Hand Embroidery in Hoi An: Guide to Silk Art, Prices & Where to Buy

Among the lanterns and tailor shops of the Old Town, one of Vietnam’s most delicate arts is stitched quietly by hand. Hand embroidery Hoi An galleries turn fine silk thread into shimmering paintings of landscapes, flowers and portraits — a lightweight, deeply personal souvenir you can even have made from your own photo. This guide covers the craft’s heritage, what to look for, realistic prices, and where to buy the real thing.

A living Vietnamese heritage craft

Vietnamese silk embroidery is centuries old. Tradition traces it to the village of Quat Dong near Hanoi — long regarded as the cradle of the craft — where artisans learned to split silk thread into fine strands and blend hundreds of colours into images with real depth and shading, almost like painting with needle and thread. The most skilled practise double-sided embroidery (thêu hai mặt), where the picture appears flawless on both faces of the silk.

In the 20th century that heritage was elevated into fine art by studios such as the famous XQ Hand Embroidery houses, whose galleries turned embroidered silk into museum-worthy pieces. Hoi An, already a town of tailors and makers, became a natural home for the craft: its Old Town galleries and nearby workshops now display everything from misty river scenes to lifelike portraits, all worked entirely by hand.

Why hand embroidery Hoi An is prized

How each piece is made

Watching an artisan at work is half the pleasure of buying hand embroidery Hoi An offers. Behind a finished silk painting are four patient stages:

1. Choose the design. Pick from patterns on display, or bring your own photo or idea for a custom piece — a portrait, a favourite view, a wedding photo.
2. Sketch the layout. The artisan outlines the composition onto the stretched silk before a single stitch is made.
3. Hand embroidery. The longest stage — usually 3 to 15 days depending on size, colour layers and detail — building the image stitch by stitch in fine silk thread.
4. Finishing & framing. The silk is stretched, aligned and framed in quality wood, ready to hang.

Price guide for hand embroidery Hoi An

Prices depend on size, detail, the quality of the silk thread and the framing. As a rough guide for 2026:

Type	Typical size	Price range
Landscape embroidery	30×40 cm	900,000 – 1,500,000₫
Botanical & floral art	40×60 cm	1,200,000 – 2,500,000₫
Portrait embroidery	Customised	from 2,000,000₫
Custom designs	Any size	Quote on request

A small framed landscape makes an affordable, genuinely handmade souvenir; larger portraits are a commissioned artwork and priced accordingly. Always agree the price, size and pickup or shipping date in writing before you pay a deposit.

Where to buy authentic hand embroidery Hoi An

Hand embroidery Hoi An is sold all over town, but quality and price vary a lot. Three reliable places to look:

• Old Town art & craft galleries. Streets like Tran Phu, Nguyen Thai Hoc and Nguyen Phuc Chu have galleries displaying framed silk paintings — the easiest place to compare styles and prices on foot.
• Traditional workshops. Small studios run by long-time artisans around Cam Chau and Cam Ha, just outside the centre, where you can watch the work in progress and often get better value.
• Custom orders & shipping. Many studios take custom photo or name embroidery and arrange nationwide delivery or international export, so a large piece doesn’t have to travel in your luggage.

How to spot quality hand embroidery

• Check the stitches. Look for smooth, even stitching with no loose or knotted threads on the surface.
• Look at the shading. Good work has natural colour gradients — the silk should shift tone like a painting, not sit in flat blocks.
• Inspect the frame. The silk should be evenly stretched and squarely aligned in a sturdy frame.
• Match your space. Choose a subject and colours that suit the room where it will hang.
• For portraits, bring a sharp photo. A high-resolution image gives the artisan the detail needed for a lifelike result.

Visiting Hoi An embroidery workshops by motorbike

Many of the finest workshops sit a few kilometres outside the pedestrian-only Ancient Town, scattered between Cam Thanh, Cam Chau and the road out toward Tra Que village. A taxi can drop you at the door, but drivers rarely wait while you browse, and the workshops are spread far enough apart that visiting two or three in an afternoon gets expensive. Most travellers find it easier to ride themselves, stopping wherever a workshop catches their eye.

A scooter also lets you pair a workshop visit with Tra Que herb village or An Bang beach on the same trip. If you’re new to riding in Vietnam, stick to the quiet riverside lanes rather than the busy Hoi An–Da Nang road, and use a paid parking lot near the Ancient Town for a few thousand dong. Our Hoi An motorbike route guide maps out the calmest roads for first-time riders.

Frequently asked questions

How much does hand embroidery Hoi An cost?

A small landscape (about 30×40 cm) starts around 900,000₫; floral pieces run roughly 1,200,000–2,500,000₫, and custom portraits start from about 2,000,000₫. Price depends on size, detail, silk quality and framing.

Can I get a custom photo embroidered in Hoi An?

Yes. Many studios embroider portraits and scenes from a photo you provide. Bring a high-resolution image, and allow several days to two weeks — larger, detailed portraits take the longest.

How long does a hand-embroidered piece take to make?

Between 3 and 15 days of stitching, depending on size, the number of colour layers and complexity. Custom portraits sit at the longer end.

Where can I buy authentic hand embroidery in Hoi An?

Old Town galleries on Tran Phu, Nguyen Thai Hoc and Nguyen Phuc Chu streets, plus traditional workshops around Cam Chau and Cam Ha. Watching the artisans work is the best sign the piece is genuinely handmade.

Is Vietnamese hand embroidery real silk?

Quality pieces use fine silk thread, which is what gives the artwork its sheen and smooth colour shading. Ask the seller about the thread, and look for natural gradients and clean stitching.