Hoi An Lanterns How The $22 Souvenir Changed Our Backyard

If you’ve ever been to Hoi An, you know the lanterns are striking. The ancient town’s narrow yellow streets are strung with hundreds of them — silk globes in every color, glowing against centuries-old merchant houses.

I brought six of them home in my suitcase. Total cost: about $22. Last week, Howard hung them up just in time for the July Third party we are having.

It’s Sunday Faves time with Annie and Cindy. I want to tell you about the lanterns, other souvenirs and a bathing suit and coverup that’s making me not dread summer at the pool.

What Makes Hoi An Lanterns Special

The silk lanterns you find in Hoi An’s Old Town are handmade using a traditional craft the town has practiced for centuries. Each one is stretched over a collapsible bamboo frame and covered in silk (or in our case more of a durable synthetic fabric), often hand-painted with flowers, birds, or simple geometric patterns. They come in a range of shapes.

How We’re Using Them at Home

Howard wired the lanterns directly onto our existing outdoor string lights. No special hardware. He used picture frame wire to attach the little wire loop at the top of each lantern to a circular loop at the top of each bulb.

We chose red, white, and blue for obvious reasons: the Fourth of July is right around the corner. If you’re hosting any summer outdoor party — I recommend this approach. The effect is festive and you get a lot of low cost impact.

Those birds of paradise plants were practically dead from a winter frost but now they are coming back!

The Other Thing We Brought Home

In the lobby of our hotel, we met an artist named Luc who was painting traditional Vietnamese watercolor scrolls — bamboo, cherry blossoms, orchids, and yes, lanterns — in the classical East Asian style. Tommy and Mona bought one too, and the price was only about $15 each. They rolled up easily for packing.

And now they are in our guest bathroom. It’s a good reminder that the best souvenirs aren’t always the ones you plan for — sometimes they’re the ones you find when you slow down long enough to watch someone work.

Where to Buy Hoi An Silk Lanterns Without the Plane Ticket

You do not need to fly to Vietnam to get these, though I recommend the trip. Etsy has a wonderful selection of authentic Hoi An lanterns shipped directly from Vietnam, and the prices are remarkably low. Check the shipping costs however. Some vendors provide free shipping though.

You may also like: Hoi An: For Custom Clothes And Handmade Shoes and Things I Would Do in Saigon Again also Packing for Vietnam: What to Wear in the Heat and Humidity.

Just so you know…this is my last Southeast Asia post (until we go back someday). In fact, I will only be posting on Sundays for the next few weeks as our grandchildren are visiting. So lots of pool and beach time.

AND I just got this combo in the mail…

When The Coverup Matters As Much As the Suit

This bathing suit is cute (I like the straps) and it sucks in the belly with enough rear coverage.

Miracle suit • Matching Pareo

The pareo can be worn different ways with tassel detail.

Father’s Day Menu Today

I’m in charge of the cooking for a change. My brother who is also a father of five is visiting here too. So I am serving:

• Mayport Shrimp with zesty cocktail sauce
• Cucumber Zsistki Salad from Shea McGee’s new cook book I am enjoying it… a mother’s day gift.(recipe also on Homes and Gardens)

• Loaded Baked Potatoes
• Grilled Onions and Filet Mignon
• and My Salted Oatmeal Chocolate Cookies with ice cream.

My sister-in-law, Nancy will have to watch the grandkids while I cook as their parents are both on business trips. Wish us luck. We’ll eat outside and enjoy the lanterns if it’s not too hot.

If you would like to receive this series every week, please sign up HERE.

Let’s see what my friends have discovered this week:

Cindy Hattersley Design

Most Lovely Things