Vietnamese Lanterns: A Guide

Vietnamese Lanterns – One of our most popular products! The wonderful Vietnamese silk lantern. We source these from our maker in Hoi An in Vietnam and they provide a fantastic oriental look to your room. Heres how to put them like a pro. It’s easy! Watch this video….

How-to: Turn your Vietnamese Lanterns into a lamp

The lantern is ideal as a hanging lamp, both with a small European base (E14) and a larger European base (E27). For white and coloured lanterns we recommend a light bulb (max. 25W), even better is an energy-saving lights. If you want to achieve a warmer tint to white lantern, use a candle bulb or a softone energy-saving light up to 25W (light output).

Tip: “Hemma” by Ikea

If you use the lantern as a hanging lamp, the cord set from Ikea, called “Hemma” gives a cost-effective solution. If there is no IKEA in the near area, a cord set is also available in your local hardware or electrical store.

Cleaning the lantern
The lantern can easily be cleaned by wiping it with a lightly dampened cloth.

Buy your Vietnamese lanterns here. We now sell them in 2 shapes and 3 sizes. Balloon Shaped and Globe Shaped. We have 3 sizes; small, medium and large, (see above diagram) and we sell in 10 colours; Red, Blue, Sky Blue, Green, Mint Green, Orange, Yellow, Pink, White and Silver.

Our lanterns are fair trade and are made in Hoi An by Hoa & her family who have been making traditional lanterns for generations.

Tips for erecting a Vietnamese Silk Lantern
1. Use a flat non-slip surface to place your lantern end on.
2. Ensure all the bamboo struts are facing outwards
3. Using even pressure on the top ring push down until the metal holders come far enough out of the end.
4. Insert these into their grooves.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

General questions

What kind of lanterns do you sell?

We specialise in handmade Vietnamese lanterns crafted with a steel frame, bamboo, and either polyester “silk” fabric (hello, bold colours and gorgeous prints) or jacquard silk for a more luxe look. They’re made for home styling, balconies, and seriously memorable gifts.

Are your lanterns suitable for outdoor use?

Yes—balconies and covered patios are perfect. Just think of them like a fancy outfit: they love fresh air, but they don’t love getting soaked or sunbaked. Keep them sheltered from rain, strong wind, and harsh sun to help them last longer.

How do I pop up the lantern? (Important!)

Your lantern arrives flat-packed so it can travel safely (and affordably!). It’s designed to “pop” into shape in a few simple steps—but it does need to be opened the right way to avoid damage.
See the guide and video above

How do the lanterns light up?

They glow beautifully with fairy lights or a single socket lamp cord + LED bulb inside. (LEDs are best—they stay cooler and keep your lantern looking lovely.)

Will the colours match exactly what I see online?

We try our absolute best to show true-to-life colours. That said, because these fabrics are printed in batches, you may see small variations from one run to the next. Think of it as part of the handmade charm—no two lanterns are exactly the same.

What shapes do you sell?

We offer 2 different shapes, and we’ve made a blog to help you choose your perfect match:
You can see the shapes, dimensions and avilable colours in the diagram above.

How do I know which size to choose?

Picking a size can feel like choosing the “right” cushion—there are options, and they all look good. 😄Again, see the diagram above so you get what you need, we’ve spend a lot of time to measure these accurately.

Ordering and shipping

How can I place an order?

Easy peasy: choose your lantern here.  add your favourites to cart, and head to checkout.

Do you offer international shipping?
Yes—we ship worldwide! Shipping costs depend on your location and will show at checkout.

How long does shipping take?

• We hold the stock in UK so 1-2 working days for UK, 4-8 working days EU, 5-10 working days USA/Canada, 7-21 working days ROW.

Do You Wholesale Lanterns?

Absolutely, please contact us.  We also have a brochure explaining more and with an order form attached.  A digital order form which you can email can be found here.