Vietnam Hoi An Lantern Festival: Why It’s Highly Recommended?

When traveling to Vietnam, you can participate in our local, unique cultural activities. The Hoi An Lantern Festival in Vietnam is a highly recommended one.

On the 14th day of every lunar month in Vietnam, a lantern festival is held on the streets of Hoi An. The streets are full of colorful lanterns, where you can enjoy the beautiful scenery and experience the culture of Vietnam.

In this article, we will share some information about the Vietnam Hoi An Lantern Festival and some useful tips, and you will definitely get interested in this unforgettable festival!

Hoi An Lantern Festival: Its History, Origins, and Why It’s Important to Us Locals

The history of the Hoi An Lantern Festival in Vietnam is quite long, it can be traced back to the 16th century, and has a history of more than 400 years.

At that time, Hoi An was a busy trading port in central Vietnam, attracting merchants from different countries, especially China and Japan. They brought with them the tradition of making and hanging lanterns to express their homesickness.

Over time, this practice evolved into a local tradition, and the Vietnamese began to hang lanterns for good luck and happiness. On the 14th day of every lunar month, they would hold a lantern fair in Hoi An, which is the origin of the Hoi An Lantern Festival, and it is also one of the most important festivals in Vietnam for the locals.

Hoi An Lantern Festival is not only an important part of Vietnam's traditional culture, but also an significant festival in Vietnam. Hoi An Ancient Town has attracted a large number of tourists to visit because of the Lantern Festival, which has also promoted our local tourism and economic development.

The streets are filled with colorful lanterns during the Lantern Festival in Hoi An, Vietnam.

When Is the Hoi An Lantern Festival Held? Can I See Lanterns Daily?

Hoi An Lantern Festival is held on the 14th day of every lunar month. During the festival, the whole town of Hoi An is filled with lanterns of different colors, and there will be music and dance performances on the streets; you can also taste local Vietnamese food, participate in lantern making, release river lanterns and enjoy cultural performances.

So, can you see lanterns in Hoi An every day? Yes, they are lit up every night, but if you come on the 14th day of the lunar month, the whole town will turn off the white lights, and then you can enjoy an impressive romantic atmosphere.

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What Time to Enjoy and Top Things to Do at the Lantern Festival

To participate in the Lantern Festival in Hoi An, Vietnam, you can choose to join in the evening of the 14th day of the lunar calendar, which starts at about 6:00 pm. As night falls, the lanterns on the street will all light up, allowing us to enter the sea of lanterns, which can set off the festive atmosphere, and all performances will start at night.

There are many activities to do in Hoi An, during the Lantern Festival in Vietnam, such as making lanterns by yourself and experiencing the fun of traditional handicrafts; buying river lanterns and writing down the wishes to enjoy the river lantern release activity; trying traditional Hoi An street food specialties like Cao Lau (a unique noodle dish), Bánh Bao Bánh Vạc (white rose dumplings), and My Quang (a turmeric noodle dish); you can also watch the traditional performances and better experience the traditional culture of Hoi An.

People ride on boats to release river lanterns in Hoi An.

How to Get to the Hoi An Lantern Festival? Local Transportation Suggestions

To participate in the Vietnam Hoi An Lantern Festival, you need to arrive in the ancient town of Hoi An first. Getting to Hoi An is very easy! The closest large city to Hoi An is Da Nang, which is about 30 kilometers (or 19 miles) away.

Transportation from Da Nang to Hoi An is also relatively convenient, and there are many types of transportation to choose from. You just need to plan the trip reasonably and arrive in Hoi An before the Hoi An Lantern Festival. Here are some local transportation options:

Taxi or private car: Taxis are available at the airport or in Da Nang. If you prefer more comfort or travel with a group, you can also choose to take a private car with us. We provide a reliable local travel service in Vietnam, focusing on private car tours that suit your budget and interests at the best local pricing.

By bus: If you are traveling from Da Nang, the most affordable option is to take a bus. There are several buses running between Da Nang and Hoi An throughout the day, and the journey takes about 45 minutes.

By motorbike: Enjoying a motorbike tour in Vietnam is also a good option. Motorbike rentals are cheap and free to arrange the trip at your own pace.

By Bicycle: Once you arrive in Hoi An, renting a bike is a popular way to explore the town, and you can take a leisurely ride to Hoi An Lantern Festival. The town is small and easy to navigate, allowing for some sightseeing along the way.

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Tips for Visiting the Hoi An Lantern Festival

To make your visit more enjoyable, here are some useful tips:

First, keep your personal belongings safe
When participating in the Hoi An Lantern Festival, you must first keep the personal belongings safe, because on the day of the event, there will be a lot of people on the street, so it is important to ensure the safety of the things to avoid the problem of losing them.

Second, arrange your time reasonably
Because the Hoi An Lantern Festival is held at a specified time, if you come to Hoi An from other cities, you must plan the itinerary of Vietnam reasonably and don't miss the Lantern Festival event time. It is important to buy tickets in advance and make travel plans!

Third, do a good job of fire prevention
For the Lantern Festival has a fire source, when participating in the Hoi An Lantern Festival in Vietnam, you also need to do a good job of fire prevention. After using the fire source, it is necessary to extinguish it in time to ensure safety. When children are playing with lanterns, parents also need to take care of them.

Fourth, wear comfortable clothes and shoes
The Hoi An Lantern Festival is held on the streets of the ancient town, which requires you to visit by foot, so it’s necessary to wear clothes that are suitable for temperature and comfort, depending on the time of the year and the weather in Vietnam.

Wonderful performances on the streets of Hoi An during the Lantern Festival.

Conclusion

The Hoi An Lantern Festival in Vietnam is worth participating in, for it is a good way to understand the local cultural characteristics of Vietnam. At the Hoi An Lantern Festival, you can enjoy the beautiful night view, participate in the lantern-making activities, and place river lanterns here to make your own good wishes.

If planning to go to Vietnam, it is recommended to make your travel plans in advance and don't miss the Hoi An Lantern Festival!