Quick answer

A Hoi An lantern-making workshop is a hands-on session of about 1.5–2 hours, in or near the Ancient Town, where a local artisan shows you how to build a bamboo frame and cover it in silk. You take home a finished lantern that folds flat for travel. Metta Voyage books the workshop privately or in a small group, on its own or combined with a Hoi An tour; price on request (Price on request – reply within 24h) — send your date and number of guests for a quote.

From, per person (2 travellers)US$117

Updated 28 October 2026

Silk lanterns in Hoi An
Silk lanterns in Hoi An. Photo: Christophe95 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

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Lantern workshop prices

ServiceDetailsPrice
Small-group workshopAbout 1.5–2 hours, in or near the Ancient TownUS$117
Private workshopJust your party, at a time that suits youUS$187
Workshop + Hoi An tourCombined with a day or evening in the old townUS$187

Prices are “from”, per person; the final figure depends on format, group size and any add-ons, and is fixed in your written quote.

How to book in 4 steps

  1. 1Send your date and group size

    Fill in the form or message us on WhatsApp with your preferred date, the number of adults and children, and where you are staying. Mention any dietary needs or special requests at this point.

  2. 2Get a written quote

    We check real availability for your day and send the price per person, exactly what is included and the suggested time for your workshop.

  3. 3Confirm, with nothing paid upfront

    You pay nothing before you confirm the quote in writing. Any changes to timing, transport or extras are folded into the same quote.

  4. 4Enjoy the experience

    The day before, you receive the meeting point or pick-up time, and our team stays on hand 24/7 on WhatsApp in case anything changes.

Good to know / what to bring

  • Wear comfortable clothes; you sit at a low workbench and handle glue and silk.
  • Choose your silk colour on the day, or tell us in advance if you want a particular shade.
  • The lantern folds flat, but leave a little room in your luggage to carry it home.
  • Children are welcome; tell us their ages so the artisan can help with the trickier steps.
  • Bring a little cash in dong if you plan to shop for extra lanterns afterwards.

Schedule and duration

The workshop itself takes about 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the lantern shape and how quickly your group works. Sessions are usually available in the morning and afternoon. A late-afternoon slot is popular because you finish just as the Ancient Town starts to light up, so you can walk straight out into the lantern-lit streets. We confirm the exact time for your date in the quote.

What happens in the workshop

Your artisan starts with a short introduction to the craft: why Hoi An is known for its lanterns and how the traditional design works. Then it is your turn:

  • Shaping the frame — you fit thin, pre-cut bamboo ribs into the top and bottom rings to form the classic rounded or teardrop shape;
  • Covering in silk — you cut and glue silk panels onto the frame, smoothing each one so the fabric sits taut;
  • Finishing — trimming, adding the tassel and checking that the lantern opens and folds properly.

No experience is needed. The artisan works alongside you and steps in whenever a panel needs straightening.

A traveller covering a silk lantern frame at a lantern workshop in Hoi An
A traveller covering a silk lantern frame at a lantern workshop in Hoi An. Photo: Isabell Schulz / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Combining it with Hoi An

The workshop fits easily into a day in the Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site full of old merchant houses, assembly halls and riverside cafés. Many guests add it to a guided walk or a full day in town, or follow it with dinner and the evening lantern streets. Browse our Hoi An tours, or pair it with a Vietnamese cooking class for a full day of local crafts and flavours. Flying into Da Nang? Our Da Nang airport fast track gets you through arrivals quickly.

Families and groups

The lantern workshop is one of the most popular activities in Hoi An for families: children enjoy choosing colours and seeing their lantern take shape, and the finished piece is a souvenir they actually made. For larger groups or celebrations, a private session lets everyone work together at their own pace.

Old merchant houses in Hoi An Ancient Town
Old merchant houses in Hoi An Ancient Town. Photo: Steffen Schmitz / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

Why book with Metta Voyage

Metta Voyage is an Asia DMC headquartered in Hanoi (132 Quan Thanh) with an office in Ho Chi Minh City, holding international tour operator licence 01-1167/2023/CDLQGVN-GP LHQT. We have handled 2,000+ bookings for 10,100+ travellers and hold a 4.9/5 rating on Tripadvisor. In Hoi An, Hue and Da Nang the service is delivered by partner teams coordinated by Metta, so you have one point of contact for the workshop, transfers and any tours around it. A guide who speaks your language can be added on request (booked in advance, subject to guide availability). Everything is arranged over WhatsApp, 24/7, on +84 812 247 572, and you pay nothing until you have confirmed the quote.

Included

  • Lantern-making session with a local artisan
  • All materials: bamboo frame, silk, glue and tools
  • Your finished lantern, folded for travel
  • Short introduction to Hoi An's lantern craft
  • 24/7 WhatsApp support from Metta Voyage

Not included

  • Hotel transfer, unless requested
  • Guide, unless requested
  • Food and drinks
  • Extra lanterns bought in town
  • Tips
  • Travel insurance

Frequently asked questions

Can I take the lantern on a plane?

Yes. The lantern folds flat and fits in most suitcases or carry-on bags.

Is the workshop suitable for children?

Yes. Children enjoy it, and the artisan helps with the fiddly steps. Tell us their ages when you book.

How long does it take?

About 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on the lantern shape and group pace.

Can I combine it with a tour of Hoi An?

Yes. We can schedule it before or after a guided walk or a full day in the Ancient Town, all in one quote.

When do I pay?

Only after you confirm the quote. Payment options come with your confirmation.

Official sources

Updated 28 October 2026 · Metta Voyage · Licensed international tour operator 01-1167/2023/CDLQGVN-GP LHQT · quanlyluhanh.vn · Written by the Metta Voyage team in Hanoi.

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  • Nothing to pay until you confirm
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    Related pages

    Hoi An tours · Vietnamese cooking class · Da Nang airport fast track · Danang tours · Vietnam e-visa service

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