REVIEW · HOI AN
Da Nang/Hoi An: Lantern Making Workshop and Basket Boat Ride
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by Happy Holiday Travel - Viet Nam · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Lanterns and mangroves in one smooth 4-hour block. This Da Nang/Hoi An experience mixes a lantern-making workshop with a bamboo basket boat ride in Cam Thanh, where you’ll see how locals fish and move through the waterways.
I especially loved the hands-on lantern time with Rita and the calm, friendly pace from the team. You’ll also get a satisfying Vietnamese lunch with 8 dishes, which makes this feel like more than just a quick activity stop.
One thing to consider: this is not suitable for people with mobility impairments, and it’s outdoors, so plan for sun and walking.
In This Review
- Key highlights worth your attention
- Lantern-making in Hoi An: your souvenir becomes the main event
- Cam Thanh basket boat ride: mangroves, fishermen, and real water work
- Learning to paddle, then racing: why this part feels different
- The included lunch: 8 Vietnamese dishes that make the day feel complete
- Price and logistics: why $30 can be good value here
- What to bring (and what to do) so the day goes smoothly
- Who should book this tour, and who should skip it
- Should you book Da Nang/Hoi An Lantern Making + Cam Thanh Basket Boat?
- FAQ
- How long is the lantern making and basket boat experience?
- How much does it cost?
- What’s included in the price?
- What’s not included?
- Where does the bamboo basket boat ride take place?
- Do I get to take a lantern home?
- Is the tour available with an English guide?
- What should I bring?
- Is this activity suitable for people with mobility impairments?
- What contact information do I need to provide after booking?
Key highlights worth your attention
- Lantern workshop with Rita-led step-by-step guidance so you can actually finish your own design
- Cam Thanh bamboo basket boat ride through mangrove waterways and around local fishermen
- Hands-on fishing moments you get to watch and join, including net techniques
- A fun basket boat race that turns the ride into a real activity, not just sightseeing
- Lunch included with 8 Vietnamese dishes that are filling and genuinely good
Lantern-making in Hoi An: your souvenir becomes the main event
If you want one souvenir from Hoi An that feels personal, this is it. The day starts with hotel pickup and a trip to a lantern-making workshop where you’ll build your own piece using eco-friendly materials and traditional techniques. In practice, that means you’re not just copying a preset design. You’re learning the steps and making decisions as you go, then taking home the lantern you created.
What I like most is the teaching style. The instructors are warm and attentive, and the process is set up so even if crafts aren’t your thing, you can still finish with something you’re proud of. Rita’s workshop has a family feel: they guide you step by step and keep things relaxed, even when a group includes mixed ages and skill levels. And yes, this is a nice change from tours where you just watch someone else do everything.
Because it’s a craft activity, you should expect some concentration. You’ll be working with materials during the workshop portion, then you’ll move to the boat ride right after. That’s why I recommend bringing a camera early and capturing your progress, not just the final lantern. The best photos are often the middle stages when you’re still shaping and assembling.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Hoi An
Cam Thanh basket boat ride: mangroves, fishermen, and real water work
After the lantern workshop, you head to Cam Thanh village for a tranquil bamboo basket boat ride. This is one of those experiences where the setting does a lot of the talking: mangrove waterways, local fishermen at work, and the slower rhythm of village life rather than busy tourist streets.
You’ll also get hands-on learning around fishing. The experience includes round net and cast net fishing demonstrations done by local fishermen, plus time to observe how they work the water. Even if you don’t fully understand every motion at first, you’ll quickly get the idea: timing, angle, and reading the water matter more than strength.
The ride itself gives you a perspective most visitors miss. Instead of standing still on a bridge and pointing at boats, you’re actually in the waterway setting. You see how the mangroves shape movement, and you get a feel for why the villagers fish here in the first place.
One practical note: this isn’t a “sit and float” sightseeing cruise. The activity is designed to be active. You’ll learn to paddle the bamboo basket boat, then the program builds toward a more competitive moment with a basket boat race. So if you’re expecting totally effortless, low-movement nature viewing, keep that in mind.
Learning to paddle, then racing: why this part feels different
This is where the tour turns from scenic to fun. You’ll learn how to paddle a bamboo basket boat, then join in a basket boat race. That race element matters because it keeps your attention. It’s not just about seeing the area—it’s about participating in the local boat style.
You’ll also see a basket boat performance, and the program includes hands-on fishing moments like trying to catch crabs and dropping the net. This doesn’t feel like a stage show. It’s more like a playful training day where the instructors keep things safe and organized while letting you try.
I like this structure because it gives you two experiences in one:
- A calm, mangrove-focused ride with time to look around
- A more energetic activity component where you’re actually doing something
Just be smart about expectations. You’re paddling and handling net-catching moments, so wear comfortable clothes and protect yourself from the sun. Bring sunscreen and a hat, because you’ll spend time outdoors between stops.
Also, the program moves at a steady pace for about 210 minutes to 4 hours total. That’s a good length for most people, but it’s long enough that you’ll want water on hand. The tour recommends bringing water, and I agree.
The included lunch: 8 Vietnamese dishes that make the day feel complete
Many half-day tours include lunch that’s fine in theory and forgettable in real life. This one is built to work better. You’ll eat a Vietnamese lunch featuring 8 traditional dishes, with the food prepared using fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
What makes this valuable isn’t just the number of dishes—it’s that the schedule gives you time to reset between the hands-on crafting and the boat activities. After lantern-making, your brain is working. After the boat ride and net/fishing moments, your body is working. Lunch is the payoff where everything comes together.
You’ll likely find that the group pacing improves after you eat. It’s easier to enjoy the final transition back to Hoi An/Da Nang when you’re not hungry or running on snacks. And because it’s included, you don’t have to make budgeting decisions mid-day.
If you’re the kind of traveler who wants Vietnamese food beyond the usual one or two dishes, 8-item lunch is a practical way to sample more variety without turning your afternoon into a restaurant hunt.
Price and logistics: why $30 can be good value here
The price is listed as $30 per person, and for a tour of this type, the value comes from what’s bundled together. You’re not just paying for one activity. You’re paying for:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from Hoi An or Da Nang
- Lantern-making workshop materials
- Bamboo basket boat ride
- A Vietnamese lunch with 8 dishes
- An English-speaking guide
That mix is what makes this worth considering. If you tried to DIY the lantern craft and then separately arrange a basket boat outing and lunch, you’d likely spend more time coordinating and more money on transportation. Here, the timing is controlled, and the guide helps you understand what you’re seeing and doing.
Also, the tour is timed for a half-day block (210 minutes to 4 hours). For many travelers, that’s the sweet spot: you get two distinct cultural experiences plus food, without sacrificing your whole day to one destination.
There is one potential extra cost to watch: on public holidays, there’s an extra 100,000 VND per person. If your dates fall within Dec 31–Jan 1, Apr 29–30, May 1–2, Dec 24–25, or Lunar New Year, ask the provider about the total before you go.
You can also read our reviews of more cooking classes in Hoi An
What to bring (and what to do) so the day goes smoothly
This tour is hands-on and outdoors-adjacent, so you’ll have a happier time if you prepare with the basics the day asks for:
- Hat
- Camera
- Sunscreen
- Water
- Comfortable clothes
I’d also suggest thinking in terms of comfort and flexibility. You’ll be sitting and working during the lantern portion, then moving and paddling around the water for the boat portion. Comfortable clothes matter more than fashion.
Photos are worth planning for. Lanterns look best when you capture the shape and assembly stages, and the boat ride offers natural lighting over the mangrove waterways. The camera will likely get used more than you expect.
Finally, make sure your contact info is correct when you book. The provider needs a working way to reach you (WhatsApp, phone number, Line, or Kakao Talk) so they can send key details like your ticket code. That saves stress on arrival.
Who should book this tour, and who should skip it
This experience is a strong match if you want:
- A creative souvenir you made yourself in Hoi An
- A real activity in Cam Thanh, not just a quick photo stop
- A combined cultural + food day with a clear schedule
- An English-speaking guide helping you understand the fishing and boat steps
It’s especially good for families and mixed groups because the lantern workshop is designed to be approachable. In the reviews, people highlight that the team helps you step by step and that the activity works well even when someone in the group isn’t confident with crafts.
Who should skip it? If you have mobility impairments, it’s listed as not suitable. Also, if you dislike anything involving paddling, net-handling, or active participation, choose a different style of tour. This one is built around you doing things, not just observing.
Should you book Da Nang/Hoi An Lantern Making + Cam Thanh Basket Boat?
I’d book this if you’re the type of traveler who likes experiences with a clear result. You end the day with a lantern you made and memories from the mangrove waterways that go beyond pictures.
The biggest reasons to say yes are the two-part structure: creative lantern time with Rita and the team, then the basket boat ride in Cam Thanh with fishing moments that feel practical and local. Add a lunch with 8 Vietnamese dishes, and it becomes a full and satisfying half-day.
The main reason to pause is physical suitability. If mobility is an issue, this isn’t the right choice. And because it’s outdoors, don’t under-pack for sun.
If you’re choosing between “one thing to do” and “a complete morning with variety,” this is one of the better options in the Hoi An/Da Nang area because it packages crafts, scenery, and food in one smooth block.
FAQ
How long is the lantern making and basket boat experience?
The total duration is about 210 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the starting time.
How much does it cost?
It’s priced at $30 per person.
What’s included in the price?
Hotel pickup and drop-off from Hoi An or Da Nang, the lantern making workshop with materials, a bamboo basket boat ride, lunch featuring 8 traditional Vietnamese dishes, and an English-speaking guide.
What’s not included?
Extra drinks are not included. There can also be an extra charge of 100,000 VND per person on certain public holidays.
Where does the bamboo basket boat ride take place?
The bamboo basket boat ride is in Cam Thanh village, around mangrove waterways where fishermen work.
Do I get to take a lantern home?
Yes. You’ll receive a souvenir lantern made by yourself.
Is the tour available with an English guide?
Yes. The tour includes an English-speaking guide.
What should I bring?
Bring a hat, camera, sunscreen, water, and comfortable clothes.
Is this activity suitable for people with mobility impairments?
No, it is not suitable for people with mobility impairments.
What contact information do I need to provide after booking?
You should provide correct contact details such as WhatsApp, phone number, Line, or Kakao Talk so the provider can reach you with information like the ticket code.
