The lantern festival illuminated the Ho Van heritage site.

On the evening of May 5th, the Ho Van area, part of the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam complex in Hanoi, was illuminated with the "Ho Van-Van Mieu Lantern Festival." The program opened up an exciting cultural experience connecting the past and present, heritage and the flow of life today.

Illuminating Ho Van Lake with a lantern festival. (Photo: Bao Long)

The "Ho Van-Van Mieu Lantern Festival" is jointly organized by the Monument Management Board and Upleaf Vietnam Trading and Services Joint Stock Company.

With the theme "Illuminating the Path to Enlightenment - Wishing for Success," the program is designed as a flow of emotions, guiding visitors away from the hustle and bustle of the city to immerse themselves in a tranquil space rich in national cultural colors.

Tourists experience calligraphy writing and request calligraphic inscriptions. (Photo: BAO LONG)

The program offers a series of enriching experiential activities. There, visitors can enjoy unique performances of traditional folk music and savor wholesome vegetarian dishes that convey messages of green living and compassion.

Visitors can also participate in many interesting workshops, from printing pictures on traditional Vietnamese dó paper, requesting calligraphy, making handmade candles to making their own lanterns...

Tourists enjoy wholesome vegetarian dishes. (Photo: BAO LONG)

Each activity carries stories of heritage, allowing visitors to directly interact and gain a deeper understanding of the cultural beauty and connect with the profound heritage of their ancestors.

Dr. Le Xuan Kieu, Director of the Van Mieu-Quoc Tu Giam Science and Education Activities Center, said: "Creating a rich experiential ecosystem at Van Lake aims to keep tourists at the site longer, not only during the day but also at night, transforming it into a truly attractive destination in Hanoi. The program is also expected to create a seamless connection with the nighttime experience within the inner courtyard to form a complete night tourism product."

Dr. Le Xuan Kieu shared.

In particular, the most interesting highlight of the program is when visitors can personally write down their wishes for "Intellectual Enlightenment and Success" and perform the ritual of lighting the fire and passing it on.

The moment the lanterns were lit, their shimmering reflections shimmering on the surface of Ho Van Lake, mirroring the ancient Thuy Dinh pavilion, created an impressive visual art space, both sacred and moving, yet dazzling and captivating.

Attendees eagerly made lanterns. (Photo: BAO LONG)

Mr. Kieu Cao Dung, General Director and Head of the Organizing Committee of the program, said that the lantern-making activity is not only entertainment but also closely associated with the traditions of the Temple of Literature. Visitors, especially students preparing for exams, can write their wishes on traditional Vietnamese paper and attach it to the lanterns to express their hopes.

This is a combination of cultural experiences and spiritual elements, providing people with a space to pray for good fortune and find motivation to realize their future aspirations.

These floating lanterns carry hopes and dreams. (Photo: Bao Long)

Mr. Dung said that the unique feature of the floating lanterns at Van Lake is that they are made from entirely natural, environmentally friendly materials. The bottom part of the lantern is made from banana leaves, and the upper part from the leaf skeleton of a Bodhi tree. After completing their "mission," the lanterns will decompose naturally in the water, causing no pollution.

"We not only want to spread a love of culture but also want to raise environmental awareness among the participants," Mr. Kieu Cao Dung emphasized.

According to the organizers, the "Ho Van-Van Mieu Lantern Festival" limits the number of participants each night to ensure a complete cultural experience and safety for the historical site.

Mr. Kieu Cao Dung shared his thoughts at the program. (Photo: Bao Long)

The program is expected to be organized as a regular event to create a creative cultural destination, contributing to the development of the capital's night-time economy . The program also suggests a direction that combines preservation and promotion, contributing to the revitalization of heritage spaces.

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DAC LINH

Source: https://nhandan.vn/dem-hoi-hoa-dang-thap-sang-khong-gian-di-san-ho-van-post960228.html