Top 5 Interesting Facts About Hoi An Lanterns

If Hoi An were a graceful woman, the lanterns would be the best dress, emphasizing her eternal beauty. The shimmering, mysterious glow of the lanterns has become an inseparable part of Hoi An Old Town. 
Join VIET DOVE Travel to explore the world of lanterns - one of the most iconic cultural experiences of Central Vietnam.

Hoi An Lanterns - A Unique Heritage

Do you know that these simple lanterns have a history spanning over 400 years? They are witnesses to the cultural beauty of Hoi An.
The lanterns are beautifully colored with different shapes, sizes, and patterns, often decorated with motifs of Vietnamese culture, such as dragons, lotuses, or paintings ... For me, each lantern is a traditional craft reflecting authentic Vietnam, telling other stories, arts and culture, and beauty.

The Symbolic Meanings of the Lanterns

Lanterns in Hoi An are not only for decoration, but they also carry spiritual and cultural meanings. 
Each color and shape carries a different wish:
•    The red color: luck and happiness.
•    The yellow color: prosperity and royalty.
•    The green color: peace, hope.
Therefore, bringing a lantern back is not only a souvenir, but also a piece of heritage of the Vietnamese. 

Discover full details: Hoi An Ancient Town Night Tour from Hoi An & Danang

How to Make Lanterns in Hoi An

Lantern making in Hoi An, Vietnam, is a traditional art passed down from generation to generation. Care is taken in producing them:
• Selecting the Bamboo: Only the best bamboo is selected, peeled and boiled, then dried in the sun, cut into strips.
• Making the Frames: The bamboo sticks are bound together with care to form the frame for the lantern.
• Covering with Silk: Finally, the frames are covered with very fine silk cloth, often painted on the silk in cultural illustrations.
This extends through all processes, making the Hoi An lantern the most authentic handmade souvenir in Vietnam.

Where to See the Beautiful Lanterns

The best time to visit Hoi An is on the 1st and 14th nights of the lunar month. The Hoi An Lantern Festival is then in its full bloom. The streets are lit with thousands of colored lanterns, while the natives float their lanterns on the Thu Bon River and make wishes, a lovely sight that suggests peace, tradition.

Lantern Making Tour, a must-try experience

Taking a lantern-making class in Hoi An is one of the 10 things to do in Vietnam. You will learn to make the lanterns from the native artisans, and taking home your own Hoi An hand-made lantern becomes a souvenir worth knowing about.
With VIET DOVE Travel, you can partake in a Hoi An lantern-making workshop, fold the lantern into your luggage, and return home. 

Conclusion

The Hoi An lantern is something more than a glowing decoration. It is a living bit of Vietnamese culture. Whether you enjoy them at the festival, shop for them as handmade gifts from Hoi An, or try your hand at making one, lanterns will always light up your journey through Central Vietnam.

FAQs About Hoi An Lanterns

Where can I find a lantern-making class in Hoi An?

There are many workshops in the Ancient Town, but a tour of lantern making in Hoi An with the local artisans gives you the knowledge of the art and takes home your own handmade lantern.

When is the best time to see the lanterns in Hoi An?

The time of the Hoi An Lantern Festival, on the 1st and 14th days of the lunar month, is the best. The streets of Hoi An glow with the light of thousands of lanterns.

Could I bring a lantern home with me as a souvenir?

Yes. Many of the lanterns are foldable, so this makes them easy to pack in your suitcase. They are one of the most popular handmade souvenirs of Vietnam.

Are the lanterns of decoration only?

Yes. In Viet Nam, the lanterns have other symbolic interpretations of meaning. For instance, there is Luck, Happiness, Prosperity, etc., and these meanings lend themselves to making them a gift or a decoration.

Read more: Lantern Making & Basket Boat Half day Tour From Hoi An & Danang