VietNamNet Bridge – Thousands of foreign and local visitors attended the lantern release festival on the Hoai River in the ancient town of Hoi An on February 16.

Residents of the ancient city of Hoi An are always eager to welcome the Nguyen Tieu festival.  At night, locals walk on dazzling bright streets, rush into pagodas or temples and participate in the festival. They light lanterns in front of their homes to signify the cozy atmosphere of the family reunion, and eat che troi nuoc, sticky rice dumplings with caramel ginger syrup, marking family reunion and luck. Foreign tourists are amazed at the festivities and join the traditional games happening  throughout the city.

In the night of Nguyen Tieu (Lantern) Festival (15^th day of the first lunar month),

thousands of lanterns are lit. People walk along the Hoai river square.

Iselin DiBaj from Norway said: “I’m very happy to visit Vietnam on the occasion of the

Nguyen Tieu Festival. The Hoai River is so romantic. It is like in a fairy tale”.

Lantern of different shapes are hung up along the river.

Tran Cong Duc, a tourist from HCM City, takes photos of special lanterns.

“It is peaceful and dreamlike to sit on a boat and drift away on the Hoai River,” Duc said.

An Australian couple.

This is the second time Hoi An authorities organized a new year lantern festival.

Apart from releasing lanterns to wish for good lucks on the Hoai River, tourists

have a chance to enjoy many traditional games and music.