Da Nang Hoi An Cooking Class Review 2026: Small Group vs. Join Tour

Hello, I'm Ongsang.

While traveling in Hoi An,

one thing I really wanted to try

was a cooking class.

But when you search on Klook,

two similar tours

come up, right?

One is a join-in group tour for ~$19,

and the other is a small-group tour for ~$38.

The price difference is almost double,

so you might be wondering what the difference is, right?

I also compared them quite a bit before booking.

Today, I'll break down both options,

and even share my review of the small-group tour I personally took,

all in one go!

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Small Group? Join-in Tour?

What's the Difference?

First, let's break down the key differences.

Category	Join-in Group Tour	Small-Group Tour
Price	~$19	~$38
Rating	⭐ 4.9 (455 reviews)	⭐ 4.7 (21 reviews)
Group Type	Large	Small Private
Duration	Approx. 4 hours 30 min	Approx. 4 hours 30 min
Language	English / Vietnamese	English
Pickup	Hotel Pickup (optional)	Meeting at designated location
Includes	Market tour + Coconut boat ride + Crab fishing + Cooking class	Coconut boat ride + Cooking class
Cancellation	Free cancellation 24 hours prior	Free cancellation 24 hours prior
Booking	Book Now	Book Now

The join-in group might tempt you because it's cheaper

and has many more reviews.

But I chose the small-group tour.

​

The reason is simple.

I went with my parents.

Looking at reviews for join-in tours,

it often involves 10 or more people,

and with more people, things can naturally get a bit chaotic

and there can be more waiting time.

Since I was taking my parents,

I wanted a more relaxed and private experience.

I wanted them to enjoy it comfortably.

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Small-Group Tour Review

Here's how our itinerary went:

08:15 Depart

→ 09:00 Hoi An Market Tour

→ 09:30 Coconut Forest (Basket Boat Experience)

→ Cooking Class

→ 12:30 Return

It's a half-day course

that packs a lot in from morning till lunchtime.

What was truly great about the small-group tour

was that our guide focused solely on our family,

giving us their undivided attention.

If it had been a large join-in group,

we likely wouldn't have received this level of personalized care.

It wasn't chaotic at all,

and my parents enjoyed it comfortably.

Coconut Boat

More Thrilling Than You'd Think!

Before the cooking class,

we took a basket boat ride in the coconut forest.

This was surprisingly thrilling!

The boatman spun the boat round and round,

and at first, we were like 'Oh my, oh my!' but then

we all ended up laughing out loud together.

But I've seen on Instagram that

some people actually fall out?

So be careful! LOL

We glided through the waterways amidst the coconut palms,

got some beautiful photos,

and the rural Vietnamese scenery was truly healing.

They also took so many pictures for us.

My parents even said this was their favorite part.

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Cooking Class,

The Joy of Making and Eating Your Own Creations!

After leaving the coconut forest,

the cooking class officially began.

Each person got their own burner,

so we each made our dishes in our own pans.

For Banh Xeo, you spread the batter thinly in a pan,

add shrimp and bean sprouts, and fry it until crispy.

Our instructor was right beside us, helping with the timing,

so even beginners like us could make it without a hitch.

For Chả Giò, you fill the wrapper yourself and roll it,

then deep-fry it in oil.

Flipping them with chopsticks

and watching them turn golden brown is incredibly fun!

Since it was a small group, the instructor was right by our side,

making sure nothing burned and everything cooked evenly.

The final dishes turned out exceptionally well.

When all these dishes you've made yourself

fill up the entire table?

After our adventure in the coconut forest,

the cooking class officially began!

We got to try making traditional Vietnamese dishes ourselves,

using the fresh ingredients we saw at the market.

Here are the delicious dishes we created:

Chả Giò (Fried Spring Rolls)

Crispy fried,

dipping them in nước chấm sauce was absolutely the best.

Bánh Xèo (Crispy Vietnamese Pancake)

Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside.

Wrapping it in lettuce and eating it? You won't stop!

Papaya Salad

The sweet and sour sauce,

mixed with the fresh vegetables, really awakened our appetites.

Garlic Prawn Stir-fry

Whole prawns stir-fried with garlic and spring onions –

this was truly restaurant-quality.

Steamed Dish Wrapped in Banana Leaf

A dish wrapped in banana leaves and steamed.

The subtle aroma was lovely, and my parents especially enjoyed it.

The portions were also enormous;

even with four of us, we nearly burst!

Watermelon even came out for dessert,

and a bite of watermelon after being tired from the heat

was just incredibly refreshing.

The instructor explained everything step-by-step

and slowly,

so even someone who isn't good at cooking found it absolutely easy.

Being a small group, we could ask questions comfortably

and work at our own pace,

which my parents also really enjoyed.

Since we even got lunch sorted with the Vietnamese food we made ourselves,

it was a total win-win!

So, which one should you book?

Here's my conclusion.

If you want great value + diverse experiences? → Join Group Tour (~$19) With 455 reviews and a 4.9-star rating, this is a proven tour. It even includes crab fishing, and if you're traveling solo or with friends, the quality for this price is truly incredible value. ▶ Book the Join Group Tour

If you're on a family trip + want to enjoy it privately? → Small Group Tour (~$38) If you're traveling with your parents like I was, a small group is definitely more comfortable. It's less chaotic, the guide's care is excellent, and you can enjoy the experience at a relaxed pace. ▶ Book the Small Group Tour

Both tours offer free cancellation

up to 24 hours in advance,

so once you have your schedule, go ahead and book!

​

Klook Discount Coupon Codes (Valid until September 30th)

Coupon Code	Condition	Discount
세시간전260001	Purchase of ~$36 or more	~$1 discount
세시간전260002	Purchase of ~$73 or more	~$2 discount
세시간전260003	Purchase of ~$146 or more	~$5 discount

The small group tour (priced at ~$38)

If you enter the code '세시간전260001'

you'll get an instant discount of ~$1!

Even for the join-in tour, if you book for 2 or more people,

since it'll exceed ~$36, the same coupon can be applied.

If you're booking for a family or multiple people,

it's easy to exceed ~$73 or ~$146,

so make sure to grab codes '세시간전260002' and '세시간전260003' as well!

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Ongsang's Key Takeaways

Hoi An Cooking Class

✅ Value Seekers → Join-in Group for ~$19 (455 reviews, 4.9 rating) Book Now!

✅ Families / Private Seekers → Small Group for ~$38 (Relaxed & Great Care) Book Now!

✅ Coconut Boat Ride → Included in both tours, more thrilling than you'd expect!

✅ Free Cancellation 24 Hours Before → Secure your spot once your itinerary is set!

✅ Klook Coupons → Always check for discount codes before booking

If you're heading to Hoi An, make sure to try a cooking class.

Vietnamese dishes you cook yourself,

exploring the market, and even a coconut boat ride –

it's an experience where you can truly feel the charm of Hoi An

all in just half a day!

Also, check out my recommendations for Da Nang hotels!