Old Town Hoi An is louder than you think. This class slows things down with Master Huynh Dong and hands-on calligraphy in a calm gallery setting. You’ll learn how Vietnamese calligraphy connects ancient and modern styles, plus how to make your own piece using traditional tools.

Two things I really liked: the quiet focus as you work with ink on paper, and the fact that you don’t just watch—you create. One thing to consider is that this is a short 2-hour session, so you’ll get coaching and a finished keepsake, but you won’t leave with hours and hours of practice like a full-day workshop.

Key Highlights You’ll Care About

• Small group of max 5 means more attention when your strokes need fixing
• Fur pen, Chinese ink, and Do rice paper are part of the real workflow
• Ancient + modern Vietnamese calligraphy so you see how the art evolves
• Tea + slow pace keeps it a breather from Old Town crowds
• Watercolor folk and scenic painting guidance adds a second art thread
• A personal calligraphy gift made by Master Huynh Dong from your name or idea

A Calm Creative Pause in Old Town Hoi An

If you’re traveling in Hoi An, you’ve probably built a plan around sights. This experience adds something different: a creative block of time where your only job is to follow the master’s cues and make marks that look like they belong in Vietnamese tradition.

The setting matters. You start at 33 Nguyễn Thái Học, and the class happens back at the same meeting point area, so you’re not hopping around town. Instead, you settle in and use the time well, learning the basics you can actually apply immediately.

The star here is Master of Art Huynh Dong. The background matters because he isn’t just teaching tricks. His education spans Vietnamese philology, psychology and education, foreign languages, and arts studies, which hints at why the class feels both technical and thoughtful—less performance, more instruction.

Meet Master Huynh Dong and Get Your Supplies Ready

Plan to arrive a few minutes early so you can settle. Once you’re at the gallery, you’ll be guided into the class rhythm: calm, unrushed, and focused on posture and control. The vibe is close to what you’d want if you’ve been walking Old Town all day—hands busy, mind quiet.

You’ll work with traditional materials:

• Fur pen
• Chinese ink
• Traditional Vietnamese Do rice paper

That combination is the heart of why this class feels authentic. Calligraphy isn’t just writing; it’s pressure, flow, and timing. The tools affect the line, and the paper affects how the ink spreads and dries. When you’re taught how to handle those variables, your strokes start to look intentional instead of accidental.

You’ll also get time for tea, which sounds small, but it sets the tone. Sip, breathe, and get ready to slow down. That’s a big part of the value here.

Learning Ancient and Modern Vietnamese Calligraphy (Without Pretending It’s Easy)

You’ll learn both ancient and modern Vietnamese calligraphy, which is more useful than it sounds. If you only learn one style, you end up memorizing shapes. If you learn the two together, you start noticing how form and meaning move across time.

The key piece is that Master Huynh Dong shares cultural context while you practice. You’re not just repeating strokes; you’re hearing the story behind the art. That matters because calligraphy carries more than aesthetics. It’s tied to language, identity, and the way tradition survives through teaching.

Here’s the practical payoff: as you copy guided characters or ideas, you’ll understand what you’re trying to achieve—balance, rhythm, and character structure—so your work improves during the session instead of after you go home.

How You Create Your Own Calligraphy Artwork Step by Step

The class is hands-on from the start. The goal isn’t to make something perfect; it’s to give you coaching until you produce your own finished artwork.

You’ll be guided to create a piece on Do rice paper using fur pen and Chinese ink. Expect to learn how ink behaves once it touches paper—how it darkens, how edges form, and how the line changes when your hand pressure changes.

This is where the teaching style shows up. The experience has a reputation for being soft spoken, calm, and kind, with lots of practice behind the guidance. That kind of tone is helpful because beginners usually struggle with two things: fear of ruining materials and uncertainty about what “correct” looks like. A patient teacher keeps you moving.

Also, this is small-group learning (maximum 5 travelers). That usually means you get more than one quick correction. You’re more likely to get repeats of the instruction that matches what your hand is actually doing.

From Calligraphy to Folk and Watercolor Painting Guidance

After the calligraphy foundation, the class expands into traditional art forms, including:

• Traditional folk painting drawing
• Watercolor scenes (described as landscape paintings in the experience overview)

Even if you’ve never picked up a brush, the structure helps. It’s not just free-form art time. You’re shown how to think about the subject and how to translate a theme into simple, readable marks.

This part is a smart add-on for two reasons:

1. It keeps the session from feeling like only repetition.
2. It gives you a different way to practice Vietnamese artistic sensibility—still with the same calm, careful pace.

If you love having a couple different outputs to take home, you’ll likely appreciate this second creative thread.

The Personal Touch: Your Name or Idea on a Rice Paper Gift

This is one of the most meaningful components of the class: after your course, Master Huynh Dong creates a calligraphy work on rice paper using your name or your idea. It’s presented as a gift from him.

That turns the session from a hands-on workshop into a keepsake with a personal connection. It’s also practical: you leave with something that doesn’t depend on you finishing extra details after the class. You walk away with a ready-to-keep piece.

If you’re traveling with family, it can also be a thoughtful option for gifting. A personalized calligraphy work feels more special than a generic souvenir because it connects directly to you.

Price and Value: Why $37 Feels Fair Here

At $37 per person for about 2 hours, the price sits in a range that can either be a steal or a rip-off, depending on what’s actually delivered. In this case, it’s supported by clear value.

You’re paying for:

• Real teaching on ancient and modern Vietnamese calligraphy
• Hands-on use with fur pen, Chinese ink, and Do rice paper
• Instruction that covers more than one art type (calligraphy plus folk drawing and watercolor scenes)
• A finished personal rice paper calligraphy gift created by the master

That last point is big. Many classes only teach you techniques and leave you with your own work. Here, you get both your own session output and a personalized piece made by Master Huynh Dong.

Who This Class Is Best For

This experience works especially well if you:

• Want a break from Old Town’s noise and constant walking
• Like workshops where you can make something real with your own hands
• Are curious about Vietnamese culture but don’t want a lecture-only format
• Enjoy small-group teaching where corrections actually land

It’s also a good fit for couples and solo travelers who like calm activities. With a max group size of 5, you won’t feel stuck in a big crowd.

Practical Tips Before You Go

Because this is a hands-on art class using ink and paper, a few practical choices help your comfort level.

• Wear clothing you don’t mind getting a little ink-adjacent. Even if you’re careful, art sessions can be messy in small ways.
• Plan for a calm pace afterward. You’ll likely want time to look over your work and let the moment settle.
• If you want your personal gift to be tied to your name or idea, have that ready in advance when you’re asked.

If you’re the kind of traveler who likes doing things with your hands rather than just taking photos, this will feel like a win.

Should You Book This Calligraphy Class?

I’d book it if you want more than a one-time viewing of Old Town culture. This is a focused art session with a master teacher, small group size, traditional materials, and a personalized calligraphy gift.

Skip it only if you’re looking for a high-energy tour with lots of sights and constant movement. This experience is about stillness, careful instruction, and making marks—so it rewards patience more than speed.

FAQ

FAQ

Where is the meeting point?

The class starts at 33 Nguyễn Thái Học, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam, and it ends back at the meeting point.

How long is the calligraphy learning class?

It’s about 2 hours.

How much does it cost?

It costs $37.00 per person.

Is there a limit on group size?

Yes. The class has a maximum of 5 travelers.

What will I learn during the class?

You’ll learn ancient and modern Vietnamese calligraphy, plus traditional folk painting drawing and watercolor painting (described as landscape paintings in the overview).

Do I get to make my own calligraphy artwork?

Yes. You create your own calligraphy artwork using a fur pen, Chinese ink, and traditional Vietnamese Do rice paper.

Will I receive anything as a gift?

Yes. After the course, Master Huynh Dong makes a calligraphy work on rice paper with your name or your idea, as a gift.

Do I need prior experience?

Most travelers can participate, and the instruction is provided by Master Huynh Dong.

Do I get a mobile ticket?

Yes. The experience includes a mobile ticket.

What is the cancellation policy?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Cancellation changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.