As the year draws to a close, the lantern-making villages of Hoi An become bustling with activity for the Lunar New Year. These brightly colored lanterns preserve the centuries-old cultural traditions of the ancient town.
The craft of making lanterns in Hoi An (Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province) has existed for hundreds of years - Photo: THANH NGUYEN
The craft of making lanterns in Hoi An (Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province) has existed for hundreds of years, providing a livelihood for many generations of local people. These handcrafted, shimmering lanterns illuminate the ancient rooftops, adding to the serene beauty of Hoi An.
According to lantern makers in Hoi An, creating a perfect lantern requires meticulous attention to detail at every stage. From selecting mature bamboo, boiling it thoroughly to prevent insect infestation, drying it, and then whittling it thin, to creating the frame and gluing the fabric, each step demands the lantern maker's skill and dedication.
Currently, about 40 families in Hoi An still practice the traditional craft of making lanterns.
According to artisan Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy (who runs a lantern production facility in Cam Chau ward), the craft village is busiest each year in the twelfth lunar month in preparation for the Lunar New Year. In addition, festivals such as the Mid-Autumn Festival and the Vu Lan Festival also see a surge in demand for lanterns.
"Every day, my workshop produces more than 200 lanterns. From November until now, thousands of products have been shipped to the market in time for Tet," shared artisan Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh.
Artisan Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy meticulously completes a lantern from a traditional bamboo frame, preparing for the upcoming Lunar New Year - Photo: THANH NGUYEN
To meet the increasingly diverse tastes of customers, Hoi An lanterns are created in many designs and sizes. Simple designs such as round, hexagonal, and octagonal lanterns, as well as more complex ones like revolving lanterns or lanterns shaped like the 12 zodiac animals, are all produced. In particular, foldable bamboo lanterns are currently very popular due to their ease of transport.
Some establishments not only produce lanterns but also combine them with experiential tourism , where visitors can try their hand at making lanterns under the guidance of artisans. This is a way to promote traditional crafts to international friends while also providing a stable source of income for the local people.
Tourist Ngo Quang Quy expressed: “I really like Hoi An lanterns because they are not only beautiful but also deeply rooted in the traditional culture of the ancient town . I often bring friends, especially foreign tourists, to experience how to make a complete lantern.”
Lanterns are not just decorative items; they also carry the cultural soul of Hoi An. The craft of lantern making is not only intertwined with the livelihoods of generations of Hoi An residents, but also preserves the traditional cultural identity for hundreds of years.
According to lantern makers in Hoi An, to create a perfect lantern, the craftsman must meticulously refine each step of the process. - Photo: THANH NGUYEN
Lanterns of all shapes and sizes are displayed brightly, attracting the attention of tourists whenever they visit the old town - Photo: THANH NGUYEN
Lantern-making is not only closely linked to the livelihoods of generations of Hoi An people, but also preserves the traditional cultural identity for hundreds of years - Photo: THANH NGUYEN
Many tourists enjoy experiencing the steps involved in making a complete Hoi An lantern - Photo: THANH NGUYEN
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/den-long-hoi-an-chua-he-tat-lua-nghe-20241222015341603.htm
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