Ink and patience beat the Old Town noise. In this 2-hour calligraphy class, I like that the pace slows down with tea, and you get hands-on practice making your own piece with a fur pen, Chinese ink, and traditional Do rice paper. One consideration: because it is only about 2 hours, you will focus on getting one strong artwork rather than a long sequence of many finished pages.

Your instructor, Master of Art Huynh Dong, teaches at the Hoi An Calligraphy Gallery, and the small setting (max 5 people) keeps the attention on you. You also learn ancient and modern Vietnamese calligraphy, then finish with a special touch: Master Huynh Dong creates a calligraphy work on rice paper using your name or your idea, presented to you as a gift.

Key things to know before you go

• Max 5 people: a small workshop feel, not a crowded demo
• Two styles of calligraphy: ancient and modern Vietnamese calligraphy in one class
• Your hands do the work: fur pen, Chinese ink, and traditional Do rice paper
• You leave with more than one piece: you create a work, plus Master Huynh Dong gifts one with your name or idea
• Art beyond letters: traditional folk drawing plus watercolor scene painting guidance
• Tea and calm instruction: the vibe is gentle, slow, and ink-focused

Old Town Hoi An, but quieter: what this calligraphy class really is

Hoi An’s Old Town can feel like it is always in motion, even when you stop and watch. This class is different. It is built around a single, focused activity: writing, practicing, and turning that practice into a finished calligraphy artwork.

That focus matters because it changes how you experience Hoi An for a couple of hours. You are not bouncing between sites or trying to keep up with a schedule. Instead, you sit, learn how the ink behaves, and build something you can hold at the end of the session.

The best part is that the class is designed to be practical. You are not only being shown how it should look on paper. You are guided step-by-step as you make your own calligraphy piece using traditional tools: fur pen, Chinese ink, and Do rice paper.

Meet Master Huynh Dong, and why his background is part of the value

The teacher here is Master of Art Huynh Dong. He was born in 1958 and calls the Ancient City of Hoi An his native home. That local connection can make a difference in tone. You are not learning calligraphy as a generic hobby. You are learning through a teacher who frames the craft as part of Vietnamese arts and culture.

He is also not a one-skill instructor. His education includes a Bachelor degree in Vietnamese Philology from Hue University of Pedagogy, plus degrees in Psychology and Education (University of Pedagogy in Hanoi), Foreign Languages (University of Da Nang), and a Masters degree in Arts from the University of Ha Noi. It is a lot of schooling, but you feel the result in how he teaches: calm, patient explanations and cultural context alongside the actual writing.

In plain terms, that helps you in two ways:

• You get instruction that stays soft and easy to follow.
• You also get the story behind what you are making, so the final artwork feels intentional, not random.

The workshop tools: fur pen, Chinese ink, and Do rice paper

The materials are the heart of this class. You will use a fur pen, Chinese ink, and traditional Vietnamese Do rice paper. These details matter because they shape the feel of the experience.

Fur pens and ink can look intimidating at first. The point is that you are not expected to start perfect. You are expected to learn how the line forms, how much pressure to use, and how the ink settles onto the paper. That is why the class length works well as a first session. You get enough time to get past the awkward learning curve and produce something you are happy to show.

Do rice paper also changes the experience. The paper is part of what makes calligraphy look like calligraphy, not just handwriting. The workshop gives you the chance to see how your strokes translate onto the final sheet.

If you are the type of person who likes tactile activities and small crafts, this is exactly that. The reviews highlight a smooth ink-on-paper sensation and a slow, calming rhythm. That is what you should expect from the hands-on part.

Ancient and modern Vietnamese calligraphy, taught in one class

This is not only a modern-letter exercise. You can learn both ancient and modern Vietnamese calligraphy during the course. That means you are not stuck copying one style. You are learning how the craft can look different depending on the approach.

The class also includes cultural history and traditional art context for ancient Vietnamese calligraphy. You will not just be taught what to do, you will be given the meaning behind the forms you create.

For most people, the real win is confidence. After a couple of guided steps, you stop thinking of calligraphy as an elite art reserved for specialists and start thinking of it as a repeatable process. Even if your first strokes are shaky, the guidance helps you shape them into a finished piece.

Creating your own artwork, plus extra drawing and watercolor practice

Your hands will produce at least one calligraphy artwork of your own. With help from Master Huynh Dong, you will create your calligraphy using the traditional tools in the gallery.

But the class does not stop at writing. You also learn how to draw traditional folk paintings and traditional scenery-style paintings in watercolor. The exact focus can vary based on the pacing of the group, but the theme is consistent: learn a couple of traditional visual skills that pair naturally with calligraphy.

Why this addition works:

• It keeps the class from becoming one-note.
• It gives you a different way to express an idea using art techniques that complement writing.
• It turns the session into a small art day, not just a craft demo.

If you are someone who likes branching out creatively, you will enjoy this. If you are someone who only wants calligraphy practice, you might still like it because it is guided and time-managed, not a long detour.

The tea and the calm pace: a class that helps you slow down

Calligraphy classes can feel either intense or overly performative. This one is explicitly calm in its teaching style. Master Huynh Dong’s demeanor is gentle and kind, with a soft-spoken approach. That matters when you are learning something that depends on tiny movements and steady attention.

Tea is part of the vibe. That small detail is not a throwaway. It reinforces the pacing. You sip, settle in, and then focus on ink strokes instead of rushing from activity to activity.

From a value perspective, this calm structure is a big part of why people give the experience a perfect rating. The learning moment feels comfortable, not stressful.

The take-home gift: your name or idea on rice paper

One of the standout parts of this experience is what happens at the end. After the course, Master Huynh Dong creates a calligraphy work on rice paper using your name or your idea. It is presented to you as a gift from him.

That is a meaningful detail for two reasons:

• You get a personal piece that connects directly to you, not just a generic practice sheet.
• You end the class with something that feels special, like a portrait made through calligraphy rather than mass-produced souvenirs.

And it is not only the gift. You also create your own artwork during the session. So you leave with your own efforts and a polished name or idea piece from the master.

If you are traveling with limited space, this is still workable. Rice paper artwork is light, and you are not dealing with bulky purchases.

Price and value: is $37 fair for 2 hours and a small group?

The price is $37.00 per person for an approximately 2-hour class. At face value, that might look like a craft you could find for less. But here is the value logic based on what you actually get.

You are paying for:

• Instruction from Master of Art Huynh Dong, with a deep educational background across arts and languages.
• Hands-on calligraphy using traditional tools: fur pen, Chinese ink, and Do rice paper.
• A finished personal calligraphy gift made with your name or your idea.
• Additional guided art practice (traditional folk drawing and watercolor scenery-style painting).
• A small group size with a maximum of 5 travelers, which makes one-on-one help more realistic.

For many visitors, the name-on-rice-paper gift is the tipping point. It is the kind of take-home item that feels like it has effort behind it, even if you cannot evaluate that effort until you see it in person.

Where it happens in Hoi An, and what the timing feels like

The class meets at 33 Nguyễn Thái Học, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam, and it ends back at the meeting point.

The experience runs for about 2 hours. In a short Hoi An trip, 2 hours is easy to fit in without scrambling. You also get a setup that feels self-contained: you arrive, write, learn, and then return to the same point.

You will also receive a mobile ticket, which keeps things simple on arrival.

Who should book this class (and who might skip it)

This calligraphy class is a great fit if you:

• Want something calmer than the usual Old Town rhythm.
• Like hands-on learning where you leave with art.
• Appreciate a guided teacher who explains cultural meaning alongside the technique.
• Want a personal souvenir tied to your name or your idea.

You might consider skipping it if you:

• Only want sightseeing and do not enjoy seated, slow-paced activities.
• Want a long course with repeated practice sessions over multiple days.
• Prefer group activities that are more energetic or performance-based.

In other words, this is for people who enjoy craft time and personal attention, not for people who want nonstop action.

Should you book the Calligraphy Learning Class in Old Town Hoi An?

Yes, if you want a genuine art-and-culture moment that is practical and personal. The combination of hands-on calligraphy, instruction from Master Huynh Dong, tea and calm pacing, and the special gift calligraphy made with your name or idea makes it feel more like a crafted experience than a quick souvenir stop.

If you are choosing between “see more sights” and “make something,” this pushes you toward making something. And in Hoi An, that is a refreshingly good trade.

FAQ

Where does the calligraphy class meet?

It starts at 33 Nguyễn Thái Học, Phường Minh An, Hội An, Quảng Nam, Vietnam, and ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the class?

The experience lasts about 2 hours.

How much does the calligraphy learning class cost?

It costs $37.00 per person.

How big is the group?

The class has a maximum of 5 travelers.

What materials will we use to learn calligraphy?

You will use a fur pen, Chinese ink, and traditional Vietnamese Do rice paper.

Do I get a take-home artwork?

Yes. You create your own calligraphy artwork during the course, and Master Huynh Dong also creates a calligraphy work on rice paper with your name or your idea as a gift.

What is the cancellation policy?

You can cancel for free up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. If you cancel less than 24 hours before the start time, the amount paid is not refunded.