Hoi An has a way of making small lessons feel special. This class pairs Vietnamese Phin coffee with lantern-making, so you leave with skills and a craft you can actually use at home. I love that it is hands-on, timed at about 3.5 hours, and kept in a comfortable group setting.

Two things I really liked are the coffee part and the people running it. You learn how the Phin filter method works, then you make several coffee styles that go beyond the usual black coffee. After the tasting, you get guided into making a unique lantern, with the instructors staying upbeat and practical.

One thing to consider: there is no hotel pick-up or drop-off listed, so you’ll need to get yourself to the meeting point and back. If you’re staying far from central Hoi An, double-check how you’ll reach 10C Bà Triệu.

Key highlights at a glance

• Phin filter coffee setup: You learn the little metal filter method that creates a deep, strong brew
• Five coffee styles in one session: black coffee, white coffee, Hue Imperial salt coffee, egg coffee, and coconut coffee
• A lantern craft right after coffee: you make a foldable lantern to take home
• Stress-reducing flow: you sip the coffee you made as you start the lantern part
• Small group size: up to 20 people, which keeps the pace friendly and questions easier

Hoi An coffee culture meets a foldable lantern craft

This isn’t just a coffee tasting, and it isn’t just a craft class. You’re doing both, back-to-back, in one smooth 3 hours 30 minutes session, so you’re always either learning or hands-on making something.

I like that the structure makes sense. You start with coffee brewing and drinking, then you switch gears to a lantern project while you’re already settled into the mood. It feels less like a “look and listen” tour and more like a mini workshop you can finish feeling proud of.

The lantern you take home is described as beautiful and foldable, which matters if you’re packing light. It’s also part of why this feels like good value for a short class, not just another souvenir stop.

The Phin filter coffee lesson, and why it tastes different

The center of the coffee portion is the Vietnamese Phin filter, a small metal device that works like a slow press. The idea is simple but the result is not, because the brew concentrates as it drips.

In the class, you’ll learn how local coffee is brewed with the Phin, and you’ll hear about the steps that go into making the flavor work with sweet condensed milk. The instructions focus on getting a strong, deep coffee base, then building the style you want on top.

If you’ve had iced Vietnamese coffee before, you may know the sweetness. What you might not know is that the Phin method and dark-bean roasting are what create that heavier, more rounded taste. This is the kind of lesson that helps you understand why the drink works, instead of just copying a recipe.

The coffee styles you learn to make, one by one

The class isn’t limited to one or two drinks. You make multiple styles, so you get to compare textures and sweetness levels while you’re still in the learning mode. You also end with a cookie, so you’re not left searching for a snack afterward.

Here are the specific types you’ll make and drink during the session:

• Black coffee
• White coffee
• Hue Imperial salt coffee
• Ha Noi capital egg coffee
• Coconut coffee

You’ll also get a guided run-through of why certain combinations work. For example, the class highlights roasting dark beans so the flavors mix well with condensed milk. That means your sweet coffee styles have more than sugar, they have a sturdy coffee backbone.

A small detail I appreciate from this format is the “make it, then sip it” rhythm. It helps you catch what the coffee should taste like right away, instead of waiting until the end to judge your work.

Black coffee and white coffee, the baseline

Starting with black coffee gives you a clean reference point. When you later move into sweeter versions, you can taste the change more clearly.

Then comes white coffee, described as “happy white coffee” in the overview. The class connects it to the core technique of roasting dark beans and pairing the brew with condensed milk, so it tastes strong and creamy rather than thin or flat.

Hue Imperial salt coffee, the twist

Hue Imperial salt coffee is one of the more interesting-sounding options in the lineup. Even if you’ve never tried it before, the name signals that it’s not just sweet. You’ll learn the process in a way that makes the flavor feel intentional, not random.

I like including at least one unusual style because it breaks the routine. It also gives you something specific to tell people about later, beyond “we had coffee.”

Egg coffee, the dessert-in-a-cup idea

Egg coffee is included in the course and is often a favorite because it feels like a treat. In this class, you learn how to make the “Ha Noi capital egg coffee” style, so you get a taste that’s very different from the condensed-milk versions.

The value here is comparison. Once you’ve made egg coffee, you’ll likely understand why egg-based coffee drinks feel richer. You’re not just tasting sweetness, you’re tasting texture.

Coconut coffee, sweet and aromatic

Coconut coffee rounds out the set and adds a different flavor direction. If you like fruitier or aromatic notes, coconut tends to feel like a natural bridge from traditional Vietnamese sweet coffee.

Even if coconut coffee isn’t your everyday order, the point of this class is to help you taste enough varieties that you can later choose with confidence.

Lantern making after coffee, with an easy pace

After you enjoy the coffee you made, you transition to the lantern part of the workshop. The overview says the coffee and drinks are part of the lantern process, described as a way to reduce stressful feelings while you make the lanterns.

That matters more than it sounds. Lantern-making can be fiddly if you feel rushed. The class design tries to keep you calm, with a comfortable atmosphere and good music during the lantern activity.

You’ll make a very unique lantern, and the class includes that you take home a foldable lantern. This is a practical souvenir, not just a photo moment. It also helps if you want something handmade that feels connected to the local craft culture, not a mass-made item.

In the workshop setting, you’re not just watching someone else do the craft. You’re creating it, step by step, while the instructors keep things friendly and clear.

What happens during the 3.5 hours, and where it starts

This experience is about 3 hours 30 minutes long, and it ends back at the meeting point. The meeting point is 10C Bà Triệu, Phường Cẩm Phổ, Hội An, Quảng Nam 560000, Vietnam.

There’s no hotel pick-up or drop-off, so plan transport accordingly. If you’re walking or using local transport, this start point is manageable for many areas of central Hoi An, but your exact route depends on where you’re staying.

The tour is capped at a maximum of 20 travelers, which usually means less waiting and more instructor attention. You’ll also have a mobile ticket, which keeps check-in simple.

Included in the class:

• Coffee and/or tea
• Snacks
• You also end with a cookie as part of the session

Price and value: what $29 buys you in real terms

At $29 per person, this class feels like a solid deal because you’re paying for two activities in one time block: multiple coffee styles plus a lantern you take home.

If you break it down, the coffee alone would be worth it if your goal is to understand the Phin method and learn several Vietnamese drink styles. Then you add the craft time, tools and instruction, and the actual lantern project that becomes a take-home item.

Also, the class includes snacks and a cookie, which helps you stay comfortable during the full session. You’re not stuck on an empty stomach while learning technique.

The timing is another value point. Around 3.5 hours is long enough to do real work, but short enough that it won’t wreck your day plan.

Who this coffee and lantern workshop fits best

I think this experience works especially well if you want variety without complexity. You get hands-on learning, but in a format that stays organized.

It’s a great match for:

• Coffee lovers who want more than one drink and want to understand the Phin basics
• People who like crafts and want a tangible take-home item that is foldable
• Families, since the activity is described as run by local families and welcoming for kids
• Anyone who wants an authentic-feeling workshop rather than a quick stop in a shop

The atmosphere is described as comfortable, and the instructors are repeatedly described as friendly and helpful. That matters if you feel shy asking questions, or if you’re simply the type who likes to learn at a calm pace.

Two practical notes that help you plan: service animals are allowed, and the meeting point is near public transportation.

Tips to make your session smoother

Since you start with coffee and then move into a craft, plan the day so you’re not rushing across town at the last minute. Give yourself a little buffer so you can settle in and enjoy the lesson.

Arriving on time also helps you get the full experience, especially if you’re trying multiple coffee styles. The flow is designed to keep you moving, so if you’re late, you may miss the early portion.

If you know you’re curious about a particular drink, focus on tasting and comparing it as you go. The class format makes comparison easy because you’ll be making several styles during the same sitting.

And when it comes to the lantern, don’t worry about doing it perfectly. The point is to learn the steps and take home something you made.

Should you book this coffee and lantern class in Hoi An?

I’d book it if you want a short, well-rounded workshop that combines Vietnamese coffee technique with a real craft souvenir. The price feels fair because you’re not paying for one demonstration, you’re paying to make multiple drinks and a lantern yourself.

I’d skip it or think twice if you rely heavily on hotel pick-up to get around, because there is no transfer service listed. Also, if you prefer highly quiet activities, note that it includes music and a social workshop vibe.

If you’re in Hoi An with even a small window of time, this is an easy choice for something different. You’ll leave with coffee skills you can copy later, plus a foldable lantern you can actually bring home.