Cat Ba Beyond · Local experiences

Cat Ba Local Cooking Class

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Travellers selecting fresh produce at a local market Guest preparing fresh ingredients during a cooking class Fresh vegetables, herbs and seasonings laid out for cooking A shared table of Vietnamese dishes A cook preparing a meal with fresh ingredients Guests sitting together to enjoy a meal A shopper choosing vegetables at a local market stall

Illustrative photos supplied for this experience; the market, kitchen and dishes may vary by session.

Shop Local. Cook Local. Taste Cat Ba.

Discover the flavors of Cat Ba through a hands-on cooking experience that takes you beyond the typical tourist activities. Our Cat Ba Local Cooking Class is designed for travelers who want to learn more about local food, fresh ingredients, and everyday island life. Rather than simply arriving at a kitchen and following a recipe, your experience begins where local meals truly start — at the local market.

A Taste of Local Life

Join your local host for a visit to a traditional market in Cat Ba, where you will explore fresh vegetables, herbs, seafood, meat, spices, and other ingredients available that day.

Together, we will select and purchase the ingredients needed for the cooking session. Depending on the season and market availability, the dishes and ingredients may vary — making every class a little different and giving you an authentic taste of how local families shop and cook.

After visiting the market, we will head to the host's cooking location, prepare the ingredients, and begin the cooking class.

With guidance from your local instructor, you will learn how to prepare a selection of Vietnamese dishes inspired by the food enjoyed by local families in Cat Ba. You will discover traditional ingredients, simple cooking techniques, and the stories behind the dishes.

And of course, the best part comes at the end: sitting down together and enjoying the meal you have prepared.

Two Sessions Available

We offer two cooking sessions each day:

Morning Cooking Class · 7:30 AM–12:30 PM
A great choice for guests who would like to experience the local market in the morning and enjoy their freshly prepared dishes for lunch.

Afternoon Cooking Class · 3:00 PM–7:30 PM
Perfect for guests spending the morning exploring Cat Ba before joining us for a local market visit, cooking experience, and freshly prepared meal later in the day.

Please enquire about availability for your preferred date and session.

What You'll Experience

Your cooking class is more than just preparing food. During the experience, you will:

  • Visit a local market with your host
  • Discover fresh local vegetables, seafood, herbs, spices, and seasonal ingredients
  • Learn how to select ingredients like a local
  • Prepare ingredients and learn traditional cooking techniques
  • Cook Vietnamese dishes with step-by-step guidance
  • Learn about local food culture and daily life in Cat Ba
  • Sit down and enjoy the dishes you have prepared
  • Take home useful cooking materials and a small souvenir from the experience

What's Included

The Cooking Class includes:

  • All cooking ingredients and seasonings
  • Kitchen utensils and cooking equipment
  • Personal protective equipment required during the class
  • Local cooking instructor / host
  • Local market visit and ingredient selection experience
  • The complete meal prepared during the class
  • Cooking materials and souvenir

What's Not Included

  • Tips and gratuities
  • Personal expenses
  • Additional drinks not included in the program

Who Is This Experience For?

This experience is suitable for couples, families, groups of friends, solo travelers, and anyone interested in Vietnamese cuisine and local culture.

You do not need any previous cooking experience. Our host will guide you through each step, making the class relaxed, interactive, and suitable even for beginners.

If you have any dietary requirements, food allergies, vegetarian preferences, or ingredients you cannot eat, please let us know in advance so we can prepare accordingly.

More Than a Cooking Class

Food is one of the best ways to understand a place.

At Cat Ba Beyond, we want you to experience more than the beautiful landscapes of Cat Ba and Lan Ha Bay. Through this cooking class, you can step into everyday local life — visiting the market, meeting local people, discovering fresh ingredients, learning how we prepare our food, and sharing a meal together.

Come hungry, cook with us, and leave with more than a recipe — take home a taste and a memory of Cat Ba.

Chat with a Local Guide