Coffee, then lanterns, in Hoi An old town. This hands-on combo turns a simple afternoon into two skills you can actually use at home, starting with Phin coffee brewing and ending with a foldable lantern you can pack and gift.

I love the way this class stays practical, you watch, you do, and you taste as you go. I also like the family-run feel, with local masters and guides who keep things light while explaining the coffee culture and lantern craft.

One possible drawback: the coffee is seriously strong, so pace yourself. If you know caffeine hits you hard, take the staff up on smaller pours and save your energy for the lantern workshop.

Key highlights worth your time

• A Phin metal filter you can use again at home (this is real Vietnamese drip brewing, not just a demo)
• Five Vietnamese coffee styles to taste and make, including black coffee, white coffee, Hue Imperial salt coffee, and egg coffee
• Lantern making with an actual keep-it souvenir mindset, including a foldable design for travel
• You get hands-on instruction, with friendly help from the lantern team, including Tam
• A comfortable, low-stress end to the class, with cookies plus coffee tastings and music

Entering The Phin Brew Workshop Behind Viettin Bank

Your meeting point is easy to find once you know the landmark: you’ll meet behind the Viettin bank, across from Le Ba Truyen restaurant (12 Ba Trieu St). From there, the afternoon is built around two workshops that are close enough to feel like one continuous experience.

This isn’t a sit-and-watch show. You’ll be guided through steps and you’ll make your own coffee using the same basic setup locals use, with that metal filter called a Phin. That matters because Vietnamese coffee is all about the slow drip and the concentrated flavor, not speed.

Also, you’re not stuck waiting for hotel pickup schedules. The class starts from the meeting area, so you can show up, get going, and stop worrying about transport.

Brewing Vietnamese coffee the practical way, not the tourist way

Hoi An is famous for lanterns, but coffee is a big part of everyday Vietnamese life too. In this class, you learn how local coffee is brewed using a little metal filter, then you build flavors through roasting and mixing.

You start by learning the role of dark roasted beans. The class focuses on the idea that darker roasting helps create a deeper taste that holds up once you add sweet condensed milk. You also learn the steps needed so the coffee mixes well and you don’t end up with a watery cup.

Then comes the part that makes this worth it: the Phin process. The Phin is basically a slow-drip brewer that forces the coffee to extract gradually. You’ll prepare coffee types during the session, taste them, and adjust as you learn.

I like that the workshop is set up like a gentle skill class. You get herbal tea or water too, so if the coffee is strong for you, you can reset your palate without ending the experience.

The five coffee types you’ll make and taste

The class is designed around sampling a set of popular Vietnamese coffees, with each cup teaching you something different about flavor. You’ll make and drink multiple versions during the session, and you’ll get to compare them side by side.

Here’s what’s included among the coffee types you prepare:

• Black coffee
• White coffee (often the sweet, milk-forward style)
• Hue Imperial salt coffee
• Ha Noi capital egg coffee
• Plus additional tasting that includes coconut as part of the later enjoyment

You’ll also hear about the culture around these drinks, not just the how-to. The goal is that when you later see Vietnamese coffee on a menu, you’re not guessing.

One tip from the vibe of the room: these coffees can be intense. Even if you’re a coffee person, take your time. A few small cups spread through the session can feel better than one big push, and it leaves you calm for the lantern craft portion.

What happens in the middle: cookies, music, and tasting in rhythm

After you go through the coffee steps and prepare the different styles, you end with a cookie and coffee tastings in a comfortable setting. Music plays in the background, and the atmosphere is relaxed enough that the class doesn’t feel like a factory line.

This middle stretch is more than a break. It’s where you actually learn by tasting. You compare how sweetness lands, how strong the coffee feels, and how the different variations change the experience.

And since you’re doing both workshops in one afternoon, this is the part that helps you not feel rushed. If you tend to get overstimulated on tours, this pacing is a real plus.

Walking to lantern time, where Tam and the team guide you

Once the coffee portion finishes, you head to the lantern-making workshop nearby. Reviews describe the move as a short walk or quick crossing down the street, and the team there is ready for you without making you feel late or stranded.

This part shifts gears from taste to craft. You’re making a lantern souvenir based on the materials and templates they provide, so you’re not stuck trying to figure it all out alone.

What I love here is the focus on foldable design. The lantern is built to compress and pack, so it isn’t just a fragile decoration you have to baby on the plane.

Designing a foldable Hoi An lantern you can pack and gift

You’ll make your own lantern using fabric and a lantern structure. The workshop lets you choose fabric colors and patterns, so your lantern doesn’t end up looking like everyone else’s.

You also get choices in how your lantern is made:

• Some options use a pre-built frame, where you attach fabric to the base
• Other options can involve more hands-on building with bamboo sticks

In the room, help is around you, not above you. More than once, the guides are described as funny and patient, and people mention needing extra time when working with the lantern materials. That’s encouraging if you’re not “crafty.”

Tam is specifically mentioned as an amazing guide during the lantern part, and the overall tone is team support. You’ll be working together with the workshop staff so you can finish confidently instead of feeling stressed.

When you’re done, you don’t just leave with a pretty object. You also learn how to compress it for travel home. That practical instruction is what keeps your souvenir from becoming a packing problem.

What the 210 minutes feel like in real life

The total duration is 210 minutes, which is long enough to learn and create without eating your whole day. The class structure also helps because it alternates between mental focus and hands-on crafting.

Coffee takes the first part of the session. Lantern making fills the latter portion, where you work at a slower pace and get plenty of guidance. If you like activities that are structured but not rigid, this timing works well.

One more note: lantern making can require steady hands, especially if you choose a larger or more involved design. If you’re tired after a long day in the sun, start your afternoon coffee with water and pace yourself.

Price value, and why this feels fair for what you get

The price is $24 per person for a 210-minute, two-part workshop. That’s good value because you’re not just paying for entertainment. You’re paying for instruction, materials, and the fact that you leave with two takeaways: coffee you can replicate and a lantern you can pack.

Here’s what’s included:

• Cookies
• Herbal tea or water
• Coffee
• English guide
• Local master

And the key thing is that both parts are hands-on. Coffee classes that only pour and talk can feel thin. This one uses the Phin method, multiple coffee styles, and then follows it with lantern crafting you actually build.

Not included is hotel pickup and drop-off. If you’re staying near the center, that usually isn’t a deal breaker. If you’re far away, you’ll want to plan your arrival and departure time so you’re not rushing.

Where this class fits best in your Hoi An plans

This experience is ideal if you want something different from the usual lantern stroll. You get the real lantern craft workflow and you get coffee culture that most people skip when they focus only on Old Town walks.

It’s also a nice fit for mixed groups. One of the strengths in the way the class is run is that it keeps energy up while still being patient for slower learners. If you’re traveling with a friend who doesn’t love coffee, they can still enjoy the lantern portion, and vice versa.

If you’re short on time in Hoi An, this also makes sense because it’s compact. It’s not a half-day tour that eats every meal slot. You get a complete arc, coffee to lantern, and you’re free to explore after.

Tips to get the most out of your afternoon

Bring a camera. Even though you’re making things, the best moments often happen when you’re learning the steps and the guide is showing how to work with the materials.

Hydrate during the coffee portion. Herbal tea or water is included, and using it helps you handle the strength of the coffees.

Don’t aim to drink everything at full volume. The coffee is strong enough that you’ll likely feel it, and that can affect your comfort while making the lantern. Smaller pours keep you steady.

If you’re particular about your lantern design, take your time choosing fabric colors and patterns. That choice is what gives your lantern personality, and the workshop team is there to help you build a clean final shape.

Should you book this Hoi An lantern and coffee class?

I’d book it if you want a hands-on afternoon with real take-home results. The Phin coffee brewing instruction is practical, and the foldable lantern part turns your creativity into something you can actually pack and enjoy later.

I’d think twice only if you are very sensitive to caffeine and you don’t want to risk drinking strong coffee. In that case, you can still enjoy the class, just keep your pours small and use the included water or herbal tea.

If you’re in Hoi An and you want an experience that blends local craft with local taste, this one hits the sweet spot: memorable, doable, and genuinely useful when you get home.

FAQ

How long is the Hoi An lantern and coffee making class?

The duration is 210 minutes.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet behind the Viettin bank, opposite to Le Ba Truyen restaurant at 12 Ba Trieu St.

What is included in the price?

It includes cookies, herbal tea or water, coffee, an English guide, and a local master.

Is hotel pick up and drop-off included?

No, hotel pick up and drop-off is not included.

What should I bring?

You should bring a camera.

Is the activity wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the activity is listed as wheelchair accessible.