One of the best ways to learn about a new country and its culture is to explore local recipes, and there’s no better way to become well-versed with a new cuisine than to make it yourself. Here are the top five cooking classes in Ho Chi Minh City for you to learn about southern Vietnamese cuisine.

M.O.M Cooking Class
Restaurant, Vietnamese, $$$

M.O.M Cooking Class is a favorite among the many classes offered in Ho Chi Minh City. Small class sizes, a thorough market tour, as well as kind and knowledgeable staff attract plenty of participants everyday. Their main attraction, of course, is their set of delicious recipes giving every learner the opportunity to taste and create a variety of staple Vietnamese dishes. Prices start at $40 USD for a half-day class that includes a local market tour.

HCM Cooking Class
Restaurant, Vietnamese, $$$

HCM Cooking Class aims to teach their students not only how to cook, but also how to use food as medicine. The class takes place in Ho Chi Minh City’s Agricultural Village and participants cook with fresh vegetables grown right in the garden. This class provides a unique experience by giving participants in-depth knowledge of how to grow certain herbs and vegetables and then preparing them in authentic Vietnamese cooking styles. There are also a wide range of classes to choose from starting at $40 USD/adult. An added bonus is that they also offer classes that are completely vegan!

GRAIN Cooking Class
Restaurant, Vietnamese, $$$

GRAIN is the brainchild of renowned Australian-Vietnamese chef Luke Nguyen, who also has his own television series exploring international cuisine. GRAIN offers half-day classes that are complete with hands-on cooking, professional chefs guiding the class, a four-course menu, and even wine pairing if you so desire. Classes are $48 USD and menus change daily.

Vietnam Cookery Center
Restaurant, Vietnamese, $$$

Established in 1999, Vietnam Cookery Center (VCC) has been offering Vietnamese cooking classes to tourists and locals for nearly two decades. The class takes place in what the VCC claims to be the first concrete building built in Asia, a 1930’s-era colonial building nestled in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City. Their menu differs every day, but the recipes are always beautiful and tasty – plus it comes with two glasses of wine! Their standard class is priced at $37 USD and a vegetarian option is available daily.

Saigon Cooking Class by Hoa Tuc
Restaurant, Vietnamese, $$$

Saigon Cooking Class offers half-day group classes, a guided market tour, street food tour, and private lessons. Housed in the same building as the excellent Hoa Tuc restaurant, this class prides itself on amazing recipes used in Hoa Tuc dishes. The chefs speak perfect English and will teach you to create some incredible contemporary Vietnamese cuisine! Chefs can easily accommodate any vegetarians as long as you request in advance. Classes here start at $39.50 USD.