Paint & Personalize a Vietnamese Non La with B/S Art Studio topic

A palm-leaf conical hat is useful in Vietnam, but here it becomes your own small canvas. At B/S Art Studio, you learn about Dong Ho paintings, follow instructions to draw a dragon on a Non La, then add color and take the finished hat with you.

I like two things in particular: the patient, step-by-step art guidance, which makes the class approachable even if you do not think of yourself as an artist, and the cultural context that comes with it. Tea, traditional cookies, and live piano or flute music add a gentle pause while the ink dries.

One consideration: this is a studio activity, not a walking tour of Ho Chi Minh City. Plan for about two and a half hours, though the experience is also described as roughly three hours, so leave some slack in your day.

• Your project is a Dong Ho-style dragon drawn and colored on a Vietnamese Non La.
• The workshop is private for you and your group, so you can work at your own pace.
• Acrylic pens are provided, and the instructor explains each drawing step.
• Tea and traditional cookies are served while the ink dries, with live piano and/or flute music.
• The studio is at 106 Lê Lợi in Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, and the activity ends there.

A conical hat becomes your own artwork

The Non La is more than a souvenir prop in this class. You work directly on a traditional palm-leaf conical hat, turning a familiar Vietnamese object into a personal piece of art. The central design is a Dong Ho dragon, drawn in the style taught at B/S Art Studio.

That gives the activity a satisfying balance: you are not simply decorating a blank surface, and you are not expected to reproduce a complicated artwork from memory. The instructor provides detailed directions, and acrylic pens are supplied. You can focus on the steps and make the design your own as you add color.

If you are unsure about your drawing skills, that need not be a reason to skip it. The class is structured around guidance, and the person leading the session is described as kind and patient. The emphasis is on making a hat you are pleased to take home, not on passing an art exam.

The finished Non La is the clearest practical payoff. It is light enough to carry away from the studio and has a personal story attached to it: you made it yourself, learned about the art behind its design, and spent time with a local cultural form rather than buying a ready-made keepsake.

Dong Ho art gives the workshop its cultural frame

Before drawing, you hear about the history and present-day status of Dong Ho paintings. This context helps explain why the dragon design is more than a decorative pattern. The session also connects the artwork with Vietnamese culture, giving you a short introduction before you start making marks on the hat.

You should expect an introduction rather than an art-history lecture. The value lies in having a guide explain the style and its meaning in a setting where you can immediately put some of that knowledge to use. The workshop also includes a tour of the studio, where the guide discusses the meaning of artworks, patterns, and fashion products.

That studio walk-through is a useful part of the visit because it broadens the focus beyond your own hat. You get to see how patterns and artwork appear in other pieces, and hear how the studio presents them. If you enjoy looking at handmade work but do not want a full museum visit, this adds a compact, personal layer to the activity.

The subject is specific, which is a strength if you want a focused cultural introduction. It is not a general survey of Vietnamese art or a broad history of the country. Instead, you spend your time with Dong Ho painting and a particular design, then leave with something connected to the lesson.

Drawing the dragon, one step at a time

The hands-on portion begins with instructions for drawing the Dong Ho dragon on the Non La. Acrylic pens are provided, and the guide breaks the process into steps. You can follow the demonstration and ask for help as you work, rather than having to invent a design from scratch.

This format makes the activity suitable for a range of artistic confidence levels. A practiced sketcher can enjoy the chance to work with a traditional motif, while a beginner has a clear route through the task. The private format also means the session is for your group alone, rather than a shared class with strangers setting the pace.

Once the drawing is done, you add color. That stage gives you some room to make the hat feel personal while staying within the dragon design. The instructor’s guidance helps keep the project manageable, but the result is still yours to finish and carry home.

There is no need to plan for an elaborate finished painting in a short sitting. The experience is designed around a guided drawing and coloring session, not unrestricted studio time. If you like having a clear project and a tangible result, that structure is helpful. If you want hours of open-ended painting, this is a shorter, more directed activity.

Tea, cookies, and music while the ink dries

The workshop builds in a pause while the ink dries. Light refreshments include tea and traditional cookies, and you may hear a live piano performance, a flute performance, or both. The description does not promise that both instruments will be played every time, so treat the music as part of the atmosphere rather than a scheduled concert.

This interval is a small but welcome change of pace. You can step back from the drawing, enjoy a snack, and let the design set before adding color. It also makes the class feel less like a production line: there is time to sit, listen, and take in the studio.

The refreshments are light, not a meal. Have lunch or a snack beforehand if you expect to need more than tea and cookies during a two-and-a-half-hour activity. The break is best understood as a thoughtful part of the workshop, not a substitute for a meal.

A private class in central Ho Chi Minh City

The meeting point is B/S Art Studio, 106 Lê Lợi, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. The studio is described as easy to find and near public transportation. The activity returns to the same meeting point, so you do not need to arrange a separate end location.

Because the class is private, only your group takes part. That can be especially useful if you are traveling with family or friends who want to work at different speeds, or if you would rather ask questions without speaking up in a larger group. It is still a guided session, but the pace can be more personal.

Allow around two and a half hours for the workshop, and consider keeping up to three hours free. The listed duration is approximate, and the time you need may depend on how carefully you draw and color. The good news is that the rest of the day is left open for other plans.

The activity is described as suitable for most participants, and its studio setting avoids the demands of a long walking route. No specific age limits or accessibility details are provided, so check directly with the provider if you need those particulars. Confirmation is provided at booking, and the ticket is mobile.

Is $38 a fair price for the session?

At $38 per person, this is not just a short craft demonstration. The price covers a private guided activity, an introduction to Dong Ho paintings, drawing and coloring materials, light refreshments, music during the drying break, and a studio tour. Most important, you leave with the Non La you have made.

The value is strongest if you want a hands-on activity with cultural context. You are paying for the instruction and the focused time, as well as for the finished object. If you only want to buy a conical hat, this is an expensive way to do that. If you want to learn a little, make something yourself, and spend a few hours away from the usual sightseeing routine, the price makes more sense.

The private format is also part of the value. A group-only session gives your party more room to work at its own pace than a large class might. That matters if some of you want extra help or simply prefer a quieter setting.

This is not a bargain-priced add-on if you are traveling on a tight budget, and the hat’s material or size is not specified. But for a guided, roughly half-day creative activity with a take-home project, $38 is a reasonable price to consider.

Who will enjoy painting a Non La?

I would put this class high on the list for anyone who wants a break from temples, markets, and city streets without giving up cultural substance. It gives you a practical introduction to Dong Ho art and a chance to make something with your hands. The finished hat also makes a more personal souvenir than a standard purchase.

It suits couples, friends, and families who enjoy low-key creative activities. Because the session is private, your group can share the experience without having to match the pace of a bigger class. A supportive instructor and clear drawing steps should help if you are a beginner.

It may be less appealing if your main goal is to see several neighborhoods or landmarks in a single outing. The activity happens at the studio, and there is no city sightseeing route included. It also asks you to spend a couple of hours on one project, so it is best for people who enjoy slowing down and concentrating on a craft.

The workshop is booked, on average, about eight days in advance. That figure is a useful planning guide, not a guarantee of availability, so leave time to reserve if it is important to your schedule.

Should you book this workshop?

Book it if you want a personal, hands-on introduction to Dong Ho art and like the idea of leaving with a hat you painted yourself. The thoughtful combination of instruction, studio context, tea, cookies, and live music gives the class more shape than a simple craft session.

Skip it if you would rather spend those hours on a city tour, or if you are looking for an unstructured art class with a wide choice of projects. For a relaxed cultural pause in District 1, though, this is an appealing way to make a useful object your own.

FAQ

How long does the activity take?

Plan for about two and a half hours. The approximate duration is also given as three hours, so allow some extra time in your schedule.

How much does the workshop cost?

The price is $38 per person.

Where does the activity start?

It starts at B/S Art Studio, 106 Lê Lợi, Ben Thanh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City.

Where does the activity end?

It ends back at the meeting point, B/S Art Studio.

Is the workshop private?

Yes. Only your group participates.

What will I paint?

You will draw and color a Dong Ho-style dragon on a Vietnamese Non La, a palm-leaf conical hat.

Are drawing materials provided?

Yes. Acrylic pens are provided for the drawing and coloring.

Are food or drinks included?

Light refreshments are included: tea and traditional cookies.

Will there be live music?

The activity includes live piano and/or flute performances while the ink dries. The description does not specify that both instruments will play at every session.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel at least 24 hours before the activity’s start time for a full refund. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the start time are not refunded.