Hoi An: Lantern and Coffee Making Class

If you like food lessons with hands-on results, this one works. You start with Vietnamese coffee using a Phin filter, tasting and making several styles, then you switch gears to craft a foldable lantern you can take home and decorate with. Two big wins for me are the variety of coffee (you are not just doing one brew) and the chance to make a souvenir that looks good enough to display.

There is one thing to consider: the coffee can be seriously strong, so plan on taking smaller sips if you are sensitive to caffeine.

Key points to know before you go

• Five coffee styles in one sitting, including egg coffee and Hue Imperial salt coffee
• A Phin (metal filter) brewing lesson, with dark roast plus sweet condensed milk techniques
• Lantern crafting with lots of fabric choices, including different colors and patterns
• Foldable design for travel, so your lantern is easier to pack than a rigid one
• Family-run guides and a funny, low-pressure vibe, with English support

Meeting Behind Viettin Bank: Easy to Find, Then Easy to Settle In

This class starts in central Hoi An at a practical spot: behind the Viettin bank, opposite Le Ba Truyen restaurant (12 Ba Trieu St). No hotel pickup or drop-off is included, so you should plan on walking, grabbing a taxi, or using a local ride to get there on time.

Once you arrive, the pace is refreshingly normal. You get set up, you start making coffee right away, and you are not stuck watching for long stretches. It is a good flow for an afternoon when you want something creative but still structured.

The overall time is 210 minutes, about 3.5 hours total. That includes both the coffee session and the lantern workshop.

The Phin Coffee Workshop: Five Styles, One Metal Filter

Vietnamese coffee is all about small details, and the class teaches you the core tool: the Phin, a small metal filter that works in a way similar to a French press. You learn why this brew method matters, then you put your hands on the process instead of just sampling.

The class takes you through key steps like roasting dark beans so they mix well with sweet condensed milk. That is where the flavor comes from: deep coffee with sweetness that feels smooth, not harsh.

What I like most is the range of styles. Rather than repeating the same drink five times, the workshop moves between different versions that taste noticeably different. Based on the coffee you make, you will be working with:

• Black coffee
• Happy white coffee
• Hue Imperial salt coffee
• Ha Noi egg coffee (egg coffee style)
• A coconut-based coffee creation

Some people say coconut is their favorite, and I get why. It rounds off the coffee edge with a softer, creamy feel.

You also get a cookie and you can take a breather between tastings. Music is part of the atmosphere, and the sessions are described as comfortable and friendly, which matters when you are drinking multiple strong coffees in a row.

Caffeine Reality Check: How to Enjoy the Tasting Without Feeling Slammed

Here is the honest practical tip: plan your pace. Multiple reviews mention the coffee can be strong enough that it hits fast, so do not feel like you have to finish everything in one go. Take a sip, pause, and keep your water nearby.

I also like that the class encourages you to treat the tasting as part of the experience, not a test. You are making the drinks, so you can control how much you drink while you learn what each style should taste like.

If you are traveling with friends, this is the kind of activity where you can trade tastes and compare notes without it getting awkward. Even better, the lantern workshop that follows works as a natural reset. After the caffeine, you get to slow down with hands, fabric, and making something physical.

From Roasting to Pouring: What You Actually Learn

This is not just the final drink. You learn the logic behind the flavors, which is what makes it useful if you want to repeat it at home later.

You are taught about how dark roast beans pair with sweet condensed milk. You also learn the steps needed to brew with the Phin so the coffee ends up with that thicker, deeper flavor Vietnam is known for.

Then, because the class covers multiple types, you get to see how small swaps change the whole cup. Hue Imperial salt coffee brings in a different salty-sweet balance. Egg coffee changes the texture and mouthfeel with the egg-style topping. Happy white coffee gives you the creamy direction, while black coffee is the baseline.

One more thing that helps: the guides are described as funny and supportive, including working with kids and keeping everyone engaged. The vibe seems geared toward making the process easy, not intimidating.

Short Walk, New Space: Switching From Coffee to Lanterns

After you finish the coffee part, you do not go far. Reviews describe either a walk across the street or a short walk down the way to the lantern workshop location. That makes the switch smooth, especially if you are tired from tasting and standing.

In the lantern space, the energy shifts from drinking and tasting to crafting. You are still in the same overall style of class, family-run, hands-on, and guided step by step, but the focus becomes design and technique.

This change of activity is one reason the full combo works so well. If you only did coffee, you might end up wanting something more hands-on. If you only did lanterns, you might wonder about the culture behind them. Doing both connects the dots between Vietnamese everyday crafts and everyday food.

Lantern Making in Hoi An: Foldable, Practical, and Actually Fun

Lanterns in Hoi An are more than decorations, and the workshop treats them like that. You make a unique lantern souvenir that is also designed to be foldable, so you can pack it and bring it home.

The workshop gives you creative control without leaving you alone with mystery instructions. You get choices like:

• Different lantern shapes
• A variety of fabric colors and patterns
• Guidance on the build so it looks good, even if you are not “crafty”

Some people are offered options on how they build. Reviews mention the choice between attaching fabric to a pre-built base versus building more with bamboo elements. There is also mention of choosing a smaller lantern versus a larger one, which changes how long the crafting takes.

I love that the result is not just a pretty photo. The lantern has a structure and technique, and you learn how to put it together so it holds up.

Getting Help Without Taking Over

A common complaint about classes is instructors who do everything for you so you never really learn. This one feels the opposite. The guidance is described as patient, step-by-step, and helpful, with staff who encourage you while still letting you do the work.

In the lantern workshop, one guide name that comes up is Tam, described as amazing and funny while working with participants. That kind of personality matters here, because lanterns require small, careful movements, and confidence helps.

You also get multiple helpers on-site. Reviews talk about plenty of staff supporting different craft stations, which helps if your group has varying skill levels or if you need an extra moment to get the steps right.

Taking Your Lantern Home: The Folded Advantage

The practical win is the foldable design. Reviews explicitly mention it is easier to travel with than a rigid lantern and that you can compress or fold it for transport. Some people also say they plan to hang the lantern at home right away, which is a strong sign it does not end up looking too fragile.

If you are worried about packing, this class is better than most souvenir crafts because it is built for real travel. You are not just buying a lantern already made and hoping it survives a suitcase. You are building something that is meant to move with you.

Coffee and Lanterns Together Are Better Than Either One Alone

If you only care about coffee, you might wonder why the lantern part matters. If you only care about souvenirs, you might wonder why the coffee part matters. Together, they make sense.

The coffee lesson gives context for Vietnamese taste, the daily ritual, and the way flavors come together with the Phin filter and condensed milk. The lantern class turns that cultural vibe into something physical, creative, and rewarding to carry home.

Value-wise, $24 per person for both activities is hard to beat for a full half-day that includes multiple tastings, crafting time, and English guidance. You also get cookies, herbal tea or water, and the coffee itself. For many visitors, the souvenir component alone can cost more than this if you buy it ready-made.

Who Should Book This Class, and Who Might Skip It

This is a great fit if you want:

• A hands-on activity in Hoi An that is not only sightseeing
• A cultural food lesson that teaches you method, not just flavors
• A souvenir you make yourself, designed for travel
• A guided class in English with a local master and a fun team

It might not be the best match if you:

• Hate strong coffee or you are very caffeine-sensitive
• Want only a light snack-style activity rather than learning and making multiple drinks
• Are looking for a quiet, museum-like experience instead of a lively workshop

Quick Practical Tips Before You Go

You can keep it simple, but these tips help:

• Bring a camera, since you will be making and tasting and crafting something you will want to photograph.
• Wear comfortable clothes for hands-on work and standing.
• Pace the coffee. You do not need to drink everything to enjoy the lesson.
• Plan to be out for about 3.5 hours without rushing to your next stop.

Also, remember the meeting spot is specific, and there is no pickup. Build in a little buffer so you do not stress at arrival.

Should You Book the Hoi An Lantern and Coffee Making Class?

I would book it if you want a practical, fun, culture-friendly afternoon. The combination makes the time feel purposeful: you learn how Vietnamese coffee works, you taste multiple styles, then you switch to making a foldable lantern that you can actually take home.

For me, the strongest reasons to choose it are the variety of coffee (five styles, not one) and the fact that the lantern is designed for travel and looks like a real craft project, not a quick decoration. If you are cool with strong coffee and you like creating things with your hands, this is a solid use of your time in Hoi An.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Hoi An Lantern and Coffee Making Class?

The total duration is 210 minutes.

How much does it cost?

The price is $24 per person.

Where do I meet for the class?

Meet at 12 Ba Trieu St, behind the Viettin bank and opposite Le Ba Truyen restaurant.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No. Hotel pick up and drop-off are not included.

What is included in the price?

The class includes cookies, herbal tea or water, coffee, an English guide, and a local master.

What should I bring?

Bring a camera.

Is the class taught in English?

Yes. The instructor and language support are listed as English, and an English audio guide is included.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.