Vietnam · WORKSHOPS
There is never a spare day going. These 15 workshops & classes are the ones that earn the slot, priced and timed so the choice takes minutes.
In a lantern-filled Hoi An workshop, guides Tan and Le lead you through Vietnamese coffee culture, from dark-roasted beans and Phin filters to egg, salt, coconut, black, and white coffee. You make and taste five drinks in a small group, with tea, cookies, recipes, and a take-home gift included.
“A must do activity! It was so informative and we laughed so much thanks to the host!”
Choose a 90-minute express class or a two-hour full workshop with Hoian Handicraft Tours. You will select silk, shape bamboo, build or decorate a lantern, and learn to fold it for your luggage. Traditional tea, music, an English-speaking instructor, a translator, and a small host gift are included.
“we had so much fun. fantastic studio with many options, young teachers all spoke great English”
At a family-run workshop in Hoi An’s Cam Pho district, you’ll build a foldable silk lantern from its bamboo frame up. Choose a lotus, diamond, sunrise, or sunset shape, select silk and tassel colors, and work with English-speaking instructors such as Tam, Huy, and Vie Vie. The two-hour class includes herbal tea, water, and a special lantern made by your instructor.
“Have a great experience making the lantern. This is a family run business and they are so funny. They kept us laughing for 2 hours straight and we wound up with 2 beautiful lanterns as souvenirs ❤️”
At Local Beans Roastery, baristas such as Val, Lin, Luka, and Giang guide you through Vietnam’s coffee culture and six drinks, including phin, brown, salt, egg, coconut, and coffee cocktail. You’ll taste each cup, learn the brewing method, sample rice wine, and leave with recipes. Old Quarter pickup is available.
“I had such an amazing experience. Luka is professional and extremely knowledgeable. The class was very organized, informative, and helpful. We learned the three most known coffee recipes in Vietnam and the company has the products available for purchase so you can make it at home. Highly recommended.”
At a Hanoi coffee workshop, guides such as Lin, Val, Phil, Giang, and Jessica lead you through coffee history, roasting, brewing, and six local drinks. You will make salt coffee, egg coffee, coconut coffee, brown coffee, pour-over coffee, and a signature coffee cocktail, then take home recipes and digital coffee books.
“I had a great time here, my guide Valerie was amazing, knew so much about all the coffee, their origins and methods. i learnt a lot and had some great coffee. can't recommend this enough. one of the more fun and unique things ive done in Hanoi”
Spend about three and a half hours at a Hanoi villa learning simple wood carving from a local artisan. Tools, materials, step-by-step help, water, one free drink, and your finished wooden piece are included. The meeting point is 75 Ng. 173 Hoàng Hoa Thám. Check the booking details carefully, as some supplied information describes a cooking class instead.
“Great trip! I particularly loved the market and learning about the different vegetables, fruits, and spices. It was also fun to meet other travelers. Mango was a fantastic tour guide and chef. I almost wish i had done this tour at the beginning of oRead more”
At a small, family-run class in Hoi An, you’ll learn how French influence shaped Vietnamese coffee, then prepare five styles: phin black coffee, white coffee, Hue salt coffee, coconut coffee, and Hanoi egg coffee. English-speaking instructors guide you through each recipe, with a Vietnamese phin filter included to take home.
“Easy to follow as all the necessary items are prepared ahead. Instructions was clear and patience with explainations.”
At The Lantern Lady workshop in Hoi An, you can make a 20 cm bamboo lantern with help from English-speaking instructors, including Thuy. Choose colorful silk, work at your own pace, and take home a foldable souvenir. You can also choose a paper lantern to light and float on the river. Allow 90 minutes to two hours.
“Amazing! They were so helpful, kind, and patient throughout the entire process. It was a nice break and moment of stillness and silence midst the busy traveling and exploring”
At a local lantern shop on 3/6 Phan Boi Chau Street, an English-speaking instructor guides you through choosing a shape, fabric, and tassel before helping you build a foldable 20 cm lantern. The one-hour class is hands-on, relaxed, wheelchair accessible, and suitable for rainy afternoons.
“Awesome activity and way to fill an hour. You get to make the lantern from start to finish and personalize it. It's gorgeous!”
At Lacàph Coffee Experiences Space in District 1, you’ll learn to brew three Vietnamese coffees using a traditional phin filter. Instructors such as Quan, Noah, Julie, Giao, and Kieu guide you through coffee culture, recipes, and tasting. Morning and afternoon sessions suit most schedules, with drinks, tea, snacks, recipes, and a completion certificate included.
“Giao was awesome. She made a very clear power point and presentation about the coffee and its history. She was a great teacher who gave very clear instructions and encouraged us to have fun. I highly recommend this workshop to anyone who wants to learn more about Vietnam through its coffee culture.”
At 115 Hàng Gai, you’ll learn Bat Trang pottery on an electric wheel with an English or Vietnamese-speaking instructor. Guides such as Hang, Han, and Tuan Vu have taught beginners how to shape bowls, plates, cups, and vases. Make as many pieces as you like in three hours, then choose one to glaze and fire free.
“It was sooo lovely to do the workshop with Hang, she gave good explanation on the technique and why we do what we do to maintain structural integrity. She was patient and showed us how to make many different shapes. Highly recommend joining this workshop”
At Cafe Minh in Hanoi’s Old Quarter, an English-speaking teacher guides you through egg coffee and other Vietnamese styles in about an hour. You prepare the ingredients yourself, learn the coffee culture behind each drink, and leave with a small gift. Class hosts named Iris, Ha, and Jen have been praised for their friendly, engaging instruction.
“Our coffee class experience was outstanding. It began with a delightful tea and snack reception. We gained hands-on knowledge of crafting distinctive coffee varieties, such as bhin, egg, salt, and coconut coffee. I definitely recommend signing up for the class.”
At Nguyen Sau Pottery Workshop, near Terra Cotta Homestay, you’ll meet local craftspeople and shape clay by hand with simple guidance. Make and decorate a small piece, with extra time or items available if arranged locally. The friendly family-run setting, limited English, and old village traditions make this a casual, hands-on stop rather than a formal pottery course.
“Really wholesome and fun experience. We made a pot and a whistle and got to paint them and take them with us.”
At Miya Jewellery & Clothes in Nha Trang, you will spend 90 minutes choosing gemstones, pearls, and silver components, then making a ring on elastic cord. English and Vietnamese guidance is available in a group of up to six. You can also pay extra to create a bracelet, necklace, anklet, earrings, or another custom piece.
“Really enjoyable and chilled workshop, nice to interact with the guides and other participants , really happy with what I made and it looks so pretty :)”
At Trí Long Coffee in central Hoi An, an English-speaking barista guides you through Vietnam’s coffee culture, roasting, and two hands-on drinks. Choose from phin, egg, coconut, or salt coffee, then enjoy what you make. The small class suits beginners, and some sessions include recipes or a completion certificate.
“We really enjoyed this coffee making class! Was able to make all the different types of coffees that we wanted to and learnt all the different history behind them! Great experience!”
Pick a boat, a bike or a plastic stool.
