A country known for its natural wonders, lively streets, and delicious food, Vietnam offers new adventures and experiences everywhere you go. Here, you can easily lose track of time as you travel around Ho Chi Minh on a scooter, enjoy a leisurely day trip to Halong Bay to see emerald waters and limestone formations, or feast on local delicacies like nem (fried spring rolls) or bun cha (grilled pork with vermicelli noodles).
But no trip to Vietnam would be complete without immersing yourself in the local culture, such as witnessing the beauty of Hoi An’s silk lanterns. One of the most famous traditions in the country, the Hoi An lanterns offer a one-of-a-kind experience that many consider to be a must for anyone visiting Vietnam.
Read on below to know more about the famous Hoi An lanterns, with Klook-exclusive tips on the best times to see them and how to avoid crowds.
The History of the Hoi An Lanterns
See hundreds of colorful Hoi An lanterns as you walk along Nguyen Phuc Chu Street
Hoi An lanterns are traditional silk and bamboo lanterns that originated all the way back in the 16th century. Made with expensive material and intricate designs, only wealthy merchants used them in the past, who hung these lanterns outside of their homes as decorations and wishes for good fortune.
However, throughout the years, Hoi An lanterns became a widely cherished local craft and cultural symbol. Nowadays, you can pretty much find them everywhere through Hoi An Old Town! Some of our favourite viewing locations for Hoi An lanterns are
- Nguyen Hoang Night Market: A perfect first stop if you’re also planning to buy your own lantern souvenir.
- Nguyen Phuc Chu Street: Also called Hoi An Lantern Street, this is where you’ll see the most lanterns in the entirety of Hoi An.
- Ho Ai River: An ideal location for lantern-viewing, especially if you have plans to try the Hoi An lanterns river boat ride and release floating lanterns downstream.
- The Japanese Bridge: A short bridge over the Thu Bon River, this iconic landmark is another great location for watching the floating lanterns.
Klook Tip: Hoi An lanterns come in a wide variety of styles and colors, each with different meanings. Some examples include:
• Red: luck and happiness
• Yellow: wealth and success
• Blue: peace
• Green: health and growth
• Pink: love and romance
Best Time to Visit Hoi An to See the Lanterns
Hop on a boat and release lanterns downstream along with your wishes for good fortune
For a truly special experience, we recommend attending the Hoi An Lantern Festival, which takes place once a month on the night of the full moon. During this time, you’ll see more lanterns than usual, as all the local families will hang at least one lantern to decorate their homes. The electric lights in the area will also be switched off, and the streets will be fully lit up with the lanterns, which creates an unforgettable spectacle. There are also more activities available such as folk performances and other traditional arts.
Klook Tip:
The last Hoi An Lantern Festival for 2025 will take place on 3 December, while in 2026, the festival will be held on the following dates:
• 2 January
• 1 February
• 2 March
• 1 April
• 30 May
• 28 June
• 27 July
• 26 August
• 24 September
• 23 October
• 22 November
• 22 December
However, if you’re unable to attend the Hoi An Lantern Festival or simply wish to avoid the crowds, then you can visit outside of the festival days instead. Though there’ll be fewer lanterns, you’ll still see plenty as you walk around the streets of Hoi An.
How to Celebrate the Hoi An Lantern Festival
Try out banh xeo (crispy rice pancakes) and other Hoi An delicacies at the riverside restaurants.
During the Hoi An Lantern Festival, you’ll get to experience some limited-time events such as:
- Watching traditional performances: Catch classical dances and performances of Vietnamese folk songs, often played with traditional instruments.
- Trying local delicacies from riverside stalls and restaurants: Feast on local specialties such as cao lau (braised pork noodle bowl), banh bao vac (white rose dumplings), and banh xeo (crispy rice pancakes).
- Releasing Hoi An lanterns on the river: The highlight of the festival, locals and tourists alike float hundreds of silk lanterns down the Ho Ai River with hopes for luck, wealth, love, and happiness.
Klook tip: While lanterns are readily available from vendors along the river, queueing for the boat ride may take a long time due to the crowd. We recommend buying tickets for the Ho Ai River boat ride in advance for a hassle-free experience.
If your visit doesn’t line up with a festival date, there are also plenty of other events you can try, such as
- Craft workshops: Hoi An lantern-making workshops teach you how to make your own lantern and make for a cute souvenir. You’ll have the option of either using premade materials for an easier session or making a lantern completely from scratch if you’re looking for a fully authentic experience.
- Shopping at the local night markets: Roam the stalls of Nguyen Hoang Night Market for unique gifts like handcrafted jewelry, clothing, shoes, lanterns, and even pottery from Thanh Ha Pottery Village. If you’re a foodie, you should also stop by Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa Food Night Market for a taste of local specialties.
Learn how to make your very own Hoi An lantern by joining a lantern-making workshop.
5 Essential Tips for your Visit to Hoi An
- Bring cash: While some street vendors and stalls at the night markets accept other forms of payment, most still use cash. We recommend carrying small bills for convenience.
- Arrive early: The lanterns may be at their best at night, but there’s still plenty of things to do in Hoi An. This also helps you avoid peak hours (typically from 7:30pm to 9:00pm) and ensures that you arrive before some of the stalls close at 9:00pm.
- Wear comfortable shoes: You’ll be doing a lot of walking around Hoi An, so comfy sneakers or other similar footwear are a must.
- Visit restaurants with balconies for a bird’s-eye view: Some restaurants in the area offer balcony seating with spectacular views of the sunset, along with the lantern-lit streets and the Hoai River at night. This can give you some of the best angles for your photos.
- Reserve in advance: Hoi An can get pretty busy, especially if you’re visiting during the Lantern Festival. Try to reserve your lantern-making workshops, your boat cruise, or your dinner table so you’re not wasting time queuing up.
Now that you know everything you need to plan your visit to see the Hoi An lanterns, it’s time to get back to planning the rest of your Vietnam itinerary. Before you go, make sure you have all the essentials, like your Vietnam eSIM, accommodations in Hoi An or nearby Da Nang, and more, all available on Klook. Bon voyage!
FAQs
What are the Hoi An lanterns?
Hoi An lanterns are traditional silk and bamboo lanterns known for their colorful and intricate designs. Each one of them represents a wish or prayer from the person who owns the lantern, which symbolizes different things such as luck, happiness, prosperity, and more, depending on the color.
Hoi An lanterns are a key aspect of local traditions and have become popular attractions for tourists who want to take part in Vietnamese cultural practices. We recommend visiting the area at night to see it at its best, especially when the famous Hoi An Lantern Festival is taking place.
When is the best time to see the Hoi An lanterns?
For taking pictures, the best time to see the Hoi An lanterns is during the Hoi An Lantern Festival, which takes place once a month on the night of the full moon. There’ll be more lanterns than usual, and the electric lights will be switched off so the streets are fully lit by silk lanterns, making for a magical sight. You’ll also get to partake in some limited-time events, such as watching traditional performances and trying local cuisine at riverside restaurants.
If you wish to avoid the crowds, however, then we recommend visiting Hoi An outside of the festival days instead. Though there’ll be fewer lanterns, you’ll still see plenty by walking along Nguyen Hoang Night Market and Nguyen Phuc Chu Street.
Are there special lantern festivals or full moon events in Hoi An that tourists shouldn’t miss?
Tourists definitely shouldn’t miss the Hoi An Lantern Festival, a once-a-month event in Hoi An where you can see the lanterns at their best. During this time, electric lights are switched off, and the streets are fully lit by silk lanterns. Special full moon-only events also take place, such as traditional performances.
Other year-round events involving the Hoi An lanterns include craft workshops, where you make your own lantern, and shopping at night markets.
How often is the Hoi An Lantern Festival held?
The Hoi An Lantern Festival is held once a month, on the 14th day of each lunar month when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. As the exact data changes every month depending on the lunar calendar, it’s best to check in advance if your travel dates coincide with the current month’s festival.
Are there lanterns every night in Hoi An?
Yes, there are lanterns every night in Hoi An. You’ll be able to see these beautiful lanterns at Nguyen Hoang Night Market, Nguyen Phuc Chu Street, and the Japanese Bridge, and even release candle lanterns during a boat ride on the Ho Ai River.
What is Klook?
Klook is a leading pan-regional experiences platform in Asia Pacific, purpose built to digitalize experiences and make them accessible to every traveler.
Our mission is to build the digital infrastructure for the global experience economy — empowering merchants to share their passions and travelers to discover the heartbeat of each destination. We operate a mobile-first, curated platform featuring diverse experiences across global destinations.
✨ Follow us for more deals and inspiration for your upcoming travels
![[Updated] Complete List Of Official Nationwide MCO SOP 2021](https://res.klook.com/image/upload/fl_lossy.progressive,q_85/c_fill,w_160,h_104/v1633858858/blog/iso56uzsphmdguixkvzh.jpg)
![[Updated] Complete List Of Official Nationwide MCO SOP 2021](https://res.klook.com/image/upload/fl_lossy.progressive,q_85/c_fill,w_410,h_264/v1633858858/blog/iso56uzsphmdguixkvzh.jpg)
