What to do in Saigon for a few hours? If you ask me what made my trip to HCMC so memorable, I would say it was the Saigon cooking class 1-day tour I took. This experience was truly something special – it wasn’t just about learning to cook Vietnamese food, but about immersing myself in the culture and energy of the city. Now, weeks later, I still find myself thinking back to that day. So I hope that when you visit Saigon, you will consider taking a cooking class too – it’s a wonderful way to truly learn about the city. If you’re looking for an authentic, hands‑on experience, let me take you along on my journey – from market to kitchen to table – and show you why this cooking class became the absolute highlight of my trip.
At 8:45 AM, I arrived at the meeting point with barely contained excitement. Saigon’s morning sun was gentle, the air cool and pleasant. Our group – about eight people from different countries – was led by our chef on a short walk to Ben Thanh Market. The moment I stepped through the market gates, I was overwhelmed by the energy, colors, and sounds: vendors calling out, bargaining, the aroma of fresh spices and tropical fruits.
Our market visit lasted from 9:00 AM to 9:50 AM – 50 minutes that flew by like a vivid movie scene. Our chef guided us while explaining everything in detail: how to choose fresh shrimp (the head should be firmly attached, the body naturally curved), how to tell young lemongrass from old, and why Southern Vietnam has such a richer variety of herbs than the North. I got to touch Vietnamese balm leaves, lolot leaves, and rice paddy herbs – ingredients I had only seen in books and photos before.
What surprised me most was that the chef didn’t just buy ingredients – she taught us how to bargain politely, told stories about each spice’s origin, and shared everyday tales of the stallholders. By the end of the tour, our shopping baskets were full: tiger prawns, pork belly, fresh rice noodles, herbs, bean sprouts, tamarind, and a special spice mix – all without MSG, just as the class promised.
It was an incredibly fun experience! The market, which we visited during our Saigon cooking class tour, is truly a must-visit spot when you’re in the city. It captures that ideal blend of lively atmosphere and authentic local charm, making you feel right at the heart of Ho Chi Minh City.
After leaving the market at 9:50 AM, we were arranged into taxis to travel back to the cooking class venue. Stepping into the kitchen area, I immediately saw a highly professional space: each student had their own cooking station, knife set, cutting board, and pre-portioned ingredients matching exactly what we had bought at the market. The counters were spotless, and the air smelled of lemongrass, ginger, and garlic. I felt like I was about to step onto a real cooking show.
At exactly 10:00 AM, the class began. The head chef introduced the day’s menu – and since I was there on Saturday, this is what we made:
Gỏi cuốn (Fresh spring rolls) – Fresh spring rolls with prawns, pork, fresh herbs and rice noodles, served with a rich peanut dipping sauce.
Gỏi gà (Green mango chicken salad) – A vibrant salad of green mango, pepper elder leaves, and baby spinach, topped with marinated chicken in sate sauce.
Bánh xèo (Vietnamese crispy pancake) – Crisp rice flour pancake stuffed with pork, prawns, and soybean sprouts, paired with a traditional dipping sauce (nước chấm).
I have to admit: I was never a fan of green mango chicken salad before this Saigon cooking class 1-day tour. But after making it the right way – with fresh ingredients and that perfect balance of sour, spicy, and savory – I’m completely hooked. When the dishes are prepared well, they honestly taste like fine-dining quality.
After nearly three hours of hard work at the stove, we set all our dishes on a long table. Everyone beamed with pride. As I enjoyed the lunch I had cooked with my own hands, sipping iced tea (available throughout the class), I suddenly felt Saigon so close and dear to my heart.
Before we left, each student received a digital recipe booklet with detailed step-by-step instructions, plus a souvenir photo. The class ended at 1:00 PM – a perfect half-day, not too long, yet enough to carry home a treasure trove of memories.
Honestly, if you love cooking or just really enjoy good food, this class is a must. I felt like it was such great value for what we got. Chef Oanh and her team didn’t just teach – they went out of their way to make the whole morning fun, engaging, and truly memorable. What I appreciated most was how knowledgeable Chef Oanh was. She shared so many practical tips that I can actually use in my own kitchen back home – not just complicated chef tricks, but simple, useful things. Her instructions were super clear and easy to follow, and every dish we made was packed with authentic local flavor.
If I ever find myself back in Ho Chi Minh City, I would absolutely book this Saigon 1-day cooking class tour again. No question.
Is it worth trying Saigon cooking class 1-day tour? Absolutely worth it. A simple cooking class with Autour Asia - Saigon travel agency turned out to be a cultural experience—from exploring the market to cooking authentic Vietnamese dishes at my own station. I realized that understanding Saigon’s cuisine goes far beyond just tasting it; it comes from preparing and connecting with every ingredient. If you’re in Ho Chi Minh City, set aside a morning for this—you’ll leave with great recipes and an even better story.
FR
ITA
