It doesn't hide the messiness, but rather cleanses it, transforming the old town into a shimmering silk painting. Night draws people closer together, not through hurried words, but through the warm light of thousands of lanterns, through simple, unadorned smiles, belonging only to this moment – the moment when Hoi An returns to its simple, gentle self, carrying with it countless lingering feelings. “What is it about Hoi An that makes it so captivating? / High above, lanterns dreamily illuminate the night… / That light, the lanterns of the festival night… / Hoi An Old Town… You are breathtakingly beautiful” (Hoi An Night - Phan Van Bich).
Thousands of lanterns, from elegant silk to rustic dó paper, not only adorn the streets but also dance on the boats gently gliding across the Hoai River. Each lantern is like a silent flame whispering its own story, illuminating every wandering step. The strong wind carries the rich scent of alluvial soil from the shore, mingled with the sweet aroma of ripe fruit from Cham Island. The air is filled with the endless love song of Hoi An: the melodious sounds of Bài Chòi folk singing, like the earth's own confession, the graceful melodies of poetry emanating from ancient assembly halls. And sometimes, just the simple notes of a guitar drifting on the water, like the whispered words of a traveler amidst a still stream of time. That alone is enough to captivate and enchant!
Stopping by the Hoai River, I gazed in fascination at the etched faces of the vendors selling floating lanterns. There, I saw elderly women with hair as white as mist, their skin marked by the passage of time, yet their toothless smiles and gentle eyes still sparkled with the beauty of eternal peace. Beside them were playful little boys and girls, nine or ten years old, their eyes clear, their smiles innocent and angelic. They were the pristine sprouts of dawn, contrasting sharply with the setting sun's rays on the old women's faces. These two images—one a nostalgic past, the other a radiant future—together cast a warm light into my heart, making time seem to slow down remarkably.
It seems that only at night in Hoi An can one experience such excitement and enchantment. In the embrace of the Hoi An night, the heart suddenly finds peace. Worries about daily life, rivalries, and envy... all seem to vanish into thin air.
Hoi An at night is not just a trip, but a homecoming – a return to pristine values, to the purification of the soul. And then, suddenly, you realize that sometimes happiness is simply a carefree night, a soul at peace amidst the flow of human kindness.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/hoi-an-dem-khuc-hat-thien-duong-post807647.html
Comment (0)