Hoi An: Lantern and Coffee Making Class

Hoi An’s lanterns and coffee are two of its most recognizable pleasures, and this three-and-a-half-hour workshop lets you work with both. You brew several local coffee styles using a Phin filter, then make a foldable silk lantern with help from a nearby family-run craft shop.

I like the practical souvenirs: you take home a lantern that packs flat, and you learn recipes you can repeat with a Phin. I also like the relaxed, funny teaching style, especially the patient help during the craft session. The main caution is caffeine. Five small Vietnamese coffees can hit hard, so you should taste rather than finish every cup.

Key points to know before booking

• Five Vietnamese coffee styles: Prepare black coffee, condensed-milk coffee, Hue-style salt coffee, Hanoi egg coffee, and coconut coffee.
• A foldable lantern to take home: Choose fabrics, colors, and lantern shapes, then compress the finished piece for easier packing.
• Two family-run workshops: The coffee and lantern sessions are held at separate nearby venues, with staff helping you move between them.
• A central Hoi An meeting point: Meet behind VietinBank, opposite Le Ba Truyen restaurant, at 12 Ba Trieu Street.
• A strong value at $24: Coffee, cookies, herbal tea or water, an English-speaking guide, a local craft instructor, and your lantern are included.
• Plan around the caffeine: The coffee is much stronger than many visitors expect, so leave room to sip slowly.

Why combine Hoi An coffee with lantern making?

Hoi An often gets reduced to glowing lanterns and pretty streets, but this class gives you a hands-on look at how two local traditions are made. Coffee shows you a daily Vietnamese habit, while lantern making connects you to one of the town’s best-known crafts.

The pairing also gives the afternoon a useful rhythm. You begin with tasting and demonstration, then move into a slower craft activity. That change of pace matters. After several coffees, sitting down with fabric, bamboo, and careful instructions is more comfortable than rushing straight into another sightseeing stop.

I would not choose this simply as a coffee tasting. You are expected to prepare the drinks yourself, not just watch someone make them. The same goes for the lantern. You work on your own piece, with instructors stepping in when you need a hand.

The result is more personal than buying a finished souvenir in the Old Town. You leave with something you made, plus a better sense of why Vietnamese coffee is served in such concentrated forms and why Hoi An lanterns are built to fold for transport.

Starting with the Phin and five strong coffees

The first part focuses on the Vietnamese Phin, a small metal filter that sits over your cup. It works more slowly than a standard electric coffee maker and produces a concentrated brew. The method is simple to understand, but the waiting time is part of the process.

You learn how dark-roasted beans are prepared and how that roast works with sweet condensed milk. The class also explains the background of different coffee styles, so you are not just following recipes without context.

The advertised coffee set includes:

• Black Vietnamese coffee
• White coffee with sweet condensed milk
• Hue Imperial salt coffee
• Hanoi capital egg coffee
• Coconut coffee

The term white coffee here refers to coffee mixed with condensed milk, not a mild Western-style drink. It is sweet, heavy, and a good match for the intense brew from the Phin.

Salt coffee is a useful comparison. A small amount of salt changes the taste of the coffee and cuts some of the bitterness. Egg coffee is a different experience again, with a sweet, creamy topping that turns a short coffee into something closer to dessert.

Coconut coffee brings another change in texture and flavor. It was a favorite for some visitors, but tastes vary. If you prefer coffee without sweet additions, black coffee gives you the clearest sense of the roasted beans.

The hosts make the session lively, with jokes and plenty of encouragement. The coffee instructors are described as brothers, though their individual names are not provided. Their style suits people who want a social class rather than a quiet, technical lesson.

You should expect to drink small portions, not full mugs. The coffee is strong, and the staff specifically warn you not to consume every drop of all five preparations. One person who drank two full coffees and part of the rest compared the effect to feeling drunk from caffeine.

That warning is worth taking seriously. Sip each style, note what you like, and use the water or herbal tea provided. Cookies are also included, which help make the tasting feel like a proper break rather than a string of espresso shots.

What makes the coffee lesson useful at home?

This is not only a tasting session. You learn the basic steps for using a Phin, and the coffee guides provide recipes that you can try later. Some bookings have also included a Phin as a parting gift, but that should not be treated as guaranteed unless it is confirmed when you book.

The lesson is useful if you want to recreate a small part of Vietnam after returning home. Condensed milk, egg coffee, coconut coffee, and salt coffee each require different finishing touches, but the basic filter method gives you a common starting point.

I like this part because Vietnamese coffee can seem mysterious when you first see it dripping slowly onto a glass. Here, you get to control the process and understand what is happening. You also learn why the coffee tastes so forceful compared with a typical cup of filter coffee.

The setup is described as professional, and the ingredients are fresh. Still, this is a cultural workshop, not a barista certification course. You will learn the core method and the featured recipes, but you should not expect a detailed lesson in bean sourcing, extraction measurement, or advanced latte technique.

Walking to the lantern workshop on Ba Trieu Street

After the coffee session, you move to the lantern-making venue nearby. The two businesses are family run, and staff may walk you down the street to the second workshop. This short transfer is helpful because you do not have to search for another address in the Old Town.

The meeting point is behind VietinBank and opposite Le Ba Truyen restaurant at 12 Ba Trieu Street. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach this central point yourself.

The lantern workshop gives you two broad ways to work. You can build a lantern around a prepared frame, or, depending on the option available, construct more of the frame yourself with bamboo sticks. Using a premade base is the quicker and easier choice. Starting with bamboo gives you more of the traditional construction process, but it needs a steadier hand and more time.

The choice matters for families and mixed groups. A child or first-time crafter may be happier decorating a prepared frame, while someone interested in the actual construction may prefer to work from scratch.

Choosing fabric, color, and lantern size

You choose from different fabric colors and patterns, along with several lantern shapes. That personal choice is one of the best parts of the second session. You are not simply handed an identical craft to finish.

The instructors guide you step by step and help when the material becomes awkward. Tam is named as one of the lantern instructors, and her warm, funny manner was singled out in the experience details. Other staff members are also available to help, which is useful when several people are crafting at once.

The lantern takes patience. You need to attach the fabric neatly and keep the shape even. The staff do not simply take over, which means your final piece remains your own work, but you can ask for help at each stage.

A small lantern can take about an hour and a half, while a large one may take around two and a half hours. The exact amount of time depends on the size and construction choice, so your 210-minute booking does not mean every person will spend the same length of time at the craft table.

This is also why you should not plan a tightly timed activity immediately afterward. The coffee section and lantern section together are listed at 210 minutes, but crafting is not something you want to rush. If you select a larger or more involved lantern, allow some flexibility.

A souvenir that fits in your luggage

The finished lantern folds down for easier transport. That solves a common problem with craft classes: you get a nice object, then spend the rest of the trip worrying about how to carry it.

You can take it home to decorate with a Vietnamese coffee brewed through a Phin. That combination gives the souvenir a practical use rather than leaving it as a fragile ornament buried in your luggage.

Some people also buy extra lanterns or coffee products at reasonable prices, but those purchases are optional and not part of the $24 package. The included lantern is the main takeaway from the class.

The craft is also a good rainy-day choice. You are indoors for the workshop and do not need clear weather to enjoy it. On very hot days, the class offers a break from walking in the Old Town, though you still need to make your own way to the meeting point.

How the three-and-a-half hours feel

The full activity lasts 210 minutes. The coffee portion can take around one and a half to two hours, according to the workshop details, with the lantern work following nearby. The balance may vary according to the group and the lantern selected.

The first section is more animated. You prepare drinks, taste them, listen to explanations, and chat with the coffee hosts. The second section is calmer, with more time spent on handwork.

That change makes the combined booking better than it may look on paper. A coffee-only class gives you the tasting and brewing lesson. A lantern-only class gives you the craft. The combined version gives you two distinct activities and a fuller connection to Hoi An’s everyday culture.

The downside is that three and a half hours can feel long if you are not interested in either coffee or crafts. It is also not ideal for someone who reacts strongly to caffeine, even if you only taste each preparation. You can reduce the problem by sipping small amounts and using the water or herbal tea.

The activity is wheelchair accessible, and instruction is in English. An English audio guide is also included in the activity information. The class is suitable for families, with one booking showing that children aged 12 and 15 remained engaged throughout both parts.

Is $24 a fair price?

At $24 per person, this is strong value if you plan to take part in both activities. You receive coffee, cookies, herbal tea or water, English instruction, help from local masters, and a handmade lantern to take home.

The value is not only in the number of coffee samples. You are paying for the teaching, the materials, the use of the workshop, and the time needed to complete a souvenir. Buying a lantern in the market may cost less than taking a class, but it will not give you the craft experience or the recipes.

I would compare it with two separate activities in Hoi An. If you booked a coffee workshop and a lantern workshop independently, the combined price and central location could make this package simpler. The advantage is especially clear if you want an easy cultural activity without arranging transport between venues.

The main qualification is time. If you only have a short stop in Hoi An, a three-and-a-half-hour class takes a large part of your day. If your schedule allows it, the pace is reasonable and the two sessions feel different enough to hold your attention.

Who should book this experience?

I would recommend it for couples, families, friends, and solo visitors who enjoy making things with their hands. It works particularly well for anyone who wants a souvenir with a story attached to it.

It also suits people who want more than sightseeing but do not want a formal cooking course. The coffee section is social and informative, while the lantern section lets you work quietly at your own pace.

Families should find the format flexible. Younger participants can choose a simpler lantern base, and the instructors are used to offering patient help. The coffee tasting may need some restraint for children because of the caffeine.

You should think twice if you dislike sweet coffee, cannot tolerate strong caffeine, or have no interest in craft work. You can book the coffee and lantern workshops separately, according to the activity information, so a single session may suit you better.

The class is also a good backup for a wet afternoon. You get an indoor activity, some local background, and a useful item to carry home instead of spending another hour browsing shops.

Booking details and practical tips

The activity does not include hotel pickup or drop-off. Plan to arrive at the meeting point behind VietinBank, opposite Le Ba Truyen restaurant, at 12 Ba Trieu Street.

Bring a camera. The coffee preparation, colorful fabrics, and lantern frames all give you plenty to photograph, and you may want a time-lapse of the lantern taking shape.

Wear something comfortable for sitting and handwork. The supplied information does not set a dress code, but you will have a better time if you are not worried about delicate clothing or keeping still during the construction.

Use the free cancellation option if your plans are uncertain. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and the reserve-now, pay-later option lets you hold a place without paying immediately.

Should you book the Hoi An Lantern and Coffee Making Class?

I would book this if you want two hands-on activities, a foldable souvenir, and a friendly introduction to Vietnamese coffee without leaving central Hoi An. The family-run setting, patient instruction, and mix of tasting and crafting give the experience a personal feel.

Book it with one rule: do not finish all five coffees. Taste them, learn the recipes, enjoy the cookies, and save your steady hands for the lantern. At $24, it is a sensible choice for a half-day activity, especially for families and anyone looking for a rainy-day plan with something useful to take home.

FAQ

How long does the Hoi An Lantern and Coffee Making Class last?

The activity lasts 210 minutes, or three and a half hours. The coffee workshop generally takes about one and a half to two hours, followed by the lantern-making session nearby.

What types of Vietnamese coffee will I make?

You will prepare black coffee, condensed-milk white coffee, Hue Imperial salt coffee, Hanoi capital egg coffee, and coconut coffee.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet behind VietinBank, opposite Le Ba Truyen restaurant, at 12 Ba Trieu Street in Hoi An.

Is hotel transportation included?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to reach the meeting point yourself.

Can I take the lantern home?

Yes. You make a lantern to take home, and it can be folded down for easier packing and transport.

Is the activity available in English?

Yes. The instructor and activity language are English, and an English audio guide is included. The activity is also listed as wheelchair accessible.