9 of the Best Art & Craft Workshops in Hoi An

Want to pick up a new skill in Vietnam and learn about the country’s artistic traditions? Get hands-on and discover nine of the best art and craft workshops in Hoi An – the perfect rainy day activity!

We visited Hoi An on a particularly rainy week, so despite our best-laid plans to lay by the pool in our villa, things didn’t quite work out that way. Instead, I decided to explore Hoi An’s more creative side. If you like all things crafty, Hoi An is the perfect place in Vietnam to discover your inner artist!

A Vietnamese lantern making class is an essential activity in Vietnam – even if you have no crafting experience! I joined one for a couple of hours, and had a great time making my lantern. The experienced instructors helped every step of the way, and in the end, I got to take home an amazing, unique souvenir that now hangs in pride of place in our campervan.

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Hoi An Craft Workshops Overview

• Vietnamese Folding Lantern Making Workshop – from $10pp
• Wood Carving Class with Local Artist – from $33pp
• 2 Hours Painting Class with Local Artist – from $24pp
• Vietnamese Calligraphy Class – from $29pp
• Thanh Ha Village Tour with Pottery Making – from $23pp
• Hand Embroidery Workshop for Beginners – from $69pp
• Sewing Class – Make Your Favourite Clothing – from $99pp
• Indigo Dyeing Workshop – from $40pp
• Bamboo Crafting Workshop – from $41pp

Vietnamese Folding Lantern Making Workshop

One of my favourite hands-on activities during our month in Vietnam was making a traditional Vietnamese lantern in Hoi An! I did this one solo as my partner isn’t much for crafts, and I had a great couple of hours chatting to the three other travellers on my table.

The 2.5hr class takes you through the entire process of creating one of the Vietnamese lanterns you see EVERYWHERE in Hoi An. From shaping the bamboo to choosing and adding the fabric, I loved the chance to get crafty and take home a unique, personal souvenir.

If you’re worried about fitting it into your luggage, the lanterns fold down so they take up less space. However, bear in mind you’ll still need to find room – folded up, I’d say it’s about the same size as a regular Pringles tube for comparison!

Short on time, or just want to do the fabric part? The 1.5 hour Express Class provides you with a ready-shaped frame, so you just need to add the silk.

Wood Carving Class with Local Artist

From woodcrafters who’ve gone viral across the world on social media, learn to carve a unique art frame from a piece of wood. Starting with a simple block, you’ll use chisels to shape your masterpiece. For inspiration, check out the large gallery of wood art pieces, including flowers, animals and iconography.

Painting Class with Local Artist

Located in a calm, relaxing spot by the river, this painting class is the perfect way to learn more about Hoi An’s artistic culture. You can either choose a topic that inspires you, or use a photograph of your choice to turn into a painting. You’ll use acrylic colours on canvas, with guided support from expert painters.

You’ll be provided with all materials needed to create your painting. Once it’s done, the painting will be packed or rolled up for you to take home – the latter being perfect if you have limited luggage space! The workshop is suitable for all abilities, even those with no previous painting experience.

Vietnamese Calligraphy Class

Calligraphy is the art of decorative handwriting. Different countries have their own traditions and styles, and in this workshop you’ll learn about the history and stylistic techniques of Vietnamese calligraphy.

Using a fur pen and Chinese ink, you’ll practise writing different letters on Vietnamese ‘Do’ rice paper. Taught in a small group by an experienced, English-speaking calligrapher, you’ll also be presented with a special gift to take away at the end!

Thanh Ha Village Tour with Pottery Making

This activity combines a fascinating tour with an interactive workshop, exploring Hoi An’s pottery scene!

The 500-year-old Thanh Ha Pottery Village is Vietnam’s largest pottery and terracotta museum. Heading through the village’s narrow roads and alleyways to the Thanh Ha Village Museum. On the way, you’ll see important buildings such as the Xuan My Community Temple, and enjoy coconut coffee (or a soft drink) and special cookies.

Once you’ve witnessed the traditional pottery making process, it’s time to try your own! While this isn’t a full pottery making class, you’ll have a go at a simple pattern, and take home your very own handmade piece of pottery. You’ll also get some hands-on fun playing a traditional pottery breaking game (don’t worry – it’s not with the piece you’ve just made!)

Hand Embroidery Workshop For Beginners

Dive into Vietnam’s sewing scene, with a hands-on embroidery class! You’ll learn the basics of embroidery, including stitches and how to use an embroidery hoop.

The class provides a linen bag, or you can bring your own items to embroider – anything from clothing to handkerchiefs, or even notebooks! Patterns taught include classic and three dimensional flowers. Suitable for complete beginners, it’s a fun way to learn a new skill that you can continue at home!

At the end, you’ll take home your very own embroidered pieces, as well as links to online resources to continue growing your skills.

Sewing Workshop – Make Your Favourite Clothing

Hoi An is well-known for its tailoring industry, with visitors coming from all over the world to have custom clothes made by local dressmakers. If you fancy trying your hand at making your own outfits, this class will help you with the basics of sewing your own clothing!

From taking measurements and choosing fabric to cutting and sewing, this three hour class teaches the fundamentals of dressmaking. You’ll choose a simple design to make in the class, including basic dresses, skirts, tops and shorts. Customisation options include pockets and design features, and you’ll learn how to use a sewing machine to bring your designs to life.

Indigo Dyeing Workshop

The practice of indigo dyeing is around 6000 years old, using fermented indigo plant to dye fabrics in vibrant blue hues. With this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn the history of the traditional methods used in indigo dyeing from a local expert.

You’ll then get to try it for yourself, and you’ll be able to take away your hand-dyed silk or cotton scarf. You’ll learn how to create patterns, and discover a deep, rich tone that isn’t achieved by more modern tie-dying practices.

Bamboo Tour & Crafting Workshop

Bamboo plays an important role in Vietnam’s day-to-day life, from construction and crafting to cookery and herbal medicine. It’s considered a symbol of resilience and strength in Vietnamese culture, due to its toughness and versatility.

In this three-hour combined tour and workshop, you’ll discover how bamboo has been used for a wide range of purposes in Vietnam for centuries. In Cam Thanh village, the owner of Taboo Bamboo will show you a traditional bamboo house, and hear the story of his family and their history as bamboo artisans.

You’ll also be able to get hands-on and learn to make bamboo items. Using a variety of bamboo cutting, carving, and treating methods, you’ll make a bamboo souvenir such as a vase or pen holder to take away with you.

This small group workshop will have no more than ten guests. (This is one I’d actually love to go back and do next time I’m in Hoi An, as it sounds super engaging!)

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