Da Nang/Hoi An: Lantern Making Workshop and Basket Boat Ride

Hoi An’s lanterns are more than pretty things to hang in a window. In this workshop, you make one yourself with local artisans, then take it home as a souvenir. Afterward, the tour heads to Cam Thanh for a basket boat ride through mangrove waterways and a generous Vietnamese lunch.

I like two things about this outing: you get a hands-on craft rather than just another photo stop, and the boat ride gives you a look at local fishing methods as well as the scenery. The included eight-dish lunch also makes the $30 price feel worthwhile, especially with hotel pickup and drop-off.

One consideration: this is a busy half-day with several activities, and the boat ride involves paddling and getting in and out of a boat. It is not suitable for people with mobility impairments. Drinks beyond the included lunch are extra, and public holidays carry a 100,000 VND surcharge per person.

What makes this outing worth your time

• Make a lantern to take home: Local artisans guide you through a traditional process using eco-friendly materials.
• See Cam Thanh from the water: The basket boat ride passes through mangrove waterways, with local fishermen at work.
• Try the fishing techniques: Watch round-net and cast-net fishing, then have a go at catching crabs and dropping a net.
• Take the paddle yourself: Learn to handle a Vietnamese bamboo basket boat and join a boat race.
• Settle in for an eight-dish lunch: The meal is part of the package, so you can taste several traditional dishes without arranging a separate stop.
• Start and finish at your hotel: Pickup and drop-off are available from Hoi An or Da Nang.

First, make a lantern with local artisans

The workshop is the tour’s most personal stop. Instead of choosing a finished lantern from a shop, you learn how one comes together and make your own with traditional techniques and eco-friendly materials. The instructors guide you step by step, so you do not need to arrive with craft skills or a plan for how to begin.

The process is intended to be manageable for different ages and skill levels. That matters if you are travelling as a family, or if you are the sort of person who finds a blank sheet of paper more intimidating than a full day of sightseeing. You get help along the way, and the finished lantern becomes a souvenir with a story attached to it.

Ann and Rita are names associated with the workshop. Ann has been singled out for her warm approach with a family that included a four-year-old, while Rita is also connected with the lantern class. Since the specific instructor can vary, treat those names as helpful context rather than a guarantee that either will lead your session.

There is also the option to buy lanterns at the workshop. That can be useful if you want another one, but the main value here is making your own. You leave with both a keepsake and a better sense of the work behind the familiar lanterns around Hoi An.

Then take the water route through Cam Thanh

After the class, the outing shifts from a worktable to the waterways of Cam Thanh village. The bamboo basket boat is a distinctive local craft, round rather than shaped like the long boats many visitors expect. You can learn to paddle it yourself, and the tour includes a basket boat race as well as a performance.

The ride is not only a scenic break. The waterways pass through mangrove forest, and you get to see local fishermen working. The tour also includes demonstrations of round-net and cast-net fishing, followed by a chance to catch crabs and drop a net. These are practical glimpses of work tied to the water, not just a ride for the view.

The activity has a playful side, too. Learning to paddle a round boat can take a little coordination, and the race gives you a chance to try it under livelier conditions. The performance adds another stop to the schedule, so this is not a quiet nature excursion from start to finish. If you are hoping for a slow, silent float, the fishing demonstrations and boat activities make the experience more active than that.

You should also be ready for the physical side of the ride. The tour is marked as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments, and the basket boat format may be awkward if getting in and out of low boats is difficult for you. Comfortable clothes are a sensible choice, along with a hat and sunscreen.

Lunch is a substantial part of the package

After the boat ride, you sit down to a Vietnamese lunch featuring eight traditional dishes. The meal is described as generous, with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. That gives you more variety than a quick single-plate stop, and it is one reason the tour works well as a half-day plan rather than a collection of separate activities.

For $30 per person, the price covers the workshop materials, boat ride, guide, lunch, and hotel transfers from Hoi An or Da Nang. That is a useful bundle, particularly if you would otherwise need to arrange transport and pay separately for a meal and activities. The value is strongest if you want to try both the craft and the boat ride. If you only want to make a lantern or only want a boat trip, a combined tour may feel more scheduled than necessary.

Extra drinks are not included, so bring water and expect to pay separately for any additional beverages. There is also a 100,000 VND per-person surcharge on listed public holidays: December 31 to January 1, April 29 to 30, May 1 to 2, December 24 to 25, and Lunar New Year. Check the date-specific price before you commit.

Timing, pickup, and practical preparations

The stated duration is 210 minutes to four hours. That is enough time for a craft session, the Cam Thanh activities, lunch, and the return transfer, though the exact starting times depend on availability. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included from either Hoi An or Da Nang, which makes the tour easier to fit into a day without sorting out separate transport.

When you book, give the activity provider a correct contact number or messaging account. WhatsApp, phone, Line, and Kakao Talk are accepted contact options, and the provider may use those details to send information such as your ticket code. It is a small step, but it can prevent confusion on the day.

Bring a hat, camera, sunscreen, water, and comfortable clothes. The camera is useful for both the lantern-making steps and the village waterways, while sun protection matters during the outdoor part of the outing. Since extra drinks are not included, carrying water is especially sensible.

The tour has an English-speaking guide. It also offers free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and you can reserve without paying immediately. Those terms give you some flexibility if your plans are still taking shape.

Who will enjoy this half-day most

This outing suits you if you want a mix of making, local activity, and food rather than a single sightseeing stop. It is a good fit for families, couples, and friends who enjoy hands-on experiences. The lantern class is guided, and the boat portion offers both calm scenery and playful moments, so there is more than one way to take part.

It is especially appealing if Hoi An’s lanterns have caught your eye and you want to understand them beyond buying one. Making a lantern gives you something tangible to take home, while the boat trip adds a view of village life that is different from walking Hoi An’s streets.

The trade-off is the number of elements packed into a few hours. You move from craft to boat activities to lunch, and you may prefer a slower pace if you want long stretches of unstructured time. It is also a poor choice if mobility issues make boarding a small boat or participating in the ride difficult.

Should you book it?

I would book this if you want a practical, good-value half-day that combines a memorable souvenir with time on the water. The strongest reasons are the guided lantern-making session, the chance to try paddling and fishing activities, and a full lunch included in the price. Hotel transfers also simplify the day if you are staying in Hoi An or Da Nang.

Skip it if you want a quiet boat ride with no demonstrations, or if a multi-part itinerary feels too busy. Before booking, check the available start time, confirm your contact details, and account for the holiday surcharge if your visit falls on one of the listed dates.

FAQ

How long does the tour take?

The stated duration is 210 minutes to four hours. Available starting times vary, so check the schedule for your date.

Is hotel pickup included?

Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included for hotels in Hoi An or Da Nang.

What activities are included in the boat ride?

You can learn to paddle a bamboo basket boat, join a boat race, watch a boat performance, observe round-net and cast-net fishing, and try catching crabs and dropping a net.

Is lunch included?

Yes. The tour includes a Vietnamese lunch featuring eight traditional dishes. Extra drinks are not included.

What should I bring?

Bring a hat, camera, sunscreen, water, and comfortable clothes.

Is the tour suitable for people with mobility impairments?

No. The activity is listed as unsuitable for people with mobility impairments.

Are there extra charges on public holidays?

Yes. There is an additional charge of 100,000 VND per person on December 31 to January 1, April 29 to 30, May 1 to 2, December 24 to 25, and Lunar New Year.