The Lanterns of Hoï An – J-M Hétru

In Vietnam, the ancient center of Hoi An is known for its many old wooden houses and its urban planning reflecting local traditions as well as primarily Chinese and Japanese influences. This has led to its inscription on the World Heritage List.

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But the lanterns reign supreme, bringing luck and prosperity according to tradition, and recognized by UNESCO as part of its nighttime ambiance. Every shop carries them. Their sheer number, their arrangement, and their decorative appeal create an atmosphere that, for me, is the city’s emotional signature. Nowhere else in the country can you find this gentle presence, energizing the soul of an old city like this. Grouped in patterns influenced by Asian culture, decorating trees like baubles on our Christmas trees or evoking the flight of hot air balloons, they invite you to a state of weightless tranquility and peace. And perhaps, simply, to happiness.

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