Artistic lighting transforms Hoan Kiem Lake as Hanoi welcomes Christmas and New Year
Hoan Kiem Lake and Turtle Tower glow with artistic lighting as Hanoi launches its Christmas and New Year 2026 festivities.
THE HANOI TIMES — The artistic lighting of Hoan Kiem Lake and Turtle Tower began on December 24, opening Hanoi’s series of cultural and artistic programs welcoming Christmas and the 2026 New Year.
The lighting installation adds a nighttime cultural space for the community during the year-end festive season, creating a warm, calm and reflective New Year atmosphere in the city’s central area. Photos: Hanoimoi Newspaper
Light serves as a subtle artistic medium that enhances the public-space experience, allowing residents and visitors to appreciate the landscape of Hoan Kiem Lake in a gentle and intimate way while respecting its cultural and historical character.
The lighting design follows a contemporary approach aligned with the Christmas and New Year spirit, maintaining careful balance in color, brightness and rhythm.
Designers have studied all solutions to avoid staging heritage elements or altering the landscape, ensuring full preservation of the unique cultural and historical values of Hoan Kiem Lake and Turtle Tower.
This approach honors heritage while offering fresh and approachable experiences for residents and visitors exploring the lake during the festive period.
The program reflects Hanoi’s broader effort to preserve and promote heritage through creative methods that support sustainable development and place the community at the center.
Residents captures memorable moments at the event. Held on Christmas Eve, the program drew large crowds and created a warm, lively and joyful atmosphere.
Many residents and visitors gather to admire the lighting at Hoan Kiem Lake and Turtle Tower. Interwoven shades of blue, red and yellow wash over the Turtle Tower, creating a poetic and serene image that highlights the iconic structure within the peaceful holiday night of Hoan Kiem Lake.
The artistic lighting of Hoan Kiem Lake and Turtle Tower will continue through January 4, 2026. This is the first of a serial activities taking place around Hanoi to celebrate Christmas and New Year.
