Review Author: JL

Review Date: 22 Jun 2026

Review Body: We came as a family (me, my partner and my parents) and this was actually my parents' favourite thing we did in the whole week in Hanoi. We knew nothing about agarwood going in and left completely fascinated. It's a private experience with free pick-up from the Old Quarter (about a 30-minute drive), runs around five hours, and it's almost all seated and indoors, so it's gentle and easy - really good if you're travelling with older family. It's very well paced paced. We started with agarwood coffee and tea, then a little intro and museum, a meditation, trimming the wood by hand ourselves, then an AMAZING lunch, more tea, and finished by smelling the different grades of agarwood. The team clearly know their stuff and their English is excellent - they explain how the resin only forms when the tree is damaged, and why that's made it worth more than gold by weight. The vegan lunch was our highlight! It was so yummy!! What made the experience meaningful to us was the mission of this agarwood centre. Wild agarwood trees have been hunted almost to extinction, because you can't tell from the outside which trees hold resin - so people end up cutting down loads of them just to find the few that do. This centre does it differently: they grow their own trees and trigger the resin naturally (drilling and introducing bacteria, no chemicals), so the vast majority of their trees produce it, and far fewer wild trees get cut down as a result. They even grow coffee under the trees so the farmers can earn a living in the years before the wood is ready. It was really interesting learning all of this! A few useful things: There's a chance to buy agarwood at the end if you want something scented for meditation, good energy etc. There's no hard sell, but some people may not be comfy with this so just know in advance. And wear longer sleeves and trousers if you can as it's a Buddhist centre (if you don't it's ok but we couldn't do one of the activities because we were wearing shorts). Recommended if you want to learn something very different and new! Worth half a day in Hanoi just for the food and the learnings!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Eshton

Review Date: 12 Dec 2024

Review Body: I’ve always heard about agarwood, but experiencing it firsthand was such a unique and eye-opening experience! It was fascinating to learn about the complex process of harvesting agarwood and to hear about the differences between ethical practices and the bad ones in the market. The guides were knowledgeable and passionate, which made the learning process even more engaging. There was so much packed into this experience—from the tour itself where we got to carve some agarwood for ourselves, to the tea tasting using leaves from the agarwood tree and even the vegan lunch. Overall, it was a well-organised and memorable day that gave me a much deeper appreciation for agarwood and the craftsmanship behind it. I’d definitely recommend this to anyone curious about this rare and fascinating product!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Rob

Review Date: 16 Jul 2026

Review Body: Lots of thought has been put into this experience, to show how the valuable agarwood can be sustainably developed in dedicated forest areas in Vietnam. Our experience included explanations of the methods to create agarwood and increase yields from trees to reduce the volume of tree harvesting, tree carvings to maximise the utility of the remaining soft wood which is not processed to make scents, a meditation session using agarwood scents, and a workshop to identify and isolate agarwood. Lunch was an unexpected bonus: some of the best vegetarian food I’ve tasted in the region, served communally alongside the staff working at the site.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Thammika

Review Date: 17 Jan 2026

Review Body: It's a deep-dive into agarwood! For those really curious about it, you will leave satisfied. Also, the vegan lunch was divine. I prefer not to eat meat, and in a place like Vietnam where it seemed like every dish had meat defaulted in it, I really appreciated having the lunch that came with this experience. It was vegan and delicious, and I loved that we had it with the staff of the premise, as part of their normal lunch.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Lori McDonald

Review Date: 19 Apr 2026

Review Body: I was looking for a unique experience near Hanoi and this workshop fit the bill. It was a mellow experience and interesting to see this group of artisans all passionate about Agarwood. It was fun to spend a few minutes carving and the lunch was excellent. The staff eat together everyday and that was fun to observe. Cherry Vu was wonderful escorting me to the workshop and back to the Old Quarter.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Sylvia

Review Date: 02 May 2026

Review Body: The tour was very informative and gives space to have lovely conversations with the guides, as well as sharing delicious food! We loved it and thank you to Cherry who was with us throughout the experience and Phung, who taught us all about Agarwood. Would definitely recommend to do something a bit different in Hanoi and more personal!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Cindy & Scott

Review Date: 11 Feb 2026

Review Body: AgarWood is a unique relaxing escape from customary tourist destinations. The facility is beautifully peaceful and Zen-like. Learning about agarwood is a truly immersive experience! The personal care and on-site hospitality of all staff makes this experience extra special and well worth doing.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Anthea Middleton

Review Date: 09 Jun 2026

Review Body: An absolute delight. They were so friendly and interesting. The space was beautiful and the lunch was delicious. We loved learning about agarwood and chatting to the people who worked there. Highly recommend if you're in Hanoi.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Holly

Review Date: 19 Mar 2026

Review Body: This experience was really special, we learned a lot about the cultivation and usage of agarword. The venue was stunning, and the lunch was incredible! Cherry was a spectacular host.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Andrzej

Review Date: 17 Dec 2025

Review Body: I feel very welcomed on this workshop. My guides were very kind and makes this journey interesting. It was great to experience something unusual.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: JL

Review Date: 22 Jun 2026

Review Body: We came as a family — me, my partner and my parents — and this ended up being our fave thing we did all week in Hanoi! The banh mi & coffee we made was the best we had all week as well (and we had ALOT of banh mi and coffee all week). The experience is about a 25–30 minute drive out of the Old Quarter, and Alex hosts it in her own home, which is what made it most special for us. Her family wandered through the kitchen while we cooked, and when we asked them what they were making, they just handed us some to try. It felt very wholesome! Their hospitality was top notch. We were welcomed with seasonal rambutans and also got to try a few of their homemade fruit wines - apricot, apple, mulberry - all super yummy! Alex is so heartfelt, and her English was some of the best of any host we had. She never once rushed us. We spent the first 20 minutes just chatting and it really felt like going to a friend's home. During the session, we made our own coffee first (we each got to choose between salted, coconut or egg coffee), then got into the baking. Between the four of us we made 32 little bánh mì, and while they baked we made the pickles. Everything else, the pâté, sauces and meats, is prepped for you. Two of us were vegetarian and she prepped vegetarian pate and ham for us which were delicious Alex is such a warm, encouraging teacher that we left genuinely believing we could make it at home - even my dad who never bakes! And she sent us off with every recipe she has, not just the ones we used which was super generous. Come hungry, because it's a LOT of food — and you can take back whatever you can't finish (they freeze the rest and give it to local families, which I loved). If you want a homey, heartfelt cooking class rather than a slick commercial one, this is the one.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jessica Bajao

Review Date: 02 Apr 2026

Review Body: Had such a fun and memorable cooking class with Dining with Locals here in Hanoi! Our chef, Jessie, was an absolute gem—super knowledgeable, engaging, and effortlessly funny, which made the whole experience feel relaxed and welcoming from start to finish. We kicked things off with a mini market tour where Jessie walked us through how to choose the freshest and best ingredients. Honestly, I learned so many practical tips I wouldn’t have picked up on my own. Then back in the kitchen, he guided us step by step in making some Vietnamese classics: pho, green papaya salad, fresh spring rolls, and even authentic Vietnamese coffee. What really stood out was how considerate he was—he made sure our vegetarian classmates were fully included by preparing thoughtful alternative options for them, which we really appreciated Everything was hands-on, easy to follow, and incredibly rewarding (plus, the food turned out amazing!). If you’re in Hanoi and looking for an experience that’s both fun and genuinely enriching, I’d highly recommend this. Definitely one of the highlights of my trip!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Riley

Review Date: 09 Mar 2024

Review Body: Our group had a fantastic interactive experience with Lyon - it was a well-paced, enjoyable, and intriguing evening. We decided to book this for a party of 12 as a refreshing change from the usual restaurant dinner, and it exceeded our expectations. The location was intimate and cozy, and we felt warmly welcomed upon arrival. Once we began the dinner preparation, we found the pace to be just right. We had a delightful time creating starters and the main course together while listening to Lyon explaining the stories behind each dish. There was always something to do, and everyone had the chance to contribute without feeling rushed. Lyon and Ethan, our hosts, were outstanding - they made the experience both educational and fun, guiding us through the cooking process with humor and expertise. Despite our involvement in the preparation, the food turned out to be incredibly tasty!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Kyra and Family

Review Date: 05 Feb 2025

Review Body: This was a delightful afternoon and evening experience for our family of four. Ethan is an exceptional teacher. He was a delight to speak to about any and everything connected to Vietnam, food, and more. As he was fluent in English we were so grateful to be able to speak at such length and learn so much--a real bonus for us who know no Vietnamese. The food we created was delicious, and Ethan made the experience interactive from start to finish. Above and beyond was the way he engaged our two children, age 10 and 13. They felt so comfortable with him and were provided with tasks that fit their skill level and taught them new cooking techniques.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Kim P

Review Date: 30 Mar 2026

Review Body: Worth every dollar - a private tour with a driver plus tour guide, both speak excellent English and had extensive local knowledge of Hai Phong, the sites, the history and most importantly the food. We were picked up from our hotel right on time, clear WhatsApp communications leading up to pick up, driven to our destination city with stops along the way if needed. We stopped at historical sites with time to wander around ourselves and snacked the whole way on local delicacies (cha muc, coconut coffee, bun da). The Cat Bi market was the highlight with a heavenly food court with so much choice and quality. Highly recommend!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Rob

Review Date: 16 Jul 2026

Review Body: A standout highlight from my trip to North Vietnam! We made drip coffee and authentic banh mi (from scratch!) in a tranquil, homely atmosphere just outside the centre of Hanoi. It felt like we were given an insight into daily Hanoi life at the same time as learning to make some of the most traditional local foods. Our host, Alex, was excellent: informative and patient; and under her supervision our banh mi even turned out to be some of the best I’ve had (and I am a big fan!). Absolutely loved this experience and would recommend to everyone, of all ages and cooking abilities.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Camille

Review Date: 05 May 2026

Review Body: It was a great experience! We had Jesse bring us around and he was so full of knowledge that he was happy to share with us. He was also very knowledgeable about the food that he was teaching us about. Because it was a small group, we were able to choose what food we wanted to make for the class, but were also told this wasn’t common and for the bigger groups, there’ll be a set menu. The market can be quite warm, so just be in shorts and tshirt for it. The cooking area has a fan and is airy, so you won’t feel too stuffy. Overall, I would highly recommend this experience!!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Tonya

Review Date: 26 Apr 2026

Review Body: Booked this for our first real day exploring Hanoi. My husband and I had a great time seeing a part of Hanoi by bike and with a local. Lyon helped us navigate riding through the streets and round the lake with other cyclists, Vespa riders and cars. Pretty views, hidden alleyways and lots of stops for photos and local snacks like ice cream, shrimp cakes, spring rolls and Hanoi beer, and even made Vietnamese egg coffee - all of it delish! Lyon was knowledgeable, fun and kind. Definitely recommend!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Laura

Review Date: 28 May 2024

Review Body: If you're looking for more than just a simple meal at a restaurant, this tour is the way to go. The market tour was a fantastic introduction to Vietnamese laypeople's lives, the cooking class was held in a beautiful setting, and the quality of the food we prepared was exceptional. The free wines were also great. We tried out apricot and silkworm wines, which we had never seen before and it was great and made the night even more special.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Katy Wade

Review Date: 23 Oct 2024

Review Body: I liked that the cooking class started with a market tour and explain action of some ingredients. The class was in a nice setting and the food was tasty served with samples of rice wine if you want. Make sure you eat before it starts because it’s a few hours before you actually eat any food and you’ll get hungry preparing everything. great communication from the seek Sophie team from the start. preparing everything.

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Agarwood learning tour: Retreat visit, extraction demo, vegetarian lunch.

Itinerary Description: 9:00 AM - Arrival and Welcome Pickup from the hotel in Hanoi Old Quarter Brief introduction to the day's schedule and safety guidelines. Drive to Agarwood Sanctuary which is 26km from Hanoi Center. 9:40 AM - Introduction to Agarwood Presentation on the history and significance of agarwood. Overview of the various uses of agarwood in different cultures. Explanation of the different grades and qualities of agarwood. Explanation of how agarwood trees are cultivated and harvested. Discussion on sustainable practices in agarwood cultivation. Detailed demonstration of the agarwood extraction process. Discussion on the tools and techniques used in the traditional and modern agarwood industry 12:00 PM - Vegetarian Lunch with Employees Traditional vegetarian lunch served in the workshop's dining area. Opportunity for guests to dine with the workshop employees and ask questions about their work and daily life. Informal conversations to learn about the local culture and traditions Enjoy some agar tea in Vietnamese style Optional to try agar coffee, agar milk tea and herbal tea (extra cost) 14:00 PM – Get back to our car and go back to Hanoi 14:30 PM – Arrived in Hanoi City Center. Drop you off at the hotel