Luong Nhu Hoc lantern street is crowded with people and children going out and shopping during the holiday of September 2, near the Mid-Autumn Festival.
During the National Day holidays, Saigon people bring children to gather on Luong Nhu Hoc lantern street, District 5, to have fun and shop to prepare for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
Lantern Street is located on Tran Hung Dao – Luong Nhu Hoc – Phu Dinh – Nguyen Trai – Nguyen An streets, where a large number of Chinese people have lived and settled for a long time, developing lantern production. This street is an ideal tourist destination during the Mid-Autumn Festival in Saigon. Especially, during the National Day holidays near the Mid-Autumn Festival, the atmosphere becomes even more bustling. Families come here, and many of them have to move step by step.
The atmosphere here is very vibrant, with more than 100 households trading a variety of Mid-Autumn Festival items, with a variety of lantern designs, from traditional bamboo-frame lanterns to electronic music-playing lanterns.
“Luong Nhu Hoc Lantern Street is open from early morning until late at night. On the evening of September 3, people and tourists are busy shopping, the stalls are always crowded, and it is also difficult to travel, especially in The time frame is 19:00-21:00. There are many parking places around Lantern Street, and prices range from 15,000-20,000 VND”, said Nguyen Van Trung (Trung Rua), 23 years old, from Tien Giang, now living in Ho Chi Minh City. love taking photos of everyday life, street photography, said.
Prices vary depending on the material and size of the lanterns. On average, each car is from 30,000 to 80,000 VND, the big one is a few hundred thousand. Some modern lanterns, large glass sizes, sophisticated designs are priced at millions of dong.
The lanterns with bamboo frames and stained glass are not outdated, such as star lights, animal lamps, and boat lights, recalling many memories of generations of Vietnamese children.
The line of people crept through the lantern shops, children were also carried on their shoulders by their parents.
Children are happiest when they are led by their parents to choose the lanterns they like. “The children with innocent faces, excitedly look at the lanterns in the arms of their parents. Witnessing the innocent and happy faces of children when being selected and holding lanterns with sparkling lights makes me happy too,” Trung shared.
As a traditional destination on the occasion of Mid-Autumn Festival, the number of people flocking to the lantern street is increasing, including the family of Mr. Vu Hoa Hiep, from Tan Phu district. “I like to take pictures, so I often go to places with such fun events to work, when I take pictures I ask people’s permission, and they are happy and comfortable,” Trung said.
Although crowded and sweaty, everyone was excited to join the crowd, some families even took advantage of check-in in front of the bright and colorful lanterns. “There is only one Mid-Autumn Festival every year, so I take advantage of bringing my children to enjoy the atmosphere of childhood,” said Ms. Hoa, district 12, who came to this street with her family for the first time.
Photo: Nguyen Van Trung