Hoi An has a way of turning everyday things into art. This class pairs Vietnamese coffee done the traditional way with a hands-on lantern workshop you can actually take home.

I especially love that you get a proper coffee lesson, not just a quick sip, including brewing with a phin metal filter and tasting multiple signature styles. I also really like the way the lantern part is designed for real life, it folds down for easier packing instead of becoming another bulky souvenir. One possible drawback: there is no hotel pickup, so you’ll want to be comfortable finding the meeting spot on your own.

Key things I found most useful

• Phin brewing hands-on: you learn the steps behind the strong, layered flavor Vietnamese coffee is known for
• Five coffee styles: black, happy white, Hue Imperial salt, egg coffee, and coconut show up in the tasting
• Lanterns you can fold: a souvenir that’s built to travel, not just to look pretty
• Family-run energy: the hosts keep the mood light while explaining what matters
• A practical lantern workflow: you craft in a supportive setup so you are not stuck fighting the materials

Getting Oriented: Where the Workshop Starts in Hoi An

The coffee portion kicks off at the meeting point behind the Viettin bank, directly opposite Le Ba Truyen restaurant, at 12 Ba Trieu St. If you’re walking around Old Town, it is an easy spot to orient yourself, but do give yourself a little buffer so you are not arriving flustered.

This is a two-part experience that runs about 210 minutes total, and it is not listed with hotel pickup or drop-off. You are basically showing up, joining the group, then moving between the two parts on foot.

Coffee Class With the Phin Filter: The Flavor Maker You Will Taste

The heart of the coffee workshop is learning how local coffee is brewed with a small metal filter called a phin. Think of it as a simple but powerful device that helps you get that concentrated Vietnamese coffee flavor, the kind that feels stronger than what most people expect.

You’ll also hear how the process works in real steps. The class talks about roasting dark beans so they mix well with sweet condensed milk, and then you work through brewing and tasting. You end up with multiple styles, not just one drink repeated in different cups.

Your Coffee Lineup: Black, Happy White, Hue Salt, Egg Coffee, Coconut

This is not a one-note tasting. The session is built around different Vietnamese coffee styles, each with its own twist.

Here is what you should expect to make and sip during the coffee portion:

• Black coffee brewed using the phin method
• Happy white coffee (a milky, sweet style)
• Hue Imperial salt coffee (sweet-salty flavor, tied to a specific region)
• Ha Noi capital egg coffee, including the egg-coffee style people travel for
• A coconut option that shows up toward the end of the coffee segment

One practical tip from the vibe of the workshop: coffee here can be strong, and egg coffee especially can feel intense. Plan on taking your time. The class uses music and a relaxed setup, and that helps you enjoy the tasting without rushing or getting overwhelmed.

How the Class Flows: Brewing, Sipping, Then Switching to Lanterns

The schedule is paced so you actually get to enjoy what you are doing. You start with brewing and tasting during the coffee class portion, then you shift over to lantern making afterward.

A nice detail is that coffee you made earlier is not treated like a one-and-done moment. You’ll drink the coffee during the lantern class as well, which helps take the edge off the creativity part. Lantern making can feel technical at first, so having something familiar and comforting in your cup makes it more fun and less stressful.

Lantern Making in Hoi An: Building a Foldable Fabric Souvenir

Then you move to the lantern workshop. This is where the experience becomes craft-focused, and you’ll be working with materials that help you create a souvenir that fits in real luggage.

You make a foldable lantern, designed to decorate your home later without turning your trip into a moving disaster. That foldable detail comes up again and again in the experience, because it changes the lantern from a “look only” souvenir into a piece you can actually transport.

Choosing Your Lantern Style (What You Might Find)

The lantern workshop setup usually gives you options, and you’ll see more than one way to get to the finished product. Some participants do a version that uses a premade lantern base, while others opt for a more hands-on approach that builds from scratch with bamboo components.

You can also see choices around lantern size. Some groups end up making a smaller lantern that takes less time, while larger lanterns take longer. If you’re short on time, go for the smaller version. If you like slow, detailed crafting and want extra breathing room, choose the larger one.

The Music, the Pace, and the Staff Support

The atmosphere is friendly and lively. The hosts keep things light, but they also help you through the steps. I like that the class does not assume you already know how to work with fabric and frames. You get support, and you can work at your own pace while still making something that looks like it belongs in a shop window.

If you’re lucky enough to get Tam during the lantern crafting, the tone is clearly built on humor plus patience, and that matters when your fingers are trying to figure out knots, folds, and alignment.

What You Take Home: A Coffee-Maker Phin and a Travel-Friendly Lantern

By the end, you take home your lantern, folded and ready to store or hang. The foldable design is a big deal here, because you are not stuck cramming a rigid souvenir into a carry-on.

On top of that, you are not just learning by watching. You are actively making coffee with the phin brewing method, and you go home with the practical know-how and recipes to replicate at home. Even if you never become a café barista, you’ll be able to impress friends with at least one or two styles you make confidently.

There’s also a sweet finish to the coffee portion with cookies at the end, plus herbal tea or water during the session. It is a small detail, but it keeps your energy steady while you’re doing two hands-on activities.

Price and Value: Why $24 Feels Fair for Two Workshops

At $24 per person for about 3.5 hours, this experience is positioned as a high-value mix of food education and a craft you keep. What makes it feel worth it is the combination:

• You pay for instruction and materials for both coffee and lantern making
• You get multiple tasting drinks, not a single sample
• You leave with a take-home lantern, built to be transported
• The class includes an English guide and local master support

If you’re deciding between a photo stop in town and an actual skill-building workshop, this is the kind of activity that gives you both a story and a physical souvenir. The lack of hotel pickup is the only cost in effort, but the meeting point is in a central area, and it keeps the activity from turning into a long, wasted shuttle day.

Who Should Book This (and Who Might Want a Different Plan)

This works best if you:

• Enjoy hands-on activities more than museum-style sightseeing
• Want an authentic Vietnamese coffee lesson using the phin method
• Like making souvenirs you can use later, not just take photos of
• Travel with friends or family and want a shared experience with a fun group vibe

You might think twice if you:

• Hate strong coffee and prefer mild flavors, since multiple styles can feel intense
• Would rather spend Old Town time walking than doing a structured workshop
• Need strict quiet time, because the atmosphere is lively and guided

That said, the pacing and the included drinks help most people settle in quickly.

Before You Go: Simple Tips That Make the Day Easier

Bring a camera, since you are making things you will want to remember. Also, set yourself up to arrive a bit early, because lantern and coffee classes run better when you are not rushing through the start.

If you’re traveling in the heat or dealing with a less-than-perfect weather day, this is a solid indoor-style option. It is not a single lecture, it is active work, so you are not just waiting out the weather.

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

I think you should book if you want a memorable afternoon that connects Hoi An culture through two very practical crafts: coffee brewing and lantern making. The foldable lantern is a standout because it is built for travel, and the phin coffee method gives you real skills, not just a souvenir cup.

If you’re on the fence, decide based on one thing: do you want to do something with your hands for a few hours? If yes, this is an easy win.

FAQ

How long is the Hoi An lantern and coffee making class?

The experience lasts about 210 minutes.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet behind the Viettin bank, opposite Le Ba Truyen restaurant, at 12 Ba Trieu St.

Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?

No, hotel pickup and drop-off is not included.

What does the coffee part include?

You learn Vietnamese coffee brewing using a phin metal filter and make and taste multiple coffee styles, including black coffee, happy white coffee, Hue Imperial salt coffee, Ha Noi capital egg coffee, and coconut.

What do I make in the lantern workshop?

You make a lantern souvenir and you take it home. It is designed to be foldable.

Is the class taught in English?

Yes. The instructor is English, and an English audio guide is included.

Is this experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it is listed as wheelchair accessible.

What is included, and what should I bring?

Included are cookies, herbal tea or water, coffee, an English guide, and a local master. You should bring a camera.