Guide to Vietnamese Silk Lantern Sizes

What Size Lantern Should I Buy?

Choosing the right size Vietnamese lantern can be surprisingly difficult when you're shopping online. A number like 30 cm or 45 cm doesn't always tell you what a lantern will actually look like in your home.

So we've created this visual guide to help.

From tiny lanterns that fit in the palm of your hand to enormous 1.5-metre statement pieces, our handmade Vietnamese lanterns come in a wide range of sizes for homes, restaurants, weddings, events and everything in between.

And because centimetres aren't always easy to picture, we've added a little help from some Vietnamese favourites along the way. 🍊🥥🍉🍍

First things first: how do we measure our lanterns?

When we refer to a lantern as 30 cm, 40 cm, 45 cm or 60 cm, we're measuring the lantern when it is closed, from the top cuff to the bottom cuff of the lantern body.

The tassel and hanging hardware are not included in this measurement.

This is important because a lantern changes shape when it is opened. The final width and overall appearance will depend on the shape of the lantern as well as its size.

In other words, the size number is a useful guide but photographs are the best way to understand how large your lantern will look when displayed.

At a glance: which size is right for you?

If you don't want to read the whole guide, here's the quick version:

Fruit comparisons are approximate and are simply intended to help visualise the scale.

10 cm Lanterns: Tiny but Charming

Our 10 cm lanterns are the smallest lanterns we make.

They're lightweight, delicate and small enough to comfortably hold in one hand. Think of something around the size of a large orange  although, of course, fruit comes in all shapes and sizes!

🍊 Think: orange-sized
✨ Best for: fairy lights, tiny decorative displays and gifts

These little lanterns are particularly lovely when several are used together. Rather than being the main feature of a display, they can add little pops of colour throughout a room.

They are also a wonderful way to experiment with different colours without committing to a large lantern.

Please note: our 10 cm lanterns do not flat-pack and are only available in two shapes, Balloon and Round. They measure approximately 18 × 18 cm from the top of the steel handle to the tail end with a tassel of approximately 5 cm.

20 cm Lanterns: Small, Versatile & Easy to Mix

At 20 cm, our lanterns are noticeably larger while still being relatively small decorative pieces.

For a visual comparison, think roughly coconut-sized.

🥥 Think: small coconut or dragonfruit
✨ Best for: small displays, mixing sizes and filling spaces between larger lanterns

20 cm lanterns are particularly useful when you want to create a display with different sizes rather than having every lantern identical.

They work beautifully between larger lanterns, helping to break up the arrangement and introduce another layer of colour and texture.

Our 20 cm lanterns can be flat-packed for shipping and are only available in three shapes, Balloon, Lozenge and Round.

30 cm Lanterns: The All-Rounder

If you're looking for a versatile lantern size, 30 cm is a great place to start.

These are particularly popular for string-light installations, where multiple lanterns can be arranged along a cable or light cord.

For a rough visual comparison, imagine something around the size of a medium watermelon.

🍉 Think: medium watermelon
✨ Best for: string lights, patios, balconies, restaurants, parties and colourful displays

Our 30 cm lanterns have tassels of approximately 25 cm.

For string-light arrangements, we commonly recommend:

5 metre string → approximately 10 lanterns

10 metre string → approximately 20 lanterns

The exact number will depend on the look you're trying to create and the spacing of your lights.

If you're using bulbs inside the lanterns, we recommend bulbs around 3W, 5W or 7W with a diameter of approximately 27 mm for this size.

35 cm Lanterns: A Little Bigger, A Little Bolder

The 35 cm lantern sits between our popular 30 cm and larger 40–45 cm sizes.

It's a great option if you like the look of a 30 cm lantern but want something with a little more presence.

🍍 Think: roughly pineapple-sized including head
✨ Best for: larger string-light displays and installations where you want a little extra impact

Because 35 cm lanterns are larger and heavier than 30 cm lanterns, consider adding additional support if you're creating a long, straight installation, especially for more permanent installations, outdoor displays or areas where wind could be an issue, we recommend using a steel support cable alongside your string lights to help prevent the line from sagging.

The following image is a comparison of our 30 cm vs 35 cm lanterns:

40 cm Lanterns: A Beautiful Size for the Home

Now we're getting into a very different scale.

Our 40 cm lanterns are substantial decorative pieces and work particularly well when displayed individually or in pairs.

✨ Best for: bedside tables, dining rooms, patios, balconies and home décor

This is a size where the lantern starts to become a genuine feature rather than simply an accent.

A pair of matching lanterns can look beautiful on either side of a bed, while a pair or small group can create a colourful focal point above or around a dining area.

The 40 cm lanterns also have a wider neck, which allows you to use a larger bulb than with our smaller lanterns.

45 cm Lanterns: Make More of a Statement

At 45 cm, you're choosing a lantern with real visual presence.

These are ideal when you want your lanterns to be noticed rather than simply blend into the background.

✨ Best for: dining rooms, larger rooms, patios, balconies, restaurants and statement displays

Our 45 cm lanterns have tassels of approximately 35 cm, which adds to their overall presence when hanging.

They look particularly beautiful as a pair or small group, but a single 45 cm lantern can also become a striking focal point.

If you're unsure between 40 cm and 45 cm, ask yourself how much visual impact you want.

For a more understated decorative touch, choose 40 cm.

For something that feels more substantial and eye-catching, choose 45 cm.

The following image is a comparison of our 40 cm to 45 cm lanterns:

60 cm Lanterns: Now We're Talking!

Our 60 cm lanterns are large statement pieces.

At this size, the lantern itself becomes a major part of your décor rather than simply an accessory.

✨ Best for: large rooms, restaurants, hotels, commercial spaces, entrances, weddings and event décor

A 60 cm lantern can work beautifully on its own, but it can also be used as part of a larger installation with different colours or sizes.

This is also where customised lanterns become particularly exciting. We can create larger lanterns featuring logos, artwork or personalised designs for businesses and events.

80 cm Lanterns: A True Statement Piece

An 80 cm lantern is BIG.

A way to imagine the scale, one of our 80 cm lanterns has a circumference of approximately 1.8 metres.

✨ Best for: restaurants, hotels, large interiors, event installations, commercial displays and dramatic focal points

If you're looking for something subtle, this probably isn't it.

If you're looking for a lantern that makes people stop and look...

This is where things get interesting.

The following image is a side by side comparison of our 60 cm to 80 cm lanterns:

---

1.3-1.5 Meter Lanterns: Made to Impress

Our 1.3 to 1.5 metre lanterns are designed for large-scale installations where you really want to make an impact.

These are not everyday home décor lanterns. They're made for large events, festivals, weddings, restaurants, venues and major decorative installations.

At this size, our extra-large lanterns use steel frames to provide the additional strength and support required.

✨ Best for: major events, festivals, large venues and commercial installations

Because of their size, shipping these lanterns can be more complicated than our smaller lanterns and we can only ship them to certain countries.

If you're considering a lantern this size, please contact us before ordering so we can confirm if your country has shipping restrictions.

---

What size should I choose?

Still not sure?

Here's an easy way to narrow it down.

🏠 For a home

For bedrooms, living rooms, dining rooms and balconies, we'd generally suggest looking at:

30 cm → 35 cm → 40 cm → 45 cm

The best choice depends on how much space you have and whether you want the lantern to be a subtle accent or a focal point.

💡 For string lights

Our most popular sizes for string-light displays are:

30 cm and 35 cm

The 30 cm size is particularly versatile, while 35 cm gives you a little more visual impact.

🍽️ For restaurants and cafés

Consider: 40 cm → 45 cm → 60 cm

Larger lanterns can create a much stronger visual presence, particularly in spaces with high ceilings.

🎉 For weddings and events

Consider mixing: 30 cm → 40 cm → 45 cm → 60 cm → 80 cm

Using different sizes together can create much more depth and interest than using identical lanterns throughout.

🌟 For a major statement

Go big: 60 cm → 80 cm → 1.3–1.5 m

These sizes are designed to be noticed.

---

Don't be afraid to mix sizes

One of our favourite ways to decorate with Vietnamese lanterns is not to choose just one size.

Combining different sizes creates movement and depth.

For example, you could use:

20 cm + 30 cm + 40 cm + 60 cm

Or keep the sizes similar while mixing colours:

30 cm + 30 cm + 30 cm

There really isn't a single "correct" way to display lanterns.

That's part of the fun.

---

Remember: shape matters too

Size isn't the only thing that changes the appearance of a lantern.

We offer a range of different shapes, including Balloon, Diamond, Garlic, Lozenge, Round, Teardrop, Tube and UFO.

Two lanterns with the same measurement can therefore look quite different depending on their shape.

If you're deciding between shapes as well as sizes, take a look at our Vietnamese Lantern Shape Guide for a closer look at the differences.

---

What about the tassel?

Don't forget the tassel!

The size measurement refers to the lantern body, not the tassel hanging underneath it.

Our smaller lanterns have shorter tassels, while the larger 40–45 cm lanterns have tassels of approximately 35 cm.

This means the overall hanging length of your lantern will be greater than the size shown in the product listing.

If you're planning a display above a dining table, bed or walkway, remember to take the tassel into account when deciding how high to hang your lanterns.

---

A final tip: measure your space before ordering

If you're struggling to picture the size, here's our favourite trick:

Grab a tape measure.

Mark out the approximate size on your wall, floor or table using masking tape.

It sounds simple, but seeing 40 cm, 60 cm or 80 cm physically marked out in your own space can make the decision much easier.

And if you're still unsure, we're always happy to help.

Send us a photograph of your space, tell us what you're hoping to create and let us know which sizes you're considering. We'll be happy to give you our thoughts.

---

From tiny accents to giant installations

Whether you're looking for a little splash of colour for a fairy-light display or a huge centrepiece for a festival, there's a Vietnamese lantern size to suit almost every space.

And that's one of the things we love about handmade lanterns from Hội An, the same traditional craft can create something small enough to hold in your hand or large enough to fill a room.

Take your time choosing your size, think about the space you're decorating, and most importantly, have fun with it. 🏮✨

Still not sure which size is right for you? Get in touch - we're happy to help.