Hoi An Lantern Making Class & Lantern Boat Ride Experience

Hoi An’s lanterns are more than pretty decorations when you make one yourself. This experience pairs a hands-on bamboo-and-silk craft class with a short private boat ride on the Hoai River, where you can set a paper lantern bearing your wish afloat.

I like two things in particular: you leave with a lantern you made, not just a souvenir bought in a shop, and the package includes a private boat for your booking, so you do not have to arrange a separate river ride. Instructors such as Le and Vy have been praised for patient, clear teaching, though the person leading your class may vary.

One consideration: the river is popular, not secluded. At busy times, boats and crowds can make the ride lively rather than quiet, and rain can mean a muddy walk to the pier or a wait before boarding.

What to know before you book

• Make a foldable lantern: You work with bamboo and silk, with an instructor guiding you through the steps. The finished lantern folds down for easier packing.
• Create a second lantern for the river: Write a wish on a paper lantern, then release it during the boat ride.
• Your boat is private to your booking: You share it with your own group, not with unrelated bookings.
• Choose an evening start: Available class departures are 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, and 19:00. The later options offer a better chance of seeing the town after dark.
• Expect a popular river setting: Lantern reflections are lovely, but the river can be crowded, especially at peak times.
• Bring rain-ready footwear: Wet weather can make the path to the boat muddy.

👉 See our pick of the 25 Best Shopping Tours In Hoi An

Making a lantern in the heart of Hoi An

1 / 8

The class begins at 04 Luu Quy Ky Street in An Hoi, close to Hoi An’s Ancient Town. You meet local artisans in a workshop and learn how a traditional lantern is built around bamboo before fabric is added. The instructor demonstrates the process and helps you along, so you do not need craft skills to take part.

The work is hands-on, but it is not meant to test your patience or precision. The class is described as beginner-friendly, and the teaching is a repeated high point: instructors named Le and Vy have been noted for taking time to explain each step, helping with mistakes, and keeping the pace comfortable. If your lantern starts to look a little lopsided, that is part of the fun, and the instructor can help tidy it up.

You can personalise your lantern using the materials available. The finished piece is foldable, which is a practical detail if you are travelling with limited luggage space. It gives you a useful keepsake of the town, with a story attached to it: you made it by hand, rather than simply picking one from a row of shops.

Some sessions may feel almost private if you arrive when the workshop is quiet. At other times, you may share the table with more participants. The experience does not specify a standard group size for the class, so it is best not to count on one-to-one instruction. Still, the teaching style appears suited to families and first-time crafters, including children who can manage the activity with help.

Making a wish lantern for the river

After the take-home lantern, you make a smaller paper lantern for the water. You write your wish on it, and the instructor explains the custom: releasing a lantern is associated with good luck, peace, and happiness. It is a simple ritual, but it gives the boat trip a personal purpose beyond taking photos.

The floating lantern is separate from the bamboo lantern you bring home. The package includes one foldable lantern to keep and one floating candle to release, while the paper lantern-making activity is also part of the experience. Some participants have made more than one paper lantern, but the included amount is one floating candle, so treat any extras as dependent on the session rather than guaranteed.

This is a gentle, family-friendly activity, though the river release is best understood as a symbolic gesture rather than a private ceremony. You will be doing it in a popular part of town, with other boats and lanterns nearby. That shared setting is part of the evening scene, but it can make the moment feel less quiet than the ritual might suggest.

A short private boat ride on the Hoai River

Once your lantern is ready, your group boards a private boat for a ride listed as about 15 minutes. You glide along the Hoai River, look back at the illuminated town, and release your floating lantern. In the evening, lights reflected on the water give you a different view of Hoi An than you get on foot through the old streets.

The private boat is a useful inclusion. In a busy period, it saves you from having to find and book a separate boat, and it means you have the boat to yourselves as a group. The ride is self-guided, so do not expect a long narrated cruise. The cultural explanation and craft instruction happen at the workshop; the river portion is mainly for taking in the scene and releasing your wish.

Keep your expectations in line with the short duration. This is a brief, atmospheric outing, not a substantial river tour. When the waterway is crowded, the scene can be lively, with boats and lights all around. If you hope for silence and a secluded stretch of river, this is not the safest bet. Some boatmen may be able to take you to a less crowded spot, but that is not a guaranteed feature.

Rain can affect the transfer to the boat and the ride itself. A wet evening has meant a muddy walk to the pier and delays while waiting for conditions to improve. Wear shoes you do not mind getting dirty, and allow some flexibility in your plans after the activity.

Choosing a departure time that suits your evening

You can select a class departure at 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, or 19:00. Later starts make it easier to see Hoi An after dark, when the lanterns are lit, but they also leave less time for other evening plans. If you want both the workshop and the full night-time atmosphere, an 18:00 or 19:00 session may suit you, depending on the return option available for your booking.

Return times are offered from 18:00 to 21:00, but options depend on the departure time and the activity schedule. The total duration is not clearly specified, so check the exact time shown for your selected session instead of planning around a fixed end time. Weather and traffic can also shift the schedule.

Arrive at the meeting point at least 10 minutes early. The meeting address is 04 Luu Quy Ky Street, An Hoi, Hoi An. The activity does not include hotel pickup or transport, so you need to make your own way there. Late arrivals and no-shows are not refundable.

Is the price worth it?

The package is shown with starting prices of US$17.75 and US$19.55 in the supplied pricing details. Since the quoted starting amounts differ, check the price for your chosen date and session before booking. The value comes from having several parts of the evening bundled together: instruction, materials, a lantern to take home, a floating lantern, and a private boat for your group.

That is a better proposition than paying separately for a craft class and then finding a boat at the river, particularly when the waterfront is busy. You also get a tangible souvenir and a small introduction to a local custom. If you only want a boat ride, a boat-only option may cost less. If you want to understand the lantern-making process and take part in the release, the combined package makes more sense.

A 30% surcharge applies onsite to tours on 5 to 10 February 2027, 16 April 2027, 30 April to 1 May 2027, 2 September 2027, 24 December 2027, 31 December 2027, and 1 January 2028. Include that in your budget if you are visiting on one of those dates.

Who will enjoy this experience most

This is a strong choice for couples, families, and anyone who likes a hands-on activity with a small cultural element. Children can make a lantern with help, and the wish-writing gives younger participants a clear part in the river experience. Children aged 0 to 4 can join free if they do not need a separate seat; children aged 5 and older pay the adult rate.

It also suits visitors who want a more meaningful souvenir than a shop purchase, or who would like an easy way to combine a workshop and river outing. The class can be a welcome change from walking the Ancient Town, especially if you choose an evening session and continue exploring afterward.

It may be less suitable if you are looking for a long, quiet cruise, do not want to join a popular river activity, or have very tight plans that cannot absorb a weather delay. Pets are not allowed. Anyone who appears intoxicated may be refused service without a refund.

Booking and practical notes

The activity is beginner-friendly, and all necessary lantern materials and instruction are included. You receive a mobile voucher, valid only on the date and time booked. Changes are allowed until 24 hours before the activity starts, with some booking types excluded. You can cancel for a full refund at least 24 hours before the activity date; if extreme weather or another unforeseen event leads the operator to cancel, you can reschedule or request a full refund.

For the most comfortable evening, arrive on time, wear shoes suitable for damp ground, and avoid scheduling an immediate commitment after the ride. If rain is forecast, allow extra time and be ready for a wait. On peak evenings, the private boat is especially useful, but it does not make the river empty.

Should you book this Hoi An lantern experience?

Book it if you want to make a lantern, learn a little about its place in Hoi An, and finish with a short river ride that includes your own group’s boat. The teaching and take-home craft are the strongest reasons to go; the boat ride adds a memorable evening scene without requiring you to arrange another activity.

Skip it if your main goal is a long, peaceful cruise or you dislike crowded riverfronts. For most visitors, though, the combination is good value: a simple craft lesson, a personal wish ritual, and a foldable souvenir that will fit in your luggage. Pick a later time if seeing Hoi An lit up matters most, and leave room for rain or a busy pier.

FAQ

Where does the class meet?

The meeting point is 04 Luu Quy Ky Street, An Hoi, Hoi An, Da Nang, Vietnam. Arrive 10 minutes before your selected start time.

What time can I book the class?

Available departure times are 16:00, 17:00, 18:00, and 19:00. Return options run from 18:00 to 21:00, depending on your departure time and itinerary.

What will I make during the activity?

You make a foldable bamboo-and-silk lantern to take home and a paper lantern for writing a wish and releasing on the river. One floating candle is included.

Is the boat ride private?

Yes. The boat is reserved for your booking, so your group has the boat to itself. The ride is listed as about 15 minutes.

Is the class suitable for beginners and children?

Yes. The activity is described as beginner-friendly. Children aged 0 to 4 can join free if they do not occupy a separate seat; children aged 5 and older pay the adult rate.

Is transport to the meeting point included?

No. Hotel pickup, drop-off, and transport are not included. You need to make your own way to the workshop.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The schedule may change because of weather. If extreme weather or another unforeseen event causes the operator to cancel, you can reschedule or request a full refund.