Reviewed · BBQ

Vy’s Kitchen Private BBQ DINNER Experience

★ 5.0 · 61 reviews From $65 Operated by Vy's Kitchen Hoi An By Amber · Bookable on Viator
Book on Viator →

The best part of Vy’s Kitchen Private BBQ Dinner is that dinner begins before you reach the table. You leave Hoi An at 6 p.m. and roll along quiet countryside back roads toward Vy’s Bistro and Chef’s Home, trading city lights for river views, rice fields, and fruit trees. I like the private return transfer and the warm welcome cocktail with local nibbles. The main thing to consider is the price: at $65 per person, this is more than a simple meal in Hoi An.

I also like the small group size, capped at 10 people, and the setting beside the river. The food is built around fresh local ingredients, with a BBQ set menu and Vietnamese flavors rather than a standard hotel dinner. Pickup is limited to Hoi An and nearby areas, so you may need to reach the meeting point at Song Hoai Square if your hotel is farther away.

Key points at a glance

  • The countryside drive is part of the dinner: Begin with a relaxed evening ride through Hoi An’s rural back roads.
  • Vy’s Bistro has a river setting: Expect a quieter meal among gardens, fruit trees, rice fields, and countryside views.
  • A cocktail and local nibbles begin the meal: Your welcome drink sets the tone before the BBQ arrives.
  • The menu focuses on Vietnamese ingredients: Past dishes have included seafood, chicken, dumplings, spring rolls, and vegetable plates.
  • The group is limited to 10 people: This helps keep the evening more personal than a large dinner outing.
  • Transfers are included within central Hoi An: Pickup and drop-off are offered around the Ancient Town, with a Jeep or private air-conditioned car.

Leaving Hoi An at 6 p.m. for a quieter evening

Vy's Kitchen Private BBQ DINNER Experience - Leaving Hoi An at 6 p.m. for a quieter evening

This experience works because it treats the ride as part of the occasion. At 6 p.m., you set off from Song Hoai Square, or arrange pickup in and around Hoi An Ancient Town. The route follows countryside back roads rather than focusing only on the restaurant.

That matters in Hoi An. The Ancient Town is beautiful, but it can feel crowded and noisy at dinner time. A drive beyond the center gives you a different view of the area, with open fields, riverside scenery, and homes and gardens away from the lantern-lit streets.

You are not signing up for a long sightseeing tour with several formal stops. The countryside portion is a leisurely transfer, so keep your expectations clear. You will see rural Hoi An from the vehicle, not take part in a farming lesson or village walk. Still, it is a useful way to make the journey feel like part of the evening instead of a basic ride to a restaurant.

The transport is either a Jeep car or a private air-conditioned car with a driver. The Jeep can make the ride feel more open and adventurous, while the air-conditioned car is the practical choice in hot or humid weather. The exact vehicle is not guaranteed, so ask when booking if the type of transport matters to you.

A few more Hoi An half-days to weigh up

Arriving at Vy’s Bistro and Chef’s Home

Vy's Kitchen Private BBQ DINNER Experience - Arriving at Vy’s Bistro and Chef’s Home

The destination is more than a dining room in the center of town. Vy’s Bistro and Chef’s Home has a relaxed country setting beside a river, with gardens and fruit trees around the property. The surroundings are a key reason to choose this dinner over a restaurant reservation in the Ancient Town.

On arrival, you receive a welcome cocktail and a selection of local nibbles. The cocktail is not just a standard soft drink replacement. Past meals at the property have featured Vietnamese-style drinks, including a ginger lemongrass tea and a Vietnamese mojito. The exact welcome cocktail can vary, but you can expect the evening to begin with a drink and small bites before dinner.

The setting is comfortable and informal, though still polished enough for a special evening. Air conditioning has been available, which is worth noting during Hoi An’s warmer months. The outdoor views may be the main attraction, but you are not giving up basic comfort to enjoy them.

I would allow a little time to take in the property before focusing on the meal. The garden, river, and fruit trees give you something to look at while the food is prepared. This is a good fit if you prefer a calm dinner with a sense of place rather than a fast meal between sightseeing stops.

What the BBQ dinner may include

Dinner is served as a set-menu BBQ built around Vietnamese flavors and local produce. The supplied information does not provide a fixed dish-by-dish menu, so you should not book this expecting a guaranteed list of meats or seafood. The menu may change with availability and season.

The wider food selection associated with Vy’s kitchen gives you a useful sense of the cooking style. Dishes served at the property have included vegetarian spring rolls, fried dumplings, prawn curry, sweet and sour prawns, fish of the day, lemongrass chicken, clay pot chicken, bok choy with garlic, and meat rolls wrapped in lotus leaves.

Those examples suggest a meal with variety rather than one large grilled item. You might find seafood, meat, vegetables, and small Vietnamese starters arranged to complement one another. The cooking leans toward home-style local food, with sauces, herbs, garlic, lemongrass, and fresh produce doing much of the work.

Vegetarians can be accommodated, according to the experience details and past dining arrangements. You should state your needs when booking rather than waiting until arrival. The available vegetarian menu is not specified, so people with strict dietary requirements should ask for confirmation in advance.

Families may find the mix of small bites, grilled food, and familiar options easier for children than a formal tasting menu. The trip itself also helps keep younger children interested, especially if they enjoy riding in a Jeep. Still, the dinner lasts about three hours from departure to return, so very young children may find the evening long.

Why fresh ingredients matter here

Vy's Kitchen Private BBQ DINNER Experience - Why fresh ingredients matter here

The food is closely tied to the setting. Fruit trees and garden produce surround the property, and the cooking uses fresh local ingredients. That connection gives the meal a more personal feel than a generic BBQ built for large groups.

You may notice simple, clear flavors in the dishes. Garlic greens, lemongrass chicken, sweet and sour seafood, and clay pot preparations all fit the regional style without turning dinner into a cooking lecture. The appeal is in eating food that feels connected to the home and garden around you.

The menu can also be useful for first-time visitors to central Vietnam. Hoi An is famous for dishes such as cao lau and white rose dumplings, but this evening offers another side of local cooking. You are not simply checking off one famous specialty. You are getting a broader meal with several preparations served together.

I would not choose this outing solely for an adventurous BBQ. Choose it for the combination of food, setting, drink, and transport. If you want to pick every dish from a menu or focus on one signature local specialty, a restaurant in town may give you more control.

Same town, a completely different sort of day:

The river, garden, and countryside setting

Vy's Kitchen Private BBQ DINNER Experience - The river, garden, and countryside setting

The property’s location changes the rhythm of dinner. Instead of sitting in a busy lane with scooters passing close by, you eat beside a river with rice fields and fruit trees nearby. The setting feels removed from central Hoi An without requiring a full day trip.

This is especially appealing after several days of sightseeing. You can leave the Ancient Town behind, slow down, and enjoy a meal that does not feel rushed. The ride back to your hotel is included, so you can have the welcome cocktail and dinner without worrying about finding transport later.

The countryside views are weather-dependent. In poor weather, the outdoor appeal may be reduced, and you will rely more on the dining area and air conditioning. The experience description does not promise a particular sunset or a specific river view from every table, so think of the scenery as an important part of the setting, not a guaranteed photographic event.

The property has also been described as clean, well maintained, cozy, and elegant. That balance is useful: you get a rural setting, but not an uncomfortable one. It is a sensible choice for people who want local atmosphere with a reasonable level of polish.

Group size, guide, and pace

Vy's Kitchen Private BBQ DINNER Experience - Group size, guide, and pace

The maximum group size is 10 people. That is small enough to avoid the feel of a coach outing and large enough to make the transfer and dinner social if you are not traveling as a couple or family.

An English-speaking guide is included. The available details do not provide the guide’s name, so you should not expect a specific named host when booking. Vy is connected with the kitchen and hospitality, and the welcome is intended to feel personal, but the exact staff member leading your evening may vary.

The pace is deliberately easy. There are no scheduled sightseeing stops, cooking classes, or performances listed. You ride out, arrive for drinks and nibbles, eat the BBQ dinner, then return to Hoi An.

That makes the tour simple to understand. It also means the value depends on how much you enjoy a slow meal and countryside ride. If you want constant activity, this may feel too quiet. If you want an uncomplicated evening away from the center, the pace is a strength.

Is $65 per person a fair price?

Vy's Kitchen Private BBQ DINNER Experience - Is $65 per person a fair price?

At $65 per person, the cost covers much more than food. You receive pickup and drop-off around central Hoi An, a private vehicle or Jeep with driver, an English-speaking guide, a welcome cocktail, local nibbles, and a BBQ set dinner.

The price makes the most sense for couples, families, and small groups who would otherwise need to arrange a taxi, choose a rural restaurant, and organize a return ride. The included transport removes a practical problem, especially at night when you may not want to negotiate a ride back from the countryside.

It is less compelling if your main goal is simply to eat Vietnamese food as cheaply as possible. Hoi An has many less expensive meals, and $65 can cover a lot of casual dining. Here, you are paying for the complete evening: the ride, the scenery, the welcome, the setting, and the meal.

The small group limit improves the value. You are not paying for a large package with a crowded transfer and a fixed banquet hall. The private-style arrangement gives the dinner a more personal feel, even when other people are joining the same departure.

Who should book this dinner?

Vy's Kitchen Private BBQ DINNER Experience - Who should book this dinner?

I would recommend this experience to anyone who wants a quiet break from central Hoi An and does not want to plan the transport. It suits couples looking for a relaxed evening, families who need a change of scenery, and small groups that enjoy food served in a garden setting.

It is also a good choice for people who care about fresh produce and home-style Vietnamese cooking. The menu can include meat, seafood, vegetables, and local starters, with vegetarian arrangements available when requested.

You may want to skip it if you need a fully specified menu, have complex dietary restrictions, or want an active evening with several stops. The set menu gives the kitchen control, which is part of the appeal, but it leaves you with less choice than a standard restaurant.

The evening is also not ideal if your hotel is more than 5 kilometers from Hoi An city center and you are counting on door-to-door service. Pickup is offered in and around the Ancient Town, but addresses farther out may require you to meet at Song Hoai Square.

Practical details before you reserve

The activity starts at 6 p.m. and lasts about three hours, ending back at the meeting point or with the included return transfer to your central Hoi An accommodation. Confirmation is provided at booking, and mobile tickets are accepted.

Most people can participate, and the tour is listed near public transportation. The maximum group size is 10, but the details do not specify vehicle features for wheelchairs or other mobility equipment. If you have accessibility needs, contact the provider before reserving.

Tips for the local rider or tour guide are not included. Personal expenses beyond the stated dinner and services are also extra. Bring a little cash if you plan to tip or buy anything additional.

Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made within 24 hours are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book Vy’s Kitchen BBQ Dinner?

Book it if you want a full evening rather than only a restaurant meal. The countryside drive, river setting, welcome cocktail, fresh local food, and included return transfer work well together. The experience has earned a 5 out of 5 rating from 61 recorded ratings, with particular praise for the food, friendly service, garden setting, and relaxed atmosphere.

I would especially choose it after a few busy days in Hoi An, when a calm ride and long dinner sound better than another crowded street. At $65, it is not the budget option, but it is a fair package price for a small-group evening with transport included.

Skip it if you want a cheap local dinner, a guaranteed menu, or a packed schedule of activities. For everyone else, Vy’s Kitchen offers a pleasant way to see rural Hoi An and enjoy Vietnamese cooking in a setting that feels personal and far removed from the center.

FAQ

Where does the Vy’s Kitchen BBQ Dinner begin?

The listed meeting point is Song Hoai Square, 01 Duong Cao Hong Lanh, Minh An Ward, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam. Pickup is also offered in and around Hoi An Ancient Town.

What time does the experience start?

The experience starts at 6 p.m.

How long does the BBQ dinner experience last?

The activity lasts approximately three hours, including the countryside ride, dinner, and return journey.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup and drop-off are included in and around Hoi An Ancient Town. Addresses more than 5 kilometers from Hoi An city center are not included.

What type of transport is used?

Transport is provided by Jeep car or private air-conditioned car with a driver.

Is dinner included in the price?

Yes. The price includes a BBQ set-menu dinner, a welcome cocktail, and local nibbles.

Can vegetarians join the experience?

Yes. Vegetarian food can be arranged, but you should request it when booking.

How many people can join the tour?

The activity has a maximum of 10 people.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can receive a full refund by canceling at least 24 hours before the local start time. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start are not accepted for a refund.

More like this

BBQ, compared.

The full BBQ list →
My Son Sanctuary & Sunset River Cruise BBQ or Banhmi
★★★★★★★★★★4.7· 345 reviews· from $18

My Son Sanctuary & Sunset River Cruise BBQ or Banhmi

Read our review →
ATV Quad Bike Hoi An Adventure & BBQ Feast
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 190 reviews· from $69

ATV Quad Bike Hoi An Adventure & BBQ Feast

Read our review →
ATV Quad Bike Adventure and BBQ Feast
★★★★★★★★★★4.9· 61 reviews· from $60

ATV Quad Bike Adventure and BBQ Feast

Read our review →
My Son Sanctuary Sunset with insider guide and BBQ boat trip
★★★★★★★★★★5.0· 43 reviews· from $31

My Son Sanctuary Sunset with insider guide and BBQ boat trip

Read our review →
From DN/Hoi An: Countryside ATV Quad Bike Ride with BBQ Meal
★★★★★★★★★★4.8· 4 reviews· from $83

From DN/Hoi An: Countryside ATV Quad Bike Ride with BBQ Meal

Read our review →
ATV Quad Bike Ride and BBQ Lunch, 2025 Summer
★★★★★★★★★★4.7· 3 reviews· from $76

ATV Quad Bike Ride and BBQ Lunch, 2025 Summer

Read our review →

Browse the lists this tour appears in

Scroll to Top

Explore Hoi An

Pick a boat, a kitchen or a road out of town.