“Weaving Light 2026” celebrates Hoi An’s lantern heritage
DNO - The “Weaving Light 2026” design contest, part of the Hoi An International Lantern Festival 2026, celebrates the town’s lantern-making heritage.
The contest invites designers and creative enthusiasts to draw inspiration from Hoi An’s iconic lanterns and transform traditional craftsmanship into modern products.
Organized by the Hoi An World Cultural Heritage Conservation Centre, the contest, officially titled “Hoi An Lantern Pattern Design and Creative Applications”, encourages participants to draw inspiration from traditional lantern-making materials, structures, crafting techniques and the cultural identity of local craft villages.
The initiative aims to bridge traditional craftsmanship and contemporary design, bringing fresh perspectives to Hoi An's distinctive cultural heritage.
Participants will develop their designs through three stages.
First, they will explore elements of Hoi An's traditional lantern-making craft, including materials, structures, shaping techniques and the cultural environment in which the craft has developed.
Next, contestants will create an original pattern collection featuring a distinctive visual style, including primary and supporting motifs, a colour palette and guidelines for developing the designs.
Finally, the patterns will be applied to contemporary products such as innovative lanterns, clothing, accessories, household items, packaging, stationery, souvenirs and handicrafts, accompanied by feasible production plans.
In addition to prizes worth a total of VND15 million, eligible designs may be selected for collaboration with Hoi An artisans to produce prototypes.
These products will be showcased alongside 15 outstanding design concepts at Hoai River Square during the Hoi An International Lantern Festival 2026, scheduled for December 3 - 6.
Through the contest, the organizers hope to encourage new interpretations of traditional lantern-making, strengthen connections between local artisans and the creative community, and promote the application of heritage-inspired designs in contemporary life.
The initiative also seeks to preserve and promote Hoi An's traditional craftsmanship while opening up opportunities for creative innovation.
Registration closes at 11.59pm on November 19, 2026.
Interested participants can register and find further information at: https://forms.gle/TbmpAu6GA7FTUxXY6