Vietnam is a flower.
In the beginning, I couldn’t believe the symbol of the country is a flower. Then I understood why.
The Lotus is the national flower. It shows its beauty during the day, closes at dusk and opens again at sunrise. It is the hope that the next day life will be better, it is like the sun and its cycles that never stop happening. It is precarious but magnificent, light enough to float on water but tenacious to hide under it, a symbol of purity that stands and grows on muds. Lotus is Vietnam's alter ego in nature.
I have never seen a place with the same delicateness and finesse of Vietnam.
It is not only about the place, but also about culture, food, people and attitude.
As it always happens when wandering around, favourite places are the ones where some connection happens. It could be something very little: the sunset light, unexpected smiles on the street, a delicious dessert or a comfortable ambience.
I stepped in Hoi An and something clicked.
The size of the city makes you feel in the right place, like when you find a calmy spot in a cafe where the crowd doesn't annoy you and you feel at home. A city shaped on the human scale.
The availability of rentable bikes everywhere and the car ban in the old town, make the central streets very quiet and noiseless.
The ancient town is a hidden gem to discover and little museums and monuments are close by and easy to visit.
The presence of the Thu Bon river is a plus to the already charming and appealing town. Walking up and down the city centre is even more enchanting during dusk.
The magic happens once a year.
When the moon relieves the sun, the feast begins.
The less you are prepared for that the better: it is going to be a real surprise. That is what occurred to me when I discovered that during my two weeks journey in Vietnam I scheduled my Hoi An visit exactly on the Lantern Festival during the full moon. I have been so grateful for that bit of luck.
The festival is a major tourist attraction with remarkable consumer aspects, but you take it for what it is: a modern show based on ancient credos.
It is an extraordinary magic night, a smashing photogenic celebration besides being romantic and dreamy.
Thousands of coloured paper lanterns are light up, like a night rainbow sheded on by the soft moon rays.
The long tapered boats cut through the calm water of the river carrying paper lanterns and people. Lanterns are set on water to worship the God of Land and the ancestors and start floating in million reflections of water and backlit paper. From the boat, it is a fascinating spectacle.
The crowd is huge but not too noisy, or maybe the dream-bubble makes any sound softer.
Find a good spot, grab a Saigon Beer and get lost watching colours and people around.
Make a wish that lasts forever, by the time your lantern switches off.
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