Around 8:00 a.m., the tour guide will pick guests up from their hotel in the Hanoi Old Quarter and transfer them to a local house.

The hosts will warmly welcome everyone, introduce their family members, and share insights about their lives. The tour guide will then teach some simple phrases in the local language, which are essential for shopping and interacting with friendly sellers.

Next, guests will walk to a nearby local market, just a 5-minute stroll away. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about and taste some of the ingredients used in local cuisine and observe the vibrant buying and selling rituals of a Vietnamese market. The tour guide will assist in purchasing a variety of fresh foods, including herbs, spices, vegetables, meats, fish, and fruits. Guests will enjoy communicating with locals, using body language, and creating unforgettable memories. Don’t forget to take photos with the locals, as there will be many photo opportunities in this bustling, colorful scene.

At 10:00 a.m., shopping will be complete, and guests will return to the local home to prepare and cook their meal under the tour guide’s instruction. Learning how to marinate and spice will be a crucial lesson. Guests will also enjoy decorating dishes with carrot flowers, lemongrass stems, banana leaves, and curved chili. The authentic magical sauce, made from fish sauce, water, sugar, lime, chili, garlic, and herbs, is easy to prepare.

At 12:00 p.m., guests will enjoy their meal with a local beer or wine. Afterward, the tour guide will transfer them back to their hotel, and they will receive a selection of recipe cards to help recreate Vietnamese dishes at home!

Points of Interest

• BCfamilytour.com - The leading Tour Operator in Southeast Asia

• Free drinks (Hanoi beer, soft drink, coffee, fresh green tea, local wine)
• English speaking Vietnamese guide
• Enjoy your cooked food with hosts
• Step-by-step recipe booklet to take home
• Teaching Vietnamese basic language
• Pick-up & drop-off at your hotel in the Old Quarter

• Other expenses

Step away from traditional cooking classes and immerse yourself in Vietnamese cuisine at a local home. We’ll begin our day with a brief visit to a local market, where you’ll explore numerous stalls and engage with vendors offering everything from garlic to tapioca flour. Absorb the vibrant colors, sights, and aromas! Hanoi’s markets are renowned worldwide, and you’ll soon understand why.

After our local hosts explain the ingredients for sale and help you purchase items to take home, we’ll return to a local home where our host will guide you through preparing a typical Vietnamese menu.

• Meals
• Phở cuốn – fresh spring roll (rice noodle rolls), a grilled beef and rice noodle roll with fresh herbs
• Nộm - Hanoi Specialty salad
• Nem Rán - Vietnamese delicious Fried Spring Roll
• Seasonal vegetables
• Rice noodle
• Free drinks: Local beer or local wine or soft drink
• Desserts: Fresh fruits
• This is a sample itinerary and is typical of Hanoi food. The itinerary can also be customized to suit guest’s particular interests and dietary restrictions.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.