Mad Monkey Hoi An: Lantern Festival Dates, Boats, and Crowd Timing

When the Hoi An Lantern Festival Happens in 2026

Unlike many cultural festivals, the Hoi An Lantern Festival isn’t tied to a fixed date on the Gregorian calendar. It takes place on the 14th day of every lunar month, the evening before the full moon, giving Hoi An and the rest of Quảng Nam Province a lantern night almost every month of the year.

The remaining festival dates for 2026 are:

• July 27
• August 26
• September 24 (eve of Mid-Autumn Festival)
• October 23
• November 22
• December 22

If you only have one chance to experience it, September 24 is usually the most atmospheric. Falling on the eve of Tết Trung Thu (Mid-Autumn Festival), it combines the regular lantern celebrations with children’s lantern parades and traditional lion dances throughout the Old Town.

Cultural context: While Hoi An has celebrated the lunar full moon for generations, today’s organized lantern festival began in 1998 as part of the city’s heritage conservation program. Many locals still refer to the evening simply as Đêm Rằm Phố Cổ rather than tourism-branded names like the “Lantern Festival” or “Hoi An Full Moon Festival.”

What Time the Lights Go Off and the River Lights Up

The best time to arrive isn’t when the lanterns are already glowing. It’s about 15 to 30 minutes early.

Around 5:30 PM, motorbikes begin clearing out of the pedestrian zone, restaurants start filling up, and people gather along the Thu Bon River waiting for dusk. By 6:00 PM, the electric street lights begin switching off, leaving silk lanterns to illuminate the streets instead.

The busiest period falls between 7:00 PM and 9:00 PM, when the sky is fully dark, hundreds of lanterns are on the river, and most boat rides are underway.

Timing tip: Arrive before 6:00 PM if you want a clear view of the river. By 6:30 PM, the most popular viewing areas are usually several rows deep, making it much harder to find an unobstructed spot.

Best Time to Visit During the Evening

How to Release a Lantern on the Thu Bon River

Buying a Floating Lantern

Candle lanterns, known locally as hoa đăng, are sold along Bạch Đằng Street and near An Hội Bridge for 20,000 to 40,000 VND ($0.80 to $1.60 USD) each.

Most vendors light the candle before handing it over. From there, walk to the riverbank, take a moment to make a wish if you’d like to follow local tradition, and gently place the lantern onto the water.

Although you’ll often hear them called Hoi An floating lanterns, they’re small paper candle floats rather than the larger silk lanterns hanging throughout the Old Town.

Booking a River Boat

A short Thu Bon River boat ride costs 120,000 to 200,000 VND ($5 to $8 USD) for 45 minutes, depending on the boat size and the evening’s demand. Always agree on the price before boarding.

Several hostels and tour operators, including Mad Monkey Hoi An, also arrange evening river cruises and experiences that combine the festival with visits to local lantern-making workshops, where you can learn how traditional silk lanterns are made before heading into the Old Town.

Safety note: Whether you book through your accommodation or directly along the riverbank, choose a licensed boat operator. Likewise, use Grab or licensed taxis after the festival rather than accepting unsolicited rides from unmetered drivers.

Where to Stand for the Smallest Crowds

If you’re hoping for the postcard view of lanterns on the water, you’re not the only one. Most visitors naturally gather along the stretch between An Hội Bridge and Bạch Đằng Street, which is also where many of the boat rides begin.

You don’t have to join the biggest crowd to enjoy the view.

The Busiest Areas

The riverfront between An Hội Bridge and Cẩm Nam Bridge is the heart of the festival. You’ll have the closest view of the lantern releases, but you’ll also be sharing it with photographers, tour groups, and visitors arriving from nearby Da Nang.

If you’re planning to watch from here, arrive before 6:00 PM. By 6:30 PM, the front row along the river is usually full.

Quieter Viewing Spots

For more space, cross over to the Cẩm Nam side of the river. You’ll still have a wide view of the lanterns drifting past, without the constant foot traffic around the main bridge.

Another good option is An Hội Islet, home to the Hoi An Night Market. While the market itself stays busy, moving a little farther along the riverfront gives you more room than the sections directly beside the bridge.

If you’re staying until later in the evening, you’ll notice another change. Many visitors return to Da Nang after dinner, so the crowds begin easing after 9:00 PM, making it much easier to enjoy the river at a slower pace.

Local tip: If photography is your priority, the clearest light comes in the first 30 minutes after the electric lights switch off. The sky still holds a little color, while the lanterns become the brightest feature along the river.

Transport to and from the Old Town on Festival Night

Reaching the Old Town

Most accommodation in Hoi An sits outside the pedestrian-only Old Town, so arriving by Grab, taxi, or bicycle is the easiest option. Depending on where you’re staying, expect the journey to take around 5 to 15 minutes by car or 10 to 20 minutes by bicycle.

If you’re cycling, arrive before the pedestrian zone becomes busiest so you have time to lock your bike and explore on foot. Grab is often the most convenient option if you’re returning after dark, especially once the festival ends.

Leaving After the Festival

Getting home often takes longer than getting there.

As the festival winds down toward 10:00 PM, demand for Grab cars and taxis increases across town. If you’re traveling back to your accommodation, it’s worth booking your ride before you leave the riverfront or arranging transport through your hostel.

Local tip: The 120,000 VND ticket for the Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, covers entry to heritage houses, museums, and assembly halls. You don’t need it to enjoy the festival itself or watch the lantern releases on the river.

What to Bring for a Lantern Festival Night

You don’t need much to enjoy the festival, but a few small things make the evening more comfortable.

• Comfortable walking shoes for the Old Town’s cobblestone streets
• Cash in small denominations for lanterns, snacks, and boat rides
• A reusable water bottle
• A fully charged phone or power bank
• A phone or camera with a good night mode
• A lightweight rain jacket if you’re visiting during the wetter months

Don’t worry if you forget something. Vendors around the Old Town sell lanterns, umbrellas, ponchos, drinks, and other small essentials throughout the evening.

Suggested Hoi An Lantern Festival Itinerary

If it’s your first lantern festival in Hoi An, this route keeps you ahead of the biggest crowds.

1. Arrive in the Old Town before 6:00 PM.
2. Walk along Bạch Đằng Street before the crowds peak.
3. Watch the electric lights switch off.
4. Buy and release a candle lantern.
5. Take a Thu Bon River boat ride while the lanterns are at their brightest.
6. Explore An Hội Islet and the Hoi An Night Market.
7. Finish the evening with dinner or drinks overlooking the river.

Following this route lets you experience the busiest moments early, then enjoy the quieter parts of the evening once many day-trippers begin heading home.

Planning Your Hoi An Lantern Festival Visit

The Hoi An Lantern Festival isn’t something you need to build an entire Vietnam itinerary around, but if your dates happen to line up, it’s easily one of the most memorable evenings you can spend in the city.

The biggest mistake visitors make is arriving too late. By 6:30 PM, the busiest riverfront sections are already full. Arriving 20 to 30 minutes earlier gives you time to settle in before the festival reaches its busiest point.

Whether you choose to release a candle lantern, take a boat ride on the Thu Bon River, or simply wander the historic center, the festival is less about following a schedule and more about slowing down. Give yourself time to explore on foot, step away from the busiest bridges if the crowds become overwhelming, and stay past the peak if your plans allow. After 9:00 PM, the streets become noticeably calmer as many day-trippers head back to Da Nang.

The festival itself is free to experience. Everything else, including lantern floats, boat rides, and entry to heritage sites, is optional. A little planning before you arrive is often all it takes to make the evening feel more relaxed.

FAQs: Hoi An Lantern Festival

Pin Now. Read Later.