get better acquainted with the local products?
Do you want a mix of cooking and little adventures to farms, boat rides and fishing experiences?
Are you an adventurous person? Would you enjoy riding a buffalo, for example?
Based on your personal preferences, make sure you choose the one that suits your taste.
What Is Your Budget for Your Hoi An Cooking Classes?
These cooking classes in Hoi An cooking differ in experiences as well as in budget.
The best Hoi An cooking classes range from about $30 to $52 USD.
All cooking classes in Hoi An continue to adhere to Covid safety guidelines. And, the cooking classes have a free cancellation policy that allows you to opt out up to 24 hours in advance.
The cooking sessions take about 5 hours to complete, including the market tours and boat trips. And, most offer morning and afternoon cooking classes.
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Curious by nature, Rosemary loves exploring new flavors and connecting with locals. She shares her insights and culinary finds from her travels to inspire people to connect local through food.
My husband and I really love cooking! However, living in a van just hinders us from going all out sometimes! This cooking class might be a great experience for us both given that Vietnam cooking requires just a few ingredients at a time that makes it perfect for a life on the road!
Taking a cooking class is a great way to get your “cooking mojo” back on when living in a van. At your next destination, give it a shot!! Safe travels.
Cooking classes are such a great way to discover the cuisine of a country, plus you get to eat all the yummy foods after!
Those cooking classes all sounds like a lot of fun!
Thanks Lyne. The class was great fun and a great way to discover the local cuisine. Appreciate you stopping by.
I’m hoping to go to SE Asia in 2020, and taking a cooking class somewhere in the region is definitely on my list. I love that this one started with planting and cocktails!
Keep this article handy Dylan for your trip to SEA. You’ll really have fun with chef Danny. Thanks for stopping by.
This cooking class looks amazing! I love Vietnamese food in general, and talk of all those herbs and vegetables got my mouth watering! It sounds like a great class in Hoi Anh, will definitely consider it if I ever return.
It makes a huge difference to learn about a cuisine you love. The Vietnamese class with chef Danny is certainly worth the experience if you find yourself in Hoi An. thanks for stopping by, Lisa.
Such a neat experience! And those dishes are gorgeous! I love that the cooking class starts with time in the garden. It’s so important to be connected to our food, and of course, it’s much easier to feel connected when you come across ethical farming. I’ll absolutely try out this cooking experience if we ever make it to South East Asia (someday!).
Thank you, Meredith. Such a great experience seeing the food literally from farm-to-table. Hope you make it to Vietnam soon 🙂
We never got around to doing this when we were in Hoi An, which I really regret as I adore Vietnamese food. Its also a great way to interact with locals and learn more about their culture. Next time for sure.
Like you said, Aimee. There is always next time 🙂 Truly a great way to connect with the locals. Thanks for stopping by.
Woah! I would have definitely run in fear if the pan erupted into flames like that! Haha! It seems like you had a really great farm-to-table experience. I bet the flavours were out of this world!
Lol..I was totally taken by surprise with the huge flames. Fortunately, I was safe with chef Danny. Great fun and awesome flavors 🙂 Cheers.
Wow I’ve never tried this type of experience before but the Hoi An cooking class definitely sounds fun! I think the sizzling savory pancake sounds delicious.
On your next trip, take a cooking class, it is quite an experience 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
Woah this is so cool! And you look like you’re having so much fun! I’ve never taken a cooking class abroad before (or actually ever), so that would be a fun thing to try in the future!
You’ve got to try a cooking class, Sarah. Loads of fun and you learn so much as well. Take one at “home” first and see what you think.
What a wonderful experience you had. One of the main reasons I love Vietnamese food is because of all the fresh herbs that are in their cuisine. It’s so refreshing and delicious. I hope to have a similar experience like you some day!
Thanks, Candy and so glad you enjoyed the article. Indeed, the fresh herbs make a difference to Vietnamese food and learning more about them makes a huge difference.
I love taking cooking classes when I travel and this one looks like so much fun. I love Vietnamese food but I have never tried cooking it. That cocktail sounds amazing too.
If you love cooking classes and Vietnamese cuisine, a cooking class should certainly be on your list. Great fun with chef Danny and an interesting way to learn about the local culture.
This is such a great experience. I did a cooking class in Hoi An as well. We made spring rolls, mango salad, and a fish dish. Delicious.
Awesome to hear Nicole. So, you know how much fun the experience can be. Have you taken cooking classes elsewhere?
Friends of ours are in Vietnam and did a cooking class in Hoi An too!! I hope they did this one, it looks phenomenal. I love all of the fresh herbs and ingredients in Vietnamese cooking, it makes for some of the most delicious food. You both certainly worked hard for all of dinner, with the farming and food prep. Chef Danny looks like a hoot, and an excellent chef. Shall remember this for a future visit.
Can’t wait to hear what your friends thought of their experience. I’m sure they had a great time. Do keep this article handy for your next Vietnamese trip.
Truth be told I think cooking is for those who do it with passion. I’m not the best in the kitchen. Looks like you had a lot of fun.
I love taking cooking classes when I’m traveling, its such a great way to discover new flavors! This one looks really fun!
The class was loads of fun and a way to go deeper into the local culture.
Wow, there are so many cooking classes in Hoi An! I did one a few years ago and learnt to make Vietnamese spring rolls. It got me hooked on those fresh healthy spring rolls since. I’ll definitely check out some of these next time I visit.
That’s great to hear Christina. A cooking class in Hoi An is so enjoyable. Always great to go back and take another. Cheers.
I think it is a great idea to take a Hoi An cooking class to learn more about Vietnamese cuisine. Great that the Tea Que village has made a commitment to producing produce without toxins and chemicals. Certainly will give you a much better taste. So good that they put you to work before your cooking lesson! Your menu certainly sounded tasty. And interesting to learn that prawns, pork and herbs are referred to as the “three friends”. Looks like a lot of fun.
Thanks, Linda. Indeed the class was so much fun and truly a great way to understand more about Vietnamese cuisine. The “three friends” is a must!! Cheers.
loved this post! I miss Vietnam for the people and the food. Thanks for the memories.
So glad this article brought back such positive memories. Hope your travels take you back again soon. Cheers, Trent.
I’ve had very little experience with cooking classes, and especially one this comprehensive. I’m impressed with the culinary experience offered you, from a farm tour to planting your own garden plot to learning how to prepare several recipes. I’ll bet this was a highlight of your visit.
This was a great time, Tami. On your travels, do take a cooking class for a unique experience. You’ll have fun and learn so much. Cheers.
Ladies, you look right at home in traditional Vietnamese farming outfit. I love Vietnamese food, but never thought of going to cooking lesson even when I was there a a couple of years ago. I like the fact that this Hoi An cooking class combined a farming tour and a cooking class at Tra Que Minty Garden. I think it’s amazing that they’ve been using seaweed as fertilizer for more than 300 years! It is indeed a great way to recycle nature’s resources. The “three friends” dish looks so yummy and healthy, especially with all that leafy herbs.
Thanks Fairuz, so glad you enjoyed the article. That’s a bummer that you didn’t take a cooking class while in Vietnam. Something to consider on your next trip. Thanks for stopping by.
What a wonderful experience you had. The food looks so delicious and the presentation is so beautiful.
It was very interesting to read about the different things that they do in their culture verse the American way.
Thanks, Traci. Glad you enjoyed the article.
I’ve never tried Vietnamese food, but I’m sure it’s delicious. Fresh herbs have always been a key ingredient in cooking, so I am not surprised to hear it’s used abundantly in the Vietnamese food as well. I’d love to try one of those Tra Que cocktails sometimes.
If you have a Vietnamese restaurant in your Anda, highly recommend trying it out. You will be delighted by the aromatic cuisine. Cheers.
Cooking classes are a great way to get to know a culture. I never would have thought that seaweed or algae would be used as manure. Everything sounds delicious and I love the presentation of the Tam Huu
We were just as surprised Sherianne to learn about the benefits of seaweed in the farming process. The end result are truly fragrant herbs and vegetables. Cheers.
That looks and sounds like a wonderful experience, given that Vietnamese cuisine is one of the world’s greats. It’s all in the herbs and Tra Que Village must have been so educational. Plus those dishes you made are not the run of the mill phos!
Lol…you are right, the dishes are central Vietnam or Hoi An specialties:) A real treat. Great experience and one we would recommend if your travels take you to Hoi An. Cheers.
I have never been here and I would definitely want to try this out as well when I finally visit Hoi An. Such a memorable experience for you.
Thanks, Jona.
That herb garden is beautiful! I love fresh grown products! I really do love how the Tam Huu was plated!
Thanks, Amy, making the Tam Huu was fun and the plating, led by chef Danny made it even more special. So glad you enjoyed the article.
I love the garden and all the different vegetables and options and that it’s all organic and you used that to cook! Amazing!
Thanks, Claudia.
Looks like you guys have fun. I love to enjoy good food in each country like this cooking class. Vietnamese cuisine is not familiar one but sounds delicious sure I would like to check it out.
This was truly a fun cooking experience. If you are not familiar with Vietnamese cuisine, we highly recommend checking out a Vietnamese restaurant in your local area. You will be surprised by the amazing and flavorful dishes. Thanks, Swathi.
I’ve always wanted to take a cooking class. This one looks like one I’d really enjoy!
All of these ingredients look so amazing since they are sourced locally!!
I haven’t heard of seaweed as a fertilizer and that was interesting to me. Love the post!
Glad you enjoyed the article, Terri.
This would be so fun to experience! I am all for trying new foods and exploring different cultures. I love the idea of seeing how the local food is grown, it really connects even more to the people in the area.
We are 100% in agreement. When you see how the local food is grown, you appreciate the food and experience at a deeper level. Have you taken a cooking class before?
This is definitely a unique experience. Immersing yourself with the culture and cuisine while learning how to cook is so memorable!
Thanks, Roch. A great and fun experience, and one we would recommend.
What an amazing experience! Now this is something our family would love, love, love to do – we’re total foodies so we’d totally be up for it.
Perfect Lisa, chef Danny can tailor his classes to children, so it is an experience that can be enjoyed by all. Thanks for stopping by.
What an amazing sounding experience it seems like you really got to experience things the authentic way and it looks like the outcome was absolutely delicious too!
A truly exceptional experience and a class we would highly recommend if your travels take you to Hoi An. Thanks, Sarah.
This looks like such a fun experience. The food really looks amazing. I love how it’s plated.
How AWESOME! I have been to Hoi An before but we did NOT do a cooking class there. We actually did one in Hanoi! I kind of wish we did one in Hoi An now too! haha! Guess I just have to go back!
You are right, Gigi, a trip back to Vietnam is always a good idea.
You really got the whole Vietnamese experience from garden to table and drinks. I have never been there but this looks like a great trip.
This was truly a fantastic local farm to cooking class table experience. We definitively recommend it if your travels take you to Hoi An. Cheers.
It looks like you had an absolute blast! I think it would be fun to do something like this. I love international foods and I love exploring the different flavors of different parts of the world.
That’s great to hear Jeannette. Have you taken cooking classes before?
As a big gardener I am always reading and learning how others grow their food. Glad you added this section to your post.
Thanks, Candy.
This would be an exciting experience, that’s for sure! I would love a cooking class since I am pretty terrible in the kitchen. This food sounds delicious!
The cooking class was so much fun. Working with chef Danny will make anyone a Vietnamese chef. Hope your travels take you to Hoi An so that you can experience the class for yourself. Cheers, Amber.