Lantern Making Class in Hoi An: Paint & Create

Choose your lantern's shape and colors, then paint it yourself

A one-hour lantern-making class in Hoi An where you select a 20cm or 30cm lantern frame, pick fabrics and colors, glue the pieces together, and paint the finished lantern with guidance from an instructor. The class runs in three levels—making only, painting only, or both combined—and welcomes children from age one. Free cake, tea and coffee are included.

The Experience

You'll start by choosing your lantern: pick between a 20cm or 30cm size (both fold flat for travel), then select the shape and fabric colors from what's available. The frame comes ready to assemble. Your instructor will walk you through gluing the fabric to the wooden frame, showing you how the pieces fit and what holds them in place. If you're making and painting in the same class, this is where the structure takes shape.

Once the frame is done, you move to painting. If you've never painted before, the instructor has you practice on paper first under their guidance, so you get a feel for the brush and the motions before you touch the lantern itself. Then you paint directly onto the fabric—choosing your own design, your own colors, your own pace. Children as young as one can join with a parent's support, and the instructor will suggest which class level works best for the little ones so parents aren't managing the whole thing alone.

The class runs in three versions: making lanterns without painting, painting lanterns or other items (scarves, canvas bags, paper) without making the frame, or doing both in one session. Free cake, tea and coffee come with whichever you choose. The shop also stocks finished lanterns and souvenirs if you want to take home something you didn't make yourself.

What’s included

• All lantern materials and tools.
• instruction in English or Vietnamese.
• free cake, tea and coffee.
• choice of 20cm or 30cm lantern size.

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Lantern Making Class - Painting Class - Hằng Dũng Lantern

Is this one for you?Choose the making-and-painting combo if you want to leave with a complete lantern you built and decorated yourself; pick painting-only if you'd rather focus on the design without assembling the frame; or go making-only if you want to learn the construction and skip the painting step.

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Top questions

Can I make a lantern if I've never painted before?

Yes. The painting class includes practice on paper with the instructor's guidance before you paint the lantern itself, so you learn the basics first. If you choose the making-only class, there's no painting involved at all—you just assemble the frame and glue the fabric.

What sizes of lanterns can I make?

You can choose between 20cm and 30cm lanterns, and both fold flat, which makes them easy to pack in luggage.

Can my young child join the class with me?

Children from age one can join with a parent's support. The instructor will recommend which class level works best for little ones so you're not managing the whole activity alone.

What's included in the one-hour class?

The lantern-making class includes all materials (frame, fabric, paint), instruction from a guide in English or Vietnamese, and free cake, tea and coffee.

Do I need to know how to paint to join?

No. The painting class teaches you from the start, with practice on paper before you paint the lantern. The making-only class involves no painting at all.