Lantern Festival Vietnam 2026: Dates, Locations & Travel Guide

The lantern festivals are celebrated in different parts of Vietnam, but Hoi An is a well-known town for the festival. 

Cities like Hue and Hanoi also light up during some festivals, but the lantern festival in Hoi An has become the most well-known and a cultural highlight of the town. This guide details when to visit and the best experiences in Hoi An during the lantern festival.

What is the Lantern Festival of Vietnam?

The Lantern festival dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries, when Japanese and Chinese traders brought lanterns to Hoi An as part of trade. 

The foreigners hung the lanterns in front of their homes for good luck and prosperity. Later, the locals adopted the lantern custom, and it became the town’s symbol. In 1998, the local government made it a monthly event to preserve the town’s unique identity.

What Does the Lantern Festival in Hoi An Look Like?

Unlike the bustling night markets or streets filled with pubs, this full moon night in Hoi An offers you a less chaotic nightlife experience in Vietnam.

It’s not the sky lanterns, which you usually see in Thai and Chinese festivals. In Hoi An, locals and tourists use paper and silk lanterns, which are floated on the Hoai River. Also, these lanterns light up the roads of the entire Ancient Town. 

During these festive nights, locals switch off the electric lights in Hoi An’s Ancient Town. Then, the entire area, the streets, bridges, and the river get illuminated by the silk lanterns which hang on every building and the trees across the town. 

When is the Vietnam Lantern Festival?

This floating lantern festival in Vietnam is not just a once-in-a-year festival. The lantern festival is held every month on the 14th day of the lunar calendar, during the full moon in Hoi An town. 

Note: The date changes on the lunar calendar each year. Always confirm with your travel organisers or local people. 

Weather Tip: Avoid visiting Hoi An during October, November, or December, as it is the rainy season.

Activities in Hoi An Lantern Festival

The festival starts around 5 pm, with a set of activities planned throughout the evening. This section clearly explains what your evening in Hoi An looks like. 

4:00 pm: Arrive and buy your ticket to Ancient Town. You can walk around the town during the daylight and take pictures near the colourful buildings. 

Visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, and this is the time you can choose where to stand when the lanterns are lit. Buy a floating lantern from the shop on the street. 

Note: This ticket covers heritage sites such as old houses, museums, and assembly halls, which close at 5:30 pm or 6:00 pm. If you want to visit those, come early. 

7:30 pm: The electric lights of the town are shut down, and the lanterns are lit. The streets, bridges, and buildings glow with silk lanterns. 

This is a beautiful setting that most people come to photograph and enjoy the festive time when the river is filled with floating paper lanterns. Then you have Bai Choi performances begin near An Hoi Bridge.

8:30 pm: Get Vietnamese food, like Cao Lau, White Rose Dumplings, and grilled food from the vendors on the street. 

9:00 to 10:00 pm: Take a boat ride on the Hoai River, as they are fully lit with floating lanterns. Around 10 pm, they switch on the street and building lights, and most people leave after 9:30 pm. 

Cost of Attending the Lantern Festival in Vietnam

Best Spots to Watch and Photograph the Lanterns

• Bach Dang Street (Riverside): The best place for watching floating lanterns on the water and taking pictures of the town reflected in the Hoai River.  
• An Hoi Bridge: The central bridge between the Ancient Town and An Hoi Island.
• Japanese Covered Bridge: The most popular landmark in Hoi An. Visit before 6 pm before it gets crowded.
• Nguyen Thai Hoc Street: The less crowded spot where lanterns are lit along the whole alley. 
• Boat: When you are on a boat ride, it is one of the most unique places and times to look around the lit lanterns and the town reflections on the water. 

Tips to Know Before Attending the Lantern Festival

• Arrive before 5 pm, as the town gets crowded and finding a spot near the river is not easy. 
• Bring cash (VND), as most vendors and boat operators do not accept cards or UPI.
• The Ancient Town streets are uneven and not smooth. Heels can be difficult, so wear comfortable shoes.
• Don’t bring large bags, as they’re not easy to carry in crowds and narrow streets. 
• You can stay in Da Nang and travel for 45 minutes to Hoi An for the festival, or book a stay here. 

Conclusion

While some festivals occur only once a year, the Hoi An Lantern Festival is held monthly, making it easy to plan your Vietnam trip with flexibility.

If you need to travel to Vietnam for the festival, plan your itinerary with more interesting activities. So, contact Dimaak Tours to customise your vacation to your liking. 

FAQs on Vietnam’s Lantern Festival 

1. Is there a ticket to attend the lantern festival?

You do not need a ticket, as the festival is free to attend. However, you need to get a ticket for Hoi An Ancient Town at any time of the year. 

2. What does the Hoi An Ancient Town ticket give access to, and how much does it cost?

The ticket costs approximately 480 INR per person. It offers free admission to five famous landmarks in the town, including temples, museums, the Japanese Covered Bridge, and the assembly halls. 

3. When is the Lantern Festival held in Hoi An?

The lantern festival happens every month on the 14th day of the lunar calendar, the evening of the full moon. 

However, even on other days, there are lanterns lit by the shops and by the bridges. Only on the full moon day is it celebrated grandly, and the town minimises the artificial light for 2 – 3 hours at night. 

4. What is Bai Choi?

Bai Choi is a UNESCO-listed Vietnamese card game, accompanied by music and live singing. You can watch the performance for free or participate in it for a fee. 

Varshini IR

With a passion for traveling and storytelling, the job found me for my crazy obsessions. For all the beauty I saw, I was still left wanting more. I guess that's what travel does to you. Now, I am on a quest to discover surreal places and connect with new people. And the longing to know every corner of the world will always be unstoppable for me.

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