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These cooking classes in Saigon are a wonderful immersion into the nuances of Vietnamese cooking.
Vietnamese food, loved around the world for its fresh ingredients, textures, flavors, is one of our favorite cuisines.
On our culinary travels around Vietnam, we took several cooking classes to learn about the cuisine and its unique ingredients.
In Saigon or officially Ho Chi Minh City, you will find several cooking workshops and experiences not to miss.
Here is our selection of 5 of the best cooking classes in Saigon to try for deepening your knowledge of Vietnamese cuisine.
On your travels to Vietnam, we invite you to get a close look at the culture, history and culinary traditions.
Best Saigon Cooking Class Comparison Table
| Saigon Cooking Classes | Price ($USD) | Start Time | Duration (hours) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Farm to Table | $61.54 | 7:30 am, 11:30 am or 2:00pm | 6.5 h | Organic farm experience |
| Afternoon Delight to Cook Vietnamese Food | $50 | 2:30 pm | 3h | Classic Vietnamese dishes |
| Cai Rang Floating Market and Cooking Class | $168.84 | 5:00 am | 7 to 8h | Floating market experience |
| Mekong Delta Tour and Cooking Class | $49 | 7:30 am | 9 to 10h | Combination tour with boat rides |
| Saigon Cooking Class Plus Market Visit – Cyclo Pickup | $38.98 | 8:00 am | 4 h | Traditional cooking and market visit |
The cooking classes in Vietnam are in Vietnamese Dong (VND). We provide USD conversion at the time of writing. Prices might vary slightly when you book your class.
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Top Cooking Classes in Saigon
1. Farm To Table Cooking Class In Saigon
This farm to table cooking class in Saigon is a one of a kind experience. It takes place in a Vietnamese agriculture village, where you pick the home grown organic ingredients and transform them to delectable dishes.
Under the guidance of your talented and friendly chefs, you’ll learn to make four traditional Vietnamese dishes eaten by the locals.
Using the fresh herbs, mushrooms and vegetables you picked up in the garden, you will prepare a starter, main meal and dessert.
The menu varies by season and you’ll learn to make dishes like Vietnamese spring rolls, papaya salad, Vietnamese pho soup and others.
This Saigon cooking class lasts for about 6.5 hours. It starts out in the farm where you learn about the herbs and vegetables that make Vietnamese cuisine one of the best in the world.
Your fun filled cooking class ends not only with a delicious meal at the end, but a certificate and recipes.
This farm to table cooking class in Saigon is best for those who want a deeper understanding of Vietnamese ingredients and herbs.
Cost: Group class $61.54 per person.
Time and Length: Approximately 6.5 hours. Classes start at 7:30 am, 11:30 am or 2:00pm
Group Style: Small group cooking classes conducted in English
2. Afternoon Delight to Cook Vietnamese Food
Spend three enriching hours learning and cooking Vietnamese food in a restaurant under the guidance of an experienced chef.
This afternoon delight Vietnam cooking class dives into the steps and culinary techniques used in local recipes.
Together with your expert chef, you will learn the culinary traditions and steps to prepare at least three tasty dishes and one dessert.
In this Ho Chi Minh City cooking class, you’ll discover new textures and learn about the herbs and spices in a fun convivial atmosphere.
Although the setup is classroom-style, the free flow of conversation about food, travel and culture is quite stimulating.
Here is a piece of advice, either skip or have a light breakfast so that you can truly enjoy the cooking and eating at the end.
Cost: About $50 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 3 hours. Classes start around 2.30 pm
Group Style: Small group cooking classes conducted in English
3. Cai Rang Floating Market And Cooking Class
This Cai Rang Floating Market Tour and Cooking Class is not a conventional food tour, cooking class, or activity tour.
It’s a mix of all three. This is a private, day-long tour experience that takes you to the Mekong River away from the bustle of Saigon.
After a three-hour drive to Can Tho city, you’ll take a private boat ride to Cai Rang floating market.
Along with your local tour guide, you’ll be come familiar with exotic Vietnamese herbs, vegetables and local foods.
In Cai Be district, still within the Mekong Delta, your cooking workshop begins. Your local chefs will teach you how to make southern Vietnamese dishes.
You’ll learn how southern Vietnamese cooking differs from the northern cuisine and you’ll taste the difference in your cooking.
This Saigon cooking school experience doesn’t end here. After some time to rest and digest, the cycling and biking part begins.
This is a fun cycling tour through the tranquil village roads with tropical fruits and bonsai gardens. There is a short boat ride through a mangrove palm canal that ends the day.
Private transportation is included to and from Ho Chi Minh City allowing you to fully appreciate the experience.
Cost: About $168.84 per person, minimum two people
Time and Length: Approximately 8 hours. Tour starts around 5.00 am
Group Style: Private day tour and cooking class in English
4. Mekong Delta Tour Kayak And Cooking Class
Get a closer view on local life along the Mekong Delta with this rowboat, kayak and cooking class experience.
This Mekong Delta tour combines four different experiences with a cooking class into one incredibly fun day.
The cooking class adventure in Saigon begins with a trip to the charming rural town of Cai Be.
In this town of fruit farmers and fishermen, you’ll visit local fruit orchards and small villages. You’ll get to see firsthand how local products like rice paper, coconut sweets and others are made.
The next part of the trip is what food lovers eagerly await. Under the guidance of a local chef, you’ll make a delicious Vietnamese lunch.
Using ingredients from the local market, you’ll learn how to make spring rolls, cook elephant fish or fried prawns, banh xeo and more.
After sitting down to enjoy your traditional Vietnamese meal, you’ll begin your afternoon activities.
Your tour guide will take you on a 30-minute kayak ride on the river and a bike ride across a coconut plantation. You’ll learn about the local culture, Vietnamese customs, and life along the Mekong Delta.
This Saigon cooking class and Mekong Delta adventure is a full-day affair. The diverse activities including boat rides, a cooking class, orchard visits, and cycling makes this one of the best cooking classes for immersive experiences.
Cost: Group class $49 per person
Time and Length: Approximately 9 to 10 hours. Tour starts at 7:30 am
Group Style: Small group tour and cooking class conducted in English
5. Saigon Cooking Class Plus Market Visit – Pick Up By Cyclo
This cooking class in Ho Chi Minh City, taught by chefs at Cyclo restaurant, offer much more than just a cooking workshop.
The experience begins with a 3-minute cyclo trip to get a feel for the local daily rhythm. You’ll then head to the iconic Ben Thanh Market for your cooking fresh ingredients, herbs and supplies.
Back in the kitchen, you’ll begin your course making four traditional dishes. You’ll learn useful knife skills, Vietnamese decorating tips, how to marinate chicken and pork and general cooking tips.
In this hands-on cooking class, your menu will include recipes like clay pot pork belly, papaya salad, morning glory and more.
Vietnam’s famous egg coffee will be your delicious dessert and you’ll leave with recipes of everything you cook.
This four-hour class is quite comprehensive with the cyclo tour, local market visit, and culinary workshops.
For a fun day in Ho Chi Minh City learning about the local culinary culture, this is one of the best cooking classes to take.
Cost: Group class $38.98 per person.
Time and Length: Approximately 4 hours. Classes start around 8.00 am
Group Style: Small group cooking classes conducted in English
AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: If you want to explore Saigon food on a food tour with a local, see our guide to The 7 Best Food Tours in Saigon For Authentic Vietnamese Culinary Experiences
What to Consider When Choosing Cooking Classes in Saigon
These Ho Chi Minh City cooking classes all offer authentic Vietnamese cooking experiences. Though the experiences differ. Some include local market visits, others tours, boat or cyclo rides.
As you choose your cooking class in and around Ho Chi Minh city, here are a few things to consider.
What Kind of Saigon Cooking Class Experience Do You Want?
As you make your choices, consider your personal preferences and expectations.
Are you curious about Vietnamese farming and learning about the local produce at an agricultural center?
Would you prefer to focus on a cooking class with market visits or cooking classes with excursions?
Do you have time in your schedule for day trips with a cooking class or only time for classes in Ho Chi Minh City?
Whatever your preferences, choose the ideal Vietnamese cooking adventure that matches your tastes.
What Is Your Budget for Your Ho Chi Minh Cooking Classes?
The Saigon cooking classes you choose will depend on your itinerary as well as your budget.
The best cooking classes in Saigon range between $40 USD to $168 USD.
All cooking classes in Ho Chi Minh City 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 workshops range anywhere from 3 hours to 10 hours allowing you to easily add them to your Vietnam travel itinerary.
More Local Food Experiences and Recipes
The 7 Best Food Tours in Hanoi For Authentic North Vietnamese Culinary Experiences
The 6 Best Cooking Classes In Hoi An – 2022 Review
Guide to the Best of the Food in Saigon: 15 Local Foods Not to Miss
10 Surprising Facts You Need to Know About Food in Vietnam
10 of the Best Authentic Food in Hanoi You Must Eat
Best Danang Food Tour To Take For An Authentic Experience
The Best Pho You Want to Slurp on in Vietnam
Banh Mi – The Best Vietnamese Sandwich to Fall in Love With
Your Guide to Vietnamese Street Food: 20 Local Foods Worth Trying
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Rosemary is the editor-in-chief and strategist at Authentic Food Quest.
Traveling slow since 2015 with her partner, Claire, she has explored the cuisine in 45 countries and more than 240+ culinary cities.
Her writing about local food specialties has been featured in Lonely Planet, Business Insider, Honest Cooking, Food Insider, and Huffington Post.
As a food and travel writer, Rosemary has co-authored three books, including one in collaboration with Costa Brava Tourism.
Rosemary is an avid runner when she’s not eating and exploring new destinations. She has run ten marathons and counting.
Before Authentic Food Quest, Rosemary held senior-level strategy positions in advertising.Â
Find out more about Authentic Food Quest
Article très intéressant , c’est un plaisir de vous lire..
J’aime énormément votre site internet
Merci beaucoup!!We are so glad you you like our site. Where in France are you based?
I think cooking classes are the best way to get to know a local culture the quickest. There’s something about food that shows the culture and history of a place. When I get to Vietnam, I’ll look into this place in Saigon.
That’s wonderful to hear Leah and we totally agree. Food is a way to a culture and cooking it helps you appreciate it even more. Definitively do check out the class when you get to Saigon.
It looks like a feast and a fun way to spend a day. How wonderful that you got to try all those herbs and learn what they are. It’s the salad that really spoke to me. Yummy! I am definitely adding this to my list of things to do when we get to Saigon. Love the story about the building, and lucky for the cooking school.
This cooking class sounds incredible! Thank you for sharing your culinary adventures with us. I would absolutely LOVE to participate in a Vietnamese cooking class, and I am adding it to my bucket list. =) While traveling in Thailand and Indonesia, I took Balinese, Javanese, and Thai cooking courses, and they were life changing! I adore your blog, your quest to discover and share local cuisine. Cheers!
Thank you so much Aarika for your feedback on our blog and article about the cooking class in Saigon. We really appreciate it. Cooking classes are a wonderful way to learn more about a local culture. I hope you make it to Vietnam soon and take the class for yourself. Thanks again. Cheers!!
This looks great. I would really like to learn more about Vietnamese cuisine and the ingredients they use.
You are right Stephanie, one of the best parts of taking the cooking class was getting to learn more about Vietnamese herbs and ingredients. Highly recommend the Vietnam Cookery Center if you travels take you to Saigon. Thanks for stopping by.
We love Vietnamese cuisine and my daughter loves to cook. This would be a great activity for families too!
That’s wonderful to read Amanda. Please do let us know what you end making as a family!! Cheers.
I’ve never really tried any Vietnamese food myself. I would like to though and this experience sounds fantastic!
Lianne | Makes, Bakes and Decor
Vietnamese cuisine is truly amazing and delicious. Do check out a Vietnamese restaurant in your area to give it a try. It is absolutely worth th experience. Let is know what and where you try the cuisine locally. Cheers.
This sounds like a lot of fun! How exciting to experience new recipes and cooking methods in Vietnam! Thanks for sharing- enjoyed the post.
So glad you enjoyed the post, Rhonda. Do let us know if you end up making one of the dishes. Thanks for stopping by.
Great post! I took a cooking class in Bali that was very similar (located at the family’s temple, lots of hands-on instruction, plenty of delicious food). Now when I travel abroad, I always try to take a cooking class or two in each country I visit.
That’s awesome to read that you enjoy taking cooking classes on your travels. Where was the last cooking class you took? Loads of fun and a great way to go deeper on the culture. Appreciate your comments.
I LOVE cooking and baking and a cooking class like this I would be so excited!! I wish I could do this!
As one that loves cooking, this class would be up right your alley. You get to learn new ingredients and techniques and a recipe book with instructions on how to make them at home. Do check out the The Vietnam Cookery Center if your travels take you to Vietnam. Thanks for stopping by.
I’m really looking forward to doing a cooking class one day in my travels. This one looks like an excellent choice.
Indeed, if you are ever in Saigon, we highly recommend taking this cooking class. A wonderful experience and much fun!! Thanks so much.
This looks like so much fun and tasty! My husband would love this