About this tour
A 6-hour cooking class in Hoi An that combines a guided market tour through Tra Que village, a bamboo basket boat ride on the Co Co River, and hands-on cooking instruction at Mai Home restaurant overlooking the vegetable gardens. You'll source ingredients from local markets, learn to prepare authentic Vietnamese dishes using the restaurant's own recipes, and eat what you've made for lunch. Best for people with a genuine interest in Vietnamese cooking technique and local food culture.
Highlights
- Market tour through Tra Que village with English-speaking guide
- Bamboo basket boat ride on the Co Co River
- Hands-on cooking class at restaurant with river views
- Ingredients sourced daily from local markets and Tra Que village
- Lunch included — eat dishes you've prepared
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off within Hoi An
- Welcome drink upon arrival
What to expect
You'll be picked up from your Hoi An hotel and driven to Mai Home restaurant. After a welcome drink, your guide takes you through Tra Que village and the local market to select fresh herbs, vegetables, meat and seafood — you'll see where ingredients come from and how locals shop. A short bamboo basket boat ride follows on the Co Co River.
Back at the restaurant, overlooking the vegetable gardens, you'll work through cooking instruction with a trained instructor to prepare several authentic Vietnamese dishes using the restaurant's recipes. The class is hands-on; you cook and learn technique. Lunch is the meal you've prepared. The experience wraps with hotel transfer back to Hoi An.
What travellers say
- Fresh daily ingredients sourced directly from Tra Que village markets
- Real cooking instruction, not a rushed demo — hands-on preparation
- Scenic riverside restaurant location with garden views
- Market and boat experience adds cultural context beyond cooking
- Includes lunch, welcome drink, and hotel transfers
- Early morning market timing may not suit late risers
- Bamboo basket boats can feel unstable or uncomfortable for some
- Group format means pacing set by slowest or fastest cooks
- Not accessible for people with spinal injuries or cardiovascular conditions
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
Strong fit for people interested in learning genuine Vietnamese cooking technique and understanding ingredient sourcing in a working kitchen setting. Requires moderate fitness — you'll be standing in markets, transferring by boat, and cooking for several hours. The bamboo basket boat may feel unstable for those with balance concerns or mobility issues. Early or mid-morning start is typical for market tours; exact timing depends on your hotel location. Group size and specific start time should be confirmed at booking. Weather can affect boat comfort during rainy season.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BookNow summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.