Hoi An is a treasure trove for anyone interested in Vietnamese culture, cuisine, and local life. Its bustling markets, colorful streets, and traditional crafts make it an ideal place to dive into authentic experiences. If you’re looking to weave together shopping, cooking, and culture, the city offers an impressive range of tours. We especially love tours like the From Hoi An: Market Tour, Basket Boat Ride and Cooking Class for its combination of local market life, eco-friendly boat rides, and hands-on cooking—perfect for those wanting a well-rounded day. Plus, the Hoi An Eco Tour Cooking Class & Fishing adds a personal touch with small-group attention, making it ideal for travelers who want to learn in an intimate setting. For a deeper dive into culinary traditions, the Visit Local Market, Coconut Basket Boat Ride and Cooking Class offers an immersive experience in Vietnam’s craft and cuisine.
Quick Overview
Our list includes eight standout shopping and market tours ranging from half-day cultural explorations to full-day culinary adventures**. Many combine local market visits with hands-on cooking classes, while others include bamboo basket boat rides through coconut forests or fishing experiences. Prices range from just $8 to $45 per person, offering options for budget-conscious travelers and those seeking something more premium. Several tours like Bay Mau Cooking Class with Market Tour and Basket Boat Ride include transfers, making the experience seamless. Whether you prefer a small-group intimate experience or a larger guided walk, there’s something here for everyone.
1. From Hoi An: Market Tour, Basket Boat Ride and Cooking Class
Starting with the local market, this tour immerses you in the everyday rural life of Vietnam. You’ll shop alongside vendors, learn to bargain, and get a true taste of community commerce. Then, hop into a bamboo basket boat to glide through the dense coconut palm forest, an eco-friendly way to see Cam Thanh’s waterways. The highlight is the hands-on cooking class in a rural setting, where you’ll prepare traditional Vietnamese dishes you can replicate at home. The tour ranks high with a 4.8/5 rating from over 2,200 reviews and costs only $17 per person, making it an excellent budget-friendly choice.
What makes this tour unique is its authentic rural atmosphere combined with eco-friendly boat riding and the chance to cook in a peaceful setting. It’s perfect for travelers eager to experience local markets in action and enjoy a practical cooking lesson. Reviewers praise its lively market, fun boat ride, and delicious food. The only downside might be the quick pace, but that keeps things lively.
Bottom Line: Great for budget travelers and those wanting a full cultural snapshot—market, boat, and cooking in one relaxed package.
2. Hoi An Eco Tour Cooking Class & Fishing
At number two, the Hoi An Eco Tour Cooking Class & Fishing offers a small-group experience that emphasizes personalized attention. It begins with a visit to the local market where you’ll pick ingredients, then moves to fishing from a river boat using traditional techniques—adding a fun, hands-on element. Afterward, you’ll arrive at a restaurant for a two-hour cooking class focused on Vietnamese staples. This tour scores a perfect 5.0/5 from 546 reviews and costs $29.
What sets this tour apart is the fishing component, offering a rare chance to learn about traditional Vietnamese river life. Guests rave about the authenticity and friendliness of the guides. The tour’s price includes food and refreshments, making it a good value. The only potential downside is if you’re not keen on fishing, but the experience is authentic and enjoyable.
Bottom Line: Ideal for travelers wanting to combine fishing, market shopping, and cooking in a small-group setting.
3. Visit Local Market, Coconut Basket Boat Ride and Cooking Class
This in-depth tour offers a full immersion into Vietnamese craft and cuisine. It features learning to pound rice and make rice paper, riding in a bamboo coracle, and shopping at an authentic market. The highlight is the lavish cooking session where you’ll prepare a full Vietnamese feast. The tour is highly rated, with 5.0/5 from 401 reviews, and costs $26.10.
What makes it special is the hands-on rice preparation, a true artisan skill few travelers get to try. The coconut boat ride can be a bit underwhelming for some, but overall, guests love the rich cultural experience and the delicious meal they get to enjoy. The tour’s length (about 4.5 hours) offers a hearty taste of local life.
Bottom Line: Perfect for those eager to master Vietnamese cooking techniques and enjoy craft-based activities.
4. Traditional Cooking Class with Basket Boat Ride and market Tour
This tour combines local market exploration, a river cruise, and a water buffalo cart ride—offering a multi-sensory journey. At just over 3.5 hours, it’s compact but packed with experiences. The cooking class focuses on Vietnamese delicacies, with options for vegetarian meals. The tour scores 5.0/5 from 384 reviews and is priced at $34.
What makes this tour stand out is the inclusion of a river cruise and a buffalo cart ride, adding a quintessential rural vibe. Guests mention the friendly guidance and delicious food, though some found the cooking portion a bit rushed. Its hotel pickup and drop-off make it very convenient.
Bottom Line: Great for travelers wanting an all-in-one rural experience with river and farm activities.
5. Hoi An Night Market – Ancient Town street food tours by Night
For a delicious evening stroll, this Night Market street food tour is a top pick. It’s perfect if you want to see Hoi An’s illuminated streets and sample iconic street foods like banh mi, dumplings, and Vietnamese coffee. The tour lasts about 2-3 hours and costs $45, offering a small group experience with up to 12 travelers.
The tour’s strength is its personalized approach and curated tastings at local vendors. It’s a great way to get acquainted with Hoi An’s night scene and learn food tips from your guide. Some find the pace a bit fast, but overall, it’s a rich taste of local nightlife and cuisine.
Bottom Line: Ideal for night owls and food lovers interested in culinary exploration after dark.
6. Bay Mau Cooking Class with Market Tour and Basket Boat Ride
This tour stands out for its extensive four-hour itinerary in Bay Mau. You’ll visit a local market, then cook multiple dishes, including pho and other Vietnamese classics, with a local chef. The highlight is the basket boat ride through the scenic coconut forest. It’s priced at $27 and boasts a 5-star rating from 150 reviews.
The impressive value lies in the variety of activities—market, cooking, boat ride—all in one tour. Guests love making several dishes and the relaxed river cruise. It’s especially suited for those wanting a comprehensive culinary and cultural experience outside the main tourist spots.
Bottom Line: Perfect for travelers wanting a full-day experience combining markets, cooking, and scenic boat rides.
7. Hoi An Cooking Class With Market Tour and Bamboo Basket Boat Ride
This six-hour tour offers a deep dive into Vietnamese cuisine. Surrounded by vegetable gardens at Tra Que Village, you’ll learn to make spring rolls, pancakes, and green papaya salad. It includes shopping for ingredients at the local market and a cooking class in a tranquil garden setting. Costs are around $26, and reviews highlight the friendly guides and delicious food.
What makes this experience stand out is the garden setting and the comprehensive cooking instruction. The basket boat ride adds a fun and scenic element. It’s best suited for those prepared for a longer, immersive session.
Bottom Line: Ideal for culinary enthusiasts seeking a peaceful garden environment and extended hands-on classes.
8. Da Nang/Hoi An: Market Tour, Basket Boat Ride, Cooking Class
This tour provides a coastal perspective with a local market visit, coconut forest boat ride, and interactive cooking class. It’s suitable for those traveling from Da Nang or Hoi An and costs just $18. The tour emphasizes local culture and traditional cooking skills.
Guests mention the easy logistics and cultural insights. The basket boat ride through coconut groves makes it especially photogenic. It’s a great value for a half-day adventure.
Bottom Line: Great for travelers who want a coastal, cultural experience that’s budget-friendly.
9. Coco Farm Cooking Class with Market Tour and Basket Boat
This hands-on farm experience takes you to Cocolocal Farm, where you’ll make Banh Xeo, Pho, and Spring Rolls. Included are market visits and a coconut forest boat ride. The price is $29.17 for about five hours, and reviews praise the friendly chef and memorable atmosphere.
The tour excels for food lovers wanting farm-to-table freshness and local interaction. The scenic boat ride through the coconut groves enhances the rustic, authentic feel. It’s best suited for solo travelers or families interested in Vietnamese staples.
Bottom Line: Perfect for culinary travelers who enjoy farm visits and scenic boat rides.
10. Hoi An Local Market and Vegetable Village Cooking Class
This tour combines market shopping, organic vegetable farming at Tra Que Village, and a culinary class in Hoi An’s countryside. You’ll plant, water, and harvest vegetables before cooking them into authentic dishes. Costing around $27.55, it emphasizes agriculture and food.
Guests love the interactive farm activities and the fresh ingredients. It suits those who want more than just a cooking class, seeking a full agricultural experience.
Bottom Line: Ideal for foodies interested in farm-to-table cooking and rural scenery.
11. Market Tour, Basket Boat and Cooking Class Hoi An
This comprehensive tour includes market shopping, a bamboo basket boat ride, and a hands-on cooking class. It’s rated 5.0/5 from 45 reviews and costs only $8, making it an unbeatable value. The longer duration (around 5 hours) lets you explore local life thoroughly.
Guests praise the friendly host, crab fishing, and delicious food. It’s perfect for budget travelers or those wanting an authentic, all-in-one experience.
Bottom Line: Excellent value for immersive local culture and culinary fun.
12. Hoi An Ancient Town – Night Market Street Food Tours By Night
For nighttime food exploration, this Night Market Street Food Tour offers a curated walk through Hoi An’s illuminated streets. Tastings include BBQ pulled pork, white-rose dumplings, and local desserts. It lasts about 4 hours and costs $55 for a small group.
The tour’s personalized approach makes it ideal for food lovers wanting local insights and a chance to sample multiple dishes. Plus, strolling through the night market is a visual feast.
Bottom Line: Perfect for evening explorers who want to sample Hoi An’s street foods in a relaxed setting.
13. Experience Local Market and Boat Ride with Cooking Class
This 5-hour experience combines market shopping, a bamboo basket boat ride, and a cooking class. It’s great for families or solo travelers looking for an authentic local experience. The guided market tour and scenic boat ride especially appeal to those wanting a well-rounded cultural day.
The reviews highlight friendly guides and delicious food. It also includes hotel transfers, which simplifies planning.
Bottom Line: Suitable for those seeking a full cultural day with food, watercraft, and local interaction.
14. Hoi An Eco Tour & Cooking Class
Rated 5.0/5 from 22 reviews, this half-day eco tour emphasizes local life with market shopping, fishing in bamboo baskets, and cooking. It’s a smaller group, ensuring personalized attention and a more relaxed pace. The price is $29.49.
What makes this tour stand out is the focus on ecological and traditional practices, providing insight into daily Vietnamese life. The fishing experience is particularly memorable.
Bottom Line: Perfect for eco-conscious travelers and those interested in traditional fishing and cuisine.
15. Green Coconut Village Cooking Tour
The most comprehensive on our list, this 5-hour tour includes local market visits, basket boat rides, and hands-on cooking. Participants get to catch crabs, row a basket boat, and cast fishing nets—a true interactive rural experience. The tour costs $40 and offers great value for its variety.
Guests mention the fun activities and the delicious food they’ve created. It’s ideal for adventurous travelers who want more than just a cooking class.
Bottom Line: Excellent for families or solo travelers who want a lively, participatory experience.
How to Choose the Perfect Tour
When selecting a shopping or market tour in Hoi An, consider your interests, budget, and time. If you want a quick taste of local markets and a fun boat ride, tours like Market Tour, Basket Boat and Cooking Class offer great value. For those eager to learn Vietnamese cooking in a peaceful garden setting, options like the Hoi An Cooking Class With Market Tour and Bamboo Basket Boat Ride are ideal.
Budget travelers will appreciate tours under $20 that combine local markets, boat rides, and cooking (see Tour #11). Families or groups seeking more interactive and extensive experiences should consider tours with farm visits, fishing, and multiple dishes.
Booking early is recommended, especially during peak seasons, to secure your spot and avoid disappointment. Consider your fitness level—some tours involve longer walks or physical activity—and always check if hotel transfers are included for added convenience.
Final Thoughts
From budget-friendly walks in bustling markets to immersive culinary adventures, Hoi An offers a range of shopping and market tours that suit various interests. If you want to experience authentic rural life, tours like From Hoi An: Market Tour, Basket Boat Ride and Cooking Class will delight you. For a more comprehensive culinary journey, options like Bay Mau Cooking Class with Market Tour and Basket Boat Ride are hard to beat.
Travelers looking for a nighttime taste of Hoi An should not miss the Night Market Street Food Tour, which offers a vibrant, flavorsome evening out. Whichever you choose, booking early ensures you won’t miss these memorable experiences.