The vibrancy of the lantern festival

Wednesday - 12/02/2025 10:41

These days, the assembly halls and temples in the ancient town of Hoi An (Quang Nam province) are adorned with vibrant colors, eagerly awaiting the annual lantern festival.

ben teong khuon vien hoiquan phuckien — Lion dances and celestial dog dances have become an indispensable part of the first full moon celebration.

The lantern festival is a time for Hoi An's residents to showcase and preserve the local cultural heritage. Traditional rituals and community activities take place from the 12th to the 18th of the Lunar New Year, with the main ceremony on the 16th of January.

dem hoa dang tren song hoai — During the Lantern Festival, the Hoai River is covered with the glow of lanterns.

doan ruoc co tai hoi quan phuc kien — Traditional rituals during the Lantern Festival.

The lantern festival is also seen as a day when the heavenly deities bestow blessings upon all beings on Earth. Therefore, people from all around gather at temples, shrines, and assembly halls such as Quan Cong Temple, Phuc Kien, Trieu Chau, and Quang Trieu to pray for fortune and blessings.

hoi quan hai nam duoc trang tri den long do trong hoi tnt — The assembly halls are beautifully decorated to welcome visitors from all directions.

Hoi An's lantern festival was recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2023. Since the 2010s, it has become a popular traditional festival, attracting many tourists.