Destination:
From the bustling market stalls to your own cooking station, experience the authentic flavors of Hanoi through a hands-on class guided by local chefs — and bring the taste of Vietnam home with you
- Explore a bustling local market with your chef guide. Learn about essential ingredients and handpick fresh produce used in traditional Vietnamese cooking.
- Join a hands-on cooking class in a welcoming kitchen setting. Prepare authentic dishes like spring rolls and dipping sauces under expert guidance.
- Enjoy your meal with a glass of rice wine as you relax and taste the fruits of your labor. Discover the cultural stories behind each dish as you dine.
- Take home a recipe booklet and a certificate to remember your experience. Flexible class times make it easy to fit into your Hanoi adventure.
1 Day
Classic ,Local Life ,Family ,Tailor-Made
Easy
Ha Noi
Ha Noi
NOR0104
6-80
Flexible starting time – guests can choose when to begin the class.
- Guests are requested to make their own way to the cooking class venue located in Hanoi Old Quarter.
Menu: please note that all dishes except for the marked one have vegetarian version
- Begin with a guided visit to a bustling local market, where you’ll discover key ingredients used in Vietnamese cuisine and explore the essential roles of herbs and spices in Asian cooking.
(Image: Market trip before class – Ha Noi – Vietnam)
- Return to the kitchen for a hands-on cooking session where you’ll prepare a full 5-dish Vietnamese meal.
(Image: Cooking Class – Ha Noi – Vietnam)
- Enjoy the dishes you’ve created with a glass of rice wine as you relax and taste the fruits of your labor. Discover the cultural stories behind each dish as you dine.
- Take home a recipe booklet and a certificate to remember your experience. Class concludes.
(Image: Enjoy the dishes you’ve created – Ha Noi – Vietnam)
Thank you for joining us, and have a nice trip!
Inclusion:
- English – speaking chef.
- Welcome tea upon arrival.
- Guided market
- All ingredients for cooking 5 dishes as per the program.
- Recipe booklet & certificate of completion.
Exclusion:
- Bank transfer fees
- Travel insurance
- Hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Personal expenses
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Tips for guides and drivers (Suggested amount: $3-5 per person per day). Tipping is optional and should reflect the quality of service received.
Children Policy:
- 06 – 10 years old: USD 5 off the adult rate.
- From 10 years old and above: full adult rate applies.
Payment & Deposit Terms:
To ensure that all parties meet their respective obligations, we outline our standard payment terms below:
Deposit: A confirmation and invoice will be sent to the customer within 24 hours of receiving the booking. A deposit of 50% of the total tour cost or full payment is required, depending on the specific tour arrangements and the terms outlined in the invoice. Payment can be made through any of our online payment methods.
Final Payment: The deadline for the remaining balance will depend on the services booked and will be communicated by our travel consultant and via the invoice during the booking process.
Cancellations & Refund Policy:
Each local supplier and partner have its own specific cancellation terms, which will determine the applicable cancellation fees. Detailed information about these policies can be found on the individual service pages, particularly under the Rate & Availability section. If a customer decides to discontinue the tour midway, no refund or exchange will be issued. Additionally, no compensation will be provided for any services that remain unused during the tour.
Short Tours (1 – 3 days)
- More than 4 days prior: 50% of the total rate.
- From 1 to 4 days prior: 70% of the total rate.
- Less than 1 day prior or no-show: 100% of the total rate.
Important notes:
Weather:
Vietnam’s unique geography creates a range of weather patterns, with both tropical and temperate zones. The best weather nationwide is from March to May, so if you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, consider visiting during this time for the most enjoyable weather.
📍 Regional Weather Guide
Northern Vietnam: In the northern areas of Vietnam there are four seasons. Recommended time to travel to North Vietnam: March – April & August – November
- December – March: Cool to cold, misty, cloudy
- April – June: Warm to hot, clear skies, sunny
- June – August: Stormy, hot, humid
- September – November: Mix of sun and clouds, warm to cool
📍 Pack Accordingly: Pack lightweight clothing for hot weather and a raincoat or umbrella for the rainy season.
Do I need to purchase travel insurance before traveling in Vietnam?
Absolutely. All passengers traveling with Vietnam Lovely Travel are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your tour guide on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.
Money matters:
When it comes to spending money on the trip, every traveler is a little different. You know your spending habits better than we do, so please budget an appropriate amount for optional meals, drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry. Make sure you have read the itinerary and inclusions thoroughly so you know what is included in the trip price and what you may need to pay for while traveling.
- Vietnamese Dong (VND) is the currency of Vietnam.
- ATMs: Check if your card is compatible with local ATMs before traveling to Vietnam. Using an ATM card will help ensure safety during your travel. However, you should also bring a small amount of cash for services, shopping, meals, etc., when needed.
- Scam alert: Be careful of street vendors and local markets using similar colors of 500,000 VND and 20,000 VND bills to scam visitors.
- Counterfeit money: There are some counterfeit banknotes in circulation in Vietnam, particularly for the 500,000 VND, the biggest Vietnam currency note, so you should only exchange money at reputable places or consult your tour guide for advice.
- Keep small bills on hand: Many vendors and small businesses may not have change for larger denominations, so it’s helpful to keep smaller bills on hand.
- Notify your bank: If you plan to use your credit or debit card in Vietnam, notify your bank beforehand to avoid any issues with your account being flagged for suspicious activity.
- USD to VND current exchange rate: 1 USD ~ 25,000 – 26,000 VND (change cash in jewelry shops, the exchange rates are often better than in a bank or at the airport).
- QR code payment: widely accepted in many urban areas in Vietnam.
- Are credit cards accepted widely in Vietnam?
USD and Major credit cards are widely accepted at large shops, hotels and restaurants in Vietnam. However, smaller vendors, family-run eateries, markets, and rural areas may only accept cash. Carry enough cash for as a backup, especially outside cities.
Dining: Please inform your operator or guide in advance if you have any dietary restrictions or food allergies.
Phone and internet access:
- With the modern world you may want to bring along tablets or smartphones for the children to document their adventure – there are a wide variety of apps out there which we suggest downloading before you depart. There will be opportunities to charge (just make sure you bring the correct adapter) and there will be wi-fi available in most of the hotels/restaurants on the tour, although it will probably not be at the speeds you are used to at home and it won’t be available everywhere.
- E-sim can be a good option for you (less than 10 USD/sim card)
Electricity and adapter: 220V – 50Hz. If you are using different ones, our local guide can help you buy an adapter for not more than 1 USD.
Shopping: At local markets, bargaining is common and expected. You can often negotiate 10–30% off the initial price for local goods.
Safety: To protect your belongings, always keep your bag or purse in front of you, especially in crowded areas.
Business Hours:
- Offices: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Monday to Friday). Most are closed on Saturdays.
- Shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues: Typically, open from 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily.
Is tipping compulsory in Vietnam?
Tipping is not mandatory or a common custom in Vietnam. However, it is greatly appreciated by service staff—such as waiters, hotel porters, drivers, and tour guides—especially when they provide exceptional service. Even a small tip can make a big difference and is considered a gesture of kindness and respect.
Isabelle
A must try experience!29/06/2025
My friends and I had such a fantastic time! Our guide Bella was lovely. She was super helpful and very insightful! We had a market trip that lasted for less than 30 minutes, learnt new vegetables and how they made Bun Cha and Pho noodles! After, we went straight to the kitchen upstairs to cook our meals! It’s an amazing experience I think everyone should experience. We had such a fun time! We left with a recipe booklet of what we cooked and other infamous Vietnamese cuisine and a cute certificate!
Kimberly Z
Must do Hanoi cooking class11/06/2025
Very fun overall experience. We got to go shopping at the local vendors for all the ingredients and learned how to cook 5 traditional Vietnamese dishes. Our instructor was very engaging and taught us little tips that were passed down from her parents. This is a must do experience in Hanoi. We look forward to trying the recipes from the cook book provided after the class when we get home! We also bought the utility slicer used when cooking. Go with an empty stomach because you get to eat everything you cook!!!
Amber C
Awesome Cooking Class!!29/05/2025
I went with a couple college friends and it was the best experience!!! We got to go through the whole process from buying ingredients to preparing the ingredients and cooking the ingredients, and we ended by eating all together! Our teachewas awesome, so knowledgeable, and great at including everyone throughout the day! Definitely recommend this and we even took home a recipe book!!