About 10km from the center of Nam Dinh ward, Bao Dap village (Hong Quang ward, Ninh Binh province) has long been known for its traditional craft of making star lanterns. The village has 7 hamlets with about 1,000 households, most of whom are Catholics. Through many generations, this place has maintained the traditional craft associated with the childhood of many generations of Vietnamese people.
It is estimated that there are currently about 300 households following the profession, bringing hundreds of thousands of products of all sizes to the market each year.
From small, pretty stars of only 15 - 20cm to those with a diameter of nearly 1m, Bao Dap village's products not only cover the northern provinces but are also ordered and shipped to Ho Chi Minh City.
From the beginning of June and July of the lunar calendar, the entire village has entered the production season. Every street and alley is filled with the colors of cellophane, the sounds of splitting bamboo, chiseling, and laughter echo from morning to night.
Yards, porches, even empty lots along the roadside are turned into craft workshops.
The bamboo slats are dried golden in the sun, each star frame is set up in a long row.
To make a lamp, the craftsman has to go through many stages.
The star frames are carefully bent into a five-pointed shape and secured with thin steel wire. Next, multi-colored cellophane is skillfully glued and stretched flat to allow the candlelight to shine through.
Finally, the lamp is fitted with a handle, tassels, and a small fulcrum to hold the candle. The work is not too complicated but requires meticulousness and patience, especially when gluing the paper and decorating.
“This profession has been with my family for many generations. Every Mid-Autumn Festival, the whole family works together to produce. On average, we make about 300 - 400 small lanterns, about 20cm in diameter, a day. Each completed lantern is paid about 5,000 VND by the suppliers,” a resident of Bao Dap village shared.
“When I was young, I followed my parents into the profession, and now my children and grandchildren continue. I always hope to preserve this traditional profession. Each star lantern not only brings income but also pride, because it brings the Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival spirit to many places,” said Ms. Lan.
Currently on the market, Bao Dap star lanterns cost from 10,000 VND/small one to 150,000 VND/large one. Thanks to diverse designs and affordable prices, the products of this craft village are always strongly consumed.
Although modern life is increasingly filled with industrial toys, Bao Dap village still diligently "keeps the fire" of its century-old craft. The paper stars created by the diligent hands of the people here not only light up the Mid-Autumn Festival night, but also serve as a light to preserve a unique folk cultural beauty of the Vietnamese people.
Tien Linh - Vien Minh - Vtcnews.vn
Source: https://vtcnews.vn/lang-bao-dap-ron-rang-mua-trung-thu-xuat-xuong-hang-tram-nghin-den-ong-sao-ar966295.html
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![[Photo] Binh Trieu 1 Bridge has been completed, raised by 1.1m, and will open to traffic at the end of November.](https://vphoto.vietnam.vn/thumb/402x226/vietnam/resource/IMAGE/2025/10/2/a6549e2a3b5848a1ba76a1ded6141fae)
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