REVIEW · HOI AN
Lantern Making Class
Book on Viator →Operated by Hoi An Food Tour - Private Day Tours · Bookable on Viator
Turning silk into lanterns beats shopping.
In this Hoi An lantern-making class, you start with a traditional tea tasting and then learn step-by-step how to turn a bamboo frame into a colorful lantern. I like that a local craftsman is right there showing each move, so you’re not guessing or copying a blurry video.
The other thing I really like: your lantern is designed to be easy to fold down, so you can pack it away without treating your suitcase like a construction site. And you don’t need any prior skill, which makes this a friendly activity for families and mixed-age groups.
One consideration: the experience includes pickup, but drop-off service isn’t included, so plan how you’ll get back after the workshop.
In This Review
- Key Points Before You Go
- A Tea Start and a Real Workshop Pace in Hoi An
- Bamboo Frames, Silk Folding, and Choosing Your Lantern Shape
- What You Actually Take Home: A Size 30 Lantern That Packs Smart
- Timing, Pickup, and How the Small Group Works
- Price and Value: Why $17 Makes Sense Here
- Who This Lantern Class Fits Best (And Who Might Find It Less Ideal)
- Practical Tips to Get the Most From Your Session
- Should You Book This Lantern Workshop in Hoi An?
- FAQ
- What is the duration of the lantern-making class in Hoi An?
- How much does it cost?
- What time options are available?
- Is pickup included?
- Is drop-off included?
- Do I need any prior skills to make a lantern?
- What’s included in the class?
- Do I get to choose colors or shapes?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key Points Before You Go
- Tea tasting kicks things off: you sample Vietnam traditional tea with different flavors before you start folding silk.
- You build from a bamboo frame: you’re given the bamboo bars, then guided to fold and shape the lantern yourself.
- Lots of silk color choices: you can pick colors you actually like, not just whatever is left.
- Multiple lantern shapes: you choose a shape option (people often note around six choices).
- Designed for packing: the lanterns fold down so you can fit them into your luggage.
- Small group size: the class caps at 15 people, which keeps the instruction more personal.
A Tea Start and a Real Workshop Pace in Hoi An
Hoi An has a way of turning everyday crafts into something that feels personal. This workshop does that fast. You arrive to an organized, hands-on session where the first surprise is the tea: you get Vietnam traditional tea at the start and you’re able to taste through different flavor options as the class gets rolling.
Then the real work begins. You’re not just handed a kit and sent off. You’ll watch how to fold and shape the lantern, and you can follow along with help as you go. The tempo is steady enough that you can learn the steps without feeling rushed, but structured enough that you still finish with a finished product you’re happy to take home.
If you like travel activities where you leave with something made by your own hands (not just another photo), this one hits the mark. And if you’re tired of the same Hoi An loop of tailor shops and souvenir alleys, this is a refreshing change of pace.
A few more Hoi An tours and experiences worth a look
Bamboo Frames, Silk Folding, and Choosing Your Lantern Shape
The class centers on a straightforward idea: the bamboo frame gives the structure, and the silk gives the personality. You’re provided with the bamboo bars that form the basis of your creation. From there, your instructor walks you through the folding process, from early shaping to the final setup.
What’s especially helpful is that the teaching is step-by-step. You don’t need to already know how lanterns are constructed. The whole point is that you can pick it up as you work, with a tutor showing each phase.
You’ll also get to choose your look. The workshop offers a range of silk colors, and you select from different lantern shapes. A couple of people describe the selection as being around six shapes, which is a nice range for customization. That means you can choose something that fits your mood: a simple style, a more playful one, or a shape that feels like it belongs on your desk at home.
Here’s a practical way to think about it: treat the shape choice like you’re picking a design before you start drawing. If you choose confidently early, the rest feels much easier because you can stay focused on the folding rhythm instead of second-guessing.
What You Actually Take Home: A Size 30 Lantern That Packs Smart
This workshop includes your product: a lantern size 30. That matters because it’s not a vague souvenir—there’s a defined outcome. And the good news is that the lantern is built to fold down.
So instead of worrying about how it will survive the journey home, you can focus on making it correctly and enjoying the process. The class also emphasizes that the lanterns fold flat, so you can store it in a corner of your bag rather than creating a bulging package that dominates your luggage.
You’ll likely spend enough time customizing colors and shape that the final lantern feels like yours, not like an assembly-line item. And because it’s collapsible, it’s an easier win for air travel and tight space too.
One more subtle benefit: making a lantern forces you to slow down. In Hoi An, that’s a win. You’re not just moving through the streets; you’re creating something that connects you to the craft traditions you see everywhere.
Timing, Pickup, and How the Small Group Works
The workshop runs for about 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.), and there are multiple departures during the day: 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM. That flexibility helps if you’re juggling other Hoi An plans like the old town walks or food stops.
Pickup is offered, and transportation is included via an air-conditioned vehicle. Since the class has a maximum of 15 travelers, you usually get enough attention without feeling like you’re in a huge factory line. Smaller groups also tend to make it easier for the instructor to notice where people need extra help.
You’ll get a mobile ticket, and confirmation is received at booking. That’s all the kind of practical detail you want when you’re planning a day in a place where heat and traffic can mess with timing.
Just plan for the one gap: drop-off service isn’t included. In plain terms, you’ll need to work out your return to your hotel or next stop. If you’re staying near the action, it may be simple. If you’re farther out, map it first so you’re not scrambling at the end.
Price and Value: Why $17 Makes Sense Here
At $17.00 per person, the value is mainly about what you get in return. You’re not paying just for a viewing experience or a short demo. You get:
- a guided lantern-making session hosted by a local craftsman
- materials to create your lantern (including the bamboo frame)
- a welcome drink (traditional Vietnamese tea)
- an English-speaking guide
- air-conditioned vehicle transport
When a workshop includes the materials and the instruction, the cost stops feeling like a tourist tax and starts feeling more like paying for a skill you practice with your hands. And the take-home element matters. You leave with a physical souvenir that you can actually use in your space, not just something that lives in a drawer.
Is it the cheapest activity in Hoi An? Probably not. But it’s also not the kind of class where you mostly watch. The best value comes when you want to do one meaningful craft during your trip—and not spend the whole vacation deciding which souvenir to buy.
Also, there’s a scheduling reality: on average, people book about 42 days in advance. That doesn’t mean you can’t find a seat later, but it’s a hint that the class is popular. If you already know your travel dates, booking early can reduce stress.
Who This Lantern Class Fits Best (And Who Might Find It Less Ideal)
This is one of those activities that works across ages because you’re given the framework and taught each step. The workshop specifically notes that no previous skills are required, and that makes it a good match if you’re traveling with kids, teens, or mixed groups of adults.
It’s also a strong choice if you’re the kind of person who wants a souvenir with a story. You’ll remember the tea, the colors you picked, and the moment you got the silk to fold right.
I’d think twice only if you’re the type who hates any hands-on craft at all. This is not a sit-and-watch show. It’s making something. If that sounds like work rather than fun, you’ll feel it during the session.
Finally, because the class runs 2.5 hours and includes pickup, it’s best as a planned block in your day, not something to squeeze in casually between other errands.
Practical Tips to Get the Most From Your Session
A few small moves can make your experience smoother:
- Decide your lantern shape early in your mind so you can commit to the plan once you start folding.
- Take your time with the folding steps. If you rush, you’ll likely need re-doing later.
- Enjoy the tea tasting at the beginning. It’s part of the pacing of the class, and it sets a calm tone before you handle the materials.
- Keep an eye on how you pack the final folded lantern. The goal is that it fits neatly in your bag, so keep it protected and flat.
None of these are complicated. They just help you end the class with something you’re proud to show and easy to carry.
Should You Book This Lantern Workshop in Hoi An?
Yes, if you want a hands-on, low-stress craft with a real take-home result. The combination of a guided bamboo-frame build, tea at the start, and a lantern designed to fold down makes this one of the more practical souvenir experiences in Hoi An.
Book it especially if you’re:
- traveling with family or a mixed-age group
- tired of shopping for souvenirs and want something you made
- interested in learning a craft step-by-step in English
Skip or rethink it if you can’t stand hands-on activities or if you already have too many fixed plans that don’t allow for a 2.5-hour block plus pickup timing.
If you’re deciding last-minute, give yourself an easier plan for the end of the workshop since drop-off isn’t included. Once you solve that one logistics point, this is a memorable, genuinely useful craft day.
FAQ
What is the duration of the lantern-making class in Hoi An?
The experience runs about 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.).
How much does it cost?
It costs $17.00 per person.
What time options are available?
Departure times are 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 11:00 AM, 2:00 PM, and 3:00 PM.
Is pickup included?
Pickup is offered, and the tour includes transportation by air-conditioned vehicle.
Is drop-off included?
No, drop-off service isn’t included.
Do I need any prior skills to make a lantern?
No. The class is designed so you don’t need previous skills.
What’s included in the class?
You get a welcome drink (traditional Vietnamese tea), an English-speaking guide, hosted instruction by a local craftsman, air-conditioned vehicle transport, and materials for your lantern size 30.
Do I get to choose colors or shapes?
Yes. The class provides options for different lantern shapes and multiple silk colors.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours in advance of the experience’s start time. Free cancellation is available.
