Table Of Contents
Introduction
When it comes to Hoi An, we can’t help but think of the glistening old town evenings during the bright Hoi An Lantern Festival, especially on the Mid-Autumn Festival’s full moon night.
It has become a monthly highlight of Hoi An, attracting a large number of visitors whenever they have a chance to visit Hoi An old town.
Hoi An lantern festival history
Hoi An was a major port in the nation throughout the 16 and 17th centuries, bustling with thousands of traders from all over the globe. Japanese and Chinese merchants were also present at that time.
They brought various-shaped lanterns to hang in front of their houses. The locals have begun to emulate it with the hopes of bringing good fortune to their homes. It has contributed to the development of traditional lanterns.
Hoi An lantern has been connected with the historic town’s varied culture. The local administration recognized this and decided to organize Hoi An lantern festival on the full moon of lunar January 1999. Since then, Hoi An old town has become splendid and vibrant monthly on every 14th day of the lunar calendar with bright lights and exciting activities.
When is Hoi An lantern festival take place?
Hoi An Lantern Festival Vietnam takes place every month on the 14th day of the lunar calendar. It is especially the loveliest on the night of mid-autumn. Traffic is prohibited on the day of the celebration.
All homes, businesses, and restaurants will shut down the lights. On the front porches of Hoi An houses, bright lanterns will be hung. The entire area will become glistening and colorful, adorning every corner of Hoi An town.
| Year | Hoi An Lantern Festival Dates |
| 2023 | January 5th, February 4th, March 5th, April 4th, May 3rd, June 1st. |
| July 1st and 31st, August 29th, September 28th, October 28th, November 26th, and December 26th. | |
| 2024 | January 24th, Feb 23rd, March 23rd, April 22nd, May 21st, June 19th. |
| July 19th, August 17th, September 16th, October 16th, November 14th, December 14th. |
Hoi An lantern festival times
Hoi An lantern full moon festival begins quite late, around 8-10 pm. However, most people start to gather in Hoi An Old Town as the darkness falls. They can have supper and unwind with a cup of Vietnamese coffee while waiting for the event to start.
Starting around 8 pm, all of the buildings in the area turn off their lights, allowing the gentle light from such lanterns to illuminate the surrounding area. It will then create a magical scenery that visitors hardly find anywhere else on the planet.
What to do at Hoi An lantern festival?
Dropping paper lanterns on Hoai River
Many tourists choose to drop lanterns into the Hoai River as a fun activity in the full moon lantern festival Hoi An Vietnam. You will easily catch sight boatmen waiting for customers on the riverbank. Once you have already jumped on the boat, they will tell you amazing stories about this historic town during the trip.
You can directly buy paper lanterns from the boatmen. The artisans of the ancient town have created the handcrafted lanterns with great care. It does, however, have a significant meaning, representing love and good fortune. Lanterns are sold at a very low price, ranging from VND 5.000 to 1.000 per piece.
The lanterns emit lights, which create shimmering light patches on the river’s surface. People in Hoi An believe that lighting and dropping those lanterns with a wish will bring their family and relatives luck and happiness.
Listening to Bai Choi singing
Bai Choi, a great folk game from this part of Vietnam, combines music, acting, painting, poetry, and literature. It was invented by local farmers many years ago. It follows a set of rules that combine folk music and card withdrawal.
The songs in the game Bai Choi are about the farmers’ lives and labor, as well as their patriotism and community connection. If you are planning to visit Hoi An monthly lantern festival, do not forget to stop by this folk game to soak up the vibrant atmosphere.
Experiencing unique culinary of Hoi An
Attending Hoi An lantern full moon festival without sampling the local delicacies would be a huge mistake. The first meal you should try is Quang noodles, a popular noodle meal with pork, poultry, and veggies.
Then, there is Hoi An chicken rice, and cauldron cake (made from shrimp, garlic, scallions, lemongrass, and spices). If you are having a break after a long journey, do not miss out on famous street foods like Cao Lau and Phuong bread. All of these dishes are inexpensive. Therefore, you can savor them to the fullest without worrying about the total price.
You may be interested in our Hoi An Street Food Tour
Tips on visiting Hoi An lantern festival
- Hoi An Lantern Festival, which is the largest festival in town, takes place on the full moon of the first lunar month as well as the Mid-Autumn festival. As a result, you should go to Hoi An on such occasions to get the most out of it.
- Locals and tourists would gather on both sides of the river for this famous event. Therefore, you should arrive early to get a nice location with an excellent view of the river.
- To obtain the finest night pictures, bring decent photographic equipment. Remember to keep a watch on your tools and belongings to ensure that nothing falls into the water.
- As vehicles are forbidden and you may have to walk a long distance, you should wear good shoes.
- For around USD 0.5, you can purchase a handcrafted piece of Hoi An lantern.
You will have an unforgettable experience in the old town space filled with colorful lights if you come to Hoi An to participate in Hoi An lantern festival. Don’t wait any longer. Come to Hoi An now to experience the exciting festival for yourself! We ensure that you will not feel any regret.
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