Festival in Hoi An

Hoi An Lantern Festival

Next: Sun 22 Nov

Hoi An has two lantern events. The first is the full moon lantern night in the old town, on the 14th night of every lunar month. The second is the new Hoi An International Lantern Festival, from 3 to 6 December 2026.

The monthly lantern night: the city tourism portal says all electric lights in the old town are turned off, and thousands of lanterns light the streets. Visitors release floating lanterns on the Hoai River. The city says the night has been held since 1998. The official pages print no start or end time.

The Hoi An International Lantern Festival 2026 has the theme "Hoi An, Colors of Heritage". Press reports call it the first of its kind in Hoi An. The plan has about 15 large lantern sets, lantern making, a food space and a night procession of lanterns. The opening is planned for 7pm on 3 December on the main stage at Hoai River Square.

The lantern works are expected to stay up until the First Full Moon Festival of 2027.

Coming dates

Know before you go

Monthly lantern night, when
The 14th night of every lunar month. The official pages give no start time.
Monthly lantern night, where
The old town of Hoi An, including the Hoai River
International Lantern Festival, days
3 to 6 December 2026. The opening is planned for 7pm on 3 December.
International Lantern Festival, where
Hoai River Square, An Hoi Sculpture Garden, along the Hoai River and on old town streets, including Nguyen Phuc Chu, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Tran Phu
Each day of the festival
About 20 experience booths at Hoai River Square and An Hoi Sculpture Garden, from 4pm to 9:30pm. On 4 December, an evening of old Hoi An scenes with lantern processions. On 6 December, a closing gathering at Hoai River Square.
Tickets
The official pages we read do not say whether entry costs money. Ask the Hoi An heritage centre before you go.
Who plans it
The festival plan is from the Da Nang People's Committee. The monthly night is announced by the Hoi An World Cultural Heritage Preservation Centre.
Organiser
Hoi An World Cultural Heritage Preservation Centre · hoianworldheritage.org.vn

Past years

  • 1998The monthly full moon lantern night began. The city tourism portal says it has been held on the 14th day of the lunar month since 1998.

Questions about Hoi An Lantern Festival

Which night is the Hoi An full moon lantern night?

The 14th night of every lunar month. The coming dates are listed on this page.

What time does the lantern night start?

The heritage centre and the city tourism portal print no start time. We do not give one.

Can I float a lantern in Hoi An?

The city tourism portal says visitors release floating lanterns on the Hoai River on the lantern night.

When is the Hoi An International Lantern Festival?

From 3 to 6 December 2026. The opening is planned for 7pm on 3 December, on the main stage at Hoai River Square.

Is it the same as the Hoi An Full Moon Festival?

No. The Hoi An Full Moon (Nguyen Tieu) Festival is held once a year, from the 14th to the 16th of the first lunar month. The lantern night is every month, and the International Lantern Festival is a separate event in December 2026.

Sources

Checked on 27 October 2026. Dates, times and prices can change, so confirm them on the organiser site before you go.

All events in Da Nang, on the board