I grew up in the years when the country was undergoing renovation, the internet was knocking on every door, but my childhood was still steeped in tradition. Every Mid-Autumn Festival, I remember the cellophane lanterns, the simple yet sparkling light illuminating a part of my childhood.

In those days, children did not know about electronic lanterns or colorful LED lights. The simple joy was just holding a star lantern, a fish lantern or a boat lantern made of transparent cellophane with a small candle inside. The flickering flame shone through the thin cellophane, creating a warm light, enough to dispel the darkness on the village road.

A corner of the coffee shop decorated with Mid-Autumn lanterns, evoking childhood memories and traditional beauty amidst modern streets.

To make a lantern, the craftsman must meticulously bend each bamboo strip, tie each wire, stick red, green, and yellow cellophane sheets, and then add a shimmering silver border. The whole process, though simple, contains ingenuity and dedication, so that each lantern is at once a toy, a memory, and the soul of the Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival.

In the countryside, Mid-Autumn Festival is truly a festival. In the afternoon, the sound of lion drums is bustling, children eagerly show off their new lanterns and then carry them around the village. The cellophane lanterns are lit up in unison, making the country road light up like the Milky Way. As we walked, we sang: "August Lantern Carrying", the children's voices mixed with the crisp laughter, echoing throughout the area. On the roadside, grandparents and parents stood watching, their eyes full of warmth.

Time passed, convenient electronic lanterns appeared, but the memory of cellophane lanterns still remained, reminding us of a simple yet sacred childhood. Today, in the middle of bustling cities, cellophane lantern stalls are still lit, attracting both adults and children. For the young generation, it is not only a toy, but also a way to find tradition in modern life.

Now, every time I see a star lantern in the middle of the street, I feel my heart flutter, remembering the flickering light of my childhood, and smiling in acceptance of the changes. Perhaps, it is the blend of past and present that creates the unique beauty of Mid-Autumn Festival, modern but still retaining the traditional echoes. And in my memory, the light from the small candle in the cellophane lantern will always be the moonlight of my childhood, gentle, pure, never fading.

Article and photos: THANH HA

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/van-hoa/doi-song/anh-trang-tuoi-tho-trong-chiec-long-den-giay-bong-kinh-849134