Cocktail Making Classes in Ho Chi Minh City

1. Warm welcome by your host: Food & drink Writer Jovel Chan ( Jovel Chan - Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia Tastemakers 2023, Vietnam Campari Red Hands & Diageo World Class Judge)
Jovel will give a brief introduction to the experience, touching on the history of craft spirits in Vietnam, the rise of local distilleries, and what makes Vietnamese rum, gin, vodka, and liqueurs truly special.
2. Guided Tasting of a selection of Vietnamese Craft Spirits 
Jovel will take you on a sensory journey through four handpicked craft spirits from award-winning Vietnamese craft rum, vodka, whiskey, sake and fruit liquors, all from different regions of Vietnam, each offering its distinctive flavours and backstory.
3. Cocktail Tasting
Under Jovel’s guidance, you’ll use one of the featured craft spirits to make your own Vietnamese cocktail. Learn how to balance flavours with local ingredients like lemongrass, passionfruit, and fresh herbs to create a refreshing cocktail that reflects the spirit of Vietnam.
4. Final Q&A & Farewell
To conclude, Jovel will open the floor for any final questions (and recommendations for the coolest restaurants, bars and street eats in Saigon).

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First-of-its-kind Vietnamese craft spirit tasting by a local food writer

If you’re curious about Saigon’s new wave of craft drinks, this tasting is one of the easiest ways to dive in. Led by food writer Jovel Chan, you’ll try a curated lineup of Vietnamese craft spirits — including small-batch rum, gin, vodka and fruit liqueurs that you likely won’t find in bars. Along the way, you’ll hear the stories behind them and how Vietnam’s craft scene is evolving. You’ll also make your own cocktail using local ingredients like lemongrass and passionfruit, so it’s not just tasting — it’s hands-on and fun. Set in a cosy café in District 1, it’s a relaxed, insider introduction to a side of Saigon most travellers miss. What to Expect<ul><li>Guided tasting of 4 craft spirits</li><li>Try off-the-menu Vietnamese spirits</li><li>Make your own cocktail with locals</li><li>Learn about Vietnam’s craft scene</li><li>Hosted by a top food writer&nbsp;</li></ul>

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Cocktail Making Classes

Cocktails + Craft Spirits with Saigon's Top Food Writer

Experience a one-of-a-kind Vietnamese craft spirit tasting in an intimate, tucked-away café by day, and a vibrant cocktail community by night, right in the heart of District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. 

This exclusive event, led by renowned Vietnamese food writer and blogger Jovel Chan, offers a unique glimpse into Vietnam’s emerging craft spirit scene. Taste a range of rare and local spirits—from rum and gin to vodka, moonshine, and fruit-infused liqueurs like dragonfruit, passionfruit, and apricot.

These spirits are curated by Jovel and change seasonally to always feature the most in-season spirits. Many of these spirits are off-the-market and exclusively available at Saigon Social.  

The experience takes place in a private space in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City, District 1



If you’re curious about Saigon’s new wave of craft drinks, this tasting is one of the easiest ways to dive in.Led by food writer Jovel Chan, you’ll try a curated lineup of Vietnamese craft spirits — including small-batch rum, gin, vodka and fruit liqueurs that you likely won’t find in bars. Along the way, you’ll hear the stories behind them and how Vietnam’s craft scene is evolving.You’ll also make your own cocktail using local ingredients like lemongrass and passionfruit, so it’s not just tasting — it’s hands-on and fun.Set in a cosy café in District 1, it’s a relaxed, insider introduction to a side of Saigon most travellers miss.What to ExpectGuided tasting of 4 craft spiritsTry off-the-menu Vietnamese spiritsMake your own cocktail with localsLearn about Vietnam’s craft sceneHosted by a top food writer&nbsp;

Insider access to Saigon’s craft spirits scene

It was surprisingly educational! We learned quite a bit about the origins of pho and even some Vietnamese history and culture along the way. Some of the tastings were quite creative too (like the deep-fried pho), which made it more fun and memorable. Jovel was a lovely host, warm, welcoming, knowledgable, and the pho is really yummy as well! It felt like a pretty unique experience that you probably wouldn’t find elsewhere!

The Secret Life of Pho | Taste Vietnam’s Most Iconic Dish in 6 Ways

It was surprisingly educational! We learned quite a bit about the origins of pho and even some Vietnamese history and culture along the way. Some of the tastings were quite creative too (like the deep-fried pho), which made it more fun and memorable. Jovel was a lovely host, warm, welcoming, knowledgable, and the pho is really yummy as well! It felt like a pretty unique experience that you probably wouldn’t find elsewhere!

Emma was an excellent host! My friends and I loved this short, but delicious and informative walk through the origin and nuance of pho, which we’ll take home with us! Highly recommended for anyone staying in district 1 or even on a short stay.

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Emma was an excellent host! My friends and I loved this short, but delicious and informative walk through the origin and nuance of pho, which we’ll take home with us! Highly recommended for anyone staying in district 1 or even on a short stay.  

A fun experience for food-driven travellers in the heart of Saigon - the tasting was well structured and varied and most importantly... delicious! Our host Joven was passionate and knowledgeable and I highly recommend this experience.

A fun experience for food-driven travellers in the heart of Saigon - the tasting was well structured and varied and most importantly... delicious! Our host Joven was passionate and knowledgeable and I highly recommend this experience.

The 1 hour coffee making class is one of the best experiences you can do in HCMC. Not only do you learn to make several great Vietnamese coffees, the hosts give you meaningful insights into the uniquely Vietnamese coffee culture that has developed over the past 150 years. Highly recommended!

The Fish Sauce Tasting You Didn’t Expect

The 1 hour coffee making class is one of the best experiences you can do in HCMC. Not only do you learn to make several great Vietnamese coffees, the hosts give you meaningful insights into the uniquely Vietnamese coffee culture  that has developed over the past 150 years. Highly recommended! 

Very lovely pho tasting, which was so tasty and interesting! Very relaxing experience, great for slowing down in busy hcmc :)

Very lovely pho tasting, which was so tasty and interesting! Very relaxing experience, great for slowing down in busy hcmc :)

The Fish Sauce Tasting workshop was a really fun and educational experience! Tracy was an excellent facilitator and guide, and the whole workshop was very memorable and tasty. We walked out with a deeper appreciation for fish sauce, as it's such a big part of Vietnamese culture. Would definitely recommend!

The Fish Sauce Tasting workshop was a really fun and educational experience! Tracy was an excellent facilitator and guide, and the whole workshop was very memorable and tasty. We walked out with a deeper appreciation for fish sauce, as it's such a big part of Vietnamese culture. Would definitely recommend!

Fish Saice tasting? Whaaa? Yeah, this was good. You gotta love fish sauce but Tracy talked us through it all and we did some blind tasting and not so blind tasting of artisan and commercial fish sauces and pairing them. It sounds goofy, but it was the real deal. Highly recommend.

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Fish Saice tasting? Whaaa? Yeah, this was good. You gotta love fish sauce but Tracy talked us through it all and we did some blind tasting and not so blind tasting of artisan and commercial fish sauces and pairing them. It sounds goofy,  but it was the real deal. Highly recommend. 

This was an incredible experience made even better by your host Emma and Bang. The atmosphere and cafe was absolutely beautiful and food was even better. Emma was extremely insightful, friendly and made us feel at home. I would highly recommend this experience to any pho loversThis was an incredible experience made even better by your host, Emma, and Bang. The atmosphere and café were absolutely beautiful, and the food was even better. Emma was extremely insightful, friendly, and made us feel at home. I would highly recommend this experience to any pho lovers.

This was an incredible experience made even better by your host Emma and Bang. The atmosphere and cafe was absolutely beautiful and food was even better. Emma was extremely insightful, friendly and made us feel at home. I would highly recommend this experience to any pho loversThis was an incredible experience made even better by your host, Emma, and Bang. The atmosphere and café were absolutely beautiful, and the food was even better. Emma was extremely insightful, friendly, and made us feel at home. I would highly recommend this experience to any pho lovers.

Fun experience! Learn to understand the origins and manufacturing processes of fish sauce better, can't wait to go on more foodie adventures with this newfound knowledge!

Fun experience! Learn to understand the origins and manufacturing processes of fish sauce better, can't wait to go on more foodie adventures with this newfound knowledge! 

The experience was fantastic! It started with a brief intro about the origins and production of fish sauce (we learned some fun facts about anchovies!). Then came a blind taste test between mass-produced and premium fish sauces — a great way to notice the difference in taste and aroma. We also tried creative pairings with veggies, spring rolls, ice cream, and even cheese. Jovel shared an interesting perspective: mass-produced fish sauce isn't necessarily bad — its lighter flavor actually pairs well with salads and leaves you feeling less heavy after a meal. We all walked away with new knowledge and a fresh appreciation for just how versatile fish sauce can be.

The experience was fantastic! It started with a brief intro about the origins and production of fish sauce (we learned some fun facts about anchovies!). Then came a blind taste test between mass-produced and premium fish sauces — a great way to notice the difference in taste and aroma. We also tried creative pairings with veggies, spring rolls, ice cream, and even cheese. Jovel shared an interesting perspective: mass-produced fish sauce isn't necessarily bad — its lighter flavor actually pairs well with salads and leaves you feeling less heavy after a meal. We all walked away with new knowledge and a fresh appreciation for just how versatile fish sauce can be.

Jovel founded her company to spotlight Vietnam’s food scene. She empowers local women by creating opportunities in food tourism and storytelling.

Jovel is a respected food blogger and has a keen eye for uncovering the best hidden spots—whether it’s a tucked-away speakeasy or a restaurant redefining Vietnamese cuisine. Since 2023, she and her team of local food enthusiasts have been crafting experiences that go beyond the usual, introducing guests to everything from award-winning craft spirits to unique urban eateries. Her love for Vietnam’s flavours and culture shines through in every experience, making each tour feel like exploring the city with a friend who knows all the best places.

Saigon Social

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Jovel is a respected food blogger and has a keen eye for uncovering the best hidden spots—whether it’s a tucked-away speakeasy or a restaurant redefining Vietnamese cuisine. Since 2023, she and her team of local food enthusiasts have been crafting experiences that go beyond the usual, introducing guests to everything from award-winning craft spirits to unique urban eateries. Her love for Vietnam’s flavours and culture shines through in every experience, making each tour feel like exploring the city with a friend who knows all the best places.

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Saigon Social (2nd floor of MamaPho restaurant)