Leaving the city to return to the countryside, two sisters bring Hoi An lanterns far and wide

Thien Dang lantern production facility is always bustling, workers meticulously perform each step from shaving bamboo strips, attaching frames to covering fabric, creating quality lanterns. Photo: DINH HAI

About to learn father's profession

Every morning at 8am, the Thien Dang lantern production facility is crowded with people coming and going. People bring bamboo strips, people buy lanterns to take away, and 7-8 workers are meticulously doing each step to complete a complete lantern. Every day like that, Thien Dang Production, Trade and Service Company Limited produces more than 700 lanterns of all kinds, supplying to restaurants, resorts, shops, large and small events at home and abroad...

Thien Dang Production, Trade and Service Company Limited purchases bamboo strips in the area, creating jobs for more than 20 local workers. People can receive raw materials to process at home, then bring the products to the factory for payment, more flexible and convenient for workers. Photo: THUY HIEN

More than 20 years ago, Hong’s father was involved in the craft of making Hoi An lanterns. However, he only took on the task of selecting bamboo and making bamboo strips to supply lantern manufacturing facilities in Hoi An City. More than 15 years later, Kim Hong and Vinh Ha followed their father’s footsteps, but the two sisters decided to expand production, providing customers with a “full package” from selecting bamboo to completing the lanterns.

Before pursuing her passion for traditional lanterns, Ms. Hong had 10 years of experience working in a bank, while Mr. Ha studied marketing management and was the manager of a chain of 5 coffee shops in Ho Chi Minh City. In a foreign land, the two sisters often bring Hoi An lantern products to introduce, sell and decorate their coffee shops.

Thien Dang lanterns with diverse designs and vibrant colors are chosen by many restaurants and cafes for decoration, creating a cozy space imbued with traditional culture. Photo provided by the character.

After the Covid-19 pandemic, sisters Hong and Ha left the city to return to their hometown, following their father to learn about lantern production and business.

“At first, my sisters and I encountered many difficulties in production experience, finding human resources and consumer markets. Thien Dang lanterns were also a chance that my father gave to my sisters and me. Thanks to my father's connection, we had bamboo workers with more than 30 years of experience, neighbors who specialized in making bamboo strips and were willing to accompany my sisters and me, and retail and wholesale relationships. At the same time, my sisters and I also carefully surveyed the market, combined with the management and business experience learned and practiced from our previous profession, so Thien Dang Production, Trade and Service Company Limited gradually grew and its products became popular in the market,” said Ms. Hong.

Lanterns come in a variety of sizes, designs, colors, etc., with prices ranging from a few tens of thousands to several tens of millions of dong. Photo: THUY HIEN

[VIDEO] - Mr. Le Vinh Ha shares about his startup journey with Thien Dang lanterns:

Bringing lanterns to the world market

In 2024, Thien Dang lanterns will be recognized as meeting 3-star OCOP standards. Not only standing firm in the domestic market, Thien Dang Production, Trade and Service Company Limited also exports lanterns to many countries such as the United States, Chile, Colombia, Malaysia, etc.

Mr. Ha often brings his products to display at events, forums, fairs,... to promote and introduce the lantern system to domestic and foreign customers. Photo provided by the character.

Having achieved the “sweet fruit”, Mr. Ha said: “These are 100% handmade products with top priority on quality. Thien Dang lanterns are made from even bamboo strips, with standard age and thickness; the lantern frame can be folded for easy transportation and storage; the lantern fabric has a variety of designs and colors; the size and shape of the lanterns are also extremely rich for customers to choose from. We also promote the business strategy of retaining customers through workshops to create souvenir products and experiences for customers. And each stage, from production to advertising, consulting for customers, sales, has a specialized team to operate effectively…”

Thien Dang lanterns have a foldable design, convenient for transportation and ensure no damage when exported abroad. Photo: DINH HAI

According to Mr. Ha, the weather does not affect work efficiency. Even when it rains, the facility is still proactive in providing bamboo and drying kilns to make lanterns _, ensuring that the product supply chain is not lost. And besides keeping customers, the Hong - Ha sisters also focus on vocational training for local people to create the highest quality products.

After the Covid-19 pandemic, Nguyen Tan Ngoc, who had been working far away, followed Hong and Ha back to his hometown to learn the craft of making frames for lanterns. Having worked with Thien Dang lanterns for 2 years, Ngoc diligently made each frame and shared: “I don’t have to worry about finances anymore, my average monthly income is more than 30 million VND. Especially, I feel comfortable working here, the treatment is reasonable, and people work according to the product. Because I like perfection, when making frames, I prioritize sturdiness and beauty. Any weak bamboo strips, I immediately remove to avoid ugly dents or protrusions when gluing fabric, the lanterns.”

Workers at Thien Dang lantern factory are happy to have stable jobs, sustainable income, helping to cover their living expenses and being attached to the local traditional profession for a long time. Photo: THUY HIEN

When buying decorative lanterns for the Dien Minh ward tent gate, Mr. Mac Thinh said that there are many places selling them, but he usually buys Thien Dang lanterns. "The lanterns here have a variety of designs, beautiful colors, reasonable prices and are very durable. I have hung them at home for 4-5 years and they are still not damaged," said Mr. Thinh.

[VIDEO] - Mr. Le Vinh Ha shares about Thien Dang lanterns exported with 3-star OCOP criteria:

People come directly to the facility to buy, people order through social media platforms... Customers keep coming, Ms. Hong is busy producing, Mr. Ha is busy promoting, bringing Thien Dang lanterns far and wide... These young people who are passionate about traditional crafts are "continuing the story" of Hoi An lanterns "to readers" in the country and around the world.

Source: https://baoquangnam.vn/bo-pho-ve-que-hai-chi-em-dua-den-long-pho-hoi-vuon-xa-3151450.html