Top 5 activities in lantern festival hoi an năm 2024

Hoi An Lantern Festival is one of the interesting cultural activities of the people of the old town. We can’t talk about Hoi An without mentioning the old town’s sparkling nights during the brilliant lantern festival, especially on the full-moon night of the Mid-Autumn Festival.

This has become a highlight of the town that takes place every month and appeals to many tourists once they have the opportunity to travel to Hoi An

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Origins of the Hoi An Lantern Festival

During the 16th and 17th centuries, Hoi An was one of Southeast Asia’s busiest trading ports and a popular destination for many international traders, particularly Chinese and Japanese ones. They created a business, came here to exchange goods, and brought lanterns to hang in front of their homes. As the time passed, locals imitated them and hung lanterns in front of their houses as a prayer for good luck.

Top 5 activities in lantern festival hoi an năm 2024
Origins of the Hoi An Lantern Festival

Even now, this cultural influence is still present. In 1988, the local authorities made the decision to hold a lantern festival each month that coincides with the celebration of the full moon. This is one of Hoi An’s distinctive festivals and events that has drawn both local and international visitors’ attention. Every month on the 14th day of the lunar calendar, Hoi An ancient town becomes splendid and vibrant with lights and interesting activities.

Why does Hoi An celebrate with a lantern festival?

Top 5 activities in lantern festival hoi an năm 2024
Hoi An Lantern Festival Fullmmon – Hanoi Explore Travel

The lantern festival in the ancient town of Hoi An is held in order to maintain the cultural beauty of the locals. The lanterns also stand for peace and bring luck to every home. When visiting Hoi An, many visitors love taking part in the tradition of releasing lanterns on the Hoai river. The lanterns with glittering candles bear their wishes and prayers for good things and happiness in life.

Hoi An Lantern Festival Dates 2023

Year Month Hoi An Lantern Festival Dates 2023

  • September
  • September 28th, 2023
  • October
  • October 28th, 2023
  • November
  • November 26th, 2023
  • December
  • December 26th, 2023

Hoi An Lantern Festival Dates 2024

Year Month Hoi An Lantern Festival Dates

  • January
  • January 24th, 2024
  • February
  • February 23rd, 2024
  • March
  • March 23rd, 2024 2024
  • April
  • April 22nd, 2024
  • May
  • May 21st, 2024
  • June
  • June 19th, 2024
  • July
  • July 19th, 2024
  • August
  • August 17th, 2024
  • September
  • September 16th, 2024
  • October
  • October 16th, 2024
  • November
  • November 14th, 2024
  • December
  • December 14th, 2024

When does the Hoi An lantern festival take place?

  • The Hoi An Lantern Festival is held on the 14th day of every lunar month, and is most beautiful on the night of the Mid-autumn day. On the day of the festival, traffic in and out of town is restricted. Lights in houses, shops, and restaurants will be turned off, and Hoi An locals will hang colorful lanterns on their front porches.
  • The entire neighborhood is shimmering and magical in red, blue, and yellow colors that stream through the little and charming alleyways. Under the full moon, the ancient town with its mossy roofs and colorful winding roads looks more beautiful. Despite the lack of power, it is possible to feel warm but not stuffy. It may be said that any visitor coming here this time will undoubtedly feel lost in the old Hoi An scenario.
    Top 5 activities in lantern festival hoi an năm 2024
    Best time to explore Hoi An Lantern Festival

What are the most intriguing things to do during the Hoi An Lantern Festival?

Immerse yourself in the poetic old town. If you are planning a trip to Da Nang – Hoi An, you should consider the time and your schedule to attend the Hoi An lantern festival.

On these days, from around 5 p.m to 10 p.m every day, the traffic stops, the stores and houses turn out the lights, and the entire neighborhood gets filled with the colors of hundreds of vibrant lanterns under the glittering full moon. The poetic charm of the old town makes tourists feel both thrilled and peaceful. This is also the moment to save yourself amazing “virtual-living” pictures.

Release floating lanterns into the Hoai River

  • The most anticipated festival activity is the release of lanterns on the Hoai River. Each lantern, according to the local notion and culture, is a prayer for health, good things, and the removal of all sorrow and suffering. Visitors can buy lanterns for 5,000 VND each on both sides of the river. Then you will be guided to participate in the Hoi An lantern festival, which includes many exciting experiences.
    Top 5 activities in lantern festival hoi an năm 2024
    Release floating lanterns into the Hoai River

Enjoy the one-of-a-kind art performances with your own eyes

  • If you visit Hoi An during the festival time, there are many activities here that will undoubtedly delight you. Aside from hanging and releasing lanterns, visitors can also witness art performances such as lion dances, folk dances, and so on, or engage in traditional games such as tug of war, chess, and sing traditional Bai Choi songs.
    Top 5 activities in lantern festival hoi an năm 2024
    Hoi An lantern festival is one of the most important Hoi An festivals

Enjoy the culinary culture of Hoi An

  • Culinary experience is another tourism activity that many people are interested in when visiting a new country. In Hoi An, don’t miss the delectable dishes, including Cao Lau, Quang noodles, and Hoi An shrimp sauce. All kinds of Hoi An delicacies are cheap and can be found at roadside shops or famous Hoi An restaurants.
    Top 5 activities in lantern festival hoi an năm 2024
    Ejnoy Special Food in Hoi An Ancient Town

What should you keep in mind when taking part in the Hoi An Lantern Festival?

  • The Lantern Festival in Hoi An takes place every month, but it’s most crowded during the Mid-Autumn Festival. To make your visit more convenient, please keep the followings in mind: Due to the large number of visitors during the festival, you should arrive early to secure an ideal spot with the best view.
  • Hoi An is really lovely and shimmering at night, however there isn’t enough light to capture the best shots. If you want to take excellent shots, you should have some photography lighting equipment with you.

Top 5 activities in lantern festival hoi an năm 2024

  • The Hoi An lantern festival is at its most vibrant and spectacular during the full moon in lunar January and the Mid-Autumn Festival. Vehicles are not permitted to circulate throughout the festival; therefore, you should wear shoes or sandals to walk comfortably.
  • Culinary experience is another tourism activity that many people are interested in when visiting a new country. In Hoi An, don’t miss the delectable dishes, including Cao Lau, Quang noodles, and Hoi An shrimp sauce. All kinds of Hoi An delicacies are cheap and can be found at roadside shops or famous Hoi An restaurants.

Where to buy Hoi An lanterns? What is the price?

Top 5 activities in lantern festival hoi an năm 2024
Hoi An Lantern Festival on River

Hoi An lanterns come in a variety of designs, materials, and colors. When visitors come to Hoi An, many choose to buy lanterns as souvenirs. Here are several recommended places in Hoi An to buy lanterns:

  • Vietnamese Lantern Workshop: No.57 Ba Trieu Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An city, Quang Nam.
  • Huynh Van Ba Lantern Workshop: No.15A, Phan Dinh Phung Street, Hoi An city, Quang Nam.
  • Ha Linh Lantern Workshop: No.72, Tran Nhan Tong street, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An city, Quang Nam.

In addition to large workshops, you can also buy lanterns on some streets such as: Nguyen Thai Hoc, Nguyen Hue, Le Loi, Tran Phu… The price of lanterns usually ranges from 15,000 – 150,000 VND/piece, depending on the size, color, shape. Custom lantern designs are also available, but the cost is typically higher

What happens at the Hoi An Lantern Festival?

The main highlight of the Hoi An Lantern Festival is the release of floating lanterns on the Thu Bon River. Visitors and locals purchase small lanterns, make a wish, and release them onto the river, creating a stunning visual spectacle as the lanterns float downstream.

Where is the best place to see the Hoi An Lantern Festival?

The Lantern Festival centers on the area near the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Cau An Hoi Bridge (aka the Lantern Bridge) in the Ancient Town. Crowds spill across to An Hoi Islet and are dense around the Cau An Hoi Bridge itself. The 'wish lanterns' and the street performances are most prominent here.

What are the traditions of the Lantern Festival?

Varieties of lanterns are hung in the streets and children make their own to show off in village parades. Other traditions include posting riddles on the lanterns for people to decipher.

Are there lanterns every night in Hoi An?

Stop for a stunning photo – Hoi An at night As usual, after 6 pm every night, the whole city will be dipped into the warm honey color of thousands of lanterns magically lit and twinkling floating lotus candlelight paper lanterns floating along Hoai River.