Hoi An's handicrafted lanterns | CheapAsiaTours.com

Hoi An lanterns have long been symbols of joy and celebration during festivals. Nowadays, they do more than serve the practical function of lighting homes and streets. They are, quite simply, the distillation of Hoianese artistic, cultural and ethnic identity into one iconic design.

During the 17^th and 18^th centuries, Hoi An was one of the busiest trading ports in Southeast Asia. Hundreds of years have passed but the features of an ancient town and even the lifestyle of its inhabitants remain unchanged. Sleepy Hoi An has been able to avoid both the ravages of time and urbanization in preserving its rustic charm. A typical impression of the town is of a peaceful place, free from motorbike sounds and dazzling lights of modern city life. One can almost hear the footsteps of visitors wandering the streets in quiet contemplation of the antiquated beauty of old houses by the Hoai River, and imagine the smells of the local specialties on sale. Above all, what makes the town so uniquely attractive, is the warm flickering lights from thousands of beautiful lanterns reflecting the heart, soul, and nostalgia of Hoianese life.

According to local legend, the ancestor of lantern making was a Joss paper maker named Xa Duong, whose job was to make lion heads and merry-go-round (roundabout) lanterns for festivals, trade fairs, or competitions. During Tet holidays or special festive events, lanterns which come in all shapes and sizes, patterns and designs would be hung on the main

entrances of homes and on the altar of each family. As time flew by, lanterns became not only popular interior decorations, but also beautiful handicrafts for sale. Gradually, lantern making became an exclusive and prosperous trade for the Hoianese.

Lanterns in Hoi An night

There was, however, a period when lantern making was on the verge of fading away and disappearing. Fortunately, a skilled craftsman names Huynh Van Ba was determined to keep up the trade and pass it on to the next generations. Changing the traditional shapes of the lanterns, and using silk to cover various bamboo frames, Huynh Van Ba reinvented the Hoi An lanterns, and in doing so restores its positions as a highly

Hanging the lanterns

sought-after handicraft. His craftsmanship was widely recognized both locally and internationally – he was the first Hoianese invited to Japan to demonstrate his unique method.

The time-consuming process of making lanterns requires a high level of craftsmanship and much patience. Material used to build lanterns must be carefully selected and well-treated. Old bamboo is soaked for about ten days in salt water to protect against insects. Then it is dried, split, and divided into strips of different lengths. The bamboo strips are then hooked to two wooden rings (one at each end), and are linked together with a string. Afterwards, the skeleton of the lantern will be adjusted by hand to form a symmetrical frame. The cloth that is used to cover the frame must be silk tough enough to stretch, and the craftsman needs to be expert in the technique of stretching the fabric over the curvature of the frame. After applying the silk to the frame, the maker then trims off the excess cloth with scissors before making a tail – usually artificial silk hooped in a small wooden ball.

It normally takes four days to finish two plain lanterns, and three further days to paint and decorate them. The painstaking and time-consuming nature of the work is why often centuries-old lanterns are carefully preserved as a family inheritance, and sadly only displayed on special occasions! These lanterns tend to be hardwood and decorated with glass panels, each of which is an individually painted work of art.

The tranquil old town reveals its greatest charm when night falls. Visitors wander leisurely through its streets, taking in the architecture and spirit of the first settlers, while enjoying a peaceful evening in the vibrant, fanciful light spreading from rows of lanterns hung along Tran Phu Street, Chau Van Thuong Street, or on the illuminated banks of the Hoai River. On the night of the 14^th of every lunar month, the town immerses itself in local history, and senior residents emerge wearing traditional “ao dai”, playing chess, and reading poetry on porches when the rustic love duets named Bai Choi, sung by young men and women, gently resound over the river.

Lanterns light up Hoi An's night

Before leaving the town visitors will surely be tempted by the huge variety of souvenir. From Cham ethnic handicrafts and Japanese Geta wooden sandals to Shanghai traditional dresses and, of course, the must-have Hoi An lanterns. Lanterns – illustrated with red cherries and Chinese script, fish-shaped, and dragon lanterns – are likely to be top of your list when shopping in Hoi An. These are the result of cultural exchange between Vietnamese, Japanese, and Chinese. The Hoianese are very proud of their emotion-evoking lanterns, since not only do they brighten up every corner of the town, they are an artistic expression of Hoianese imagination, spirit and life.