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The Unique Watercolor Painting Class in Hoi An – A Travel Experience Worth Slowing Down

Hoi An is one of those places that pulls you in with its golden walls, lanterns swinging gently in the breeze, and the smell of fresh bánh mì on every corner. But beyond the bustling streets and the tailors calling you in for a fitting, there’s this quiet little corner of town where things slow down. That’s where you found the only watercolor painting class in Hoi An. And honestly, it turned out to be one of the most grounding things I did during my trip.

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See more details >>> Hoi An Painting Classes & Workshop – Watercolor Painting

Walking into the Studio

The class takes place in a small art studio near Cua Dai beach. If you’ve walked through the Old Town, you know how easy it is to get lost in the narrow alleys lined with yellow walls. That morning, I nearly walked past the entrance — just a wooden door with a painted sign that read Bao Huynh Hoi An Watercolor Workshop. No flashing lights. No touristy crowd waiting outside. Just a quiet space that seemed to breathe differently from the noisy streets.

Inside, the room was filled with natural light. Canvases leaned against the walls, and glass jars with brushes sat on wooden tables. The teacher — a local artist who’s been painting for more than twenty years — greeted us with the kind of calm smile that immediately made me feel like I didn’t have to be “good at art” to belong there.

The Class Structure

Classes usually start around 9 a.m. and last for about two and a half hours. There were five of us that day: a couple from Germany, a solo traveler from Canada, and me. The workshop fee was 850,000 VND (around 32 USD), which included all materials — watercolor paper, brushes, paints, so you didn’t have to worry about ruining your clothes. Compared to the price of a tailor-made shirt in Hoi An, it felt more than fair.

The session began with a short introduction to watercolor techniques. The teacher showed us how to blend colors, how to use water to soften edges, and why letting go of control is sometimes the best thing you can do with this medium. “Watercolor is like life in Hoi An,” he said. “It flows where it wants to, but the beauty is in how you follow.”

Painting Hoi An Town Colors

We each picked a subject to paint. Some chose lanterns, others tried flowers. I decided on a street corner I’d walked past the night before — a crumbling yellow wall with bougainvillea spilling over the top. The teacher helped me sketch a loose outline before I dipped my brush into a shade of ochre.

That’s when I realized how much the city’s colors translate perfectly into watercolor. The yellow walls, the deep green shutters, the pink blossoms — they all looked softer, more poetic when captured in paint. Outside, you hear the sound of bicycles and the occasional street vendor’s call, but inside the studio, everything slowed to brush strokes and quiet concentration.

The Feeling of Creating

There’s something about painting in a place like Hoi An that feels more intimate than taking photos. When you paint, you notice the little details you’d normally skip over — the cracks in the walls, the way the shadows fall at 10 in the morning, how the lantern silk glimmers differently depending on the light.

I’m not an artist by any stretch. My last attempt at painting was probably in elementary school. But as the teacher came around, guiding my brush gently, I realized it wasn’t about making something perfect. It was about seeing Hoi An differently — through colors, shapes, and patience.

By the end of the class, my paper looked messy in parts but alive in others. And that was enough. The teacher even signed the back with a little note in Vietnamese, as if to remind me that this piece of art belonged not just to me, but to my time in this city.

Who This Class Is For

If you’re the kind of traveler who fills every day with tours, shopping, and eating, you might wonder if spending three hours painting makes sense. But that’s exactly why it does. This class is for anyone who wants to slow down, for people who enjoy being in the moment. It’s for solo travelers looking for something meditative, for couples wanting to do something creative together, or even families with kids old enough to hold a brush.

Practical Details

• Location: The studio is near the Cua Dai beach at Hoi An Old Town, within walking go to the beach. Exact directions are provided when you book.
• Price: Around 750,000–850,000 VND per person (25–32 USD).
• Duration: About 2.5 to 3 hours. Every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday morning, and sessions are available ( As time your request charges more)
• Booking: You can book through WhatsApp or hotline 0916528884
• What’s included: All materials, guidance from the teacher, and usually tea or coffee.

Why It Stands Out

Hoi An has plenty of activities. You can join a Hoi An cooking class, take a lantern-making workshop, or ride a buffalo or a boat down the Thu Bồn River. All of those are great. But there’s only one watercolor painting class in town, and that makes it feel special. It’s not something you can just check off a list; it’s something you carry with you.

When people ask me what I loved most about Hoi An, I talk about the food, the night markets, and the bicycle rides through rice paddies. But then I always bring up the watercolor class. Because it wasn’t just about painting — it was about pausing, noticing, and letting the city sink in deeper.

If you ever find yourself in Hoi An and feel like the pace of travel is too fast, give yourself those three hours. Step into the studio, hold the brush, and let the colors of this town find their way onto your paper. It might just become your favorite memory, too.