Unique Hoi An lanterns

A shop in Hoi An's Old Town is illuminated by lanterns. Photo: Tan Thanh.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Son, Chairman of the People's Committee of Hoi An City, the custom of using lanterns during weddings, funerals, festivals, and holidays in Hoi An has existed for over 400 years. Hoi An lanterns not only showcase colors and shapes but are also varied in style, such as embroidered with symbols and cultural and historical relics, or embroidered with calligraphy, bringing the beauty of traditional Vietnamese culture to every family, especially international tourists.

Besides traditional lanterns, there are also foldable lanterns for convenient storage and easy transport. Hoi An lanterns are considered to possess purely Vietnamese artistic, aesthetic, and cultural values, including nine styles such as round, octagonal, hexagonal, and pumpkin-shaped lanterns. There are also lanterns shaped like marching soldiers, lotus flowers, and dragons, in a variety of colors.

From around the 16th century, Hoi An was a bustling trading port, with many Chinese and Japanese merchants frequently coming and going to trade, bringing with them lanterns to hang in front of their doors. Later, many local people also hung lanterns in front of their houses to pray for good luck. Since 1988, the local government decided to organize the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of each lunar month as a unique feature of the ancient town.

According to many people in Hoi An, lanterns are not just simple decorations but also carry many spiritual meanings, such as warding off evil spirits and bringing good luck and happiness to everyone. Especially on the Mid-Autumn Festival night, these lanterns become even more meaningful as they bring families and friends together in a warm, cozy, and joyful atmosphere.

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hong, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Quang Nam province, shared that the lantern festivals in Hoi An ancient town are one of the unique and distinctive tourism products of this world cultural heritage site.

"Since 2009, the city has initiated the Hoi An Lantern Festival as a regular event during each Lunar New Year, with many vibrant and attractive activities, such as the Art Lantern Design Competition, the creation of practical lantern designs, the experience of being a lantern maker, the lantern procession… which has contributed to promoting the image of cultural festivals in Hoi An."

Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hong further shared: “Every 14th night of the lunar month, the city organizes the “Hoi An Ancient Town Night” festival, turning off modern lighting equipment to create a dazzling atmosphere of lanterns along with characteristic cultural activities. Many famous travel websites and magazines around the world have suggested this as one of the most beautiful lantern festivals.”

"It can be said that the Lantern Festival is one of the cultural and tourism products that attracts the attention of locals and tourists when they come to Hoi An. This is also one of the activities that contributes to preserving and promoting the Hoi An lantern brand as well as honoring the artisans and craftsmen in Hoi An," Mr. Hong emphasized.

Source: https://daidoanket.vn/doc-dao-den-long-hoi-an-10308146.html