Hoi An Lantern Class Cost 2026: What Indians Pay (And What’s Included)
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: July 2026 — prices checked at the studio door and cross-referenced with Klook/GetYourGuide listings.
If you’re comparing the hoi an lantern making class price for 2026, expect to pay between ₹734 (~$7.62) and ₹1,652 (~$17.15) per person, with most tourists paying around ₹1,102 (~$11.44) for a 2.5-hour session. Materials, instruction, and a take-home lantern are included. Check the current INR to Vietnam currency exchange rate before you budget.
This hoi an lantern making class price guide covers three studios Indians book most: mid-range Thanh Lich and Bamboo Lantern for English instruction and a proper silk lantern, and the budget Le Family class if you just want the experience and a smaller cotton lantern. For related planning, see our guide on Sea Backpacking Hub or Famous Train in Vietnam Reunification Express Cost Worth It.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Walk into the studio directly. Every booking platform adds a 15 to 25 percent markup. The price on the door is always lower than the price on Klook or GetYourGuide. You may also find Where Are the Lanterns in Hoi an Photowalk Map useful for this trip.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Average class cost | ₹1,102 (~300,000 VND or ~$11.43) per person | ₹1,102 (~$11.43) |
| Budget class (Le Family style) | ₹734 (~200,000 VND or ~$7.62) per person | ₹734 (~$7.62) |
| Premium class (private, silk lantern) | ₹1,652 (~450,000 VND or ~$17.15) per person | ₹1,652 (~$17.15) |
| Class duration | 2 to 2.5 hours | , |
| What’s included | Materials, tea, instruction, 1 take-home lantern | , |
FX at time of writing: 1 VND = ₹0.0037, so 300,000 VND = ₹1,102.
Quick Comparison: The 3 Studios Indians Book Most
| Factor | Thanh Lich | Le Family | Bamboo Lantern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price per person | ₹1,102-₹1,469 (~300,000-400,000 VND or ~$11.43-$15.25) | ₹734-₹918 (~200,000-250,000 VND or ~$7.62-$9.53) | ₹1,285-₹1,652 (~350,000-450,000 VND or ~$13.34-$17.15) |
| Duration | 2.5 hours | 2 hours | 2.5 hours |
| Group size | 6 to 12 people | 8 to 15 people | 4 to 8 people |
| English instruction | Yes, fluent | Basic, hand gestures help | Yes, fluent |
| Lantern you take home | Silk, full size (30 cm) | Cotton, small (20 cm) | Silk, full size (30 cm) |
| Tea included | Yes, jasmine | Yes, local green | Yes, lotus |
| Best for | First-timers who want quality | Budget travelers, groups | Couples, smaller groups |
| Booking method | Walk-in or WhatsApp | Walk-in only | Walk-in or WhatsApp |
Choose Thanh Lich If…
- You want fluent English instruction. The teacher explains every step and answers questions about Hoi An’s lantern history.
- You want a silk lantern you’ll display at home. The 30 cm silk frame survives the flight back in a checked bag if you wrap it in clothes.
- You’re travelling solo or as a couple. The smaller group size (6 to 12 people) means more one-on-one help.
Choose Le Family If…
- You’re on a tight budget. At ₹734 (~200,000 VND or ~$7.62), it’s the cheapest real class in the Old Town.
- You’re travelling with a group of friends. They run back-to-back sessions and can fit 15 people easily.
- You don’t care about lantern quality. The cotton version is fine as a souvenir but won’t last more than a year.
Choose Bamboo Lantern If…
- You want the smallest group and the most attention. Max 8 people per session.
- You want a lotus tea ceremony included. They serve it during the bamboo-frame shaping step.
- You’re okay paying ₹184 (~50,000 VND or ~$1.91) more for a quieter, less rushed atmosphere. If timing your visit around class availability matters, see best time to visit Southeast Asia month by month weather rain crowd guide.
Thanh Lich. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Best English instruction in Hoi An. The lead teacher has been running classes for 12 years and explains the symbolism of each colour and shape.
- Silk lanterns are noticeably better than cotton. The frame is sturdier and the silk doesn’t tear when you pack it.
- Tea and biscuits included. Small thing, but you sit for 2.5 hours and the breaks help.
Cons:
- ₹1,102-₹1,469 (~300,000-400,000 VND or ~$11.43-$15.25) is 50 to 100 percent more than Le Family. If you’re doing this on a backpacker budget, it adds up.
- Located on Nguyen Thai Hoc street, which is the busiest lantern street. Walking there from the Old Town takes 10 minutes and you’ll pass 5 other studios trying to sell you the same class.
Le Family. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Cheapest real class in Hoi An at ₹734-₹918 (~200,000-250,000 VND or ~$7.62-$9.53). Most backpackers report paying exactly ₹734 (~200,000 VND or ~$7.62) if they book in person.
- Casual, family-run vibe. The workshop is run by a multi-generational household and the atmosphere is relaxed compared to the larger commercial studios.
- Easy to find. They’re on a side street near the Japanese Covered Bridge and most hostels point you there directly.
Cons:
- English is basic. If the teacher doesn’t catch your name on the first try, you’ll spend 10 minutes miming “wrap the silk around this.”
- Cotton lanterns are flimsy. Travellers report the frame bending if you check it in luggage without bubble wrap.
Bamboo Lantern. Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Smallest group sizes. Max 8 people means you get hands-on help the entire time.
- Lotus tea is a nice touch. They explain the tea ceremony briefly before starting.
- The studio is quiet. It’s on a less-touristy street, so you don’t feel like you’re in a lantern factory.
Cons:
- Most expensive option at ₹1,285-₹1,652 (~350,000-450,000 VND or ~$13.34-$17.15). About ₹1,300 (~$13.49) to ₹1,665 (~$17.28) per person.
- Harder to book. They don’t always run classes on slow days. WhatsApp them the day before.
Cost Comparison in ₹
| Expense | Thanh Lich | Le Family | Bamboo Lantern |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class fee | ₹1,102 (~300,000 VND or ~$11.43) | ₹734 (~200,000 VND or ~$7.62) | ₹1,469 (~400,000 VND or ~$15.25) |
| Take-home lantern | Included | Included | Included |
| Tea/water | Included | Included | Included |
| Extra lantern (if you want 2) | ₹551 (~150,000 VND or ~$5.72) each | ₹367 (~100,000 VND or ~$3.81) each | ₹661 (~180,000 VND or ~$6.86) each |
| Total (1 person, 1 lantern) | ₹1,102 (~300,000 VND or ~$11.43) | ₹734 (~200,000 VND or ~$7.62) | ₹1,469 (~400,000 VND or ~$15.25) |
What’s Included (And What’s Not)
Included in every reputable class:
- All materials (bamboo frame, silk or cotton cover, glue, string)
- 1 finished lantern (you take it home)
- Tea and sometimes water
- 2 to 2.5 hours of instruction
- Use of scissors, glue, and shaping tools
Not included (ask before you pay):
- Hotel pickup. None of the three studios offer this. You’re walking in yourself.
- Shipping. If your lantern is too big for luggage, they’ll ship it for ₹551-₹1,102 (~150,000-300,000 VND or ~$5.72-$11.43) via Vietnam Post. Takes 2 to 3 weeks.
- Extra silk colours. Some studios charge ₹110 (~30,000 VND or ~$1.14) if you want a specific colour (red, pink, gold) instead of the standard options.
How to Book Without Getting Overcharged
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Walk in directly. The door price is always 10 to 20 percent lower than Klook or GetYourGuide. Studios prefer cash and don’t pay platform commissions.
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WhatsApp the day before if you want a confirmed slot. Thanh Lich and Bamboo Lantern both take WhatsApp bookings. Le Family is walk-in only.
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Ask the price upfront and confirm what’s included. Some studios quote ₹734 (~200,000 VND or ~$7.62) then tell you the silk upgrade is ₹367 (~100,000 VND or ~$3.81) extra. Get the full price in writing (even a WhatsApp message) before you sit down.
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Don’t book through your hostel. Hostels in Hoi An add a ₹184-₹367 (~50,000-100,000 VND or ~$1.91-$3.81) commission. Walk in yourself and save the markup.
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Pay in VND cash if you have it. Card payments sometimes add a 3 percent processing fee. Most studios prefer cash anyway.
Subodh’s Pro Tip: Ask the studio directly about any silk-upgrade or extra-lantern pricing before you sit down. Some quote the basic cotton price first, then add the silk upgrade on top.
The Bananarchy Take
For first-timers, pay the extra ₹367 (~100,000 VND or ~$3.81) and book Thanh Lich. The English instruction is genuinely better, the silk lantern lasts longer, and you’ll understand why Hoi An’s lantern tradition matters. For budget backpackers doing the full Vietnam loop, Le Family at ₹734 (~200,000 VND or ~$7.62) is the right call. You’ll still get the experience and a lantern, just not the same quality. Skip Bamboo Lantern unless you’re a couple looking for a quieter session. The ₹184 (~50,000 VND or ~$1.91) premium isn’t worth it for solo travellers.
If you’re already spending 3 to 4 days in Hoi An (you should, the food scene alone is worth it), one lantern class is a solid half-day activity. Pair it with a Hoi An Old Town walking tour and a cooking class and you’ve used up a full day productively.
Getting Connected
You’ll want Google Translate loaded before the class in case the teacher mixes English with Vietnamese instructions. A local SIM or eSIM is essential for Hoi An. Viettel and Mobifone both sell tourist SIMs at the Da Nang airport for ₹624 (~170,000 VND or ~$6.48) for 30 days with 3 GB total data. If you’d rather skip the airport counter, a local eSIM works the moment you land and activates with a QR code.
What to Eat Before or After the Class
You’ll be sitting for 2.5 hours, so eat something light beforehand. For a proper Hoi An meal, MẸT Hội An does an extensive vegetarian menu including Cao Lau, the town’s signature noodle dish. If you want a hands-on coffee experience after your lantern dries, the Vietnamese Coffee Culture and Coffee Making Class is a bookable session where you learn to make egg coffee and coconut coffee. Nhan’s kitchen is a solid local spot for a quick banh mi or com ga (chicken rice) at typical Hoi An street-food prices before you head into the studio.
FAQ
How long is a Hoi An lantern making class?
Most classes run 2 to 2.5 hours. The bamboo frame shaping takes 45 minutes to an hour, then another 45 minutes to an hour to glue the silk or cotton cover and add the final details. Some studios let you stay longer if you’re not done, but most groups finish within 2.5 hours.
Do I need to speak Vietnamese?
No. Thanh Lich and Bamboo Lantern have fluent English-speaking teachers. Le Family is more basic, but they use hand gestures and demonstration, so you can follow along even with zero English. If your Vietnamese is rough, pick Thanh Lich.
Can kids do the lantern class?
Yes, most studios accept kids aged 6 and up. Le Family is the most kid-friendly because the family setting is relaxed and the teacher is patient. Thanh Lich and Bamboo Lantern also welcome kids but the silk work requires more fine motor skills, so younger children may need help from a parent.
Will the lantern survive the flight home?
Silk lanterns from Thanh Lich and Bamboo Lantern survive checked luggage if you wrap the frame in clothes and put the silk cover in a separate bag. Cotton lanterns from Le Family are flimsier and the frame can bend. If you’re flying carry-on only, ask the studio to ship it (₹551-₹1,102 (~150,000-300,000 VND or ~$5.72-$11.43) via Vietnam Post, 2 to 3 weeks delivery).
Is it cheaper to book through Klook or GetYourGuide?
No. Platforms add 15 to 25 percent markup. A ₹1,102 (~300,000 VND or ~$11.43) class on Klook shows up as ₹1,395-₹1,469 (~380,000-400,000 VND or ~$14.48-$15.25). Walk into the studio directly or WhatsApp them. You save ₹184-₹367 (~50,000-100,000 VND or ~$1.91-$3.81) per person.
What should I bring to the class?
Nothing. All studios provide materials, tea, and tools. Wear something you don’t mind getting glue on. The silk dye can stain light-coloured clothes if you brush against it.
