Hoi An: Lantern Making Class with Local Family & Tea

Hoi An hands-on lantern class bamboo frames family stories

You’ll join a local family in Hoi An to craft your own bamboo lantern from scratch, choosing colors and learning old techniques along the way. Afterward, share herbal tea or dessert with your hosts while soaking up the gentle pace of the ancient town. It’s hands-on, sometimes messy fun—and you’ll walk away with a piece of Hoi An you made yourself.

What’s included

Your experience includes all materials for crafting your own bamboo and fabric lantern from scratch, plus herbal tea or dessert served after you finish making it—all set within a welcoming family-run workshop that’s fully wheelchair accessible.

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Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Lantern making and town exploration

• Learn about lantern materials
• Create lantern with bamboo and fabric
• Discover lantern cultural significance
• Enjoy herbal tea or dessert
• Explore ancient town of Hoi An

The Experience

We ducked under the faded sign just off one of Hoi An’s quieter lanes, and there was Lynn already waving us in. The workshop smelled faintly of glue and sweet tea—kind of comforting, actually. I’d seen those bright lanterns everywhere in town, but never thought about how they were made until we started picking up the bamboo frames. Lynn’s mom showed us how to bend them without snapping (I broke my first one, she just laughed). There was this easy rhythm to her hands, like she could do it blindfolded. My fingers got sticky from the glue almost instantly.

Lynn explained how her family’s been making lanterns for generations—she said something about luck and light that I didn’t quite catch, but it stuck with me anyway. Choosing the fabric was weirdly hard; all these colors and patterns laid out on the table. I went for a deep blue because it reminded me of the river at night. We worked side by side with a couple from Hanoi who joked about their “lopsided masterpiece.” There was music playing softly somewhere behind the shop—couldn’t place the tune.

After we finished, Lynn poured us some herbal tea (tasted like lemongrass and something else I still can’t name) and handed out little sesame sweets. We sat on low stools by the doorway while people drifted past outside, lanterns bobbing overhead in that late afternoon gold light. I kept turning my lantern over in my hands, half proud, half surprised it actually looked decent. It’s funny—I keep thinking about that quiet hour every time I see those lights strung up around Hoi An now.

Top questions

Is this lantern making class in Hoi An suitable for beginners?

Yes, all skill levels are welcome and guidance is provided throughout.

Are materials included in the Hoi An lantern workshop?

Yes, all materials needed to make your lantern are included.

Is the workshop wheelchair accessible?

Yes, both transportation options and workshop areas are wheelchair accessible.

Do I get to keep my handmade lantern after class?

Yes, you’ll take home your own completed lantern as a souvenir.

Are drinks or snacks provided during the class?

You’ll be offered herbal tea or dessert after finishing your lantern.

Where exactly is the workshop located in Hoi An?

The exact location can be found via their Google Maps link provided upon booking.