HỘI AN — The 2022 Hoi An Lantern Festival, a special cultural and art event, will open on December 25 at the Hoi An Memories Island, just in time to celebrate Christmas and welcome in the New Year.

The event, called Thắp Sang Ký uc – Đanh Thuc Hoi An (Lighting Up Memories – Awakening Hoi An), is part of a series of cultural performances and art celebrations that will be held between December 24 and February 15, marking the start of post-COVID-19 tourism events for 2022.

When visiting the ancient town, visitors will be immersed in a shimmering and romantic old town space decorated with colourful lanterns, featuring cultural and artistic activities during the festival, which runs until February 15, 2022.

The event starts with an art troupe from Hoi An Memories marching down the streets, carrying lanterns from the Cầu Pagoda before returning to Hoi An Memories Island by boat on the Hoai River.

The moment when lanterns, symbols of the city's culture, arrive at the Hoi An Memories Island in the middle of Hoai River will showcase a strong and vibrant Hoi An City that is ready to welcome visitors in the new year of 2022, according to organisers.

Than Thị Thu Huyền, CEO and representative of Hoi An Memories Island, said the ancient town is trying to organise many new, special and attractive activities to lure tourists back.

She said it is necessary to have a cultural tourism product of high quality, on a large scale and with a good sense of entertainment.

The reopening of Hoi An Memories aims to be a highlight of Hoi An tourism.

More than 20 mini-shows, along with Christmas miniatures with unique shimmering lanterns, will also be introduced to the public by Hoi An Memories. Ten will be new shows seen for the first time. The mini-shows are immersed in mysterious prayers, enchanting dances and Geisha performances.

Through these cultural features, visitors will also have a chance to understand more about the cultural beauty and beliefs of the people in Quảng Nam Province.

Chairman of the Quảng Nam People's Committee Le Trí Thanh has agreed to select Hoi An Memories as a special scene art programme and a venue for the opening programme of the National Tourism Year 2022, taking place on March 25, 2022, vietnamnet.vn reported.

The return of Hoi An Memories shows promise to brighten up the Hoi An Town with a 25,000sq.m outdoor stage elaborately designed with real houses, shops and streets simulating exactly the ancient town in the middle of Hoai River.

With the participation of hundreds of artists, the event is expected to take visitors back to the bustling commercial Faifo port of 400 years ago and touch their emotions. — VNS