10 must try Workshops in Hoian
In this guide I give you an overview of 10 workshops and classes I have taken part in over the years. These workshops range from traditional handicraft workshops to culinary classes and are suitable for people with or without experience in any of the crafts.
Lantern Making Class
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!
Woodcarving Workshop
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.
Woodcarving is a centuries old craft, but has been adapted by the young generation to appeal to modern interests.
Calligraphy Class
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.
After the class you get to take your attempts home and a small calligraphy art by the teacher as a gift as well.
Jewellery Workshop
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.
Leather Workshop
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.
Embroidery Workshop
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.
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.
Bamboo Workshop
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.
Coffee Making Workshop
In Vietnam, one drink stands out above all others: Coffee.
The coffee workshop starts with some background info about the coffee and coffee plantations in Vietnam. Then you start by making the most famous Vietnamese coffee Ca Phe Phin, followed by white coffee, egg coffee, salt coffee and coconut coffee.
Cooking Class
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.
Pottery Workshop
At the Thanh Ha Pottery Village the ancient craft of pottery is still practiced today as it was centuries ago: with terracotta clay taken from the nearby riverbeds and small kilns to bake the pottery in the backyards of small village houses.
You can take a boat from the Old Town to the pottery village, it takes about half an hour and costs about 150,000 VND for one person (depending on haggling skills more or less).
Bucket list tours from Hoian
In each of these you are directly involved and go home with either a full stomach or a unique and self-made souvenir. If you are looking for tours instead, read this guide:
The home for unique & authentic travel
