Our verdict — Skip
You assemble, you do not make. The frames are pre-cut, the silk is pre-cut, the colors are pre-chosen. For the same money you can buy a finished lantern from the same shop. If you want a real craft experience, the Sa Huynh-area workshops outside the old town actually teach the frame-building step.
About this tour
Every other shop in the old town advertises a "lantern making class" for $20-35. You get a pre-cut bamboo frame, glue silk on, and walk out with a small lantern. The actual making (cutting, soaking, framing bamboo) is done in advance off-site.
Photos
Safety notes you need to know
- 1
Not unsafe — just oversold. Marketed as authentic craft when it's a 90-minute glue-and-fabric task.
- 2
If you have kids and want a souvenir activity, fine. If you want to learn the craft, look for full-day workshops outside the old town.
What's included
- Pre-cut bamboo frame
- Silk and glue
- A small finished lantern
Frequently asked
What's included in the Generic "Lantern Making Class" — Old Town Tourist Streets?
Included: Pre-cut bamboo frame; Silk and glue; A small finished lantern.How long is the tour?
1.5 hours.How much does it cost?
$25 per person, in USD. Prices vary by season and group size — verify current pricing with the operator.Is this tour worth it?
Our verdict: Skip. You assemble, you do not make. The frames are pre-cut, the silk is pre-cut, the colors are pre-chosen. For the same money you can buy a finished lantern from the same shop. If you want a real craft experience, the Sa Huynh-area workshops outside the old town actually teach the frame-building step.Are there safety considerations?
Not unsafe — just oversold. Marketed as authentic craft when it's a 90-minute glue-and-fabric task. If you have kids and want a souvenir activity, fine. If you want to learn the craft, look for full-day workshops outside the old town.
