Top 8 DIY activities to experience in Vietnam for tourists

1. Buffalo Riding and Rice Planting in Vietnam: A Hands-On Farming Adventure

Step away from the tourist trails and immerse yourself in the heart of Vietnam's agricultural soul with a hands-on buffalo riding and rice planting experience. This isn't just a photo opportunity. It's a chance to truly connect with the rhythms of rural life, a world where water buffalos are partners and rice paddies are the lifeblood of the community.

Imagine yourself standing knee-deep in the cool, soft mud, the sun warming your face. Under the patient guidance of local farmers, you'll learn the ancient art of plowing. You will guide a powerful water buffalo so that it carves furrows across the flooded fields. Then, with careful instruction, you'll join the farmers in planting delicate rice seedlings, each one a promise of future harvests.

Experience a day as a farmer, working in the fields from the Northern to the Southern Vietnam

This experience offers more than just a glimpse into traditional farming practices. It's a chance to understand the profound significance of rice in Vietnamese culture and economy. You'll gain a newfound appreciation for the hard work and dedication that goes into producing this staple food, and you'll forge a connection with the land and the people who cultivate it.

Recommended tour and estimated cost:

- Ninh Binh: Buffalo riding, rice planting group tour in Get Your Guide - $42

- Hoi An Half Day Tour: Wet Rice Growing – Riding Buffalo And Plowing Farm At Cam Thanh in Hoi An Explorer - $45

- Mai Chau Vietnam Agricultural and Farm Tours in Hanoi Eco Tour - $195

2. Pottery Making in Hanoi: An Interactive Cultural Experience

For travelers looking to engage with Vietnam’s rich artistic heritage, pottery making in Bat Trang Pottery Village is an unmissable experience. Located just outside Hanoi, this village has been a hub of ceramic craftsmanship for over 700 years, producing exquisite pottery that has been traded across Asia and the world for centuries.

Visitors can learn how to make pottery and make unique souvenirs at a 700-year-old craft village in Hanoi.

Upon arrival at Bat Trang Pottery Village, you’ll step into a world of skilled artisans and age-old traditions. Here’s what you’ll experience:

- Shaping clay on a potter’s wheel – Under the guidance of local craftsmen, you’ll learn how to mold and shape clay using a traditional potter’s wheel.

- Painting & decorating your pottery - Once your piece is shaped, you can paint and decorate it using traditional Vietnamese patterns or your own designs. This allows you to express creativity while embracing local artistic styles.

- Learning the history of Vietnamese ceramics – Discover how Bat Trang pottery has played a crucial role in Vietnam’s cultural and economic history, from ancient royal households to modern-day exports.

This hands-on activity offers more than just a fun workshop—it provides a deeper appreciation of Vietnamese craftsmanship. Whether you’re a first-timer or an art enthusiast, shaping your ceramic piece connects you to centuries of tradition. Besides, you get to bring home a handmade souvenir, making it a meaningful and personal keepsake from your Vietnam adventure.

Recommended Options and Estimated Cost:

- Bat Trang ceramics & pottery class in Hanoi Old Quarter. Meeting point: 115 Hàng Gai, Hoàn Kiếm, Hanoi - $38.

- Bat Trang Pottery Village Discovery Tour (Private only). Meeting place: Hotel pick-up in the old quarter - $72.

3. Cooking Classes: A Culinary Journey Through Authentic Flavors

For food lovers and cultural explorers, taking a Vietnamese cooking class is one of the most rewarding experiences while traveling in Vietnam. More than just a lesson in cooking, it’s a journey into the heart of Vietnamese cuisine, where fresh ingredients, balanced flavors, and traditional techniques come together to create iconic dishes.

Your culinary adventure begins with a visit to a bustling local market, where you’ll be guided by a local chef to handpick fresh ingredients—aromatic herbs, crisp vegetables, and high-quality proteins. This is a fantastic way to experience the vibrant street life of Vietnam and understand the importance of fresh, seasonal produce in Vietnamese cooking.

Back in the kitchen, the real magic begins. With hands-on guidance, you’ll learn to prepare classic dishes such as Phở (Vietnamese noodle soup, Gỏi cuốn (fresh spring rolls), Bánh Xèo (Vietnamese pancakes), etc.

As you chop, stir, and season, you’ll gain a deeper appreciation for Vietnamese culinary traditions and the philosophy of balancing flavors—sweet, sour, salty, bitter, and spicy.

The best part? You get to enjoy the feast you’ve created, sharing a homemade meal with fellow travelers and chefs. Cooking classes in Vietnam are not just about learning recipes—they create lasting memories, a connection to the culture, and the confidence to recreate these dishes back home. It’s an experience that stays with you long after your trip ends!

Recommended Option and Estimated Cost:

- Saigon Cooking Class: 80/1 Nguyen Trai Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnam. Price: $4.

- AZ Hanoi Cooking Class Tours: Address: 23 Dao Duy Tu, Hoan Kiem, Hanoi Old Quarter, Vietnam. Price: $45.

- Hoi An: Traditional Cooking Class & meal with Local Family in Get Your Guide with $22.

Learn to cook and make famous Vietnamese specialties such as phở, bánh xèo, bánh cuốn, etc.

4. Handicraft Making in Vietnam: A Creative & Cultural Experience

For those who love hands-on activities and cultural immersion, handicraft making in Vietnam offers a unique opportunity to create something meaningful while learning from skilled artisans. Traditional Vietnamese crafts, such as bamboo weaving, lacquerware painting, and embroidery, have been passed down for generations, each carrying deep cultural significance.

Your experience begins in a workshop where local artisans introduce you to their craft and the techniques behind it. Depending on the activity, you might:

• Weave bamboo items like baskets or coasters, learning how this eco-friendly material has been used for centuries.
• Paint intricate lacquerware, mastering the delicate layering and polishing process that gives Vietnamese lacquer its signature shine.
• Try embroidery, stitching vibrant patterns inspired by traditional motifs.

As you work with your hands, you’ll feel a sense of relaxation and accomplishment, connecting with the rich heritage of Vietnam’s artistic traditions. Whether you are shaping bamboo or adding finishing touches to your lacquer piece, each step deepens your appreciation for these time-honored skills.

At the end of the workshop, you’ll take home your handmade souvenir, a personal reminder of your creative journey in Vietnam!

Recommended options and estimated cost:

- Lantern making class: Hoi An Handicraft Tours. Price: from $10 - $15

- Hands On Art & Craft Experience: Tour in Hanoi. Price: from $38 to $49

- Hoi An Bamboo Workshop with Free Souvenir: Viator. Price: $42

Vietnam has a rich cultural and historical history that has created countless traditional craft villages and crafts

5. Gardening in Vietnam's lush fields - from seed to supper

For travelers seeking a peaceful and immersive activity, joining local farmers in organic gardening offers a unique glimpse into Vietnam’s traditional and sustainable agriculture. This hands-on experience allows you to connect with nature, learn eco-friendly farming techniques, and enjoy the satisfaction of growing fresh produce.

Your journey begins at a local farm, where friendly farmers introduce you to organic gardening practices. They will guide you through:

• Planting fresh herbs and vegetables, using traditional Vietnamese techniques that promote sustainability.
• Watering crops with natural irrigation methods ensures healthy growth.
• Harvesting fresh produce, picking herbs and vegetables at their peak for the best flavor.

As you dig into the soil and care for the plants, you’ll feel a sense of tranquility and accomplishment, gaining a deeper appreciation for nature and sustainable farming. This activity is perfect for those who love outdoor experiences to relax in a beautiful rural setting.

To complete the experience, you may even get to taste the freshly harvested produce, enjoying the farm-to-table connection in the most authentic way possible. It’s a refreshing break from city life and a great way to engage with Vietnam’s agricultural traditions!

Recommended option and estimated cost:

- Dalat Farm-Garden Tour: Dalat City Tour. Price: $25 - $40.

- Tra Que Village – Herb & Vegetable Farming: Hoi An Travel. Price: $49.

Garden tours in Hoi An and Da Lat are thriving, where visitors can experience growing, watering and harvesting clean vegetables.

6. Kite Making and Flying in Vietnam: A Joyful Cultural Experience

Kite making and flying is a beloved tradition in Vietnam, dating back centuries as both a recreational pastime and a cultural symbol. This hands-on activity allows travelers to learn the art of crafting traditional Vietnamese kites and experience the sheer joy of watching them soar in the sky.

Your experience begins with a guided workshop, where skilled artisans teach you how to:

• Design and assemble your kite, choosing from traditional shapes like dragons, birds, and butterflies.
• Decorate it with vibrant colors and patterns, adding a personal creative touch.
• Learn the techniques of proper kite flying, from adjusting the frame to handling the wind.

Once your kite is ready, you’ll head to an open field or beach to let it take flight. As the wind lifts your creation into the sky, you’ll feel a sense of excitement and accomplishment, reliving the simple childhood joy of kite flying.

This activity is fun for all ages, offering a relaxing yet exhilarating way to connect with Vietnamese traditions. Whether alone or with friends and family, watching your handmade kite dance in the wind is an unforgettable highlight of your journey in Vietnam.

Recommended Option and Estimated Cost:

- Kite making class: Vietnam Travel & Cruise. Price: $63.

- Experiencing tour “making kite”: Luc Bo culture space – 79 Nguyen Chi Dieu, Hue city. Price: $4

- Workshop and Excursion: Bá Dương Nội Village (Kite Making) Hong Ha commune, Dan Phuong district, Hanoi. Price: $13.72 for adults and $6.86 for children

7. Conical Hat Making in Vietnam: Crafting an Iconic Souvenir

The Vietnamese conical hat is a timeless symbol of Vietnam’s culture, worn by farmers, vendors, and everyday people for protection from the sun and rain. Many international tourists visiting Vietnam have expressed great excitement about conical hats, from the simple and rustic ones to the intricate Hue poem conical hats.

Joining a conical hat-making workshop offers travelers a chance to dive into Vietnamese traditions, and learn the intricate craftsmanship behind this iconic headpiece. Skilled artisans will guide you through the step-by-step process of crafting a conical:

• Weaving the palm leaves into a smooth, sturdy surface.
• Shaping the hat using a bamboo frame to achieve its distinctive conical form.
• Hand-stitching the layers together is a meticulous process that requires patience and precision.

As you work with your hands, you’ll feel a sense of focus and connection to Vietnam’s rural heritage, appreciating the effort behind each handmade hat. The rhythmic stitching and weaving process is both meditative and rewarding, allowing you to immerse yourself in the artistry of Vietnamese craftsmanship.

At the end of the workshop, you’ll proudly take home your self-made conical hat, a special souvenir that carries the essence of Vietnamese tradition.

Recommend option and estimated cost:

- Hanoi street food tour: 27 Ma May street, Hoan Kiem district. Price: $28 - $43.

- Painting of a Conical Hat in Hoi An Experience: 108 Lý Thường Kiệt, Sơn Phong, Hội An. Price: From $29.

Conical hats are an intangible cultural heritage of Vietnam, appearing in daily life and art.

8. Timing mask painting in Hoi An - space of art and creativity

Immerse yourself in the vibrant artistic tradition of Hoi An with a unique timing mask painting experience. This activity invites you to delve into the captivating world of Vietnamese theatrical masks, each stroke revealing a story from folklore and history.

Visitors can engage in the art of mask painting by attending hands-on workshops in Hoi An. Under the guidance of skilled local artisans, participants will learn about the history and cultural significance of these masks, while also discovering the techniques behind their creation.

The process of Timing Mask Painting that tourists participate in during their visit to Hoi An is both engaging and educational. Here’s how the process typically unfolds:

• Choosing the Mask Base: Tourists start by selecting a pre-formed mask base, usually made from lightweight materials like bamboo or paper mache.
• Design Inspiration: Before painting, tourists are introduced to the cultural significance of the masks. The guide explains various traditional designs, including symbols like dragons, phoenixes, or local spirits, helping participants understand the deeper meaning behind the artwork.
• Sketching the Design: Using a pencil, tourists lightly sketch their chosen design onto the mask.
• Painting with Natural Pigments: Tourists then paint their masks using vibrant, natural pigments, often provided in a wide range of colors. The brushes used are typically small and fine, enabling intricate details. This stage allows participants to express themselves while learning traditional painting techniques.
• Drying and Finishing Touches: After the painting, the mask is left to dry to complete their creation.

Recommended options and estimated cost:

- Paper Mask Making Class: Viet Center Tourist. Price: $40.

- HoiAn Mask Painting/Carpentry Sculpturing Class By Private Cruise: Pelago. Price: $36.80.

In conclusion, Vietnam offers a wide range of unique DIY activities that allow travelers to immerse themselves in the country’s rich cultural heritage. From buffalo riding and rice planting in rural fields to crafting traditional pottery and conical hats, visitors can engage in hands-on experiences that connect them to local traditions. Cooking classes, kite-making workshops, and organic gardening further enrich the travel experience, providing insight into the country’s culinary delights, artistic craftsmanship, and sustainable farming practices.

These experiences promote sustainable and responsible tourism by helping preserve traditional skills and fostering a meaningful connection between visitors and local cultures. These DIY activities ensure that your trip to Vietnam is not only memorable but also contributes to the conservation of its unique cultural and environmental heritage.