Hoi An Lantern Festival: A Mesmerizing Scene in the Old Town

Hoi An Lantern Festival is a signature of Hoi An Ancient Town in Quang Nam, Vietnam. This festival not only creates a mesmerizing scenery of the ancient town gleaming under the dim lantern light, but also conveys a message of preserving the traditional customs of the Hoi An people.

Meticulous lanterns on Hoi An Lantern Festival (Source: Hoiancreativecity.com)

The origin of the Hoi An Lantern Festival

The Lantern Festival originated in China and was then adopted by the ancient Vietnamese community. According to the myth, the immortals will travel to the mortal world to bless people with luck, health, and wealth. In order to respond to that huge generosity, people hang meticulous lanterns in every corner to welcome their gods, creating a beautiful and eye-catching scene. 

Containing the same meaning, the Hoi An Lantern Festival has been held since the late 16th century. At that time, this region was a bustling trading port. Many Chinese and Japanese merchants settled down here to make a living. Their traditional custom of hanging lanterns for luck was followed by many locals, gradually turning it into an indispensable feature. 

Local people hang lanterns in front of their houses to attract luck (Source: An Nguyen Lighting)

In 1988, the local authority decided to celebrate a lantern festival every mid-lunar month to preserve and introduce this unique cultural value to international friends. Lasting for 37 years, the Hoi An Lantern Festival has become one of the most signature events and attracts thousands of tourists coming to admire this wonderful scene. 

When is the Hoi An Lantern Festival celebrated?

Although the Hoi An Lantern Festival occurs every mid-lunar month (on the 14th), the largest-scale event happens on the Mid-Autumn Festival. On those days, the ancient Hoi An Town turns off all the lights and bans vehicles from 6.00 pm to 10.00 pm, creating the most perfect conditions to immerse yourselves in the unreal dreamworld.

The mesmerizing scene at night (Source: MIA.vn)

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Where does the Hoi An Lantern Festival take place?

The Hoi An Lantern Festival is celebrated around the Old Town area. To have the best experience, we recommend visiting the following places.

Hoi An Ancient Town

On this special occasion, the locals hang carefully crafted lanterns in front of their houses, and all the lights in Ancient Town are turned off. Due to the lack of artificial lights, tourists can admire a mysterious scene with colorful flames shining through the thin layer of thousands of lanterns. You can wander on Tran Phu or Nguyen Thai Hoc Street to immerse yourself in the dim lights of the ancient world. 

Spiritual places

The famous sacred constructions in Hoi An, like Cau Pagoda, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, and so on, are also well-decorated on the special occasion. The perfect blend of gentle light and ancient, sophisticated architecture brings a sense of traveling back in time when the connection between immortals and their gods was still strong.

Cau Pagoda stands out in the dark (Source: Hoiana Resort & Golf)

Hoai River

You definitely should not miss this place on the journey of exploring the appealing Hoi An Lantern Festival. On the mid-lunar month night, hundreds of small boats carrying tourists release lotus-shaped lanterns on the water. The view of the calm and peaceful flow holding exquisite lanterns with gleaming lights on the surface is so attractive and overwhelming!

Highlighted activities

Release lotus lanterns on the Hoai River

Releasing lanterns on the river is a traditional practice rooted in Buddhist rituals, meant to honor the spirits of the departed and offer prayers for peace and good fortune to the living. On the 14th day of every lunar month, especially on Lunar New Year and Mid-Autumn Festival, the locals gather on the Hoai River to release sparkling lanterns, which carry the genuine wishes of luck, health, and prosperity.  

You can either buy a flower lantern from the vendors or rent a boat to release lanterns and admire the night vibe of the Hoi An Ancient Town. Sitting on a boat to watch the night town is worth trying, as you don’t need to jam in the crowd, but can behold the whole dreamy scene of dim lantern light and enjoy the fresh wind blowing onto your face.

Release flower lanterns on the Hoai River (Source: Hoiana Resort & Golf)

Do sightseeing and capture your moments

While strolling on the main streets, you’ll come across plenty of picture-perfect spots to capture your journey. Streets like Nguyen Phuc Chu and Bach Dang are lined with hundreds of colorful lanterns, creating a dreamy backdrop for your photos. Don’t forget to wear your favourite outfit, or try on a Vietnamese traditional costume to make your memories in Hoi An more special.

Tourists capture beautiful moments during the festival (Source: Hoiana Resort & Golf)

Watch traditional art performances

Besides an attractive landscape, the Hoi An Lantern Festival also offers plenty of traditional art performances. One of the most featured ones is Bai Choi singing, which was recognized as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. Bai Choi singing is often performed on the street and attracts both local people and tourists to enjoy.

Bai Choi Singing performance (Source: Palm Garden Resort)

Besides, Lion and Dragon dances and martial arts performances are also highlighted events. You can watch dances demonstrated by skilled artists and receive blessings from mysterious ancient Eastern creature figures. Folk games like tug of war and chess are also popular, creating a vibrant and cohesive atmosphere during the festival. 

Explore Hoi An Night Market

Exploring the night market is one of the must-do things when attending the Hoi An Lantern Festival. You can visit Nguyen Hoang, the most popular night market located on Nguyen Hoang Road. With more than 50 booths, you can find almost all of Hoi An’s specialties here, from meticulous handicrafts to mouth-watering local delicacies. 

Tourists try local cuisine in the night market (Source: MIA.vn)

After enjoying delicious local dishes like Quang noodles, mussels with rice paper, and sweet desserts, take some time to explore Hoi An’s charming craft shops. The town is known for its rich artisan heritage, where skilled hands create unique brocade bags, handmade bracelets, and beautifully patterned ceramics. These one-of-a-kind items not only reflect the cultural soul of Hoi An but also make meaningful souvenirs to bring home from your trip.

Learn about the Traditional Lantern Crafting

Within the framework of the Hoi An Lantern Festival, you have the opportunity to learn deeply about the traditional lantern-making profession, which has existed for more than 400 years. The manufacturing process goes through many meticulous stages, which is the reason why each lantern is a work of art formed by the skill, talent, and dedication of craftsmen. 

Traditional Lantern Making in Hoi An has existed for more than 400 years (Source: VinWonders)

If you’re interested in this traditional profession, you can learn more at Thanh Truc Hoi An Lantern Factory (DX18 Street, Thanh Nhut Village, Cam Thanh, Hoi An) or Ha Linh Lantern Workshop (No. 72 Tran Nhan Tong, Cam Chau ward, Hoi An).

Conclusion

Since its early days, the Hoi An Lantern Festival has contained a deep spiritual meaning of praying for good fortune and luck to come to life, expressed through the watery light of meticulous lanterns. Do you want to be a part of this dreamy festival? Contact Asia King Travel now and let us guide you through this wonderful journey. 

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