About this tour
When Em from our team caught this lantern-making session in Hoi An, we found ourselves in Ms. My's home learning to craft the coloured silk lanterns the town's famous for. You pick your colours, decorate your own piece, and walk out with a finished lantern to take home. It's a solid hour of hands-on work in a proper local setting — no tourist factory feel. The vibe is relaxed, the instructor patient, and you end up with something you've actually made rather than bought. Good for solo travellers, couples, or small groups after a genuine craft experience.
Highlights
- Lantern takes shape under your hands in a single session
- Ms. My's home setting beats sterile workshop vibes
- Colour palette choice means your lantern feels personal
- Finished piece comes home as a real souvenir
- Wheelchair accessible throughout — genuinely inclusive setup
- Small-group feel, not a production line
- Bottled water included; no upsell pressure
What to expect
You'll head to Ms. My's home in Hoi An proper — not a tourist compound. She walks you through the basics: selecting your silk colour from what's on offer, then the actual construction. The pace is unhurried; an hour is enough time to get the lantern done without feeling rushed. Em found the instructions clear even for complete beginners, and Ms. My adjusted her pacing based on how people were tracking. The space is modest but welcoming, and you're genuinely making something rather than just assembling pre-cut bits.
The lantern you finish is yours to carry — it's compact enough for a backpack. The whole experience leans into the idea that Hoi An's lantern tradition is worth learning hands-on, not just photographing. Bring any creative instincts you've got; there's room to make it your own once the basic structure is done.
What travellers say
- Home-based learning beats sterile tourist factory setups
- You actually finish and keep a lantern
- Accessible for wheelchairs, pushchairs, all fitness levels
- Personal touch — choose colours and add details
- Local instructor teaching a real local craft
- Honest, no-pressure experience without heavy upselling
- One hour feels tight for deeper technique learning
- Group size unspecified — could feel crowded
- Infants can attend but won't make lanterns
- Old Town crowds peak late morning onwards
Themes summarised by our team from public information about this tour. Verify specifics on the operator's page before booking.
Good to know
This is a rare chance to pick up a craft skill from someone who actually knows it, in their own home rather than a tourist setup. You'll leave with a lantern that cost less than buying one outright and means more because you made it. It works for all ages and fitness levels, and the whole place is wheelchair accessible if mobility is a consideration. Infants can come along (carers share the experience), though they won't make their own lantern.
The session is only an hour, so if you're hoping for deep technique or multiple lanterns, you'll feel the time crunch. Hoi An's Old Town can get crowded, especially late morning, so arriving early helps. Alcoholic drinks aren't included but are available to buy separately. The class size isn't specified, so you might find yourself sharing the space with others — ask ahead if you want a more intimate session.
Wear comfortable clothes; no special kit needed. Bring a small bag for your finished lantern. Public transport is nearby. The finished lantern is included in the price. Water's provided. Group sizes vary, so clarify beforehand if group dynamics matter to you.
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.