Private Chef Hoi An: Top 10 Chefs for a Personalised Dining Experience

by Tina Nguyen October 19, 2026 0

A private chef in Hoi An brings restaurant-quality dining to your villa, garden or beachfront terrace. Prices range from around 650,000 VND per guest for local Vietnamese menus to over 7,500,000 VND per guest for luxury tasting menus. This guide compares 10 private chefs in Hoi An, covering prices, hidden costs and practical booking tips for anyone choosing a private chef Hoi An service.

No.	Chef Name	Rating (Platform / Guest Reviews)	Years of Experience	Cuisine Style & Highlights
1	Chef Duc Tran	4.8 / 5.0 (Excellent ratings from travel clients)	23 years	Modern Vietnamese Fusion: Combines Vietnamese cuisine with international culinary experience; offers private dining at villas in Cam Thanh.
2	Chef Luke Nguyen	5.0 / 5.0 (Private villa fine-dining events)	20 years	Modern Vietnamese Fine Dining: Specialises in upscale private dining, featuring Cu Lao Cham lobster and smoked beef at Vinpearl Villa.
3	Secret Chef (Chef’s Studio)	4.64 / 5.0 (35 event reviews)	20 years	Multi-course Tasting Menu: Reportedly has experience serving royalty and heads of state; hosts bespoke dining experiences in a garden studio.
4	Chef Linh Duong	5.0 / 5.0 (6 events on Take a Chef)	14 years	Asian-European & Health-Balanced Cuisine: Former Sous Chef and Head Chef at Six Senses, Hilton and Mia Resort.
5	Chef Sakal Phoeung	4.9 / 5.0 (Private fine-dining events)	20 years	French Fine Dining: President of Escoffier Vietnam; specialises in Beef Wellington and pan-seared foie gras.
6	Chef Truong Van Quy (Chef Quy)	4.6 / 5.0 (MiumMium & Take a Chef reviews)	12 years	Hoi An Cuisine & Seafood: Former Sous Chef at a major resort and owner of Sabirama Restaurant in Hoi An; specialises in local seafood.
7	Chef Enrico Pantorno	4.9 / 5.0 (127 events on Take a Chef)	18 years	Italian & Mediterranean Cuisine: International head chef with a high number of completed dining events on the platform.
8	Chef Young Hsu	5.0 / 5.0 (14 events on Take a Chef)	15 years	Asian-European Fusion: Creates customised menus tailored to each event and guests’ personal tastes.
9	Chef Valerio Scognamiglio	4.9 / 5.0 (28 events on Take a Chef)	16 years	Traditional & Modern European Cuisine: Serves European-style dining experiences at private villas.
10	Chef Sorakom Keawsamerta	4.5 / 5.0 (89 events on Take a Chef)	15 years	Asian & Fusion Cuisine: Offers a range of Asian dining packages for family gatherings and private events.

Private chefs in Hoi An offer Vietnamese meals and fine dining (Source: kensingtontours)

Top 10 private chefs in Hoi An for a personalised dining experience

Each private chef Hoi An option below suits a different dining style, group size and budget.

Chef Duc Tran (Tran Thanh Duc)

Style: Modern Vietnamese
Price: Premium tier, exact quote on request
Group size: 1 to 20 guests
Time: 3 hours (lunch 11:00-14:00, dinner 19:00-22:00)
Included: Meal plus free-flow soft drinks, local beer and house wine
Not included: Transfers and guide
Venue: Duc Tran Villa, Cam Thanh village
Contact: Ms. Ly (0903545673)

For travellers considering a private chef Hoi An experience beyond dinner, this is the only chef on the list who offers a full day out. The evening can start at the local market, where guests pick ingredients with him, and end by a natural pool in an organic garden.

His cooking mixes pure Vietnamese flavours with ideas picked up in Texas, Mexico, Europe and New Zealand. Mango Rooms, his first restaurant, opened in 2003, so the menu has years of Hoi An guests behind it. Free-flow drinks also make the final bill easier to predict than most.

Chef Duc Tran, founder of Mango Rooms and Mango Mango in Hoi An, is known for Vietnamese cooking with international influences (Source: manangohoiangom.com)

Chef Luke Nguyen

Style: Modern Vietnamese fine dining
Price: No standalone price; part of a premium private-party tour package
Group size: About 15 guests
Venue: Beachfront villa at Vinpearl Resort, Binh Minh Beach, Quang Nam
How to book: Book directly through the travel operator organizing the premium culinary tour (Luke Nguyen’s Vietnam Food Tour)

His signature is Vietnamese flavour in a fine-dining frame, served with the sea in view. The villa faces Binh Minh Beach, the same stretch of coast where Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness is located. The Cham Island lobster comes glazed with tamarind, and the coconut gravy softens the sour edge.

Dessert is a coconut-pandan creme brulee with roasted peanut coconut ice cream. Because the dinner sits inside a tour package, ask exactly what the package covers before comparing it with other private chef Hoi An options.

Chef Luke Nguyen’s modern Vietnamese fine dining at a beachfront villa on Binh Minh Beach (Source: agfg.com.au)

Secret Chef (Chef’s Studio, SecretEATS Hoi An)

Style: 4 or 5-course tasting menu, tailored to diet and taste
Price: From 3,550,000 VND per guest in the Old Town, or from 8,550,000 VND per guest at the Chef’s Studio
Studio group rate: 51,300,000 VND for 6 guests
Minimum group: 5 to 6 guests
Hotline / WhatsApp: +84 585 333 868

Secret Chef sells a night out that feels like a private show. The menu is improvised around your taste and diet, so no two tables eat the same dinner. The Old Town seating is a 250-year-old house restored in Art Deco style beside the Thu Bon River, while the Studio is a private eco-garden house. Two perks stand out: no corkage fee if you bring your own bottle, and a return car transfer, so nobody worries about a ride after the wine.

Secret Chef (Chef’s Studio) is an exclusive private dining experience offered by SecretEATS Hoi An (Source: thesecreteats.com)

Chef Linh Duong

Style: Vietnamese, Asian and European, fresh and balanced
Price: ~4,970,000-6,920,000 VND per guest
Coverage: Da Nang, plus your villa within 50 km (Hoi An included)
Take a Chef hotline: +1 (844) 905-1243

Chef Linh’s edge is lightness. Her kitchen background includes Six Senses, Hilton and five years at Mia Resort Nha Trang, so she knows how to build menus for guests who want to feel good after dinner. Fresh ingredients and nutritional balance come first, and she also runs wine dinners.

That makes her a good match for hot evenings, long lunches and groups who dislike heavy food when booking a private chef Hoi An service. She has fewer completed services on the platform than the busiest chefs, so ask for recent guest feedback before booking.

Chef Sakal Phoeung

Style: Classic French fine dining
Price: 1,290,000 VND per guest (about 10 million VND for a group of 8)
Team: The chef plus 4-5 staff who bring tools, tables and chairs
Take a Chef hotline: +1 (844) 905-1243

Chef Sakal does not just cook at your place; a small restaurant team moves in. Staff bring the tables, chairs and tools, then prepare, serve and clean up, so the house is back to normal when they leave. The star dish is beef Wellington with foie gras: a crisp pastry crust, a rosy centre and a rich, buttery finish.

He is also President of Escoffier Vietnam, which explains the strict French technique. For a group of about eight, the price per guest is lower than most French dinners in the region, but check that the quote includes the service staff before confirming this private chef Hoi An booking.

Chef Sakal does not just cook at your place; a small restaurant team moves in (Source: wowweekend.vn)

Chef Truong Van Quy (Chef Quy)

Style: Hoi An local dishes, seafood, BBQ, vegan and vegetarian
Price: ~683,000 VND per guest for Authentic Vietnamese Cuisine, groups of 4 or more
Coverage: Within 50 km of Hoi An
Take a Chef hotline: +1 (844) 905-1243

Chef Quy is the local voice on this list. He was born in Da Nang, lives in Hoi An and owns Sabirama Hoi An, so seafood and Hoi An dishes are what he cooks best. The same chef appears at two price points: a simple authentic Vietnamese meal at the low end, and a seven-course seafood dinner at the high end. The difference is the menu format, not the cook. Vegan, vegetarian and BBQ options also make him a smart pick for mixed groups on a tighter budget.

Chef Truong Van Quy preparing authentic Hoi An cuisine, fresh seafood, BBQ and vegetarian dishes (Source: Soluna D'Annam - The Art of Hoi An Relaxation) — Chef Truong Van Quy preparing authentic Hoi An cuisine, fresh seafood, BBQ and vegetarian dishes (Source: Soluna D’Annam – The Art of Hoi An Relaxation)

Chef Enrico Pantorno

Style: Italian and Mediterranean
Price: ~6,920,000 VND per guest for 2 guests, ~6,080,000 VND for 3-6, ~4,970,000 VND for 7-12 or more
Included: 100% fresh ingredients bought for you, cooking on site, table service and kitchen clean-up
Take a Chef hotline: +1 (844) 905-1243

Enrico brings Sicily to the table, and he tells the story of each dish as it arrives. Guests often mention his charm and calm professionalism. He has cooked in the UAE, Denmark and Thailand, and his dishes carry that mix: fresh pasta with crispy guanciale and pistachio, or a playful take on Sicilian cannoli.

He has completed 127 services on Take a Chef, more than any other chef here. That track record makes him the safest choice for first-time private chef guests.

Enrico brings Sicily to the table, and he tells the story of each dish as it arrives (Source: chefmaison.com)

Chef Young Hsu

Style: Asian-European fusion, menus designed around the host
Price: ~4,970,000-6,920,000 VND per guest
Take a Chef hotline: +1 (844) 905-1243

Chef Young starts with a blank page. Instead of offering a fixed menu, he designs the dinner around the occasion and the guests’ tastes. Birthdays, anniversaries and friend reunions each get a different plan.

Fusion cooking also helps groups with mixed preferences, since Asian and European dishes can sit on the same table. Share allergies, dislikes and the mood you want in the first message, and the menu will feel close to personal with your private chef Hoi An booking.

Chef Valerio Scognamiglio (Rio)

Style: Traditional and modern European
Price: ~6,920,000 VND per guest for 2 guests, ~6,080,000 VND for 3-6 guests, 189 USD (~4,970,000 VND) for 7 or more
Take a Chef hotline: +1 (844) 905-1243

Valerio is known for how calm his dinners feel. Guests say he arrives on time, cooks exactly what was agreed, talks easily with the table and leaves the kitchen spotless. Those small habits decide whether a private dinner feels relaxed or stressful.

His menus follow European classics with a modern touch, and the 3 to 5 courses are agreed before the day. Families and couples who want familiar flavours done properly will find a steady hand here.

Chef Valerio Scognamiglio preparing modern European cuisine with classic flavours for private dining in Hoi An (Source: takeachef.com)

Chef Sorakom Keawsamerta

Style: Asian and fusion
Price: ~6,920,000 VND per guest for 2 guests, ~6,080,000 VND for 3-6, ~4,970,000 VND for 7-12 or more
Take a Chef hotline: +1 (844) 905-1243

Sorakom is the pick for big, lively gatherings around a shared table. His Asian spreads are generous, with dishes served in the middle for everyone to share. With 89 completed services on Take a Chef, he has experience catering family gatherings and small events. Choose him when you want a relaxed, communal meal where everyone can enjoy a little of everything.

Chef Sorakom Keawsamerta serving Asian fusion dishes for shared meals and private gatherings in Hoi An (Source: ram_sorakom)

Read more: Hoi An Old Town Tourist Traps: What to Watch Out For

Why is the price of a private chef in Hoi An not always the final cost?

The advertised price of a private chef in Hoi An may cover only the chef’s time or a basic menu. The final cost can also depend on ingredient quality, menu customisation, the dining location and additional services. Premium seafood, extra staff or a bespoke table setup at a private villa, for example, may increase the overall budget.

Before booking a private chef Hoi An service, ask the following questions to avoid unexpected charges:

Questions to ask your private chef	Why it matters
What is included in the quoted price?	Clarifies whether the fee covers cooking, ingredients, preparation, serving and cleaning, or only the chef’s time
Are ingredients included in the price?	Helps you understand whether groceries, fresh seafood and premium ingredients are charged separately
Who purchases the ingredients?	Establishes whether the chef handles the shopping or you need to buy the ingredients yourself
Is there an additional grocery shopping fee?	Prevents unexpected charges for sourcing ingredients, visiting local markets or arranging special purchases
Are premium ingredients charged separately?	Important if you want lobster, high-quality local seafood or specific seasonal ingredients that may exceed the standard menu budget
Are transportation and equipment included?	Helps identify additional costs when the chef travels to a private villa, beachside accommodation or a location outside central Hoi An
Are extra staff or service fees required?	Clarifies whether servers, bartenders, additional cooks or table setup services are included
What happens if the menu or guest count changes?	Helps you understand how last-minute requests, additional guests and menu revisions affect the final bill

Chefs with similar starting prices may follow different billing models. Some offer all-inclusive packages, while others charge separately for ingredients and additional services.

To compare options accurately, request an itemised quote and agree on an ingredient budget before booking. If the chef shops on your behalf, ask for receipts or an itemised breakdown to keep spending transparent.

Read more: Is fine dining Hoi An really worth the price? What are travelers paying for?

What to agree on with your private chef before the dinner

A few details are easy to forget and hard to fix on the night. Settle them in writing a few days before the dinner.

Shopping costs: If you want to pick seafood yourself, or ask the chef to buy premium items such as Cham Island lobster or grouper, request a receipt or a photo of the market bill. This keeps the money clear for both sides.

Lobster and premium seafood may cost extra (Source: fourseasons.com)

Tipping: Tips are not required at high-end services in Hoi An, but they are a kind way to say thank you. A common range is 10-15% of the total for the whole team, or about 500,000-1,000,000 VND (~19-38 USD) for the lead chef, depending on group size.
Allergies and food you cannot eat: Report allergies, dislikes and religious or diet rules in the first message. Peanuts and shellfish can hide in sauces, so ask how the chef avoids cross-contact.
Leftovers: Ingredients are already paid for in the package. Keep a few food boxes or zip bags at the villa, and ask the chef to clean and pack unused items such as raw prawns or squid. Many guests turn them into a late snack or breakfast.
Late finishes: Guests at a small party often stay for wine long after dessert. Ask whether staff can stay later and what the overtime charge is per hour.

The real danger is a vague promise. A message such as “We will take care of everything” sounds fine but protects nobody. Ask for the menu, headcount, start time, finish time, total price and what is included in one confirmation message.

Confirm the menu, ingredient budget, service hours and clean-up arrangements before the chef arrives (Source: luxuriantdestinations.com)

Peak-season dinners and large groups need more lead time. Book as early as possible, and confirm the date again a few days before. If a dinner is part of a family trip, Hoi An Street Food Tour is a good way to try local snacks on another evening and keep the chef night for a special meal.

Choosing the right location: Bringing a private chef Hoi An to Bliss Hoi An

Most chefs on this list cook where you stay, so the setting matters as much as the menu when planning a private chef Hoi An dinner. Some guests pick a villa in Cam Thanh. Others prefer a beach resort, where the sea, the pool and the bedroom are only a few steps from the table. Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness sits on Binh Minh Beach, about 25 minutes by car from Hoi An Ancient Town, and it is a good place to test this idea.

Space is the first thing to check. The Two-Bedroom Pool Villa covers 130 m² with sea views, and the Beachside Bungalow covers 98 m². The Family Suites have 57 m² and ocean views, which suits a smaller family dinner. Larger groups can ask about outdoor spots on the property, since a chef needs room for a table, a prep area and service.

The Two-Bedroom Beach Front Pool Villa at Bliss Hoi An offers a private pool and indoor-outdoor space for a relaxed stay

Backup options are close by. The resort’s Binh Minh Restaurant serves Vietnamese and European dishes from 06:30 to 22:00, with 120 indoor seats and 50 outdoor seats. The sea-view rooftop bar is a good spot for sunset drinks before dinner.

Binh Minh Restaurant at Bliss Hoi An serves Vietnamese and international dishes in an Indochine-inspired setting

To start, send a WhatsApp message to +84 91 188 95 58 with your date, headcount, chosen chef and budget, or use the booking page. Ask the team what can be arranged, and get the answer in writing. If dinner is one part of a bigger trip, the Tra Que Farming & Cooking Class shows where Hoi An’s herbs come from and helps you shape the menu.

FAQs

What is included in a private chef service?

On Take a Chef, the price covers menu planning, fresh ingredient shopping, cooking at your villa, table service and kitchen clean-up. Some chefs add free-flow drinks or car transfers. Others charge for them.

Can a private chef cook vegan, vegetarian or allergy-safe food?

Yes, with notice. Chef Quy lists vegan and vegetarian menus, and Secret Chef designs menus around diets. Write allergies in the first message and ask how the kitchen avoids cross-contact.

Do I need to buy the groceries?

Usually no. Platform chefs buy fresh ingredients and the cost is included. If you want premium items such as lobster, agree on a budget and ask for the receipt.

How much should I tip a private chef?

Tips are optional. A common range is 10-15% of the total for the team, or around 500,000-1,000,000 VND (~19-38 USD) for the lead chef.

Author

Tina Nguyen

Tina Nguyen is a travel and hospitality writer based in Hoi An, sharing first-hand local guides for Bliss Hoi An Beach Resort & Wellness. From hidden beaches and authentic street food to wellness escapes and the best times to visit, she helps travelers experience the real charm of Central Vietnam — written from someone who calls it home.

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