Looking for something more creative and meaningful than another lantern workshop or food tour?

Dive deeper into Vietnamese culture with these authentic, hands-on handicraft experiences in Hoi An — all perfect alternatives to the usual tourist activities.

1. Wood Carving Workshop with a Master Artisan in a Hidden Village

Step away from the busy Old Town and into a peaceful riverside village, where generations of Vietnamese artisans have carved intricate pieces from wood. In this 3-hour wood carving class, you’ll learn to use traditional tools and carve your own Vietnamese-inspired souvenir to bring home.

Led by Duy, a second-generation master carver whose family has practiced the art for 35 years, this experience is both cultural and meditative — a beautiful way to reconnect with your hands and your creativity.

Create your own wooden art piece using traditional tools, enjoy the calm pace of village life, and experience a true Vietnamese cultural experience through your hands.

• 📍 Location: Woodart Vietnam, Điện Phong, Điện Bàn, Quảng Nam

• 💰 Price: 600.000 VND per person

Why it’s special:
• Hosted in an authentic artisan village, not a tourist center
• Guided by a real master with decades of experience
• A meaningful alternative to lantern-making or cooking classes
• Family-friendly and ideal for worldschoolers
• Optional pickup, and homemade vegetarian meals available

•  Perfect getaway from the tourist rush

👉 Learn more & book the wood carving workshop

This experience offers more than just creativity — it’s peace, authenticity, and culture wrapped in one. Whether you’re an artist at heart or a curious traveler, you’ll leave with a hand-carved souvenir and a deeper connection to Vietnam’s soulful craftsmanship.

2. Bamboo Workshop – Craft Nature’s Strongest Material

Explore Vietnam’s most versatile material in this hands-on class where you’ll learn how to work with bamboo like a local. Create everything from baskets to decorative items while gaining insight into sustainable Vietnamese design.

🌱 Why it’s special:
• A meaningful eco-experience rooted in Vietnamese culture
• Hands-on workshop in a peaceful garden setting
• Ideal for creatives, eco-tourists, and curious families
• A unique alternative to typical lantern-making

📍 Where: Taboo Bamboo Workshop – Thanh Tam Dong, Cam Thanh, Hoi An, Quảng Nam 51000
💰 Budget: ~33€ per person

🎋 Whether you're weaving your own creation or simply exploring the studio, Taboo Bamboo offers one of the most authentic and sustainable workshops in Hoi An — perfect for travelers looking to dive deeper than the usual tours.

3. Vietnamese Calligraphy Class – Write with Meaning

Learn how to write meaningful Vietnamese characters using traditional brush and ink in this elegant Hoi An art class. Held inside the Museum of Folk Culture, you’ll practice a craft that blends poetry, mindfulness, and visual art.

• 📍 Location: 33 Nguyễn Thái Học, Phường Minh An, Hội An

• 💰 Price: 500.000 VND per person

🖌 Why it's a top cultural experience in Hoi An:
• Great for travelers interested in language and symbolism
• Meditative, personal, and peaceful
• Take home your own scroll as a souvenir

4. Jewelry Making Workshop – Craft Silver with Your Own Hands

Design and handcraft your own silver jewelry in this artistic workshop in Hoi An, guided by experienced silversmiths. From rings to pendants, this class is a perfect way to make a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

• 📍 Location: Lotus Leaf Fine Arts & Jewellery, 395 Cửa Đại, Cẩm Châu

• 💰 Price: From 1.000.000 VND per person (price varies by design)

💍 Why this is a unique Hoi An handicraft tour:
• Design your own personalized jewelry
• Learn ancient silversmithing techniques
• Meaningful souvenir that lasts a lifetime

5. Leather Workshop – Design and Stitch Your Own Accessory

Step into the world of leatherwork in this professional workshop. You’ll choose your own materials and design, then learn to cut, stitch, and finish a beautiful leather item to take home.

• 📍 Location: Blue Lotus Leather, 69/3 Phan Chu Trinh, Hoi An

• 💰 Price: 26 USD for a 2-hour express class; full workshops: 45–196 USD

👜 Why it’s a creative Hoi An experience:
• Design something useful and stylish
• High-quality craftsmanship instruction
• Ideal for slow travelers and makers

6. Knife Making Class – Forge Your Own Blade

Forge your own traditional knife in this fiery hands-on class. With guidance from expert blacksmiths, you’ll shape and sharpen your own blade — just like local craftspeople have done for generations.

• 📍 Location: Red Bridge Blacksmith Workshop (confirm availability locally)

• 💰 Price: 900.000–1.200.000 VND depending on class type

🔪 Why it’s a rare art tour in Hoi An:
• Very few workshops offer this level of authenticity
• Learn a disappearing craft
• Powerful souvenir with a great story

7. Mask Making Class – Paint Vietnamese Folk History

Paint your own vibrant mask while learning about Vietnam’s theatrical traditions and folklore. A fun, colorful experience that’s great for kids and adults alike.

Why it’s special:
• Expressive, creative, and hands-on
• Fun for families and small groups
• Take home a bright cultural keepsake

✨ Why Choose These Alternative Workshops in Hoi An?

While lantern making and cooking classes are great, these unique workshops offer deeper cultural connection, personal creativity, and a slower, more meaningful pace. Whether you’re a solo traveler, couple, or family, these experiences give you more than just a souvenir — they give you a story to tell.

🧵 Experience the Soul of Hoi An Through Its Handicrafts

These artisan workshops offer more than just souvenirs — they give you a deep dive into Hoi An’s cultural heritage. Whether you're exploring bamboo, wood, leather, or calligraphy, you'll come away with something beautiful, hand-made, and uniquely yours.

📍 Looking for the most soulful, off-the-beaten-path experience in Hoi An?
Explore our Wood Carving Workshop in Gonoi Village — and carve your own piece of Vietnam.