Hoi An Lantern Festival is a popular event in Hoi An every year. This traditional festival is a must-see for anyone traveling to Vietnam during the Lunar New Year. The Lantern Festival is a full moon celebration when people come together to pray for a prosperous year.

During the Lantern Festival, numerous lanterns are displayed all over the city. The Song Hoai square in Hoi An is specially packed with lanterns and is a beautiful sight. Visitors can purchase lanterns from local vendors or go out and enjoy the sights and sounds of the festival.

Various cultural performances also take place during the festival, so visitors can explore the various cultures of Vietnam while enjoying the festivities. Let us show you the best things to do at this festival.

Hoi An lantern festival full moon

About Hoi An Vietnam Lantern Festival

The full moon, revered in the Buddhist calendar and celebrated during Hoi An Lantern Festival, is a special occasion. It is also referred to as the Hoi An Full Moon Festival.

Monthly full moon celebrations are customary in nations with sizable Buddhist populations and influence since it is believed that Buddha was born and attained enlightenment on a full moon date.

Inhabitants traditionally use this date in Hoi An to honor ancestors, visit family shrines, and consider life.

This festival’s relatively recent surge in popularity has been fantastic for neighborhood businesses and for showcasing Hoi An to the rest of the globe.

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Every month, the festival will take place. You can still participate in the Hoi An customary full moon festival most nights of the week because the lantern festival has gained enough popularity that you don’t have to visit on the full moon date.

There are many other things to do in Hoi An besides the festival, but if you can, plan a time to attend the festival, which is one of the top things to do while traveling to Hoi An in Vietnam.

History Of The Hoi An Lantern Festival

Due to Vietnam’s strong Buddhist heritage, the full moon has traditionally been seen as a significant moment in the lunar month.

The unique lantern tradition of Hoi An emerged in the 16th and 17th centuries, a time when the port city was a significant commerce hub.

Hoi An was crowded with traders worldwide, including Japanese traders who had brought variously shaped lanterns to place in front of their residences. In a similar effort to bring luck to their homes, the villagers started to copy this.

Since then, Hoi An has preserved its rich cultural diversity and is now very well known for its lanterns. The monthly full moon celebrations and lantern festivals are believed to have been combined in 1998 by the local government, and ever since then, both Vietnamese and foreign tourists have flocked to Hoi An to participate in the festivities.

Hoi An Lantern festival full moon 2023 2024
Hoi An at night

When Is The Hoi An Lantern Festival Take Place?

Hoi An Lantern Festival is held on the 14th day of the lunar month, which is the full moon, from six in the evening until roughly ten in the evening.

The majority of visitors choose to arrive early, frequently before 6 pm, to enjoy dinner and the sunset before the glistening, vibrant lanterns steal the stage.

The festival is observed in and around the old town, particularly in locations close to the Hoai River, the Hoi Bridge and the Japanese Covered Bridge.

Hoi An Lantern Festival 2024 Dates

YearMonthDates
2024JanuaryJanuary 24th, 2024
2024FebruaryFeb 23rd, 2024
2024MarchMarch 23rd, 2024
2024AprilApril 22nd, 2024
2024MayMay 21st, 2024
2024JuneJune 19th, 2024
2024JulyJuly 19th, 2024
2024AugustAugust 17th, 2024
2024SeptemberSeptember 16th, 2024
2024OctoberOctober 16th, 2024
2024NovemberNovember 14th, 2024
2024DecemberDecember 14th, 2024

 

Hoi An Lantern Festival 2025 Dates

YearMonthDates
2025JanuaryJan 13th, 2025
2025FebruaryFeb 11th, 2025
2025MarchMarch 13th, 2025
2025AprilApril 11th, 2025
2025MayMay 11th, 2025
2025JuneJune 9th, 2025
2025JulyJuly 8th, 2025
2025AugustAugust 7th, 2025
2025SeptemberSeptember 5th, 2025
2025OctoberOctober 5th, 2025
2025NovemberNovember 3rd, 2025
2025DecemberDecember 3rd, 2025

 

Where Is The Hoi An Lantern Festival Take Place?

Hoi An Lantern Festival is a must-see event! The Hoi An Old Town area is transformed into a magical place, with colorful candlelit lanterns lining the streets and bridges.

The festival activities are centered around the An Hoi Bridge and the Hoai River, making it a perfect spot to enjoy the festivities.

Those staying in the Hoi An City Center will be a short walk from your hotel. For those of you staying closer to the beach, you will need to take a taxi or bus.

If you need a private car for your trips to Hoi An or Da Nang city, our car service in Da Nang, Hoi An.

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Things To Do At Full Moon Lantern Festival Hoi An Vietnam

Try the Best Local Food

Plenty of street food stalls comprising Japanese and Chinese-influenced cuisine and other international foods are set up for the Lantern Festival Hoi An.

Cao Lau: It’s a little like the numerous cultures that came to Hoi An during its heyday when it was a bustling commercial port. A nod to Asian flavors may be seen in the thicker noodles that resemble Japanese udon, the crunchy wonton crackers and pork, and the broth and fresh herbs. Only water from the Ba Le well may make authentic Cau Lau.

Banh Mi Phuong: If you plan to visit Hoi An, you should find and try Banh Mi Phuong, which is famous for visitors and local guys. And if you want to explore Hoi An food

Banh Mi Phuong Hoi An
Banh Mi Phuong Hoi An

Mi Quang: Mi Quang (Quang noodles) is a dish produced in the Quang style, similar to Bun Bo Hue. The central Vietnamese region of Quang Nam is the birthplace of this particular kind of noodle. Unlike other rice noodles, Quang Noodles have a flat shape and a distinctly yellow tint.

Cơm Ga: Rice and chicken are tried-and-true meals. However, in Hoi An, this incredible combination is heightened by fresh ingredients from rural areas. To accompany a dish of turmeric rice, strips of delicate chicken are shredded and combined with fish sauce and onions.

Vietnam Coffee: Although nominally an aperitif, Vietnamese “egg coffee” is more appropriately classified as a sweet. Egg-white foam on top of the thick Vietnamese coffee will have even those who aren’t ordinarily drawn to a cup of joe licking their spoons with joy.

If you want to enjoy the cuisine’s Vietnam, let us show you in this article: 

22 Must-Try Dishes in Vietnam 2022

Visit Hoi an’s Famous Landmarks and Pagodas

Many well-known sites in Hoi An that reflect the city’s many different cultural influences come to life during the Lantern Festival.

One of Vietnam’s most famous sights, the Japanese-covered bridge, was built in the 18th century. Even if you’re single, you should take a snapshot at this location because it is one of Vietnam’s most romantic and stunning places.

A must-see is Tan Ky Old House, which is regarded as Hoi An’s most exquisite and historic home. You can learn about how the residents coexist with Hoi An’s antique buildings.

The Cantonese Assembly Hall, built in 1885, is a testament to Hoi An’s long-standing ties to China. The hall was originally constructed for trade, but it is now adorned with historical artifacts and paintings and serves as a pagoda-cum-meeting place for the local Hoa (overseas Chinese) community.

In the center of the historic town is the Quang Hong temple, which is highly recommended. The complex’s grounds are painted in auspicious gold and red, and it also contains numerous ancient statues, paintings, and artifacts.

You can learn about how Vietnamese people perform rituals and visit shrines during a full moon festival, believing that doing so will bring them luck and good health.

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Local Arts and Music Performances

You can enjoy live music, watch folk performances, and play Chinese chess while promenading around the charming ancient town.

The music often includes lovely folk singing or poetry recitals, and local instruments like fiddles, drums, and bamboo flutes are frequently used.

During Hoi An lantern festival, Bai Choi, a local traditional performance that blends music, poetry, and acting, is extremely well-liked.

Bai Choi Hoi An lantern festival full moon
Bai Choi Hoi An

Songs and poem readings on residents’ pride in traditional life and work in and around Quang Nam province are part of the show, inscribed onto UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural treasures in 2017.

In between all the singing, there is a card drawing game that looks like bingo that guests can participate in. Whether you participate or not, being among the amusing games and enjoyment heightens the festive mood of the Hoi An Viet Nam lantern festival.

Buy Handmade Lanterns

Hoi An has been creating lanterns for more than 400 years, and there are currently more than 30 lantern workshops and 200 stores selling them.

Hoi An lanterns are manufactured with cloth and silk, giving them a more upscale and vibrant appearance than those made in Japan, China, or Thailand, primarily comprised of nylon and combustible paper.

Highly trained artisans construct the frame from dry-aged bamboo, which they then mold into a variety of shapes, including renowned figures from Vietnamese mythology and culture, such as dragons and phoenixes.

It would help if you thought about purchasing at least one of the extraordinarily delicate, detailed, and distinctive lanterns that are the result. Depending on size, the price range for a lantern is between 10,000 and 20,000 VND.

Hoi An lantern
Hoi An lantern

Hoi An lanterns are an excellent way to participate in the customary full moon festival celebrations and make excellent gift offerings for family and friends.

Take a Sampan Ride on the Hoai River

The sampan, a traditional wooden boat prevalent across South East Asia, is possibly the greatest way to experience the enchanting ambiance of the Hoi An Anciant Town Lantern Festival. Go up to one of the boats and start negotiating to rent one. If you adhere to our advice on Vietnamese culture and how to bargain in Vietnam, you won’t need to budget 100,000 VND every hour.

Boat cruise along the Hoai River
Boat cruise along the Hoai River

Be sure to bring your lantern along so you can set it down in the water and watch it sail away amid a magical sea of floating lanterns. As you relax and take in the tranquil surroundings and illuminated river, you’ll undoubtedly understand why lanterns on the Hoai River are thought to bring good fortune and love.

Save a Picture Before You Leave!

After 8 o’clock, you are free to wander Hoi An’s picturesque streets since motor cars, bicycles, and fluorescent lights are all prohibited.

Even if you don’t have time to see all the attractions, you can still enjoy the enchanted atmosphere of the biggest festival in the city by simply strolling around the historic town and admiring the hanging lanterns that illuminate Hoi An.

You’ll want photos of the lantern festival events in Hoi An whether you’re a skilled photographer or not. Even the most novice photographer would find it challenging to take a bad picture here because it’s one of Vietnam’s most scenic locations, so click away!

checkin lantern
Checkin lantern

Hoi An Lantern Festival Festival Tips

  • The Lantern Festival can be enjoyed at any time of year, but February, when the first full moon of the lunar new year occurs, will be the biggest celebration.
  • This is one of the best chances you’ll have in Vietnam to take beautiful pictures if you appreciate photography. Bring your camera to capture the magical glow of the lantern festival as the river is illuminated.
  • Each homemade lantern will cost between 10 and 20,000 VND (or $0.5 and $1 USD).
  • If you want to learn How to make Lantern from Local People, let’s Book Tour Experience Hoi An Countryside 1 Day
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Nowadays, lanterns have become very popular. They are lit every night and everywhere in Hoi An. Therefore, even if you can’t be in Hoi and on the full moon dates above, you can still feel a part of it every night.

To visit Hoi An and see this festival, you can take a car from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An. If you have a few days in Hoi An, you can use Hoi An car rental with a driver from our service, which helps you be able to explore the central of Viet Nam with amazing experiences and some promotions.

Do not miss this beautiful town, and do not forget to check the full moon day to see the Hoi An Lantern Festival. We believe that it will be a very memorable experience for your holiday in Vietnam.

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