REVIEW · HOI AN
Vy’s Kitchen Private BBQ DINNER Experience
Book on Viator →Operated by Vy's Kitchen Hoi An By Amber · Bookable on Viator
Countryside BBQ beats city dinners. On this Vy’s Kitchen Private BBQ Dinner night, you get a slow, scenic drive out past Hoi An’s center and then a proper meal at Vy’s Bistro, with cocktails and local flavors in a calmer setting.
I especially like the way this tour pairs fresh Vietnamese cooking with real relaxation: you start with a welcome drink and nibbles, then settle into a set-menu BBQ dinner cooked on-site. The one thing to consider is the pickup area—service is for addresses within about 5 km of Hoi An City Centre, so if you’re farther out, you may need to meet at the stated point.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Countryside BBQ in Hoi An: why this night feels different
- The 6:00 PM drive: your first taste of the countryside
- Vy’s Bistro and Chef’s Home: welcome cocktail and local nibbles
- The set-menu BBQ dinner: what’s on the table
- Getting the most from the ride and the meal
- Private transfers and small groups: comfort without the fuss
- Price and value: is $65 worth it?
- Who this BBQ dinner suits best (and who might not)
- Final verdict: should you book Vy’s Kitchen Private BBQ Dinner?
- FAQ
- Where is the meeting point?
- What time does the experience start?
- How long is the dinner experience?
- Is pickup included?
- What transport is used for the transfer?
- What’s included in the price?
- What should I budget for tipping?
- Is the group small?
- Can I cancel and get a full refund?
Key things to know before you go
- Evening countryside ride in a Jeep or private A/C car, with pickup and drop-off near Hoi An Ancient Town
- Welcome cocktail + local nibbles before the BBQ dinner begins
- Set-menu BBQ with Vietnamese dishes made from fresh ingredients
- Family-friendly pacing that keeps kids engaged without turning into a rushed spectacle
- Small group size (max 10), so the vibe stays friendly and easy
- Vegetarian-friendly options are available when you need them
Countryside BBQ in Hoi An: why this night feels different
Hoi An is famous for its lantern streets, cafés, and late-night wandering. This tour gives you a different rhythm. You trade the busy center for back roads, then end with a meal that feels more like you’re joining a family table than lining up for dinner.
I like that the experience is structured but not stiff. You have transportation handled, a guide along the way, and a set dinner plan so you’re not stuck deciding what to eat at the last minute. And because it’s private, you can enjoy the ride without the pressure of trying to please a crowd.
The setting at Vy’s Bistro also matters. Reviews often mention a peaceful feel—something about the river views and the garden atmosphere. Even if you’re only in Hoi An for a few days, this kind of change of scenery is a strong way to make one evening memorable.
You can also read our reviews of more private tours in Hoi An
The 6:00 PM drive: your first taste of the countryside
The evening starts at 6:00 pm at Sông Hoài Square (01 Đường Cao Hồng Lãnh, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam). From there, you’ll go by Jeep car or private A/C car with a driver, depending on what’s arranged for your group.
This is not a “get there fast” kind of transfer. The point is the slow switch from town energy to countryside roads. You’ll pass Vietnamese neighborhoods and rural scenery on an evening drive back roads-style—exactly the kind of route that’s hard to plan on your own unless you already know the area and have a reliable driver.
Two practical notes. First, an evening ride can feel longer than you expect, even when it’s comfortable—plan on settling in and treating it as part of the experience. Second, this isn’t meant for people who want a tight schedule after dinner; the whole outing runs about 3 hours.
Vy’s Bistro and Chef’s Home: welcome cocktail and local nibbles
Once you arrive at Vy’s Bistro and Chef’s Home, you’re greeted and offered a welcome cocktail plus an assortment of local nibbles. This first tasting slot is more than “a snack.” It’s your transition moment—warm drinks, conversation, and the chance to get comfortable before the main BBQ arrives.
I think this part is underrated. Dinner tours often start with food right away, which can leave you rushed. Here, the drinks and nibbles let you slow down, enjoy the surroundings, and get your bearings.
What’s especially nice is that people describe a warm, friendly atmosphere—often calling out Ms Vy by name as a welcoming presence. If you’re traveling as a couple, it feels personal. If you’re traveling with kids, it’s the kind of start that makes them less restless while waiting for the BBQ to cook.
Also, this venue is often described as next to the river with a garden setting and plenty of fruit trees used in cooking. Even without getting overly poetic, that detail matters: it helps explain why the meal feels “away from the city” without feeling far off or inconvenient.
The set-menu BBQ dinner: what’s on the table
The heart of the tour is the BBQ dinner (set menu), cooked by the chefs on-site. The info is clear that you’ll get Vietnamese dishes using fresh ingredients, and the overall goal is variety—different dishes that complement each other rather than one big, heavy plate.
Since this is a set menu BBQ dinner, you don’t choose every item individually. That’s a plus for most people: you avoid decision fatigue and you get a curated mix. If you love Vietnamese food, this format works well because you can taste multiple flavors in one sitting.
From the dishes described for this bistro, you might see classic favorites such as spring rolls, prawn-based dishes, ginger or lemongrass flavors, and meat dishes that fit the BBQ theme. Some examples mentioned include things like lotus-leaf wrapped meat rolls, fried dumplings, and sweet-and-sour shrimp styles. Others call out dishes such as lemongrass chicken and hearty chicken preparations like a clay pot style. Not every dish will be guaranteed for your exact menu, but the pattern is consistent: bold Vietnamese flavor, fresh ingredients, and a mix of textures.
If you need vegetarian options, that’s good news. People note they were able to make vegetarian versions available. That doesn’t mean every item becomes vegetarian automatically, so it’s still smart to flag dietary needs ahead of time, but the kitchen has shown they can handle it.
Getting the most from the ride and the meal
This tour is designed to be easy. Still, a few small choices help you enjoy it more.
Ask what drinks pair best with the BBQ. You’ll get a welcome cocktail, and additional local drinks are often part of the experience at this bistro-style dining spot. If you’re unsure what to order later, you can ask on arrival and go from there.
Plan for a relaxed dinner pace. The tour is about atmosphere—arrive, drink, snack, then BBQ dinner, then drive back. Don’t stack it right before another hard reservation. You’ll have a smoother night if you treat this like your main event meal.
Bring a light layer. You’ll be outdoors around the venue and on the drive. Vietnam’s weather can change fast in the evening, and even if it’s warm, a thin layer can make waiting around comfortable.
For families, lean into the shared plates. The bistro’s food is the reason people say kids stay engaged—snacks and familiar flavors like spring rolls tend to work well. The setting also feels less chaotic than street dining, which helps with kids’ attention spans.
A few more Hoi An tours and experiences worth a look
Private transfers and small groups: comfort without the fuss
You’re not stuck in a huge bus with strangers. The group limit is max 10 travelers, which keeps the experience manageable and the vibe friendly.
Transfers matter here. Being picked up and dropped off in and around Hoi An Ancient Town means you don’t waste time figuring out transport or negotiating rides after dark. Plus, you travel by Jeep or private A/C car with a driver, so the ride is comfortable even when the evening gets warm.
The tour also includes an English-speaking guide. You’ll get help with timing and the basic flow of the evening, and you’ll have someone to ask questions when you want clarity on dishes or how things work at the bistro.
One more thing: the tour is described as near public transportation and uses a mobile ticket. That’s useful for peace of mind—you can show your ticket on your phone and keep things simple.
Price and value: is $65 worth it?
At $65 per person, you’re paying for more than just dinner. You’re also paying for the transfer and guide time, plus the welcome cocktail and the set-menu BBQ dinner. When you break it down that way, the price starts to make sense.
If you were doing this independently, you’d likely pay separately for:
- transport out of town and back,
- dinner at a bistro with a set menu format,
- and a guide or coordination help if you don’t want to figure it out yourself.
Here, those pieces are bundled. The value is strongest if you want an uncomplicated, evening plan that feels like a special outing rather than a rushed dinner search. It’s also a good fit if you don’t want to manage scooters or worry about where the restaurant is after dark.
Where value can slip is if you’re staying far outside the pickup radius (again, around the 5 km guideline). In that case, you may need extra transport planning, and that extra cost can reduce the bargain feeling.
Who this BBQ dinner suits best (and who might not)
This experience is best for people who want a calmer Hoi An evening. I’d especially recommend it if you:
- want a scenic countryside drive with minimal effort,
- like trying Vietnamese dishes in a structured set-menu format,
- are traveling as a family and want a kid-friendly pace,
- appreciate small-group tours with personal hospitality.
It may not fit you as well if you’re the type who hates any schedule at all. Since the tour runs around a set start time and includes a set dinner, you don’t have the freedom to wander between stops.
Also, if you’re only looking for the cheapest food in town, this is not that kind of trip. This is for the people who want comfort, transport, and a well-run evening meal at a countryside bistro.
Final verdict: should you book Vy’s Kitchen Private BBQ Dinner?
Yes—if you want an easy, enjoyable night that feels like you left Hoi An for a few hours without the stress of planning. I think the biggest selling points are the countryside evening drive, the welcome cocktail + nibbles, and the way the dinner is handled as a full, set-menu experience at Vy’s Bistro.
Choose this tour if you value practical logistics (pickup/drop-off, driver, guide) and you want good odds of a memorable meal, including options that work for vegetarians. If you’re staying outside the pickup area or you’re hoping for total freedom to roam on your own timeline, then you might want to reconsider—but for most people in Hoi An, this is a strong, sensible choice.
FAQ
Where is the meeting point?
The tour starts at Sông Hoài Square (01 Đường Cao Hồng Lãnh, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam) and ends back at the meeting point.
What time does the experience start?
It starts at 6:00 pm.
How long is the dinner experience?
It lasts about 3 hours.
Is pickup included?
Pickup and drop-off are included for people in and around Hoi An Ancient Town. Pick up from addresses further than 5 km from Hoi An City Centre is not included.
What transport is used for the transfer?
You’ll travel by Jeep car or private A/C car with a driver.
What’s included in the price?
Included are pick up and drop off in/around Hoi An Ancient Town, transfer service, an English-speaking guide, a welcome cocktail, and dinner (set menu BBQ).
What should I budget for tipping?
Tipping for the local riders and tour guide is not included.
Is the group small?
Yes. The maximum group size is 10 travelers.
Can I cancel and get a full refund?
Yes. Cancellation is free, and you can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, you don’t get a refund.
