Lantern Boat Ride on the Hoai River Experience and Tips

Hoi An lantern boat ride is one of the most memorable experiences you shouldn’t miss when visiting the ancient town. As night falls, the Hoai River comes alive with hundreds of colorful lanterns, creating a romantic and magical atmosphere. A lantern boat ride allows you to admire the beauty of Hoi An from the water while taking part in the local tradition of releasing paper lanterns for good luck. In this guide, VM Car will share everything you need to know about the Hoi An lantern boat ride, including ticket prices, the best time to visit, and helpful travel tips for an unforgettable experience.

What is the Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride?

Hoai River is just a small branch of Thu Bon River, flowing to Cua Dai beach. Apparently, for the local people in Hoi An, the Hoai River has been attached to this land for many generations and is inseparable. Then, local people have had an idea that is to combine boat trips and taking tourists to visit.

Lantern Boat Ride is just simple: small wooden boats with one rower and decorated with a few lanterns. This boat will take you to a section of the Hoai River to admire the beauty of Hoi An.

Best time to take the Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride

March to September will be the most ideal time for you to take the Hoi An lantern boat ride to fully admire the beauty of Hoi An Ancient Town. Because this is the dry season, the weather will be sunny, cloudy, and no rain.

For an even more magical experience, consider taking a Hoi An lantern boat ride on the 14th day of the lunar month, when the famous Hoi An Lantern Festival takes place. On this special evening, electric lights are dimmed, and the ancient town is illuminated by thousands of colorful lanterns hanging from streets, shops, restaurants, and historic buildings. The glowing reflections on the Hoai River create a truly enchanting atmosphere, making it one of the best times to enjoy a lantern boat ride and experience the timeless charm of Hoi An.

How to get to Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride?

Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride usually takes place in the old town area, located right on Bach Dang and Chu Van An streets. You can park your vehicle outside the Hoi An Ancient Town and go disperse toward the Japanese Covered Bridge.

After that, you can take a short distance, park your vehicle outside the Hoi An Ancient Town, and go disperse toward the Japanese Covered Bridge. and you will reach the Hoi An bridge area. This is the area with the busiest concentration of passenger boats.

There will be many boats; you do not need to book the Hoi An lantern boat trip in advance. Then, if you like any boat, you should ask about the price before booking a boat. After booking a lantern boat ride, you can fully admire the beauty of Hoi An Ancient Town and enjoy the release paper lantern experience.

Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride Cost and Opening Time

Hoi An Lantern boat ride price 

The ticket price to go to the lantern boat ride in Hoi An will depend on the number of people you want to go.

• From 1 to 3 people: 150,000 VND/trip/20 minutes (not include paper lantern)
• From 4 to 5 people: 200,000 VND/trip/20 minutes (not include paper lantern)

Moreover, if you want to buy paper lantern to release, you can pay from 5,000 to 15,000 VND for one.

Hoi An Lantern boat ride opening time

The Hoi An lantern boat ride here operates from early morning to night, but the busiest time is still in the afternoon from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

Other activities in Hoi An at night

Explore Hoi An Ancient Town

Exploring Hoi An Ancient Town on foot is one of the experiences you simply shouldn’t miss. As you stroll along the peaceful Hoai River, you’ll be immersed in the town’s timeless charm, with beautifully preserved historic buildings, narrow streets lined with colorful lanterns, and a lively atmosphere filled with local cafés, shops, and street performers. Every corner offers a glimpse into Hoi An’s rich cultural heritage and makes for wonderful photo opportunities. Along the way, don’t forget to stop by the iconic Japanese Covered Bridge, the city’s most famous landmark and a lasting symbol of Hoi An’s history and beauty.

Enjoy Hoi An Lantern Festival

One of the most magical experiences in the ancient town is the Hoi An Lantern Festival, held on the 14th day of every lunar month. On this special evening, thousands of colorful lanterns illuminate the streets, riverside, shops, and historic buildings, transforming the town into a breathtaking sea of lights. Visitors can stroll through the lantern-filled streets, admire the peaceful beauty of the Hoai River, and enjoy the lively yet romantic atmosphere that has made this UNESCO World Heritage Site one of Vietnam’s most enchanting destinations.

In addition to admiring the beautiful Hoi An lantern displays, visitors can enjoy traditional music performances, folk games, cultural activities, and religious ceremonies throughout the festival. It’s a wonderful opportunity to experience the town’s rich heritage, local traditions, and unique charm while witnessing one of the most iconic cultural celebrations in Vietnam.

Explore street foods paradise

Address: Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Street, Hoi An City, Quang Nam

Hoi An’s culinary scene is as vibrant as its lantern-lit streets. This old town has many kinds of delectable food for you to taste at night. Try “Cao Lau” – a traditional Hoi An noodle dish, made with local herbs and served with slices of succulent pork.

Additionally, you can savor the famous “Mi Quang” or “Banh Mi”, which are featured dishes in Hoi An. With fresh ingredients and specific recipes, these foods will leave you craving and enjoy.

Play Bai Choi

Bai Choi is not only just a card game; it’s also an interactive and engaging way to experience Vietnamese culture and tradition. You can gather with the local people and visitors to play this traditional game. This traditional game combines many elements, such as music, singing, acting, and chance.

Watch water puppet show

The last thing to do in Hoi An at night is watch the water puppet show. Immerse yourself in the captivating world of Vietnamese folklore and tradition by attending a water puppet show in the charming town of Hoi An.

As the curtains rise, the puppets emerge on the water, bringing to life a series of captivating stories that depict scenes from rural Vietnamese life, legends, and historical events. This is a wonderful show that you cannot miss whenever you come to Hoi An.

How to get to Hoi An

There will be many kinds of vehicle for tourists to come to Hoi An such as:

Private car: A Da Nang private car is the best choice for tourists. It makes it an ideal day trip for those staying in Da Nang. A driver will pick you up and drop you off at your hotel. You just simply take a seat, relax, and come to the old town with a private car before we come to Hoi An. You can book a private car from Da Nang to Hoi An with VM Car for the most comfortable experience.

Motorbike: If you want a budget trip, you can rent a motorbike. This option allows travelers to embark on a scenic journey to Hoi An. Additionally, you will see the natural landscapes along the streets.

Taxi: You can easily hire a taxi to transport to Hoi An. However, you should choose a reputable taxi company for your trip to this forest.

Conclusion

A Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride is a magical experience you shouldn’t miss when visiting the ancient town. As you glide along the Hoai River, you’ll have the chance to admire the enchanting beauty of Hoi An Ancient Town at night and release colorful paper lanterns for good luck at an affordable price. Be sure to add this memorable activity to your Hoi An travel itinerary. VM Car hopes this guide has provided you with useful information about one of Hoi An’s most unique and unforgettable experiences, helping you plan a truly memorable visit.