Experience Hoi An lantern festival: What you need to know

Hoi An Lantern Festival is not only a traditional cultural event but also a highlight of the ancient town. Every month, Hoi An becomes magical with thousands of colorful lanterns, creating a colorful and attractive scene. In this article, Bliss Hoi An will help you discover the highlights and important information so that you can fully enjoy the lantern festival in Hoi An.

Origins of the Hoi An Lantern Festival

Later, this culture was adopted by the local people, who began hanging lanterns in front of their houses to pray for good luck. Around 1988, the local government decided to organize a lantern festival on the full moon day of every month. The lantern festival Hoi An, also known as the flower lantern festival, is the most anticipated event for locals and tourists.

The lantern hanging culture was then adopted and developed by the local people. They began hanging lanterns in front of their houses as a way to pray for luck and prosperity. In 1988, the Hoi An government officially organized the Lantern Festival on the full moon day of every month. This event not only enlivened the ancient town but also became an indispensable part of local culture.

Why does Hoi An celebrate with a lantern festival?

Hoi An Lantern Festival, also known as the Lantern Festival, has become one of the city’s most prominent events. Hoi An Lantern Festival not only attracts locals but also attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world.

The main reason why Hoi An organizes this festival is to continue and promote the cultural tradition of using lanterns in the community. Hoi An Lantern Festival not only brings a brilliant party of lights but also an opportunity for locals and tourists to join in the bustling and festive atmosphere, enjoy the beauty of the shimmering lanterns and learn about their profound meaning in the cultural life of the ancient town.

Read more: 4 days in Hoi An: A helpful guide to discovering the best of Hoi An

Best Things To Do At Hoi An Lantern Festival

Hoi An is not only enchanting with its colorful lanterns but also attracts with its diverse and rich cultural and artistic activities. Below are things you cannot miss when participating in the lantern festival in Hoi An, helping you have a perfect and meaningful experience.

Immerse yourself in the sparkling beauty of Hoi An ancient town

When mentioning Hoi An ancient town, it is impossible to ignore the image of colorful lanterns, diverse and design, hanging all over the streets and on the eaves of ancient houses. Every time the night falls, Hoi An ancient town puts on a sparkling, magical beauty, evoking nostalgic emotions about the prosperous times of this land.

The harmonious combination of the gentle light of lanterns with rich colors such as yellow, blue, purple… creates a lively and romantic space. This scene will definitely leave a deep impression on visitors when participating in the Hoi An lantern festival. In particular, the Hoi An lantern festival 2024 or the Hoi An lantern festival 2025 will be the ideal time for you to fully admire this beauty.

Enjoy performing arts on the streets

Participating in the lantern festival in Hoi An, visitors not only immerse themselves in the brilliant light of lanterns, but also have the opportunity to enjoy unique art performances. From vibrant lion dances, elite martial arts performances, to sweet folk melodies performed by local artists, all contribute to creating a cultural space rich in identity. In addition, visitors can also participate in the folk game of Bai Choi – an intangible cultural heritage recognized by UNESCO.

Besides, don’t forget to experience riding a cycle around the old town, visiting cultural museums, Hoi An’s Japanese Covered Bridge, Fujian Assembly Hall, Chaozhou Assembly Hall, and My Son Sanctuary when coming to the lantern festival in Hoi An.

Experience releasing flower lanterns on Hoai River

One of the activities that cannot be missed at the Hoi An Lantern Festival is the ritual of releasing flower lanterns on the Hoai River. Each flower lantern released into the river carries wishes for peace, luck and happiness. 

The warm light from the flower lanterns not only symbolizes hope, but also helps dispel all worries and brings peace of mind. Whether adults or children, everyone feels excited when releasing the lanterns themselves and watching the gentle light drifting on the water.

Check-in with Hoi An lantern

When participating in the Hoi An Lantern Festival, you cannot miss the opportunity to check in with colorful lanterns. Hoi An lantern have many diverse shapes such as round, hexagonal, Banh U, papaya, and even unique fish, dragon/unicorn shaped lanterns.

Just one photo taken with a lantern, everyone will immediately recognize that you are in Hoi An ancient town. So, make sure you bring a camera or phone with full battery to capture the most beautiful moments. This is also an ideal place that many couples choose to take commemorative photos for their big day, with a peaceful and folk culture-filled setting.

Enjoy Hoi An’s signature cuisine

In addition to cultural activities, when participating in the Hoi An Lantern Festival 2024, do not forget to enjoy the famous specialties of Hoi An. From chicken rice, Quang noodles, banh xeo, Phuong bread to a glass of fresh Mot water, all bring unforgettable flavors.

Sitting and enjoying street food under the gentle light of lanterns, you will fully feel the special flavors and atmosphere of Hoi An. This will definitely be an unforgettable experience when you participate in the Hoi An Lantern Festival.

When does the Hoi An lantern festival take place?

To fully experience the beauty and vibrant atmosphere of the Hoi An Lantern Festival, visitors should come on the 14th day of the lunar month. This is the time when Hoi An ancient town becomes especially sparkling and attractive with thousands of lanterns hanging along the streets, creating a beautiful picture of light.

In addition to the full moon days of each month, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also a special time to participate in the Hoi An Lantern Festival. On this occasion, not only are the lanterns lit, but there are other traditional cultural and festival activities taking place, bringing a rich and attractive experience to visitors. If you plan to attend the Hoi An Lantern Festival 2024 or Hoi An Lantern Festival 2025, remember to schedule early so as not to miss the opportunity to enjoy this unique event.

What should you keep in mind when taking part in the Hoi An Lantern Festival?

To experience the Hoi An Lantern Festival fully and interestingly, you should note the following points:

• Pay attention to the time: To avoid missing important moments, you should plan to arrive early. This will help you choose a good location to take photos and enjoy the festival without being crowded by crowds.
• Appropriate attire: Hoi An has an ancient and traditional atmosphere, so you should choose elegant and polite clothing. This will not only help you blend into the festival atmosphere but also show respect for the local culture.
• Weather Choice: For a great experience, you should attend the festival on a day with stable and dry weather. Rain or bad weather can reduce the fun of the event.
• Be careful with fire: When participating in releasing flower lanterns, pay attention to keep the flame from coming into contact with clothes or flammable objects. This helps to avoid causing danger and ensures the safety of you and those around you.

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Where to buy Hoi An lanterns? What is the price?

When coming to Hoi An, visitors can choose lanterns with diverse designs, materials and colors as souvenirs. To buy Hoi An lanterns, you can visit some of the following famous places:

• Vietnamese Lantern Workshop: Located at 57 Ba Trieu Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam. This is a place that provides a variety of traditional lantern models.
• Huynh Van Ba ​​Lantern Workshop: Located at 15A Phan Dinh Phung Street, Hoi An City, Quang Nam. The workshop is famous for its exquisitely handcrafted lanterns. 
• Ha Linh Lantern Workshop: Address at 72 Tran Nhan Tong, Cam Chau Ward, Hoi An City, Quang Nam. The workshop provides many designs with guaranteed quality.

In addition to large workshops, you can also find lanterns on streets such as Nguyen Thai Hoc, Nguyen Hue, Le Loi, and Tran Phu. The price of lanterns usually ranges from 15,000 to 150,000 VND each, depending on the size, color, and shape of the lantern. If you want to order a custom design, the price will be a little higher to suit your special requirements.

Hoi An Lantern Festival is not only a unique cultural event but also a great opportunity to experience the beauty and charm of this ancient town. With sparkling lights and colorful atmosphere, this is an occasion not to be missed. Be well prepared and enjoy every moment of the festival to have memorable memories in Hoi An.