Hoi An Lantern Workshop

Overview

Hoi An's lantern workshops offer hands-on experiences where visitors learn to craft the town's iconic silk and bamboo lanterns under the guidance of local artisans. Participants take home their own handmade lantern as a unique souvenir.

Highlights

• Hands-On Craft: Choose your silk colors and shape, then learn the traditional bamboo-bending and silk-stretching techniques.
• Artisan Guidance: Taught by craftspeople from families that have made lanterns for generations.
• Take-Home Souvenir: Every participant takes home their own collapsible lantern.

History

Hoi An's lantern tradition dates back centuries to the Japanese and Chinese trading communities who used them for festivals and navigation. The distinctive Hoi An style—with silk or brocade stretched over collapsible bamboo frames—developed as a local craft in the early 20th century.

Visitor Tips

• Book Ahead: Popular workshops fill up, especially during high season (December–March).
• Duration: Allow 1–1.5 hours for the full experience.
• Packable: Lanterns are designed to collapse flat for easy transport home.