VIETNAM CULINARY TOURS
The Secrets of Contemporary Vietnamese Cuisines
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UNIQUE "PHO" VIETNAM
Below is text from a booklet written by Didier Corlou, executive chef of the Sofitel Metropole in Hanoi. Published in 2003, the booklet came from a series of seminars organized by Chef Corlou and the European Commission to Vietnam to discuss the origins of pho noodle soup. Here's how the booklet is organized. Pho has become the pride of a nation. Popular and economic, Pho can be an enjoyed by almost anyone, of any social range or status. Click here to read more

Vietnam Cuisine Overview
Vietnam has abundant food supply and elaborate food preparation techniques. As food preparation has become an art of the Vietnamese people, some Vietnamese dishes are world famous. People can find countless restaurants throughout the country. Click here to read more about Vietnamese cuisine

Vietnam Cooking Courses - Cookery Center
Vietnam is finally get more of the recognition it deserves in the world for its cuisine, with fresh ingredients and imaginative flavors, and one of the highlights of any trip to Vietnam is the food. Even if you do not expect to do much Vietnamese cooking, a cooking class is a fun and interesting way to learn about the local ingredients and how to make some of the popular dishes.

In general, most cooking classes are half-day classes starting with in the morning with a trip to the local market followed by a cooking demonstration and lunch where you can eat the dishes that were prepared.

Most of the classes tend to be aimed at casual tourists, rather than serious chefs, and many tend to be cooking demonstrations, rather than classes with individual cooking stations. Please inquire before you book. Also, please keep in mind that some of the smaller, ad-hoc programs may be more flexible to change the menu or request more interaction, especially if you arrange your own private lesson for your group.

Hanoi:
Sofitel Metropole 15 Ngo Quyen Street, (+84)4/8266919 The Sofitel Metrople has the high end of the market in Hanoi cornered with half-day classes with a trip to the market and cooking demonstration followed by an elegant lunch in the Vietnamese restaurant. Class is $50 USD for morning class; reserve with hotel concierge.

Highway 4 54 Mai Hac De St . or 5 Hang Tre. Tel: (+84) 4 976.2647 www.highway4.com Highway 4 does not have set daily classes, but can arrange classes for small groups and is very flexible in changing the menu to meet the group's needs. Highly recommended are Highway 4's famous catfish spring rolls, as well as a sample of the local fruit-flavored riou (rice wine) with your meal. Class is $19-32 USD per person, depending on the number in your group.

Hidden Hanoi No. 56 Ngo 1, Duong Au Co, Nghi Tam Village, Tel: 091 225 4045 http://www.hiddenhanoi.com.vn/or Morning cooking classes with a different menu each day of the week for small groups in a relaxed and peaceful garden setting led by the very friendly Ms. An. Class is $30 USD per person.

Hoi An:
Red Bridge Restaurant & Cooking School Book at Hai Scout Café at 98 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Tel: (84-510) 933.222 www.visithoian.comMorning classes which include a visit to the market, a leisurely boat cruise on the river to the Red Bridge Cooking School, a tour of the school's herb and vegetable garden, and a cooking demonstration and lunch. The half-day class is $15, including lunch.

Ms. Vy's Gourmet Cooking Class Book at the Cargo Club, 107-109 Nguyen Thai Hoc, (84-510) 910 489 www.hoianhospitality.com Ms. Vy's classes, along with Red Bridge, is one of the most popular in Hoi An. And if the food at the Cargo Club and the Mermaid restaurant are an indication, Ms. Vy deserves her popularity. Morning class is $20/person including lunch, and afternoon class is $15/person.

Nha Trang:
Vietnam Cookery Center http://www.expat-services.com or e-mail: vietnamcookery@expat-services.com With the popularity of its school in HCMC, the Vietnam Cookery Center has opened another school in Nha Trang, changing only the menu to include many local varieties. To book, contact the main HCMC office.

Saigon - Ho Chi Minh City:
Vietnam Cookery Center 177 Dien Bien Phu , District 1, Tel: (84-8) 823-5872 http://www.expat-services.com or e-mail: vietnamcookery@expat-services.com One of the more widely mentioned cooking classes in Vietnam, so book in advance. Classes held daily - $30 for a morning or afternoon class, with a visit to the market extra. They can also arrange classes on the Bonsai Boat in Saigon, thematic dinner courses, and chef and extended courses.

Omni Saigon 253 Nguyen Van Troi Street, Tel: (848) 844-9222 The Omni Saigon does not have set classes every day, but can arrange specially for groups, with individual work stations. Class is $55/person, including lunch, and trip to Ben Thanh market.

Bi Saigon 185/26 - 185/16 Pham Ngu Lao St., Dist.1, Tel: (848) 836 0670 http://www.bisaigon.com The Bi Saigon Hotel & Restaurant does not have set daily classes, but can arrange classes for small groups based on your needs. Classes are $15 per dish per person, with discounts available for hotel guests.