Saigon, May 2014: I loved the contrast with the ascending red lanterns and the green and white buildings.
Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 2014.
Lanterns make me happy and I’m not sure exactly why. They are hopeful and often remind me of long-held traditions, but also new beginnings. Perhaps that is because they are so prevalent in Asian New Year’s celebrations. They also provide a pop of happy color. The best place to see lanterns has to be Hoi An, Vietnam. At night, lanterns are friendly night lights. In the daytime, they add an Asian aesthetic to the mustard yellow colonial French architecture. Below is a collection of lantern photos.
Yellow lanterns match the mustard colored architecture in Hoi An.
Hoi An, Vietnam, 2014.
Lanterns and lotus flowers, too?! Can’t get much better.
Hoi An, Vietnam, 2014.
Turning in for the night.
Hoi An, Vietnam, 2014.
A quiet Hoi An street.
Hoi An, Vietnam, 2014.
A night market in Hoi An, Vietnam.
Hoi An, Vietnam, 2014.
Lanterns are temple adornments, too.
Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 2014.
Chinese style lanterns at a temple.
Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 2014.
My favorite view of San Francisco’s Chinatown: lanterns everywhere!
Chinatown, San Francisco, CA, USA, 2015
How can this not make a person happy?
Chinatown, San Francisco, CA, USA, 2015
More happiness…
Chinatown, San Francisco, CA, USA, 2015
Love them.
Chinatown, San Francisco, CA, USA, 2015
Even my hometown in Colorado has lantern highlights.
Colorado, USA, 2015.
An Asian corner in the Rocky Mountains.
Colorado, USA, 2015.
Travel Oops 
Hi there, I love your pics of the lanterns in Hoi An on the river. Could I have your permission to use them on our facebook site for a restaurant in Melbourne run by Ms. Vy (of Morning Glory, Cargo Club & Market)?? http://www.facebook.com/houseofhoian
Hi Michael, I’m glad you like the photos of lanterns and the river in Hoi An. Sure, you can use them on your FB page. Could you include a photo credit? It’s Stephanie Glaser. I can post them to your timeline and then you can share them if that’s easiest. I wish I was in Melbourne so I could eat House of Hoi An!
That sure is a lot of lanterns that you went around taking…haha…everyone have their moments…:)
Hi Sha! Thanks for the comment, and sorry for my belated response. Yes — I was loony for lanterns. I’ll be in Japan later this month, so I’m sure I’ll be snap-happy with my camera again.
hahaha, no worries, I have just logged in after more than 3 weeks away…haha….I love Japan!! Hope you enjoy your time there but which part of Japan will you be visiting?.
I love all these photos. They make me happy too! Your #1 fan, your mother.
Thanks, mamma!
The lanterns are superb! One of my favourite photos is one I took in Hoian of red lanterns! Your Japan trip must be approaching soon. How are the plans going? Let me know if there is any I can help you with!
Hi Leanne — thanks for the comment, and sorry for my belated reply! I’ve been buried in heaps of essays to mark. I’m sure you know that feeling. Isn’t Hoi An beautiful? I was loony for lanterns, and I’m sure I won’t be disappointed in your neck of the woods.
Yes, my trip is fast approaching and I’m quite excited although I have so much to get done before leaving. Thanks for the advice about the rail pass. Done! We are pretty much good to go with lodging and train transportation. I’ve even scheduled a Geisha makeover in Kyoto. An über touristy thing to do, I’m sure, but it should make for a good story. I also looked up several thrift stores in Tokyo, and it seems like there are loads. Budget shopping seems like a reality, after all.
I hope all is well with you! Cheers — Steph
Yes there are some great flea markets etc too!