10 must try Workshops in Hoi An

Internationally Hoi An is probably best known for three things: The yellow buildings of the old town, its tailors and the hundreds if not thousands of colourful lanterns all over the city. You can’t walk down even one street without seeing several of them. Buying one as a souvenir is the first thing that will come to your mind, but why not make your own in a Hoi An Lantern Workshop, under the guidance of a crafting master?

Making the lantern is a great experience and you not only leave with a unique souvenir (because you made it!) but also with a new appreciation for all the colourful lanterns all over the city and the people who make them. If you are worried about how to fit a lantern into your luggage: IT FOLDS!

Where: The Lantern Lady
Cẩm Châu, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam

How much Budget to plan: 4 – 8€ p.P. depending on the size of the lantern

If you are interested in handicrafts, as well as experiencing the culture of a country through their art and artforms a woodcarving workshop is something you should consider doing while you’re in Hoi An. You don’t only get to see stunning traditional and modern works of art (Hulk vs. Wolverine) made by Woodcarving, you also get to make your very own piece.

Woodcarving is a centuries old craft, but has been adapted by the young generation to appeal to modern interests.

Where: Woodart Vietnam
Điện Phong, Điện Bàn, Quảng Nam 560000, Vietnam

How much Budget to plan: 550.000 VND p.P.

Nothing is as important for and as closely intertwined with culture as writing, since language is the primary tool for expression and writing is the lasting form of it. Writing and culture influence each other constantly and it is often the clearest record of every part of life over thousands of years. Writing connects us directly to the cultural heritage of a country and its people since speaking, writing and reading are integral to everyday life.

At the museum of Folk Culture in Hoi An you can take a Vietnamese Calligraphy Class.

After the class you get to take your attempts home and a small calligraphy art by the teacher as a gift as well.

Where: Museum of Folk Culture
33 Nguyễn Thái Học, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam

How much Budget to plan: 500.000 VND p.P.

While there are many jewellery shops in Hoi An it feels more special, to me, to be directly involved in the process of creating a unique piece of jewellery for yourself. At Lotus Leaf Fine Art & Jewellery you can take part in a jewellery workshop in Hoi An and learn from a master who has worked on this craft from a young age, with a focus on local materials, traditional methods and inclusion of people with disabilities.

They work mainly with silver and local gemstones and materials. I made a ring here.

Where: Lotus Leaf Fine Arts & Jewellery
395 Cửa Đại, Cẩm Châu, Hội An, Quảng Nam 51314, Vietnam

How much Budget to plan: starting from 1.000.000 VND p.P. depending on the size of the jewellery you’re making

At Blue Lotus Leather you can get unique leather goods, from wallets over purses to travel bags and even guitar cases.

They also offer different types of workshops with different time frames, depending on what you want to make. I choose the “express” one, because I didn’t have time for a longer one. During my workshop (where I was all by myself!) I made a leather wallet for cards and paper money.

Where: Blue Lotus Leather
69/3 Đ. Phan Chu Trinh, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam 51300, Vietnam

How much Budget to plan: 26$ p.P. for the express class (2 hours)
The basic, intermediate and advanced workshops range from 45 – 196 $

Handcraft in Vietnam is still a very popular branch of work and artisans spend years mastering their craft. While some stay close to traditional designs, others have modernised. Embroidery is still done the same way today as it was done hundreds of years ago: With a needle and a thread, stitching a design into a cloth that is held in hand or clamped into an embroidery hoop.

At Hop Handi you can take part in an embroidery workshop in Hoi An you can try your hand at this ancient craft, with a design of your choice. As modern or traditional as you want it to be.

Where: Hợp Handi
16 Trần Quý Cáp, Cẩm Châu, Hội An, Quảng Nam 51000, Vietnam

How much Budget to plan: 500.000 VND p.P.

The Taboo Bamboo Studio is located in Cam Thanh village, roughly 6km from the Old Town of Hoi An. If you rent a scooter or a bicycle you’ll be there in no time, while travelling through the rice fields and less busy streets of Hoi An.

Tan and his family have been in the bamboo business for three generations. Tan, the current owner, made it his mission to maintain this traditional craft by combining modern design with new technologies and opening up the workshop for tourists and groups as well, teaching the next generation about these age-old techniques.

Where: Taboo Bamboo Workshop
Thanh Tam Dong – Cam Thanh – Hoi An, Trần Nhân Tông, Cẩm Thanh, Hội An, Quảng Nam 51000, Vietnam

How much Budget to plan: 33€ p.P.

In Vietnam, one drink stands out above all others: Coffee. At this coffee workshop in Hoi An you learn more about the countries coffee growing industry, the coffee roasting process and how to make three of the most famous Vietnamese coffees:

1.  Phin Coffee
2. Egg Coffee
3. Coconut Coffee

Where: Coffee Making Class*
10C Bà Triệu, Phường Cẩm Phổ, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam

Sữa Cafe
108 Ly Thuong Kiet, Son Phong, Hoi An, Quang Nam, Vietnam

How much Budget to plan:13,50 € p.P.

Cooking classes are a great way to connect with local culture and people. Pairing it with a tour exploring the countryside around Hoi An, as well as a visit to a local market it’s a great way to spend half a day while staying in Hoi An.

We made Central Vietnamese dishes such as Banh Xeo, fried spring rolls, fried chicken, omelette and fried morning glory. The food was delicious and it was a great way to meet like-minded people.

Where: Villa Hoa Vừng
Thôn Võng Nhị, Xã Cẩm Thanh, Hội An

How much Budget to plan: 19€ p.P.

The linked blogpost below is my review of a similar tour. If you want an example for a cooking class in Hoi An you can look here*.