The Hội An Lantern Festival, Thắp sáng Ký ức – Đánh thức Hội An (Lighting Up Memories- Awakening Hội An), will run until February 15, 2022. — VNA/VNS Photo

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

The event, called Thắp Sáng Ký ức – Đánh Thức Hội An (Lighting Up Memories – Awakening Hội 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 Hội An Memories marching down the streets, carrying lanterns from the Cầu Pagoda before returning to Hội An Memories Island by boat on the Hoài River.

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

Thân Thị Thu Huyền, CEO and representative of Hội 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 Hội An Memories aims to be a highlight of Hội An tourism.

More than 20 mini-shows, along with Christmas miniatures with unique shimmering lanterns, will also be introduced to the public by Hội 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 Lê Trí Thanh has agreed to select Hội 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 Hội An Memories shows promise to brighten up the Hội 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 Hoài 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