What's inside a Vietnamese Silk Lantern?
Handcrafted by local artisans, each lantern combines bamboo, steel, and fabric to create something both delicate and durable. In this blog, we’ll take you inside a Vietnamese silk lantern handmade in Hoi An, Da Nang, Vietnam.
The Bamboo Frame: The Heart of the Lantern
Local artisans carefully shape bamboo frames and bend strips of bamboo into various shapes from the classic round and diamond to the elegant garlic or balloon form. Each piece is then dried and smoothed to ensure strength and flexibility. The bamboo gives the lantern its lightweight feel while keeping it sturdy.
The Steel Support: Strength You Don’t See
Hidden within and from the base of the lantern is a steel skeleton that locks the bamboo in place. This small detail ensures the lantern maintains its perfect symmetry and can fold open and closed easily for storage and shipping.
The combination of bamboo and steel makes the lantern both lightweight and strong, a smart design evolved through generations of craftsmanship.
The Silk Fabric: Where the Magic Happens
Once the frame is ready, artisans stretch vibrant polyester silk fabric or jacquard silk fabric across the structure, gluing it carefully by hand. This is when the lantern transforms from a simple frame into a piece of art. Hoi An’s silk comes in hundreds of colours and patterns, floral prints, fish and bird designs; and traditional motifs.
The Finishing Touches
Finally, artisans add matching tassel and round wooden ball to give each lantern its unique personality.
Bringing It All Together
Next time you see a silk lantern glowing over Hoi An’s river or hanging in your garden, you’ll know there’s an entire story hidden inside a perfect balance of natural bamboo, sturdy steel, and beautiful fabric.
