Hoi An Lantern Making Tour 2026: Craft Your Own Souvenir
Looking for unique things to do in Hoi An beyond the usual? Discover a private lantern making tour in Hoi An Old Town to craft your own beautiful souvenir.
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Looking for unique things to do in Hoi An beyond the usual? Discover a private lantern making tour in Hoi An Old Town to craft your own beautiful souvenir.
Your Trip to Da Nang and Hoi An, Vietnam
Planning a trip? Listen up!
Especially if you're like me,
and those run-of-the-mill tours everyone does
are starting to feel a bit stale,
then this post is for you.
You absolutely need to read this post all the way to the end!
Because the Hoi An lantern-making tour I personally experienced this time
was an absolute game-changer!
Not only could I bring back a beautiful lantern I made myself,
but it was also a private tour just for our group,
making it super comfortable and convenient to enjoy.
Honestly, this was already my third trip to Da Nang and Hoi An.
I'd already visited Cong Cafe, explored all the famous spots, and even ticked off Ba Na Hills,
and after doing all that,
I started to feel like I wanted a trip that left me with a truly lasting memory.
Every time I visited Hoi An Old Town,
I'd see those vibrant, colorful lanterns and think,
"Wow, those are truly beautiful!"
"Should I buy one?" – I'd agonized over that question countless times.
But then the thought of buying one would hit me: the sheer size,
and the worry that it might just become extra luggage back home, made me hesitate. I bet many of you have felt the same!
But a one-of-a-kind lantern that I made with my own hands?
Well, that's a completely different story, isn't it? Haha!
And if you're traveling during Da Nang's rainy season
or simply wondering what to do on a rainy day,
you'll naturally look for an enjoyable indoor class or tour.
And that's when this lantern-making experience felt absolutely perfect!
I booked it right away,
and enjoyed the Hoi An Old Town lantern-making, which started late in the afternoon, so there was no rush or strain on my energy.
It doesn't matter if it's Da Nang's rainy season
or a rainy day, because they provide private pickup and drop-off.
There's no need to worry about waiting for Grab, hailing a taxi,
or moving luggage when it's raining.
We even had lunch at a renowned Old Town restaurant called Pho Thin.
This place is a true gem, famous for its incredibly rich and deep broth flavor.
I ordered the special beef short rib pho.
It was packed with generous amounts of meat,
and the broth was genuinely soul-satisfying!
After lunch, the lantern class officially kicks off.
Honestly, I'm not known for my crafting skills – I have what you might call 'butterfingers' – so I was a bit worried.
But the instructors were so kind and taught me everything step-by-step,
making it easy to complete my lantern without any trouble at all.
From the fabric color to the shape and overall design,
I got to choose everything myself,
allowing me to create a truly one-of-a-kind lantern infused with my personal style!
You can choose from four different lantern shapes,
but I can only remember... 'Cake'.
Goodness gracious.
There was something like 'Sunrise Garlic,' 'Sunset Garlic,' and 'Cake',
and one more that I just can't recall right now.
Oh well! ^^!
Anyway, you get to choose from four different shapes and
make your own lantern!
The moment I finished it and switched on the light,
I couldn't help but exclaim, 'Wow, I actually made this myself?!'
The sense of accomplishment was absolutely incredible, haha!
It also felt like such a wonderful activity to do with kids.
When we visited, we were actually the only Asians,
and there were so many Westerners!
It was lovely to see families with children from Denmark
fully engrossed in their creations,
and couples making lanterns for each other,
the whole atmosphere was just buzzing with joyful energy.
They even shared some fascinating traditional stories about
why Hoi An became so famous for its lanterns,
there were so many intriguing tidbits!
What really made it extra enjoyable was how incredibly friendly
the staff were!
Truth be told, there were a few tricky bits,
but the staff were always there to lend a hand and fix things up,
ensuring everyone created a perfectly finished lantern!
Having such a beautifully completed souvenir
to take home with you felt like
the biggest highlight of this lantern-making tour!
Just make sure to pack it carefully
so it doesn't break or get damaged!
Once the class finishes, you'll have free time to explore the Old Town.
By day, capture those perfect 'life shot' photos against the iconic yellow walls,
and as the sun dips below the horizon, immerse yourself in Hoi An's absolute highlight:
the enchanting night view of the Old Town.
At the end of the lantern class, they even give you a wish candle!
You can float it down the river and make a wish.
As I watched the beautiful lanterns and their reflections dancing on the water,
I simply couldn't help but exclaim, 'Wow, this place is truly enchanting,
no matter how many times I see it!'
Having experienced it firsthand,
I can confidently say this tour is an absolute must for these adventurers:
✅ Family Travelers
Perfect for creating unforgettable, special experiences for the kids!
✅ Couples/Friends
Snap a picture holding the lanterns you made for each other,
and you've instantly got a 'life shot' for the ages!
✅ Seasoned Travelers
If you're looking for fresh, unique memories beyond the usual tourist traps, this is for you!
✅ Comfort Seekers
Enjoy ultimate convenience with included private vehicle pickup and drop-off!
After all, what truly lasts from a trip are the photos and souvenirs!
So, why not take home your very own lantern,
beautifully infused with the authentic spirit of Hoi An?
Personally, this experience stood out as one of the most memorable moments
across all three of my trips to Da Nang!
Not only is it fantastic value,
but you can even book it for less via the link below – so don't miss out on this incredible opportunity!
📍 Old Town
Old Town, Minh An, Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam
Lunch during the tour is provided at 'Pho Thin', a famous restaurant in the Old Town, featuring special beef short rib pho. It's mentioned in an article that it's a rich broth with plenty of meat and a deep flavor.
In the lantern making class, you can directly choose the fabric color, the shape of the lantern, and its design. Specifically, it's mentioned that you can choose one of four lantern shapes.
This tour provides private pickup and drop-off services, allowing you to travel comfortably without worrying about waiting for a Grab or taxi, even if it rains. Additionally, since the class is held indoors, it is less affected by the weather.
After the class, you will have free time to explore the Old Town. At the end of the lantern class, you can receive a wish candle, float it on the river, make a wish, and enjoy the night view of the Old Town.
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