Hoi An has a special way of turning simple materials into memories. In just about 1 hour, you shape a lantern frame, glue fabric on, and then paint your design with guidance you can actually use.

I especially love the hands-on choices you get to make, like size (20cm or 30cm), shape, color, and fabric. I also like that the class is built for non-artists, with time to practice on paper before you go to the real lanterns. The main drawback to keep in mind is that with a group size up to 30, instruction can feel quick, so arrive ready to focus.

Key things to know before you go

• You choose your lantern setup: size, shape, color, and fabric before gluing everything to the frame
• Paper practice first: you test designs on paper, then paint your lantern afterward
• Take it home easily: lanterns can be folded for travel, whether you pick 20cm or 30cm
• Food is included: cake, tea, and coffee come with the class
• Group energy can affect coaching speed: if the room is full, you may get less individual back-and-forth
• Family-friendly with support: children 1 year old and up can join with guidance

Lanterns in Hoi An old town: what you create in 1 hour

This is a quick, satisfying craft class designed for people who want a real souvenir without needing art-school skills. You’ll build a lantern (including fabric attachment) and then paint it. If you prefer, there are also course options that focus more on making lanterns, painting designs, or doing both.

The class format matters because it respects your time. In a place like Hoi An, you might be sightseeing in the morning and walking the streets at night. Spending about an hour on a hands-on activity gives you something concrete to show for your day, not just photos.

Picking your lantern size and style without overthinking it

You get to choose two practical things that affect everything after the class: your size and your look.

• Size options: you make a lantern in either 20cm or 30cm, and both can be folded for travel
• Shape and materials: you choose the shape and the fabric, then glue the fabric to the frame
• Color and design direction: you select your color choices ahead of painting

Here’s the practical tip: think about what you want the lantern to do for you after the trip. A 20cm lantern is easier to pack and lighter to carry. A 30cm lantern gives you more surface to paint on, which can feel more rewarding if you enjoy details. If you’re traveling by bus, bike, or shared taxis, the folded design is a real plus.

The class flow: from frame building to paint on the real thing

The teaching is structured like this. First comes the making. Then comes the painting. Then comes the take-home moment.

1) Make the lantern frame and attach fabric

You’ll be guided through the process of making your lantern and assembling the key parts. You choose materials, then glue the fabric onto the frame. This step is where the class turns from watching to doing, and where you start feeling ownership of your souvenir.

2) Practice on paper before painting

Before you paint the actual lantern, you get time to practice on paper under the teacher’s guidance. This is one of the best parts of the experience because it lowers the pressure. You can experiment with simple strokes, color placement, and patterns without risking messing up your final piece.

3) Paint your lantern

Once you’re comfortable, you paint the lantern itself. You get guidance while you work, but the goal is not to create a museum-quality artwork. The goal is to create something personal that you’ll actually keep.

4) Optional extras: paint on other items too

You might also paint scarves, canvas bags, or on paper, depending on the course you choose. That option is great if you already know you want to use the artwork in daily life rather than only as wall decor.

How the Japanese Covered Bridge fits into your day

You start at 51 Nguyễn Thái Học in Minh An, and the activity references the Japanese Covered Bridge area as part of the experience flow.

Why this matters: Hoi An’s old town is compact, so meeting near major landmarks helps you connect this class to the rest of your day. You can line up your craft time with a morning stroll or an afternoon walk, instead of treating it like a separate detour.

The class ends back at the meeting point, which keeps your schedule simple. In a town where you can easily lose track of time in the lantern-lit streets, having a clean start and finish saves you energy.

Tea, cake, and coffee: the small inclusion that helps

Free refreshments may sound like a throw-in, but it genuinely supports the pacing of a short class. As you sit down to build and paint, you’re not just working hungry or thirsty. You can focus better when your energy level stays steady.

You get cake plus tea and coffee during the class. If you’re doing this after a walking-heavy morning, that matters more than you might expect. It also gives you a comfortable break between steps, like after you’ve assembled your lantern and before you start painting.

Who this class is best for (and who should set expectations)

This is one of those activities that works for almost anyone, as long as you’re open to a guided, hands-on experience.

Great for

• Couples or friends who want a shared activity with a take-home result
• Solo travelers who prefer making something over just watching
• Families who want a structured craft time, not a long museum stop
• People who want an easy souvenir without buying another pre-made decoration

Best for kids, with one condition

Children 1 year old and up can join with teacher support. The guidance is tailored for younger kids, so parents can feel more comfortable. Still, this is a craft, with glue and painting steps, so you’ll want to pick a course pace that matches your child’s attention span.

Set expectations if your priority is lots of individual coaching

With a maximum group size of 30, you may not get tons of one-on-one time. That’s not a dealbreaker, but it explains why some people might feel the instruction is fast when the room is full. If you’re the kind of person who wants long, detailed corrections, plan to lean on the paper practice time and ask questions when you can.

Value check: is $10.65 worth it?

At $10.65 per person, this class is priced like a smart add-on to your Hoi An trip, not a premium art workshop. What makes the value feel real is the combination of:

• A take-home lantern in a travel-friendly size (20cm or 30cm)
• Structured guidance that helps non-artists participate
• Time to practice on paper before painting
• Included cake, tea, and coffee

If you’re comparing it to buying a ready-made lantern souvenir, the value shifts. A purchase is quick, but you don’t get the satisfaction of making decisions, testing patterns, and then finishing your own design. For many people, that’s the whole point.

If you’re trying to maximize your day, also consider that this activity is about 1 hour. That’s a rare craft class length that fits into sightseeing without stealing half your trip.

Mobile ticket, easy start, and what to bring

You’ll use a mobile ticket, and the meeting point is on Nguyễn Thái Học. It’s also described as near public transportation, so you don’t need a complicated plan to get there.

What to bring is simple: wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little messy, since painting is part of the process and the class is designed around hands-on making. If you’re sensitive to mess, bring a light cover-up.

Also, if you’re bringing children, arrive a little early. Even without extra details provided, being settled before you start makes the short class feel smoother.

Weather and timing: plan for flexibility

This experience needs good weather. If conditions aren’t right, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund. That flexibility matters in Hoi An, where weather can shift during the day.

If you’re booking this around a tight itinerary, I’d still give it a bit of breathing room in your plans. Because the craft itself takes about an hour, the bigger risk is how your day might reorganize if the class has to reschedule.

A quick note on language and comfort

The class is set up for most travelers to participate, and it’s designed to be friendly for beginners. You don’t need to be an artist. You’ll get steps, guidance, and time to practice before painting.

One name worth highlighting: Hung. When Hung is the guide, people describe him as encouraging and passionate, with an organized approach. That kind of teaching style is exactly what you want in a short class.

Should you book this lantern-making class?

Book it if you want a fun, structured souvenir that you actively make, not just buy. The take-home 20cm or 30cm lantern, the paper practice before painting, and the included cake, tea, and coffee make this feel like a well-rounded hour in Hoi An old town.

Skip it or choose a different activity if you need lots of slow, personal instruction. With groups up to 30, the pace can be brisk, especially when everyone starts painting at once. If your goal is deep, hands-on tutoring, you might find you have to work more independently than you expected.

If you’re on the fence, here’s my simplest decision rule: if you’d enjoy making choices about color, fabric, and design, this class is a great use of time. If you just want a quick stop for photos, you may feel it’s more work than you wanted.

FAQ

Where does the class start in Hoi An?

The class starts at 51 Nguyễn Thái Học, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam.

How long is the lantern-making class?

It lasts about 1 hour.

What is included in the class?

You make and paint lanterns. Cake, tea, and coffee are included. You also have time to practice on paper before painting.

Do I need to be good at art to participate?

No. The class is designed so you do not have to be an artist to take part.

What lantern sizes can I choose?

You can choose either a 20cm or a 30cm lantern.

Can I choose what my lantern looks like?

Yes. You choose the size, shape, color, and fabric for your lantern, and you glue the fabric to the frame.

Are there different course options?

Yes. You can choose between making lanterns, painting designs, or doing both.

Is this class suitable for children?

Children from 1 year old and up can join with teacher guidance and support.

Are service animals allowed?

Yes, service animals are allowed.

What if the weather is bad?

This experience requires good weather. If it is canceled due to poor weather, you will be offered a different date or a full refund.