Detailed Itinerary
HOI AN – TRA QUE VEGETABLE VILLAGE – COOKING CLASS – HOI AN
8:30–10:15 AM | Cycling Through the Hoi An Countryside
Your local English-speaking guide will meet you at your hotel in Hoi An between 8:30 and 9:00 AM and begin the tour by bicycle.
Cycle along quiet countryside roads towards a local market, where you can discover the fresh vegetables, herbs and ingredients commonly used in Vietnamese cooking. Your guide will introduce you to the different vegetables and explain some of their traditional culinary and medicinal uses.
Continue cycling through small rural lanes, rice fields and farming areas, with opportunities to photograph water buffaloes, cows and local farmers working in their fields. Along the way, enjoy the peaceful scenery and meet local people going about their daily lives.
Continue towards Tra Que Vegetable Village, a traditional farming community located close to Hoi An.
10:15–11:30 AM | Tra Que Farming & Herbal Wellness Experience
Arrive at Tra Que Vegetable Village, a traditional agricultural community known for growing fresh herbs and vegetables used in Hoi An cuisine.
Begin with a refreshing cup of É Water, a local herbal drink prepared from garden ingredients.
Then put on a traditional farmer’s outfit and conical hat before joining local farmers in the vegetable gardens. Depending on the season, you may take part in simple farming activities such as preparing the soil, planting, watering or caring for vegetables using traditional methods.
After the farming experience, return to a local family’s home for a relaxing herbal head, shoulder and foot massage using herbs from the garden.
This peaceful wellness experience provides a chance to relax before continuing to the cooking class.
11:30 AM–1:30 PM | Vietnamese Cooking Class & Local Lunch
After the farming and wellness experience, join a local chef or host for a hands-on Vietnamese cooking class.
Begin by learning how to prepare decorative vegetable flowers using ingredients such as carrots, tomatoes and spring onions. Continue with a practical cooking session introducing several Vietnamese dishes and traditional preparation techniques.
The exact dishes may vary according to the season and the local cooking class menu. After preparing the dishes, sit down together and enjoy your freshly cooked lunch, accompanied by local dishes such as steamed rice and stir-fried morning glory with garlic.
A vegetarian menu can be arranged upon request.
After lunch, take a short rest before getting back on your bicycle for the return journey to Hoi An.
- Travel style: Cultural / Farming / Cooking / Cycling / Countryside / Local Life / Wellness
- Transfer: Bicycle / Walking
- Local guide: Local English-speaking guide
- Meals: Lunch
What’s Included
- Bicycle pickup and drop-off at your hotel within the Hoi An city area
- English-speaking local guide / chef
- Welcome herbal drink (É Water)
- Entrance fees
- Hands-on farming experience with a local farmer
- Traditional herbal head, shoulder and foot massage
- Vietnamese cooking class
- Full meal as mentioned in the itinerary
What’s Not Included
- Drinks other than the included welcome drink
- Personal expenses
- Travel insurance
- Tips and gratuities
- Services not mentioned in the itinerary
Alessandro Romano (Italy) –
One of Our Favourite Experiences in Vietnam
What a fantastic morning! We really enjoyed visiting Tra Que Village and discovering the traditional farming techniques used by local families. The village was peaceful, green and full of charm.
We had the opportunity to learn more about the herbs and vegetables grown in the area before joining the cooking class. Our host showed us how to prepare authentic Vietnamese food step by step. It was fun, interactive and surprisingly easy to follow, even for someone like me who is not an experienced cook!
The dishes we prepared were delicious, and sharing the meal afterwards was a lovely part of the experience. The team made us feel very welcome throughout the tour.
If you want to discover Vietnamese food and everyday local culture, this is definitely worth doing while staying in Hoi An.
Emma Keller (Switzerland) –
A Lovely Experience for Food
I would highly recommend this tour, especially if you enjoy food and cultural experiences.
Tra Que is a beautiful little village, and we loved seeing the vegetable gardens and learning how local farmers work the land. It was interesting to discover the different herbs used in Vietnamese cuisine and how important fresh ingredients are to the local food culture.
The cooking class was excellent. Everything was explained clearly, and we had plenty of opportunities to participate rather than just watch. Preparing the dishes ourselves made the meal much more enjoyable.
The atmosphere was relaxed, the hosts were lovely, and the tour was very well organized. A wonderful way to spend a half-day in Hoi An!
Erik Andersson (Sweden) –
A Memorable Morning in the Countryside
We were looking for something different from temples and sightseeing, and this tour was exactly what we wanted. It was relaxing, interesting and a great opportunity to experience a quieter side of life around Hoi An.
Walking around the vegetable village and meeting the local people was a highlight. The cooking class was also excellent, with fresh ingredients and delicious food. We learned a few techniques that we will definitely try at home!
Friendly people, a lovely setting and a very enjoyable experience from beginning to end. Five stars!
Lucía Fernández (Spain) –
Fun, Delicious and Authentic!
Such a lovely experience! We enjoyed learning about the local farming traditions, picking up some cooking tips and preparing delicious Vietnamese food. The hosts were incredibly welcoming, and the whole experience felt personal rather than touristy. We left with full stomachs and some great memories. Definitely recommend!
Sophia Miller (United States) –
A Wonderful Taste of Vietnamese Culture
We absolutely loved this experience! Tra Que Vegetable Village was such a charming place, and it was wonderful to see how local farmers grow their vegetables using traditional methods.
The cooking class was the highlight for us. We learned how to prepare several delicious Vietnamese dishes, and our instructor was patient, friendly and great fun. Everything tasted even better because we had helped prepare it ourselves!
A lovely way to experience local life beyond the tourist attractions of Hoi An. Highly recommended!