REVIEW · HO CHI MINH CITY
Paint & Personalize a Vietnamese Non La with B/S Art Studio topic
Book on Viator →Operated by Bam Bi · Bookable on Viator
A Vietnamese hat in your hands is a fun start. This private non la painting class in Ho Chi Minh City mixes hands-on art with an explanation of Đông Hồ-style design, then sends you off with a custom hat you made yourself.
I like the way the workshop teaches the meaning behind the patterns, not just how to color them. I also like the relaxed pace and support, especially when drawing the Đông Hồ Dragon motif. One thing to consider: they note the experience needs good weather, so have a backup plan if your day gets weathered out.
In This Review
- Key Things to Know Before You Go
- Why This Non La Class Feels Like a Small Win in Saigon
- Getting Oriented at B/S Art Studio in Quận 1
- Đông Hồ Painting 101: What You Learn Before You Draw
- Drawing the Đông Hồ Dragon on Your Hat
- The Best Part of Waiting: Live Piano or Flute
- Studio Walk-Through: Patterns, Meanings, and Fashion Motifs
- Adding Color: Making It Yours (Without Overthinking)
- Tour Timing: About 3 Hours, Then Your Day Opens Up
- Price and Value: $38 for a Take-Home Cultural Craft
- Who Should Book This Non La Workshop
- Should You Book Paint and Personalize a Vietnamese Non La with B/S Art Studio?
- FAQ
- How long does the non la painting experience take?
- How much does it cost?
- Is this a private experience?
- Do I take the non la hat home?
- What do I paint during the class?
- What’s included during the experience?
- Where is the meeting point?
- What happens if the weather is poor?
- When can I cancel for a full refund?
Key Things to Know Before You Go
- You’ll paint a real non la: A palm-leaf conical hat gets the full guided design treatment.
- You learn Đông Hồ ideas, then use them: The session connects motifs to Vietnamese visual culture.
- A specific project: Đông Hồ Dragon on your hat: You’ll follow step-by-step instructions in the B/S style.
- A soothing wait time: Live piano and/or flute plays while ink dries.
- Tea and traditional cookies are included: Simple refreshment while you work.
- Private and unhurried: It’s just your group, so you can take your time.
Why This Non La Class Feels Like a Small Win in Saigon
If your Ho Chi Minh City plan includes museums and markets, this kind of activity gives you a different kind of souvenir. It’s not another photo spot. You’ll leave with something you made on purpose, with your own choices of color and details.
What makes this class work is the balance: you get learning time and practice time. First you’ll hear about Đông Hồ paintings and what the motifs mean. Then you’ll move to the hat and create the Đông Hồ Dragon design step-by-step, using acrylic pens.
I also appreciate that it’s set up so most people can participate. Even if your drawing is shaky, the class is built around guided steps, not artistic talent.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Ho Chi Minh City.
Getting Oriented at B/S Art Studio in Quận 1
You meet at B/S Art Studio, 106 Lê Lợi, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The activity listing can show XQ Sai Gon as a starting reference, but your confirmed meeting point is the studio address above.
The location is a practical plus. It’s in a busy central area, and it’s described as near public transportation. That matters because you’re only committing about 3 hours total, so you’ll likely want to tack this onto a larger day of sightseeing without complicated logistics.
You’ll also get a mobile ticket, which keeps things smooth when you’re juggling plans and transit times.
Đông Hồ Painting 101: What You Learn Before You Draw
Before you pick up your acrylic pen, you’ll learn the background behind Đông Hồ art. This is where the class earns its cultural credit. Instead of treating the design as a random template, your guide explains the history and the current status quo of Đông Hồ paintings and how the artwork connects to Vietnamese life.
You’ll also learn about how patterns and fashion products relate to the style—so you start seeing the same design logic show up beyond the hat. That context helps your brain stop thinking of it as a craft and start thinking of it as a small window into Vietnamese visual thinking.
Then comes the practical part: you’ll receive detailed instructions for drawing Đông Hồ Dragon in the B/S style directly on your non la.
Drawing the Đông Hồ Dragon on Your Hat
This is the heart of the experience: you’ll design your own non la and bring it to life with a guided Đông Hồ Dragon drawing.
Here’s how it’s built for real people:
- Acrylic pens are provided, so you don’t need to hunt down supplies.
- The instructions are step-by-step, so you’re not guessing where your lines should go.
- You’ll first draw the design, then add color after the ink stage.
If you like structure, this will feel good. If you prefer freedom, you still get creative control through coloring choices. Either way, you’ll end up with a hat that looks intentional, not just “colored in.”
And because the session is private for your group, you’re less likely to feel rushed. If you want a slower pace, you can take it.
The Best Part of Waiting: Live Piano or Flute
After the initial drawing stage, there’s a waiting period for the ink to dry. Instead of an awkward pause, the studio adds live music during this time—piano and/or flute.
That little detail is surprisingly valuable. It changes the vibe from workshop to something closer to a cultural salon. You can relax, sip tea, nibble traditional cookies, and focus on the coloring stage when you’re ready.
The refreshments are complimentary and simple: tea and traditional cookies. Nothing fancy, but it makes the class feel complete rather than purely instructional.
Studio Walk-Through: Patterns, Meanings, and Fashion Motifs
After the main drawing and coloring flow, you’ll get a guided tour of the studio. This part matters because it turns your hat into a story you can explain later.
You’ll hear explanations of:
- the meaning of artworks you see around the studio
- the patterns used across the designs
- how the motifs connect to fashion products
This is also where you learn the “why” behind what you’re copying. You’re not just transferring a design onto a hat. You’re learning how those design choices carry cultural messages.
Even if you’re not a big art person, this walk-through helps you notice details you’d usually miss. You start spotting the repeating logic of lines, shapes, and symbolism.
Adding Color: Making It Yours (Without Overthinking)
Once the ink work is done, you add color to your non la. This is the moment where the class shifts from guided practice to personal expression.
What I like about this is that color doesn’t need to be perfect to look good. The hat is a handmade object, and the design style is meant to be seen as a graphic artwork. So your coloring choices can be bold, traditional, or slightly experimental, and it still fits the look.
A practical tip: take your time. If you rush, you tend to get uneven coverage. Slow down and work in steady steps, especially around lines that define the dragon motif.
When you’re done, you won’t just have a craft item. You’ll have something you helped build from a blank surface to a finished piece.
Tour Timing: About 3 Hours, Then Your Day Opens Up
The activity runs about 3 hours total. A key detail is that you’ll spend roughly 2.5 hours on the painting/class portion, and then the rest of your day is free.
That “free time after” setup is a real value. In Ho Chi Minh City, it’s easy to end up with one long block that eats your whole day. Here, you get a structured, rewarding experience and still keep your schedule flexible for other plans.
Also note the class requires good weather. Since it’s an art studio activity, you might wonder why weather matters. But the operator is clear that poor weather can cause a cancellation, so treat it as a weather-dependent plan and schedule a backup day if you can.
Price and Value: $38 for a Take-Home Cultural Craft
At $38.00 per person, this sits in the budget-friendly range for a guided, private activity with materials included. The value is not only the hat—it’s the teaching time and the cultural explanation.
You’re paying for:
- guided instruction to draw the Đông Hồ Dragon
- acrylic pens and the step-by-step process
- tea and traditional cookies
- a studio tour with explanations of meaning and patterns
- the fact you leave with a finished, personalized non la
If you’ve ever bought souvenirs that look nice but feel generic, this is different. The hat is personal. You can also see the design logic that creates the look, which makes the souvenir feel less like clutter and more like a real memory you can use.
Who Should Book This Non La Workshop
This class is a strong fit if you want:
- a hands-on activity in Ho Chi Minh City that isn’t just shopping
- a cultural art lesson that stays practical
- a take-home item that won’t get lost in the bottom of a suitcase
It’s also a good choice for couples, small groups, or anyone traveling with mixed interests. One person might care about art; another might care about an easy, social activity with guidance. This works because you get both structure and downtime with music and refreshments.
If you’re traveling with young kids, it might be worth checking first, since most travelers can participate, but the data doesn’t spell out a specific age range. If you’re short on time, note it’s about 3 hours, so you’ll want this early or mid-day.
Should You Book Paint and Personalize a Vietnamese Non La with B/S Art Studio?
I’d book it if you want a meaningful souvenir and a calm, friendly activity in central Saigon. The combination of guided Đông Hồ context plus step-by-step hat painting is what makes it feel like more than a quick craft stop.
Book it especially if you like learning while you create. You’ll walk away with a story you can tell: why the dragon motif matters, what the patterns mean, and how the style fits Vietnamese art traditions.
I’d hesitate only if your schedule is tight on a weather-dependent day. Plan it with a little flexibility, so a bad-weather cancellation won’t throw off your whole itinerary.
If you’re even mildly curious about Vietnamese visual culture and you like doing something with your hands, this is an easy yes.
FAQ
How long does the non la painting experience take?
It’s about 3 hours total. The painting/class portion runs around 2.5 hours, and then you have the rest of the day free.
How much does it cost?
The price is $38.00 per person.
Is this a private experience?
Yes. It’s a private tour/activity, so only your group participates.
Do I take the non la hat home?
Yes. You’ll leave the studio with your own personalized painted non la.
What do I paint during the class?
You’ll draw and then color a design based on Đông Hồ Dragon in the B/S style on your non la. Acrylic pens are provided.
What’s included during the experience?
You’ll get a guided lesson on Đông Hồ art, instruction to paint your hat, a studio tour with explanations of patterns and meanings, and complimentary refreshments (tea and traditional cookies). Live piano and/or flute may play while ink dries.
Where is the meeting point?
You’ll meet at B/S Art Studio at 106 Lê Lợi, Phường Bến Thành, Quận 1, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
What happens if the weather is poor?
If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
When can I cancel for a full refund?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund. Cancellation within 24 hours of the start time isn’t refunded.
