Make a lantern in one hour. That quick payoff is why this Hoi An class feels so satisfying: you shape a frame, pick materials, and then paint your own design with real, human help. I especially like the upbeat instruction and the friendly energy from the team, including Hung.

You also get real choice, not a cookie-cutter craft. I like that you can work with 20cm or 30cm lanterns (both fold for travel) and that you can choose to make, paint, or do both depending on your mood. One caution: if the room is busy, the pacing can feel a bit rushed and you might not get the deepest one-on-one coaching.

Key Things I’d Put on Your Checklist

• Pick between 20cm and 30cm lanterns that fold up for easier packing
• Choose your shape, color, and fabric before you glue it to the frame
• Practice on paper first, then paint your lantern with guidance
• You can choose your course: make lanterns, paint designs, or do both
• Small class feel with a maximum of 30 people, though busy sessions move fast
• Get food included with cake, tea, and coffee to keep you comfortable

A One-Hour Souvenir You Can Actually Finish

In Hoi An, it’s easy to buy lanterns. The fun here is that you make one—start to finish—without needing “artist mode.” The class runs about 1 hour, which is just enough time to concentrate on materials, colors, and brushwork without feeling like you’re committing your whole day.

This is also a good fit for people who want something creative that still works with travel timing. You’re not stuck in a long workshop. If you’re planning a day of old-town walking, this sits nicely as a focused block where you’ll leave holding a finished piece.

Choosing Your Lantern Size, Shape, and Fabric

The class centers on making and painting lanterns, and you get to choose your starting point. You can work with either a 20cm or 30cm lantern, and the design is meant to fold up, so packing is less of a headache than with fragile, rigid souvenirs.

You also get to decide:

• The lantern size (20cm or 30cm)
• The shape
• The color
• The fabric and the look you’re going for

After those choices, you glue the fabric to the frame. That’s an underrated part of the experience. It turns the activity from just “painting a decoration” into something more satisfying—because you’re building the base of the souvenir with your own hands.

One practical tip: if you care about your final look, don’t rush the material choices. Once you’re past the fabric-gluing step, you’re more in the painting phase, and changing the overall vibe becomes harder.

Painting Designs with Guided Practice (Paper First)

Painting is where this class gets personal. You’re taught how to paint the lantern, with time to practice first on paper under the teacher’s guidance. That sequence matters because it helps you get comfortable with strokes and color before you commit to the lantern itself.

There’s also flexibility in what you paint. Depending on the course you pick, you may work on lanterns and/or paint designs on other items such as scarves, canvas bags, or paper. In other words, this isn’t only for one type of craft brain. If you’d rather take home a smaller wearable or flatter souvenir, you can lean that way.

When it’s going well, you’ll feel the teaching click:

• You watch the method once
• You practice it briefly on paper
• Then you apply it to your actual lantern

If you’re worried about drawing skills, don’t overthink it. The process is guided, and you’re not expected to freehand masterpieces. Think of it as “paint what you like with teacher support.”

Where You Start in Hoi An: Near the Japanese Covered Bridge

The class meets at 51 Nguyễn Thái Học, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam, and the activity ties you to the area around the Japanese Covered Bridge. That’s a smart setup for a few reasons.

First, you’re starting in a part of town where it’s easy to orient yourself. Second, after your class, you’re already where most people want to be for strolling and photos.

One small drawback: because this is in the old-town area, you may notice typical crowd energy depending on the time of day. If you’re the type who likes quiet creative time, consider going earlier rather than later, so the atmosphere feels calmer while you work.

What’s Included: Materials, Guidance, and Food

This class is built around “you make it” from the moment you arrive. It includes the lantern kit and the process of assembly plus painting guidance. You’re also given time to practice on paper so you’re not learning everything by trial-and-error directly on your lantern.

And yes, there’s food. You get complimentary cake, tea, and coffee during the class. That sounds like a small detail, but in practice it helps a lot. It keeps your energy steady while you glue, paint, and concentrate.

You’ll also use a mobile ticket, which is convenient in Hoi An because you’re usually juggling directions, walking, and phone photos anyway.

Group Size and Class Pace: When It Feels Personal vs. Fast

The class has a maximum of 30 people, which keeps it from turning into a huge assembly line. Still, with a group this size, the pace can vary depending on how many people are signed up for that session.

That matters because one theme from the experience is that guidance is friendly and encouraging—yet on busier days, there may not be time for super detailed coaching for every single person. You might finish with a lovely lantern, but the instruction could feel more like “follow the steps” than “slow down and perfect every stroke.”

If you want the best odds of one-on-one help, choose a course that matches your skill level. If you only plan to paint, you’ll often spend more time in the painting focus. If you choose to make and paint both, you’ll need to move through steps efficiently, since you have only about an hour.

Price and Value: Is $10.65 Fair for This Class?

At $10.65 per person, this is one of those prices that feels reasonable because the experience is tangible. You don’t just watch; you build a lantern frame and then paint a finished item you can take home.

Also, what you’re getting is more than “a craft.” You’re provided:

• Lantern materials and the steps to assemble the frame
• Time to practice painting on paper
• Guidance for painting the lantern
• The choice between 20cm and 30cm
• Cake, tea, and coffee included

If you compare that to what you’d pay for a similar handcrafted souvenir in a shop, the value gets clearer. A store lantern is great, but it doesn’t teach you anything. This gives you a keepsake plus the story behind it.

So I’d call it good value for most people, especially if you like making things and you want a souvenir that feels personal.

Family-Friendly Creativity for Ages 1 and Up

This class is not limited to adults. It can include children from 1 year old and up, with guidance and support from the teacher.

That’s important for parents, because it means the class isn’t automatically “adult-only hobby time.” The organizers also mention that they’ll advise the right class for little ones, so you’re not just guessing what will work.

A practical note: with kids involved, the group rhythm can shift. If you have a very young child, plan for a bit more spontaneity than a strict adult workshop. The upside is that the experience is designed to be supportive, not hostile to beginners.

Taking Your Lantern Home Without Headaches

The class is designed for travel. The lantern sizes include 20cm and 30cm, and they can be folded. That’s a big deal. Foldable means you can pack with less stress, and you’re more likely to actually bring your finished work home safely.

After your session, you’re back at the meeting point, so you won’t need to coordinate a tricky pickup elsewhere. You can head straight into your next old-town walk while your lantern is still fresh in your hands.

The Practical Side: Who Should Book This Class?

This is a strong choice if you:

• Want a creative souvenir you actually make
• Like step-by-step guidance rather than “figure it out”
• Have limited time (only about an hour)
• Prefer hands-on activities more than another photo stop
• Want the flexibility of different course options (make, paint, or both)

It might be less ideal if you:

• Want lots of slow, detailed coaching no matter how busy the room is
• Get frustrated when you have to follow steps on a timeline
• Are expecting a long, deep art lesson (this is short and practical)

And if you’re sensitive to weather, keep in mind there’s a good-weather requirement. If it’s canceled for poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

Should You Book This Hoi An Lantern Making Class?

I think you should book it if you want a genuine, hands-on Hoi An memory in a short window. The combination of choosing your materials, assembling the lantern, and then painting with guided practice is exactly the kind of activity that turns into a story you’ll remember later.

If you’re worried about instruction quality on busy days, that’s the main tradeoff to consider. Still, even with a full session, the focus on creating something you can take home—plus the encouraging teaching—makes it a smart value for most people.

If you’re in Hoi An and you want one activity that’s creative, doable, and portable, this class belongs on your list.

FAQ

How long is the Hoi An lantern making class?

The class lasts about 1 hour.

Where does the class meet in Hoi An?

The meeting point is 51 Nguyễn Thái Học, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam.

What size lanterns can I make?

You can make a lantern in either size 20cm or size 30cm.

What can I choose to do in the class?

You can choose among three course options: learn how to make lanterns, paint designs, or do both.

Is there time for practice before painting the lantern?

Yes. You get time to practice on paper under the guidance of the teacher before you paint the lantern.

Is food included?

Yes. The class includes complimentary cake, tea, and coffee.

Can children join the class?

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

Is there a group size limit?

Yes. The class has a maximum of 30 travelers.

What happens if weather is poor?

The experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.