Attraction Category: Food

Thuan Tinh Island combines what tourists look for in their adventures: travel and food. In the peaceful ambiance of this well-preserved island, open-air cooking classes are often held for eager visitors who want to learn how to cook traditional Vietnamese dishes. In Thuan Tinh Island, there’s more to do than just sight-seeing and basking on its panoramic views — cooking classes here make tourists shop for their own ingredients, cook various Vietnamese delicacies, and even dine with a local Viet family. If you want a unique trip that’ll introduce you not only to food but also to the rich culture of Hoi An, Thuan Tinh Island is the place to be.

 

Location

Thuan Tinh Island is located at Cam Thanh Village, Hoi An.

 

Opening Days and Hours

Opens daily from 8:30 to 13:45.

 

Entry Fee and Bookings

Thuan Tinh Island tours start at USD 32 per person.

 

How to Get There

  • Fly from Hanoi, or Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang, Vietnam.
  • From the airport, hire a private car to Hoi An.
  • At Hoi An, avail of Thuang Tinh Island tours. Transportation is often provided by tours.

 

Suggested For

  • Solo travelers
  • Couples
  • Families
  • Groups of friends

 

Time to Spend

Suggested duration in this attraction is 3 hours and 30 minutes.

 

Popularity and Best Time to Go

The best time to visit Thuan Tinh island is between February and April.

 

Activities

  • Shopping in the local market
  • Boat ride
  • Dining with local families
  • Cooking classes

Food

While on the Thuan Tinh Island tour, tourists will get the chance to learn how to cook Vietnamese dishes which will be shared with other tourists in the class.

 

Nearby Attractions

  • Japanese Covered Bridge
  • Museum of Trade Ceramics
  • Hoi An Museum
  • Terracotta Park

 

Stay

Kiman Hotel and Spa, Hoi An Lantern Hotel, Sunflower Hotel, Hoi An Sincerity Hotel and Spa, Lasenta Boutique Hotel, and Green Apple Hotel offer accommodations at rates ranging from USD 30 to USD 120.

Organic vegetable lovers and those who are interested in an all-natural lifestyle and farming will enjoy a visit to the Tra Que Vegetable Village. The locals are proud that they use no chemicals or toxins in the entire plant growing process. Currently, they have around 40 hectares of land dedicated to cultivating around 41 kinds of vegetables. Of course, aside from learning about the farming process, you can also enjoy the amazing textures and rich nutrition offered by these fresh, organic vegetables.

Aside from foodies and farming enthusiasts, photographers will also enjoy the village, especially with its stunning lighting, lively surroundings that include lush grasslands and tranquil rice fields, and you can get most of the locals to take your photo for free too.

 

Location

The Tra Que Village is located in the Cam Ha Commune, approximately 3 kilometres away from the city centre of Hoi an.

 

Opening Days and Hours

The village is open every day, any time of the day.

 

Entry Fee and Bookings

There is no entrance fee to visit the village. You can, however, shop for vegetables. Vegetable prices depend on the kind, but it can range from VND 2,000 (USD 0.09) to VND 30,000 (USD 1.32).

 

How to Get There

  • Fly into Hoi An from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, or Da Nang.
  • From the airport, hire a private car to Hoi An. You can then drive directly to the Tra Que Vegetable Village.

 

Suggested For

  • Backpackers/solo travelers
  • Couples
  • Group of friends
  • Families

 

Time to Spend

The average time spent on this attraction is around 3 to 4 hours.

 

Popularity and Best Time to Go

You can opt to visit the village any time. However, if you intend to take stunning photos, then you can opt to visit from 05:00 to 07:30 in the morning, or from 15:30 to 18:00 in the afternoon.

 

Activities

  • Experience one day as a farmer
  • Take photos of the rice fields and the village
  • Enjoy a relaxing bike or hike
  • Participate in a cooking class
  • Foot massage using special Tra Que herbs
  • Just relax and enjoy the landscape

Food

Some dining options you can enjoy in Tra Que include the Tra Que Garden Cooking Class & Restaurant, Restaurant 339, Tra Que, Baby Mustard Restaurant, and La Ferme Hoi An.

 

Nearby Attractions

  • Baby Mustard Cooking Class
  • Art House Vietnam Gallery
  • Tra Que Flavour Tours
  • The Calm Spa

 

Stay

Accommodation options located near the village include Cilantro Villa, Vy Hoa Hoi An Villas, Savanna Hoi An Villa, Plants Garden Villa, and Sol An Bang Homestay Beach Resort. Rates range from USD 21 to USD 94 per night.

Ben Thanh Street Food Market is a trendy food hall that’s visited by both locals and tourists — the inviting aroma from various food stalls is simply irresistible. This famous dining option in central Ho Chi Minh City serves mouthwatering Vietnamese Lao dishes such as pork kebabs, vegetarian baguettes, strong-flavoured noodles, beef wrapped in vegetables, and of course, the famous pho. Pleasant and comfortable, Ben Thanh Street Food Market is a great place to unwind and relax with your family and friends.

 

Location

Ben Thanh Street Food Market is located at Thu Khoa Huan Street, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

 

Opening Days and Hours

The food market is open daily from 9:00 to 23:00.

 

Entry Fee and Bookings

Entrance is free.

 

How to Get There

  • Fly to Ho Chi Minh City via AirAsia, Philippine Airlines, Korean Airlines, and Thai Airlines.
  • From the airport, board a taxi or a shuttle to the city centre.
  • From the city centre, charter a mototaxi or a taxi to Ben Thanh Street Food Market.

 

Suggested For

  • Solo travelers
  • Couples
  • Families with kids
  • Groups of friends

 

Time to Spend

Average time spent in this attraction is 2 to 3 hours.

 

Popularity and Best Time to Go

Best time to visit the food market is after 17:00.

 

 

Food

Ben Thanh Street Food Market has various stores serving different Vietnamese street food like Pho, barbecue, bun thit nuong, Thit bu nuong, bao buns, and banh mi, and bun cha.

 

Nearby Attractions

  • Ben Thanh Market
  • Saigon Skydeck
  • Independence Palace
  • Saigon Notre Dame Basilica

 

Stay

Accommodations can be availed from nearby hotels and inns such as K Central Hotel, Liberty Central Saigon, Sanouva Saigon Hotel, Milky Way Hotel, Sunrise Central Hotel, Saigon Pink 2 Hotel, and Vien Dong Hotel. Rates range from USD 25 to USD 150.

Located in the heart of Singapore’s financial district, Lau Pa Sat is an eye-catching attraction thanks to its unique architectural design — its octagonal shape complemented by ornamental columns is truly an architectural masterpiece. Today, Lau Pa Sat is the place to be if you want to try mouthwatering local delicacies — street food with Chinese, Malay, and Western influence will surely give you a gastronomic experience. Sipping beer in Lau Pa Sat relishing the unique flavour of the food is a great way to end the day.

 

Location

Lau Pa Sat is located at 18 Raffles Quay, Singapore.

 

Opening Days and Hours

This attraction is open 24 hours, daily.

 

Entry Fee and Bookings

Entrance is free.

 

How to Get There

  • From the city centre, board an MRT to Raffles Quay Station.
  • Take Exit 1.
  • Walk the rest of the way to Lau Pa Sat.

 


Suggested For

  • Backpackers/solo travelers
  • Couples
  • Group of friends
  • Families

 

Time to Spend

Average duration spent in this attraction is 2 to 3 hours.

 


Popularity and Best Time to Go

The best time to visit Lau Pa Sat is during the night time. This attraction comes alive after the sun sets.

 

Food

Dining options range from street food to restaurants like Urban Roti, Asian Grill, Yummitori, Artemis, Mamacitas, Shree Ganga, and Grain Traders.

 

Nearby Attractions

  • 4D Adventureland
  • Imbiah Lookout
  • Madame Tussauds
  • Marina Bay
  • Gardens by the Bay

 

Stay

Porcelain Hotel, Furama City Center, Hotel Clover, Opera House Hotel, Oasia Hotel Downtown, and Champion Hotel City are some of the options near Lau Pa Sat. Rates range from USD 70 to USD 250.

After your adrenaline-pumping trips, chill out and relax at Four Thousand Sunsets where you can taste food not usually served anywhere else in the island. Indulge in their popular dishes — chicken masala fused with pizza and kebab wrap, Thai hinlay curry, and chicken Lahp burger, grilled freshwater fish, herbal sausages, and a number of stir-fried goodness dishes. Take a break from the usual party scene and head over to Four Thousand Sunsets where you can enjoy a lazy time watching the beautiful sunset while drinking ice cold Lao beer.

 

Location

Four Thousand Sunsets Restaurants is located in Khon, Laos.

 

Opening Days and Hours

The restaurant is open from 7:00 to 23:00.

 

Entry Fee and Bookings

Entrance is free. Prices range from LAK 25,000 to 80,000 (USD 3 to USD 10).

 

How to Get There

  • Fly from Vientiane to Pakse via Lao Airlines.
  • From Pakse, board a bus or a minivan to Nakasang.
  • From Nakasang, you can reach Don Khon via slow boat.

 


Suggested For

  • Backpackers/solo travelers
  • Couples
  • Group of friends
  • Families

 

Time to Spend

Suggested duration in the restaurant is 1-3 hours.

 


Popularity and Best Time to Go

Restaurant patrons start to visit the restaurant at around sunset time, so if you want to avoid the large crowd, visit during lunchtime. If you’re planning to have dinner here, make sure to arrive at the restaurant before 18:00 to secure a spot.

 

 

Food

Four Thousand Islands serve a variety of dishes not often found in other restaurants in the island. The prices are a little expensive, though.

 

Nearby Attractions

  • Mekong River
  • Tat Sophamit
  • Kon Phapheng

 

Stay

Two of the main guesthouses are Seng Ahloune Guesthouse and Nongsak Guesthouse. Guesthouses around Don Khon — which has rates ranging from USD 15 to USD 35 — are more expensive compared to Don Det’s rates.

*Banner image might not accurately represent the attraction.

Cooking at Xunmai Garden Resort may not sound as appealing as other attractions, but this activity has quickly become one of the things tourists should try while at Pakse. Conducted in a simple, laid-back, and remote guesthouse, the entire four and a half-hour activity — done by a sweet, friendly Lao woman named Ms. Ngoc — centres on helping tourists learn how to cook the Lao dish of their choice. After the cooking lessons, you won’t only be able to share your creation with other visitors, you will always have Lao lessons that will be with you for a lifetime!

 

Location

Xunmai Garden Resort is located at Road 13, Pakse, Laos.

 

Opening Days and Hours

Cooking at Xunmai Garden Resort, also known as Cooking with Ngoc, is open from 8:00 to 17:00.

 

Entry Fee and Bookings

A cooking class without a trip to the market is LAK 300,000 (USD 36) while a class with a market trip included is LAK 450,000 (USD 54). Ngoc offers a 10% discount to those staying overnight.

 

How to Get There

  • If you are coming from Vientiane and Savannakhet, you can fly to Pakse via Lao Airlines.
  • You can also take the bus from Vientiane.
  • Hire a motorbike or a tuk-tuk to Xunmai Garden Resort.

 


Suggested For

  • Backpackers/solo travelers
  • Couples
  • Group of friends
  • Families

 

Time to Spend

Cooking with Ngoc lasts for 3 hours.

 


Popularity and Best Time to Go

Cooking with Ngoc at Xunmai Garden Resort is a popular activity in Pakse. Best time to visit is before lunchtime.

 

Food

Visitors will have the chance to eat the food they have personally cooked.

 

Nearby Attractions

  • Green Discovery
  • Wat Luang
  • Golden Buddha

 

Stay

You can stay at Xunmai Garden Resort which has rates ranging from USD 25 to USD 60. Other options include Champasak Grand Hotel, Arawan Riverside Hotel, Malaythong Hotel, and Mekong Riverside Hotel. Rates range from USD 30 to USD 90.

After a day of sightseeing around Huay Xai, there’s nothing more comforting than sipping a hot cup of coffee and taking a bite of soft, fluffy, newly-baked bread and pastries. Fortunately, Dream Bakery — a famous bakeshop conveniently located in the town centre — serves the most comforting treats from pies, cookies, cream loaves, cakes, coffee and teas, and refreshing fruit juice. Surprisingly, its Western dishes are just as good — don’t miss the juicy hamburgers, and their famous take on strudels. 

 

Location

Dream Bakery is located in Huay Xai, Laos. 

 

Opening Days and Hours

The bakery is open daily from 8:00 to 19:00. 

 

Entry Fee and Bookings

Entrance to the bakery is free. 

 

How to Get There

  • Fly from Vientiane to Huay Xai via Lao Airlines.
  • From Huay Xai Airport, take a tuk-tuk to the town centre.
  • From the town centre, board a separate tuk-tuk to Dream Bakery.

 


Suggested For

  • Backpackers/solo travelers
  • Couples
  • Group of friends
  • Families

 

Time to Spend

Spending 30 minutes in this bakery is already enough.

 


Popularity and Best Time to Go

You can drop by at this bakery anytime without worrying about long lines.

 

Food

Dream Bakery serves bread, pastries, and drinks like coffee and fruit juice. Price ranges from USD 2 to USD 5. Other options around town include Terrasse Restaurant and Chill Place, Dream Bakery, Muang Neur, Tavendeng Restaurant, and Bar How.

 

Nearby Attractions

  • Fort Carnot
  • Gibbon Experience
  • Wat Chomkeo Manilat

 

Stay

Some of the guesthouses you can stay in are Sawadee Homestay, Oudomsin Hotel, Riverside Huay Xai, and Hompho. Rates range from USD 25 to USD 150.

For anyone who spent hours sitting in a slow boat, nothing is more refreshing than having a mouthful of flavorful dishes that are both comforting and satisfying. Pakbeng may have several restaurants and guesthouses here and there, but if you’re done with vegetable buffets, go for the curried meats and spiced up entrees of Hasan Restaurant. It’s impressive take on Indian dishes, plus the stunning location — cozy designs, scenic view of the Mekong River — makes Hasan Restaurant a place you should not miss.  

 

Location

Hasan Restaurant is located at Pakbeng’s main street.  

 

Opening Days and Hours

Restaurant is open from 7:00 to 22:00.  

 

Entry Fee and Bookings

Entrance to the restaurant is free. Prices for food range from LAK 30,000-70,000 (USD 4 to USD 8). 

 

How to Get There

  • Fly to either Luang Prabang or Huay Xai via Lao Airlines.
  • Board a slow boat from Luang Prabang to Huay Xai, or vice versa.
  • Slow boats always make a stop at Pakbeng. Walk all the way to Hasan Restaurant.

 


Suggested For

  • Backpackers/solo travelers
  • Couples
  • Group of friends
  • Families

 

Time to Spend

Spend between 1 to 2 hours in this restaurant.

 


Popularity and Best Time to Go

Visitors flock the restaurant during dinner time. Make sure to reserve a table before 18:00 to ensure you’ll get a spot.

 

Food

Hasan Restaurant serves a variety of Indian and Lao dishes. If the food you want isn’t on the menu, just ask the staff to make one for you and they will more than happy to oblige.

 

Nearby Attractions

  • Mekong Elephant Park
  • Dream Bakery
  • Wat Sin Jan Jeong

 

Stay

There are several options when it comes to spending the night at Pakbeng. Several visitors on a tight budget opt for staying under a veranda with a rented mattress and mosquito net for only USD .50. For those who prefer to stay indoors, Mekong Riverside Lodge, Monesavanh Guesthouse, Dockhoun Guesthose, and Luang Say Lodge offer rooms at rates ranging from USD 25 to USD 150.

A French-colonial building turned into a 2-story restaurant, Khop Chai Deu is one of the main attractions along Vientiane’s main road where tourists can dine, and enjoy a relaxing time. Lively music serenades the guest as they indulge in sumptuous Asian and Western dishes — if the options are too overwhelming, going for the Lao and Thai dishes is always a good idea. If you’re trying out Lao dishes for the first time, Khop Chai Deu is the best place to try it — somehow, chefs in this restaurant elevated local flavors, and they surely don’t disappoint.

 

Location

Khop Chai Deu is located at 54 Setthathirat Road, Vientiane, Laos.

 

Opening Days and Hours

The restaurant is open daily from 9:00 to 23:30.

 

Entry Fee and Bookings

Entrance to the restaurant is free.

 

How to Get There

  • Fly to Vientiane via Lao Airline, Lao Skyways.
  • From Vientiane, hire a tuk-tuk to Khop Chai Deu.

 


Suggested For

  • Backpackers/solo travelers
  • Couples
  • Group of friends
  • Families

 

Time to Spend

Suggested time to spend at Khop Chai Deu is at least 1 hour.

 


Popularity and Best Time to Go

If you are not a fan of big crowds, the best time to visit Khop Chai Deu is during the day. The place is also amazing during the night, but it could get a bit crowded.

 

 

Food

Khop Chai Deu’s menu includes chicken, fish, pork, and vegetable dishes cooked in Lao, Thai, Indian, and English style. Prices range from USD 4.8 to USD 9.

 

Nearby Attractions

  • Pha That Luang
  • Patuxai
  • Wat Si Saket

 

Stay

Hotels near Khop Chai like Deu Vientiane Plaza Hotel, Douang Chan Hotel, and Xaysombuon Plaza Hotel offer accommodations at rates starting from USD 25 to USD 60.