Discover the history and flavors of Vietnam during this walking and cooking tour in Hoi An. Oozing with charm and having largely escaped the destruction of successive wars, Hoi An is lined with streets and architecture that are a delight to explore. After meeting your guide, head straight for Ancient Town, ready to hit its enchanting streets.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ancient Town is packed with buildings of historical and cultural significance, and boasts a number of streets that are off-limits to cars. Stroll past the many Chinese assembly halls, from the Cantonese Chinese Congregation with its impressive main altar, to the Hainan Chinese Congregation, which serves as a memorial to 107 merchants from Hainan Island who were mistaken for pirates and killed during the reign of Emperor Tu Duc. Stop by the Japanese Covered Bridge, which was constructed in the 1590s by the town’s Japanese community to link them with the Chinese quarters across the stream.
At the end of the walking tour, head to a family-run restaurant for your Vietnamese cooking class. The chef will run through the range of delicious dishes that you will prepare, and then it’s time to hit the local market to stock up on all the fresh produce needed to create the feast. Learn how to choose the best supplies and discover some of the less-familiar ingredients before heading back to the restaurant, ready to cook.
Under the watchful eye of your chef, make favorites like spring rolls and grilled tuna (see below for a sample menu), and grab some recipes to take home so you can wow your family and friends. Your experience ends as you sit down to feast on the delicious dishes you’ve created.
Menu
Hoi An rice pancake (with pork and shrimp)
Green papaya salad
Hoi An crispy spring roll (pork, herbs, vegetables)
Grilled tuna in banana leaf
Vietnamese dipping sauce
Vegetarian menu
Hoi An rice pancake (no pork)
Green papaya salad
Hoi An crispy spring roll (no pork)
Grilled eggplant in banana leaf
Vietnamese dipping sauce