Tip from David Nguyen
Observe traditional cellophane and bamboo Mid-Autumn lanterns being crafted and painted entirely by hand inside this artisan workshop.
Đèn lồng Trọng Bình Cổ Đăng – Phục chế lồng đèn cổ truyền
49/56/10 Trịnh Đình Trọng, Phường Phú Trung, Quận Tân Phú, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
Open in Google Maps
Overview
Đèn lồng Trọng Bình Cổ Đăng is a traditional lantern workshop on Trịnh Đình Trọng, Tân Phú District, Ho Chi Minh City. Artisan Nguyễn Trọng Bình manages the family studio inside the Phú Bình craft enclave. His family relocated from Nam Định during the 1950s to practice the trade. Nguyễn Trọng Bình represents the third generation of his family in lantern production.
The workshop builds classic cellophane lanterns for the annual Mid-Autumn Festival. Makers split flexible bamboo poles by hand to form three-dimensional armatures. Workers bind the bamboo struts with fine wire into animal and floral outlines. Artisans then glue translucent colored cellophane sheets over each bamboo skeleton. Staff apply detailed paintwork across the surfaces using fine bristle brushes.
The studio also reconstructs historic Vietnamese lanterns termed cổ đăng. Artisans recreate historical lantern forms using archival records and museum collections. Reconstructed patterns include paired male and female crabs, carp, and praying mantises. Other intricate models depict auspicious fruits like pomegranates and Buddha hand citrons. The artisan stretches Vietnamese silk and dó paper instead of modern cellophane over antique frames.
Nguyễn Trọng Bình applies multiple coats of traditional pigment across several days to achieve rich color saturation. These antique reproductions serve as year-round art pieces rather than disposable holiday toys. The workshop exhibits pieces at national cultural showcases, including the Temple of Literature in Hanoi. Cultural researchers, art collectors, and museums regularly acquire custom works from the workshop.
Seen on YouTube
What reviewers say
Google reviews
4.6
9 reviews
Reviewers consistently praise Đèn lồng Trọng Bình Cổ Đăng - Phục chế lồng đèn cổ truyền for its attractive, high-quality traditional lantern designs, which include fish and crab shapes adorned with feathers. Customers note that pricing is reasonable and competitive compared to other lantern shops, ranging from affordable everyday pieces to elaborate craft items costing several million VND. The friendly, consumer-oriented service from the shop owner is also singled out as a positive aspect of the shopping experience.
Đèn lồng Trọng Bình Cổ Đăng – Phục chế lồng đèn cổ truyền is rated 4.6 out of 5 on Google from 9 reviews. Summary written by PinGuide from Google reviews, figures as of 3 Oct 2026. Read on Google ↗
1 insider tip
Where it is
49/56/10 Trịnh Đình Trọng, Phường Phú Trung, Quận Tân Phú, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
Questions & Answers
Where is Đèn lồng Trọng Bình Cổ Đăng located?
Đèn lồng Trọng Bình Cổ Đăng is located at 49/56/10 Trịnh Đình Trọng, Phường Phú Trung, Tân Phú District, Ho Chi Minh City, inside the Phú Bình craft enclave.
What is Đèn lồng Trọng Bình Cổ Đăng known for?
The workshop is known for producing handcrafted cellophane Mid-Autumn lanterns and meticulously reconstructing historical Vietnamese lanterns known as cổ đăng.
Who runs the lantern workshop at Đèn lồng Trọng Bình Cổ Đăng?
The workshop is managed by artisan Nguyễn Trọng Bình, a third-generation lantern maker whose family originally moved from Nam Định to Ho Chi Minh City in the 1950s.
What materials are used to make lanterns at Đèn lồng Trọng Bình Cổ Đăng?
Artisans use hand-split bamboo poles bound with fine wire for the frames, which are then covered with translucent cellophane, Vietnamese silk, or traditional dó paper depending on the style.
What designs are featured in the reconstructed ancient lanterns?
Reconstructed historical lanterns feature complex shapes modeled from archival records, including paired male and female crabs, carp, praying mantises, pomegranates, and Buddha hand citrons.
How are the antique reproduction lanterns colored?
Artisan Nguyễn Trọng Bình applies multiple coats of traditional pigment over several days to achieve rich color saturation on the silk or dó paper coverings.
Are the lanterns at Đèn lồng Trọng Bình Cổ Đăng meant only for the Mid-Autumn Festival?
While the workshop makes cellophane lanterns for the Mid-Autumn Festival, its reconstructed cổ đăng lanterns are designed as year-round collectible art pieces.
Has Đèn lồng Trọng Bình Cổ Đăng shown work at cultural exhibitions?
Yes, works from the studio have been displayed at national cultural showcases, including exhibitions held at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi.
Who typically buys custom lanterns from Đèn lồng Trọng Bình Cổ Đăng?
Custom orders are regularly commissioned by art collectors, cultural researchers, and museums seeking authentic reproductions of traditional Vietnamese lantern crafts.
How do I check the workshop hours or make an appointment to visit?
Because Đèn lồng Trọng Bình Cổ Đăng operates as a family craft studio, visitors and buyers should contact the artisan ahead of time to confirm working hours and availability.