Hoi An: Experience Handmade Leather Making in Oldtown

Hoi An is famous for tailor-made clothes and colorful souvenirs, but this workshop lets you make something with your own hands. You choose the leather color, draw the pattern, cut the material, stitch it, and finish it with a rubber hammer. It is a practical way to take home something more personal than a shop-bought trinket.

I like the small groups of up to 10, since you can get help without feeling lost. I also like that the price includes materials, tools, Vietnamese tea or coffee, and the item you make. The main catch is timing: the class can last from two to four and a half hours, and people with mobility impairments or large bags may find the setup unsuitable.

Key points

• Make a useful Hoi An souvenir: Choose from items such as a wallet, passport cover, card holder, coin purse, key ring, name tag, or simple bag.
• Pick your own leather and design: You can create your own pattern or ask the instructor to help shape the design around your needs.
• Work through real craft steps: Expect drawing, cutting, stitching, and tapping with a rubber hammer.
• English instruction with personal help: An and the workshop team provide guidance, even if you have never worked with leather.
• Two class formats: The Express class focuses on one item, while the half-day class lets you make two small pieces or one larger piece.
• A calm break from sightseeing: Vietnamese coffee or tea is included, giving you time to settle into the hands-on work.

Making a souvenir instead of buying one

The appeal here is simple: you do not just carry a leather item home, you help make it. In Hoi An, where souvenir shopping can easily become a hunt through similar wallets, bags, and passport covers, this workshop gives your purchase a personal mark.

You may work on a simple wallet, a passport cover, a detailed card holder, a name tag, or another piece that fits your plans. In the half-day class, you can make two small items such as a coin purse, card holder, and key ring, or choose one larger item such as a wallet, passport cover, or simple bag.

That choice matters. If you want a quick activity between sightseeing stops, the Express class is the sensible pick. If you enjoy making things slowly, the half-day option gives you more room to work on a larger item or pair two small gifts.

The exact starting time depends on availability, so check the schedule before you build the rest of your day around it. The two to four-and-a-half-hour range is wide enough to affect your plans, especially if you have a cooking class, river trip, or evening reservation afterward.

Inside the studio at 69/3 Phan Chau Trinh Street

You meet at 69/3 Phan Chau Trinh Street in Hoi An Oldtown, and the activity finishes at the same spot. There is no hotel pickup or drop-off, so you need to make your own way there.

The setting is a cozy studio rather than a large production facility. That is good news if you want direct help and a closer look at the process. The group is limited to 10 people, which keeps the lesson more manageable than a crowded craft demonstration.

The workshop begins with a look at the materials and tools. You choose the color of your leather and decide what you want to make. You can bring your own design idea, or ask for help choosing a shape and style that suits the item.

Do not worry if you have no past experience. The activity is designed for beginners, and assistance is available throughout the work. Still, this is a practical class rather than a show where everything is completed for you. You should expect to take part in each stage.

Drawing, cutting, stitching, and hammer work

The work follows a clear craft sequence. First, you think through the shape and draw the pattern. This is where you can make the item more personal, though it is also the stage that may require the most patience. A simple design is likely to be easier to finish within a shorter class.

Next comes cutting the leather. This is one reason the instructor’s help matters. The shape must be prepared before the pieces can be joined, and you will want to work carefully rather than rush through it.

Stitching comes after that. The supplied information calls out sewing as one of the central parts of the experience, and the workshop is intended for people with or without previous leather experience. Your finished piece will show that it was handmade, which is part of the charm.

You will also use a rubber hammer. The tapping adds a physical element to the class and makes the process feel more like a traditional workshop than a simple decorating session. Along with drawing, cutting, and stitching, it gives you a good sense of how a basic leather item takes shape.

The wording in the activity description describes this as one of the oldest crafts known to humankind. You do not need to arrive with a background in craftwork to take part, but you should be ready to focus with your hands for several hours.

Choosing the right item for your time

Your best project depends on the length of your session and how much detail you want.

A simple wallet or passport cover makes sense if you want one useful item. These are practical souvenirs, especially if you will continue traveling after Hoi An. A card holder, coin purse, key ring, or name tag is better for a smaller project or a gift for someone at home.

The half-day option gives you more flexibility. You can make two small items, such as a coin purse and card holder, or select one bigger project. The possible larger projects include a wallet, passport cover, or simple bag.

The activity also mentions a detailed card holder and a unique name tag in the Express class. That gives you some room to match the project to your patience and skill level. If you are new to leatherwork, I would favor a straightforward design rather than trying to pack too many details into a short session.

You can make a personal design, but assistance is available if you are unsure what will work best. That balance is useful. You retain creative control, while the instructor can steer you toward a project that fits the available time and your needs.

Vietnamese coffee and a slower pace

Vietnamese tea or coffee is included, and it helps set the tone for the class. This is not a rushed stop where you grab a souvenir and leave. You have time to sit, draw, handle the materials, and work through the stages.

The coffee is a small inclusion, but it adds value to the experience. You are paying for instruction, tools, materials, and a finished leather item, not just a cup of coffee. Still, the drink makes the workshop feel more connected to local daily life.

Food and other drinks are not included beyond the listed tea or coffee, so do not treat the activity as a meal. If you choose the longer session, plan your food separately.

The workshop may suit you especially well if you want a quiet activity during a hot part of the day or a break from walking through Hoi An. The practical work gives you something to focus on, and the finished item gives you a useful reminder of the town.

What the $33 price really covers

At $33 per person, the price includes the materials, tools, English instruction, Vietnamese tea or coffee, and the leather item you make. That is a fair package if you value the activity itself, not just the final object.

A shop-bought wallet might cost less or more depending on its quality, but comparing the two misses the point. Here, you are paying for time with an instructor and the chance to choose the color and design. The personal labor is part of the souvenir.

The value is strongest for someone who enjoys hands-on activities. If you only want a finished leather product, shopping may be faster. If you like learning a skill and want to make a gift for a friend or partner, the workshop gives you more for your money.

The half-day option may offer better value if you want two small items or a larger project. The Express class could be the better deal for someone with a tight schedule who still wants to make something personally.

There are no hotel transfers included, and the activity ends where it starts. That keeps the price focused on the craft class, but you should allow for your own transport to Phan Chau Trinh Street.

The role of An and the small group

An is the named instructor associated with the experience, and the class is taught in English. You can expect guidance through the design and making process rather than a lecture about leatherwork.

The group limit is 10 people. That is small enough to make asking for help practical, although the exact amount of one-on-one attention will depend on how many people are working at once.

A useful detail for solo visitors is that An can help with photos and videos. If you are exploring Hoi An on your own, this means you can have a record of the craft process without needing to ask another customer to document it.

That personal help is one of the strongest reasons to choose this class over trying to work alone. Cutting and stitching can feel uncertain when you are new, so being able to ask for direction should make the activity less intimidating.

The workshop has received a perfect rating from the four available reviews, with particular praise for An’s helpfulness and the photo and video support provided to a solo visitor. Four reviews are a small sample, so I would treat that rating as encouraging rather than final proof of what every class will be like.

Who should book this leather workshop

I would recommend it to you if you like making things, want a useful souvenir, or need a creative activity in Hoi An. It also fits couples, friends, and solo visitors who would rather share an activity than simply shop.

It is a good choice for gift-making. A small leather item with a chosen color and personal design can feel more thoughtful than a standard souvenir. The workshop description specifically presents the finished pieces as gifts for friends and loved ones.

The activity is less suitable if you have very little free time. Even the shorter format lasts about two hours, and the longer format can run to four and a half hours. It is also not suitable for children under 3 or people with mobility impairments.

Large bags and luggage are not allowed, so leave bulky belongings elsewhere before you arrive. The workshop does not include hotel pickup, food, or drinks beyond the Vietnamese tea or coffee.

You should also consider your expectations. Your finished piece will be handmade by you, not produced to factory-perfect standards. That is part of the experience, but it means the final result may show small signs of your learning process.

Practical planning for your Oldtown visit

Set aside enough time for the class you choose. The activity can last from two to four-and-a-half hours, and the available starting times vary. I would avoid scheduling another fixed appointment too close to the end.

The meeting point is 69/3 Phan Chau Trinh Street, and the activity returns there. Since transport is not included, plan your route before you set out. Large bags are not allowed, so bring only what you need.

The class is taught in English. If you want to explain a specific design, it may help to have a simple sketch or clear idea ready, though you can also ask the instructor to help create a design that fits your project.

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying at once. These policies are useful if your Hoi An schedule is still changing.

Should you book this Hoi An craft class?

Book it if you want a personal souvenir and enjoy the process of making it. The included materials, tools, instruction, drink, and finished leather item make $33 reasonable for a hands-on class, especially in the half-day format.

Choose the Express session if you need a shorter activity or want one small piece. Pick the half-day class if you want two small items or one larger project, and if you like having time to work through your design without rushing.

Skip it if you only want quick shopping, need hotel transport, or have mobility needs that make the studio unsuitable. For everyone else, this is a useful way to spend part of a Hoi An day, with a finished item that carries more meaning because you made it yourself.

FAQ

Where does the leather workshop start?

The activity starts at the meeting point at 69/3 Phan Chau Trinh Street in Hoi An.

Where does the activity finish?

It ends back at the same meeting point.

How long does the workshop last?

The activity lasts between two and four-and-a-half hours. Starting times and the available duration depend on the class schedule.

What can I make during the workshop?

Possible projects include a simple wallet, passport cover, card holder, coin purse, key ring, name tag, or simple bag. You can make one larger item or, in the half-day class, two small items.

Can I choose the leather color and design?

Yes. You can choose your leather color and create your own design. The instructor can also help you choose a design that fits your needs.

Do I need previous leatherworking experience?

No. The workshop is suitable for people with or without previous leatherworking experience, and assistance is available.

Is tea or coffee included?

Yes. Vietnamese tea or coffee is included. Other food and drinks are not included.

Is the workshop suitable for children and people with mobility impairments?

The activity is not suitable for children under 3 or for people with mobility impairments. Large bags and luggage are also not allowed.