Hoi An’s First International Lantern Festival: A Guide to the Festival Experience

For generations, the glow of silk lanterns has been a part of Hoi An’s romantic nighttime scenery, illuminating the Ancient Town and casting colourful reflections across the Hoai River. In 2026, this long-standing tradition takes on a new international dimension as Hoi An hosts its first-ever International Lantern Festival, celebrating the town’s rich heritage and more than 400 years of traditional lantern-making craftsmanship.

Held over four days in December, the festival brings together large-scale lantern displays inspired by Hoi An and international cultures, including Japan, China, South Korea, Thailand and Laos. Read on to discover what makes the Hoi An International Lantern Festival special and explore the must-see sights, cultural experiences and things to do during your stay.

Highlights of the Hoi An International Lantern Festival

When is the Hoi An International Lantern Festival?

Dates: 3rd to 6th December 2026.
Time: 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Location: around Hoai River Square, An Hoi Sculpture Garden, Nguyen Phuc Chu, Nguyen Thi Minh Khai and Tran Phu Streets, and the Hoai River.

The festival will turn Hoi An into a city-wide canvas of light, with around 15 large-scale lantern installations spread across its historic streets and riverside spaces. Each installation will draw on different aspects of Hoi An’s heritage, including local craftsmanship in ceramics, wood and bamboo, while international displays will bring creative influences from Japan, China, South Korea, Thailand and Laos.

Together, these installations will connect the festival’s main venues with surrounding craft villages, attractions and community spaces, creating a continuous lantern experience across Hoi An.

When is the Hoi An International Lantern Festival?

Festival experiences to look forward to

The four-day festival will bring Hoi An’s lantern heritage to life through a programme of cultural performances, craft experiences, exhibitions, food and creative activities across the Ancient Town.

Join the opening ceremony: The festival will officially open on 3 December at 7:00 PM at Hoai River Square, beginning with a lantern-lighting ceremony followed by a staged performance combining music, dance, visual effects and local cultural elements.
Experience Hoi An’s traditional arts: The “Sac Mau Di San” programme will bring together Vietnamese folk music and traditional instrumental performances such as Bai Choi, Hat Boi, contemporary art, and Ao Dai showcases, offering an introduction to the diverse performing arts of Hoi An and Vietnam.
Discover the craft of Hoi An lanterns: Take part in lantern-making workshops, meet local artisans, and explore the techniques and creativity behind one of Hoi An’s best-known traditional crafts.
Explore lantern art and creative exhibitions: Visit the “Lanterns and Regenerative Art” exhibition and discover creative lantern works made with recycled and environmentally friendly materials.
Step into old Hoi An at “Minh Dang Da Hanh”: Held on the evening of 4 December, this special programme recreates the atmosphere of early 20th-century Hoi An through traditional costumes, craft demonstrations, folk performances, lantern dances and a lantern procession through the Ancient Town.
Taste Hoi An at “Cham Vi Pho Hoi”: Sample local flavours at the festival’s dedicated food space while exploring the riverside festival atmosphere.
Join creative cultural activities: Visitors can also explore discussions on traditional crafts, admire entries in the “Impressive Hoi An Lanterns” photography competition, and discover new lantern-pattern designs through the online competition.

Hoi An’s lantern heritage through cultural performances, crafts, exhibitions and local cuisine.

Best Places to Experience the Lantern Festival in Hoi An

Hoai River Square and An Hoi Sculpture Garden

Location: 01 Cao Hong Lanh Street, Hoi An, Da Nang

Hoai River Square and An Hoi Sculpture Garden will be two of the main festival hubs, with large-scale lantern installations, cultural performances, food experiences, and creative activities taking place throughout the four-day event. They are good places to start an evening at the festival, especially for visitors who want to see the main displays and join hands-on activities such as lantern-making workshops.

Japanese Covered Bridge and the Historic Old Town

Location: Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Hoi An, Da Nang

Japanese Covered Bridge is one of Hoi An’s most recognisable heritage landmarks and an essential stop during a visit to the Ancient Town. After dark, the surrounding streets take on a different atmosphere as lanterns illuminate the historic buildings. Visitors can walk around the Old Town, photograph the bridge and explore nearby temples, old houses and assembly halls before continuing to the festival areas.

Admire the lanterns at the Japanese Covered Bridge in Hoi An.

Tan Ky Ancient House and Hoi An’s Historic Merchant Houses

Location: 101 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Old Town, Hoi An, Da Nang

Tan Ky Ancient House is one of the best-known examples of Hoi An’s traditional merchant houses, with a history dating back more than two centuries. Its timber structure and architectural details reflect the cultural influences that shaped the trading port. Visitors can explore the house during the day, then continue through nearby historic homes such as Quan Thang House and Duc An House as part of a heritage-focused walk.

Hoai River and Lantern Boat Rides

Location: 136 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Old Town, Hoi An, Da Nang

The Hoai River offers one of the most recognisable ways to experience Hoi An at night, with colourful lanterns reflected across the water and the illuminated Ancient Town along the riverbanks. Visitors can take a short lantern boat ride, release a floating flower lantern or simply enjoy the riverside views and photography opportunities.

Hoi An Night Market

Location: 3 Nguyen Hoang, Hoi An, Da Nang

Across the river from the Ancient Town, Hoi An Night Market on Nguyen Hoang Street adds a lively finish to an evening of festival activities. The market is known for its colourful lantern stalls, handmade crafts, souvenirs and local snacks. It is a convenient place to browse traditional lanterns, pick up small gifts, and continue exploring Hoi An after the main festival programmes.

Suggested 3-Day, 2-Night Hoi An Itinerary During the Festival

Day 1: Hoi An’s historic architecture and the festival opening

9 AM – 11:30 AM: Explore Hoi An Ancient Town, including the Japanese Covered Bridge, Tan Ky Ancient House, and nearby historic merchant houses.
12 PM – 2:30 PM: Have lunch featuring local specialities such as cao lau, Hoi An chicken rice, or White Rose dumplings, then take a break.
3 PM – 4 PM: Visit the Fujian Assembly Hall and explore more of Hoi An’s historic streets and architecture.
4 PM – 6:30 PM: Head to Hoai River Square and An Hoi Sculpture Garden to explore the festival’s lantern installations, craft activities, and exhibition spaces.
7 PM – 9 PM: On 3 December, watch the festival’s opening ceremony at Hoai River Square, beginning at 7 PM, followed by cultural performances and lantern displays.
9 PM – 10 PM: Take a lantern boat ride on the Hoai River and enjoy the lantern-lit Ancient Town after dark.

Day 2: Lantern art, traditional culture and Hoi An food

8 AM – 10 AM: Take a relaxed morning walk through the Ancient Town and visit historic houses, assembly halls, or other heritage sites you may have missed.
10 AM – 12 PM: Discover Hoi An’s traditional crafts and explore lantern-making experiences.
12 PM – 2:30 PM: Have lunch and take a break.
3 PM – 5 PM: Return to the festival areas to explore large-scale lantern installations, creative exhibitions, workshops, and food experiences.
5 PM – 7 PM: Enjoy traditional performances and cultural programmes, including Bai Choi, folk music, and other local performing arts.
7 PM – 9 PM: Have dinner and explore the Hoi An Night Market on Nguyen Hoang Street.
9 PM – 10 PM: Walk along the Hoai River and enjoy the illuminated streets, lantern displays, and riverside atmosphere.

Day 3: Heritage walk, local food, and a final festival evening

8 AM – 10 AM: Visit any remaining heritage sites, such as Quan Thang House, Duc An House, or another historic assembly hall.
10 AM – 12 PM: Explore Hoi An’s cultural and architectural heritage at a relaxed pace before lunch.
12 PM – 2:30 PM: Enjoy a final local lunch and take a break.
3 PM – 5 PM: Return to the festival area for another look at the lantern installations, craft displays, and creative activities.
5 PM – 7 PM: Try more Hoi An specialties, such as mi quang, banh mi, or White Rose dumplings.
7 PM – 9 PM: Take a final walk through the Ancient Town, stop by the Hoai River, and enjoy the lantern-lit streets.
9 PM onwards: Return to your hotel or continue exploring Hoi An’s nightlife at your own pace.

Explore more: Things To Do in Hoi An

Stay at Wafaifo Resort Hoi An During the Festival

For a convenient base during the Hoi An International Lantern Festival, Wafaifo Resort Hoi An is located around a 10-minute walk from Hoi An Ancient Town. The resort makes it easy to combine festival activities with time to explore the town’s heritage streets, historic architecture, riverside lantern displays and local dining scene. After a full day of sightseeing, guests can return to the resort for a quieter evening, with wellness facilities, dining and a range of room and suite options available on site.

At Wafaifo Resort Hoi An, guests can also make use of a range of on-site services and experiences during their festival stay:

Wellness by Wafaifo: Access advanced wellness and recovery experiences including HBOT, infrared sauna, ice bath and other personalised treatments. The resort’s wellness concept follows its “Future Wellness for Everybody” philosophy.
25 x 6 m temperature-controlled saltwater pool: Swim or unwind in the resort’s temperature-controlled saltwater pool, a convenient option for relaxing between festival activities.
Private Cinema: Enjoy a private screening or live sports session in the resort’s eight-seat Cinema Room, with tailored dining options available during screenings.
Complimentary bicycles: Guests can use complimentary bicycles to explore Hoi An at a slower pace, making it easy to combine a resort stay with independent Old Town sightseeing.
Kids Club: Families can make use of the supervised Kids Club for children aged 5–12, with creative, educational and recreational activities available throughout the day.
Heritage & Culture Pathway: Explore 13 terracotta reliefs across the resort, designed to introduce guests to elements of Hoi An’s traditional life, crafts and cultural heritage before heading into the Ancient Town.

Book your stay at Wafaifo Resort Hoi An for a convenient base to explore the Hoi An International Lantern Festival and the Ancient Town.