Hoi An does something clever here: it turns coffee class into a lantern souvenir. You’ll learn to brew Vietnamese coffee with a Phin filter and taste five styles, then you’ll craft a foldable lantern you can bring home. My only real heads-up: there’s no hotel pickup, so you’ll need to get yourself to the meeting point at 12 Ba Trieu St (behind Viettin Bank, opposite Le Ba Trieu Restaurant).

This is built for a slow afternoon pace. It runs about 210 minutes, with an English guide and a comfortable setup where you also end the coffee portion with a cookie and good music. And yes, the coffee is strong, so plan to sip and enjoy instead of trying to power through everything at once.

Key highlights you’ll feel right away

• Five Vietnamese coffees in one sitting, including Hanoi-style egg coffee and Hue Imperial salt coffee
• Hands-on Phin brewing using a metal filter you can apply at home
• Family-run energy, with guides who keep the room light and moving
• A foldable lantern souvenir designed for travel, not just good photos
• Clear step-by-step instruction, from roasting and condensed milk prep to fabric placement on the lantern

Coffee First: Brewing Vietnamese Classics with a Phin Filter

The afternoon starts with coffee, and it’s not the vague, watch-me-brew kind of lesson. You’ll learn the core method Vietnamese coffee fans actually use: the Phin. It’s a small metal brewing device that sits on your cup and controls how the coffee drips through. Think of it as a controlled, gravity-driven brew, closer to how a French press feels in spirit, but with its own rhythm.

What makes this workshop more than just tasting is the process. You’ll hear the steps behind dark beans roasted for depth, then mixed with sweetened condensed milk. That matters because a lot of Vietnamese coffee tastes like a flavor combo first, and a drink second. Once you understand that, egg coffee and salt coffee stop feeling random and start feeling intentional.

You also get a calm, comfortable atmosphere. There’s good music, you’ll be offered herbal tea or water, and you’ll end the coffee portion with a cookie. It’s a nice reset before your hands get busy with the lantern.

The Five Coffee Tastes: Black, Happy White, Hue Salt, Hanoi Egg, Coconut

You’re not leaving with one safe option. You’ll work through five different types of Vietnamese coffee, each with a clear flavor goal.

Here’s what you should expect to taste:

• Black coffee: the straightforward starting point, built from the Phin brew
• Happy white coffee: a sweet, creamy-style drink based on condensed milk
• Hue Imperial salt coffee: a Hue style known for balancing sweetness and saltiness
• Hanoi egg coffee: the famous egg-foam style that feels like dessert and coffee at once
• Coconut coffee: a later favorite for many people, with a softer, rounder profile

The workshop structure helps you notice differences. You brew, you compare, and you practice the style instead of only hearing about it. And when it comes to egg coffee, the takeaway is practical: the egg version is not just a gimmick. The texture is the point, and the way it’s prepared changes how sweet and aromatic the drink feels.

One small but important tip: go easy on quantity. Multiple people note that the coffee can hit harder than expected. It’s not that it’s dangerous; it’s just strong. If you’re caffeine-sensitive, treat this like a tasting flight, not a marathon.

Phin Brewing Tips and How to Avoid a Caffeine Overdose

This is the part I’d plan around before you show up. The coffee you make is strong. Even when you pace yourself, you may feel pleasantly wired, especially after you taste several styles back to back.

A simple game plan:

• Start with small sips while you’re learning the Phin flow
• Save your favorite style for later in the class, once you’ve got a rhythm
• Don’t try to finish every cup at full strength just to say you did

If you’ve never brewed Vietnamese coffee at home, you’ll still do fine. The instructors are step-by-step, and the setup is geared to help you succeed. Many people also mention laughter and patience, which matters when your cup, filter, and timing all depend on you for a few minutes.

By the time you move to lantern making, you’ll likely feel like you’ve done something unique and hands-on without having to think too hard. That’s a good afternoon formula.

Lantern Making on Foot from Viettin Bank: From Fabric to a Foldable Souvenir

After coffee, you’ll head across the street area to the lantern workshop. The walk matters more than it sounds. First, you shake off caffeine. Second, you get the shift in energy from tasting to crafting.

This is where Hoi An’s style shows up. You’ll make a lantern designed to be taken home and stored easily. People keep calling out the foldable part for a reason: it’s not just decorative. You can actually pack it, compress it, and put it up later.

In the lantern room, the focus becomes material choices and hands-on construction. You’ll typically be able to pick fabric colors and patterns, and you may choose between building with a premade frame or working with bamboo sticks. The guidance is supportive, and the vibe stays playful without losing structure.

And yes, you can go at your pace. This isn’t a factory line. You’ll get enough help to keep things from getting frustrating, especially if your fingers have never handled bamboo or fabric frames before.

Lantern Workshop Details: Choose a Style, Learn the Travel-Friendly Fold

Your lantern outcome matters because it’s your main souvenir. A lot of classes give you a finished piece but not the know-how. Here, you’re taught how to compress it for travel home, which is surprisingly useful.

What you can expect while crafting:

• Help choosing a lantern shape and fabric pattern
• Step-by-step guidance while you assemble the lantern
• Options that may include using a premade base or a more involved build with bamboo sticks
• Support from staff who keep an eye on your progress so you don’t fall behind

One name that comes up in the lantern workshop is Tam. People describe her as especially funny and helpful, which fits the workshop tone overall. If you’re the type who learns better with a little humor, this is a win.

Also, consider taking a few minutes at the end for photos and a light check of your work. People mention that lanterns end up looking like they were made with real skill. Still, do a quick look before you pack.

What’s Included, What Isn’t, and How to Plan Your 210 Minutes

This experience runs 210 minutes, which is long enough to actually learn and produce something, but not so long that you feel stuck all day.

What you get:

• Cookies
• Herbal tea or water
• Coffee (all the tasting and brewing)
• English guide
• Local master
• English audio guide

What you don’t get:

• Hotel pickup and drop-off

That last item is the only logistical snag. The meeting point is specific: you’ll meet behind Viettin Bank, opposite Le Ba Truyen Restaurant at 12 Ba Trieu St. Plan a few extra minutes to locate it. Once you’re there, the rest is handled.

If you’re pairing this with other Hoi An activities, slot it as an afternoon anchor. You’ll finish with the lantern souvenir in hand and coffee memories in your head. Also, it’s a good rainy-day option because it’s indoors with hands-on instruction.

Price and Value: Why $24 Feels Fair for Two Hands-On Workshops

At $24 per person for about three and a half hours, this class is priced like you’re paying for two skills, not just one experience.

You’re getting:

• A guided Vietnamese coffee tasting and brewing session using a Phin
• A lantern-making workshop that ends with a foldable take-home souvenir
• Included drinks and a cookie
• English support, plus a local master involved in the teaching

If you try to do these separately in Hoi An, you’d usually pay more for the same combination of hands-on craft + real food and drink. Here, the value comes from the fact that you’re not only watching. You’re doing. You also leave with items you can use right away at home: a lantern for decorating and the coffee knowledge for recreating at least part of the experience.

The one value risk is timing. If you hate caffeine or you’re short on time, you might feel like you’re paying for coffee you can’t enjoy fully. But if you’re open to learning, sipping, and crafting, this price makes sense.

Who This Fits Best (and Who Should Rethink It)

This experience is a strong fit if you want something practical and different from the usual Hoi An sightseeing loop. It’s especially good for:

• Food lovers who like learning how drinks are made
• People who want a hands-on souvenir that travels well
• Small groups or couples who enjoy active classes
• Families looking for a structured activity with clear instruction

You might rethink it if:

• You need a completely low-caffeine schedule
• You’re unwilling to get yourself to a meeting point (since there’s no pickup)
• You dislike crafts that involve fabric assembly and careful handwork

Also, if you do have caffeine sensitivity, don’t try to brute-force the tasting. Sip, taste, and prioritize comfort.

Should You Book This Lantern and Coffee Class in Hoi An?

Book it if you want an afternoon that feels local and personal. You’ll learn to brew with a Phin, you’ll taste five Vietnamese coffee styles including egg coffee, and you’ll make a foldable lantern you can pack and display later. The class format also makes it hard to feel bored: coffee first, then craft, with guides who keep the mood light and the steps clear.

Skip it only if the no-pickup logistics will stress you out, or if caffeine is a hard no for you. Otherwise, this is one of those Hoi An experiences that gives you both flavor and a craft you can actually take home.

FAQ

How long is the Hoi An Lantern and Coffee Making class?

The activity duration is 210 minutes.

How much does it cost?

The price is $24 per person.

Where is the meeting point?

You meet behind Viettin Bank and opposite Le Ba Truyen Restaurant at 12 Ba Trieu St.

Do I need hotel pickup and drop-off?

No. Hotel pickup and drop-off are not included.

What drinks and food are included?

Cookies are included, along with herbal tea or water and the coffee you make and taste.

Are the instructions available in English?

Yes. The instructor is English, and an English audio guide is included.

What types of Vietnamese coffee will I make and try?

You’ll discover five different types of Vietnamese coffee, including black coffee, happy white coffee, Hue Imperial salt coffee, and Hanoi egg coffee, plus coconut.

Will I make egg coffee?

Yes, egg coffee is part of the coffee making and tasting.

What can I bring?

Bring a camera.

Is the experience wheelchair accessible?

Yes, it’s listed as wheelchair accessible.

FAQ

Can I cancel and get a full refund?

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Is reserve & pay later available?

Yes. You can reserve now & pay later.

Is the lantern something I can take home?

Yes. You’ll go home with the lantern you make, and it’s designed to be foldable for decoration and transport.