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Hoi An cooking and lantern tour operator · Meeting point by option

Cook lunch, make a lantern

A cooking day that ends with a silk lantern you made yourself: the market, a basket boat in the coconut forest, a class with pho and banh xeo, then a workshop in the old town, on the full option. Pick it when you want a lantern of your own to carry home.

Lantern Workshop & Cooking Class with Coconut Boat

About this experience

The listing has 3 options, per its own notes. Option 1, the full tour: the market, the boat, the cooking class and lantern making. Option 2: the boat and the class, without the market or the lantern. Option 3: the cooking class only. The from-price is for the lowest-priced option; the full day with the market, the boat, the class and the lantern costs more, so check the options on the listing. Pickup and the meeting point depend on the option too.

The full day opens at Hoi An Central Market, buying ingredients with your guide. Then the water coconut forest, a historical site, by round bamboo basket boat: tiny crabs to catch, photos, and the option of a fast spinning ride, which costs extra. The class cooks pho bo (beef noodle soup), banh xeo, banh cuon (steamed rice rolls) and che, a mung bean dessert soup. Last comes the transfer to a lantern workshop in the old town, where you make a handmade lantern and keep it.

The craft is old here. Vietnam Law Magazine, citing the Hoi An Center for Cultural Heritage Management, traces the first lanterns to the 17th-century port then called Faifo; the frames are bamboo, and silk and satin are the two main coverings. Modern ones fold, which helps in a suitcase. Included, by option: hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, the coconut forest entry, a bottle of water, the food, the market, the boat, the class and the workshop. Not included: drinks, the fast spinning boat and tips. Bring comfortable shoes, sunglasses and a sun hat, and leave large bags at the hotel.

  • A handmade lantern to keep, on the full tour option
  • Hoi An Central Market with your guide
  • A basket boat in the water coconut forest
  • Pho bo, banh xeo, banh cuon and che on the menu
  • Three options, from the class only to the full day

How the day runs

  1. PickupBy option

    Hotel pickup if your option includes it; the meeting point varies by option.

  2. Full tourHoi An Central Market

    Buy the ingredients for the class while the guide explains them.

  3. Full tour and Option 2Basket boat

    Into the water coconut forest: tiny crabs, photos, and a fast spinning ride at extra cost.

  4. All optionsThe cooking class

    Pho bo, banh xeo, banh cuon and che, then eat what you made.

  5. Full tourLantern workshop

    A transfer into the old town to make a handmade lantern of your own.

  6. 1 to 5 hoursBack by option

    Drop-off if your option includes pickup.

Rows of silk lanterns in many colors in a lantern workshopA market stall with baskets of herbs, limes, chilies and dragon fruit

What's included

Included

  • English-speaking tour guide
  • A bottle of welcome water
  • The food you cook
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (if the option includes it)
  • Coconut forest entry, market and boat (by option)
  • Lantern workshop (full tour option)
  • Free cancellation up to 24 hours before

Not included

  • Drinks and other personal expenses
  • The fast spinning boat ride
  • Tips

Who it suits

Book it if

  • You want to make a lantern, not just buy one
  • You like a full day with the market and the boat
  • You want pho and banh cuon on the menu
  • You want to choose how much of the day to book

Skip it if

What guests say

★★★★★

Great value for money. I recommend getting the full combo (Market visit + Cooking class + coconut boat + lantern making). Come hungry because you do get a good amount of food w/ the cooking class. Well worth the money and time.

Vera · Sep 2026
★★★★★

We had a great time with Emily! She was very informative and helped us with cooking the dishes. There was plenty of food to eat! We absolutely loved the lantern making and recommend to anyone.

Frankie · Oct 2026
★★★★★

The cooking class was the best. We learned so much and the food was really tasty. We even got copies of the recipes!

Jessica · Jul 2026
★★★★★

Such an incredible experience! Thuy was such a brilliant guide!! Highly recommend.

Isabella · Oct 2026

Tips before you book

  • Want the lantern? Pick Option 1, the full tour. The other two options leave it out.
  • Fancy the fast spinning boat? It counts as a personal expense, so it is not in the price.
  • Pack a sun hat and sunglasses for the boat, as the listing suggests.
  • Staying on in the old town afterwards? An Ancient Town ticket costs 80,000 VND or 120,000 VND and covers up to 3 days, per the Hoi An Center for Cultural Heritage Management. Under 16s go free.
  • Planning the rest of the day? Our Hoi An Ancient Town guide covers the lanterns on the river.

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Frequently asked questions

Which option of the lantern workshop tour includes lantern making?

Option 1, the full tour: the market, the boat, the cooking class and lantern making, per the listing's notes.

Why is the lantern workshop and cooking class from $6?

The from-price is for the lowest-priced option. The full day with the market, the boat, the class and the lantern costs more; check the options on the listing.

What do you cook on the lantern workshop tour?

Pho bo (beef noodle soup), banh xeo, banh cuon (steamed rice rolls) and che (mung bean dessert soup), per the listing.

Is the spinning basket boat included?

No. The listing counts the fast spinning boat in the coconut forest as a personal expense, not included in the price.

Ready to book

Book Lantern Workshop & Class

Make a silk lantern after the market, the boat and the class (full option).

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Plan your date before you go

Make a silk lantern after the market, the boat and the class (full option).

Check dates for the lantern workshop