Cooking Classes in Ho Chi Minh City

What better keepsake or souvenir than the ability to make a region’s food?

That’s exactly what a Ho Chi Minh City cooking class offers the savvy traveler — a memento that doesn’t take up any luggage space and can be recreated time and time again in the comfort of your own kitchen.

If you want to experience all that southern Vietnam’s cuisine offers, these cooking classes in Ho Chi Minh City are a must. They’ll show you the intricacies of this delicious cuisine, from the subtle to the sublime.

Here's all you need to know about cooking classes, one of the most delightful gastronomic experiences in Ho Chi Minh City.

What are the best cooking classes in Ho Chi Minh City?

Each Ho Chi Minh City cooking class brings something different to the table. We’re not just talking about different dishes, but completely different approaches, techniques, settings and experiences.

Cooking classes, together with beer tastings, food tours and traditional dinners, are some of the most popular activities in Ho Chi Minh City so remember to book early to avoid disappointment.

Hoa Tuc cooking class

This intimate class, with a maximum of 8 students, starts off at the famous Ben Thanh Market, where you’ll hunt for your ingredients.

If the market seems intimidating, don’t worry, your English-speaking instructor is there to guide you every step of the way. Make your way to the class, where you’ll follow step-by-step instructions under the watchful eyes of your tutor.

Transform your handpicked ingredients into something mouthwatering and learn about the cultural importance of the ingredients. Finally, receive a certificate of completion as well as all the recipes.

Chef Vu cooking class plus market trip in Saigon center

Beat the rush with an early morning pickup and ingredient shopping session. Don’t worry about navigating Ho Chi Minh City’s streets, your cyclo driver will know exactly where to go.

After a quick brief about seasonal availability from Chef Vu, you’ll choose your menu for the class. This class is expertly hosted by Chef Vu and includes a segment on knife skills, the Vietnamese art of garnishing and decoration, as well as a lesson on marinating meat.

Enjoy the fruits of your labor with a traditional egg coffee to end off a truly memorable day.

Farm-to-table healthy cooking class

Vietnam is a deeply agrarian society, and nowhere is this as evident as in how they cook. This farm-to-table cooking class shows you exactly why Vietnamese cuisine is considered one of the healthiest cuisines in the world!

While your dishes simmer away, you’ll also learn the importance of local mushrooms, herbs and spices, and how they combine into the uniquely holistic Vietnamese food tradition.

Learn how mushrooms are cultivated and how to differentiate between various herbs and spices. Finally, prepare the ingredients you’ve plucked from the earth moments earlier and earn a certificate and recipe book.

Full-day farming and cooking class at an agricultural village

Escape the organized chaos that is Ho Chi Minh City, and head towards the town of Cu Chi. Make sure you prepare for a full day’s farming, intermingled with delicious self-prepared dishes.

In this deeply traditional community, you’ll learn the importance of fresh produce like mushrooms, fruit and herbs while working the land yourself.

Equipped with a Vietnamese hat, a bamboo basket and scissors, you’ll forage for your ingredients and prepare a nutritious meal.

A professional chef is on hand to guide you every step of the way and ensure the perfect outcome. At the end of your day, you’ll receive a certificate and recipe book before heading back to Ho Chi Minh City.

Which places are visited?

Most Ho Chi Minh City cooking classes will visit the famous Ben Thanh Market. This market is quite imposing when visited on your own, and as such, a cooking class is a great way to overcome this.

Your instructor will verse you in the dos and don'ts when bargaining for the best price, and show you how to make sense of the market’s layout. In short, it’s an absolute must if you plan on visiting other markets during your stay in Vietnam.

Most cooking classes outside of Ho Chi Minh City take place in the Mekong Delta or in the Cu Chi region. Both these regions are rich in history and unique tastes.

How much do cooking classes in Ho Chi Minh City cost?

Each cooking class in Ho Chi Minh City is unique, with different places visited and an array of dishes featured. As such, the cost of Ho Chi Minh City cooking classes varies.

The Hoa Tuc cooking class costs around US$35 per person.

The Chef Vu cooking class plus a market trip to Saigon center costs US$40 per person.

The farm-to-table healthy cooking class costs about US$65 per person.

The full-day farming and cooking class at an agricultural village costs US$70 per person.

What is included?

Cooking classes that leave Ho Chi Minh City include transport to and from your accommodation in Districts 1-5 and 10. It is best to confirm if pickup and drop-off services are included when booking your cooking class.

All the ingredients for the cooking classes are included, and some classes also offer refreshments.

Where does it start?

Most cooking classes in Ho Chi Minh City start in District 1, but cooking classes taking place outside the city usually leave from the tour office. It’s best to confirm these details when booking your cooking class.

How long does it last?

A cooking class in Ho Chi Minh City can last anything from 3 to 8 hours, depending on the type of cooking class. Cooking classes leaving the city last longer than those that take place in the city, while those with a market tour last longer than those without.

When is the best time for a cooking class in Ho Chi Minh City?

Early morning is the best time for cooking classes in Ho Chi Minh City, especially if you’re visiting a market. An early morning start is also best for cooking classes outside the city, allowing enough time to experience the class without rushing back.

As is the case with food tours and beer tasting experiences, join a cooking class at the start of your visit to Vietnam. This way, you’ll have a solid footing when dealing with Vietnamese food in the future.

Are there any combos available with cooking classes in Ho Chi Minh City?

Ho Chi Minh City street food tour and cooking class

Torn between a Ho Chi Minh City food tour and a cooking class? Then this food tour is the ultimate compromise! Experience riding a scooter in the city, while tasting local delicacies and learning about the area’s history and cultural importance.

Then head to your cooking class, where you’ll get the chance to recreate some of the tastes of Ho Chi Minh City—under the tutelage of an experienced chef, of course!

Mekong Delta tour with kayaking, boat trip, biking and cooking class

If variety is the spice of life, then this must be the spiciest tour in all of Vietnam. Explore the Mekong Delta by kayak, boat and bike before settling down and ending the day with a cooking class.

Arguably, the most impressive element of this tour is the ability to combine all of these elements into one cohesive experience — without it feeling rushed. Perfect for FOMO sufferers everywhere.

Vietnamese cooking class and Cu Chi tunnels tour

Not only is the Cu Chi region an important agricultural center, but it’s also home to the iconic Cu Chi tunnels. These tunnels are the embodiment of Vietnamese resistance, and they played an invaluable role in the country’s liberation.

This tour allows you to explore the Cu Chi tunnels in depth before putting your culinary skills to the test. A Vietnamese master chef will put you through your paces as you learn how to make dishes like Pho, papaya salad and Vietnamese pancakes.

Travel tips

• Inform the tour operator of any allergies or dietary requirements when booking, and again at the start of the cooking class.
• Wear comfortable clothes and sturdy shoes, especially in the cooking classes with farming activities.
• Sunscreen, sunglasses and insect repellent are advised, especially when visiting rural areas.
• Cameras are encouraged, but please ensure that they are secured when not in use.
• Bring a bottle of water.