Hoi An Lantern Festival Dates 2026

Planning a trip to Central Vietnam in 2026? Then mark your calendar! The Hoi An Lantern Festival Dates 2026 are the key to unlocking one of Vietnam’s most enchanting cultural experiences. This mesmerizing monthly event transforms the ancient trading port of Hoi An into a breathtaking tableau of light, tradition, and riverside tranquility, creating an atmosphere that is nothing short of magical.

This comprehensive guide is designed to be your most reliable source, providing the exact 2026 Lunar Calendar dates, practical travel tips, and expert advice to ensure you fully experience the magic of the Full Moon Festival. We will delve into what makes this recurring event unique, where to find the best vantage points, and how to participate in the ancient tradition of releasing flower lanterns onto the Hoai River.

1. What is the Hoi An Lantern Festival?

The Hoi An Lantern Festival is not a yearly event, but rather a recurring, highly-anticipated celebration that takes place on the night of every 14th day of the Lunar Calendar month (the Full Moon).

The Ancient History and Cultural Significance

Den long1 — Hoi An glows with countless lanterns during its festival.

The festival is deeply rooted in Hoi An’s rich history as a 17th-century trading hub. Influenced by Chinese and Japanese merchants, the tradition evolved from honoring ancestors and seeking good fortune. Today, when all electrical lights in the Old Town are switched off, the soft glow of hundreds of silk and paper lanterns—handmade by local artisans—symbolizes peace, happiness, and prosperity. Releasing a small, paper lantern (known as a hoa đăng) onto the Hoai River is a traditional act of sending away bad luck and praying for well-being.

The Difference Between Monthly and Annual Festivals

While the festival is monthly, two periods stand out as the largest and most vibrant:

Tết Nguyên Đán (Lunar New Year): The first full moon of the Lunar New Year (usually late January or February) often features the most elaborate decorations and performances.
Tết Trung Thu (Mid-Autumn Festival): The full moon in the eighth lunar month (usually September) is also a massive celebration, traditionally focused on children and family.

2. Definitive Hoi An Lantern Festival Dates 2026 (Lunar Calendar)

vietnam.travel — Thousands of colorful lanterns light up the streets during the Hoi An Lantern Festival.

To perfectly align your 2026 travel plans, here is the predicted schedule for the Full Moon Festival. Always verify local Vietnamese sources closer to your travel date as the Lunar calendar conversion can sometimes shift slightly.

Lunar Month (Rằm)	Predicted 2026 Date	Day of the Week	Key Considerations
Rằm tháng Giêng (Lunar New Year)	Sunday, February 1st	Sunday	Largest, most crowded, and spectacular festival.
Rằm tháng Hai	Monday, March 2nd	Monday	Great option for fewer crowds post-Tết.
Rằm tháng Ba	Wednesday, April 1st	Wednesday	Excellent weather for spring travel.
Rằm tháng Tư	Thursday, April 30th	Thursday	Coincides with Vietnam’s Reunification Day (potential crowds).
Rằm tháng Năm	Saturday, May 30th	Saturday	Start of the low season (less rain than peak summer).
Rằm tháng Sáu	Monday, June 29th	Monday	High summer heat, but often clear skies.
Rằm tháng Bảy (Vu Lan Báo Hiếu)	Tuesday, July 28th	Tuesday	Important religious day, very meaningful.
Rằm tháng Tám (Mid-Autumn Festival)	Thursday, August 27th	Thursday	Second biggest festival, family-friendly events.
Rằm tháng Chín	Saturday, September 26th	Saturday	Ideal weather in the transition to the dry season.
Rằm tháng Mười	Sunday, October 25th	Sunday	Excellent weather, popular travel month.
Rằm tháng Mười Một	Tuesday, November 24th	Tuesday	Start of the cool season, fewer tourists.
Rằm tháng Chạp	Wednesday, December 23rd	Wednesday	Great for pre-Christmas festivities.

3. Essential Activities and Where to Find the Magic

1 33 — Experience a magical night as the town glows for the Hoi An Lantern Festival.

The festival typically runs from 7:00 PM to 9:30 PM, though the lights often remain off in the Old Town area until 10:00 PM.

Releasing the Hoa Đăng (Flower Lanterns)

The Experience: This is the heart of the festival. You can purchase small paper lanterns from vendors lining the Hoai River. Light the candle and gently place your lantern into the flowing water as you make a silent wish.
How to Participate (E-A-T Tip): You can stand on the riverbank to release the lantern, or for a superior experience, hire a small wooden rowboat (thuyền thúng).
- H4.3.1.1. Cost: Expect to pay around 10,000 VND per lantern and 50,000–150,000 VND for a short (15–20 minute) boat ride, depending on your negotiation skills and the number of passengers.

Witnessing the Traditional Performances

ca phe hoian 1 — Hoi An Lantern Festival lights up the ancient town with thousands of colorful lanterns.

Bài Chòi Folk Singing: Look for small, colorful stages where locals gather to play Bài Chòi, a unique Vietnamese folk game involving singing, cards, and clapping. This is a crucial cultural entity that demonstrates local expertise.
Lion Dances: On major festival nights (Tết and Mid-Autumn), vibrant Lion Dances are often performed, particularly around the Japanese Bridge area.

Street Food and Shopping in the Dark

Take advantage of the temporary silence of no motorbikes and enjoy walking through the central streets (Trần Phú, Nguyễn Thái Học, Bạch Đằng) to admire the countless handcrafted silk lanterns. The Hoi An Night Market on Nguyễn Phúc Chu street is a perfect spot for trying local delicacies like Bánh Mì, Cao Lầu, and Mì Quảng.

4. Practical Travel Tips for Your 2026 Visit

hoi an night maket 1 — The Hoi An Lantern Festival is a beautiful.

To ensure a seamless experience during the crowded full moon nights:

Arrival Time: Arrive by 6:00 PM. This allows you to secure a good spot along the river or a table at a cafe before the lights are turned off and the main crowds arrive at 7:00 PM.
Best Vantage Points: The An Hội Bridge (connecting the Old Town to the Night Market island) offers the best aerial views of the river. The small bridge leading to the Japanese Bridge is another prime spot.
Tickets & Entry: While entering the core of the Old Town may require a 120,000 VND ticket (a pass used to maintain the historical site), this is not strictly enforced on festival nights. However, purchasing one supports the preservation of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Photography: Bring a tripod or stabilize your camera to capture the soft lantern light. The hours just before and after the 7:00 PM light switch-off offer the most dramatic contrast.

Planning ahead is truly essential when aiming to experience the splendor of the Hoi An Lantern Festival Dates 2026. Whether you opt for the massive, crowded, and historically significant Lunar New Year festival or prefer the intimate charm of a quieter weekday full moon, this magical, glowing night promises to be the absolute highlight of your Vietnam journey. The opportunity to witness the Hoai River alight with thousands of tiny, hopeful flames, while wandering through the car-free, ancient streets of the UNESCO Old Town, is a memory that lasts a lifetime. Don’t just observe; immerse yourself. Start securing your accommodation now, especially if targeting a weekend or major holiday full moon, and prepare to be utterly captivated by Hoi An’s timeless beauty and cultural heart.