Hoi An · HOI AN LANTERN MAKING CLASSES
The Hoi An lantern folds flat, which is why it travels. These 15 classes are compared on how much of the bamboo frame you build yourself, how big a lantern you take away, and whether the workshop is one of the ones supplying the Old Town shops.
Choose a full or express Hoi An lantern class with English-speaking instructors and a translator. Shape bamboo, select silk, and create a lotus, diamond, triangle, garlic, or UFO lantern. Enjoy tea and traditional music, then fold your finished souvenir small enough for your luggage.
“it was so much fun all the people teaching us were bubbly and happy making for a very enjoyable couple of hours 😀😀”
At Hoian Handicraft Tours in Cam Pho, you’ll build a foldable silk lantern from bamboo and fabric with English-speaking instructors. Choose a lotus, diamond, sunrise, or sunset shape, enjoy herbal tea, and take home both your lantern and a special instructor-made design.
“Really good fun. Learnt about the history of the lantern and great English speaking assistants. Something to make and then bring home.”
At The Lantern Lady in Hoi An, you choose a 20-centimeter frame, colorful silk fabric, and your own design. An English-speaking instructor guides you step by step, while you do the actual work. Make a foldable lantern to carry home, or choose a paper lantern to release on the river.
“What a lovely lady: patient and kind. We loved making our lanterns and now they have pride of place in our homes. Thank you.”
At 3/6 Phan Boi Chau Street, local English-speaking instructors guide you through choosing a lantern shape, fabric, and tassel, then help you build a foldable 20-cm lantern from start to finish. Allow about an hour, though many sessions run longer.
“This was so enjoyable. Our family will cherish our lanterns for a long time. The family who owned the shop were patient and explained everything. We are so glad we did the. This is a must while in Hoi An even my husband loved this!!”
Spend about 4.5 hours with an English-speaking guide such as Hami, Huong, Hoang, or Thao. Visit a local market, ride a basket boat in Cam Thanh, make a Hoi An lantern, and cook dishes such as banh xeo and cau lau. Hotel pickup, food, and materials are included.
“My family and I had an absolutely wonderful half day tour with our excellent guide, Hami. There was so much crammed into it and every part of the morning we spent was just great.. We were first shown around the local market and had somRead more”
At 507 Hai Ba Trung Street, a lantern master prepares the bamboo frame while you choose silk, add color, stretch the fabric, and finish with a tassel. The one-hour class includes herbal tea, local lantern stories, all materials, and a second lantern made as a gift.
“We upgraded to the two hour lantern making workshop. We had a lovely time and the staff were very helpful and encouraging. They checked (and corrected) our progress through each stage of construction so our finished lanterns looked just as good as the ones for sale at the markets!”
Meet the Lantern Lady on Phan Boi Chau Street for a one-hour English-language workshop. Choose fabric and design, follow patient local instruction, and make a foldable 20-centimeter garlic-shaped lantern to carry home.
“We had such a great time at the lantern workshop :) The lovely ladies took the time to explain the steps of how to make a lantern to us and the lanterns turned out great.”
At Hằng Dũng Lantern near Hoi An’s Japanese Covered Bridge, you choose a 20 or 30 cm lantern, shape its frame, attach fabric, and paint your own design. Teacher Hung guides the class, while children from age one can join with support. Tea, coffee, and cake are included.
“It was such a fun experience to paint the lantern! I had a lot of fun and truly recommend it! ☺️💜🙏”
Spend about five hours with a local guide making a foldable Hoi An lantern, wearing an Ao Dai for a basket-boat ride, catching crabs, and eating a Vietnamese meal at a local home. Guide Tam and chef Tram are among the hosts mentioned for this small-group experience.
“All the activities on this tour were great. We started with the lantern making and got to choose our size, shape and pattern of the fabric. We were the only people there so the two of us pretty much got a private class and the lady who raRead more”
At a two-hour workshop near Hoi An Ancient Town, English-speaking artisans guide you through making a foldable bamboo and paper lantern. Ms. Le is especially praised for her patient teaching. You will also make a floating candle, release it on the water, and take your lantern home.
“The class was great, she was very friendly and helpful. I enjoyed making the lanterns and she made sure we got back safely from our boat ride.”
Spend two hours in Hoi An with Lynn and her family, learning to shape a bamboo lantern frame, choose silk fabric, and finish your own colorful souvenir. English instruction, private groups, all materials, and herbal tea or dessert are included. No craft skills are needed.
“Good class, there’s no much explanation on what you’re doing, they show you how to do it and then you do it, but was a fun activity and you can’t come in Hoi An without doing it !! They were so kind, took pictures at the end.”
Spend about four hours with an English-speaking guide exploring Hoi An’s old town, including the Japanese Covered Bridge. Taste local dishes, make a traditional lantern, and learn how the town’s tailor shops work. The group is limited to 15 people, with water, entry fees, and local food included.
“I really enjoyed this bike tour by TC Hoi An Travel. The guide was very professional and informative, he spoke excellent English and answered all our questions. The bike was clean and comfortable, and the route was well-designed. We visiteRead more”
Spend one to five hours around Hoi An making pottery, riding a buffalo through rice fields, exploring Cam Thanh coconut forest by basket boat, preparing Vietnamese coffee, and eating Cao Lau. Options vary, and driver Tony can provide local pickup when arranged.
“we loved the lantern making and the fishing boats making clay pots and musem were great too very enjoyable day our guide was great thank you”
Visit Hoi An Silk Village with an English-speaking guide, see mulberry gardens, silkworm breeding, cocoon unraveling, Champa-style weaving, and silk testing. Then make a lantern to take home and eat Cao Lau, fried spring rolls, and fruit. Guide Thu has been praised for her warm, clear explanations.
“Super informative with an awesome guide! Was so fascinating to see the entire silk making process :)”
Meet at 40 Hai Thuong Lan Ong Street for a two-hour English-language workshop. You will shape fabric over a 20 cm bamboo frame, choose colors and brushes with local craftsmen, paint your own design, and take the lantern home.
“We absolutely loved this! I did one using a silk fabric and my partner painted one. We had a lot of fun. Would definitely do again!”
Pick a boat, a kitchen or a road out of town.
