The Phu Binh Lantern Village in HCM City’s District 11 have been busy again as the Mid-Autumn Festival nears.
The craft village, which is located on Lac Long Quan Street was founded 50 years ago.
After enjoying robust development during the 1990s, the village fell into oblivion in recent years as their handmade cellophane lanterns lost their popularity to imported alternatives.
Many craftsmen have turned to other work to earn a living.
However, Phu Binh Lantern Village has been busy again this year as local crafts are receiving more orders.
Some more photos of the Phu Binh Lantern Village:
“I think people have returned to our hand-made lanterns because we have sent our souls in each of our products, a villager named Thang said.
Thang’s family has been making cellophane lanterns since 1989. He still stayed with the craft during its difficult time facing tough competition from Chinese products.
“Our products are valued by the way craftsmen make the shapes, cut, draw, colour and stick the cellophane,” Thang explained. “With such ingredients as bamboo, pen brushes, colouring agents, and cellophane, the quality of the products depends mostly on the skill of the craftsmen.”
Thang shared that although this year’s Mid-Autumn Festival is still a month a way, he has sold over 1,000 lanterns.
Craftsman Dung said that her family started making lanterns for the Mid-Autumn Festival two months ago and so far sold about 2,000 products.
Another craftsman, Thanh, said that he got orders from as far as Hoi An Town, Danang and Hanoi.
Chicken-shaped lanterns are popular this year because 2017 is the year of the chicken.
Lanterns with star or animals shapes are considered symbols of the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Dtinews