Hoi An lanterns have never lost their craft.

At the end of the year, the lantern making village of Hoi An is busy again during the Tet holiday. The colorful lanterns preserve the hundreds of years of traditional cultural values of the ancient town.

Bền bỉ nghề thắp sáng phố cổ hàng trăm năm - Ảnh 1. — *The craft of making lanterns in Hoi An (Hoi An City, Quang Nam ) 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, creating a livelihood for many generations of local people. The handmade, shimmering lanterns light up the ancient roofs, adding to the quiet beauty of Hoi An.

According to lantern artisans in Hoi An, to make a perfect lantern, the craftsman must pay attention to every step. From choosing old bamboo, boiling it thoroughly to prevent termites, drying it and then shaving it thin, to creating the frame and gluing the fabric, each step requires meticulousness from the lantern maker.

Currently, about 40 families in Hoi An still maintain the traditional lantern making profession.

According to artisan Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy (a lantern production facility in Cam Chau ward), the craft village is busiest every year in the twelfth lunar month to prepare for the Lunar New Year. In addition, festivals such as the Mid-Autumn Festival or Vu Lan Festival are also times when demand for lanterns increases.

“My facility produces more than 200 lanterns every day. Since November, thousands of products have been released to the market in time for Tet,” said artisan Nguyen Thi Thuy Linh.

Bền bỉ nghề thắp sáng phố cổ hàng trăm năm - Ảnh 2. — *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 with many designs and sizes. Simple designs such as round, hexagonal, octagonal lanterns or more complex designs such as lanterns in the shape of 12 zodiac animals are all produced. In particular, foldable bamboo lanterns are very popular because they are easy to transport.

Some establishments not only produce lanterns but also combine experiential tourism , where visitors can make their own 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 locals.

Tourist Ngo Quang Quy said: “I really like Hoi An lanterns because they are not only beautiful but also imbued with the traditional culture of the ancient town . I often bring my friends, especially foreign tourists, to experience how to create a complete lantern.”

Lanterns are not only decorative items but also carry the cultural soul of Hoi An. The lantern making profession is not only closely associated with the livelihood of many generations of Hoi An people, but also preserves the traditional cultural identity of hundreds of years.