7 Must-Try Cooking Classes In Hoi An For 2024

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While exploring the local food in central Vietnam, we took Hoi An cooking classes to better understand the fundamental ingredients of Vietnamese cuisine.

The best fresh herbs, featuring prominently in Vietnamese cooking, come from the region.

In the ancient city of Hoi An, you’ll find several cooking classes offering visits to the herb gardens, local markets, and nearby villages. 

Based on our experience, we curated the top 7 cooking classes in Hoi An you must try on your Vietnam travels.

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Best Hoi An Cooking Class Comparison Table

Hoi An Cooking ClassesPrice
($USD)
Group SizeStart TimeDuration (hours)Best For
Cooking with Jolie in Hoi An – Real Cooking Class$46.75Max 128:00 am, 9:00 am, or 10:00 am5hVietnamese home cooking
Hoi An Eco Cooking Class$32.94Max 89:00 am or 2:30 pm4hCountryside cooking with crab fishing
Sabirama Cooking Class$46.16Max 128:00 am or 1:00 pm5hAll-in-one Experience
Full Experience Basket Boat Water Wheel Cooking Class$52Max 208:30 am or 1:30 pm6hTra Que vegetable village tour
Choose Your Time & Menu Private Cooking Class$50Private9:00 am3hFlexible menu and schedule
Market Tour, Boat Ride, Cooking Class$35Private8:30 am or 1:30 pm4hMarket tour and boat ride
Cooking Class Hoi An: Local Market, Basket Boat, Fishing & Cooking$29.99Max 128:00 am or 2:30 pm4hTraditional cooking and net fishing
Prices for these cooking classes in Hoi An are shown in Vietnamese Dong (VND). We provide USD conversion at the time of writing. Prices might vary slightly when you book your cooking class in Hoi An.

Top Cooking Classes in Hoi An

1. Cooking with Jolie in Hoi An – Real Cooking Class

Vegetarian Cooking Class Hoi An by Authentic Food Quest
Learn to use organic fruits and vegetables for authentic flavors

Cost: $46.75 per person

Time and Length: Approximately 5 hours. Class starts at 8:00 am, 9:00 am, or 10:00 am

Group Style: Group class, maximum 12 people

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 to 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 make 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 noodle 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 in 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.

What You’ll Love About This Jolie In Hoi An Cooking Class

  • Getting an in-depth understanding of Vietnamese cuisine from a local chef. 
  • The local farm and market visit with a sample of Vietnamese coffee and tea.
  • Creating four dishes with a focus on fresh organic products. 

2. Hoi An Eco Cooking Class

Crab Fishing Best Hoian Cooking Class by Authentic Food Quest
You’ll have the opportunity to try catching crab

Cost: $32.94 per person

Time and Length: Approximately 4 hours. Classes start at 9:00 am or 2:30 pm

Group Style: Small group class, maximum 8 people

Head out about  5 km from Hoi An old town to the picturesque Cam Thanh village for a cooking class.

This fun 4-hour Hoi An eco cooking class takes place in a peaceful rural surrounding.

 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 try to 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 your own kitchen.

This Hoi An Eco cooking class is best for those who want to experience real rural Vietnamese life.

What You’ll Love About This Hoi An Eco Cooking Class

  • The stunning river and countryside views in this eco-cooking class. 
  • Making traditional recipes with local professional chefs.
  • Discovering the secrets of delicious Vietnamese recipes like peanut sauce, salads, meats, and more. 

AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: If your travels take you to Ho Chi Minh City, consider taking a cooking class in the capital city. See our review of the best 7 Saigon cooking classes to take.

3. Sabirama Cooking Class

Sabirama Cooking School Hoi An by Authentic Food Quest
Enjoy a boat trip on Thu Bon river – Photo credit: Sabirama on Facebook

Cost: $46.16 per person

Time and Length: Approximately 5 hours. Classes start at 8:00 am or 1:00 pm

Group Style: Group class, maximum 12 people

Escape the city and delight in a local cooking class in the countryside, in the village of Cam Thanh.

This 5-hour Sabirama cooking class in Hoi An combines small Vietnamese 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 shoulder massage, a common practice among Vietnamese people.

During the class, you will learn how to prepare four local dishes from starters to desserts.

Some of the dishes you make include mango salad with shrimp and pork, rolled rice paper with minced pork and vegetables, Pho Bo, Vietnamese chicken curry, and others.

Another Vietnamese delicacy is the dessert, a sticky rice cake, a local cake you should definitely try. 

If you are looking for a 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.

What You’ll Love About This Sabirama Cooking Class

  • A cooking school experience in the heart of Vietnam’s countryside. 
  • Thrilling adventures such as a boat ride and being pulled by a water buffalo cart.
  • Ability to easily customize the menu for vegan or vegetarian travelers.

4. Full Experience Cooking Class Basket Boat Water Wheel Cooking Class

Garden of Tra Que Village by Authentic Food Quest
The gardens of Tra Que village

Cost: $52 per person

Time and Length: Approximately 6 hours. Class starts at 8:30 am or 1:30 pm

Group Style: Group class, maximum 20 people

Tra Que Vegetable Village is known all over Vietnam for its nutritionally rich and aromatic herbs.

This 6-hour Water Wheel cooking class takes place in Tra Que, and it is also where we took our Hoi An cooking class.

This Tra Que village cooking class experience is quite extensive. It begins with a visit to the organic farm and learning about Vietnamese herbs from farmers.

After picking up some vegetables and herbs, you’ll put on your apron and roll up your sleeves.

The cooking portion of the class involves learning several Vietnamese recipes. You’ll make spring rolls, main courses like fish in banana leaves, and 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 and a head-shoulder-foot massage are also part of the unique experience.

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.

What You’ll Love About This Water Wheel Cooking Class

  • Learning about the history of Vietnam’s fresh herbs directly from the farmers.
  • The option to tick buffalo riding off your bucket list. 
  • A boat ride paired with a massage and the sit-down lunch prepared by you. 

Watch our Hoi An Cooking Class in Tra Que Village

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5. Choose Your Time & Menu Private Cooking Class

Tam Huu cooking Class Hoi An by Authentic Food Quest
Exquisite Tam Huu, a Hoi An local specialty

Cost: $50 per person

Time and Length: Approximately 3 hours. Class starts at 9:00 am

Group Style: Private

Offering traditional Vietnamese cooking at its best, this Gio An cooking class offers the most flexible cooking experience.

In this 3-hour choose your time and menu cooking class, you have complete freedom and flexibility.

From a full selection of 32 dishes, you can choose to learn to cook four traditional foods.

Not only the menu but also the schedule is flexible. Starting at 8:00 am, you can join the cooking class at any hour you want until 8:00 pm. 

Happy Hanh and Vina are the professional chefs who will guide you through this cooking adventure. 

The experience begins with a visit to a local market to get familiar with the 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.

This is one of the best cooking classes in Hoi An for personalized menus and cooking experiences.

What You’ll Love About This Gio An Cooking Class

  • A fully flexible menu and cooking schedule.
  • A guided tour of the local market to see the region’s local products. 
  • Personalized guidance from professional Vietnamese chefs.

RELATED: The 7 Best Food Tours in Hanoi For Amazing Street Food

6. Market Tour, Boat Ride and Cooking Class

Beef Bo La Lot for Hoi An Cooking Class by Authentic Food Quest
Beef wrapped in betel leaves ready for grilling

Cost: $35 per person

Time and Length: Approximately 4 hours. Classes start at 8:30 am or 1:30 pm

Group Style: Private class

Located in the countryside of Hoi An Vietnam, this cooking class offers unique local culinary experiences. 

This 4-hour market, boat ride and cooking class starts with a visit to a local farmers market.

You’ll learn about seasonal fruits, herbs, noodles, vegetables, meats, and fish. 

The experience also includes a ride on the Thu Bồn River in a bamboo basket boat through a coconut palm forest. 

Locals will teach you how to fish with a fishing net as you listen to traditional folk music. 

In the kitchen, your immersion into local Vietnamese culture continues as you cook four different Vietnamese traditional dishes. 

The menu may include learning to make fresh rice paper rolls, pho noodles, sweet bean soup, and more. 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.

What You’ll Love About This Market Tour, Boat Ride, Cooking Class

  • A serene cooking class experience in the countryside of Hoi An.
  • Riding in a traditional bamboo boat basket tour through a palm forest. 
  • Personalized attention while learning how to cook four different Vietnamese dishes.

7. Cooking Class Hoi An With Local Market, Basket Boat, Fishing & Cooking

Local Market Cooking Classes In Hoi An by Authentic Food Quest
Colorful local market in Hoi An

Cost: $29.99 per person

Time and Length: Approximately 4 hours. Classes start at 8:00 am or 2:30 pm

Group Style: Group class, maximum 12 people

In order to dive deep into what makes Vietnamese cuisine so special, you can get hands-on with a look at Hoi An’s local culinary traditions. 

This 4-hour immersive market, basket boat, fishing, and cooking class gives you access to it all.

Before you start cooking your Vietnamese cuisine, you’ll have the chance to explore the colorful local market and its local vendors selling fresh ingredients.

You’ll take an adventurous trip down the waterways on a traditional bamboo basket boat, then try your hand at traditional net fishing for purple crabs in the canal. 

Your local chef will then teach you some of the traditional methods to cook some of the most popular Vietnamese dishes. 

Depending on what’s in season, you may make papaya salad, deep-fried spring rolls, Vietnamese pancakes, braised chicken in a clay pot, or other dishes.   

Regardless of your cooking skills, you’ll love this hands-on tour, which offers an authentic taste of Vietnam’s flavorful cuisine.

What You’ll Love About This Local Market, Basket Boat, Fishing & Cooking Class

  • Unique opportunity to explore the Eco-Village Cam Thanh.
  • Hands-on fishing excursion and bamboo basket boat tour.
  • Cooking four courses using traditional Vietnamese cooking techniques.

RELATED: The Best Danang Food Tour To Take For An Authentic Experience

What to Consider When Choosing Cooking Classes in Hoi An

Rosemary and Claire preparing the soil in Tra Que Village by Authentic Food Quest
Rosemary and Claire working in the gardens

These best cooking classes in Hoi An all offer authentic Vietnamese cooking experiences. 

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.

AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Make your culinary travels worry-free! With the right travel insurance, you’ll enjoy a delicious experience. From medical emergencies, flight cancellations, car rental protection, or tour cancellations, a good travel insurance has got you covered. Check out our travel insurance review for food lovers to get started.

What Kind of Hoi An Cooking Class Experience Do You Want?

Tra Que Cocktail for Hoi An Cooking Class by Authentic Food Quest
Tra Que Cocktail

During our visits to Hoi An, we loved learning about and making authentic Vietnamese dishes.

You will love the cooking experience and the variety of dishes offered. When making your cooking class selection, consider the following.

Do you want a mix of cooking and little adventures to farms, boat rides and fishing experiences? Or do you prefer to spend more time cooking in the kitchen?

What time of day works best for you? Some classes are offered in the morning, afternoon, or evening.

How much time do you have? The cooking classes range from 3 to 6 hours in length.

Based on your personal preferences, choose the class that best suits your taste.

What Is Your Budget for Your Hoi An Cooking Classes?

Claire and Rosemary Eating at the end of their Hoi An Cooking Class Authentic Food Quest
Enjoying the delicious efforts of our Hoi An cooking class

These cooking classes in Hoi An differ in experience as well as in budget.

The best Hoi An cooking classes range from about $29.99 to $52 USD.

All Hoi An cooking classes have a free cancellation policy that allows you to opt out up to 24 hours in advance.

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Which one of these Hoi An cooking classes would you like to take? Please let us know in the comments below.

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80 Comments on “7 Must-Try Cooking Classes In Hoi An For 2024”

  1. 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!

    Reply
  2. 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!

    Reply
  3. 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!

    Reply
  4. 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.

    Reply
  5. 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!).

    Reply
  6. 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.

    Reply
  7. 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!

    Reply
  8. 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!

    Reply
  9. 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!

    Reply
  10. 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.

    Reply
  11. 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.

    Reply
  12. 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.

    Reply
  13. 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.

    Reply
  14. 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.

    Reply
  15. 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.

    Reply
  16. 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.

    Reply
  17. 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.

    Reply
  18. 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

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  19. 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!

    Reply
  20. 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.

    Reply
    • 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.

      Reply
  21. 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.

    Reply
  22. 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!

    Reply
  23. 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.

    Reply

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