Hoi An Lantern Festival: A Beauty Of Vietnam

One of the greatest occasions to visit Hoi An is during the Hoi An Lantern Festival. In which guests will get submerged in a glittering wonderland with an infinite number of lantern lights. Numerous outdoor events are organized when large numbers are present to make the town lively. The participants were able to capture a lot of beautiful shots thanks to the boats and moving candle lamps on the river. The town is in a celebratory mood more than at any other time over the entire month. Your experience at night is guaranteed to be wonderful because of the romantic settings, delectable street fare, and abundance of items to buy and take pictures of. We'll write a whole essay on the Hoi An Lantern Festival now for further information.

What Is Hoi An Lantern Festival?

Every month, the Hoi An Old Town hosts the Hoi An Lantern Festival (also known as the Hoi An Full Moon Festival, Lantern Full Moon Festival, or Light Festival). Numerous lanterns are lit by candles in every street during the full moon, and many of them are thrown into the neighboring river. Visitors may also take part in several outdoor activities and see lanterns of various sizes, shapes, colors, and materials. The scene is captivating, full of life, and full of energy. One of the greatest times to visit Hoi An is during this most well-known festival.

Hoi An Lantern Festival History

As Chinese from South China provinces migrated to Hoi An in the 16th century, lanterns began to exist. They arrived in order to explore business prospects and settle down for a while. As of now, there are five Chinese communities (Hoa people). Along with teaching their new neighbors how to construct it, the migrants also share their tradition of lanterns, which includes lighting the lanterns on Full Moon nights. The art of creating lanterns is being practiced today and is handed down from one generation to the next.

On the other side, Vietnamese people also light their lanterns at the full moon. The tradition has a close connection to Buddhism, which had a greater impact on the nation than any other religion before it. The inhabitants offer prayers for their own well-being and the well-being of their loved ones, as well as for their career, children, and other things. Due to this coincidence, the Full Moon has been hosted every month ever since and has subsequently ingrained itself into the town's culture.

When Is Hoi An Lantern Festival?

According to the traditional Vietnamese calendar, the Hoi An Lantern Festival is observed on the fourteenth day of every lunar month. This calendar, which has been in use for many years throughout the nation, is based on the lunar cycle. The natives refer to the 14th day as "ngay ram”. When this happens, children are offered to the Gods or ancestors at the temples, such as fresh fruits, cakes, and incense sticks. It holds religious significance.

The celebration lasts from the time the sun sets until 10 p.m. Come to the Old Town after 7 if you want to witness the greatest scenes.

How is the Hoi An Lantern Festival celebrated?

The lanterns are the main attraction of this event, as the name would imply. With wishes for joy, good fortune, and love, little lanterns of various colors are lit with candles and set out on the Thu Bon river. At 8 o'clock, all of the fluorescent lights are switched out, leaving just the floating lanterns to cast a mystical aura over Hoi An. The historic part of Hoi An is off-limits to cars and bicycles, so you may explore and take in the ambience without worrying about stumbling onto a road.

Poetry readings and musical performances (fiddles, drums, and bamboo flutes) are frequently held along the river. Locals will assemble for Bai Choi, a musical variation of bingo, while others will play board games in front of their homes. Along the river, food stands provide great vegetarian fare as well as traditional hog meals. It's a terrific time to shop at the bustling night markets and sample delectable moon cakes, which are pastries filled with delicious red bean paste. The celebrations end around 10 o'clock.

The full moon is a time to remember departed family members and ancestors in connection with the Hoi An Lantern Festival. In exchange for wealth, local families will also pay visits to shrines and make offerings of flowers, food, and candles as well as fictitious currency.

Where is Hoi An Lantern Festival celebrated?

Perhaps more than any other location or celebration in the nation, Hoi An Lantern Festival serves as a metaphor for Vietnam's attraction. The Hoi An Lantern Festival, which takes place every month, is when lanterns and their ethereal radiance are at their most spectacular.

The area between the Japanese Covered Bridge and the Cau An Hoi Bridge is the greatest site in Hoi An to see the activity. You may see lanterns discharged into the river here, and the water's reflection of the nearby buildings' hanging lights is rather lovely. Since a large portion of the town is pedestrianized, you can stroll about and take in the lanterns from various locations.

What Time Does Hoi An Lantern Festival Start and Finish?

Around nine or ten o'clock in the evening, the paper lantern festival starts. However, when dusk falls, the majority of people start congregating in the Ancient Town, where they may eat supper and unwind with a drink as they wait for it to start.

All of the structures in this area begin to cut off their electricity around 8 o'clock at night so that the lanterns' gentle illumination may cast a lovely glow over the area.

Special Hoi An Lantern Festival

Tet Nguyen Tieu (First Full Moon Festival)

Chinese culture developed the First Full Moon Festival circa 200 BC, during the Western Han period. There are several tales that have survived to the present day that explain why it is remembered and passed down from generation to generation. The tale of the God of Heaven's swan is the one that is most frequently told. It falls to Earth and is subsequently murdered by a hunter. The owner becomes extremely enraged upon learning that it is no longer alive and requests that everything be set ablaze. However, a guy alerts the populace of the impending catastrophic tragedy because of his superpower. He gives the order to hang red lanterns to make the houses appear to be on fire. Since then, at the first full moon of the year, red lanterns are used to decorate Chinese temples and assembly halls. From 10 to 11 a.m., ceremonies are held to pray for peace and prosperity (the best time).

Tet Trung Thu (Mid-Autumn Festival)

The eighth month, which has the year's brightest full moon, is when the Mid-Autumn Festival is held. In Vietnamese culture, it is referred to as the Reunion Festival or the Children Festival. To honor the ancestors, people prepare baked and unbaked rice cakes, a tray of five different types of fruit, incense sticks, and other items. The circle-shaped cake symbolizes the completion and reunification of all family members. Additionally, kids frequently join teams to do the lion dance while wearing masks and holding star lanterns in their hands. Parents bring their adored children out into the public for entertainment.

The Mid-Autumn Festival lasts several nights before the full moon, not just one. On the streets, lion and dragon dances are shown.

Get more information about Mid-Autumn Festival here: Celebration Of Tet Trung Thu: Mid-autumn Festival In Vietnam

Highlights of Hoi An Lantern Festival

Streets with Lanterns

Every night, a large number of visitors visit Hoi An Old Town to take in the captivating images of bright lanterns. The town's venues all hang up additional lanterns outside during the full moon, making the scene particularly spectacular. A stunning combination of shimmering candle lanterns on the water, reflections of golden light, and lanterns on boats can be observed in the surrounding canal. One of the most famous recollections in Hoi An, this astounds most amorous souls. The experience of the visitor is undoubtedly memorable.

Lantern Boat Ride

Visitors enjoy not only strolling through the streets lit by lanterns but also taking in the magnificent and uplifting views of Hoi An from a boat. Many folks are welcome to obtain their own boat when strolling along the riverfronts, so you don't even need to look hard for one. Between 100,000 and 200,000 VND, or between 40,000 and 80,000 VND per person, is a reasonable fee for 30 minutes. There are several picture and video possibilities while on board. The passengers may make wishes while lighting their own lanterns and tossing them into the ocean. Visitors to Hoi An Old Town must engage in this activity.

Local vendors of candle lanterns

Locals selling paper lanterns beside the river is one of the most stunning sights visitors to the Hoi An Lantern Festival will encounter. Many elderly women can be seen in well-known, widely recognized photographs. Visit Instagram; there are many interesting photographs uploaded there. The purchasers then use a stick to lower the lantern to the water after exchanging it for 10,000 VND in common. After dropping off, locals pray for their loved ones, their health, their employment, their finances, and other concerns. People offer prayers for wandering souls who are awaiting rebirth at Buddhist holidays.

Bright Lantern Shops

During the Hoi An Lantern Festival, the town's lantern stores make for picturesque Instagram photos. In order to take beautiful photos and publish them on social media, it becomes an epic background. Many travelers feel they must purchase one while in Hoi An. There are additional stores with glistening lanterns after you cross the bridge and turn right. There's little doubt that you'll find beautiful pictures that people take there and upload to the internet. Posing in front of lighting lanterns that range in size, shape, and color is free if you're buying something. You might pay about 20,000 VND for the opportunity without making a purchase.

Earth Hour

Every year during Earth Hour in Hoi An Old Town, all venues are urged to turn off their electric lights and set their lanterns alight. The Hoi An Lantern Festival is the ideal setting for the objectives.

Hoi An Lantern Festival Activities

Making Clay Pots Break

This Vietnamese folk game is enjoyed by both adults and children. The participants will be blindfolded and instructed to shatter any clay pots hanging up in the front with a stick. It's difficult to approach the pots and smash one of them, though, because I can't see. To be able to achieve that, players must pay attention to the directions of others. Only a hand out is acceptable, and the only payment is the cash in the cracked pot. Each player has a single payment option of 10,000 VND.

Watching Bai Choi (A Unesco Heritage)

Every spring, Bai Choi is presented in rural Vietnamese community homes. It combines singing with gaming and welcomes participation from all ages. Visitors may observe bamboo cottages near An Hoi Bridge that are facing an open yard where neighborhood artists hold the games. As per the guidelines, the host selects a bamboo stick from the tube and sings a song that is appropriately matched to the information on it. Players win if their cards coincide three times with the music. It's interesting to see how individuals do their work and perform in order to have a better understanding of the community.

Studying folk music

The Hoi An Lantern Festival hosts a program to teach young children traditional songs close to the Japanese Covered Bridge. Although the lyrics are tough to understand, the tone, instrumentation, and emotion are universally felt. This is a fantastic opportunity for tourists to learn about a unique aspect of the community's culture.

Crafts and calligraphy

Chinese calligraphy with positive messages is most frequently used by individuals to adorn their homes for the New Year celebration. It also has a huge meaning in modern times. Some calligraphers set up a mat on the street during the full moon and create artistic letters on the sheets. Visitors also get the opportunity to observe artists creating handicrafts like lanterns or figures made from bamboo roots.

Hoi An Lantern Festival Tour

Only held once a month, the Lantern Festival Vietnam, especially in Hoi An is one of the greatest occasions to visit Hoi An. If you want to choose your own time to visit the town, check the full moon schedule above to find out the precise day. A guided tour is one of the best choices if you're looking for an adventure that involves more than just seeing the lanterns at night. Typical amenities include two-way transportation from the hotel, a local English-speaking guide, admission tickets, a tour of Hoi An Ancient Town, a night market, and renowned tailors. The choice of a half-day or a full-day duration is entirely up to each tourist.