Hoi An Lantern Festival: Travel Tips and Things to Do

Used to be one of the key trading port in Vietnam, Hoi An is now becoming a rustic and tranquil town where you can relish traditional architecture. Not only is Hoi An well-known for incredible sceneries and laid-back atmosphere, it is also famous for its most lovely souvenir – lanterns. When visiting Hoi An, you can come across many lantern stores which add the vibrant beauty to this city. Attending Hoi An Lantern Festival is a cannot-miss part of your trip to Vietnam. This is the only chance for you to admire local artistic creation and dazzling products made by our skillful artists in sublime surroundings.

Hoi An glowing with colorful lanterns during a traditional lantern festival at night.

Overview of the Hoi An lantern festival

History of Hoi An lantern festival

We have to take you back in time to the 16th and 17th centuries to truly understand this beautiful tradition. Back then, Hoi An (also known as Faifo) was a major, highly bustling international trading port. Chinese and Japanese merchants traveled here to do business, and many eventually settled down.

To bring a little piece of their homeland with them, and to pray for good luck, prosperity, and a happy family, these merchants began hanging glowing lanterns right in front of their doors.

The local Vietnamese residents loved the idea and started adopting the practice to bring good fortune and peace to their own homes.

Fast forward to 1998, the local government decided to host the lantern festival officially every single month on the full moon to preserve this incredible cultural heritage. Today, it stands as the absolute most famous and anticipated cultural event in the city, capturing the hearts of both locals and global travelers.

Hoi An lanterns traditionally made from bamboo and fabric.

What exactly is the Hoi An lantern festival?

Every month on the 14th day of the lunar calendar, the entire Hoi An Old Town turns off its electric lights. Instead, the streets and the Hoai river are illuminated purely by the glow of thousands of colorful silk lanterns. It completely transforms the bustling town into a breathtakingly peaceful and timeless scene.

But this isn’t just a pretty spectacle for tourists. In Buddhism, a full moon is one of the most sacred events because not only was the Buddha born at that time but he also attained enlightenment on a full moon. For the locals, it’s a deeply sacred time to honor the full moon, pay homage to ancestors, and pray for good health, fortune, and peace. 

Hoi An lantern festival 2026 schedule

The festival takes place on the 14th day of the lunar month; to make it easier for you to keep track, we will provide the corresponding solar calendar dates so you can conveniently plan your tour to Hoi An.

An important day of the year is the Mid-Autumn Festival, which falls on September 24, 2026, this eve completely transforms the streets with vibrant dragon, lion, and unique heavenly dog dances under the year’s brightest moon. We absolutely love how the town shifts into a massive, cheerful celebration where you will see locals feasting on mooncakes, setting up traditional five-fruit trays for their ancestors, and gifting special star lanterns to kids.

First-ever Hoi An international lantern festival in 2026

Da Nang has officially announced the very first Hoi An International Lantern Festival, beautifully themed “Hoi An – Colors of Heritage”:

• The main festival is scheduled to run from December 3 to December 6, 2026. Events will be hosted across prominent locations, including the Hoai river Square, the An Hoi Statue Garden, and various streets throughout the ancient town
• The itinerary includes an opening ceremony featuring artistic performances both on the riverbank and on the water. Visitors will find 15 large-scale art lantern installations, interactive lantern-making workshops, and a dedicated culinary space.
• The festival will also feature lantern and recycled art exhibitions, a night lantern walk, professional seminars on local crafts, and competitions in photography and design.

Colorful lanterns illuminating the Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An at night.

Things to do at the Hoi An lantern festival

Relish a serene sampan ride on the Hoai river

Releasing a lotus-shaped paper lantern on the Hoai river is a beautiful way to make a wish for yourself or someone you love. If you want to place your own lantern on the water’s surface, we highly recommend renting a traditional wooden boat (sampan) to escape the foot traffic and see the glowing town from the water. Your lanterns will not be caught in a traffic jam, and you can authentically enjoy Hoi An’s atmosphere on a peaceful ride. Take your time to talk to the local, friendly ferrymen who will provide you with more knowledge about this ancient town!

Visitors releasing colorful floating lanterns on the Hoai river during the lantern festival.

Watch traditional Bai Choi & play folk games

Bai Choi is an interesting folk game of Central Vietnam which combines music, poetry, acting, painting, and literature. Originated among peasants in the Quang region, Bai Choi has a complex set of rules which involves card drawing and folk singing, where the winner is the one who has three matching cards. This game brings a lively and sparkling atmosphere to the Hoi An Lantern Festival.

While you are there, you absolutely must join the locals in a hilarious game of “bit mat dap nieu” (breaking clay pots while blindfolded). The player is blindfolded, holds a stick, and must try to break a clay pot based purely on the audience’s shouting directions to win a prize!

Enjoy delicious local street food

Cao Lau noodles are the absolute must-try food in this dreamy city. This dish is heavily influenced by Japanese and Chinese cultures that were brought by foreign traders when they settled in Hoi An. You will see some unique features in this dish compared to other food in Vietnam: the thick noodle is the same as Japanese udon, the rice crackers and pork are Chinese-style, and the broth is entirely Vietnamese.

There are plenty of delicious cuisines at street food stalls here! We want you to try local specialties like White Rose dumplings (banh vac) and grilled pork skewers right on the street. Don’t forget to grab some mango cake (banh xoai) and refresh yourself with a famous cup of herbal Mot water while you walk.

Mi Quang, a signature Vietnamese noodle dish from Hoi An.

Take photos of the stunning lantern view

Besides the miraculous water filled with lanterns, there are many incredible places for your photo shoot here! Wander through the glowing alleys to admire the charm of the ancient town, where heritage homes and lanterns blend into a peaceful nightscape. For the ultimate view, find a spot along the riverbank opposite the An Hoi Bridge. Iconic spots like the Japanese Covered Bridge, Fujian Assembly Hall, Cantonese Assembly Hall, and the Old House of Tan Ky look even more fantastic when the town is illuminated purely by thousands of glowing, colorful silk lanterns.

Visit a temple & explore heritage sites

A full moon is a deeply sacred time for the locals to honor their ancestors and pray for good health, fortune, and peace by offering fruits, flowers, and incense. Temples and pagodas in Hoi An are strongly influenced by the Chinese. To enter the Old Town area and visit the heritage spots, you will need to purchase an entrance ticket which costs 120,000 VND per adult (this includes entry to 5 sightseeing spots). During the Hoi An Lantern Festival, you will see the local believers gather at places like the Quan Cong Temple or other assembly halls to wish for luck and happiness.

Quan Cong Temple, a historic Chinese temple in Hoi An Ancient Town.

Catch vibrant lion dances & martial arts

The festival space is incredibly dynamic! As you explore the area between the Japanese Bridge and the An Hoi Bridge, you will be treated to a highly energetic atmosphere filled with traditional music, vibrant lion and dragon dances. You can also watch impressive martial arts demonstrations performed right on the streets by members of professional martial arts schools and skilled artists.

Browse handicrafts at the night market

Your night isn’t complete without a little shopping! Explore the bustling Nguyen Hoang Night Market to shop for handmade crafts and local souvenirs. You can watch local artisans practicing long-standing handicraft traditions, such as bamboo root carving, mask making, and calligraphy. If you want to take a gorgeous silk and bamboo lantern home to remember the trip, prices range from 15,000 VND to 150,000 VND depending on the size and detail.

A variety of local souvenirs displayed at Hoi An Night Market.

Tips for a smooth Lantern Festival evening

• Are there many people at Hoi An Lantern Festival? Yes, it will be very crowded so don’t expect a good photography spot if you arrive late. Japanese Covered Bridge and Cau An Hoi Bridge are places where you can take stunning candle-lit water. Also, keep an eye on your camera and precious belongings. You don’t want to lose them or accidentally drop them in the water.
• Beat the Crowds: We strongly advise you to arrive around sunset (if you are coming from Da Nang, head out around 3:30 PM to 4:00 PM) to grab a good spot before it gets overwhelmingly busy.
• Consider a sampan ride: If you want to escape the chaotic streets, consider a sampan ride on the river – this is an opportunity to take stunning pictures of lanterns on the water’s surface. The price for a sampan ride is around VND 150,000 dong (about US $5), so negotiate at your peril.
• Negotiate the lantern price: One lantern usually costs around VND 15,000
• You will have to walk a lot: All vehicles will be banned in old town area during the festival, so make sure that you wear a high-quality pair of walking shoes.
• Best time to travel to Hoi An: Hoi An will be the most beautiful from February to August. We recommend you attend Hoi An Lantern Festival in February – the first full moon of our lunar new year is the biggest celebration. Rainy seasons from October to December are not advised since the old town is prone to flooding. The water may rise up to 2 meters high and mud is everywhere. Unless you want to travel around by boats, don’t visit Hoi An that time!

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