Hoi An lanterns are a distinctive feature of the ancient town of Hoi An. Visitors are often eager to see a more alluring Hoi An when the town is lit up with colorful lanterns. Seeing Hoi An lanterns is a one-of-a-kind experience that visitors to Hoi An should not miss out on.
1. Hoi An lantern - an iconic symbol of the ancient town
Hoi An Ancient Town still maintains its unique beauty that can be found in every corner. Visitors can enjoy the warm welcome from the locals, the natural scenery, stunning beaches, architecture, and fine cuisine here. From the 1980s to the present, Hoi An has grown to be a popular tourist destination, with Hoi An lanterns being a highlight of this mesmerizing town.
1.1. The significance of Hoi An lanterns
Lanterns are a common product of traditional craft villages throughout Vietnam, especially in Hoi An. Hoi An lanterns can be found in restaurants, festivals, and homes, mainly during the traditional Tet Holiday or Mid-Autumn Festival.
Hoi An lanterns symbolize "shining." Quang Nam’s people consider light as a symbol of humans. Therefore, offering lanterns at a shrine also means praying for the gods' protection.
In addition, Hoi An lanterns have different meanings depending on their hue. For instance, red lanterns represent fortune and wealth.
Hoi An lanterns come in a wide variety of shapes and styles. Each lantern is meticulously handcrafted, showing the local artisans' great care for this traditional product.
1.2. Places to see the most brilliant lanterns in Hoi An
- Nguyen Phuc Chu Street
In Hoi An, there is a pedestrian street named Nguyen Phuc Chu, situated next to the famous Nguyen Hoang Night Market and Hoi An Park on the south bank of Hoai River. It is also considered as Hoi An Lantern Street. Here, visitors are drawn by the entrancing lights that sparkle at night, which represent the city's distinctive cultural charm.
Hoi An Lantern Street is always crowded, shimmering, and most stunning at night. This location regularly hosts lantern festivals filled with dazzling lights on the 14th day of every lunar month and in the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Travelers can go to Nguyen Hoang Street to purchase Hoi An lanterns at the night market here. This street stands out with rows of eye-catching colorful lights in the stores at the market entrance. There is a wide range of lanterns, which you can try to bargain to get at better prices. In addition, there are plenty of other gifts and souvenirs to choose from at this lantern market Hoi An.
Japanese Bridge has been a symbol of Hoi An for more than four centuries, connecting the two major streets of Hoi An and overlooking the peaceful Thu Bon River. As a national historical and cultural relic, the bridge is a fantastic location for taking photos. It shines out with its nostalgic beauty in the daytime. The magnificent bridge gets even more beautiful at night thanks to the many beautiful lanterns around. Here, you can witness the marvelous sight of Hoi An Ancient Town glowing with the lanterns.
2. Explore the lantern making tradition in Hoi An
To make Hoi An lanterns, the artisan must be skilled and the material, which is bamboo, must be carefully chosen. The artisan cooks the bamboo, soaks it in salt water for ten days, dry and chamfer it into lanterns of different shapes and sizes. A cloth is used to cover a Hoi An lantern, of which color is also the color of the lantern's light.
The process of making a Hoi An lantern consists of three main steps as follows:
- Step 1: Make the frames by preparing and binding bamboo sticks together
- Step 2: Cut a cloth of the same size with the lantern, then adhere it to the frame using glue
- Step 3: Apply decorations
There are around 200 artists and 40 workshops for lanterns in Hoi An. Many workshops welcome visitors who want to see lantern making Hoi An and have hands-on experience.
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3. Enjoy the time at Hoi An lantern festival on your trip
A well-known monthly cultural event in the Ancient Town is Hoi An Lantern Festival (also known as Hoi An Full Moon Festival, Hoi An Full Moon Lantern Festival, or Hoi An Light Festival). It celebrates the full moon on the 14th day of the lunar month. On these occasions, all shops, restaurants, and homes will turn off their lights. The locals will decorate their facades with lanterns of different shapes, sizes, and colors.
The locals light the lanterns to wish for good fortune, wealth, joy, health, and fair weather. People also release lanterns on the river and make wishes. You should not miss out on this special night full of brilliantly sparkling lanterns and joyful ambiances.
Visitors will undoubtedly be dazzled by the glistening red, yellow, and blue lights throughout the narrow streets of this ancient town. Visitors should take advantage of this opportunity to take pictures and capture these magical moments. You can also release the lanterns on the river, immerse yourself in the fanciful shimmering atmosphere, and enjoy many charming traditional performances.
Hoi An Lantern Festival dates in 2023 are January 5, February 4, March 5, April 4, May 3, June 1, July 1, August 29, September 28, October 28, November 26, and December 26.
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Beside the glamorous lanterns, Hoi An is also known for many famous attractions, such as Tan Ky Old House, Quan Cong Temple, Cantonese Assembly Hall, VinWonders Nam Hoi An, etc.
There are plenty of Hoi An hotels for travelers coming to Hoi An. Many travelers choose Vinpearl hotels and resorts in order to reach Hoi An attractions conveniently and enjoy premium services. The picturesque Cua Dai Beach, where Vinpearl Resort & Spa Hoi An is located, is just a ten-minute drive away from the ancient town. The resort provides visitors with lavish villas and hotels, breathtaking sea views, opulent spas, modern gyms, and an outdoor infinity pool overlooking the sea.
The Vinpearl hotel and resort system in Hoi An, Nam Hoi An also includes Vinpearl Resort & Golf Nam Hoi An, which is a 20-minute ride away from the ancient town. It impresses visitors with grand resorts, beachfront hotels, and golfing experiences at Vinpearl Golf Nam Hoi An to enrich your incredible Hoi An trip.
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The Ancient Town, lit up by Hoi An lanterns, is indeed a charming destination that captivates visitors with its extremely rustic and idyllic timeless beauty. So, what are you waiting for? Don’t miss out on a journey to discover Hoi An city of lanterns!
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