Lantern Festival – A Cultural Beauty Not to Be Missed in Hoi An
Hoi An Lantern Festival – Unique Cultural Feature in the Heart of the Ancient Town
Hoi An Lantern Festival is a traditional cultural event held periodically, turning the ancient town into a unique space of light art. On festival nights, the entire public electricity system in the ancient town is turned off, replaced by the soft light from thousands of lanterns of various shapes, sizes and colors, creating a real-life fairy tale scene.
Origin and Deep Meaning
Hoi An Lantern Festival Schedule
Hoi An Lantern Festival is held regularly on the following days:
- 14th day of the lunar month: This is the official time of the festival, when the old town completely turns off the electric lights from 18:00 to 22:00, using only light from lanterns and candles.
- Full moon night (15th lunar month): Continuing the atmosphere of the 14th, the full moon night often has additional spiritual activities at pagodas, temples, and shrines in the area.
- Lunar New Year: The festival lasts from 3-7 days on a grand scale, with many unique cultural activities.
- Mid-Autumn Festival: A special festival for children with activities such as lantern processions, lion dances, and art performances.
- National holidays: Such as April 30-May 1, National Day September 2, festivals are held on a large scale, attracting a large number of tourists.
Ideal Time to Attend
Unique Experience At Hoi An Lantern Festival
Hoi An Lantern Festival offers visitors a rich and diverse cultural experience, both entertaining and educational. Here are some activities not to be missed when attending the festival:
Floating flower lanterns on Hoai River
This is the most special spiritual activity of the festival. Visitors can buy beautiful flower lanterns for 10,000 – 20,000 VND at the stalls along the river, then release them into the water with prayers for family and loved ones. The image of hundreds of shimmering lanterns floating on the river creates a magical, heartbreakingly beautiful scene.
Discover the traditional craft of lantern making
Visitors have the opportunity to participate in lantern making workshops guided by skilled artisans. Here, you will not only learn how to make a lantern using traditional techniques but also learn more about the history and cultural significance of this unique art form.
Enjoy traditional performing arts
Along the banks of the Hoai River and in the squares in the old town, visitors will be able to admire unique art performances such as Hat Boi, Hue folk songs, five-tone music, water puppetry, etc. These art forms have been preserved and developed through many generations, imbued with national cultural identity.
Experience folk games
The festival also offers visitors the opportunity to participate in unique folk games such as bai choi, pot-breaking, blindfolded goat-catching, etc. This is not only an interesting entertainment activity but also helps visitors understand more about the traditional entertainment culture of the Vietnamese people.
Check-in Points Not To Be Missed
Hoi An ancient town at night lantern festival has a magical beauty, is a “paradise” for photography lovers. Below are the ideal check-in locations that visitors should not miss:
Hoi An Bridge Pagoda
The symbol of Hoi An becomes more sparkling than ever when decorated with hundreds of colorful lanterns. The scene of the Japanese Covered Bridge reflected on the water creates the perfect picture for souvenir photos.
Tran Phu lantern street
The main street of the old quarter is lined with hundreds of colorful lantern shops on both sides. This is where you can take beautiful “virtual life” photos with a background of countless sparkling lights.
Hoai River Square
This area is not only a center of artistic activities but also a great sightseeing spot where you can take in the panoramic view of the ancient town with its brilliant lights, reflected on the surface of the Hoai River.
Famous ancient houses
Tan Ky, Phung Hung, Duc An ancient houses… put on a brilliant coat with traditional lanterns, creating a scene that is both ancient and magnificent, an ideal destination for those who love architecture and history.
Valuable Experience When Attending Hoi An Lantern Festival
To have a complete experience at the Hoi An lantern festival, visitors should remember the following experiences:
Prepare Before Coming to the Festival
- Clothing: Choose comfortable clothes that are suitable for the weather. Wear traditional ao dai or neutral-colored clothes to create photos that blend in with the old town scenery.
- Shoes: Prioritize flat, comfortable shoes because you will have to move a lot in the old quarter.
- Equipment: Prepare a camera and a fully charged phone. You should bring spare batteries and a high-capacity memory card to store photos and videos.
- Finance: Bring cash in various denominations for convenience in shopping and enjoying local cuisine.
helpful advice
- Time: You should arrive in the old town from around 4-5pm to enjoy the transition between day and night, and find a good spot before the crowds gather.
- Accommodation: Book your hotel room at least 1-2 months in advance, especially during major holidays. If possible, choose to stay in the old quarter for convenient travel.
- Transportation: In the old town, you can only move by bicycle or on foot. You should rent a bicycle to explore more places without getting too tired.
- Cuisine: Take advantage of enjoying Hoi An specialties such as Cao Lau, Quang noodles, Phuong bread… at riverside restaurants or in small alleys.
Hoi An Lantern Festival offers visitors the opportunity to immerse themselves in a fairy-tale setting and experience the traditional culture imbued with Vietnamese identity. If you are planning a trip to the Central region, take the time to visit Hoi An during the lantern festival nights to capture unforgettable memories.
