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The Hoi An Lantern Festival is one of the most enchanting cultural events in Hoi An Ancient Town, taking place on the full moon night of every lunar month. During this time, the historic streets transform into a glowing wonderland where thousands of colorful Hoi An lanterns illuminate the ancient houses, temples, and riverside paths, creating a magical atmosphere that attracts travelers from around the world.

The origins of the festival are deeply rooted in local culture and spiritual traditions. Historically, the full moon has long been considered a sacred moment in Buddhist belief, symbolizing reflection, renewal, and enlightenment. From the 16th to the 17th century, when Hoi An flourished as a busy international trading port, merchants from Japan and China introduced the custom of hanging decorative lanterns in front of houses and shops to bring luck and prosperity. Over time, this practice blended naturally into local life and gradually evolved into a defining cultural symbol of the town.
In 1998, local authorities officially incorporated the lantern tradition into monthly cultural celebrations, giving birth to the modern Hoi An Lantern Festival. On festival nights, electric lights are turned off throughout the old town, allowing the warm glow of countless lanterns to light up the streets and reflect gently along the peaceful Hoai River. The streets become quieter as traffic is restricted, inviting visitors to slow down, wander through the lantern-lit alleys, and experience the timeless beauty and culture that make Hoi An Ancient Town one of Vietnam’s most magical travel destinations.
During the Hoi An Lantern Festival, Hoi An Ancient Town reveals a dreamlike beauty that feels almost straight out of a fairytale. As the evening begins, electric lights throughout the old town are switched off, leaving the streets illuminated only by the warm glow of hundreds of colorful Hoi An lanterns hanging from ancient houses, balconies, and narrow alleyways. The soft golden light reflects gently on old yellow walls and tiled roofs, creating a magical atmosphere that feels reminiscent of a Disney film scene.

Strolling through the lantern-lit streets becomes one of the most memorable travel experiences in Hoi An. Visitors can wander slowly along the historic lanes, admire the glowing lanterns swaying gently in the night breeze, and capture stunning photos that look like something straight from Pinterest. Sharing this peaceful walk with loved ones, surrounded by the enchanting lights and timeless charm of the town, allows travelers to slow down and truly appreciate the culture and beauty that make Hoi An Ancient Town so unforgettable.
One of the most unforgettable experiences during the Hoi An Lantern Festival is releasing lanterns along the peaceful Hoai River. As night falls over Hoi An Ancient Town, visitors often step onto small wooden boats drifting slowly along the river, taking in the enchanting views of the lantern-lit town from the water.
Releasing a floating lantern is more than just a beautiful activity. Each lantern carries a quiet wish for happiness, luck, or love, gently gliding across the river’s surface. As hundreds of glowing lights drift downstream, the Hoai River sparkles like a ribbon of dreams under the night sky, creating one of the most magical scenes of the Hoi An lantern culture. Before leaving, many travelers also choose to buy colorful lanterns as souvenirs, bringing home a small piece of Hoi An’s light and the wishes they once set afloat on the poetic river.

While the glowing Hoi An lanterns create the magical backdrop of the Hoi An Lantern Festival, the celebration is also filled with lively cultural activities that bring the town’s traditions to life. As you walk through the streets of Hoi An Ancient Town, you may encounter performances of folk singing, poetry recitals, and traditional Vietnamese musical instruments that echo through the lantern-lit alleys.
One of the most beloved cultural highlights during the festival is Bai Choi, a unique art form that blends music, poetry, storytelling, and acting. Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2017, Bai Choi performances reflect the everyday life, humor, and spirit of local communities. Between songs and poetic chants, performers also host a traditional card game similar to bingo, where visitors can join in and test their luck. Even if you simply watch the performance from the crowd, the joyful atmosphere captures the vibrant culture of the Hoi An Lantern Festival, making the night even more memorable for every traveler.

If you are planning a travel journey to Hoi An, witnessing the magical glow of the Hoi An Lantern Festival is an experience you simply should not miss. From strolling through the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An Ancient Town to releasing a wish-filled lantern on the peaceful Hoai River, every moment offers a glimpse into the rich culture and timeless charm of this enchanting destination.
To make your trip even more memorable, let ACT Travel help you plan the perfect itinerary. With carefully designed tours and local expertise, ACT Travel ensures you experience the most magical side of Hoi An while enjoying a smooth and unforgettable travel adventure in Vietnam.
Please take a look at the following reviews from our customers
Vietnam | 01/14/2026
Luxury Golf Tour in Da Nang, 5days
Hi Jimy, We returned home safely today. I would like to say a special thanks to you and your team ACT TRAVEL. We really loved and satisfied with your pro services. We do love these golf courses in Da Nang. They were amazing and fantastic quality and view. We will come back here soon. I am looking foward to working together with you soon! Best regards, Mr Clarence- Travel President, Philippines
United Kingdom | 10/13/2014
RAM Holidays from UK (Impressive of Vietnam 15 days)
Mr. Jean Pie – Tour Leader said “Thank you very much for doing such an excellent job on the tour. You went above and beyond for all of us and we really appreciate all your hard work. Thank you for your calm leadership through the “HAIYAN” storm, you really help us through it. Thanks to ACT Travel, we had a wonderful time and unforgettable memory”.
Australia | 10/13/2014
Mandarin Group from Australia (Charming Vietnam 10 Days)
Mr. Navy Vang - Tour manager from Australia said: " Wow what a great vacation !. Thank you Mr Kelvin Pham so much. We are very grateful for everything you did for us and everything went very well. We’re safe and sound back home thinking about the joy we experienced. I've already decided that when I choose to travel again, I will go through your company. I also highly recommend ACT Travel Travel to any organization looking for a great agency. Kind regards
Brazil | 03/31/2014
DOMINGOS Group from Brazin (IMPRESSIVE VIETNAM 17 DAYS.)
Mr. Ricardo - Program Manager said “Dear Kelvin, Thanks you very much for your well arrangement. Thank you for the updated weather information. I have traveled a lot as a geography professor and dealt with many tour operators. You are one of the best tour operators who can take so much concern and care about customers. I must congratulate you on your good organization and care to minute points. Thanks for the mobile phone you provided to us and SIM cards you provide to all of us (29 cards, I know they are not cheap), it was an excellent convenience for us. It was a brilliant idea and we really appreciated knowing there was someone we could contact at any time should we need to. We love your welcome dinner at Binh Quoi village, where we enjoyed rich traditional southern Vietnamese cuisine with musical accompaniment provided by local folk musicians. We were very interested in the traditional Vietnamese wedding in Binh Quoi and we never forget the “Gong show” in Buon Me Thuot. Once again, thank you very much for great job”.
Australia | 10/13/2014
Orbiz Group from Australia (Discover Vietnam and Cambodia 15 Days)
Ms. Barbara Betts - Escorted guide from Australia said: " Dear Kelvin I want to take this opportunity to thanks you for providing us with superb guides in Vietnam and Cambodia. Well, Manh - tour guide in Vietnam is very professional and knowledegable and you can feel very safe in allowing him to guide your tours. The drivers you provided were also friendly, capable and they too did everything for the group to be happy Thanks you Kelvin so far for a fabulous tour.
Malaysia | 10/13/2014
Teachers Group From Malaysia ( Hanoi – Halong bay – Ninh Binh 6 Days )
Mr. Dany - Escorted guide from Malaysia said: " Hi Kelvin Pham, Thanks for arranging a great trip. I wanted to let you know how pleased we were with the itinerary and all the arrangements you organized. Everything worked extremely well and went exactly as planned. The guides were very knowledgable. My favorite site was cruising on the Halong bay. The hotels were great as they were located at the heart of city. We did enjoy eating at the local restaurants as arranged by ACT. The foods were sometimes unusual, but still tasty. I loved “Pho Hanoi“ very much and I would try to cook at my home… Thanks again
Turkey | 10/13/2014
Istmaz Group from Turkey (Saigon - Mekong Delta - Cambodia - Angkor Wat 12 Days).
Mr. Ohad - The Tour Leader said: " On behalf of the entire group, I just wanted to thank both of you for all your help and outstanding execution in making our trip memorable! The entire group could not say enough great things about how well organized & smooth everything went. I really enjoyed Vietnam & Travel. Both tour guides were terrific and Angkor Wat was just amazing! All your arrangements worked out very smoothly and I consider the pilgrimage to be a great success ".
United Kingdom | 10/13/2014
Ponila Group from UK (Higlight of Vietnam 16 Days).
Mr. Steven - Escorted guide from UK said: Our trip to Vietnam was overall a positive one. We were very happy with the level of accommodation and quality of the food at all times. We love Hanoi but Ha Long Bay is certainly one of the most beautiful places we have ever seen; the old city in Hoi An has great potential becoming a world-class tourist attraction; and citadel in Hue embodies a great deal of historic signifance, we have a lot of photos in Hue. Cruising on Mekong Delta river was so interesting and Dalat highland was very romantic. Finally, please give our thanks to the tour guides Mrs Phuong, Mr Ky and the drivers who accompanied us throughout, always accommodating to the group's requests and last minute changes in itinerary. We won't forget you!
United States | 10/13/2014
Global Alliane Group From USA (Discover Vietnam – Cambodia 10 Days)
Mr. Barrick - the Tour Leader said: " Dear ACT Team,This is to thank you, and all of those who organised and guided our visit to Vietnam & Cambodia, for a superb holiday. We had a trip of a life time. Everything we were promised happened and more. We brought back so many memories and stories. The restaurants were wonderful and the hotels were great. Mr Nguyen had such a lot of knowledge he shared with us, and had a great sense of humor. He even knew of some Cambodian slang words. The whole trip will be something we will always remember and share with our family and friends. Thanks for all your help in making it so enjoyable. We shall tell all our friends traveling to Indochina that they must use ACT Travel's services !! ".
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