WHAT IS THE LANTERN FESTIVAL?
Every full moon (14th day of the lunar month), Hoi An turns off its electric lights. The Ancient Town transforms into a sea of silk lanterns, paper boats carrying candles float down the Thu Bon River, and the streets fill with traditional performances.
It’s not a tourist invention — this tradition dates back centuries, when the town’s Chinese and Japanese merchants honored the full moon. Today, it’s Hoi An’s most photogenic night.
2026 FULL MOON FESTIVAL DATES
| Month | Lunar Date | Western Date |
|---|---|---|
| January | 14th | January 13, 2026 |
| February | 14th | February 12, 2026 |
| March | 14th | March 13, 2026 |
| April | 14th | April 12, 2026 |
| May | 14th | May 11, 2026 |
| June | 14th | June 10, 2026 |
| July | 14th | July 9, 2026 |
| August | 14th | August 8, 2026 |
| September | 14th | September 6, 2026 |
| October | 14th | October 6, 2026 |
| November | 14th | November 4, 2026 |
| December | 14th | December 4, 2026 |
Note: Festival activities start at sunset (~6:00 PM) and run until ~10:00 PM. Arrive by 5:00 PM for best positioning.
WHERE TO EXPERIENCE IT
Japanese Covered Bridge (Chùa Cầu)
The iconic 400-year-old bridge is ground zero for the festival. Locals and tourists gather here for photos as lanterns reflect off the water. It’s beautiful but packed — arrive before 5:30 PM or view from An Hoi Island across the river.
Pro tip: The bridge looks better photographed from the south bank (An Hoi side).
Thu Bon Riverfront
The main stretch along Bach Dang street is where the floating lantern boats launch. For 30,000 VND ($1.20), you can buy a paper lantern, light a candle inside, make a wish, and release it onto the river.
This is the quintessential festival moment. The river fills with hundreds of glowing lanterns drifting downstream. Aim for 7:00–8:00 PM for peak floating activity.
Nguyen Thai Hoc Street
The quieter side of the Ancient Town. Less crowded, more atmospheric. Traditional music performances set up near the old merchant houses. This is where you hear bài chòi (traditional singing) and see children in ao dai.
An Hoi Night Market
Across the bridge from the Ancient Town, this market explodes during full moon nights. Street food, handmade crafts, and 5,000 VND lanterns everywhere. It’s chaotic in the best way.
WHAT TO EAT (FESTIVAL NIGHT PICKS)
Cao Lầu Bà Bé (18 Thai Phien St)
Hoi An’s signature dish — thick rice noodles with barbecued pork, greens, and croutons. The noodles are made with water from a specific local well. You can’t replicate this anywhere else.
Price: 40,000 VND ($1.60)
Hours: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Bánh Mì Phượng (2B Phan Châu Trinh)
Voted “best bánh mì in the world” by various publications. During festival nights, the line snakes down the street. Worth it.
Price: 35,000 VND ($1.40)
Festival night wait: 30–45 minutes
White Rose Restaurant (533 Hai Ba Trung)
Delicate shrimp dumplings shaped like white roses (Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc). Only one family in Hoi An makes them, and every restaurant buys from them.
Price: 50,000 VND ($2)
Chè Bắp (Corn Sweet Soup)
Warm sweet corn soup with coconut milk. Perfect street food for wandering the festival. Carts set up along Nguyen Phuc Chu street.
Price: 15,000 VND ($0.60)
PHOTOGRAPHY TIPS
-
Arrive at golden hour (5:00–6:00 PM) for the transition from daylight to lantern-lit streets.
-
Bring a tripod — or find a wall to brace against. Low light = long exposures.
-
Skip the flash. It kills the ambiance and annoys everyone.
-
Best angles:
- Japanese Bridge from An Hoi Island (south bank)
- River reflections from Bach Dang street
- Looking down Nguyen Thai Hoc street toward the bridge
-
Phone cameras: Use night mode. iPhone and Pixel both handle this well now.
WHAT TO WEAR
- Comfortable shoes. The Ancient Town is pedestrianized during the festival, but cobblestones are uneven.
- Light layers. Evenings can cool down, especially October–February.
- Consider ao dai. Many rental shops offer traditional ao dai for 200,000–400,000 VND. You’ll blend in and get better photos.
AVOIDING THE CROWDS
GO TO THE EDGES
The center (Japanese Bridge, main riverfront) is packed. Walk 10 minutes to the eastern or western ends of the Ancient Town — same lanterns, 1/10th the crowds.
EAT EARLY OR LATE
Restaurants are slammed from 6:00–8:00 PM. Either eat at 5:00 PM (before the crowds arrive) or at 9:00 PM (after they leave for the night market).
STAY OVERNIGHT
Day-trippers from Da Nang leave by 9:00 PM. Stay in the Ancient Town and experience the 10:00 PM quietness — still lantern-lit, but peaceful.
GETTING TO HOI AN
FROM DA NANG (30KM, ~45 MIN)
- Grab car: 200,000–300,000 VND ($8–12)
- Shuttle bus: 100,000 VND ($4) — runs hourly from Da Nang hotels
- Motorbike rental: 120,000 VND/day ($5)
FROM HOI AN AIRPORT
There is no Hoi An airport. Fly into Da Nang (DAD), then transfer.
FROM HUE (130KM, ~3 HRS)
- Tourist bus: 200,000 VND ($8)
- Grab car: 1,200,000 VND ($48)
- Hai Van Pass motorbike: Legendary ride, but not recommended at night
BUDGET FOR FESTIVAL NIGHT
| Item | Cost (VND) | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Ancient Town entry fee | 120,000 | $4.80 |
| Floating lantern release | 30,000 | $1.20 |
| Cao lầu dinner | 40,000 | $1.60 |
| Bánh mì | 35,000 | $1.40 |
| Chè bắp dessert | 15,000 | $0.60 |
| Drinks | 50,000 | $2.00 |
| Total | 290,000 | ~$12 |
NON-FULL MOON NIGHTS
Hoi An is beautiful every night. The lanterns are always lit, the shops are always open, and the river is always scenic. The full moon festival adds traditional performances and floating lanterns, but if your dates don’t align, don’t skip Hoi An.
Pick the right month, not just the right night
Hoi An can be magical year-round, but the overall trip feel changes a lot depending on heat, rain risk, and crowd levels across central Vietnam. If you are still deciding when to come, read this first:
- Best Time to Visit Da Nang and Hoi An (2026 Weather & Decision Guide)
- Da Nang International Fireworks Festival 2026 (DIFF): Dates, Tickets & Best Viewing Spots
2026 dates verified against Vietnamese lunar calendar. Entry fees and restaurant prices as of April 2026.
