Central Vietnam Heritage

Day 2: Hoi An lantern making & bamboo workshop

Our local guide will greet you in the hotel lobby after breakfast.  

Together, you will cycle to the home of a local craftsman. Here you will be introduced to the history of the town’s lantern making trade as well as learning about the traditional designs and colors. The craftsman will take you through the different stages of making the lanterns and you will then have the chance to make your own to take home with you. 

Local people believe hanging lanterns in front of their houses brings them luck, happiness and wealth. Traditionally, lanterns were only made of silk and were created in one of a few shapes, however, these days lanterns are made in a range of shapes and using a wider range of materials. Walking around Hoi An, you are likely to see lanterns shaped like lotuses, diamonds, triangles and even garlic, and made from modern materials such as cardboard and nylon fabric in addition to the traditional silk versions. 

Leaving the workshop, your guide will take you for a gentle cycle ride through the paddy fields surrounding the old town to the next stop on the itinerary, Taboo Bamboo Workshop. Here, local artisan Mr. Tan will share his story of how he has worked to revive the traditional handicraft of his family’s village by creating beautiful, timeless objects and furniture using this sustainable and natural material.  

After learning about the processes used to craft bamboo and viewing the impressive range of handmade items on show at the workshop, you will have the chance to create your own product to take home and etch a design onto it.   

Included meals: Breakfast, lunch 

Overnight at Hoi An Garden villas