Review Author: Susan King

Review Date: 24 mei 2026

Review Body: We loved our knife forging class. We were in Hanoi for 6 weeks and wanted something different to do - look no further. Thanh is very organised and communicated efficiently with us over WhatsApp once the class was booked. The instructions are clear and detailed so no surprises on the day. The family of blacksmiths welcomed us into their workshop. We couldn’t communicate verbally but they know their stuff and guided us through the whole knife making process through demonstration and actively helping us because it’s a skill, requires effort and it’s not that easy. Thanh was always on hand to translate if we didn’t understand anything. The family had our safety in mind and kept an eye on us all the time because you are working with metal, fire and machinery. We are very proud of our knives and they will be a cherished souvenir when we get home - we cook a lot. Thank you,Thanh, for giving us the opportunity to have this very unique experience. Thank you to the family too, they were so lovely to meet and work with. 🖤

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Miesha and Mariesha

Review Date: 15 sep 2026

Review Body: My sister and I had such a wonderful time making custom knives with Thanh and their family. When picking your knife and its shape, there are plenty of options to choose from. If you want a specific shape/style, you can show them and they will try their best to emulate it. Throughout the workshop, we were treated to tons of snacks, tea and fruits. The family was also so kind to help us take photos and videos throughout the class while our hands were occupied with making the knives. At some parts of the workshop, it was a little challenging to ask questions and learn more about the knife making process due to the language barrier. However, they always did their best to answer our questions and make sure we understood what we were doing. Despite this, we had such a great time and really appreciated how welcoming and kind everyone was. It was a fun and memorable experience that we would definitely recommend!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Tim

Review Date: 13 jul 2026

Review Body: This was such a great experience! The hosts were very helpful, supportive, and skilled, and are clearly very passionate about their craft. They were great teachers as well as hosts! They even provided an abundance of tea and fresh fruit! They helped me through the process of creating a blade and knife handle, and I am more pleased with my knife than I expected! They also had a really friendly dog, so that was a plus! There was someone there to help with instructions in English, and the hosts were really great at demonstrating each step of creating the knife. This was one of my top favorite experiences in Vietnam! If you’re thinking about doing it, just do it! And give these people a tip, even though it’s not expected!!!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Kathy Reid

Review Date: 07 jun 2026

Review Body: We absolutely loved the knife making workshop with the blacksmith and his family. It was such a unique experience. There was plenty of hands on, personal attention throughout the experience. Son (our guide) was patient with translating and answering all of our questions. Everything went smoothly from pick up at our hotel until drop off a few hours later. Son also took many pictures and videos during the process so that I did not have to take them myself. Having the knife as a souvenir made it even better. I will think of the blacksmith family whenever I use it.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Brett & Margot Wakeman

Review Date: 16 aug 2026

Review Body: The knife making workshop was phenomonal, and we could not recommend it highly enough! Our guide, Claire was absolutely wonderful - friendly, knowledgable and easy to talk to. The master knife makers (3 generations from the same family while we were there) were amazing guides, patient and skilled at their craft and made it so easy for us to handcraft two knives that we will be able to keep and use at home in our kitchen long after our trip is over. If you are looking for a unique and authentic half day experience in Hanoi, book this one!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Kris

Review Date: 30 dec 2025

Review Body: We were looking for a unique and different experience in Hanoi and we certainly found it. Our host David was very friendly and knowledgeable about the process. The family making the knives were very inviting and helpful, making the entire experience so much fun. Was absolutely worth the short trip out to the village - which is still really part of Hanoi and was only a 35 minute drive away. And the knife we made will be a wonderful keepsake from the morning we spent there. Would totally recommend the experience for anyone to try

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Alex

Review Date: 05 feb 2026

Review Body: Great experience in the home/workshop of a blacksmith family. We went through every step in about 2 hours. My guide, who introduced herself as Tulip, spoke great English and delighted me with her conversation. The artisans don't speak English but they are very apt at teaching you, literally holding your hand. Protective equipment was also provided and I felt very safe. Since the artisans fix your mistakes, you go home with a great quality knife, although it is fairly simple in terms of its looks. It is razor sharp though !

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Dennis Smedley

Review Date: 24 apr 2026

Review Body: The Knife making class is in my top 2 things I have done in Vietnam. My mate and I were pretty happy that we came across this. The knife Family and our guide Son helped make it memorable. They were all really friendly and welcoming. I was impressed how patient they were with us being our first atempt at making knives. The knives are pretty bloody awesome and are the best souvenir you coukd ever get. They will hold the memory of visiting this wonderful Vietnam.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Ella Holosi

Review Date: 22 feb 2026

Review Body: Our knife making experience was incredible, from carving the handle to shaping the knife itself, every step involved different techniques we learned to curate the knife. Our guide Darcy was fantastic in translating the correct method led by the blacksmiths to produce our final product. The family have all the equipment needed in front of their house in a village previously known for making swords. We couldn’t recommend this experience more, thank you!!!!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Jonas

Review Date: 11 aug 2026

Review Body: I had the greatest time. Our guide Son met us at a meeting point and we went together to the blacksmith. It was a small, three generation family run business. We were offered tea, could pick the type of knife we wanted and started work. They helped in every step and, highly skilled blacksmith they are, smoothed out and helped. There were gloves and safety goggles so everything was safe and we enjoyed it soooo much!!! Highly recommend it.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Quek

Review Date: 28 dec 2025

Review Body: Booked this activity last minute and got confirmed despite the late hr. Greeted by our awesome guide,Tulip. Best 3 hr spent hotcoaling, hammering, and grinding blades and handle from scratch, with expert assostance every step of the way. Safety gloves and eyewear provided. Learning something unordinary from an ordinay craftsmen family of blacksmith!! Superb experience alway from the hussle of mainstream hanoi.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Charmaine C

Review Date: 25 jul 2026

Review Body: My husband and I had a great time at the knife making class. We enjoyed every moment of the hands on process and we loved the outcome of our knives. Our tour guide, Son was very friendly and knowledgable and he explained the process of the knife making very well. Overall, we had a wonderful time forging our own knives and would highly recommend this unique activity to anyone who is interested in this workshop.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Nicky

Review Date: 30 apr 2025

Review Body: This was such a unique experience and will be a highlight of our time in Vietnam. They whole workshop is hands on and the blacksmith and your guide make you feel comfortable and at ease with every step. Our tour guide for the knife making was Ninh who made the whole experience feel like doing a workshop with a friend. A must for anyone wanting something a little different than the usual tourist experience.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: John

Review Date: 01 jan 2025

Review Body: Great company and service. Started with initial contact to follow up after the workshop. Completely professional from start to finish. Jasmine met me at the meet up location and brought me to the blacksmith’s work location. Jasmine was very helpful with translating and taking pictures and videos of me while I was banging out two beautiful knives. Can not recommend them enough for all your touring needs.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Albert Aldrich

Review Date: 20 jun 2026

Review Body: This is without-a-doubt one of the best experiences I've booked in Hanoi. The business is family run and everyone is very friendly. I was involved through every step of the process and made a really cool knife at the end of it. I'm glad I booked this and I recommend it to anyone looking for a hands-on experience in Vietnam. Thanks so much to the whole family for this experience!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Elsie & Louis

Review Date: 06 aug 2026

Review Body: We had such an amazing time doing this workshop. The family who run it were so welcoming and helpful, making sure we had a good time. Their hospitality was amazing and we really enjoyed the fruit and tea that they offered us afterwards. This was a great insight into the work they do and a really worthwhile experience with a great personalised souvenir at the end! Thank you!

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Rob

Review Date: 11 apr 2026

Review Body: Amazing experience - you get to be fully hands on with making a knife of your choice, and the skilled blacksmiths guide you every step of the way. During the experience you also get an insight into the everyday home life of the family who do this job. Our tour guide Claire was also brilliant - she spoke great English and organised every part of the experience perfectly

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Rebecca

Review Date: 13 dec 2025

Review Body: Visiting the blacksmith was a wonderful experience. Although we booked the tour just the night before, the guide reached out to us via WhatsApp and was able to advise on the exact address so that we could book a grab easily. Our guide Ninh was excellent and the blacksmith family was so hospitable ensuing that we enjoyed ourselves at every step.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Vidal

Review Date: 14 jul 2026

Review Body: The experience was really fun and the most unique thing we did on pur south east asia adventures. The blacksmith family are so kind and patient offering us free drinks and fruit whilst helping us forge our knifes. I highly recommend the experience as well as Thanh. Our guide Cris was very knowledgeable and helped along the way in translation.

Review rating: 5

Review Author: Anita

Review Date: 31 mrt 2025

Review Body: It was a pleasure to attend Knife-making class with the Master and Jasmine who translated everything for us to english. If you want to bring with you to home Vietnam, this workshop is for you. It is an amazing experience which will stay with us forever. We also discover history, traditions about the village. Thank you for your hospitality ❤️

Review rating: 5

Itinerary Day 1

Itinerary Summary: Knife-making workshop: design, forge, shape and finish your own handcrafted blade.

Itinerary Description: In this workshop, you will go through all processes of making a simple knife. Step into the shoes of a traditional bladesmith as you sketch out the shape of your very own knife on a sheet of strong, long-lasting metal, specially chosen for its quality. With hammer in hand and sparks flying, you’ll cut and shape the blade and tang (the part that forms the handle’s core). Together with the master maker, you’ll take turns striking the glowing hot metal fresh from the crackling forge—an unforgettable moment of fire and craft. Once the blade takes shape, any rough edges are carefully trimmed with precision tools, setting the stage for the fine details. At the grindstone, you’ll bring the edge to life in several stages, slowly transforming raw steel into a razor-sharp blade under the guidance of the craftsman. For the final touch, your knife is bathed in a special tar-based wash—a time-honored family secret passed down through generations—that gives it both character and strength. By the end of the workshop, you’ll walk away not just with a handcrafted knife, but with the unforgettable memory of forging it yourself.