Hoi An: Handmade Leather Crafts Workshop (Starter Course)

Making a leather wallet or purse from a flat piece of hide is the heart of this Hoi An workshop. You choose the color and project, then learn to cut, punch, shape, and stitch it yourself with help from Anton and his team. I like the useful finished souvenir and the fact that you get to make the key parts by hand rather than simply decorate a ready-made item. The one consideration is time: careful stitching can push the class beyond two hours.

I also like the small-group setup, limited to 10 people, and the calm, patient teaching style. Families with children aged 9 and 13 have completed projects here, while solo visitors have had one-on-one instruction. If you want a polished factory-made souvenir, this is not the right outing. If you want a personal object with a few uneven stitches and a good story, it fits Hoi An very well.

Key points at a glance

• Choose your own project: Make a coin purse, small case, small handbag, wallet, passport holder, or another available starter design.
• Work with your hands: Cut leather, punch holes with a hammer, shape the piece, add buttons, and stitch it together.
• Learn with patient guidance: Anton explains each step in English and helps without taking the work away from you.
• Small and personal: The group is capped at 10, with individual attention throughout the session.
• A practical Hoi An souvenir: You leave with something useful, such as a wallet or purse, rather than a trinket that sits on a shelf.
• Plan enough time: The activity lasts about 2.5 to 4 hours, and perfectionists may need longer to finish neatly.

Why this workshop is different from a souvenir shop

Hoi An is full of places selling leather bags, belts, shoes, and wallets. Buying one is quick. This activity asks you to slow down and understand how one is put together.

You start by choosing a project from a selection designed for beginners. The choices include a coin purse, small case, small handbag, and wallet. Some people have made passport holders, car holders, and small purses. The exact selection can vary, so you choose from what is available when you arrive.

You then pick the leather color and finishes. That choice gives the final piece its character. You might prefer a simple single-color wallet, or combine colors for a more personal look. The important point is that your item is not pulled from a shelf and stamped with your name. Its shape, color, stitching, and small decisions come from your own work.

I especially like this kind of souvenir because it connects to the place without pretending to be an ancient craft demonstration. You learn a real manual skill from local instructors, and you take home an object you can actually use.

Arriving at 98 Hung Vuong Street

The meeting point is at 98 Hung Vuong Street in Hoi An. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included, so you need to make your own way there and return afterward.

The workshop ends at the same meeting point. That makes the plan simple, but allow time to find the address and arrive ready to begin. Starting times depend on availability, and the stated duration ranges from 2.5 to 4 hours. The shorter description refers to a starter class of about two hours, while the wider booking window allows for setup, teaching, and the pace of your chosen project.

That range matters. A fast worker making a small coin purse may finish sooner than someone carefully sewing a wallet. One solo participant spent about two hours on the first part of a project and enjoyed doing the process independently. If you are particular about neat stitching, do not schedule a tight appointment immediately afterward.

The workshop is taught in English. Vietnamese tea or one soft drink is included. Other food and drinks, transport, and personal expenses are not included.

Choosing the right leather project

The project choice sets the tone of the session. A coin purse is a sensible pick if you want a shorter, less demanding introduction. It gives you the key steps without asking you to manage a large number of seams or panels.

A wallet or passport holder takes more patience but gives you a more useful result. These pieces also let you appreciate the construction more clearly, since you have to line up the leather, punch holes accurately, and keep the hand stitching even.

Small handbags offer a larger project and may suit two people who want to spend more time at the workbench. A small case is a middle ground. Before starting, you can ask about the available patterns and select the one that matches your time, confidence, and intended use.

The patterns are designed for beginners, all ages above four, and different styles of participant. You do not need previous leatherworking experience. The instructor demonstrates the method before you try it, and individual help is available throughout.

Cutting and shaping the leather

Once you choose a pattern and leather, the first practical skill is accurate cutting. You work with a professional pattern, following its shape rather than guessing where each edge should go.

This part rewards care. A small mistake at the cutting stage can affect how the finished item fits together, so the instructor’s guidance is useful here. The workshop is not just a paint-and-decorate activity. You handle the basic preparation that gives the final piece its structure.

After cutting, you shape the leather. This helps turn a flat material into a pouch, wallet, case, or other object. The stages are easy to understand when shown in order, but they require attention. You get a better result by listening first, then working slowly.

I like that the teacher lets you attempt each part yourself. The support is there if you need it, but the activity does not depend on the instructor taking over. That distinction matters if you want to go home knowing how the piece was made.

The satisfying part: punching holes and stitching

Punching holes is one of the most enjoyable stages, especially for children and anyone who likes a clear physical task. You use a hammer to create the holes that guide the stitching. The action is simple, but the spacing must be accurate so the finished seam looks tidy.

Next comes hand stitching. You learn how to pass the thread through the punched holes and keep tension steady. Stitching takes longer than it looks, particularly on a wallet or handbag. It can also be relaxing once you settle into the rhythm.

You may stitch buttons onto the item, depending on the design. These small finishing details help turn a collection of cut pieces into something functional.

The class is beginner-friendly, but it is not entirely effortless. One participant described the session as nicely challenging, and that is a fair way to think about it. You should expect to concentrate. The reward is that you can point to the cut edges, holes, seams, and buttons and say you handled those parts yourself.

Anton’s teaching style and the small-group setup

Anton is the named instructor associated with the workshop, and the teaching approach is a major part of its appeal. He explains each step clearly, gives encouragement, and offers help when you need it. The strongest praise centers on his patience, warmth, and willingness to let you work rather than completing the task for you.

That is especially useful for first-time crafters. You can ask for help with a difficult stitch or alignment, then return to the work yourself. The result feels more personal because the instructor guides your hands without turning the item into his project.

The group limit is 10 people, though the actual session may be smaller. One person had a one-on-one class, while families and couples have also taken part together. A smaller group usually gives you more opportunity to ask questions and get individual attention.

The atmosphere is described as relaxed, with music in the background and no pressure to rush. Tea or a soft drink is included, and fresh orange juice has also been offered on at least one occasion, though you should rely on the official inclusion of Vietnamese tea or one soft drink rather than expect extra refreshments.

How long should you allow?

The advertised duration is 2.5 to 4 hours. The starter course itself is described as a two-hour class, but the full appointment can run longer depending on the project, group, and your working speed.

Allow the full four hours if you want a wallet, handbag, or carefully finished item. This is also the safer choice if you are a perfectionist or have never sewn leather before. One person stayed beyond the basic time because the stitching needed extra attention, and the instructor was flexible.

A small coin purse or simple case may suit a shorter visit. Still, avoid treating this as a quick stop between fixed appointments. The most enjoyable part is having time to try the steps yourself. Rushing the final stitching would weaken the whole point of the class.

Children under four are not suitable for the activity. Older children can take part, but adults should consider how comfortable each child is with hammering, cutting, and detailed hand stitching. Family groups with children aged 9 and 13 have completed the activity successfully.

What makes the $36 price worthwhile?

At $36 per person, the cost covers instruction, leather, tools, a drink, and the finished handmade item. That is a fair package when you consider that the souvenir is not simply purchased at a shop. You also get several hours of guided activity.

The value is strongest if you want a useful object and enjoy making things. A wallet, purse, or passport holder may be worth more to you because you remember creating it. The price is less compelling if you only want the cheapest leather accessory, since Hoi An has many shops where you can buy one faster.

There is also value in the personal attention. The class is limited to 10, and the instructor works with you through the stages. You are paying for materials and an experience, not just the raw leather.

The finished piece may not look identical to a professional shop item. Hand stitching can be slightly uneven, especially on a first attempt. That is part of its character, but you should choose this class because you want a handmade result, not because you expect factory-level uniformity.

Best for couples, families, and solo makers

Couples can make matching wallets, contrasting purses, or separate items in different colors. It gives you a shared activity without requiring either person to be especially artistic.

Families have a good reason to consider it. Each person can select a project and leave with something individual. The class is suitable for different ages above four, though the more detailed projects will demand patience from younger children.

Solo visitors may get especially good value from the format. A one-on-one class is possible, and the instructor can focus on your pace and questions. You can make the session social if other people attend, but the task itself does not depend on arriving with a group.

This is also a good choice for anyone who has had enough walking, shopping, and sightseeing for one afternoon. The work is active but not strenuous. You sit, concentrate, and create something with a clear finish line.

Small drawbacks to keep in mind

The class is not a formal lecture on the entire leather industry. Its focus is practical: choose a design, learn the basic techniques, and complete a small item.

The amount of instruction may also feel different from person to person. You receive demonstrations and help, but much of the time is spent working independently. If you expect the teacher to lead every second of a group lesson, you may find the format quiet and self-directed.

The stated duration can be unclear because the starter lesson is described as two hours while the bookable activity is listed at 2.5 to 4 hours. Confirm the available start time and leave a generous buffer before making plans afterward.

There is no hotel transport, no meal, and no list of additional expenses included beyond the stated materials, tools, finished item, and tea or soft drink. Pets are not allowed.

Practical details before you book

Keep these points in mind:

• The price is $36 per person.
• Meet at 98 Hung Vuong Street, Hoi An.
• The activity ends at the same location.
• Instruction is in English.
• The group is limited to 10 participants.
• The duration is listed as 2.5 to 4 hours, with project and pace affecting the finish time.
• Materials and tools are included.
• Vietnamese tea or one soft drink is included.
• Hotel pickup, drop-off, extra food, drinks, and unlisted expenses are not included.
• Children under four are not suitable.
• Pets are not allowed.
• You can cancel up to 24 hours before the activity for a full refund.
• Reserve now and pay later is available.

Should you book the Hoi An leather workshop?

Book it if you want a hands-on souvenir, enjoy patient step-by-step work, or need a quieter break from Hoi An’s shopping streets. It is particularly well suited to couples, families with older children, and solo visitors who want to make a wallet, purse, case, or passport holder instead of buying one.

Skip it if your schedule is packed or you want a quick activity with a guaranteed professional finish. The stitching takes time, and the final result reflects your own care and skill.

For most people who enjoy making things, $36 is a sensible price for several hours of instruction, materials, and a useful object you can keep using. Choose a smaller project if time is tight. Choose a wallet or passport holder if you want the strongest connection between the work you do in Hoi An and the souvenir you carry home.

FAQ

Where does the leather workshop take place?

The meeting point is 98 Hung Vuong Street in Hoi An, Vietnam. The activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How much does the workshop cost?

The price is $36 per person.

How long does the activity last?

The listed duration is 2.5 to 4 hours. The starter class is also described as a two-hour class, so your exact finish time can depend on the project and your pace.

What can I make?

Available choices include a coin purse, small case, small handbag, wallet, passport holder, and other starter projects offered at the workshop.

Do I need previous leatherworking experience?

No. The starter course is designed for beginners and teaches cutting, shaping, hole punching, stitching, and button attachment from the beginning.

Is the class taught in English?

Yes. The instructor language is English.

How many people can join?

The group is limited to 10 participants.

Are materials and tools included?

Yes. Leather, materials, and tools for the class are included, along with the finished leather souvenir you make.

Is a drink included?

Yes. Vietnamese tea or one soft drink is included. Other food and drinks are not included.

Can children join the workshop?

Children under four are not suitable for the activity. Older children can take part, and families with children aged 9 and 13 have completed projects together.

Is hotel pickup included?

No. You need to arrange your own transport to and from 98 Hung Vuong Street.

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. Reserve now and pay later is also available.