I picked up my phone, looking back at the photos of the days when I was still roaming all over the roads of the Fatherland. My hand suddenly stopped at the photo with bright red confetti bushes and colorful lanterns, prominent on the typical earthy yellow walls. On this day last year, I was in Hoi An.
Photo: Shutterstock
At about 6 o'clock, my boyfriend and I arrived at this place, Hoi An was still asleep in the early sun, the houses with red tile roofs and long walls lying silently under the confetti trees. Hoi An is like a muse in the heart of Quang Nam, the crystallization of traditional beauty mixed with modernity.
To evaluate Hoi An ancient town, there is a saying "One step through three cultures". Three cultures are mentioned and clearly portrayed here including: Japan – China – Vietnam. Witnessing many ups and downs in history, Hoi An wears a mysterious, quiet and strangely peaceful beauty. At this time, Hoi An is still sparsely populated, with a few bicycles passing by from time to time. I took a deep breath to embrace the stillness and serenity, which we can only feel when we walk away from Saigon.
Photo: Shutterstock
We stopped at a rooftop café on the corner of Tran Phu. The purpose is both to see the panoramic view of Hoi An as easily as possible, and to wait for the transformation of this place when night comes.
In the evening, when the last rays of sunlight disappear, Hoi An gradually becomes crowded and bustling. Thousands of lanterns from all over the houses and alleys, whether they are round, octagonal, squash, garlic, cake or lotus,... imbued with Vietnamese national demeanor and beliefs gradually lit up. When Hoi An is covered by the night, the flickering light of the lights becomes more attractive than ever, making people want to immerse themselves forever in this space...
Photo: My Dieu
Since 1988, every 14th lunar month night, the program "Old Town Full Moon Night" has been held. Hoi An ancient town becomes strangely beautiful again in the shimmering and fanciful light of lanterns. The largest Hoi An lantern festival is held on the traditional Tet holiday from the end of December to the end of January. This is considered a characteristic of Hoi An's tourism culture.
Photo: Shutterstock
Lanterns are perhaps the most sophisticated highlight, an implicit charm that "marks sovereignty" in a small corner in the hearts of those who have visited Hoi An. Through many ups and downs, Hoi An lanterns have brought values, shapes, aesthetics and pure Vietnamese culture, adding value to hundreds of years old houses. To be able to create sophisticated and eye-catching lamps is the dedication, cherishing and timeless creativity of the lantern village artisans. Perhaps that's why it gives me a strange feeling of closeness and warmth. Like the feelings of the people here, simple, and strangely familiar.
On the Hoai River, paper lanterns are floated on the gentle flowing river. The small shimmering light from the paper lamp reflects into thousands of bright small spots, carrying hopes, wishes for good luck and peace.
Photo: alsaharhoian.com
Hoi An is a typical example of a perfectly preserved traditional Asian port. It is a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site, the pride of every Vietnamese person. We will definitely come back when the epidemic passes, release the lantern on the bank of the Hoai River that day. I always secretly pray for health and peace to come to everyone.
Synthetic Migo