Hoi An Silk Lanterns

Hoi An Silk Lanterns: Every Shape, Colour and Size, With Real Prices

Updated October 2026 · By the LongDenViet workshop, Ho Chi Minh City

Two things give it its character

The first is the bamboo frame, shaved and bent entirely by hand: slender yet strong, able to fold flat and open again into a taut shape. The second is the stretched silk. When the lantern is lit, light passes through softly and the grain of the silk appears like an ink painting. Plastic or industrially printed lanterns cannot reproduce that effect.

The lantern is tied to the old town of Hoi An, where on every full-moon night thousands of silk lanterns light the quiet, yellow-walled streets beside the Hoai River. It is part of the memory of a trading port that was among the busiest of old Dang Trong, where Vietnamese culture mixed with Japanese, Chinese and Western influences over several centuries.

From festival lantern to everyday decoration

In the past, lanterns appeared only at Tet or on the full-moon night of the eighth lunar month. Today they also live in Indochine-style interiors, vintage cafes, restaurants, hotels, homestays and modern town houses that want a warm, nostalgic accent. The old town of Hoi An was recognised by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site in 1999, and the tourism that followed, with its nights lit by lanterns, helped the craft revive and spread. Hoi An lanterns are now exported abroad too.

The core of the craft has barely changed: hands still shave each rib and stretch each sheet of fabric, and machines only help with drying and printing. That hand work is why every lantern has its own tension and its own silk tone, and almost no two are identical.

At a glance

What the photos show

The first photo lines one garlic shape up in six sizes. The rest move through printed floral and crane patterns, a hand-painted line, plain-colour round and garlic shapes, and plain-colour brocade.

See them in person

Lanterns ship folded and open at the hanging spot. To see them in person before a large order, visit our showroom at 262/1/93 Phan Anh, Phu Thanh Ward, Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City, or message us on WhatsApp and the workshop will send more photos and videos of the models in stock. Our guide to buying lanterns in Ho Chi Minh City covers the visit.

The shape is set by how the bamboo ribs are cut and tied, not by the fabric on top — so any of the eight shapes below can, in principle, be ordered in any of the four finishes further down this page. That is also why the price ranges are so wide: a plain 10 cm piece starts the collection off, while a metre-wide hand-painted or embroidered piece sits at the top of the range.

The silhouettes, drawn and photographed

Round (Tròn)

The classic Hoi An ball — the silhouette most people picture when they think of the old town at night.

30,000 VND – 900,000 VND

3 models in this shape · 10–100 cm

Garlic (Tỏi)

A bulb that tapers to a point at the top, named after a head of garlic.

30,000 VND – 900,000 VND

3 models in this shape · 10–100 cm

Inverted Garlic (Tỏi Ngược)

The garlic shape turned over, so the wide belly sits low and the taper points down.

85,000 VND – 900,000 VND

1 model in this shape · 30–100 cm

Pyramid (Bánh Ú)

Four-sided and tapered, named after banh u — the pyramid-shaped sticky rice dumpling.

85,000 VND – 900,000 VND

1 model in this shape · 30–100 cm

Diamond (Kim Cương)

Faceted sides that catch light at different angles as you walk past.

85,000 VND – 900,000 VND

1 model in this shape · 30–100 cm

Custard Apple (Na)

Softly segmented like the fruit, giving a gently ribbed surface.

85,000 VND – 900,000 VND

1 model in this shape · 30–100 cm

Umbrella (Dù)

A wide, shallow dome — reads almost flat from below, good over a table.

140,000 VND – 320,000 VND

1 model in this shape · 30–60 cm

Flying Saucer (Đĩa Bay)

A low, very wide disc. The most modern-looking shape in the range.

120,000 VND – 270,000 VND

3 models in this shape · 30–60 cm

Which shape for which job?

Garlic and Round are the two most common shapes, easy to mix and right for almost any space. Garlic feels classic and soft; Round gives a balanced sphere that looks best hung in clusters. For something more modern, the angular Diamond and Pyramid (banh u) suit minimalist interiors.

Umbrella and Flying Saucer are the hardest to make. The rim has to flare perfectly evenly and every rib must be balanced, which is why they usually cost more and why they are a test of a workshop’s skill. The hexagonal wood lantern wrapped in brocade is a separate wood-frame piece in the classical direction: solid and heavy, suited to elegant or spiritual spaces. Every shape can be ordered in the size and colour you want.

How the size on the label is measured

The number printed on a lantern is the length of the bamboo rib before it is opened, not the diameter once it opens. When opened, the real diameter is wider than the label. When you pick a size for a specific space, allow for this and ask the workshop for the opened diameter, so you can space the lanterns evenly.

Which sizes are the most popular?

• 10–20 cm: mini lanterns for tables, shelves and reception desks, or hung in dense clusters to make a block of colour.
• 30–45 cm: the most popular range, for homes, cafes, corridors and balconies.
• 60 cm: an accent in lobbies, atriums and shopfronts.
• 70–100 cm: gateways, plazas, hotel lobbies and event stages, the large sizes the workshop makes for big installations.

The higher you hang a lantern, the larger the one you should choose, so it stays clear from a distance and in proportion to the space.

Which bulb for which size?

A lantern does not come with a bulb. The cord set, socket and LED bulb are sold separately, by cord length and power. Tell the workshop whether the lantern hangs indoors or outdoors and whether you want warm yellow or white light, and they will advise a safe, energy-saving match.

Use LED bulbs rather than incandescent ones: LEDs give off little heat, so they are safe for silk, save power and last longer. Warm yellow light (2700–3000 K) best matches the nostalgic feel of a Hoi An lantern. Choose neutral light only when you need to see clearly to work.

How high and how far apart to hang

As a rough guide, a light decoration uses about 1 lantern per 2 m² of ceiling; for a dense Hoi An street look, go to 1 lantern per 0.5–1 m². When hanging clusters, mix big and small sizes and stagger the heights: it looks more natural than hanging them all level. If you are unsure, send a photo of the space and the workshop will suggest a layout. For opening and hanging step by step, see our guide to hanging a Vietnamese lantern.

The 14 standard colours

Besides the 14 plain colours, the workshop makes lanterns in its own patterned fabric, woven brocade with figures, hand-painted or embroidered designs. If you need a specific brand tone, send the colour code and the workshop matches the nearest fabric.

What each colour group is said to stand for

In East Asian belief, lantern light stands for Yang energy: it brings vitality and warmth to a space, and a cluster hung in the right place is thought to gather energy and invite good fortune. That is why restaurants often hang lanterns right at the door, and why many families choose a colour for what they hope for. For the wider symbolism, see our guide to what Vietnamese lanterns mean.

Mixing colours in a cluster

When you hang a cluster, mix 2–3 colours in the same tone, or in a deliberate contrast, so the group feels harmonious with one accent. Many scattered colours make the eye tired.

The four finishes and their price bands

Plain fabric

No print, no paint, no stitching — just the shape and the fabric colour. The lowest-priced way into any shape in the range.

28,000 VND – 900,000 VND

9 named this shape

Printed fabric

A floral or motif pattern printed onto the fabric before it goes on the frame. Same shapes, patterned surface.

30,000 VND – 900,000 VND

21 named this shape

Hand-painted

Painted by hand, piece by piece — riverscapes, florals and good-fortune scenes. No two brushstrokes identical, which is why the price sits above printed fabric.

160,000 VND – 1,800,000 VND

8 named this shape

Embroidered

Characters and motifs stitched onto the fabric — Fortune, Prosperity, Longevity, apricot blossom and more. Raised texture you can feel, not just see.

160,000 VND – 1,800,000 VND

19 named this shape

Which finish for which job?

None of the four is a lesser choice — they suit different jobs. Plain and printed fabric are the practical picks for a large matching order (a wedding aisle, a café ceiling) where colour consistency across dozens of pieces matters more than any one lantern being unique. Hand-painted and embroidered pieces are the ones people buy as a single statement piece, or a small set for a space where each lantern is looked at closely rather than glanced past.

Bamboo frame: how the bamboo is chosen and treated

The workshop uses only bamboo 3–5 years old. Young bamboo holds a lot of water: within a few months it shrinks, warps and is attacked by termites.

Treating the bamboo takes several steps: soaking in saturated salt water to kill micro-organisms, drying naturally so it stabilises, then smoking or heat-drying. This makes the bamboo resistant to termites almost permanently, light yet resilient.

Why the ribs matter most

After choosing and treating the bamboo comes rib shaving, the hardest and most important part. Every rib has to be exactly even in thickness and curve. A single rib thicker than the others makes the lantern open lopsided and off-centre, losing its taut round look. It is also the quickest way to recognise a skilled workshop: opened, the lantern should be round and even, with balanced segments.

Iron frame: for outdoors and large sizes

Powder-coated iron is sturdy and wind-resistant. It can form angular shapes and sizes above one metre. When the fabric fails, it can be taken off and replaced, so over the long run it is cheaper to keep running. Iron is heavier and costs more up front, but it lasts for years and only needs fresh fabric when it ages. Ask on WhatsApp if you need an iron-frame version for outdoor use.

Which frame should you choose?

For indoor spaces, shops and covered corridors, bamboo is the classic choice, light and elegant. For outdoors, hotel lobbies and plazas, anywhere with strong sun and wind, or any size above one metre, choose powder-coated iron. For terraces, gardens and balconies exposed to rain and sun, pair the frame with brocade or glossy fabric, compared below.

The two fabrics in the priced collection

Ask on WhatsApp which fabric a specific model uses if it isn’t clear from the photo — some shapes are offered in both.

Three fabrics compared

In short: for indoor hanging where looks come first, choose silk. For outdoors, where you want richness that lasts, choose brocade. For events, large quantities and a tight budget, glossy polyester is the sensible choice.

Mulberry silk is usually sourced from traditional weaving regions such as Ha Dong and Bao Loc. It gives the best light effect: thin, evenly lit, with clear colour. But real silk is sensitive. Long exposure to rain and sun makes it fade and tear, so use it indoors only.

How to tell real silk from imitation

Real silk feels cool and soft, with a slight grip at the fingertip, and its surface shows a natural grain that is not perfectly uniform. Imitation silk (polyester) tends to be evenly and harshly shiny, and feels slick and slightly warm. Held to a light, real silk gives a warm glow and a lively grain, while industrial fabric gives a flat light and sometimes shows a coarse weave. For a buyer who is not a specialist, the safest route is a workshop that lets you see and touch the fabric before a large order.

Four checks workshop people make

The opening test when the parcel arrives

A simple tip when your lantern arrives: open it and look at it from the front. A good one forms a balanced sphere with even segments, and its mouth and base sit on one vertical axis. A poor one bulges to one side, with segments of different sizes. The fabric should feel smooth, taut and unwrinkled. Turn the lantern and check inside whether the glue seams smear. These small details separate a lantern that lasts for years from one that deteriorates after a single season.

Is a Hoi An lantern different from a cheap industrial one?

Yes, clearly. A Hoi An lantern uses mature bamboo treated against termites (or a powder-coated iron frame) covered in silk or brocade. It is made by hand, piece by piece, without harmful substances such as lead (Pb) or nickel (Ni). Cheap industrial lanterns usually use young bamboo and thin fabric that fades quickly, with uneven ribs, so they open lopsided and lose their shape after only a few months.

Why prices vary so much

A very cheap lantern often shrinks, warps or fades within one season, so weigh price against how long it will last.

Buying online: what to ask the seller

Some sellers take another workshop’s good-looking photos to sell poor goods: young bamboo, thin fabric, a lopsided shape. To avoid this, ask to see the seller’s own photos, ask for the workshop address, and prefer a seller with a hotline you can call. Our workshop address and WhatsApp number are at the bottom of this page.

The six steps at a glance

What happens at each step

1. Prepare the materials. Bamboo of the right age is cut and treated against termites and rot (soaked in saturated salt water, dried, then smoked or heat-dried), while the fabric is dyed to the colour the customer chose.
2. Build the frame. Craftspeople shave the ribs and bend the bamboo, or weld an iron frame for complex shapes, then fix the crossing points with parachute cord or wire so the frame stays balanced.
3. Stretch the fabric. Glue goes on each rib, then the fabric is pulled taut and pressed down segment by segment. This step decides the look: the fabric must be perfectly flat and unwrinkled, with no glue bleeding onto the outer face.
4. Decorate. Tassels and silk trim are attached at the mouth and base, or the lantern is hand-painted or embroidered to the customer’s pattern.
5. Dry and set. A gentle dry lets the glue set completely. The fabric shrinks taut and glossy and holds its shape when the lantern is opened.
6. Quality check and packing. Each lantern is opened to check its balance, loose threads are trimmed and the handle is checked. Then it is folded and packed carefully.

What can be customised

The workshop prints a logo, brand name, mascot or message onto the body of the lantern. The special ink bonds into the weave of the fabric, so the print stays sharp and does not peel, even outdoors. Complex patterns, many colours and large quantities are all possible.

Beyond printing, you can order your own patterned fabric, hand-painted or embroidered designs, or a lantern in a special shape made from your drawing. Many brands choose this for opening-day gifts, festival decoration or a signature look for a space.

A mock-up before production

Every custom order gets a mock-up for you to approve before mass production, so nothing is printed wrong or ordered by mistake.

Lead times and minimums

Custom fabric or logo orders start at 20 pieces per design, and wholesale tiers for bamboo-frame lanterns start at 20, 50 and 100 pieces. Our wholesale guide for Vietnamese lanterns has the details. Demand peaks around Tet, Mid-Autumn, the year-end wedding season and opening days, when production takes longer. Order about 3–4 weeks before the peak, and earlier still for logo or large orders.

At home

Inside the home, a pair of red garlic lanterns on the porch, or a few round ones in the living room, is enough to warm the whole space. Shrines, pagodas and temples often choose the hexagonal wood lantern in brocade for a dignified look. Lanterns fold flat, so after each season they can be stored and reused for many years.

Restaurants and cafes

This is the group that uses lanterns most. Traditional restaurants usually choose red and yellow garlic and round shapes along the entrance and over the dining area for a warm, nostalgic mood. Vintage cafes prefer clusters of many colours, or painted lanterns as a photo spot. For a cafe of about 50 m², 15–25 lanterns of 30–40 cm plus a few of 60 cm give a gentle accent; a dense ceiling in the style of Hoi An streets can need two to three times as many. Send a photo or floor plan and the workshop will advise. More ideas are in our guide to lanterns for restaurants and cafes.

Hotels, resorts and spas

Hotel and resort lobbies need large sizes, usually an iron frame covered in brocade so they stand up to wind and last, to make a path of light or a cluster in the atrium. Spas and treatment rooms lean to soft green and white for relaxation.

Events, festivals and weddings

Lanterns are a familiar backdrop for food fairs, music nights, cultural festivals and outdoor weddings. For events choose brocade or glossy fabric, which cope with dew and wind, and order early because quantities are usually large.

Tet

At Tet, red lanterns stand for luck and reunion. Many homes and shops hang bright red Hoi An lanterns along the porch, gate, balcony or garden. Garlic and round lanterns of 30–45 cm suit clusters in front of a house; 60 cm and up make an accent at a gate or lobby. Because it is peak season, order a few weeks before Tet to be sure of stock. See Tet decorations in Vietnam for more.

Cleaning and storage

• Silk lanterns: dust with a feather duster or a handheld vacuum. Never wash with water, because silk can bleed colour and the glue can split.
• Brocade lanterns: wipe gently with a damp cloth when dirty, then let them dry naturally.
• Storage: fold flat and put in a sealed plastic bag with a desiccant packet to avoid damp and mould.
• Hanging outdoors: place under an eave or a tree canopy, away from gusty spots that can tear the fabric.
• Iron frames: when the fabric is old or faded, order a new cover instead of discarding the whole lantern.

How long does a silk lantern last?

A silk lantern hung indoors and looked after can stay beautiful for 3–5 years. Brocade lanterns hung outdoors usually last 1–2 years depending on sun and wind, roughly three times the outdoor life of silk. Glossy fabric lasts 6 months to 1 year outdoors and as long as a normal lantern indoors. An iron frame lasts almost indefinitely: only the fabric needs replacing when it ages. Kept properly, a lantern also holds its tension and original colour, so a better lantern at the start is cheaper in the long run.

Opening, hanging and shipping

For how to open, hang and fold a lantern, see our guide to hanging a Vietnamese lantern. Before you travel, read how to fold, pack and ship a Hoi An lantern home.

Frequently asked questions

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