Cooking Classes
Join interactive cooking classes to learn how to prepare authentic Vietnamese dishes. Experience the flavors, techniques, and stories behind each recipe while immersing yourself in local culinary traditions.
Immerse yourself in the flavors of the highlands through a Sapa cooking experience
05 Sep, 2025
The cuisine of Vietnam’s Northwest highlands is celebrated for its rustic charm, deeply rooted in the daily lives of ethnic minority communities. For international travelers, a cooking class in Sapa offers much more than just learning recipes—it is an invitation to step into the everyday life of the H’Mong, Red Dao, and Tày people, where food reflects a close connection between humans and the surrounding mountains and forests. A Journey to the Villages and Local Markets One of the unique aspects of a Sapa cooking experience is the opportunity to visit remote villages. Travelers are guided through local markets, joining families in selecting fresh ingredients such as black chicken, wild vegetables, and sticky rice. This hands-on approach allows participants to feel the rhythms of daily life while preparing traditional dishes. In the class, you might learn to cook thắng cố, a hearty Highland stew; cơm lam, sticky rice cooked in bamboo; or lợn cắp nách nướng, grilled local pork. Preparing these dishes by hand, using ingredients sourced directly from the market and the mountains, offers an authentic taste of Sapa’s culinary culture. The experience is intimate and genuine, creating memories far richer than any luxury dining experience. Learning From the Locals Popular cooking classes like Sapa Cooking Class and Hmong Family Cooking Class allow travelers not only to master traditional recipes but also to hear stories about local customs, festivals, and daily life. Many homestays in Tả Van and Lao Chải organize smaller, family-style classes, where visitors can cook alongside local hosts, gaining insight into their hospitality and way of life. A Sapa cooking experience goes beyond the kitchen. It immerses you in the sights, sounds, and flavors of the highlands: the fresh mountain air, the vibrant colors of the markets, and the warmth of the villagers’ welcome. Each dish tells a story, linking you to generations of culinary traditions and the intimate relationship between the people and their natural surroundings. By the end of the class, travelers leave not only with new skills and delicious dishes but also with a profound understanding of the Northwest highlands’ culture. Cooking in Sapa is more than a culinary activity—it is a journey into the heart of the mountains, the homes of the ethnic communities, and the flavors that define this breathtaking region.
Hue Cooking Class: Discover the sssence of the ancient capital
05 Sep, 2025
Explore Hue’s Signature Dishes Under the guidance of experienced local chefs, participants are introduced to a variety of traditional Hue dishes. Beyond just following recipes, the chefs share fascinating stories behind each dish: the origins, how they are served in family gatherings, and their cultural significance. This storytelling transforms the cooking class into a cultural journey, connecting participants with the soul of Hue’s culinary identity. Hands-On Cooking in a Scenic Garden The class takes place in a warm, welcoming kitchen that opens into a tranquil garden. After selecting and preparing ingredients, chopping herbs, and mastering cooking techniques, you finally get to enjoy the fruits of your labor. There is something truly magical about sitting in the garden at sunset, savoring the dishes you’ve cooked yourself, with the soft glow of the evening sun enhancing both the flavors and the experience. This cooking class is perfect for travelers who want more than just a meal. It offers: Practical skills to recreate Hue dishes at home. Cultural insights into the history and traditions of the city. A sensory experience, engaging sight, smell, taste, and touch. A peaceful escape, with the garden setting providing a moment of calm away from the busy city. By the end of the class, you don’t just leave with recipes—you carry home stories, memories, and a deeper appreciation for Hue’s culinary artistry. Whether you are a passionate foodie, a curious traveler, or someone seeking authentic cultural experiences, Hue Cooking Class promises a journey that feeds both the stomach and the soul.
Learn to cook Vietnamese dishes with Sabirama Cooking Class
05 Sep, 2025
Market experience and exciting activities The journey begins at Cam Thanh Village, a peaceful community just a few kilometers away from Hoi An’s ancient town. The scenery unfolds like a rural painting, with endless green rice fields, clusters of water coconut trees, and gentle canals. Stepping into Cam Thanh feels like stepping away from the busy streets, returning instead to the rustic charm and simplicity of Vietnamese countryside life. To start the culinary adventure, you’ll follow your guide to a local market. This is where the everyday beauty of Hoi An shines: vibrant stalls of fresh vegetables, tropical fruits bursting with color, and the aromatic fragrance of herbs and spices. Here, you’ll handpick the freshest ingredients for your cooking session, while also observing the lively rhythm of local trade and daily life. Leaving the market behind, the journey continues with a bamboo basket boat ride along the gentle Thu Bon River. As the boat gently spins and drifts through the waterways, you’ll be surrounded by lush coconut groves, birdsong, and the refreshing river breeze. It’s a rare chance to discover a different side of Hoi An—peaceful, natural, and authentic. Before entering the kitchen, you’ll be pampered with a foot, head, and shoulder massage, accompanied by a refreshing drink. This moment of relaxation will leave you recharged and ready for the most exciting part of the tour: hands-on cooking. A Hands-On Cooking Experience This is the highlight of the entire journey. Inside the warm and welcoming space of Sabirama Cooking Class, experienced chefs will guide you step by step—from preparing ingredients, controlling the heat, to mastering the art of seasoning for a perfect balance of flavors. During the class, you’ll learn to cook four signature Vietnamese dishes, including: Green mango salad with seafood – a refreshing combination of tangy mango, sweet shrimp, and seafood, perfectly balanced with a light fish sauce dressing. Stir-fried chicken with lemongrass and chili – tender chicken infused with the aromatic blend of lemongrass and chili, representing the bold flavors of Vietnamese cuisine. Plus, two additional seasonal dishes, selected based on the freshest ingredients available locally. Beyond cooking techniques, you’ll also hear fascinating stories about the origins of each dish and their place in Vietnamese family meals. This cultural storytelling makes the experience richer, showing that Vietnamese cuisine is not just about taste but also about tradition and connection. To end the class, you’ll gather around the table to enjoy the delicious dishes you’ve created. Each bite is not only a reflection of your effort but also a memory that lingers long after your journey in Hoi An.
Cook and savor Vietnamese dishes in a floating cooking class
05 Sep, 2025
Cooking on the Waves Your adventure begins as you step aboard a traditional wooden boat, specially set up for an intimate cooking class. As the vessel gently glides across the bay, you’ll be introduced to the basics of Vietnamese cuisine by a local chef. From selecting herbs and spices to mastering simple yet refined techniques, every step is designed to give you hands-on insight into Vietnam’s food culture. Popular dishes often include fresh spring rolls wrapped with fragrant herbs, green papaya salad with a refreshing crunch, or seafood specialties inspired by the very waters you are sailing on. Each recipe is carefully chosen not only for its flavors but also for its cultural significance, making the experience both delicious and meaningful. Savoring Your Creations with a View After preparing the dishes, you’ll sit down to enjoy your own culinary creations right on deck. Imagine tasting the vibrant flavors of Vietnamese food while surrounded by towering limestone karsts and tranquil waters shimmering in the sunlight. The contrast between the rustic authenticity of home-cooked food and the grandeur of Ha Long Bay creates a dining experience like no other. This floating cooking class goes beyond teaching recipes—it invites you to connect with Vietnam’s way of life. Food in Vietnam is not only about taste but also about community, culture, and balance. By cooking and sharing a meal in such a unique setting, you gain a deeper understanding of these values. It’s a hands-on cultural exchange that stays with you long after the trip ends. A floating cooking class in Ha Long Bay is not just another activity—it’s an experience that fuses nature, culture, and gastronomy. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or simply curious about Vietnamese cuisine, this journey will eave you with new skills, cherished memories, and a deeper appreciation for the flavors of Vietnam.
Discover Hanoi cuisine through an exciting market visit and cooking class
05 Sep, 2025
Exploring Hanoi’s Bustling Markets Your journey begins with a guided trip to one of Hanoi’s lively local markets. Unlike supermarkets, these markets are alive with sounds, smells, and sights that capture the essence of Vietnamese daily life. Vendors call out their prices, baskets overflow with tropical fruits like dragon fruit and rambutan, while stalls display fresh herbs, spices, and vegetables essential to Vietnamese cooking. Fish splash in buckets of water, and fragrant aromas of grilled meats float through the air. With your guide or cooking instructor, you’ll learn how to pick the freshest ingredients—how to tell when a papaya is perfectly ripe, why mint and cilantro are essential in balancing flavors, and how local families shop for daily meals. This is more than a shopping trip; it’s a cultural introduction to the philosophy behind Vietnamese cuisine. Hands-On Cooking Experience After the market visit, you head to a traditional home kitchen or a local cooking school in Hanoi. Here, under the guidance of a friendly instructor, you roll up your sleeves and begin preparing classic dishes. The menu often includes: “Phở” – Vietnam’s most famous noodle soup, where you’ll learn to balance broth flavors with star anise, cinnamon, and roasted onions. “Nem cuốn” (Fresh spring rolls) – rice paper wraps filled with shrimp, pork, and fresh herbs, dipped in a tangy peanut or fish sauce. “Bún chả” – grilled pork served with rice noodles, herbs, and dipping sauce, a dish once enjoyed by U.S. President Obama during his Hanoi visit. “Chè” (Vietnamese sweet dessert soup) – made from beans, fruits, and coconut milk, offering a refreshing end to the meal. Step by step, you’ll chop vegetables, marinate meats, wrap rolls, and simmer broths. Every movement is a lesson in the art of Vietnamese balance: sweet, salty, sour, spicy, and umami. What makes the cooking class special is not just the food, but the stories shared. Instructors often explain family traditions, the history behind each dish, and how food connects generations in Vietnam. As you cook side by side, conversations flow naturally, offering insights into Hanoi life that no guidebook can capture. At the end of the class, you gather around the table to enjoy the dishes you prepared. The flavors taste even more satisfying because you’ve been part of every step—from choosing the ingredients at the market to cooking with your own hands. It’s a moment of pride, joy, and cultural exchange. Many travelers describe this shared meal as the highlight of their Hanoi trip—not only for the taste but for the memories created.
Cooking with locals: A cultural journey in Hoi An, Vietnam
05 Sep, 2025
From Market to Kitchen: The Beginning of the Journey Your day usually begins early, just as the town awakens. Instead of heading to a restaurant, you follow your host to a bustling morning market. Here, you weave through rows of vendors selling fresh herbs, rice noodles, tropical fruits, and seafood caught from the Thu Bồn River only hours before. Your host shows you how to choose the best produce: how ripe a papaya should be for salad, how to smell lemongrass for its sharp freshness, and why fish sauce quality matters. The market is alive with sounds of bargaining, the scent of coriander and mint, and the chatter of local women sharing recipes. For many travelers, this shopping trip is their first glimpse into Vietnam’s vibrant daily rhythm. The Cooking Class Experience After the market, the journey continues to a local home, a traditional garden house, or a riverside cooking school surrounded by coconut palms. The setting is authentic and relaxed, with a kitchen that feels more like a family gathering place than a classroom. Your host introduces the menu, often featuring iconic dishes such as: Fresh spring rolls (Gỏi cuốn) – soft rice paper wraps filled with shrimp, herbs, and vermicelli. Pho – the world-famous noodle soup with fragrant broth simmered from bones and spices. “Cao lầu” – Hoi An’s signature dish made with chewy noodles, pork, and local greens. Banana flower salad – refreshing and crunchy, topped with peanuts and aromatic herbs. Step by step, you learn how to prepare these dishes: pounding garlic in a mortar, mixing dipping sauces with just the right balance of sweet, salty, sour, and spicy, and carefully rolling spring rolls without tearing the delicate rice paper. The process is hands-on and fun—mistakes are welcomed, and laughter often fills the kitchen as travelers compare their creations. What truly makes cooking with locals unique is the connection it fosters. As you chop vegetables or stir a simmering broth, your host might share family stories, explain the symbolism of certain ingredients, or talk about how recipes have been passed down through generations. For example, you may learn how fish sauce (nước mắm) is considered the soul of Vietnamese cuisine, or how herbs are used not just for flavor but also for health and balance in meals. These conversations turn the cooking class into a cultural exchange—where food becomes a bridge between people. Some classes even include extra experiences: a short boat ride on the Thu Bồn River, a bicycle trip to the vegetable-growing village of Trà Quế, or lessons in traditional food carving. These touches make the day feel like an adventure rather than just a class. Tasting the Rewards The highlight of the journey comes when you gather around the table to enjoy the dishes you’ve prepared. The atmosphere is warm and communal, with everyone proudly presenting their spring rolls, bowls of noodles, or fragrant salads. The food tastes more meaningful because you’ve been part of the entire process—from selecting ingredients at the market to cooking and finally savoring each bite. It’s not just a meal—it’s a memory. Tips for Travelers: Making the Most of Your Hoi An Cooking Class Where to Join: Hoi An has many options, from family-run homes to professional cooking schools. Popular spots include classes at Trà Quế Village or riverside schools. Duration: Most classes last half a day (4–5 hours), including the market visit. Cost: Prices typically range from $25 to $40 USD per person, often including the meal, market trip, and sometimes a boat ride. What to Bring: Comfortable clothes, a hat for the market, and an empty stomach! Best Time: Morning classes are ideal to enjoy the fresh market atmosphere. Joining a cooking class with locals in Hoi An is more than learning how to cook Vietnamese food—it is an immersion into culture, community, and tradition. You return home not only with recipes to impress friends and family but also with memories of laughter, new friendships, and a deeper appreciation of Vietnam’s culinary heritage. So, when you wander Hoi An’s lantern-lit streets, take a moment to step into a local kitchen. There, amid the aromas of lemongrass, garlic, and sizzling pans, you will discover a Vietnam that lingers long after the trip is over.
Experiences & Activities
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5D4N_HANOI – HALONG ON CRUISE EXPLORATION
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Spend 2 days cruising around Halong Bay, Lan Ha Bay or Bai Tu Long Bay. Highlights include Sung Sot Cave and Titop Island for Halong, Cat Ba Island and Dark and Bright Cave for Lan Ha, and Thien Cahn Son Cave and Vung Vien Floating Village for Bai Tu Long. Tour includes accommodation at different luxury levels, meals, activities and round-trip transfers from Hanoi. Overnight cruise around Halong, Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long bay Stay in an air-conditioned cabin with private bathroom Boats and accommodations range from three to five stars Activities can include kayaking, bamboo boat, cooking and tai chi
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![[S.I.C] Yen Duc village overnight: 2 day 1 night](https://ilooca-tourdb.itourism.vn//files/thumb/408/285/uploads/content/Yen-Duc-Village-Vietnamese-Local-Life_9_2017_03-770x513_1.jpg)
[S.I.C] Yen Duc village overnight: 2 day 1 night
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This 2 day 1 night trip includes a nice stay in Viet House, unique village retreat accommodation, surrounded by rice fields in Yen Duc village. Cycling to discover peaceful village, talking with local people and visit their family house should amaze you with lots of cultural sense and fun. Besides that, joining local activities (fishing, gardening, visiting the culture house of village, local market…) bring you close to real experience of a farmers, taste delicious homemade Vietnamese food then enjoy peaceful life in countryside of Vietnam.
The perfect 3-day Sapa itinerary for first-timers
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Prepare to be captivated by a journey where mist-shrouded peaks meet vibrant cultural tapestries. This 3-day, 2-night escape from Hanoi plunges you into the heart of Sapa's unparalleled beauty. Imagine tracing the contours of iconic terraced rice fields, a masterpiece sculpted by generations, and breathing in the crisp mountain air. Beyond the breathtaking panoramas, you'll connect intimately with the resilient ethnic minorities – the H'Mong people – in their traditional villages, witnessing ancient customs and intricate handicrafts firsthand. For the ultimate perspective, an optional ascent to Fansipan, "The Roof of Indochina," offers a spectacular vista where clouds dance below your feet. This isn't just a tour; it's an immersive odyssey into the soul of Vietnam's highlands, promising memories that will linger long after you return.
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