The 14 Best Workshops & Classes in Da Nang
Da Nang isn’t just about beaches and dragon bridges—it’s also a fantastic city for hands-on experiences that let you dive into Vietnamese culture. Whether you want to master local dishes, learn about coffee, or try your hand at lantern making, this city offers a surprising variety of workshops. We particularly like the Jolie Da Nang Cooking Classes for their friendly hosts and lively atmosphere, and the Basket Boat Tour from Da Nang/Hoi An for a taste of rural life on the water. Each experience offers a chance to connect with Vietnam beyond sightseeing, and their small-group formats ensure plenty of personal attention.
If you’re wondering which class suits your style, keep reading. We’ve sorted through the options to highlight the best cooking courses, cultural crafts, and even surfing lessons, complete with what makes each one special.
1. Jolie Da Nang Cooking Class Only (JDN3)
At number 1, Jolie Da Nang’s Cooking Class Only is a straightforward, fun introduction to Vietnamese cuisine. You meet at their location on 14 An Trung Dong 6 Street, enjoy a welcome drink, then spend about 2.5 hours cooking and tasting your own creations. The class is praised for its friendly hosts, especially Kate and her team, who keep the atmosphere lively and interactive. Many reviews mention how much they learned, especially tips on Vietnamese pancakes and other dishes, making it perfect for travelers who want a hands-on experience. After cooking, you’re free to relax and play guitar or piano if you’re feeling musical.
This class is ideal for those short on time but wanting a genuine cooking experience. The price is reasonable at $35, and with a 5-star rating from over 300 reviews, it’s clear that visitors love the friendly vibe and delicious food.
Bottom line: Perfect for food lovers after a lively, personal class that leaves you with new skills and great memories.
2. Jolie Da Nang Cooking Class: Market-Coffee-Cooking (JDN2)
Number 2 on our list offers a longer, more immersive experience in Vietnamese cooking. This Market-Coffee-Cooking tour lasts about 4.5 hours and includes shopping at a local market, visiting a coffee house, and preparing at least four dishes. It’s led by Jolie herself, who shares tips and stories about Vietnamese ingredients along the way. The class concludes with a homemade lunch, giving you a sense of Vietnamese hospitality and culinary pride.
Many reviewers highlight how this experience not only teaches recipes but also provides insights into Vietnamese culture—plus, the small group size (max 10 people) makes it intimate. For around $36, this tour offers exceptional value for foodies eager to learn more than just recipes.
Bottom line: Best suited for those wanting a thorough cultural and culinary experience with local shopping and coffee tips.
3. 5 Dishes Cooking Class with Market Trip in Da Nang
Number 3 is a 4-hour class that combines a vibrant market visit with hands-on cooking. Led by skilled instructors, you’ll learn to make famous Vietnamese dishes, such as spring rolls and a signature noodle soup. The class begins with a market tour, helping you understand the ingredients that make Vietnamese cuisine unique. Guests note that the chef explains techniques clearly, making it accessible even for beginners.
This tour ranks high thanks to its focus on five key dishes, giving you a well-rounded culinary snapshot of Da Nang. At around $39, it’s a good value considering the comprehensive nature of the experience and the positive reviews about the quality and friendliness of the instruction.
Bottom line: Ideal for travelers seeking a balanced mix of market exploration and authentic cooking.
4. 6-Hour Cooking Class in Danang (JDN1)
Number 4 offers a full-day immersion into Vietnamese cuisine. For roughly $40, you’ll visit local farms and markets, then cook a traditional Vietnamese meal under the guidance of experienced instructors. Guests rave about the interactive experience, highlighting how the class teaches shopping, cooking, and tasting in one go. The course also includes a garden visit, perfect for those interested in farm-to-table concepts.
What sets this class apart is the length and depth—you get thorough instruction and plenty of time to practice techniques. The reviews mention how much participants enjoy the hands-on approach and the chance to ask questions about ingredients and cooking methods.
Bottom line: Ideal for serious foodies wanting an all-day, detailed Vietnamese cooking experience.
5. Home Cooking Class: Market, Garden and Cooking 4 Dishes
Number 5 is a cozy, family-led cooking experience with just 9 travelers max. You’ll shop at a local market, visit a vegetable garden, and prepare four traditional dishes, ending with a shared meal. This tour emphasizes authentic home-style cooking and personal attention from your hosts. Visitors rave about the “fantastic” instructor and the chance to learn real Vietnamese techniques in a relaxed setting.
For $26, this is a great value for those who want a truly personal experience. It’s especially suited to travelers who enjoy small-group classes and like the idea of cooking with a local family.
Bottom line: Perfect for those seeking an intimate, genuine look at Vietnamese home cooking.
6. Hoi An: Lantern Making, Basket Boat, and Cooking Class
Number 6 takes you beyond just cooking, blending cultural crafts and rural life in Hoi An. It includes a lantern-making workshop, a basket boat ride in the Nipa Forest, and a cooking class. Combining these activities, it offers a multi-faceted cultural experience for just $15. The tour’s highlight is its hands-on approach—making lanterns and paddling traditional boats—plus the chance to learn local fishing techniques.
Rated nearly 5 stars, travelers love the variety and the chance to experience everyday Vietnamese life. It’s a fun, affordable way to see Hoi An’s countryside and enjoy some craft-making.
Bottom line: Excellent for travelers interested in combining cooking with craft and rural activities.
7. Rice Paper Noodle Making Experience & Hoi An Cooking Class
Number 7 lets you paddle a traditional basket boat, catch purple crabs, and enjoy a meal with locals. This 4.5-hour tour is perfect for those looking to go off the beaten path in Vietnam. You’ll learn how to make rice paper noodles, then relax over a home-cooked lunch in a fishing village.
The small-group size (limited to 15) ensures personalized attention, and reviews mention how the hands-on activities like catching crabs and paddling add an authentic touch. The overall experience is a mix of cultural insight and culinary fun, making it ideal for adventurous travelers.
Bottom line: Best for those wanting culture combined with cooking and rural life.
8. 6-Hour Cooking Class in Danang (JDN1)
Number 8 offers a comprehensive day of shopping, farming, and cooking. For $40, you visit a garden, a market, and learn to prepare a variety of Vietnamese dishes. Reviewers say it’s “well organized,” and the instructor’s enthusiasm makes the experience engaging. The class emphasizes local ingredients and techniques, giving you the confidence to cook Vietnamese dishes at home.
This tour is especially suited for travelers with a full day to dedicate to learning and tasting Vietnam’s flavors. The inclusion of garden visits and market shopping adds depth.
Bottom line: Ideal for those wanting a full immersion experience in Vietnamese cooking.
9. Home Cooking Class: Market, Garden and cooking 4 dishes
Number 9 combines a personalized small-group setting with a visit to a local market and vegetable garden. You’ll learn to cook four dishes, then share a meal with your hosts. The experience is praised for its warm personal touch and practical skills. The instructor is called “fantastic,” and the class is well-paced.
For just $26, it’s a good pick for travelers seeking a local family experience with authentic cuisine.
Bottom line: Best for those wanting a hands-on, intimate Vietnamese cooking lesson.
10. Surf Lessons
Number 10 offers a different kind of experience—surfing with professional instructors. The lessons last around 2 hours, with beginner-friendly boards and safe waves, perfect for first-timers. Guests mention Owen, their instructor, as “great” and encouraging, with positive reviews about catching their first waves.
It’s a great break from culinary classes for travelers wanting to try something active. The price point of $44 makes it accessible, and the welcoming environment suits all fitness levels.
Bottom line: Perfect for beginners looking to learn surfing in an approachable setting.
11. Da Nang: 5 Famous Dishes Cooking Class with Market Trip
Number 11 offers a culinary tour with a focus on five well-known dishes like Banh xeo and Bun Bo Hue, with a market visit included. Costing around $40, it’s highly rated for its friendly instruction and flavorful results. Visitors enjoy the mix of shopping, learning, and tasting, plus the printed recipe book and certificate make it a good souvenir.
This class is well-suited for those who want to explore regional specialties and appreciate comprehensive cultural insights.
Bottom line: Great for those wanting to learn multiple iconic Vietnamese dishes with local market visits.
12. Basket Boat Tour from Da Nang/Hoi An by Lunch & Cafe Class Private
Number 12 combines a basket boat adventure and a local meal. It includes a bamboo boat ride through the coconut forest, and a meal cooked by a host family, with optional pickup from Da Nang or Hoi An. For just $13, it offers authentic rural immersion and cultural insight, with reviews praising the engaging guide and fun activities.
It’s a flexible tour suitable for those who want a short, meaningful rural experience alongside cultural learning. The tour’s affordability makes it a popular choice.
Bottom line: Ideal for travelers seeking a relaxed cultural and culinary experience near Da Nang.
13. Da Nang Coffee Making Class (JDC)
Number 13 is a small-group coffee class lasting about 1.5 hours. For just $20, you’ll learn to brew authentic Vietnamese coffee using the classic phin filter. The instructor shares stories about Da Nang’s coffee culture, and students enjoy tasting different brews. Visitors mention how engaging and fun the class is, especially for coffee enthusiasts wanting to understand Vietnam’s coffee rituals.
It’s perfect for those who want a quick, authentic coffee experience that’s both educational and delicious.
Bottom line: Great for coffee lovers interested in Vietnamese brewing traditions.
14. Coffee Making and Cooking Class
Number 14 offers a combined food and coffee experience, lasting about 4 hours. For $17, you learn to cook four dishes and brew Vietnamese coffee, all in a relaxed home setting. Reviews emphasize the personalized attention and the fun of making both food and drinks. If you want to maximize your cultural exposure in a short time, this class fits the bill.
Bottom line: Perfect for travelers looking for a hands-on culinary and coffee experience without breaking the bank.
How to Choose the Best Workshop in Da Nang
When selecting a workshop, consider your interests and schedule. For a quick but authentic taste of Vietnamese cuisine, Jolie Da Nang’s Cooking Class Only is perfect. If you want a more comprehensive culture that includes shopping, coffee, and cooking, the Jolie Market-Coffee-Cooking is excellent. For those seeking crafts and rural life, the lantern and basket boat tour in Hoi An (Tour #6) offers a diverse experience.
Budget travelers can opt for the affordable Basket Boat Tour or Coffee Class, while serious foodies should consider the full-day JDN1 or 5 dishes classes. Fitness-minded travelers might enjoy the surf lessons. Keep in mind booking early, especially during peak season, as popular classes fill quickly.
Final Thoughts
Da Nang offers a surprising variety of workshops that go beyond just sightseeing. From mastering Vietnamese dishes to making traditional lanterns or riding bamboo boats, there’s something for every curiosity and skill level. For a culinary adventure, the Jolie Cooking Classes are hard to beat, especially for their friendly hosts and authentic recipes. If you prefer a cultural craft experience, the lantern and basket boat class in Hoi An makes for a memorable day.
Travelers with a sense of adventure should try the rice noodle making or fishing village trips to see rural Vietnam up close. And for those wanting to relax and learn about Vietnamese coffee, the local coffee workshops are a perfect fit. Booking early is always wise, as these popular experiences tend to fill up, especially in peak season.
Enjoy your time in Da Nang, and don’t miss out on these enriching and delicious ways to connect with Vietnam’s culture.