Lantern Making Class in Hoi An: How to Make Your Own Lantern in Vietnam
If you’ve seen photos of Hoi An, you’ve probably seen the lanterns.
They hang above the streets of the Old Town, glow over the river at night, and appear in almost every souvenir shop window. Walking through Hoi An after sunset can feel like stepping into a floating festival of color.
But one of the best things about the lanterns in Hoi An is that you don’t just have to admire them.
You can actually learn how to make one yourself.
Taking a lantern-making class is one of the most memorable and hands-on experiences you can have in the city.
In this guide, I’ll explain how these workshops work, what to expect, and share my own experience making a lantern from scratch.
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Why lanterns are so important in Hoi An
Lanterns have become one of the defining symbols of Hoi An.
The tradition dates back centuries when Chinese traders arrived in the port town along the Maritime Silk Road. They brought decorative lanterns with them, which gradually became part of local architecture and celebrations.
Over time, Vietnamese artisans adapted the design.
Traditional wooden frames were replaced with light bamboo structures, and new shapes and colors were introduced.
Today, the lanterns you see throughout the Old Town are considered a uniquely Vietnamese craft, and Hoi An is now widely known as its birthplace.
How to choose a lantern-making workshop in Hoi An
There are many lantern-making classes in Hoi An, and most offer a similar experience, more or less.
When choosing one, consider:
1. Whether the frame is made from scratch – Some classes teach the full process of shaping the bamboo frame, while others focus only on decorating a pre-made frame (great if you don’t have the time — or patience — to do the whole process).
2. Class size – Smaller classes usually mean more personal attention.
3. Location – Many workshops are located in the Old Town, making them easy to combine with sightseeing.
4. Duration – Express classes might take around 90 minutes or less, while full workshops can last 2–3 hours.
How to book a lantern-making class
If you’re already in Hoi An, you can often walk into a workshop in the Old Town and join the next available class. Many shops run sessions throughout the day.
However, booking online can be easier, especially during busy travel seasons. It lets you compare workshops, read reviews, and secure a spot in advance.
You can browse and book lantern-making classes on platforms like Klook, GetYourGuide, or Viator, which list several workshops in Hoi An and allow instant confirmation.
I went to Hoi An Handicraft Tours (Cua Hang Den Long) on Tran Cao Van street.
What to expect from a lantern-making class in Hoi An
Lantern workshops in Hoi An are generally small, informal, and beginner-friendly.
Most classes include:
- A short introduction to the history of lanterns
- Demonstration by a local instructor
- Choosing your lantern shape and fabric
- Assembling the bamboo frame
- Attaching the fabric
- Taking your finished lantern home
The lanterns are collapsible, which makes them easy to pack in a suitcase.
Workshops typically last 1.5 to 3 hours, depending on whether you are making the frame from scratch or using a pre-made one.
My lantern-making experience in Hoi An
When I arrived, the previous class was still finishing up, so I had to wait for a bit.
They brought me a cup of hot tea while I waited, which they continued to refill throughout the workshop.
In the meantime, I got a chance to look around the shop and watch the other participants put the finishing touches on their lanterns.
If you like colors (or pretty things in general), this place is dangerous.
The room was filled with lanterns in many shapes and sizes, hanging from the ceiling or stacked along the walls.
Some were painted with delicate scenes of flowers and birds. Others were simple silk lanterns in bold colors.
It was at this point that I realized you might want to bring extra cash. Once you see the lanterns, the temptation to bring home more than one becomes very real.
Choosing the shape of your lantern
Once the class began, the instructors introduced the different lantern shapes.
Each one had its own name. Some were inspired by everyday objects: the garlic, the umbrella, the cake, even something they called the UFO.
For beginners, however, the choices were simplified.
We could pick between two variations of the garlic-shaped lantern:
- Sunrise garlic – wider at the top
- Sunset garlic – wider at the bottom
Most people chose the sunrise version, but I went with the sunset shape because I’m that annoying person who always thinks she’s too cool to conform to the masses.
And also because sunset is my favorite time of day.
Making the bamboo frame
The next step was building the frame.
We were given twelve thin bamboo sticks and shown how to connect them with a piece of wire. After that, we had to bend them into shape using a stone pillar at the entrance of the shop.
It turns out bamboo lantern-making requires more strength than I expected.
The instructor had to step in and help me bend the sticks into place. Left on my own, the lantern might have taken on a shape previously unknown to lantern makers.
If this part sounds like more work than fun, many workshops offer an express class where you start with a pre-made bamboo frame instead.
Choosing the fabric
Once the frame was ready, it was time for the fun part.
The fabrics.
There were stacks of silk and linen in every color imaginable. You could choose a single color or combine different fabrics for a more elaborate design.
Traditionally:
- Red and gold are considered lucky colors
- Yellow represents Buddhism and is strongly associated with Hoi An
I chose a dark teal silk because it stood out from the sea of reds and yellows.
Later I learned that greenish tones are sometimes considered unlucky in Vietnamese culture.
Oops.
At least it matched my bed sheets.
Attaching the fabric
The next step was the most crucial. Whether or not your lantern was fit for display would depend on how well you executed this part.
First, we applied glue along the bamboo frame. Then came the tricky bit: carefully stretching the fabric across the structure so that it sat smooth and taut.
If the fabric sagged or folded in the wrong place, the lantern would look uneven once it was lit. The instructors kept reminding us to pull gently but firmly, smoothing the silk as we went.
Once the fabric was properly attached, we trimmed the excess edges with a pair of scissors.
It required a great deal of patience and concentration. One careless cut could undo all the careful work that came before it.
The finished lantern
To my own surprise, I ended up finishing first.
Even the instructors commented on how fast I worked (not something people usually say about me).
In my defense, I had a bus to catch.
Before packing the lantern away, we placed it over a light bulb to see how it looked illuminated. And this was the result:
Is a lantern workshop in Hoi An worth it?
Absolutely.
In a town famous for lanterns, it feels fitting to make one yourself. The workshop isn’t just about the final product; it’s also about appreciating Hoi An’s cultural identity.
No, I’m lying. I just wanted to pretend to be one of those artsy, worldly ladies — so when people ask me where I got that beautiful lantern, I can casually shrug and say, “Oh, this? I made it myself in Vietnam”.
Final thoughts
Hoi An has no shortage of beautiful things to look at.
But some of the best travel memories come from doing something with your hands instead of just taking photos.
A lantern-making class is simple, creative, and accessible even if you have no artistic skills whatsoever.
Plus, every time you hang that lantern at home, you’ll remember the afternoon you spent making it in a small workshop in Hoi An.
And honestly, that’s a pretty good souvenir.
If you enjoy trying new things in unfamiliar places, you might find more inspiration in my travel bucket list.
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it’s nice to read about your experience of learning to make lanterns while travelling
It’s nice to read your comment too, Messarah. Thank you for dropping by and I hope you enjoyed the article.
Wahhh such a good info & explanation about lanterns… Before this, i tahu tengok je tapi xtau cata buat dia & cara nak mainkan dia cmne… Menarik entri kali ini… Terbaikk
Thanks, Wawa. Lantern di Vietnam ni untuk perhiasan je sebenarnya. Letak mentol kat dalam, jadi lampshade.
ada banyak shape rupanya lantern ni ya..bestnya dapat belajar buat lantern dari scratch!
Ya, Sunah tanglung Vietnam ni ada banyak bentuk dan banyak warna. Jadi nampak lebih menarik daripada tanglung China yang kebanyakannya berbentuk bulat dan berwarna merah saja.
Very beautiful explanation about lanterns. I like to see lanterns but never bothered to find out more about it. Good to learn new info about lanterns.
Glad to know you found this article useful, Kayathre. I love looking at Vietnamese lanterns because they’re so colorful. And it was fun learning to make one from scratch.
beautiful lanterns !! i have no idea they can be so beautiful. lucky u had the chance to join the workshop. okay now Vietnam is in my travel list
They are, Zharif, especially if you have lots of them in different colors and shape. If you’ve got the knack for it, you could even paint on the lantern to make it really one-of-a-kind. Do put Hoi An in your itinerary when you visit Vietnam!
Pestime Sis tau ada pergi vietnam ni orang buat dan belajar taglung… dan Sis pun ke vietnam baru sekali, tu pun transit nak ke Korea.. next time nak holiday ke sini boleh request nak buat macam Ummi ni laaa
Oh mesti sis naik Vietnam Airlines kemudian transit di Hanoi atau HCMC, kan? Hoi An ni dekat center, jauh sikit drp kedua2 bandar besar Vietnam tu. Kalau nak senang, fly je direct dari KL ke Da Nang, kemudian naik bas atau sewa transport ke Hoi An.
The lantern class is interesting! My daughter loves to make craft like this.
Then you should definitely take her to Hoi An if you go to Vietnam, Marshaliza. She can even join the lantern making class if she’s old enough. It would make a great souvenir for her to bring home 🙂
Can repeat Danang and go to Hoi An again next time. I been there but just a short, short trip.. less than a half day I would say.. Just take picture at the famous bridge then walk around and heading back to Danang. Sob3.. I should have plan at least staying a night there.. love the culture there in Vietnam tho.
Oh you should definitely visit again then, Kitkat. The place has so much more to offer. I especially love the laid-back vibe in the Old Town in Hoi An. Kind of reminds me of Penang. Food is excellent too.
Wah learn to make lantern. I pernh main lantern ni masa kerja dulu.. Bos i cina.. Just terbangkan je. Hehhee.. Nak tengok cara buat depan2 tak la..
Oh, lantern yang Chinese tu lain sikit kot, dari segi bentuk dan warna. Kebanyakannya warna merah dan bentuk bulat. Lantern di Vietnam ni asalnya dari China juga tapi dah diubahsuai mengikut peredaran masa dan citarasa tempatan.
Have been to Vietnam but didnt get a chance to visit this place… now only am aware abt it after reading this … I love to watch lanterns so next time must plan to go if visit Vietnam again.
You should, Fas. Hoi An is one of the most well-known spots in Vietnam. It’s one of my favorite too. Really love the old town, although it is quite touristy, I must say. But if you do like lanterns, then you should definitely visit this place. Their lanterns are different from the Chinese kind that we’re used to.
I’ve been there once and I miss it already! Next time gotta bring my little girl along! She loves to see those beautiful lantern.
Oh hey, Jenny! I can totally relate. Hoi An is my favorite place in Vietnam. Your daughter would love it here. She can even take part in the class if she’s old enough. I’m sure she’s got your talent too 🙂
Bagusnya ada workshop macam ni. Biasa nampak workshop utk kanak2 tapi khas utk golongan dewasa nampak lbh professional
Ya, Ayu. Dan hasilnya memang cantik, boleh bawa balik sebagai cenderahati dan kenangan. Kelas ni juga sesuai untuk kanak-kanak. 🙂
tak pernah buat lantern tapi anak pernah belajar masa nak dekat CNY , pastu pengalaman saya pernah tengok orang lepaskan lantern banyak2 masa kat Taiwan kalau tak silap kat Shifen Old Street… enjoy tengok diorang lepaskan lantern yang ditulis hajat pada awal pagi sampai ke malam di atas jalan keretapi….
Bestnya pengalaman tu, Saidila. Saya belum pernah dengar lagi tentang festival di Taiwan tu. Nanti saya akan google lebih lanjut. Terima kasih berkongsi info, saya dapat belajar banyak benda baru dari ruangan komen ni. 🙂
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wow… this is interesting and i guess must be not easy thou… i definitely will learn and try to do this as well…
It was alright, actually, Racheal — not too hard. In any case, the instructors will be guiding and helping you along the way.
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