Quick Facts
| Data Field (Title) | Content | Icon/Note |
|---|---|---|
| Official Vietnamese Name | Lễ hội Đèn lồng Hội An | Commonly referred to as the "Hoi An Full Moon Festival." |
| Location | Hội An Ancient Town, Quảng Nam Province, Central Vietnam. | Centered around the Hoài River and the streets of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. |
| Date | Monthly Event: The 14th day of every Lunar Month (the night of the Full Moon). | The largest celebration occurs during the first Full Moon of the Lunar New Year (Tết). |
| Significance | A celebration of the full moon, a sacred time in the Buddhist calendar, dedicated to worshiping ancestors, praying for good fortune and peace, and expressing cultural heritage. | |
| Atmosphere | Romantic, Ethereal, and Magical, with thousands of colorful silk lanterns replacing electric lighting. |
I. Overview: The Glowing Heart of the Ancient Town
A Timeless Tradition
The Hội An Lantern Festival is a captivating and unique cultural celebration that takes place every month in the UNESCO-recognized Ancient Town of Hội An. The tradition, influenced by Chinese and Japanese merchants in the 16th and 17th centuries, has evolved into a deeply embedded Vietnamese custom, symbolizing good luck, happiness, and guidance to ward off evil spirits.
Every month, the town transforms into a fairytale scene as electric lights are minimized or turned off, leaving the streets, homes, and shops illuminated solely by the warm, flickering glow of thousands of colorful silk lanterns.
The Full Moon Significance
The festival coincides with the full moon, considered an auspicious time in Buddhist culture for:
Ancestral Commemoration: Locals make offerings at family shrines to honor deceased relatives.
Spiritual Reflection: A time for peaceful contemplation, meditation, and ritual observance.
Wishing for Prosperity: An act of praying for health, fortune, and a peaceful year ahead.
II. Key Activities and Experiences
The festival offers visitors a chance to fully immerse themselves in the local culture and the enchanting atmosphere.
1. Releasing Floating Lanterns on the Hoài River
This is the most iconic activity of the festival.
The Ritual: Locals and tourists buy small paper or lotus-shaped lanterns with candles inside and gently release them onto the Hoài River.
The Meaning: Each floating lantern carries a personal wish or prayer for good health, happiness, and prosperity for loved ones. The sight of hundreds of shimmering lights drifting down the river is breathtakingly beautiful.
2. Immersive Atmosphere
Streets of Light: Wander through the main pedestrian streets (like Trần Phú, Nguyễn Thái Học, and Bạch Đằng) after 6:00 PM, when the town goes dark and the vibrant silk lanterns take over.
Lantern Crafting: Visitors can find workshops to learn the traditional skill of making Hội An’s distinctive collapsible silk lanterns, a souvenir that embodies the town’s history.
3. Traditional Arts and Folk Games
Bài Chòi Singing: Witness Bài Chòi, a unique blend of folk singing and game recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Lion and Dragon Dances: Energetic performances of traditional dances are held in the streets to bring blessings and excitement to the crowds.
Folk Games: Various simple, fun traditional Vietnamese games, such as “Breaking the Clay Pot,” are organized on the sidewalks, and tourists are often encouraged to participate.
III. Visitor Information
| Guide Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Best Time to Visit | The festival is held monthly, but the celebration for the first full moon of the Lunar New Year (Tết) is generally the largest and most spectacular. |
| Timing | The best time to experience the magic is between 6:00 PM and 10:00 PM on the 14th night of the lunar month when electric lights are turned off. |
| Logistics | The Ancient Town typically restricts traffic during the festival hours, making it highly pedestrian-friendly. |
| Photography | The interplay of the colorful silk lanterns and the old yellow buildings creates extraordinary photographic opportunities. |
| Tip | To release a lantern on the river, you can rent a small rowboat or purchase a small paper lantern from vendors along the riverbank (typically for a very small fee). |