In general, most cooking classes are half-day classes starting with in the morning with a trip to the local market followed by a cooking demonstration and lunch where you can eat the dishes that were prepared. 

Most of the classes tend to be aimed at casual tourists, rather than serious chefs, and many tend to be cooking demonstrations, rather than classes with individual cooking stations.  Please inquire before you book.  Also, please keep in mind that some of the smaller, ad-hoc programs may be more flexible to change the menu or request more interaction, especially if you arrange your own private lesson for your group.

Hanoi:

Sofitel Metropole
15 Ngo Quyen Street, (+84)4/8266919
The Sofitel Metrople has the high end of the market in Hanoi cornered with half-day classes with a trip to the market and cooking demonstration followed by an elegant lunch in the Vietnamese restaurant.  Class is $50 USD for morning class; reserve with hotel concierge.

Highway 4
54 Mai Hac De St.  or 5 Hang Tre. Tel: (+84) 4 976.2647
www.highway4.com
Highway 4 does not have set daily classes, but can arrange classes for small groups and is very flexible in changing the menu to meet the group’s needs.  Highly recommended are Highway 4’s famous catfish spring rolls, as well as a sample of the local fruit-flavored riou (rice wine) with your meal.  Class is $19-32 USD per person, depending on the number in your group.

Hidden Hanoi
No. 56 Ngo 1, Duong Au Co, Nghi Tam Village, Tel: 091 225 4045
http://www.hiddenhanoi.com.vn/ or email info@hiddenhanoi.com.vn
Morning cooking classes with a different menu each day of the week for small groups in a relaxed and peaceful garden setting led by the very friendly Ms. An.  Class is $30 USD per person.

Hoi An:

Red Bridge Restaurant & Cooking School
Book at Hai Scout Café at 98 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, Tel: (84-510) 933.222
www.visithoian.com
Morning classes which include a visit to the market, a leisurely boat cruise on the river to the Red Bridge Cooking School, a tour of the school’s herb and vegetable garden, and a cooking demonstration and lunch.  The half-day class is $15, including lunch.

Ms. Vy's Gourmet Cooking Class
Book at the Cargo Club, 107-109 Nguyen Thai Hoc, (84-510) 910 489
www.hoianhospitality.com
Ms. Vy’s classes, along with Red Bridge, is one of the most popular in Hoi An. And if the food at the Cargo Club and the Mermaid restaurant are an indication, Ms. Vy deserves her popularity.
Morning class is $20/person including lunch, and afternoon class is $15/person.

Nha Trang:

Vietnam Cookery Center
http://www.expat-services.com or e-mail: vietnamcookery@expat-services.com
With the popularity of its school in HCMC, the Vietnam Cookery Center has opened another school in Nha Trang, changing only the menu to include many local varieties.  To book, contact the main HCMC office.

Ho Chi Minh City:

Vietnam Cookery Center
177 Dien Bien Phu , District 1, Tel: (84-8) 823-5872
http://www.expat-services.com or e-mail: vietnamcookery@expat-services.com
One of the more widely mentioned cooking classes in Vietnam, so book in advance.  Classes held daily - $30 for a morning or afternoon class, with a visit to the market extra.  They can also arrange classes on the Bonsai Boat in Saigon, thematic dinner courses, and chef and extended courses.

Omni Saigon
253 Nguyen Van Troi Street, Tel: (848) 844-9222
The Omni Saigon does not have set classes every day, but can arrange specially for groups, with individual work stations.  Class is $55/person, including lunch, and trip to Ben Thanh market.

Bi Saigon
185/26 - 185/16 Pham Ngu Lao St., Dist.1, Tel: (848) 836 0678
http://www.bisaigon.com
The Bi Saigon Hotel & Restaurant does not have set daily classes, but can arrange classes for small groups based on your needs.  Classes are $15 per dish per person, with discounts available for hotel guests. 

Related Article:

Savoring the Bounty of Vietnam (April 10, 2005) [Registration Required]