Exploring the Hoi An Lantern Festival: Full Moon Dates, Must-Do Activities & Essential Tips | Vietnam Purple Travel Guide

After you have settled in your hotel, come to Hoi An Ancient town near the Japanese Covered-Bridge (map).
Feel free to explore the Ancient Town on foot before the sun sets (marked green in the map below), and maybe even do part of tomorrow’s in detail Self-Guided Walking tour of Hoi An’s Ancient Town.

Hoi An is absolutely gorgeous at any time of the year, but nothing beats it during Lantern festival. The You can find Hoi An Lantern Festival takes place on the 14th day of each lunar month, when the moon is at its fullest. During this night, Hoi An’s Ancient Town turns off its electric lights and relies solely on lanterns to create an atmosphere that feels like stepping back in time.
There is something almost otherworldly about Hoi An on the night of the Lantern Festival. As the sun sets over the Thu Bồn River, the soft glow of thousands of lanterns begins to illuminate the ancient streets and the water below.

One popular activity during the Lantern Festival after sunset is the release of small paper lanterns, each holding a single candle, into the river. These delicate lanterns can be purchased along the riverbanks or directly from boat vendors, usually for a modest fee of 10,000 to 20,000 VND (about $0.50 to $1 USD). You will see children and adults sell them in woven baskets, each one available in different colors and shapes. It is customary to light your lantern, make a silent wish, and gently place it on the water, where it joins hundreds of others drifting downstream like glowing petals.

Another very popular activity during the festival after sunset is to enjoy the Lantern Festival by taking a Lantern Boat Ride.

And, of course, explore the lantern-filled streets and alleys of the Ancient Town (marked in green on the map below). They are beautiful and very different by day and by night.

Here are some photos that we took:

After your boat ride and exploration of the Ancient Town, you can stroll through Hoi An Night Market (marked red in the map below), where vendors sell handmade lanterns, street food, and local souvenirs.

Here are some photos that we took:

Here at Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides, we promote self-guided walking tours.
But we realize that not everybody likes to walk by themselves in a foreign city. So, just in case that you rather go with ab guide: NO PROBLEM! Please see the Viator tours below.

Lantern Boat Ride During the Hoi An Lantern Festival

After the sun has set, and it is dark, buy a ticket ((map) ) for a Lantern Boat Ride on the Thu Bon River. Among the most iconic ways to experience this monthly festival is the lantern boat ride — a short but unforgettable journey that blends beauty, tradition, and personal reflection.

Boats depart from various docks near An Hội Bridge (map) and Bạch Đằng Street, and prices for a 20min boat ride are at the time of writing:

• 170,000 VND per boat with 1-3 persons

• 220,000 VND per boat with 4-5 persons

Payment is cash-only. Don’t worry, the cashiers and other personnel speak English, but the locals rowing the boat may only speak a few words.
There is likely going to be a line, which will be especially long during the Lantern Festival (the 14th day of every month on the lunar calendar), but the wait is worth it.

Taking a lantern boat ride lets you witness this scene from the heart of the river. The small wooden sampans are rowed by friendly locals, who will help you board and offer a candle-lit lantern to release during your trip. The ride itself lasts around 15 to 20 minutes, and while the distance covered is short, the atmosphere is what makes it unforgettable. Floating beneath lantern-covered bridges and past glowing temples, surrounded by the reflections of light and the soft ripple of the water, feels peaceful and deeply moving.
Though tourism has made the event very commercial in recent years, it has not lost its charm.

For photographers, the Hoi An Lantern Festival is a dream come true. From the boats, you can capture the glowing silhouettes of the buildings, the bright reflections in the water, and the joyful faces of people gathered on the banks. But even without a camera, the moment is worth savoring. There is a collective calm that seems to settle over the town, an unspoken agreement that this night is about beauty, hope, and togetherness.

Here are some photos that we took:

Night Market in Hoi An

(map, reviews)

Located on Nguyen Hoang Street on An Hoi Islet, just across the pedestrian bridge from Hoi An Ancient Town, this lively evening market is one of the top attractions in Hoi An, offering an irresistible mix of street food, handmade lanterns, souvenirs, and a warm, festive atmosphere. Whether you are shopping for local crafts, sampling Vietnamese delicacies, or simply soaking up the glowing lantern-lit ambiance, the Hoi An Night Market is absolutely worth visiting.

A Prime Location Across the River

The Hoi An Night Market stretches for about 0.2 miles (300 m) along Nguyen Hoang Street, making it easy to explore on foot. Its location, just across the An Hoi Bridge from the historic Old Town, makes it especially popular among tourists looking for evening entertainment after visiting temples, museums, or tailor shops during the day.
The market opens around 5pm and stays active until approximately 10pm, though some vendors start packing up earlier. It is best visited after sunset, when the entire area glows with hundreds of colorful silk lanterns, creating a magical scene that is as photogenic as it is culturally immersive.

What to Expect: Food, Lanterns, and Local Goods

One of the biggest draws of the Hoi An Night Market is its variety. More than 50 stalls line the street, selling everything from traditional snacks to souvenirs and artisanal goods. You will find:

• Street food: Vietnamese classics like banh mi, grilled pork skewers, quail eggs, sweet coconut pancakes, and mango sticky rice. Many visitors also seek out Hoi An’s signature dish, Cao Lau (Vietnamese Noodle Bowl), which you can enjoy freshly prepared.

• Handicrafts and souvenirs: Handmade bamboo goods, wood carvings, lacquerware, and custom leather products are popular items, but nowadays there are more and more electronics and their accessories. Local artisans are often on-site, giving you a chance to see the crafting process in action.

• Lantern stalls: Without a doubt, the most iconic part of the market is its silk lantern displays. These are not only for decoration, but they are also for sale. Vendors offer collapsible lanterns in every color, shape, and size, ideal for packing in a suitcase.

• Clothing and accessories: Expect to find embroidered dresses, silk scarves, handmade jewelry, and even customized t-shirts with Vietnamese designs.

Bargaining is expected, but please do it with a smile. Prices are generally affordable, but a little polite haggling can go a long way.

Here are some photos that we took:

Atmosphere: A Lantern-Lit Celebration

What makes the Hoi An Night Market stand out among Vietnam’s many evening markets is the atmosphere. As the sun sets, the market and surrounding riverbank come alive with traditional music performances, lantern-lit boat rides, and crowds of both locals and tourists mingling in the warm night air.
The soft glow of lanterns overhead gives the entire market a romantic and whimsical feel. Many couples visit during the Hoi An Lantern Festival, when electricity is switched off in the Old Town and lanterns take over entirely, for a truly unforgettable experience.
Photographers will find plenty to capture here, especially reflections of the lanterns in the water, close-ups of street food preparation, and candid moments of market life.

Travel Tips for Visiting the Hoi An Night Market

• Go after 6 PM to catch the market at its liveliest.

• Bring cash; I have never seen any night market vendor accept cards.

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Author: Rudy at Backpack and Snorkel

Bio: Owner of Backpack and Snorkel Travel Guides. We create in-depth guides to help you plan unforgettable vacations around the world.

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