HÀ NỘI  A flicker of history returns this October as nearly forgotten traditional lanterns, once lost to time, will shine again at the Thăng Long Imperial Citadel — a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the heart of Hà Nội.

For the first time in almost a century, dozens of vibrant, hand-crafted lanterns will be publicly displayed from October 1, reviving intricate designs steeped in Vietnamese symbolism and folklore.

Highlights include the carp believed to drive away evil spirits and transform into a dragon, iconic dragon-phoenix motifs, mythical kylins, and fruit-shaped lanterns symbolising prosperity — such as peach, pomegranate, Buddha’s hand, and water caltrop.

Each piece has been meticulously recreated using time-honoured methods by cultural researcher Trịnh Bách and artisan Nguyễn Trọng Bình from the Phú Bình lantern-making craft village in Hồ Chí Minh City. They used traditional materials such as dó (poonah) paper, silk fabric, cellophane, bamboo splints, rattan and handmade paste to restore the lanterns to their former glory.

Artisan Nguyễn Trọng Bình holds a golden fish-shaped lantern at his workshop in the Phú Bình lantern-making craft village in Hồ Chí Minh City. Photo baotintuc.vn

Craftsmen from the Đàn Viên lantern-making village in Thanh Oai on the outskirts of Hà Nội also contributed to the display.

Their work draws on years of research and archival photographs from the Quai Branly Museum in Paris and the École française d'Extrême-Orient (the French School of Asian Studies). Lanterns such as drum lanterns, rabbit lanterns, star lanterns, shrimp-and-fish lanterns, and double spinning lanterns were recreated with vivid colours and expressive detail.

This vibrant showcase is part of the Vui Tết Trung Thu 2025 (Joyful Mid-Autumn Festival 2025) programme, organised by the Thăng Long – Hà Nội Heritage Conservation Centre. The event aims to preserve and promote the intangible cultural heritage associated with the Mid-Autumn Festival.

The ‘Carp Transforming into a Dragon’ lantern, recreated by cultural researcher Trịnh Bách and artisan Nguyễn Trọng Bình. Photo courtesy of Trịnh Bách

In addition to the lanterns, visitors will find booths featuring traditional toys such as lion drums, frog drums, spinning drums, lion heads, papier-mâché masks, tin toys (steamships, drumming rabbits, push butterflies, whistles), paper scholar figurines, moon-gazing stick men, monk lanterns, and paper animals.

For the first time, the Thăng Long – Hà Nội Heritage Conservation Centre is presenting an interpretive exhibition exploring the royal Mid-Autumn Festival as it was celebrated during the 11th–12th centuries under the Lý dynasty.

Through historical panels and reconstructed illustrations, the exhibition brings to life scenes from imperial celebrations held over a millennium ago. Highlights include recreated artefacts depicting boat races and water puppet performances by soldiers and villagers.

At the centre stands Kim Ngao, a mythical creature with a turtle’s body and dragon’s head, gilded in gold and bearing three sacred mountains – Bồng Lai, Phương Trượng and Doanh Châu – from ancient Eastern legend.

Cultural researcher Trịnh Bách (left) and artisan Nguyễn Trọng Bình with a lantern design at the Phú Bình lantern-making craft village in Hồ Chí Minh City. Photo tcdulichtphcm.vn

The check-in area offers colourful photo spots, including a lantern gate, a bamboo tray wall, golden fish chasing the moon across a lotus pond. and a glowing lantern path.

On October 4 and 5, visitors can enjoy lion dance performances and join toy-making workshops featuring spinning lanterns, butterfly lanterns, rabbit lanterns, papier-mâché mask painting, and paper kite crafting.

At the same time, a parallel event at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology will recreate a traditional Mid-Autumn space with familiar toys such as tò he figurines, clay statues and rotating lanterns. Folk artisans who have worked with the museum for nearly 30 years will guide children in crafting these toys themselves.

Artisan Phùng Đình Giáp showcases 'phỗng đất' (clay figurines) at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology. Photo cand.com.vn

Interactive activities will also be available, including folk games such as jump rope, walking on stilts, ô ăn quan (Vietnamese mancala) and tug of war. STEM-based (Science-Technology-Engineering-Mathematics) experiences will explore the science behind lanterns, while the Discovery Room will host storytelling sessions, puppet shows, and themed art activities.

A standout feature this year is the artistic installation Sắc Thu (Colours of Autumn), where visitors can view traditional toys made by senior artisans alongside modern interpretations by young craft enthusiasts. This space highlights collaborative efforts between the museum and artisans to preserve and evolve folk toy traditions.

Blending heritage with technology, the event introduces Mr Scholar AI, inspired by the traditional Tiến sĩ Giấy (paper scholar) toy. Developed using AI, this interactive feature answers cultural questions, especially those related to the Mid-Autumn Festival. VNS