Lantern making village busy ahead of Mid-Autumn Festival

Located about 10km from the center of Nam Dinh city, Bao Dap village has long been renowned for its traditional craft of making star-shaped lanterns. This craft has been preserved through many generations and remains closely tied to the childhood memories of countless people.

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Currently, approximately 300 households in Bao Dap village continue the craft, producing hundreds of thousands of lanterns of various sizes for the market each year.

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The star-shaped lanterns come in a variety of sizes, with diameters ranging from 15–20cm to as large as 1m. These products are not only popular in northern provinces but are also widely sold in southern regions, including Ho Chi Minh City.

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From the sixth and seventh months of the lunar calendar, the entire village becomes bustling with activity as households rush to fulfill the growing number of orders.

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The lanterns are made manually using simple materials, including bamboo and paper.

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Alongside mooncakes, lanterns are among the most popular items during the Mid-Autumn Festival, which is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth lunar month or October 6 this year.

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Making lanterns requires great skills and meticulousness from craftsmen.

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There are many steps involved in the process, from splitting the bamboo to making the frame with glazed paper.

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The glue is homemade as it is cooked from rice flour according to a secret formula that ensures strong adhesion and safety for children.

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A local artisan shares that the most challenging stage is covering the star with paper, as it requires meticulous precision to spread the glue evenly and attach the cellophane so it fits perfectly without bubbles or wrinkles.

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On average, each household produces around 300–400 lanterns per day, with suppliers paying about VND5,000 for each piece.

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Ms Lan shares that lantern-making provides the main source of income for local villagers, and she is determined to preserve the tradition and pass it on to future generations.

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On the market today, Bao Dap village’s star-shaped lanterns are priced from VND10,000 for smaller sizes to VND150,000 for larger ones. With diverse designs and affordable prices, the village’s products are widely consumed and remain a favorite item every Mid-Autumn Festival.