Hoi An Lantern Festival Guide 2026 to 2027: Full Moon Dates, Night Boat Rides and Best Tours
Every month on the 14th night of the lunar calendar, and most spectacularly during the Mid Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu), Hoi An Ancient Town switches off its modern electric streetlights. The entire UNESCO World Heritage town descends into an ethereal, golden sea of handmade silk lanterns, floating river candles, traditional folk games, and lion dance drumbeats. Here is everything you need to know to experience the magic without tourist traps.
Hoai River at Twilight
Hundreds of glowing candlelit sampan boats reflecting on the calm river water.
Japanese Covered Bridge (Chua Cau)
The 400 year old architectural landmark restored and illuminated for full moon night.
An Hoi Lantern Night Market
Artisans display rainbow silk lanterns crafted from traditional bamboo frames.
Mid Autumn Festivities (Tet Trung Thu)
Traditional mooncakes, lion dances, and jasmine tea celebrations under the full moon.
Fast Facts and Trip Planning Snapshot
2026 to 2027 Season3 Things You Must Prepare Before Entering Vietnam
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In This Ultimate Guide
- 1. Full Moon Dates Calendar for 2026 and 2027
- 2. Getting from Da Nang to Hoi An
- 3. What Happens on Festival Night
- 4. Ancient Town Navigation and Heritage Tickets
- 5. Hoai River Boat Ride and Flower Lanterns
- 6. Top Experiences and Klook Live Deals
- 7. Street Food, Mooncakes and Rooftop Bars
- 8. Photography Spots and Scam Prevention
- 9. Frequently Asked Questions
- 10. Verified Partner Booking Hub
1. Hoi An Lantern Festival Dates for 2026 and 2027
Many visitors mistakenly believe the lantern festival occurs only once per year. In reality, there are two types of lantern festivals in Hoi An:
Takes place every month on the 14th day of the lunar month. Motorized traffic is prohibited in the Ancient Town, neon signs are replaced by traditional silk lanterns, and river sampan boats launch glowing paper lanterns onto the Hoai River.
Held on the 14th and 15th days of the 8th lunar month (September 24 to 25 in 2026, and September 14 to 15 in 2027). This is Vietnam biggest lantern extravaganza with lion dance championships, mooncake feasts, and thousands of festival goers.
| Lunar Month | 2026 Solar Date | 2027 Solar Date | Special Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Moon (Tet Nguyen Tieu) | March 3, 2026 | February 20, 2027 | First full moon of the Lunar New Year |
| 4th Moon (Vesak or Buddha Birthday) | May 30, 2026 | May 19, 2027 | Sacred lotus flower lanterns released at temples |
| 7th Moon (Vu Lan or Hungry Ghost) | August 26, 2026 | August 16, 2027 | Filial piety blessings and ancestor rituals |
| 8th Moon (Grand Mid Autumn Festival) | Sept 24 to 25, 2026 | Sept 14 to 15, 2027 | Peak Festival: Lion dances, mooncakes and fireworks |
| 12th Moon (Year End Full Moon) | January 21, 2027 | January 10, 2028 | Preparation for Tet Lunar New Year |
2. How to Get from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An
Hoi An has no airport or commercial train station. Over 90% of travelers fly into Da Nang International Airport (DAD) or arrive at Da Nang Railway Station, then make the straightforward 30 km journey south to Hoi An:
| Transport Mode | Travel Time | Approx Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared Limousine Van (9 seater) | 40 to 45 min | $4 to $6 USD | Solo travelers and budget duos, hotel drop off included. |
| Private Car Airport Transfer | 35 min | $12 to $18 USD total | Families and groups with luggage, door to door comfort. |
| Grab Car or App Taxi | 35 to 40 min | $11 to $15 USD | On demand arrivals, prices surge during peak evening rain. |
| Motorbike Rental | 45 min | $5 to $7 USD each day | Confident riders enjoying the coastal Vo Nguyen Giap road. |
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3. What Unfolds on Festival Night (Timeline and Traditions)
When festival night arrives, Hoi An Ancient Town transforms into a walking only pedestrian sanctuary from 5:00 PM onward. Here is what happens from late afternoon until midnight:
Pedestrian Zone Enforced and Craft Stalls Open
Motorbikes and scooters are barred from entering the Old Quarter. Riverside flower stalls and paper lantern crafters take their spots along Bach Dang Street and Nguyen Thai Hoc. This is the optimal time to browse before crowds pack the streets.
The Great Electric Light Switch Off (Tat Den)
As twilight settles over the river, businesses and residents turn off modern electric lighting, fluorescents, and TV screens. Thousands of handcrafted silk lanterns, hanging overhead and across shop facades, ignite in warm vermilion, saffron, and amber tones.
Lion Dances, Bai Choi Folk Singing and Drumming
The air fills with thunderous drums and cymbals as youth lion dance troupes (Mua Lan) parade from shop to shop to bestow prosperity. Near An Hoi Bridge, crowd circles gather for Bai Choi, UNESCO inscribed traditional musical bingo games full of banter and laughs.
Peak Candlelit Sampan Boat Floats on Hoai River
The Hoai River becomes an enchanted dreamscape. Wooden sampans row steadily through the mirrored waters while thousands of glowing paper wish lanterns (Hoa Dang) drift along the current, carrying prayers for health, peace, and good fortune.
4. Ancient Town Navigation, Tickets and Heritage Access
Hoi An compact layout makes it extraordinarily pedestrian friendly. Here is how to navigate the town efficiently during the high crowd festival evening:
Walking Route Strategy
Begin at Tran Phu Street (the oldest commercial artery), walk past the Chinese Assembly Halls, cut down to Nguyen Thai Hoc, and conclude along Bach Dang Riverside facing An Hoi Islet. Cross the footbridge to An Hoi for street snacks and craft vendors.
Crowd Avoidance Tip
Between 7:30 PM and 8:45 PM, the Japanese Bridge area and An Hoi Footbridge reach maximum congestion. Head to smaller parallel alleys such as Phan Chu Trinh or the quiet eastern stretch of Bach Dang for peaceful lantern photo opportunities.
Strolling through the outdoor streets and enjoying the river lanterns is completely free. However, if you plan to visit historical buildings (such as Tan Ky Ancestral House, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Duc An Old House, or the museum at the Japanese Bridge), you are required to buy an official entrance ticket.
- Ticket Price: 120,000 VND (about $5 USD) for international travelers, valid for 5 designated heritage sites.
- Where to Buy: Official ticketing booths located at the main entry gates (Tran Phu, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai, Bach Dang).
- Validity: The ticket remains valid throughout your entire stay in Hoi An.
5. Hoai River Sampan Boat Ride and Floating Lantern Release
Gliding along the Hoai River in a hand rowed wooden sampan while lighting a wish lantern is the definitive Hoi An memory. In recent years, local authorities have regulated the boat piers to protect tourists from touts and inflated pricing:
6. Best Hoi An and Da Nang Experiences (Book in Advance)
Because Hoi An is visited by tens of thousands of travelers during lantern nights and festival weekends, on site ticket counters for major shows, day trips, and workshops routinely sell out. Booking your activities through Klook guarantees instant mobile confirmation, priority seating tiers, and best price guarantees.
Hoi An Memories Show and Impression Theme Park
Vietnam record breaking outdoor cultural spectacle with 500 actors, stunning hydro stage visual effects, and 400 years of Hoi An maritime history.
Cam Thanh Coconut Forest Basket Boat Tour
Cruise through waterways in traditional bamboo round coracle basket boats, witness acrobatic boat spinning performances, and try purple crab fishing with local fishermen.
Authentic Hoi An Silk Lantern Making Workshop
Learn the ancestral art of shaping bamboo ribs and wrapping genuine Vietnamese silk from a local artisan. Take home your very own collapsible silk lantern as an unforgettable keepsake.
Ba Na Hills and Golden Bridge Day Tour from Hoi An
Combine your Hoi An trip with Sun World Ba Na Hills. Walk across the world famous Golden Bridge cradled by giant stone hands, ride world record cable cars, and explore French Village.
Top Rated Hoi An & Da Nang Activities
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7. Festival Street Food, Traditional Mooncakes and Rooftop Bars
A festival night in Hoi An is equally a culinary adventure. Make sure you indulge in both seasonal festival treats and regional Quang Nam specialties:
Authentic Mooncakes (Banh Trung Thu)
During Mid Autumn season, local bakeries along Tran Hung Dao and Phan Chu Trinh bake fresh baked mooncakes (Banh Nuong) and sticky white snow skin mooncakes (Banh Deo). Signature fillings include lotus seed paste, salted duck egg yolks, and sweet mung bean. Pair with hot jasmine or lotus tea ($1 to $3 each).
Iconic Cao Lau and White Rose Dumplings
Do not leave without tasting Cao Lau (smoky pork noodle bowl made with water drawn from the ancient thousand year old Ba Le well) and Banh Bao Banh Vac (translucent White Rose shrimp dumplings). Best local spots: Quan Cao Lau Thanh and Bong Hong Trang.
Rooftop Bars with Lantern River Views
For elevated panoramic views of the lantern filled Hoai River away from street jostling, secure an outdoor terrace table by 5:30 PM. Top choices: The Cargo Club Rooftop (Bach Dang), Faifo Coffee Terrace (Tran Phu), and Market Terrace Bar. Cocktails run $3 to $6 USD.
An Hoi Night Market Street Snacks
Cross the footbridge to An Hoi Night Market for grilled lemongrass pork skewers wrapped in rice paper (Nem Lui), mini Vietnamese crispy pancakes (Banh Xeo), grilled quail eggs in tin dishes, and sweet mango soup.
8. Photography Spots and Scam Prevention Guide
Best Photography Locations
- An Hoi Bridge Footbridge: Captures the iconic panorama of the river reflection and candlelit sampans from an elevated angle.
- Silk Lantern Alleys on Nguyen Thai Hoc: Low aperture (f/1.8 to f/2.8) portraits surrounded by glowing multicolored lanterns.
- Sampan Water Level: Ask your boat driver to briefly pause near the center canal for clean reflections of the illuminated ancient shophouses.
Common Scams and How to Avoid Them
- Overpriced Boat Touts: Unofficial touts near the bridge may demand 400,000 to 500,000 VND. Politely decline and walk to the official signposted ticketing pier (150,000 VND).
- Fake Lantern Photo Fees: Lantern shops on An Hoi market allow photos if you purchase a lantern or tip 10,000 VND ($0.40). Ask politely before posing inside displays.
- Pickpocket Awareness: Keep phones and wallets in zipped front pockets when navigating packed bottlenecks near the Japanese Bridge.
Vietnam Travel Essentials Checklist
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9. Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Hoi An Lantern Festival take place? ▼
The Hoi An Lantern Festival happens monthly on the 14th day of the lunar month when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. In addition, the grandest celebration of the year is the Mid Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu), held on the 14th and 15th days of the 8th lunar month (September 24 to 25 in 2026, and September 14 to 15 in 2027).
How much does a candlelit boat ride on the Hoai River cost? ▼
The official regulated price for a traditional wooden sampan boat ride is 150,000 VND (about $6 USD) for 1 to 3 passengers, and 200,000 VND (about $8 USD) for 4 to 5 passengers for a 20 minute cruise. Floating paper flower lanterns (Hoa Dang) with candles cost around 10,000 to 20,000 VND ($0.50 to $1 USD) each.
Do I need a ticket to enter Hoi An Ancient Town? ▼
Walking through the public streets, dining at cafes, and walking along the riverfront of Hoi An Ancient Town is completely free. However, if you wish to enter historical relics (such as the Japanese Covered Bridge interior, Chinese Assembly Halls, and preserved merchant homes), you must purchase a heritage sightseeing entrance ticket for 120,000 VND (about $5 USD), which grants access to 5 designated attractions.
How do I get to Hoi An from Da Nang International Airport? ▼
Hoi An is located approximately 30 km south of Da Nang (about 40 to 50 minutes). You can take a shared shuttle limousine van ($4 to $6 USD), pre book a private car on 12Go Asia or Klook ($12 to $18 USD per car), or hail a Grab taxi ($10 to $15 USD).
What is the best time of evening to visit for the lanterns? ▼
Arrive by 4:30 PM to 5:00 PM before motorized vehicles are banned and while daylight is soft for daytime photography. Electric streetlights are switched off around 6:00 PM to 6:30 PM, and the town is fully illuminated by glowing silk lanterns and river candles between 7:00 PM and 9:30 PM.
Should I book the Hoi An Memories Show in advance? ▼
Yes, especially during full moon weekends and festival dates. The Hoi An Memories Show is Vietnam premier 500 cast outdoor cultural performance. Booking through Klook guarantees prime seating tiers and allows you to skip ticket line queues with an instant mobile e-voucher.
Ready to Experience the Magic of Hoi An?
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