Reviewed · HOI AN ANCIENT TOWN WALKING TOURS
Discover Leather Workshops Experience in Old Town Hoi An
Making your own leather item near Hoi An Old Town is a fine way to bring home something more personal than another market purchase. In Anton’s quiet studio, you choose a project, work with professional patterns and tools, and leave with a leather good made by your own hands.
I like the individual guidance and the freedom to choose your design and leather color. I also like the calm setting, a small garden studio away from the noise of the old town. The main catch is time: the two-hour class is not enough for every project, so book the four-hour session if you want to make a larger wallet or bag.
Key points to know before booking

- You make a real finished item: Cut, punch, shape, and stitch leather instead of watching a demonstration.
- Anton guides the work closely: He explains each step clearly and helps when your hands need extra direction.
- The studio is near, but away from, Old Town: You get a peaceful setting with a small garden in front.
- Choose your project and leather: Designs suit different abilities, ages, and styles.
- Two hours is best for a smaller project: A wallet or bag may require the longer four-hour class.
- The group is capped at 10 people: That keeps room for personal help during the work.
A quiet craft studio close to Hoi An Old Town

This workshop gives you a break from Hoi An’s busy streets without sending you far from the center. The studio is close to the old town, but it sits in a tranquil spot with a small garden out front. That matters because leather work rewards patience, and hammering holes beside a noisy road would quickly lose its charm.
You begin at the meeting point in Hội An, Quảng Nam. The activity also ends there, so the plan is simple. You do not need to organize a second pickup point or figure out how to return after finishing your item.
The studio setting also makes this feel more like a craft visit than a standard sightseeing stop. You are not just buying a leather product made by someone else. You are learning how the object comes together, one measured cut and punched hole at a time.
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Choosing your leather project and colors

Before work begins, you choose the item you want to make. The available designs have been planned for different abilities, ages, and genders, so you do not need previous leatherworking experience to take part.
You can choose from the studio’s project options or select from photographs sent before the class. That is useful if you already know what you want, since you can think about the design ahead of time rather than making a quick choice after arrival.
The range gives the class a personal edge. You might choose a small item for everyday use, a present for someone at home, or a piece that becomes a practical reminder of your time in Vietnam. You also get to select the leather and color combination, rather than accepting one standard finish.
I particularly like this part because it puts the souvenir decision in your hands. The final item is not simply branded with a Hoi An label. Its shape, color, and small imperfections belong to the process you took part in.
One practical point deserves attention. The two-hour experience has limits. If your main goal is a wallet or bag, check the longer four-hour class before booking. A shorter session may suit a smaller project, but a larger design needs more time for cutting, punching, shaping, and stitching.
Working from a professional pattern

Once you settle on a design, Anton introduces the professional pattern. This is the stage that keeps the project from becoming a guessing game. You learn where the leather needs to be cut and how the separate pieces will eventually fit together.
Accurate cutting is one of the most important skills in the workshop. A crooked edge can affect the whole item, so you receive help with placing and following the pattern. The goal is not to rush through the job. You learn to pay attention to lines, corners, and the amount of leather needed for each piece.
That careful approach makes the experience suitable for beginners. You do not need to arrive with a leatherworking kit or years of practice. The workshop provides professional leather, tools, and methods used in Anton’s own work.
At the same time, you should expect to do the work yourself. This is not a quick personalization station where someone prepares the item and lets you add a small mark. You cut, handle, and assemble the leather with guidance along the way.
Punching holes is the hands-on highlight

Punching the holes is one of the most physical parts of the class, and it is also one of the most satisfying. You position the tool, check your spacing, and use a hammer to create the holes needed for stitching. It is a simple action, but the rhythm makes the craft feel real very quickly.
Good spacing matters. The holes help form the appearance of the finished piece, so this is another point where Anton’s individual help is useful. If your hand position or hammering needs correction, he can step in with practical advice.
The activity welcomes people who enjoy making things with their hands, but it does not require great strength or special skill. You will be using workshop tools, so paying attention to instructions is important. The pleasure comes from seeing a flat piece of leather gradually become something with structure.
For families or mixed-age groups, this stage may be especially engaging, provided everyone taking part can follow the workshop instructions. The activity information says most people can participate, and the designs are intended for a wide range of abilities and ages.
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Shaping and stitching your own item

After cutting and punching, you move to shaping the leather and putting the pieces together. This is where the pattern begins to look like a wallet, purse, or other finished good.
Stitching takes patience. You need to work through the prepared holes and keep the tension even enough for the seams to look neat. Anton’s role is to help without taking over. One useful detail from the class experience is that he moves between participants, giving assistance when needed rather than hovering over every motion.
That balance is valuable. You get clear explanations and support, but you still make the decisions and perform the work. If you have never stitched leather before, the first few passes may feel slow. Once you understand the movement, the task becomes easier to follow.
The workshop is also forgiving in the right way. You are learning a traditional craft, not trying to meet factory production standards in two hours. The point is to finish a useful, attractive item and understand the effort behind it.
When the work is complete, you pack the item to take home or give as a gift. The result may not have the absolute uniformity of a shop-made product, but that is part of its appeal. You can see that it was made by you.
Anton’s teaching style and group size
Anton is the named host and the person guiding the work. His approach is friendly, patient, and clear. He explains the process thoroughly, then allows you to choose your design and leather rather than pushing you toward one fixed option.
The maximum group size is 10 people. That is not a private lesson, but it is small enough to allow the instructor to move around the room and offer personal help. The class experience shows why this matters: Anton can float between people working on different projects and assist at the point where each person needs it.
You should still expect some waiting if several people reach a tricky stage at the same time. A small group does not mean Anton is beside you every second. The advantage is that you have enough independence to work at your own pace, while support is available when a cut, hole, or stitch causes trouble.
This setup works well for couples and friends. One person can make a wallet while another chooses a purse or a different project. You share the same quiet space but still create separate items.
What two hours can realistically deliver
The listed duration is about two hours. That is enough time to learn the basic process and complete a suitable project, but you should choose carefully. Leatherwork has several separate steps, and each one takes longer when you are learning.
A smaller item is the safest match for the short class. You will need time to choose materials, understand the pattern, cut the leather, punch holes, shape the pieces, stitch them, and pack the finished product. Rushing would take away from the part that makes the workshop worthwhile.
For a wallet or bag, book the four-hour class instead. The longer option gives you more breathing room for accurate cutting and careful stitching. It also leaves room for Anton to help you correct small problems rather than simply pushing toward the finish.
This time distinction is the most important booking tip. The two-hour experience is not poor value because it is short. It is simply designed around a smaller amount of work. Choose the duration based on the object you want to make, not only on the amount of time available in your Hoi An schedule.
Is $37 a fair price for this Hoi An activity?
The price is $37 per person. I see that as reasonable if you value both the finished leather item and the lesson behind it. You receive access to professional leather, tools, patterns, instruction, and individual help, rather than paying only for a souvenir on a shelf.
The value improves if you plan to buy a leather item anyway. Instead of purchasing a ready-made wallet or purse, you spend the money on a piece with a personal connection and a basic understanding of how it was made.
It is less compelling if you only want the cheapest possible keepsake or prefer a quick shopping stop. The workshop takes time and asks you to concentrate. You are paying for participation, not just the final object.
The mobile ticket makes entry convenient, and confirmation is provided at booking. Free cancellation is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. A cancellation within 24 hours is not refunded, and changes that late are not accepted.
Who will enjoy this workshop most?
I would recommend it to you if you like practical activities, handmade goods, and souvenirs with a story. Couples can create different pieces side by side, and hobbyists will appreciate the chance to use professional tools and methods.
It also suits first-time crafters. You do not need to understand leather before arriving, and Anton’s patient explanations help you move through the process. The designs are made for varied skill levels, so beginners are not expected to arrive fully prepared.
You may want to skip it if you dislike careful handwork or want a fast activity with no chance of mistakes. The class involves measuring, cutting, hammering, shaping, and stitching. Those steps are the point, but they require attention.
The longer class is the better choice for anyone set on making a bag or substantial wallet. If your schedule allows only two hours, select one of the smaller projects and avoid trying to force a larger design into a tight time slot.
Final verdict: book it for a useful handmade souvenir
Book this workshop if you want to make something you can use and remember. The quiet studio, broad choice of designs and colors, and Anton’s personal guidance give the activity more substance than a routine shopping trip.
The key is matching the project to the time. Choose a smaller item for the two-hour session, or reserve four hours for a wallet or bag. At $37, the class offers good value for anyone who wants instruction, quality materials, and the satisfaction of taking home a finished leather good made by hand.
FAQ
Where does the leather workshop take place?
The workshop takes place in Hoi An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam, at a studio close to the old town. The studio is described as a quiet place with a small garden in front.
How long does the experience last?
The listed experience lasts approximately two hours. A four-hour class is recommended if you want to make a wallet or bag.
Who leads the workshop?
Anton leads the workshop and provides explanations and individual help throughout the process.
What will I learn during the class?
You will learn to work with a professional pattern, cut leather accurately, punch holes, shape leather, and stitch the pieces together.
Can I choose what I make?
Yes. You can choose from available project designs or select an option from photographs sent before the class. You can also choose the leather and color combination.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel at least 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Cancellations and changes made within 24 hours are not accepted, and the amount paid is not refunded.
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