This article will introduce 5 craft workshops in Ho Chi Minh City, giving you more ideas on how to celebrate your weekends, especially when Vietnam has already been back to the new-normal phase.
Weekend is when we break out of the work loop and find new experiences. Relaxation can be eating out with family, having coffee with your lover, or organizing a great meal with friends. Sometimes, relaxation can also come with learning a new skill, for example, through craft sessions.
Why Choose Craft Workshops for Your Weekend?
Craft workshops offer a perfect blend of creativity, relaxation, and skill-building. They provide an opportunity to:
- Disconnect from digital devices and engage in hands-on activities
- Learn new skills that can become lifelong hobbies
- Create meaningful gifts for friends and family
- Meet like-minded people in a creative environment
- Reduce stress through mindful, focused activities
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Top 5 Craft Workshops in Ho Chi Minh City
1. Paper Craft: Cut-Paste-Print — Khô Mực Studio
Kho Muc Studio is an independent printing studio in Saigon, and is quite a familiar name among the famous workshops in Ho Chi Minh City.
What Makes This Workshop Special
Kho Muc uses risograph (or riso), a Japanese printing technique made from soybean oil, that combines silkscreen printing and automatic printing. Risograph has long been the choice of artists pursuing art prints around the world.
Workshop Experience
Participating in the workshop, you will be encouraged to design and print your own paper products such as:
- Posters
- Postcards
- Pictures
- Catalogues
The workshop is organized to spread the sense of creativity and passion for aesthetics, through learning the knowledge of fine arts.
Workshop Details
- Schedule: Every Saturday
- Location: The Nutshell, 58/12 Pham Ngoc Thach, Ward 6, District 3
- Cost: 500,000 VND/person (including materials and tools)
- Best For: Art enthusiasts and design lovers
2. Aromatherapy Crafts — NOTE — The Scent Lab
If you are a lover of DIY cosmetics, NOTE — The Scent Lab will host a weekly workshop with diverse content.
Workshop Offerings
Create your own:
- Scented candles
- Essential oil perfumes
- Organic soaps
Health and Wellness Benefits
Exposure to and use of preparations with natural essential oil extracts is also a very good way to improve mental health. Stimulating the sense of smell with natural scents has been shown to:
- Ease feelings of fatigue
- Reduce anxiety and stress
- Promote overall well-being
What You’ll Learn
Coming to NOTE, you will learn a lot of knowledge about aromatherapy, and especially create handmade products for yourself or as gifts.
Workshop Details
- Schedule: Every Sunday
- Location: Held at The Craft House and NOTE Boutique
- Cost: 550,000 VND/person (including tools and materials)
- Best For: Wellness enthusiasts and DIY beauty lovers
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3. Calligraphy — Giao Giao Wonderland
Calligraphy, or calligraphy, is always a perfect form of relaxation used by many people. It helps you express your creativity and taste, as well as helps you find yourself through words.
Course Structure
The workshop at Giao Giao is a short course, helping you to hone your basic knowledge of calligraphy, especially if you are a first-time writer.
Course Format:
- Duration: 3 sessions per course
- Commitment: Regular attendance required
- Variety: Different themes spanning classical to modern calligraphy styles
- Take-home: Kit included with each class
Skills You’ll Develop
The experience allows you to learn more about:
- Drawing techniques
- Different calligraphy styles
- Mindful stroke practice
- Creative expression through words
Workshop Details
- Schedule: 3 sessions held every month
- Location: Usually held at Geek HUB locations
- Cost: 1,000,000 VND/person (including materials and tools)
- Best For: Those seeking mindful, artistic expression
- Note: There are not many calligraphy workshops in Ho Chi Minh City, so make sure you save this address!
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4. Relaxing Painting — Tipsy Art
Tipsy Art is a painting experience space with the desire to bring relaxation and joy to every fan of art. Tipsy Art welcomes all individuals, whether you are just holding a brush for the first time, or already have a passion for art but don’t have time to invest in drawing.
Workshop Experience
Session Format:
- Duration: 3 hours per session
- Frequency: New topic each week
- Options: Solo painting, group sessions, or family sessions (children under 10 welcome)
What’s Included
In addition to a relaxing painting experience, you’ll also:
- Learn color mixing techniques
- Master basic painting methods
- Enjoy background music and refreshments
- Take home your completed artwork as a souvenir, room decoration, or gift
Workshop Details
- Schedule: Every Thursday, Friday afternoon and all day Saturday, Sunday
- Location: 6B Nguyen Canh Chan, Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1
- Cost: 400,000 VND/person (including tools and materials)
- Best For: All skill levels, families, and art enthusiasts
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5. Baking Workshops — The Open Space
Not only known for its poetic and quiet coffee space, The Open Space is also known for its weekend baking workshops.
Workshop Focus
Each workshop will revolve around a specific type of cake, providing:
- Knowledge about origins and history of different bakes
- Complete recipes for each type of cake
- Hands-on baking experience with professional guidance
Special Themed Sessions
On holidays like:
- Valentine’s Day
- Mid-Autumn Festival
- Teachers’ Day
The workshop will have themed content, creating opportunities for people to bake cakes themselves as gifts.
Social Experience
Most importantly, The Open Space offers an experience that is both fun and meaningful, especially when you bring your family and friends along. While making cakes and chatting with loved ones, it will definitely create beautiful and unforgettable memories for you.
Workshop Details
- Schedule: Varies according to holidays and special occasions
- Location: The Open Space, 232/13 Vo Thi Sau, Ward 7, District 3
- Cost: Varies depending on the type of cake (materials and tools included)
- Best For: Families, couples, and baking enthusiasts
Choosing the Right Workshop for You
| Workshop | Best For | Price Range | Time Commitment | Skill Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Khô Mực Studio | Art & design lovers | 500,000 VND | Single session | Beginner-friendly |
| NOTE Scent Lab | Wellness enthusiasts | 550,000 VND | Single session | All levels |
| Giao Giao Calligraphy | Mindfulness seekers | 1,000,000 VND | 3 sessions | Beginner-friendly |
| Tipsy Art | Social painters | 400,000 VND | Single session | All levels |
| The Open Space | Baking enthusiasts | Varies | Single session | All levels |
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Tips for Your First Workshop Experience
Before You Go
- Book in advance – Popular workshops fill up quickly
- Wear comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting a bit messy
- Bring a friend – Many workshops are more enjoyable with company
- Check cancellation policies in case your plans change
During the Workshop
- Ask questions – Instructors are there to help you learn
- Embrace imperfection – The goal is enjoyment and learning
- Take photos – Capture your creative process and final results
- Network – Meet other participants who share your interests
After the Workshop
- Practice at home – Many workshops provide take-home materials
- Share your experience – Help others discover these creative outlets
- Consider regular attendance – Build skills over time
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Making the Most of Ho Chi Minh City’s Creative Scene
These workshops represent just a fraction of Ho Chi Minh City’s vibrant creative community. Whether you’re a long-term resident looking for new experiences or a visitor wanting to engage with local culture, these hands-on activities offer unique insights into Vietnam’s artistic landscape while providing practical skills you can use long after your session ends.
Each workshop offers its own unique atmosphere and learning experience, so consider trying multiple options to find your favorite creative outlet. The combination of learning new skills, meeting new people, and creating something beautiful with your own hands makes these workshops perfect for stress relief and personal enrichment.
Ho Chi Minh City’s craft workshops offer the perfect escape from busy daily life while providing opportunities to learn valuable new skills. From the precision of calligraphy to the aromatic pleasures of candle-making, each workshop provides a unique way to spend your weekends productively and enjoyably.
Whether you choose the artistic expression of paper crafts, the therapeutic benefits of aromatherapy, the mindful practice of calligraphy, the social joy of painting, or the delicious satisfaction of baking, you’ll leave each session with new skills, creative inspiration, and often beautiful handmade items to treasure or share.
