Exploring the Vibrant Lantern-Lit Streets during Tet

It's hard to trace back when lanterns became such popular and beloved decorations in the lives of the Vietnamese, especially during Tet. From the elderly to the young, everyone seems to be even more joyful as the streets are adorned with countless colorful lanterns.

Have you ever wandered through the lantern-lit streets, the villages known for their lanterns, to immerse yourself in the dazzling night?

1. Handicraft Street - Hang Ma

Once shining with historical significance as a street located in the heart of the venerable capital, famous for its long-standing tradition of handicrafts; Hang Ma Street is not unfamiliar with the lively scene during the days leading up to Tet. While the craft workshops may no longer be active, the trade in handicrafts, especially lanterns, is bustling. Like clockwork, as Tet approaches, Hang Ma Street is ablaze with the red hue of lanterns, lucky money envelopes, and festive decorations.

People from neighboring areas flock to Hang Ma Street from the days of the Kitchen Gods to shop for their families' lucky red lanterns. The normally crowded street becomes even livelier. Hang Ma is not just a shopping street; it is also a place to explore, capturing interesting photos for both locals and foreigners. During the days leading up to the lunar New Year, many choose Hang Ma Street for a leisurely stroll, sightseeing, and photography.

2. Riverside Lantern Street in Hoi An

When we talk about Hoi An – an ancient town nestled at the downstream of the Thu Bon River, a coastal area in Quang Nam province, the first images that come to mind are the traditional architecture lining narrow streets. Picture an ancient town adorned with assembly halls, temples, and pagodas carrying the influences of Japanese and Chinese cultures, nestled alongside traditional Vietnamese houses and two-story structures with French architecture.

Hoi An is also a region with numerous proud traditional craft villages, and the unique hallmark of the ancient town is the craft of making lanterns, a tradition that has thrived for over 400 years. Around the 16th century, during the Ming Dynasty's exile when they overthrew the Qing Dynasty, the Minh Huong people were allowed by Nguyen lords to settle in the port of Hoi An. These immigrants from Fujian, Chaozhou, Guangdong, etc., hung lanterns in front of their houses to satisfy their homesickness.

The modest and simple bamboo lanterns are crafted from two main materials: bamboo and cloth covering. Yet, few realize the intricate craftsmanship involved, from preparing materials to the lantern production process. The bamboo used for lanterns must be old yet still fresh. To ensure durability and prevent mold, craftsmen boil the bamboo and soak it in saltwater for 10 days, then dry and split it into thin strips depending on the type of lantern. The covering cloth must be either silk or satin, and the color of the cloth determines the lantern's various lights. The bamboo strips are attached to two wooden rings to shape the frame and connected by nylon threads. The cloth is pre-cut to the lantern's size, glued onto the prepared bamboo frame, and excess parts are trimmed. Finally, the Hoi An lantern is decorated and fitted with a light bulb.

The lanterns of Hoi An are praised for their artistic, aesthetic, and distinctly Vietnamese cultural values, with 9 designs including round, octagonal, hexagonal, squash-shaped, garlic-shaped, barrel-shaped, pumpkin-shaped, umbrella-shaped, and conical. Not to mention lanterns shaped like armies, lotus flowers, and dragons, all boasting a variety of colors.

At night, gliding on a boat along the serene Hoai River, observing the distant street adorned with a myriad of lanterns showcasing their colors, one feels tranquility and a scene of indescribable beauty.

3. Traditional Craft Village Phu Binh

Located in Phu Binh neighborhood, District 11, Ho Chi Minh City, the craft of making lanterns during the Mid-Autumn Festival and Tet holidays has long been renowned in Xom Phu Binh. As spring approaches, the path leading to Phu Binh parish is adorned with beautiful and vibrant lanterns.

From the early months of the year, villagers begin crafting Tet lanterns. The preparation of materials must be completed four to five months in advance, and the processes of molding and pasting glass paper must be completed 30 days before releasing them to the market, just in time for the Lunar New Year. Lanterns with folk styles such as the star, fish, butterfly, and more will illuminate everywhere, bringing joy to the little ones. Phu Binh lanterns have a 'brand,' not only being beautiful with distinctive cultural characteristics but also imbued with the 'soul' of the artisans, each product reflecting their passion. Over decades, lantern-making has provided relatively stable lives for the people of Phu Binh parish in Saigon.

Recalling the golden age of the Phu Binh lantern craft, around 10 years ago, when people's living standards began to improve uniformly and before the strong influx of foreign goods, the days after the Lunar New Year were bustling with 'everyone making lanterns, every house making lanterns,' creating a festive atmosphere. Most of the lantern-making households in the neighborhood were fellow villagers who migrated from Nam Dinh since the 1950s, making a living in this foreign land.

Due to its fame, many tourists passing through the craft village stop by to visit and buy a few lanterns as souvenirs.

Beyond these mentioned names, across Vietnam, especially in rural villages, many places are filled with joy and a new year's atmosphere around simple lanterns. Lantern streets and villages always attract the attention and fascination of international tourists, adding a warm and gentle beauty to the urban landscape. However, there was a time when the media and public opinion repeatedly raised concerns about the abundance of Chinese lanterns appearing at festivals and cultural events in some localities. Vietnamese lanterns were no longer favored and gradually faded. The once dazzling streets now become sparsely lit, perhaps losing a great potential and value for tourism.

As per MASK Online

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Reference: Travel guide from Mytour