About this tour
When Tom from our team tried this silversmithing workshop in Hanoi, we walked away with a hand-crafted ring or pendant we'd actually made ourselves. The two-hour session sits in a local workshop where you're guided through the basics by an experienced silversmith — hammering, filing, shaping real silver into something wearable. It's the sort of thing that appeals to solo travellers, couples after a joint project, and families keen to make something tangible rather than just snap photos. You leave with your own piece, which beats a souvenir mug any day.
Highlights
- Hammer and shape 5 grams of real silver into a finished item
- Hands-on guidance from a trained silversmith throughout the session
- Walk out with a personalised ring or pendant, not a tourist trinket
- Relaxed atmosphere — no prior experience needed or expected
- Gold plating available if you want to upgrade (extra cost, few hours turnaround)
- Gear provided: hammer, jeweller's saw, torch, files, pliers, the lot
- Works for solo travellers, couples, and families in one go
What to expect
You'll spend two hours at the bench doing actual metalwork. The silversmith shows you how to measure, mark, saw, file, and shape your piece — it's methodical but never dull. Tom found the pacing comfortable; you're not rushed, but you're also not standing around watching someone else work. The workshop itself has a friendly, unpretentious vibe — not Instagram-glossy, just functional and welcoming. By the end, you've got a wearable item that's genuinely yours, complete with any personalisation you've added. If you want gold plating, that's a separate process that takes a few hours or a working day, so plan accordingly.
What travellers say
- Leave with a tangible, handmade piece of jewellery, not a souvenir
- Experienced silversmith guides you through the whole process calmly
- All tools and materials supplied; 5 grams of real silver included
- No experience needed — suitable for curious beginners
- Friendly, unpressured atmosphere; feels like a real craft session
- Gold plating option available for an extra fee and short wait
- Not recommended for pregnant travellers due to torch and chemicals
- Extra silver beyond 5 grams incurs additional per-gram charges
- Gold plating adds cost and requires a few hours or full working day
- Hands-on metalwork may not suit very young children unsupervised
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
You get to take home something you've made with your own hands, which feels far more rewarding than most tourist activities. The staff are patient and encouraging, even if you've never held a jeweller's saw before. It's a solid rainy-day option or a break from temple-hopping. Prams and strollers are fine, and service animals are welcome. Public transport is nearby if you're not using a tuk-tuk.
Not advised for pregnant travellers. The workshop involves a torch and metalwork, so it's not a passive experience — you'll be doing the labour. If you want extra weight on your piece (heavier ring, larger pendant), you'll pay per gram over the 5-gram base. Gold plating costs extra and isn't instant. Early in the day is probably smartest to avoid rush. Young kids can come, but they'll need to be supervised — it's not a creche. Bring comfortable clothes; you might get minor marks or heat from the torch.
Tour sold and operated by Viator via Viator. Descriptions on this page are original BugBitten summaries written by our team — not copied from the operator. Prices and availability are confirmed at checkout.