Nothing says Hoi An like its glowing silk lanterns. At a lantern making class in Hoi An, local artisans show you how these lanterns are built by hand, from shaping the bamboo frame to stretching the silk and adding the tassel. Choose the full class to learn every step or the express class if you’re short on time. Either way you go home with your own lantern, and it folds flat to fit in your luggage.
| Activity | Hands-on silk lantern making |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1.5 hours (express) or 2.5 hours (full class) |
| Price | From $10 (about 250,000 VND) per person |
| Materials | All provided |
| Good for | All ages, families, couples, solo travellers |
| You take home | Your own foldable silk lantern |
Why Join a Lantern Making Class in Hoi An?
- Quick and fun: in just a few hours you create your own piece of Hoi An heritage.
- The perfect souvenir: your lantern folds up so it is easy to pack.
- Real cultural meaning: lanterns represent prosperity, happiness and good fortune and are part of daily life and festivals in Hoi An.
- For everyone: suitable for all ages and skill levels.
Lanterns and Hoi An
Hoi An’s lanterns are more than decoration; they are a symbol of the town’s heritage and craftsmanship. On the 14th day of every lunar month, the town celebrates the lantern festival, when thousands of lanterns light up the streets. Making one yourself gives you a new appreciation for the careful work behind each one you see around town.
Lantern Making Class in Hoi An: Packages and Prices
| Package | Duration | Adult | Child |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full class All 11 steps, from bamboo frame to tassel | 2.5 hours | $15.2 / person | On request |
| Express class Starts at step 5 with a pre-tied frame | 1.5 hours | $10 / person | On request |
Full Class (2.5 Hours): All 11 Steps
- Step 1: Attach the bamboo stakes together with wire threads.
- Step 2: Shape the stakes into your lantern’s form.
- Step 3: Secure the stakes into a hanger for stability.
- Step 4: Wrap the stakes with thread for reinforcement.
- Step 5: Choose your silk from a wide range of colours and patterns.
- Steps 6–8: Apply glue and carefully stretch the silk over the frame.
- Step 9: Cover the top and base with strips of silk.
- Step 10: Choose a tassel to decorate the base.
- Step 11: Learn how to open and fold your lantern for travel.
Express Class (1.5 Hours): Straight to the Creative Part
Short on time? The express class starts from step 5 with a bamboo frame that is already tied. You choose your silk, glue and stretch it over the frame, finish the top and base, pick a tassel and learn to fold your lantern. It’s the same finished lantern, in one hour less.
Practical Tips
- Book in advance, especially in the high season.
- All materials are provided. Wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little glue on.
- The class is suitable for all ages, a great family activity.
Full or Express: Which Lantern Making Class in Hoi An?
Both options give you the same finished lantern to take home. The difference is how much of the process you do yourself. Choose the full lantern making class in Hoi An (2.5 hours) if you enjoy crafts and want to build the bamboo frame from scratch; it is the one that really shows you how much skill goes into each lantern. Choose the express class (1.5 hours) if you are short on time or travelling with young children, since the frame is already tied and you go straight to the fun, colourful part.
Tips for Your Lantern Making Class in Hoi An
- Pick your colours with purpose. Red and yellow are the traditional Hoi An lantern colours and are linked with good luck and prosperity.
- Take your time with the glue. Stretching the silk slowly gives a smooth, professional finish.
- Learn the fold. The last step shows you how to close the lantern flat. Practise it once before you leave so packing is easy.
- Book it early in your trip. After a lantern making class in Hoi An, you look at every lantern in the Old Town with new eyes.
What to Do with Your Lantern at Home
Your lantern folds flat, so it travels safely in a suitcase. At home it makes a beautiful decoration for a living room or balcony and a lovely gift. Many guests tell us the lantern from their lantern making class in Hoi An is the souvenir that reminds them most of the town, whose lantern-lit streets are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Ancient Town.
Family-friendly: the lantern making class in Hoi An is suitable for all ages, and all materials are provided. Just wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little glue on.
How to Book the Lantern Making Class in Hoi An
Tell us whether you want the full or express class, your date and number of guests using one of the options below. Your confirmation is issued within 15 minutes.
Contact the organizer directly
Leave your name and how to reach you. The organizer's contact and QR code will appear right away, so you can message them about the lantern making class.
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Payment options: pay directly, by domestic bank transfer, or by PayPal (3% transaction fee).
More Lantern Experiences and Classes
- See lanterns on the water with a boat ride with lantern in Hoi An.
- When to go: our guide to the Hoi An Lantern Festival.
- Another souvenir class: bamboo root sculpture in Hoi An.
- Compare all classes in Hoi An for tourists.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a lantern making class in Hoi An?
The full 2.5-hour class costs $15.2 (about 380,000 VND) and the 1.5-hour express class costs $10 (about 250,000 VND) per person. All materials are included.
What is the difference between the full and express class?
The full class covers all 11 steps, including building the bamboo frame. The express class starts at step 5 with a pre-tied frame, so you go straight to choosing and applying the silk.
Can I take my lantern on a plane?
Yes. You learn how to fold your lantern at the end of the class, so it packs flat in your luggage.
Is the class suitable for children?
Yes, the class is suitable for all ages and is a popular family activity.
From Vincent – the Author
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