Hoi An Lantern Festival

Lễ hội Đèn lồng Hội An

View on map
UniqueHoi An
DatesDates TBACheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forUnusual spectacle, playful rulesUnlike most festivals on a single annual
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: VND
CategoryUniqueFestival type
The story

Hoi An Lantern Festival in Hoi An

Hoi An's Lantern Festival is a monthly, not annual, event: on the fourteenth night of each lunar month, the UNESCO-listed Ancient Town switches off electric lighting, closes streets to motor traffic, and lets silk lanterns and candlelight carry the old quarter instead.

Long before it became a fixture of Vietnam's tourism calendar, Hoi An was a trading port where Vietnamese, Chinese, and Japanese merchants lived and worked side by side, a mixed heritage still visible in the town's architecture and in the varied lantern styles hanging along its streets.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Unlike most festivals on a single annual date, Hoi An's Lantern Festival, often called Dem Pho Co, or the legendary night, recurs every lunar month, making it one of the most frequently repeated cultural tourism events in Vietnam

02

The mystery stays covered

The practice dates back to a municipal initiative from the late 1990s aimed at reviving the ambience of the old trading port before electrification, and it now anchors the town's identity within its UNESCO World Heritage-listed Ancient Town, recognized in 1999

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Connected to Hoi An's identity as a former international trading port where Vietnamese

Water and renewal

Living ritual

and Japanese merchant communities once coexisted

The sacred route

Living ritual

an eclecticism still visible in the town's lantern styles and architecture

The local code

Living ritual

the modern monthly lantern night formalizes a general Vietnamese and East Asian association between lantern light

Tradition 5

Living ritual

the full moon

Tradition 6

Living ritual

and wish-making

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA

Getting around

Stay close enough to the part of Hoi An you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.

What to wear

Light, breathable clothing suited to Hoi An's warm, humid climate; comfortable shoes for walking the old quarter's uneven, closely packed streets.

Safety

At Hoi An Lantern Festival, agree on a meeting point and plan food, water and the return route before crowds thicken.

Where to stay

Base yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Hoi An Lantern Festival runs late.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

VND

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map15.88 N, 108.33 EOpen in Google Maps

Hoi An, Da Nang/Quang Nam, Vietnam

Nearest airportDAD — Da Nang
TransportStay close enough to the part of Hoi An you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.
Stay areaBase yourself where the last trip of the day stays easy, especially if Hoi An Lantern Festival runs late.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Hoi An via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Hoi An, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearLight, breathable clothing suited to Hoi An's warm, humid climate; comfortable shoes for walking the old quarter's uneven, closely packed streets.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Vietnam and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Hoi An Lantern Festival?

Hoi An Lantern Festival is listed for Multiple months. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Hoi An Lantern Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Hoi An, Vietnam. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Hoi An, Da Nang/Quang Nam, Vietnam

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLhoianheritage.net
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA
Source statusOfficial source linked
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