Hoi An: Lantern Making Class with Foldable Souvenir & Tea

Summary

Make your own lantern in hoi an with silk bamboo and laughter

You’ll sip herbal tea with a local master in Hoi An’s old town while learning how to craft your own foldable silk lantern from scratch. Choose your favorite colors, get hands-on with bamboo and glue (it’s messier than it looks), and leave with two unique souvenirs—one you made yourself and one gifted by your teacher. It’s personal, warm, and honestly pretty fun.

What’s the experience like?

I nearly glued my fingers together before I’d even picked my silk — that was my first surprise at this Hoi An lantern making class. Our guide, Mr. Tuan, had this gentle way of laughing without making you feel silly, just nodding as I tried to peel myself free. He handed me a cup of herbal tea (smelled like lemongrass and something sweet I couldn’t place) and started telling us about how these lanterns have been part of Hoi An’s old town for centuries. The workshop itself felt lived-in: bits of colored silk everywhere, bamboo frames stacked like little skeletons on the table, the afternoon light slanting through the shutters.

We each picked out our own silk — mine was a kind of deep blue that reminded me of those river evenings here. Mr. Tuan showed us how to stretch it over the bamboo frame (he’d already made those for us), smoothing it out so there were no wrinkles. It wasn’t as easy as he made it look. My hands kept sticking to the glue, but he just grinned and said “patience is the secret.” There was this quiet moment where everyone was focused, nobody talking, just the sound of silk being pressed down and someone’s phone buzzing faintly in their bag.

I didn’t expect to actually make something I’d want to keep — but when we tied on the tassels at the end and folded our lanterns flat (so clever), it felt oddly satisfying. Mr. Tuan even made an extra one for each of us as a gift; he chose colors he thought matched our personalities (mine was bright yellow — not sure what that says about me). I still think about that blue silk sometimes when I see my lantern hanging by my window back home. If you’re looking for something real to do in Hoi An besides wandering the streets or buying souvenirs you’ll forget about, this is it… well, unless you’re really bad with glue.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Hoi An Lantern Making Class

• Enjoy herbal tea and listen to master
• Select silk and color
• Apply glue and let dry
• Stretch silk to cover frame
• Cover top and bottom with silk strips
• Select tassel for lantern base
• Complete foldable lantern
• Receive special gift lantern from master

Top questions

Is the Hoi An lantern making class suitable for children?

Yes, children can join and all areas are wheelchair accessible; infants can sit on an adult's lap or use specialized seats.

Can I bring my finished lantern home easily?

Yes, the lanterns are foldable so you can pack them in your bag or luggage without trouble.

Is there any local guide during the class?

Yes, a local master guides you through every step and shares stories about Hoi An's lantern tradition.

Are materials included in the class price?

All materials needed to make your own lantern are provided during the class.

Does this activity include food or drinks?

You’ll be served herbal tea during the class but no meal is included.

How long does the lantern making class take?

The exact duration isn’t specified but expect enough time to finish your lantern comfortably.

Is this activity accessible for wheelchair users?

Yes, all areas and transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

What’s included

Your experience includes all materials needed for crafting your own foldable silk lantern—bamboo frame prepared by the master, choice of silk colors, glue, tassels—and herbal tea served during the session. At the end of class you’ll also receive an extra handmade lantern as a special gift from your instructor before heading back into Hoi An’s old town streets.