The Hoi An Lantern Festival is an occasion to admire the magical beauty of lanterns on the Hoai River and to explore the unique local culture. Join Hoi An Royal Beachfront Villas to discover the highlights of the festival, helping you prepare best for your upcoming journey of exploration.
Discover the origin and meaning of the Hoi An Lantern Festival
The Hoi An Lantern Festival is one of the most distinctive and famous festivals in Hoi An. Held on the 14th day of each lunar month, the festival is not only an occasion for locals to pay tribute to their ancestors but also a time to express hopes and wishes for a peaceful and lucky life.
The festival originates from the traditional customs of the people of Hoi An, where the light from lanterns symbolizes illumination, guiding the way through the darkness. Especially during the festival, the ancient streets of Hoi An become shimmering and mystical, attracting thousands of tourists to visit and experience.
What makes it special is that the festival takes place on full moon nights, when the gentle light from lanterns combines with the quiet atmosphere of the Hoai River, creating a romantic and mysterious ambiance.
When is the Hoi An Lantern Festival 2025 held?
The Hoi An Lantern Festival will be held on the 14th day of each lunar month throughout 2025. Each month, the festival will have its own unique atmosphere, but especially in the 2nd and 8th lunar months, it usually attracts large crowds because this is the time when many special cultural and artistic activities take place.
If you plan to join the Hoi An Lantern Festival 2025, be sure to follow the lunar calendar so you don’t miss the chance to enjoy the mysterious and romantic atmosphere of this ancient city.
5 “Must-Do” Activities When Joining the Hoi An Lantern Festival 2025
When participating in the Hoi An Lantern Festival, you will experience many exciting activities. Below are 5 activities that visitors cannot miss:
Releasing lanterns on the Hoai River
Releasing lanterns on the Hoai River is the most iconic activity of the lantern festival. Lanterns symbolize prayers for a bright, happy, and peaceful life.
Visitors will experience releasing a lantern onto the Hoai River, creating a mystical and poetic scene, and making a wish.. Each lantern floats along the water like a wish sent to heaven, bringing peace to the owner.
Lantern parade
The lantern procession gathers groups of artists, locals, and tourists who carry brightly decorated lanterns as they march through the ancient streets. The lanterns are brightly decorated and colorful, creating a vivid picture under the lights.
This is a wonderful opportunity to admire the beauty of Hoi An’s ancient town in a festive atmosphere and to immerse yourself in the lively spirit of the locals.
Participating in traditional folk games
The lantern festival is not only about ceremonial activities but also features many interesting traditional folk games.
Visitors can join traditional games like tug-of-war, sack races, or clay pot breaking—activities closely linked to the life of the people of Hoi An. These games bring fun moments and help you learn more about the local culture and customs.
Enjoying Hoi An cuisine under lantern light
One of the most delightful experiences at the lantern festival is enjoying Hoi An’s signature cuisine under the soft glow of lanterns.
You will have the chance to taste famous dishes such as cao lau, mi quang, banh bao, banh vac, and many other dishes of Hoi An’s ancient town. Each dish carries the distinct flavor of Central Vietnam, enriching your festival experience.
Taking photos with vibrant lanterns
The lantern festival is the perfect opportunity to capture memorable moments with beautiful photos. You can take photos at iconic locations such as Hoi An ancient town, Hoai River, or riverside cafes and restaurants with romantic settings. Prepare your camera to save beautiful pictures in the colorful lantern space.
Locations and Lantern Release Spots in Hoi An
The Hoi An Lantern Festival takes place throughout the ancient streets in the city center, but the following key locations are ideal places for you to join and enjoy the special atmosphere of the festival:
- Hoai River: This is the perfect spot to release lanterns, creating a poetic and romantic space. Especially, this area gathers many tourists and is a symbol of the lantern festival.
- Hoi An Ancient Town: Streets like Nguyen Thai Hoc and Tran Phu attract many visitors, thanks to their historic charm, enhanced by the shimmering light of lanterns. These streets are also the routes for lantern parades or other fun activities.
- Riverside cafes and restaurants: Besides the main locations, riverside cafes and restaurants are also great places to enjoy specialty dishes and join the festival. You can sit and enjoy a meal in a cozy space while watching the sparkling lanterns reflecting on the river surface.
Important Notes When Participating in the Hoi An Lantern Festival
When joining the Hoi An Lantern Festival, visitors should keep these points in mind for the best experience:
- Prepare appropriate clothing: The festival takes place at night and the weather can be quite cool, so bring warm clothes and comfortable footwear for easy movement. Light and comfortable outfits will help you enjoy the festival longer.
- Safety when releasing lanterns: When releasing lanterns on the Hoai River. Only release lanterns in designated areas, avoid disturbing other activities on the river, and ensure you do not obstruct traffic.
- Keep the environment clean: Although the festival is lively, you should avoid littering to preserve the beauty of the ancient town. Always be conscious of protecting the environment and help maintain cleanliness in Hoi An.
The Hoi An Lantern Festival is one of the must-see events when visiting this ancient city. With exciting activities like releasing lanterns on the Hoai River, lantern parades, and enjoying cuisine under the lantern light, Hoi An Royal Beachfront Villas believes this festival will bring you wonderful experiences.
