There are so many opportunities to learn something new in good ol’ Vietnam. Here are some of the top activities offered in HCMC that will let you have fun while gaining new skills.

Learn How to Play in a Rock Band

643 Dien Bien Phu, D3 | [email protected] | +84 91 952 2593; +84 93 818 8309

Learning a musical instrument always seems to be one of those things that everyone wants to do but rarely have the initiative to stick with. One problem is that at the early stages it’s a solitary experience: practising on your own is nothing like the fun of playing with a full band. It’s no wonder people get disillusioned.

So, why not get your band together first and learn as you go? Maximus offers group deals for exactly that reason. With a full band setup and expert tuition, you can get together, learn together and rock together.

Master the Art of Storytelling

Join the group at facebook.com/groups/StorytellingSaigon

You tell stories every day, whether you’re recounting the day’s events to your friends or explaining a situation to a stranger. To take this one step further, a storytelling class can help you hone your skills and learn the fundamentals of structure, narrative and character development. Storytelling Saigon gives you and your friends the opportunity to develop your raconteur skills in a safe, easy environment, tailored to nurture your inner narrator and bring out the best you have to say.

Tell a Joke

Stay up to date at facebook.com/comedysaigon and comedysaigon.com

Stand up comedy is a strange business. You never know what an audience is going to like until you try it, and the people who are funniest in social situations aren’t necessarily going to succeed on stage. But it’s something that anyone with an inclination towards telling jokes should try, and it’s something that almost everyone has considered at one point or another. So, think you’re funny? Now you can find out with the help of Comedy Saigon. Founder Ben Betterby organises free workshops and shows across the city every week.

Get your foot on the bottom rung and try out your inner genius. Regular competitions, workshops and prizes will keep you motivated, and expert tutors will guide you through the process with skill and compassion. You’ll be working the circuit in no time.

Cook as a Team

74/7 Hai Ba Trung, D1 | [email protected] | +84 28 3825 8485

Another definitely social activity that for some reason people learn on their own is cooking. So central to daily life, so fundamentally social at every step of the process, cooking brings us together. So why not learn it together? Gather your friends, make a booking and learn to make delicious traditional Vietnamese food with some of the best chefs in Saigon at Saigon Cooking Class.

Align Your Chakras

justbeyogashala.com | [email protected] | +84 122 870 9396

Yoga has been one of the fastest-growing physical activities of the last decade, and for good reason. It’s fantastic for your body, it’s low impact (so anyone can do it), and it teaches you about your body, mind and soul. A good instructor is key to your success, though, and there is none better than Yoga with Bee.

fitness guru and writer, Bee has been teaching yoga for the last two years. As a certified personal trainer, Bee uses yoga as one modality to keep both the body and mind balanced and flexible. Group sessions must be booked privately, so get in touch and make it happen; your body will thank you.

Learn About Latte Art

270a Ly Thuong Kiet, D10 | [email protected] | +84 90 290 6246

Let’s face it: artisanal coffee isn’t going away anytime soon. The difference between a cup of Nescafé and a properly brewed flat white made with well-sourced, roasted and ground beans is huge. And what’s more, the skill and craft that goes into a perfectly poured cappuccino is truly a work of art. At the Barista School, you and your friends can learn the secrets behind a well-crafted macchiato. Contact the school to discuss group packages – you’ll never taste coffee the same way again.

Get into Character

[email protected] | +84 90 795 4093

There may be no better way to learn about oneself than to learn how to act like someone else. Saigon Players, the city’s premier community theater, is always looking for new members, and consistently put on high-quality productions. Join the group and you’ll receive peer-based coaching, instruction and feedback, helping you to realise your dreams of becoming Vietnam’s next Al Pacino or Meryl Streep. You’ll also get the chance to perform live, meet new people and explore the rich world of the thespian.

Arrange Some Natural Beauty

55/6 Le Thi Hong Gam, D1 | facebook.com/padma.de.fleur | +84 90 300 9873

Anyone who’s walked around Vietnam long enough will have noticed the dazzling array of beautiful flora throughout the country. Even if you haven’t seen the wild lotus, lilies or trees around the countryside, the markets of HCMC are often full of the colours and smells of one of the richest ranges of flowers in the world. So, what better place to learn flower arranging? Get your friends together and arrange a class at Padma de Fleur to learn a skill that will provide you with a lifetime of beauty.

Learn to Paint, Get Tipsy

21 Nguyen Trung Ngan, D1 | [email protected] | +84 289 853 3254

The creation and appreciation of art awakens something profound in the soul, leaving you intoxicated by life’s majesty and wonder – much like how you probably feel after a bottle of wine. So, what better way to celebrate two of life’s wonders than by getting sloshed and attempting to paint something? If that sounds like something you’d like (and it certainly should be), Tipsy Art is the group for you. Reasonably priced and – obviously – for adults only, Tipsy Art provides all the booze, paint and canvas you need to untap your inner Vincent Van Gogh, minus the absinthe.

Make Some Dishware

66 Nguyen Ngoc Phuong, Binh Thanh District | [email protected] | +84 93 342 1987

Pottery, the fascinating, ancient craft that has been central to human development for millennia, is a fascinating and humbling art. Working clay on a wheel or by hand is an enriching experience. It also allows you to recreate that scene from Ghost… it’s not mandatory, but it’s an option. Gom Xoay offers fantastic group lesson packages that can teach you and your friends how to create your own masterpieces and, of course, take them home.