REVIEW · HO CHI MINH CITY
Paint & Personalize a Vietnamese Non La with B/S Art Studio topic
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A conical hat, painted by hand, changes your trip. This private class at B/S Art Studio turns the humble Vietnamese Non La into wearable art, guided step-by-step with lessons on Đông Hồ painting style. You’ll also get to enjoy light refreshments and music while you wait for your ink and details to set, then leave with a finished hat plus time to explore Saigon on your own.
Two things I really liked: first, how the guide walks you through the meaning behind Đông Hồ patterns, so your hat feels personal instead of just decorative. Second, the hands-on part is clear and supportive, and you get to draw the Dong Ho Dragon design in the B/S style using acrylic pens, then add color with your own choices.
One thing to consider: this experience needs good weather, and the main workshop portion is only about 3 hours, so it’s best if you want a focused activity rather than an all-day plan.
In This Review
- Key highlights you’ll care about
- Why A Painted Non La Feels Different in Saigon
- Where B/S Art Studio Fits Into District 1 (and your day)
- The Đông Hồ lesson: more than pattern talk
- Drawing the Dong Ho Dragon on a Non La (the core hands-on part)
- Music, tea, and the wait time that actually feels nice
- Tour pace: about 2.5 hours making, then you go explore
- What you’ll take home (and why it’s worth the money)
- Who this suits best (and who might skip it)
- Quick practical notes before you go
- Should you book this non la painting class?
- FAQ
- How long does the non la painting experience last?
- Is this a private tour?
- Where does the class take place?
- What do I learn during the workshop?
- What design will I paint on the Non La?
- Are refreshments included?
- Is there any music during the class?
- What happens if the weather is bad?
- What’s the cancellation policy?
- Do I need to book ahead?
Key highlights you’ll care about
- Learn the Đông Hồ story: patterns and artwork meaning, not just the drawing steps
- Your own Non La to take home: fully personalized and finished during the session
- A guided Dong Ho Dragon: learn the B/S style approach with provided acrylic pens
- Music while you work: live piano and/or flute during the waiting time
- Tea and traditional cookies: simple extras included while you create
- Private for your group: you set the pace, with time for questions
Why A Painted Non La Feels Different in Saigon
A Non La isn’t just a souvenir shape. It’s part of daily Vietnamese life and outdoor culture, and when you paint one yourself, it stops being generic and starts feeling like a memory you can wear. Here, that payoff comes from pairing hands-on making with real context about the art style behind the design.
The experience also keeps the vibe relaxed. It’s private for your group, so you’re not squeezed by a large schedule of strangers and you can ask questions as you go. That matters when you’re drawing a detailed motif on a curved surface, which is easier with patient guidance.
You also get a nice cultural double-feature: you’ll learn about Đông Hồ painting traditions and then translate that into a contemporary B/S-style Non La. For me, that blend is what makes the class feel more than a craft stop.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Ho Chi Minh City.
Where B/S Art Studio Fits Into District 1 (and your day)
The studio is in Quận 1 (District 1) at 106 Lê Lợi, Phường Bến Thành. That’s a practical base because it’s in a central area where you can hop into sightseeing before or after without burning half your day in transit.
The activity is described as easy to find and near public transportation, which is a small detail that saves stress. I’d treat it like a “get there, start creating” kind of stop: show up, check in, and you’ll be guided through the rest.
One note: the location details also mention XQ Sai Gon as a stop. The key takeaway for you is that this whole experience is set up around the same central District 1 area, so you’re not traveling out to the outskirts for a two-hour workshop.
The Đông Hồ lesson: more than pattern talk
A big part of this class is learning why the art looks the way it does. You’ll start with a guide explaining the history and current status of Đông Hồ paintings. That gives you a lens for what you’re making, especially when you’re copying or adapting motifs rather than randomly choosing colors.
Then you’ll move from background to specifics: you’ll get guided explanations of the studio artworks and fashion products, including the meaning of artwork elements, patterns, and how these visuals show up in Vietnamese decorative life. Even if you’re not a serious art person, this kind of explanation helps your hand choices make sense.
The class also focuses your attention on one main design path: you’ll draw a Dong Ho Dragon in the B/S style on the Non La. That keeps things structured. Instead of being handed a blank hat and hoping you can freestyle, you get a clear reference design and a method.
Drawing the Dong Ho Dragon on a Non La (the core hands-on part)
This is where the experience earns its value. You get detailed instruction for drawing the Dong Ho Dragon in the B/S on Non La style. Acrylic pens are provided, which is important because it means the workshop is built around tools you can use immediately without extra shopping.
Working on a Non La is different from working on paper. The surface shape curves, and you’re essentially composing a pattern across a cone. You’ll get guidance that helps you adjust spacing and lines so the motif still reads as intended.
Here’s what you should aim for while you work:
- Follow the guide’s steps in order, especially early line work
- Take your time on clean edges and the main dragon elements
- Expect small variations; that’s part of the personalization
One more practical point: the session is structured so you’re not stuck waiting with nothing to do. There’s a flow from instruction to waiting for ink to dry, then adding color. That rhythm makes the workshop feel calmer and more doable for first-timers.
Music, tea, and the wait time that actually feels nice
After you draw the initial design steps, there’s a waiting period while the ink/details set. Instead of turning into dead time, the studio adds atmosphere with live piano and/or flute performances while you wait.
That’s a surprisingly smart touch. It keeps the session from feeling like a rushed demo followed by you sitting there hoping paint dries fast enough. You get a gentle soundtrack and time to relax without losing momentum.
Light complimentary refreshments are included too: tea and traditional cookies. You won’t leave this experience full on a meal plan, but you will feel taken care of during the workshop, which matters because you’re spending time at one location actively creating.
Tour pace: about 2.5 hours making, then you go explore
The class is described as about 3 hours (approx.), with the main “tour for around 2.5 hours” followed by the rest of the day free. Practically, that means you can build this into your schedule like a morning or early afternoon creative stop.
I like this setup because it avoids the trap of “one activity that eats your whole trip.” You get a complete output (your painted Non La), and then you can spend the rest of your day doing what you’d normally do in Ho Chi Minh City.
If you’re planning other District 1 time, this is a solid anchor activity. You can visit nearby attractions before your class, then return to sightseeing with a hat you’ve literally made yourself.
What you’ll take home (and why it’s worth the money)
The big takeaway is simple: you depart with your own personalized painted Non La. That’s not just a printed pattern or a pre-made item you sign at the end. The point is that you paint and customize it during your session with guidance and materials.
At $38.00 per person, the value comes from a few bundled pieces:
- Private instruction for your group rather than an open, crowded workshop
- Provided acrylic pens and the step-by-step process to finish a hat
- Context teaching about Đông Hồ art meaning and motifs
- Complimentary tea and traditional cookies
- Live piano and/or flute during the drying/wait time
If you’ve done other souvenir-making classes in big cities, the price often reflects how hands-on you can be. Here, you’re not just watching or following a rushed checklist. You’re creating something you’ll actually keep, and you also learn enough to understand what you’re making.
Also, since it’s booked on average about 8 days in advance, planning ahead helps lock in your preferred time slot without last-minute guesswork.
Who this suits best (and who might skip it)
This works especially well if you want a grounded cultural activity with real hands-on art time. I’d send it to you if you like:
- Creative tasks you can finish in one sitting
- Learning about Vietnamese visual culture, not just taking photos
- A guided experience where you feel supported as a beginner
It might be less ideal if you’re looking for a fast, casual “drop in and leave” style activity. This is a process class with instruction, waiting time, and then coloring. You’ll enjoy it most when you’re willing to slow down for a couple hours.
It’s also a good fit for small groups because it’s private. That means your pace is yours, and questions don’t get squeezed by a crowd.
Quick practical notes before you go
The activity uses a mobile ticket, so make sure you can access it on your phone. The studio is set up as an easy find in District 1 and near public transportation, which is a big plus in a city where traffic and walking can be real time-drains.
Because the experience requires good weather, keep some flexibility in your day. If weather causes a change, you’ll be offered another date or a full refund.
Should you book this non la painting class?
Yes, I think you should book it if you want one clear, memorable craft that connects to Vietnamese art traditions. The combination of a guided Đông Hồ explanation, a structured design path for the Dong Ho Dragon, and the fact that you leave with your own finished Non La makes it feel like more than an add-on.
Skip it only if you’d rather spend your day doing full-city walking tours with no scheduled creative block. Otherwise, this is a strong value: you get instruction, materials, cultural context, and a wearable souvenir with a real story behind it.
FAQ
How long does the non la painting experience last?
It runs for about 3 hours (approx.), with around 2.5 hours focused on the tour and making your Non La.
Is this a private tour?
Yes. It’s private, and only your group participates.
Where does the class take place?
The start point is B/S Art Studio, 106 Lê Lợi, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh. The activity ends back at the meeting point.
What do I learn during the workshop?
You’ll learn about the history and current status of Đông Hồ paintings and how the studio’s patterns and artworks connect to meaning and Vietnamese fashion products.
What design will I paint on the Non La?
You’ll draw the Dong Ho Dragon in the B/S style on the Non La, using acrylic pens provided.
Are refreshments included?
Yes. You get light complimentary refreshments, including tea and traditional cookies.
Is there any music during the class?
Yes. You’ll listen to live piano and/or flute while waiting for the ink to dry.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
What’s the cancellation policy?
You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Do I need to book ahead?
Confirmation is received at booking, and the experience is typically booked about 8 days in advance on average.
