Leatherwork beats shopping every time in Hoi An. In Anton’s quiet studio near Old Town, I love the calm garden setting and the fact you leave with a finished leather item you made with proper tools and techniques. The one thing to watch: the session is about 2 hours, so if you’re aiming for a larger wallet or bag, you may want the longer class option.

After you arrive, you’ll settle into a cozy workshop tucked close to the Old Town but away from the noise. From there, you choose what you’ll make (either from photos Anton sends you or from options in the studio), and you work with premium leather until it’s packed up to take home or gift.

Key highlights at a glance

• A calm studio near Old Town: quiet, garden-front setting means you can focus.
• You make the souvenir, start to finish: you’re not just watching a demo.
• Real fundamentals: pattern work, accurate cutting, shaping, and stitching.
• Hammer time: punching holes is part of the process and people tend to enjoy it.
• Small group attention: up to 10 people, with individual guidance throughout.
• Pick your style and leather: you can select items and combinations before you begin.

Why This Leather Workshop Fits Hoi An So Well

Hoi An is great for shopping, but it’s also loud, crowded, and easy to lose track of time. This workshop solves that problem by putting you in a calmer space very close to Old Town, but far from the street noise. There’s even a small garden right in front of the studio, so you start the experience feeling like you’ve stepped away from the bustle.

I like that the class is built for making something you can actually use every day. A leather wallet or purse isn’t a fragile “look at me” souvenir. It’s functional. And because you’re doing the work with tools and techniques used in Anton’s own craft, it feels more like learning a skill than buying a product.

One more smart detail: the workshop is designed for different experience levels and for all kinds of people (different ages and genders). You’re not expected to already know leathercraft. If you can follow directions and enjoy hands-on work, you’ll be fine.

The Studio Setup: Quiet Garden, Premium Materials, Small Group Energy

The studio is cozy, not showy. It’s the kind of place where you can hear instruction clearly and keep your attention on your own project. That matters because leatherwork rewards patience and precision. When you’re distracted or rushing, it’s easier to make cutting or stitching mistakes.

This is also a small-group class, capped at 10 travelers. In a group that size, Anton can actually move around, check your progress, and help without taking over your project. In the reviews, people highlight that he’s patient and supportive, and that he’s able to float between students when the session has multiple participants working at different paces.

You’ll likely appreciate the practical layout, too. You’re making something you’ll eventually carry, so you want to see your piece from different angles as you shape it and prepare for stitching. A studio setting is better for that than doing leathercraft in a rushed outdoor demo setup.

Choosing Your Project: What You Pick Changes the Whole Experience

Before you start, you get a real choice. Anton gives you options either by sharing photos you can review ahead of time, or by letting you pick from what’s available in the studio. That’s not a minor perk. It changes whether the class feels fun and personal—or stressful because you picked something too ambitious.

The workshop items are described as thoughtfully designed for all abilities and ages. That’s important in leathercraft, where one project might focus on smaller pieces and simpler construction, while another involves more steps. If you’re new to working with leather, choosing a design that matches your comfort level makes the class smoother.

It also helps that you can select leather and design combinations. People mention being able to pick exactly what they used, rather than being stuck with whatever the instructor prepared. In plain terms, you’ll leave with something that looks like you.

What You’ll Learn: Pattern, Cutting, Punching Holes, Shaping, Stitching

This is the heart of the workshop, and it’s why it’s more valuable than most souvenir activities. You’re not just making a leather item. You’re learning the key moves that make leather items look clean and last.

Here’s what you’ll work on during the class:

Pattern work (professional pattern use)

Leathercraft starts with a pattern. The workshop focuses on working with a professional pattern, which helps keep your piece in the right shape from the beginning. When the pattern is correct, everything after it—cutting, alignment, and finishing—gets easier.

Accurate leather cutting

Cutting is where a lot of people get frustrated in beginner crafts. You’ll learn how to cut leather accurately so your edges line up for the next steps. This is one reason the final items feel “proper,” not homemade.

Punching holes (yes, hammering)

Punching holes is part of the process, and it’s one of the tasks people actually look forward to. If you enjoy tactile, physical work, you’ll probably get a kick out of this stage. More importantly, hole placement affects how straight and even your stitching will be.

Shaping leather

Leather isn’t stiff like cardboard. It needs shaping to hold the right form. You’ll learn how to shape your piece so it takes on the intended structure before stitching and finishing.

Stitching

Stitching is where your work becomes a complete object. It’s also the stage that makes your item look “finished,” because stitching shows clean craftsmanship. Even if you go slowly, you’re building something solid you’ll be proud to carry.

Across the whole class, the guidance is described as individual and continuous. That matters because leathercraft has small “gotchas.” A tiny misalignment at the cutting stage can show up later, especially around edges and stitch lines. Having Anton check in reduces that risk.

The Whole Flow: From First Step to Packed Souvenir

The class runs for about 2 hours (approx.), and the structure is straightforward: you arrive, choose what you’ll make, then work through the skills until your item is complete enough to take home.

Here’s how the experience typically feels while you’re in it:

First, you get oriented in the studio and select your item(s). This is also when you settle on leather and design options. Then you move into the practical part: working from the pattern, cutting, and setting up for the punched holes.

Next comes the part where you start seeing your project “take shape.” Punching holes and shaping make the piece look less like a flat material and more like an object. Finally, you stitch and complete the final assembly steps.

What I really appreciate is the ending. Your item is packed for you to take home or gift. That removes a stressful step. You don’t have to figure out how to wrap something delicate so it survives the trip in your bag.

Price and Value: $37 for Skill, Materials, and a Real Take-Home Item

At $37 per person for roughly 2 hours, this is one of those experiences that feels fair if you compare it to what you’ll actually get.

You’re paying for more than a class. The description emphasizes premium leather, plus the tools and techniques Anton uses in his own work. You also get ongoing help while you’re building your item. In a small group, that guidance is a big part of the value. It’s hard to get “proper” results doing leatherwork on your own without equipment and feedback.

The other value angle is the outcome. You don’t leave with a “maybe I’ll use it someday” craft. You leave with a leather good you helped create—wallets and purses are the most common examples people mention—so it becomes part of your daily life after the trip.

If you’re the type who likes buying souvenirs, this workshop still makes sense. It’s basically buying an experience and turning it into a functional object. If you’re not sure you’ll enjoy hands-on work, that’s the main risk. But if you like making things, you’ll probably think the price is a bargain.

Timing Tip: When the 2-Hour Session Might Feel Tight

The standard workshop is listed at about 2 hours. That time can be perfect for many smaller leather goods, but it might feel rushed if you want something more complex or large.

One practical note from the experience context: some people recommend booking the longer session for wallets or bags. So if you have your heart set on a bigger project, check the options available when you book and choose the session length that matches what you want to make.

A good approach is to match your ambition to the time you’ll have. If you pick something smaller and simpler, you’ll finish with more confidence and less last-minute stress.

Who This Workshop Is Best For (And Who Might Pass)

I think this workshop suits you best if you want an Old Town alternative that’s still close by, but more peaceful. You’ll enjoy it if you like structured instruction, and if you’re curious about the real steps behind leathercraft instead of just watching a demonstration.

It’s also a strong fit if you’re:

• someone who likes tactile work and doesn’t mind using tools
• shopping for a souvenir that’s personal and useful
• interested in learning a skill you can talk about later (pattern, cutting, punching holes, shaping, stitching)

It may not be the best choice if you’re short on time in Hoi An and only want quick, drop-in activities. Since you’ll be making something step-by-step, you’ll want to give it your attention.

Should You Book This Leather Workshop in Hoi An?

Book it if you want a meaningful souvenir that you can actually use—and if you like learning by doing. The combination of a tranquil studio, small group size (up to 10), and hands-on instruction through pattern work, cutting, punching holes, shaping, and stitching makes this feel like more than a “tour” in the usual sense.

Skip or reconsider if you know you only want a quick photo stop, or if you’re set on a larger wallet/bag and you’re only choosing the shorter session. In that case, plan around the longer option so you’re not rushing at the finish line.

Overall, for the time and price, this is one of the clearer value bets in Hoi An: you trade crowded shopping for a calm workshop where you leave with something real, made by your own hands.

FAQ

FAQ

How long is the leather workshop in Hoi An?

It lasts about 2 hours (approx.).

What is the price per person?

The price is $37.00 per person.

Where does the workshop take place?

It’s in Hoi An, Vietnam. The studio is close to the old town, in a quieter spot away from the noise, with a small garden in front.

How many people are in the class?

The workshop has a maximum of 10 travelers.

Do I choose what I’ll make before the class starts?

Yes. You can select items before you start or from photos you send.

What skills will I learn during the workshop?

You’ll learn working with professional patterns, cutting leather accurately, punching holes (hammering), shaping leather, and stitching.

Do I get help while I’m working?

Yes. Individual attention is provided throughout the class, and the instructor supports you as you work.

Is there free cancellation?

Yes. Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.