Hoi An Lantern Festival Guide
Once a month, Hoi An does something truly magical. The electric lights go out, thousands of hand-sewn silk lanterns take over, and the Thu Bon River turns into a breathtaking mirror of shimmering colour.
This is one of those rare travel experiences that lives up to the hype and then some. Whether you are backpacking through Southeast Asia on a shoestring, travelling with your family for a luxury cultural escape, or enjoying an expat weekend away, the lantern festival will completely steal your heart.
The Quick Summary:
- When It Happens: The 14th day of every lunar month. Once a month, every month, all year round.
- Where: Hoi An Ancient Town, centred beautifully along the Thu Bon River, An Hoi Bridge, and Bach Dang Street.
- Entry Cost: The standard Ancient Town ticket costs 120,000 VND (around $5 USD). Paper lanterns to release on the river cost just 10,000 to 20,000 VND ($0.40 to $0.85 USD).
- Best Time to Visit: February to August guarantees clear, dry skies. The Tet (Lunar New Year) festival in January or February is the absolute biggest and most electric celebration of the entire year.
- The Core Tradition: At 8:00 PM sharp, every electric light in the Ancient Town is switched off. Only the romantic glow of silk lanterns remains.
Book Hoi An day trips, attractions,
and activities in one place. Read real
reviews, check availability, and lock in
your spot before the popular slots go.
When Does the Festival Take Place?
The Hoi An Lantern Festival falls on the 14th day of every lunar month, which is the night of the full moon. The lights go out at 8:00 PM and the gorgeous celebration runs until around 10:00 PM. While it happens every single month, the atmosphere shifts dramatically depending on the season. If you are planning your trip around Vietnam’s festival calendar, this is the one to anchor everything else around.
The Tet celebration in late January or February is the crown jewel of the calendar. Expect huge crowds, live music, and a festive intensity that is hard to describe. Festivals between October and December can be affected by Central Vietnam’s monsoon rains, which sometimes cause the river to swell and boat activities to be temporarily paused. For a reliable experience, the dry season between February and August is your safest bet.
| Lunar Month | Approximate Western Date | Peak Activity Window |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Month (Tet / Lunar New Year) | January / February | 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM |
| 4th Month (Buddha’s Birthday) | May | 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM |
| 8th Month (Mid-Autumn Festival) | September | 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM |
Planning your dates around the festival? Use the interactive map below to lock in the perfect guesthouse right in the heart of the Ancient Town.
Where Are the Best Spots to Watch?
The magic is beautifully concentrated along the Thu Bon River between An Hoi Bridge and Hoai River Square. The Ancient Town itself is compact enough to wander on foot, which makes drifting between all three spots in a single evening very doable. Here is exactly where to position yourself for the best possible experience.
An Hoi Bridge
This central footbridge connects the Ancient Town to the An Hoi islet and offers a sweeping panoramic view of the river in both directions. The trade-off is that it gets packed by 7:30 PM. If you want a great photography spot, arrive by 7:00 PM or head to the quieter banks further along Bach Dang Street once you have soaked up the vibrant central energy. It is also right next to the Hoi An Night Market, so you can browse handmade crafts while you wait for the lights to go out.
Bach Dang Street
Running right alongside the water, this is the main launch point for the wooden sampan boats and the best spot to find locals selling small paper lanterns with candles inside. Many of these vendors are elderly residents or children fundraising for their families, so a small purchase here means something real. The riverside walk at night, lit only by lantern glow, is one of the most beautiful things you will ever see in Southeast Asia. If your trip allows more time in the area, the broader list of things to do in Hoi An has plenty to keep you busy during the daylight hours before the festival kicks off.
Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street
Located near the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, this street offers a much calmer and more intimate atmosphere when the main riverbanks feel overwhelming. The lighting here is beautifully soft, relying entirely on the warm glow from ancient shop fronts and lantern-strung porches. It is the perfect place to slow down, sip a Vietnamese iced coffee from a small stool, and just take it all in. If temple hopping is your thing, our full guide to Vietnam’s temples and pagodas will help you make the most of this historic corner of the town.
Lock in top-rated Hoi An tours with
GetYourGuide’s free cancellation up to
24 hours before. Reserve now and pay
later if your dates aren’t locked in.
What to Do During the Festival:
The good news is that you could wander aimlessly all evening and still have an extraordinary time. But if you want to get the full picture, here are the four things that actually make the night:
Release a Lantern on the River
This is the centrepiece of the whole evening. Buy a small paper lantern from one of the riverside vendors, 10,000 to 20,000 VND (roughly $0.40 to $0.85 USD), light the candle inside, and send it floating out onto the Thu Bon while making a wish for health, luck, or safe travels. It sounds simple, but it is genuinely moving. Whether you are a backpacker doing it solo or a family watching your kids’ eyes light up, this is the moment people remember for years. If you want a knowledgeable local walking you through the full cultural story behind the tradition, platforms like Klook and Get Your Guide list excellent small-group lantern festival tours that include boat rides and temple visits.
Hire a Wooden Sampan Boat
Getting out onto the water gives you an entirely different perspective. Looking back at the glowing Ancient Town from the middle of the river is nothing short of spectacular. Government-regulated prices are clearly posted near the docks, so ignore the touts and book through the official boarding point. A 20-minute ride typically costs 150,000 VND ($6.40 USD) for one to three people, or 200,000 VND ($8.25 USD) for a group of four to five. It is incredibly well worth it. You can find boat tour options across Vietnam here if you are planning more water adventures beyond Hoi An.
Watch Bai Choi in Action
Along the riverbanks, look for circles of people gathering around small wooden stages with drums and gongs clanging away. This is Bai Choi, a UNESCO-recognised Central Vietnamese folk art that mixes music, poetry, and something resembling a chaotic, joyful bingo game. You do not need to understand Vietnamese to enjoy the infectious energy. It is loud, communal, and totally wonderful. If you spot an open seat, take it. It is the sort of spontaneous cultural moment that no tour itinerary can really plan for, and it is completely free.
Visit the Temples After Dark
Ancient assembly halls like the Fujian Assembly Hall and Quang Cong Temple stay open late on festival nights. Residents come to burn incense, offer fruit, and pray. Stepping inside quietly offers a window into the spiritual heart of the whole celebration. This is not a tourist performance. It is real community life. Dress modestly, move slowly, and simply observe the beauty. If you want to plan more temple visits during your stay, Hoi An day trips to nearby My Son Sanctuary and the royal tombs of Hue are both outstanding options.
From boutique guesthouses to five-star
resorts, Agoda has Hoi An’s best stays
covered. Strong Asia inventory means
deeper discounts than you’d expect.
Cultural Etiquette to Know:
The lantern festival is a genuine spiritual event for the people of Hoi An, not a performance put on for visitors. A little respect goes a long way and enhances the experience for everyone, including you. Our full guide to Vietnamese culture and etiquette covers all of this in depth, but here are the essentials for festival night.
Pro Tip: Cover shoulders and knees when entering any temple, pagoda, or communal assembly hall. Remove hats before stepping over the high wooden thresholds. Never photograph someone mid-prayer at an altar. That moment belongs to them, not your camera roll. When buying paper lanterns from elderly vendors or children, do not haggle. The few thousand VND difference means little to your budget but genuinely helps their families.
At the nearby Hoi An Night Market across the bridge, polite bargaining for crafts and clothing is perfectly fine. Keep it light and friendly. Just remember that street food prices are always fixed, so never try to negotiate those.
Need budget data in Hoi An? Saily’s
eSIM plans start cheap and install in
a couple of minutes. Built by the team
behind NordVPN, so security is solid.
A Note for Nervous Travellers:
Hoi An is consistently one of the safest places in Vietnam. Violent crime is exceptionally rare, and the Ancient Town bans motorised vehicles from its historic streets during festival evenings, so you can wander without worrying about chaotic motorbike traffic. Your only real concern should be pickpockets at crowd bottlenecks like An Hoi Bridge. Keep your wallet in a front pocket, ensure bags are zipped tight, and you will be completely fine. If you want a full picture of safety across the country, our Vietnam safety guide covers everything honestly.
For families travelling with young children, this is an ideal event. The atmosphere is gentle, the streets are walkable and car-free, and kids love the glowing lanterns. If a toddler falls asleep in a carrier, no one will mind. Solo travellers, couples, retirees, and expat families on a long weekend all find their own kind of magic here. Just show up, slow down, and let it happen. It is worth sorting travel insurance before you arrive so you can relax and enjoy the evening without a second thought.
Staying Longer in Central Vietnam:
A lot of travellers come to Hoi An for two nights and end up completely rethinking their itinerary to stay longer. The pace here is restorative in a way that is hard to put into words. If you are a digital nomad or considering a longer stretch, Da Nang is just 30 kilometres north and has become one of Southeast Asia’s most liveable beach cities, with fast internet, affordable apartments, and a thriving expat community. Our Vietnam digital nomad guide covers everything you need to know about working remotely from Central Vietnam.
Vietnam’s 90-day e-visa makes an extended stay incredibly viable. You can read all the details in our Vietnam e-visa guide. Expats considering a longer-term move, especially those bringing furry family members, should carefully factor in Vietnam’s entry requirements for animals. Pet relocation requires rabies titre tests and advance permits, so researching this well in advance guarantees a smooth transition.
Looking for a fantastic base in or around Hoi An for a longer stay? The map below shows short-term rental options and boutique hotels across the region.
Pro Tips for Stress-Free Travel:
- Book Accommodation Early: Festival nights fill up incredibly fast. Use Agoda for the best availability across guesthouses and boutique hotels in the Ancient Town, or Booking.com if free cancellation is important to you. Lock in your room weeks ahead if your dates align with the full moon.
- Stay Connected: Pick up a local eSIM via Yesim before you land and have data ready the moment you arrive. You will want reliable maps and ride apps in the festival crowds. Our Vietnam SIM card and internet guide breaks down all your options.
- Getting Around: Download Grab or check our comparison of Grab vs Xanh SM before you arrive. Fixed-price rides from Da Nang or Phu Bai Airport save a lot of headache compared to negotiating with unmetered taxis near the historic zone.
- Cash in Small Notes: Bring plenty of smaller Vietnamese Dong like 10,000, 20,000, and 50,000 VND notes. Lantern sellers and street food vendors cannot break a 500,000 VND note. Our Vietnam currency guide covers ATMs, cards, and the best ways to handle cash.
- Book a Guided Tour: Klook and Get Your Guide both list excellent small-group lantern festival experiences that include lantern releases, boat rides, and temple visits with a local guide who knows the stories behind everything you are seeing.
- Travel Insurance: Do not skip this. SafetyWing is excellent value for longer stays and covers everything from a lost bag to a hospital visit. Sort it before you fly so you are covered from the moment you land.
Pick a Hoi An eSIM plan that matches
your trip length on Airalo’s global
marketplace. Install before departure
and you’re online the moment you land.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does the Hoi An Lantern Festival happen every night?
No. The full official festival, where the Ancient Town’s electric lights are switched off completely, happens once a month on the 14th day of the lunar calendar. That said, because visitors enjoy the atmosphere year-round, many businesses hang silk lanterns every night, and small paper lantern boat rides on the river are available on a smaller scale throughout the month.
What time does the lantern festival start and finish?
The lights officially go out at 8:00 PM. Activity peaks between 8:30 PM and 9:30 PM, and the Ancient Town quietens again by around 10:00 PM as shops begin to close. Arrive by 7:00 PM if you want a great spot on An Hoi Bridge or along the river before the crowds build.
How much does it cost to enter the Ancient Town?
The standard Hoi An Ancient Town ticket costs 120,000 VND (around $5 USD) and covers entry to a set number of heritage sites. Paper lanterns to release on the river cost between 10,000 and 20,000 VND ($0.40 to $0.85 USD). Boat rides are 150,000 VND ($6.40 USD) for up to three people, or 200,000 VND ($8.25 USD) for groups of four to five.
Is the lantern festival cancelled if it rains?
Light rain will not stop the lanterns from going up. Vendors simply cover their silk wares with plastic and carry on. Heavy rain or river flooding will cause boat activities and lantern releases to be suspended for safety reasons. The October to December monsoon window is the riskiest period for disruption, while the dry season from February to August is far more reliable.
Is Hoi An safe during the festival for solo travellers and families?
Very much so. Hoi An is consistently one of the safest destinations in Vietnam. The Ancient Town bans motorised vehicles from its streets during festival evenings, making it pedestrian-friendly and genuinely relaxed. The main thing to watch for is pickpockets in dense crowd areas like An Hoi Bridge. Keep valuables secure and you will be absolutely fine. Families with young children will find the whole evening wonderfully manageable.
What is the best month to attend the Hoi An Lantern Festival?
The Tet (Lunar New Year) festival in January or February is the biggest and most spectacular of the year. The Mid-Autumn Festival in September is also particularly beautiful, with mooncakes, children’s lantern processions, and a festive energy throughout the town. Any month between February and August offers brilliant weather and a reliable experience.
Do I need to dress up or follow any rules for the festival?
Smart casual is completely fine for walking the streets and the riverside. However, if you plan to enter any of the ancient temples or communal assembly halls, which is highly recommended, you should cover your shoulders and knees. Remove hats before entering, and be quiet and respectful inside prayer halls. The festival is a genuine spiritual event for local residents, not just a performance for tourists.
Can I book a boat ride in advance?
Boat rides are arranged on the night at the official docking points along Bach Dang Street, where government-regulated prices are clearly posted. There is no advance booking system. Just show up, check the posted prices, and join the queue. Avoid paying touts away from the official boarding area, as prices will be heavily inflated.
What is Bai Choi and should I try it?
Bai Choi is a traditional Central Vietnamese folk art form recognised by UNESCO. It combines live music, sung poetry, and a fun game similar to bingo played on wooden cards. Games are held in open spaces along the river during the festival. You do not need to speak Vietnamese to enjoy it. Just find a crowd gathering around a wooden stage with drums and gongs and pull up a plastic stool. It is joyful, chaotic, and completely authentic.
Are there good souvenirs to buy at the festival?
Absolutely. Handmade silk lanterns from Hoi An are the obvious choice and make stunning gifts. Beyond those, look for hand-painted ceramics, bespoke tailored clothing (Hoi An is one of the best places in Asia to get clothes made quickly and affordably), and locally produced incense. Skip the mass-produced trinkets and spend a few extra minutes finding a stall where someone has clearly poured their heart into making what they are selling.
