Breathing in romance, endless charm and mysterious fairytale beauty, Hoi An lanterns hanging throughout the alleys of the old town will show you a very different Vietnam - a place influenced by the remnants of ancient Chinese and Japanese culture.
Over the centuries until today, the process of creating lanterns from bamboo frames and delicate brush strokes on silk is still meticulously completed as it was in the mid-17th century in this ancient trading port area. Since then, Hoi An has always been a miniature world, where the quintessence of famous lanterns and the artisans who make them are preserved.
Lantern making process
A craft that takes time and special processes to perfect, lantern making involves a series of steps handled by artisans scattered throughout the town. Some houses specialize in making frames, ensuring that the spheres and cylinders, teardrops, and other shapes are bent and rounded to perfection.
Next, a second group of artisans, painters and illustrators will assemble a series of exquisite craftsmen, painters and illustrators to depict characters and elaborate images on various silks covering the lanterns. The finished products will then be sent to shop owners along the Thu Bon River.
Lantern maker
Mrs. Nga has been running her own lantern business in one of Hoi An’s small alleys for decades. Relying on prefabricated frames and painted silk, she is like a “gatekeeper” to preserve the essence and soul of Hoi An’s lanterns. She harmoniously combines all the elements into a final product, ensuring the silk is carefully cut and pasted and all accessories are added where necessary.
Possessing a keen eye for any flaws during the making process or towards the finished product, Nga constantly sorts through the materials, even accepting to remake new ones and discard old ones that are no longer suitable. Most of her business is developed from ready-made/mass-produced lanterns, however she often creates her own custom designs or illustrations to achieve the most unique lanterns.
Worker groups
Shop owners typically manage a team of craftsmen, each with their own specific tasks and jobs. They are highly skilled individuals who handle intricate fabric cutting, the process of molding fabric into frames, and elaborate decorative tasks such as adding handles, lids, and ribbons. Some businesses specialize in just one type of lantern, while others create a wide variety of lanterns in a variety of styles and colors.
Time
Any craftsman spends as much time and care as possible on this lamp making craft. The stages of lamp making are generally quite similar. However, with different techniques and progress, products with different quality and quantity will be produced.
Therefore, in many cases, beginners can complete only 1 or 2 lanterns per day, while more experienced people with years of practice can make up to 20 per day.
Decorative patterns
Silk lantern designs range from modest, popular to extravagant. Therefore, lantern shop owners must also arrange the lanterns in different segments to be most eye-catching and reasonable. Many silk lanterns with patterns and motifs will be hung with very few to ensure uniformity and harmony in aesthetic color.
