Paula Henihan - blog

We were lucky to be in Hoi An for the local lunar celebrations. The city lights are switched off all over the old town and all bars, cafes and streets are lit up only by candlelit lanterns. Locals burn small fires in tins on the roadside outside their homes. Bundles of burning incense sticks are squeezed into cracks in the pavement and into nooks in the ancient roadside trees. Small tables or personal shrines are exhibited outside homes and shop fronts with sweets, money, rice, fruit or beer laid out as offerings to ancestors and to bring good luck. Hundreds of colorful floating lanterns are placed in the river by the throngs of locals that roam the riverside streets. Ancient games and performances are played out in dimly lit street corners with intent to revive the golden days of Hoi An. It was great to experience this romantic and magical event.