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.
This article written by Lanh Nguyen from Vietnam Heritage Travel
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