The Glow of Those Cellophane Lanterns from Years Ago

Looking back at the Mid-Autumn Festivals (Tết Trung thu) of our childhood, the most treasured possession for us neighbourhood kids was a traditional bamboo lantern wrapped in colourful cellophane. Whether it was shaped like a rooster, a crab or a star… they came in every vibrant shade of red, blue, purple and yellow.

What made those old lanterns so magical?

The light cast by that tiny, fragile candle was truly magical. It lit up the pitch-black village paths, illuminating our smudgy, beaming faces hidden behind papier-mâché masks. We would all walk so carefully, shielding the flame from the wind, terrified of accidentally setting our precious lanterns on fire.

Wishing we could be kids again

Today, the streets are filled with bright electric lights and flashy musical toys. But sometimes, as adults, we just wish we could be kids again: to light that tiny candle inside a cellophane rooster and run around the neighbourhood, singing our hearts out to the old lantern-parade song “Tết Trung thu rước đèn đi chơi” (“At Mid-Autumn we carry our lanterns out to play”). 🏮✨

What shape was your favourite childhood lantern?