# buildwith · Skills guide: Lantern making and floating lights (silk lanterns, sky lanterns, krathongs): sources

Cross-cutting skills guide from the skills research (checked 2026-10-04, IST), after the 4 Oct 2026 source-rule audit. Every resource URL shown on the page is logged below. Difficulty and prep time are Curiosta editorial estimates.

| Fact used | Source |
|---|---|
| Skills (this guide): Bamboo-rib frame and silk covering (Hoi An); Safe two-person sky-lantern release in a legal zone (Pingxi); Folding a biodegradable banana-leaf krathong (Loy Krathong); Fire-safety habits around open flames | Skills research, checked 2026-10-04 (IST) |
| Difficulty (our estimate): Beginner; prep time (our estimate): 1 practice session. Difficulty and prep time are Curiosta editorial estimates for a first-timer, not organiser figures. | Curiosta editorial estimate |
| Refresher, practice and safety steps: Silk lantern: even the bamboo ribs on their rings before covering; glue sparingly and stretch silk taut; trim close to the rib. / Use LEDs inside finished silk lanterns, not candles. / Sky lantern: two people hold it upright while it fills with hot air; let go only when it lifts on its own; calm air only; never near wires, trees or roofs. / Release only where it's legal: Pingxi has a defined zone and hours; in Chiang Mai, release only at authorised events (official rule page: Unconfirmed: no official source). / Krathong: banana-trunk base, folded banana-leaf petals pinned with wooden pins; flowers, one candle, incense; float-test in a bucket; no foam, plastic or staples. / Tie back hair and loose sleeves near flames; keep water nearby. / Make a paper lantern on a skewer frame. / Fold krathong petals from leaves or paper. / Rehearse a lantern release with an unlit paper bag. / Open flames: calm air, clear surroundings, hair tied back. / Sky lanterns only in legal zones and at authorised events. / Biodegradable krathongs only. | Our summary of the resources below |
| Resource (Official; publisher: Vietnamese provincial tourism department, published on Google Arts & Culture (partner label: Quang Binh Tourism Department; credits: Quang Nam Province Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism)): The Colorful Lanterns of Hoi An: Clear official walkthrough of the frame and silk-covering stages. | https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-colorful-lanterns-of-hoi-an-quang-binh-tourism-department/OgVhzMzesu9PIA?hl=en |
| Resource (Official; publisher: Hội An Creative City portal (city government)): Hội An Legendary Night: a unique brand of Hội An: Official description of the monthly lantern night: on the 14th night of every lunar month the old town swaps electric lights for lanterns (since 1998). | https://hoiancreativecity.com/en/hoi-an-legendary-night-a-unique-brand-of-hoi-an |
| Resource (Official; publisher: New Taipei City Government): 訂定新北市天燈施放管理辦法 (New Taipei sky-lantern regulations): The legal zone, hours and fines for sky lanterns in Pingxi. | https://wedid.ntpc.gov.tw/governance/detail/bRpVL3p8l5qj |
| Resource (Official; publisher: Tourism Authority of Thailand): Loi Krathong Festival 2024 (TAT Newsroom): TAT on Yi Peng and biodegradable krathong-making workshops. | https://www.tatnews.org/2024/11/loi-krathong-festival-2024-experience-thailands-enchanting-festival-of-lights/ |
| No official resource yet: No official krathong-folding or lantern-release how-to video yet. | Skills research (gap recorded) |
| Applies to: Aomori Nebuta Matsuri (dance as a haneto) | experiences/aomori-nebuta-haneto/ (skills research applies_to / see_also_guides) |
| Applies to: Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival | experiences/pingxi-sky-lanterns/ (skills research applies_to / see_also_guides) |
| Applies to: Hoi An lantern-making class + Full Moon Lantern Festival | experiences/hoi-an-lantern-workshop/ (skills research applies_to / see_also_guides) |
| Applies to: Yi Peng / Loy Krathong | experiences/yi-peng-loy-krathong-chiang-mai/ (skills research applies_to / see_also_guides) |

## Source audit (4 Oct 2026, IST)

Official sources first; non-official sources only if the event community widely accepts them, with evidence. Links removed or replaced on this page (old links are shown as plain text, not linked):

- Old: `hoianlanternworkshop.com/lantern-making-class-hoi-an/ (skills resource)` → New: https://artsandculture.google.com/story/the-colorful-lanterns-of-hoi-an-quang-binh-tourism-department/OgVhzMzesu9PIA?hl=en. Why: Same HAPPY TOWN operator. Removed from the Hoi An skills resources and the lanterns guide.
- Old: `english.news.cn (skills source list, Harbin)` → Removed. Why: News agency. Not logged as a source.