VIETNAM: LANTERN CELEBRATIONS

Hanoi is celebrating its millennium as a capital city this year. There are festivities all over the country. This week was Hoi An's turn which accounts for the floats among the lanterns. Enjoy the night lights, and the lanterns both festive and commercial. Next post, I'll show you the city by day. It's one of the few old cities in Vietnam that didn't get obliterated and is well worth a look. also a taste! Its restaurants have the best cuisine in the entire country!

Hoi An: Vietnamese Lanterns

Hoi An is also famous for its lanterns. Since 1998 on each lunar 14th night Hoi An goes back 300 years. Electricity in downtown Hoi An is switched off, and the streets are illuminated by these colorful silk lanterns.

If you want to buy one of the silk lanterns, you will find many souvenir shops in the four main streets in Ancient Hoi An: Tran Phu, Nguyen Thai Hoc, Le Loi and Dach Dang

Lanterns

Hoi An at night

Much has been written about the peaceful, ancient town of Hoi An. For those wanting to learn about it, they can easily find a sea of relevant information and images on the web.

However, local and international tourists have kept flocking to the town in droves since UNESCO recognized it as a world cultural heritage site in 2000. Hoi An is a completely different world for both local and international visitors.
motorcycles on the Vietnamese road will certainly feel at peace and relaxed when they step into the streets of central Hoi An at night. The town turns busier and livelier in the nighttime as visitors go for a stroll around town.
What’s most striking at night is the bright light beamed out by the silk lanterns of diverse colors hung on the façades or doorways of the wooden houses, stores or restaurants topped with moss-covered roof tiles.
Tourists on the bicycle or cyclo wheels are common sights at night as motorcycles are off-limits to the center of the culturally rich town.
Hungry souls can look for some cozy restaurants where they should taste some tasty local delicacies like Cao Lau and Wonton in addition to Western foods. Cao Lau is a spicy rice noodle soup served with pork, fresh herbs and veggies while Wonton originating in China is a delicacy made from rice flour and filled with pork, shrimp, egg and spices. Or they should have a round of drinks there, looking at people going up and down the street.
Hoi An is also particular in a sense that it is home to numerous tailors who offer made-to-measure suits and dresses.
The country has undergone a lot of changes in the past decade but Hoi An has remained untouched and successfully preserved its traditional features as a harbor town that used to be an important trading center of the nation where merchant ships from Japan, China, the Netherlands, India and Spain visited in the 16th and 17th centuries

An ethereal Hoi An ancient town

One of the most original hallmarks of Hoian is probably the glistening light reflected from the cagey lanterns at night. If Hoian used to light up the month before, nowadays it becomes a nightly custom on weekend.
Amid the tranquil atmosphere in this ancient town, the streets are scattered with shadows, all in a sudden, on each face, in each house seems become brighter in the dreamlike light of hundreds, thousands of lanterns, which is recalling a setting full of reminiscence about the old days.
If during the day, such reminiscence rests on the soft voice of female interpreters in the Tran’s old house, Guangdong Club House…, at nightfall, such reminiscence turns out more brilliant with lanterns swaying under the mossy roofs, beside the wooden columns engraved with the color of time, in front of the souvenir shop. Overflowing in the ancient town are black fares, which is recalling some tome at this age-old boat landing.
There, many women in “ao dai” are calculating the account books in the gently light of the central bulb, many elders in silk gowns and turbans are thoughtfully are playing chess on the veranda, their faces are immersed in the silk – like beams of the far and near lanterns. All of the electric equipment seems to be out of order and winding Tran Phu, Nguyen Thai Hoc, Le Loi streets … appear to be brought back by magical power to the former days, when Chinese, Japanese, Dutch, Portuguese merchant ships … were voyaging across the ocean to reach Dai Chiem commercial port for exchanging goods. And lots of people who were enthralled by the landscapes and allured by the people had decided to choose this land as their lifetime residence.
The image of swinging lanterns has become part of Hoi An lifestyle. Between the many souvenirs shops are many households living by sharpening bamboo sticks, stretching silk, and drawing on silk; thus, many others are having a chance to behold lanterns in the shapes of sphere, hexagon, octagon, and long cylinder, square … of different sizes to be hung in front of each old house. Engulfed in the atmosphere are the lights of red, yellow, and blue, white … which are screened by a silk layer to eliminate its flamboyance, just projects soothing and charming light.
From a commodity for living, from now on lanterns have become part of Hoi An’s soul, every week they cast their charming light in Hoi An’s magnificent nights. If you came here, you couldn’t forget buying some lanterns, which could be foldable, very convenient, so that when you light them up, you will be dreaming of an glistening ancient ward in the mysterious light.

Lanterns

Red Lanterns In Hoi An

Red Lanterns In Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An Lanterns

Hoi An lanterns

Hoi An lanterns

The ancient town of Hoi An would lose its attractiveness and mystery if it didn’t have decorative multi-coloured lanterns. While trading with Vietnam during the 16th-17th centuries, many merchants from China and Japan contributed to the distinguished culture of Hoi An commercial harbour.

The lantern is the result of exchanges among Vietnamese, Japanese and Chinese cultures famous for their various and specific identities. Originating from a popular appliance from life, the lantern has been lifted to an art of decoration. It now has a firm position in Hoi An inhabitants’ minds and lives. With skillful hands and bountiful imaginations, the lantern is made for different purposes. It is not only for living, but also an artistic work with pictures on silk. Having lost its initial shape, Hoi An lanterns nowadays can be seen in all different shapes and sizes.




Though made of diversified materials, lanterns with bamboo frames and silk covers are the most typical. You can choose lanterns with wooden frames, sometimes made from very precious wood, and on each side of the lantern is a painting depicting a legend. Once lighted, lanterns will illuminate with marvelous, mysterious and ethereal light as if the past of hundreds of years prior has returned to the present day.




Besides ancient houses of over 100 years old, lanterns are the most special things in Hoi An. Lanterns are seen everywhere in the ancient town, not only in lantern shops. At night, when all shops are closed, lanterns are lighted up. Tourists can see Hoi An people making lanterns on the pavement.

For many years, traditional coloured lanterns have enchanted visitors of Hoi An, particularly foreign visitors. Every year, tens of thousands of Hoi An lanterns are exported or bought by foreign visitors as souvenirs and gifts. As a cultural and tourist product, the lanterns have helped raise the incomes of Hoi An''''''''s residents.




Lanterns are not only a special handicraft item of Hoi An but also a unique characteristic of this ancient town, which can’t be found anywhere else in Vietnam

THAO QUYNH LANTERN HỘI AN .QC

Lantern - The character of Hoi An

 

Lanterns in Hoi An appeared around the late 16th century. So far, the craft of making lanterns in Hoi An was 400 years old.

Product "Hoi An Lantern" has been the standard Department - Quang Nam Measuring quality standards announced the design of the lamp 9 round, octagonal, hexagonal, shaped squash, garlic, the barrel , the papaya, ú pie, the matter ... there is also the last military lamps, dragons, with the colorful fish.

Yaly Couture Tailor Shop: Lantern Frames

Album: Hoi An Festival – Pretty girl in Ao Dai and Hoi An Lanterns

In this summer, we prepair to make a wonderful album about Hoi An lantern and Vietnamese traditional dress: Ao Dai. We are so happy to introduce the first Album: Hoi An Festival – Album: Hoi An Festival – Pretty girl in Ao Dai and Hoi An Lantern.
In next time, we will print this album and make it to free Postcard. If you like them, please email us to recieve more. Wishing you will happy with our gift.
Album: Hoi An Festival
Photos & Stylist: Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen
Make up and Hair: Emil Ty
Model: Yikionna Mi – Tuy Duyen Le Nguyen – Van Ta
Customer: Hoi An Lantern

Album ảnh - Hoi An lantern

Album ảnh - Hoi An lantern

Album ảnh - Hoi An lantern

Album ảnh - Hoi An lantern

Album ảnh - Hoi An lantern

Album ảnh - Hoi An lantern

Album ảnh - Hoi An lantern

Album ảnh - Hoi An lantern

Lantern making in Hoi An

Street of Hoi An

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World Map Vietnam Quang Nam Hội An

Hoi An Full Moon Festival

 On March 18, 2011, under the light of the full moon, Hoi An becomes one big centre stage where all the locals and tourists come out and participate in reviving the golden days of prosperity and folklore with music, plays & parties.
They shut down the streets in the old town to all motorbikes, so it’s safe to roam around and gaze at the lovely shop fronts full of brightly coloured lanterns. People put paper boats into the water, kept afloat by a little Styrofoam, carrying candles into the darkness. As a result, the old town is lit by candle and multicoloured lanterns, creating a romantic ambiance. Vietnamese people come from all around the country for this special night and you will see so many Vietnamese couples holding hands….
The streets of Hoi An were riddled with massive crowds walking around, and with kids dressed as dragons playing drums. The kids will go in the local shops or restaurants and dance around in Dragon outfits until the shop owner will give them a little money.

Hoi An, Vietnam: Lanterns and Lounging

Lanterns and Lounging. These two words represent our time in Hoi An, Vietnam.

Lanterns of Hoi An Bridge, by Chelsea (click for a larger image)

Lounging, Watercolor by Eric

About halfway up the coast from Saigon, lies the little hamlet of Hoi An. A UNESCO world-heritage protected site, it is the type of city I imagined when I dreamed of coming to Southeast Asia. All the French Colonial architecture is still in tact – despite the fact that the Viet Kong set up their base of operations not too far away.
We stayed at the Hoi An Pacific Hotel, which was admittedly a bit of a splurge for us. Our hotel was located between the adorable downtown of Hoi An and picturesque private beach belonging to our hotel. Conveniently, our hotel offered a shuttle from the hotel to the beach, as well as to town.
We were in Hoi An for 4 days. Our typical day consisted of:
Mid morning at the Beach

Private Beach provided by the Hoi An Pacific Hotel

Afternoons spent reading and playing with Watercolors by the South China Sea.

Lone Chair at Cua Dai Beach, Photo by Eric

Eric's watercolor of the beach and a scene in town

Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An, Vietnam

Eric's take on Cua Dai Beach, Hoi An, Vietnam

Late afternoon to early evening, head into town to explore and sketch by the river

Hoi An in the early evening

Pavilion near the center of the "Old District"

Boat on the river, looking at An Hoi Island

Eric's watercolor of the riverboat

Hoi An, Vietnam

Dinner at a restaurant in town. My favorite was the Mango Room! Unique vietnamese/mexican fusion dishes with fabulous deserts and fruit filled cocktails. 

The Mango Room in Hoi An, Vietnam

Eric enjoying the window seat at the Mango Room

Desert: Fruit and chocolate wrapped in wontons with coconut butter sauce, along with a Passionfruit Cocktail! Yummo!

 Nighttime stroll to explore the old quarter and see how many lanterns we could find…

Hoi An Bridge

Sunset in Hoi An, photo by Eric

Lanterns in Hoi An, Vietnam

Row of restaurants filled with lanterns on An Hoi Island

Night-time lantern market on An Hoi Island

Lanterns reflected in the water, photo by Eric

Public Art Exhibition featuring lanterns with flags of the world, in Hoi An, Vietnam

And maybe a little more watercolor. Subject? Lanterns. 

Watercolor of Lanterns, please excuse the beach scene below-that's from Thailand! by Chelsea

My inspiration, Lanterns at Man Nguyen Restaurant

Lanterns at Man Nguyen Restaurant, by Eric

Eric's inspiration, Lanterns at Man Nguyen Restaurant

And seeing things like this…

Indeed.

Enjoying Hoi An by laying on the beach by day and strolling through the humid night was a wonderful way to experience Vietnam. In my opinion, this is the town that people envision when they picture coming to this country. Even though tourism is the main commodity in this town, it seemed significantly more relaxed and easy going than the other cities we’d been to.
After Hoi An we flew on to Hanoi up in the north. We took a Jetstar flight, which seems to be the EasyJet of Australia. The flight was a little looney-our friend described Jetstar as the type of airline you might expect someone to board with coop of chickens-but we got there just fine (if not a little jostled). My next post will be about our last destination in Vietnam, Halong Bay-where we took a 3-day cruise and climbed the limestone crags scattered throughout the enormous bay.

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