Vietnam is a fascinating country – rich in history, beautiful, friendly and with sensational cuisine. Our chosen location is the charming heritage town of Hoi An. Situated at the river mouth of the beautiful Thu Bon River, this UNESCO listed town of ancient streets and historic architecture is the perfect combination of coast and culture. Hoi An has some of the best restaurants, art galleries and handicraft shops in Vietnam, yet a short bike ride from town you have kilometres of tropical beaches to yourself. The food in this country of 80 million people differs strikingly between the north, south and central regions, but two things hold sway everywhere. First, rice plays an essential role in the nation's diet. Second, this is also a noodle-crazy population, regularly downing them for breakfast, lunch and dinner, in homes, restaurants and at roadside stands. North Vietnamese food reflects it’s Chinese influence, while the Mekong Delta in the south combines a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs. Central Vietnam’s signature is the small strongly flavoured dishes often made with that vital ingredient- fish sauce. The hands on cooking sessions will cover all three regions at our picturesque school right on the river. Our Vietnamese chef is an experienced restaurateur and often appears on culinary TV both in Vietnam and abroad. Fluent in English, he is a good teacher with an infectious sense of humour. You’ll explore the fascinating markets, take a memorable trip to a fishing village and eat at the restaurants the locals love. Accommodation is at the Life Resort in the French colonial quarter, a stylish 4 star property with all creature comforts, situated right on the riverbank and a 5 minute walk from the shops and restaurants. It’s also close to the cooking school and transport to and fro is taken care of. The resort has plenty of character and a great pool - a lovely place to stay. If you’d like to stay longer in Vietnam you could choose to spend a second week at Life Resort’s sister property, further south – just enquire for details.