Hoi An Lantern Festival: What It Is and When to Go

Hoi An, one of the most atmospheric towns in Vietnam, is famous for its lantern-lit streets, but the Hoi An Lantern Festival is not something that happens every night.

The event most travellers mean by that name is Hoi An’s monthly Old Town Night, held on the 14th day of each lunar month. On this evening, the historic centre uses more traditional lantern lighting and hosts cultural activities, creating a different experience from a normal night in the Ancient Town.

That does not mean you need to rearrange your Vietnam trip just to see lanterns. Hoi An is still lantern-lit on ordinary evenings throughout the month. The real question is whether the monthly event adds enough to make it worth planning your dates around.

Key Highlights

• The Hoi An Lantern Festival most often means Old Town Night, held on the 14th day of every lunar month in the Ancient Town.
• Hoi An is lantern-lit on ordinary evenings too, so you do not need to visit on festival night to see the glow.
• Old Town Night follows the lunar calendar, so the date shifts each month, and you should check it for your travel year.
• The separate Hoi An International Lantern Festival runs 3 to 6 December 2026 and is a different event from Old Town Night.
• Arrive in the late afternoon or around sunset to explore the Ancient Town before the busy evening crowds build up.

What Is the Hoi An Lantern Festival?

What English-language travel guides often call the Hoi An Lantern Festival is actually linked to Đêm phố cổ, or Hoi An Old Town Night. Official local sources also call it Hoi An Legendary Night.

The monthly event recreates parts of life in Hoi An during the early 20th century. Along with traditional lantern lighting, you may see folk music, Bài Chòi, calligraphy, traditional games and other cultural performances. The exact programme can vary.

Hoi An's lantern traditions are older than the organised event itself. The modern Old Town Night programme was first trialled in 1998, and in 1999 local authorities made it a monthly event held on the 14th lunar day.

There is one important distinction for travellers visiting in 2026. The monthly Old Town Night is not the same as the Hoi An International Lantern Festival 2026. That is a separate four-day event scheduled for 3–6 December 2026, with large lantern displays, workshops and organised performances.

Does the Lantern Festival Happen Every Night?

No, but this is where much of the confusion comes from.

Hoi An's Ancient Town is decorated with lanterns on ordinary evenings too. You can walk through lantern-lit streets, see the river after dark and find boats and floating lanterns without visiting on the 14th lunar night.

The monthly event is different because the town puts more focus on its traditional night-time setting. Electric lighting is reduced in the historic centre, lantern light stands out more and cultural activities may take place around the streets and riverfront. 

So if your main aim is simply to see Hoi An glowing with lanterns, you do not have to visit on festival night.

When Does the Hoi An Lantern Festival Take Place?

Old Town Night takes place on the 14th night of every lunar month. Vietnam's lunar calendar does not match the Gregorian calendar, so the date changes from month to month and year to year. 

If you are planning a trip around the event, always check the dates for your travel year instead of relying on an old festival calendar.

As of 4 October 2026, the remaining monthly Old Town Nights in 2026 are:

These dates correspond to the 14th day of each lunar month.

Last checked: 4 October 2026.

Not every monthly event is exactly the same. Some dates fall around larger cultural celebrations and may include extra activities. For example, the September 2026 Old Town Night fell on the 14th day of the eighth lunar month, just before Mid-Autumn Festival, and received additional local attention.

If a particular festival night matters to your trip, check the latest Hoi An event notices closer to your visit rather than assuming every month will have the same programme.

What Is Actually Different on Festival Night?

The main difference is not simply that there are more lanterns.

During Old Town Night, more attention is given to Hoi An's traditional setting. Bright electric lighting is reduced in parts of the historic centre, allowing the lanterns to stand out more. Traditional cultural activities may also take place around the Old Town.

It is better to think of the event as a more traditional version of Hoi An at night, rather than a completely different experience that appears once a month.

There is one trade-off: festival night can be busier. If you want a quiet walk beside the river or less crowded photographs, an ordinary evening may actually suit you better.

What Time Should You Go and What Should You Expect?

For most visitors, arriving in the Ancient Town in the late afternoon or around sunset works well. You can explore while it is still light, watch the lanterns become more noticeable as it gets darker and stay into the evening.

Older official Hoi An visitor information lists the monthly Legendary Night programme from around 18:30 to 21:30. However, activities and timings can change, so use this as a general guide rather than a fixed schedule for every month.

Expect Pedestrian Areas and More People

Do not assume the streets become pedestrian-only just because it is Lantern Festival night.

Hoi An already has pedestrian and non-motorised zones in the Ancient Town on normal days. Current official visitor information lists pedestrian restrictions in the main Ancient Town from 09:00 until 21:30 in summer and 21:00 in winter, with separate evening hours on Phan Chau Trinh Street.

Special celebrations may bring extra restrictions or larger crowds, so transport arrangements can vary depending on the event date.

Do You Need a Boat Ride or Lantern Release?

No.

You can experience Old Town Night simply by walking through the Ancient Town and along the riverfront.

A short boat ride or floating lantern release can add to the experience if you want to do one, but neither is necessary. Think of them as optional activities rather than part of an admission package.

The same applies to organised tours. You do not need to book one just to experience the festival.

If you want a particular boat ride, restaurant reservation or guided activity on a busy date, booking ahead can still make sense. But you do not need to build the whole evening around paid activities.

If your trip falls during Central Vietnam's wetter months, check the forecast closer to the date as well. Most of the event takes place outdoors, so rain can affect the experience. For the wider seasonal picture, our Best Time to Visit Vietnam guide covers Central Vietnam in more detail.

Should You Change Your Travel Dates for the Lantern Festival?

Sometimes, but not always.

If the festival falls naturally during your Hoi An stay, it is worth keeping that evening free. The different lighting and cultural activities add something extra to a normal evening in the town.

It can also make sense to shift your Hoi An stay by a day if the change is easy and the festival is something you particularly want to experience.

But the event is probably not worth skipping another important destination, taking an awkward flight or rushing through Central Vietnam just to attend a regular monthly Old Town Night.

First-time visitors who enjoy cultural events may appreciate the festival more. Couples looking for a quieter evening by the river may prefer another night. Families with young children may find it easier to arrive earlier, while those who dislike heavy crowds may be happier visiting on a normal evening.

Larger special events may be worth making more effort for than a regular monthly Old Town Night.

So, When Is the Best Time to Experience It?

If your trip already falls around the 14th lunar night, plan to spend that evening in Hoi An Ancient Town. Arriving in the late afternoon gives you time to explore before the evening gets busier.

If moving your itinerary by a day is easy, the event can be worth fitting in, especially if you are interested in Hoi An's traditional culture and not just its lantern-lit streets.

But you do not need to plan your entire Vietnam trip around it. The monthly festival is best treated as a bonus when the timing works, rather than something you must experience to enjoy Hoi An.

Conclusion

The Hoi An Lantern Festival most often refers to Old Town Night, a monthly event held on the 14th day of each lunar month. It offers a more traditional take on Hoi An after dark, with softer lighting and cultural activities.

You do not need to build your trip around the Hoi An Lantern Festival, because the ancient town glows with lanterns on ordinary evenings too. Festival night can be busier, so a regular evening may suit you better if you prefer quiet.

If your dates already fall on the 14th lunar night, keep that evening free and arrive before sunset. Treat the Hoi An Lantern Festival as a bonus when the timing works, and check the latest local notices before you go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the Hoi An Lantern Festival held?

The monthly Old Town Night is held in Hoi An’s Ancient Town, mainly around the historic streets and the riverfront. Most activities take place outdoors, and the programme can vary from month to month.

When to see the lanterns in   Hoi An?

Lanterns light up the Ancient Town on ordinary evenings, so you can see them at any time, ideally from late afternoon or sunset. For the monthly Old Town Night, visit on the 14th day of the lunar month, or go on 3 to 6 December 2026 for the separate International Lantern Festival.

Is it worth visiting if I’m based in Da Nang?

Yes, if the 14th lunar night fits your plans, since the evening adds traditional lighting and cultural activities to the usual lantern-lit streets. If the date does not suit you, an ordinary evening in Hoi An is still a good visit, so you do not need to rearrange your stay.

What to expect at Hoi An’s Lantern Festival?

Expect reduced electric lighting so the lanterns stand out, plus cultural activities such as folk music, Bài Chòi, calligraphy and traditional games. It can be busier than a normal evening, and the programme has been listed from around 18:30 to 21:30, though timings can change.

Is the Hoi An Lantern Festival free to attend?

You can experience Old Town Night simply by walking through the Ancient Town and along the riverfront, with no organised tour required. Boat rides, lantern releases and guided activities are optional paid extras, so check current official information before you go.