Hoi An: Foldable Lantern Making Class with Acrylic Painting

Your souvenir starts as a simple bamboo frame, then becomes your own small piece of Hoi An. In this two-hour class, you choose the fabric, attach it to the frame, and paint the surface with acrylic colors under the guidance of local craftsmen.

I like the hands-on process and the fact that you take home one finished lantern per person. I also like the small Vietnamese welcome: tea and dry crispy coconut give the class a gentle local touch. The main consideration is that public-holiday workshops cost 50 percent extra, paid in cash at the meeting point.

You meet at 40 Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street, without hotel pickup or drop-off. The class is conducted in English, is wheelchair accessible, and has a separate entrance for participants. A phone number that works on WhatsApp is required for the booking confirmation sent one day before.

Key points about the Hoi An lantern class

• A 20 cm bamboo frame becomes your personal souvenir, with fabric and acrylic paint supplied.
• You choose the fabric, colors, and brushes, with help from local craftsmen during the creative work.
• Vietnamese tea and dry crispy coconut are included, creating a relaxed start to the workshop.
• The class lasts two hours, long enough to complete one mini-lantern without taking up a whole day.
• The $20 price includes tools and materials, but not transport or extra food and drinks.
• Public holidays cost 50 percent more, payable in cash at the meeting point.

Starting with tea at 40 Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street

The workshop begins at 40 Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street in Hoi An. You make your own way there, so this class works best when you are already in town and can reach the meeting point without arranging a transfer.

Your welcome includes Vietnamese tea and dry crispy coconut. It is a modest detail, but a useful one. You get a calm few minutes to settle in before handling the materials, and the snack gives the activity a local flavor without turning it into a meal.

The class does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. Food and drinks beyond the included tea and coconut are also not covered. If you need a full meal, plan that separately rather than expecting the workshop to provide one.

The activity has a separate entrance for participants, which can make arrival simpler. Exact starting times depend on availability, so check the schedule before booking.

Choosing the fabric for your 20 cm frame

After the welcome, each person receives a bamboo frame, usually about 20 centimeters in size. The frame gives you the basic shape, but the fabric affects how the finished lantern looks and how much of your painted design shows through.

The guide explains how to place the fabric into the frame and why your fabric choice matters. This is one of the useful parts of the class because the job is not only about painting. You first need a suitable surface that fits the frame and can carry your design.

You are not handed an identical finished kit and told to copy a sample. You choose the kind of fabric you like, then prepare it for the lantern. That gives the souvenir a personal touch before you even reach the paint table.

The class is suitable for people who like a little guidance but still want creative control. Local craftsmen can help you choose materials, yet the final design remains yours. If you arrive with a clear idea, you can work toward it. If you do not, the frame and fabric give you a simple place to begin.

Painting with acrylic colors and local guidance

Once the fabric is in place, you use acrylic colors and brushes to paint the lantern. The craftsmen help you select brushes and colors, which is helpful if you are unsure how to begin or want advice on combining shades.

Acrylic paint suits this sort of short workshop because it lets you add color directly to the fabric and build a design within the two-hour schedule. The class is not presented as a formal art lesson, so you should expect practical instruction rather than a long discussion of painting theory.

That informal approach is part of the appeal. You can focus on making something rather than worrying about producing a perfect work of art. A lantern with an uneven line or a slightly unusual color choice still carries the memory of your time in Hoi An.

The activity is also flexible in spirit. One person can choose silk fabric, while another can concentrate on painting a different surface. That makes the class a good shared activity for couples or friends who want to work side by side without making identical objects.

The supplied feedback points to exactly this kind of flexibility. One couple enjoyed taking different approaches, with one person using silk fabric and the other painting a lantern. The result was a shared outing with two different souvenirs, not two copies of the same project.

A small craft with real souvenir value

Hoi An is closely associated with lanterns, so a handmade lantern feels more connected to the town than a generic shop purchase. This class gives you the chance to understand the basic construction before taking one home.

You do not leave with a large decorative lantern. The finished piece is a mini-lantern made on a frame of about 20 centimeters. That size makes it easier to carry during the rest of your trip, though you should still handle it with care.

The price is $20 per person. For that amount, you receive the workshop instruction, bamboo frame, fabric, acrylic colors, brushes and other tools, plus one lantern to take home. Tea and dry crispy coconut are included as well.

I consider that fair value for a two-hour activity, especially if you want an outing that produces something tangible. The cost is less attractive if you are mainly looking for a sightseeing tour, transportation, or a full meal, since none of those are included.

The class also avoids the uncertainty of buying an item and wondering where it was made. You take part in the making process, even if the craftsmen help with the technical steps. That personal connection gives the souvenir more meaning than a quick purchase from a shelf.

What the two hours feel like

The schedule has a clear progression:

• You arrive at the workshop and receive tea and dry crispy coconut.
• You receive a bamboo frame, usually about 20 centimeters across.
• You learn how to place the selected fabric into the frame.
• You choose acrylic colors and brushes with help from the local craftsmen.
• You paint the lantern and add final touches.
• You take home one completed lantern.

This order matters because each stage prepares the next one. You do not begin painting before the fabric is ready, and you do not need to bring tools or art supplies with you.

The two-hour length is another strength. It is long enough to make one lantern, but short enough to fit around other plans in Hoi An. You can place it between sightseeing, shopping, or an evening meal without giving up an entire day.

Still, two hours is not unlimited studio time. If you spend a long time debating fabrics or designing an elaborate image, you may need to work at a steady pace. The workshop is best approached as a guided craft session, not an open-ended art course.

Who will enjoy this class most

I would choose this activity for couples, families, friends, and solo visitors who prefer making something to simply looking at things. It gives you a quiet change of pace from walking through Hoi An and produces a souvenir with your own marks on it.

It also suits people who do not consider themselves artists. The craftsmen help with the frame, fabric placement, brushes, and colors, so you are not expected to arrive with technical skills.

Families should note that the supplied details do not give a minimum age or specific child policy. The class is wheelchair accessible, but the description does not explain the exact table layout or how much assistance is available during each craft step. If those details matter for your group, ask the provider before booking.

The workshop is less suitable if you want a large lantern, a long painting lesson, or a fully guided sightseeing program. It is a compact craft activity with one finished mini-lantern per person.

The English-language instruction makes the class practical for international visitors. No guide names are provided, but the local craftsmen work directly with you as you select materials and paint.

Timing, price, and small practical details

The activity costs $20 per person, with tools and materials included. That keeps the final price easy to understand, although you should budget separately for transport to 40 Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street and any additional food or drinks.

Public holidays require special attention. Workshops held on Vietnamese public holidays cost 50 percent extra, and the added amount is paid in cash at the meeting point. This is the one clear price condition that could catch you off guard.

The provider sends booking confirmation one day in advance. Give a phone number that can receive WhatsApp messages when you reserve, and make sure it remains reachable during your stay.

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. The reserve-now, pay-later option also helps if your Hoi An schedule is still moving around.

Food is not allowed in the workshop, although the included tea and dry crispy coconut are part of the activity. Pets are not allowed either.

My call: book it for a personal Hoi An keepsake

I would book this class if I wanted a practical souvenir and two relaxed hours away from standard sightseeing. The combination of bamboo, fabric, acrylic paint, local assistance, tea, and coconut gives the activity more substance than a simple craft table.

The strongest reason to choose it is the freedom to make different decisions at each stage. You choose the fabric, work with the craftsmen on brushes and colors, and finish with a lantern that reflects your own taste.

Skip it if you need hotel transport, a full meal, or a large decorative lantern. Also check the date carefully if you are visiting during a Vietnamese public holiday because of the extra cash charge.

For $20, this is a good-value, compact workshop for anyone who wants to carry home something they made in Hoi An rather than something they merely bought.

FAQ

Where does the lantern-making class meet?

The meeting point is 40 Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street in Hoi An.

How long does the workshop last?

The activity lasts two hours.

What does each person make?

Each person makes and takes home one mini-lantern using a bamboo frame, fabric, acrylic colors, and tools supplied during the workshop.

How large is the bamboo frame?

The bamboo frame is usually about 20 centimeters in size.

Is instruction provided in English?

Yes. The instructor and workshop guidance are provided in English.

Are tea and snacks included?

Yes. Vietnamese tea and dry crispy coconut are included.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off provided?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you must arrange your own way to and from the meeting point.

What happens if I book on a Vietnamese public holiday?

The workshop costs 50 percent extra on Vietnamese public holidays. The additional amount must be paid in cash at the meeting point.