Hoi An: Making Lantern &Cooking Class With Basket Boat Ride

Hoi An, a charming city in central Vietnam, offers a unique cultural experience that combines the art of lantern-making and the flavors of traditional Vietnamese cuisine. Travelers can embark on a captivating 4.5-hour journey, where they’ll venture into a local market, navigate scenic waterways, and gain hands-on skills in crafting their own lantern souvenir. With the guidance of friendly, English-speaking hosts, this immersive experience promises to be a highlight of any Vietnam adventure. What awaits beyond this intriguing introduction?

Good To Know

• This activity offers a hands-on experience to make a lantern and learn traditional Vietnamese cooking in Hoi An.
• Participants get to enjoy a 45-minute basket boat ride through a nipa forest as part of the experience.
• The cooking class features local dishes like Hoi An Fried Spring Rolls, Vietnamese Rice Pancake, and Cao Lau Noodles.
• The activity includes hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, and all necessary fees and equipment.
• The experience is highly rated and suitable for those seeking an immersive cultural experience in Hoi An.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Activity Overview

The activity titled "Hoi An: Making Lantern & Cooking Class with Basket Boat Ride" is priced from $34.56 per person and lasts for 4.5 hours.

It’s offered in English and includes hotel pickup from Da Nang. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance. Customers can reserve their spot without upfront payment.

The experience highlights include a local market visit, basket boat ride, lantern making, and a hands-on cooking class featuring traditional Vietnamese dishes.

The detailed itinerary covers a range of cultural activities in Hoi An. Inclusions like entrance fees, lunch/dinner, and mineral water are provided.

Experience Highlights

Explore a local colorful market and learn to bargain like a local. After, venture to the nipa forest historical area and enjoy a 45-minute basket boat ride. Next, learn about a hands-on cooking class in a rural setting, where you’ll make your own lantern to take home as a souvenir. Savor traditional Vietnamese dishes, including:

| Dish | Description |

| — | — |

| Hoi An Fried Spring Rolls | Crispy rolls filled with pork and vegetables |

| Vietnamese Rice Pancake | Soft, thin crepe-like pancake |

| Papaya Salad with Chicken | Fresh papaya salad with grilled chicken |

| Cao Lau Noodles | Thick, chewy noodles in a savory broth |

Detailed Itinerary

After meeting the guide at your hotel, you’ll visit a local market to buy cooking ingredients.

Next, you’ll travel to the Cam Thanh coconut palm village for an introduction to local life.

Explore the Cam Thanh coconut palm village for an immersive introduction to authentic local life.

Then, you’ll board a coracle boat for a 45-minute ride through the forest, including river performances.

At the palm leaf village, you’ll engage in souvenir making and crab-catching activities.

Following that, you’ll attend a lantern-making class before joining a local host for the cooking class, preparing and enjoying traditional Vietnamese dishes.

Finally, you’ll return to your hotel after the activity.

Inclusions and Exclusions

This activity includes an English-speaking guide, hotel pick-up and drop-off in Hoi An, entrance fees, the coracle boat ride, lunch or dinner, and mineral water. However, it excludes personal expenses, travel insurance, and any other services not explicitly mentioned. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users.

| Includes | Excludes |

| — | — |

| – English-speaking guide | – Personal expenses |

| – Hotel pick-up & drop-off | – Travel insurance |

| – Entrance fees, coracle boat, lunch/dinner, mineral water | – Other services not mentioned |

The food ingredients can be adapted for special dietary requirements like vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free.

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Important Information

Although the food ingredients can be adapted for dietary restrictions like vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free, the tour isn’t suitable for wheelchair users.

The activity is available as a morning or afternoon option, giving you flexibility to fit it into your schedule.

Based on 3 reviews, the cooking class and friendly guides receive an impressive 5/5 rating.

Ensure to book your spot in advance, as this immersive cultural experience is sure to be popular.

Exploring the Local Market

Where does the tour begin?

The experience starts with a visit to a local market in Hoi An. Here, guests explore the vibrant atmosphere and learn to bargain like a local. They browse stalls filled with fresh produce, seafood, and spices – the key ingredients for the upcoming cooking class.

Under the guidance of the English-speaking guide, participants discover the bustling market scene and gain insights into daily Vietnamese life. This lively introduction sets the stage for the immersive cultural experience that follows, as the group ventures beyond the market to the coconut palm village and the river.

Taking in Coconut Palm Village

After exploring the vibrant local market, the group then travels to the Cam Thanh coconut palm village. Here, they get an introduction to the local way of life.

They board a coracle boat for a serene ride through the nipa palm forest, enjoying river performances along the way.

The group also engages in palm leaf souvenir making and crab-catching activities, seeing the traditional customs of the region.

This hands-on experience provides valuable insights into the daily lives and cultural practices of the Cam Thanh community.

Hands-on Lantern Making and Cooking Class

Next, participants have the opportunity to showcase their creativity during the lantern-making class. An expert instructor provides an introduction to the history and design of the iconic Hoi An lanterns. Guests then select their preferred materials and patterns, carefully crafting their own lantern to take home as a cherished souvenir. Following the lantern activity, the group transitions to a local home for a hands-on cooking class. Under the guidance of a friendly host, participants prepare classic Vietnamese dishes, including Hoi An spring rolls, rice pancakes, and the famous Cao Lau noodles. This immersive culinary experience allows guests to savor the flavors of Hoi An.

| Lantern Making | Cooking Class |

| — | — |

| Select materials | Prepare spring rolls |

| Choose patterns | Cook rice pancakes |

| Craft unique lantern | Make Cao Lau noodles |

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bring a Personal Chef to the Cooking Class?

No, bringing a personal chef to the cooking class is not permitted. The class is designed for participants to actively learn and prepare the traditional Vietnamese dishes under the guidance of the local host.

Is There an Age Limit for the Basket Boat Ride?

The activity does not mention an age limit for the basket boat ride. However, it may not be suitable for very young children or those with mobility issues. Participants are advised to check with the tour provider for any age or ability restrictions.

Can I Take the Lantern Home on the Airplane?

Yes, you can take the handmade lantern home on the airplane. The activity description states the lantern-making is included as a souvenir, so it’s designed to be portable and travel-friendly.

Is It Possible to Extend the Activity Duration?

Yes, the activity duration can be extended. Customers can inquire with the tour provider about adding more time for the lantern-making or cooking class, or extending the boat ride, for an additional fee. The overall itinerary can be customized to meet the customer’s needs.

Do I Need to Bring Any Special Equipment for the Activities?

No special equipment is needed for this activity. The organizers provide all necessary materials, including ingredients for the cooking class and supplies for the lantern-making workshop. Guests just need to wear comfortable clothing and bring an open mind to enjoy the experience.

The Sum Up

This immersive experience in Hoi An offers a unique opportunity to explore the local culture. Visitors can bargain at the vibrant market, glide through the scenic nipa forest, craft a lantern, and cook traditional Vietnamese dishes. Friendly, English-speaking hosts guide participants throughout the 4.5-hour journey, ensuring an enjoyable and memorable adventure.

You can check availability for your dates here: