Hoi An Lantern Festival: A Magical Night of Light and Culture
Hoai Trinh
Experience the enchanting Hoi An Lantern Festival, where glowing lanterns light up the Ancient Town. Discover tips, activities, and the best spots for this cultural celebration.
Hoi An, Vietnam’s UNESCO-listed gem, is renowned for its charming Ancient Town, but it transforms into a dreamlike wonderland during the Hoi An Lantern Festival. Held monthly on the 14th day of the lunar calendar, this vibrant celebration fills the streets and Thu Bon River with thousands of colorful lanterns, casting a magical glow over the town. The Hoi An Lantern Festival is more than just a visual spectacle, it’s a deep dive into Vietnamese culture, blending tradition, community, and a touch of magic. Whether you’re floating a candlelit lantern, savoring local street food, or strolling through lantern-lit alleys, this festival is a highlight of any Hoi An visit.
The Heart of the Hoi An Lantern Festival
The Hoi An Lantern Festival, also known as the Full Moon Festival, is a centuries-old tradition rooted in Hoi An’s spiritual and cultural heritage. Held on the full moon night each month, the festival honors ancestors and brings good luck, with lanterns symbolizing hope and prosperity. The Ancient Town turns off electric lights, letting handmade silk lanterns, hung from shophouses, trees, and boats, illuminate the streets in hues of red, yellow, and purple. The Thu Bon River becomes a canvas of flickering candlelit lanterns, floated by locals and visitors alike to make wishes for the future.
The Heart of the Hoi An Lantern Festival
The festival’s origins tie to Hoi An’s trading past, when Chinese and Japanese merchants brought lantern-making traditions to the town. Today, artisans craft these lanterns by hand, a skill passed down through generations. For just 10,000–20,000 VND ($0.40–0.80 USD), you can buy a paper lantern at the riverside, light its candle, and set it afloat with a wish. The sight of hundreds of lanterns drifting on the river, paired with the glow of the Ancient Town, creates a scene straight out of a fairy tale. According to local estimates, over 50,000 visitors join the festival during peak months like February and March, yet it retains an intimate, community-driven feel.
Activities to Enjoy During the Festival
Activities to Enjoy During the Festival
The Hoi An Lantern Festival is packed with activities that immerse you in Hoi An’s culture. Start your evening with a riverboat ride (100,000 VND, $4 USD) along the Thu Bon River, where you can release a floating lantern and watch it join the glowing procession. Boats, often rowed by local women in traditional ao dai, offer a front-row view of the illuminated riverbank. For a hands-on experience, visit a lantern-making workshop at shops like Ha Linh Lantern (72 Tran Nhan Tong Street), where you’ll craft your own silk lantern for about 200,000 VND ($8 USD) to take home as a keepsake.
The festival also brings Hoi An’s streets to life with cultural performances. On Nguyen Hoang Street, you’ll find folk music, traditional dances, and bai choi, a Vietnamese bingo-style game with live singing (free to watch, small bets optional). Food stalls pop up across the Ancient Town, serving Hoi An specialties like cao lau (50,000 VND, $2 USD) or banh mi (20,000 VND, $0.80 USD) from vendors like Madam Khanh. For a sit-down meal, try The Cargo Club (107 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street) for com ga (chicken rice, 80,000 VND, $3.20 USD) with a riverside view of the lantern-lit river.
Don’t miss the Night Market (Nguyen Hoang Street), where vendors sell handmade lanterns, jewelry, and coconut cakes (10,000 VND, $0.40 USD). The festival’s peak hours (7–9 PM) are lively but manageable, with pedestrianized streets making it easy to wander. These activities make the Hoi An Lantern Festival a feast for the senses, blending light, music, and flavor.
Planning Your Hoi An Lantern Festival Visit
Planning Your Hoi An Lantern Festival Visit
To make the most of the Hoi An Lantern Festival, a little planning ensures a seamless experience. Here are some practical tips:
Check the Lunar Calendar: The festival occurs on the 14th lunar day each month (e.g., February 12, March 14, or April 12 in 2025). Arrive a day early to explore the Ancient Town and secure accommodation, as hotels like Vinh Hung Riverside Resort book up fast.
Dress for the Occasion: Wear lightweight clothing and comfortable shoes for walking the cobblestone streets. A hat or umbrella helps with evening humidity (25–30°C). Bring a small bag for souvenirs and water (20,000 VND, $0.80 USD at stalls).
Arrive Early: Reach the Ancient Town by 6 PM to beat the crowds and catch the sunset glow. Start at Bach Dang Pier to buy lanterns or book a boat ride before peak hours.
Navigate Easily: The Ancient Town is pedestrianized during the festival, but rent a bicycle (30,000 VND, $1.20 USD/day) for daytime exploration or a Grab taxi (80,000 VND, $3 USD) to reach Cam Thanh or An Bang Beach for a pre-festival day trip.
Carry Cash: Most vendors don’t accept cards. Bring small denominations (10,000–50,000 VND) for lanterns, food, and boat rides.
For a deeper dive into the festival’s traditions and hidden spots, book a Local Buddy through Tubudd to guide you through the glowing streets with insider knowledge.
Why the Hoi An Lantern Festival Shines
The Hoi An Lantern Festival is more than a celebration, it’s a cultural experience that captures Hoi An’s soul. The absence of electric lights creates an intimate, old-world atmosphere, while the lanterns’ glow fosters a sense of unity among locals and visitors. Unlike larger festivals elsewhere, Hoi An’s event feels personal, with families and artisans joining in the festivities. Recent 2025 reviews on platforms like TripAdvisor call it “a magical night” and “Hoi An’s must-see event,” though some note crowded riverbanks during peak hours (8–9 PM). Visiting earlier or sticking to quieter streets like Nguyen Phuc Chu helps avoid the bustle.
The festival is budget-friendly, with most activities under $5 USD, yet it feels rich in meaning. Floating a lantern, watching a folk performance, or savoring cao lau under glowing lights connects you to Hoi An’s heritage in a way few experiences can. Pair it with daytime visits to nearby Tra Que Vegetable Village or An Bang Beach, and you’ll see why the Hoi An Lantern Festival is a highlight of Vietnam’s cultural calendar.
Final Thoughts on the Hoi An Lantern Festival
The Hoi An Lantern Festival is a celebration of light, culture, and community that transforms the Ancient Town into a glowing masterpiece. From floating lanterns on the Thu Bon River to crafting your own silk lantern, every moment feels like stepping into a postcard. Affordable, vibrant, and deeply rooted in tradition, the festival offers a glimpse into Hoi An’s heart, blending history with the warmth of local life. Whether you’re dancing to folk music, tasting street food, or simply soaking in the lantern-lit magic, this event is a memory you’ll carry long after the candles fade.
Ready to experience the Hoi An Lantern Festival like a local? Book a Local Buddy tour with Tubudd to navigate the glowing streets and uncover the festival’s hidden charms with a guide who knows it best.
