Join a Quang Ninh-born chef for an intimate morning navigating Ha Long City's wet market and street-food lanes, learning to cook the region's signature dishes — bánh cuốn Quảng Ninh, chả mực (grilled squid cake), and mì xào hải sản — in a private seafront kitchen.
What to expect
Your chef meets you at 8 am at Ha Long City's Bãi Cháy wet market, guiding you past stalls piled with live sea snails, purple sea urchins, and smoked anchovy before selecting the morning's ingredients. Back in the hotel's light-filled kitchen, you pound fresh squid by hand into chả mực paste, roll silky steamed rice sheets for bánh cuốn, and finish with a wok-tossed seafood noodle dish that defines coastal Quang Ninh cooking. You eat everything you've made at a harbour-view table, pairing dishes with cold Hanoi beer or jasmine tea. A printed recipe card and a jar of house chilli-fish sauce to take home complete the session.
Good to know
Ha Long City (Bãi Cháy) is approximately 45 minutes by private car from Cai Lan/Sadek port. Morning sessions start at 8 am and finish by noon — comfortable timing before all-aboard. Book at least 3 days ahead directly with Apricot Hotel's concierge. Mention dietary restrictions when booking.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Ha Long Bay — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.
More to do in Ha Long Bay
- Private Seaplane Flight Over Ha Long Bay's Limestone Karsts
- Sung Sot & Luon Cave Private Junk Cruise with Kayaking
- Bai Tu Long Bay: Private Seaplane Transfer & Kayak Expedition
- Lan Ha Bay Boutique Overnight Cruise: Kayak, Bike & Private Balcony
- Yen Tu Sacred Mountain: Private Guided Pilgrimage & Cable Car
- Private Full-Day Hanoi City & Old Quarter Shore Excursion
- Quang Ninh Museum & Ancient Dong Trieu Citadel Private Tour
- Ti Top Island Beach Escape & Panoramic Summit Hike