Seasonal travelBy Clever Tourists · Published
Hoi An's Full Moon Lantern Festival is held on the 14th day of each lunar month, so it falls once a month, and the 2027 dates are: 21 January, 19 February, 21 March, 20 April, 19 May, 18 June, 17 July, 15 August, 14 September, 13 October, 11 November and 11 December. On those evenings the old town switches off its electric lights, lanterns glow along the Hoai River, and traffic is restricted. We worked these dates out from the lunar calendar using Vietnam time (the new moon day is lunar day 1), and they match the pattern published for 2026; no official 2027 calendar from Hoi An's authorities had been found, so confirm close to travel. We spent 6 days in Hoi An in April 2023.
• January: Thursday 21 January
• February: Friday 19 February (around Tet, which falls on 6 February 2027)
• March: Sunday 21 March
• April: Tuesday 20 April
• May: Wednesday 19 May
• June: Friday 18 June
• July: Saturday 17 July
• August: Sunday 15 August
• September: Tuesday 14 September
• October: Wednesday 13 October
• November: Thursday 11 November
• December: Saturday 11 December
The dates are the 14th day of the lunar month, the night before the full moon. They are calculated, not announced, so check the heritage centre or a local calendar a few weeks before you go.
The old town goes dark: electric lights are turned off and silk lanterns provide the light. People release small floating flower lanterns on the Hoai River, and there are folk performances such as bai choi singing, lion dances, martial arts and games. The night market is open, and vehicles are kept out of the old town. One 2026 guide gives the festival hours as 6 pm to 10 pm and the peak crowd as about 7:30 to 9:30 pm.
The mood is gentler than a one-off event because it happens every month. Many visitors expect a once-a-year spectacle and are surprised by a busy but low-key evening. If you want the old town without crowds, come on a night that is not a full-moon date.
The festival itself is free, but the old town has a ticket system. Under the 2026 rules the ticket for foreigners is generally sold at 120,000 VND (≈ $4.7) (about US$5), covers the old town landscape plus several heritage sites and stays valid for up to three days. Our Hoi An Ancient Town ticket guide has the details and how checks work.
Boat rides on the river are not included. A guide for 2026 puts a boat at about 90,000 to 120,000 VND (≈ $3.5–4.7), and flower lanterns sold at riverside stalls at 5,000 to 20,000 VND (≈ $0.19–0.78). Agree the price and the length of the trip before you step in. Choose paper lanterns rather than plastic ones, keep clear of the candle flame, and do not litter.
Plan the evening in this order: ticket and a walk before sunset, dinner at 6, the river and bridge views as the lights go off, and a boat last if the queue is short. Ask whether the quoted price is per boat or per person before you board.
The date is only half the choice; the weather in Hoi An decides whether the evening is pleasant. February to April is the dry, mild stretch and is generally the best time. October to December is the rainy and typhoon season in central Vietnam, when rain, high river levels and flooding can interrupt the evening. Summer is hot. Check the forecast a few days ahead rather than planning around a date alone; our Hoi An packing list covers clothing for each season.
Tet adds a special dimension. The festival on 19 February 2027 falls in the Lunar New Year period, when many businesses close and prices rise; read the Tet 2027 guide before you plan.
Arrive at 5:00 to 5:30 pm to walk the streets, buy your ticket and pick a spot before the crowds build. The best photographs are from the bridge looking upriver in the 30 to 60 minutes after sunset. A quieter stretch of the river lies slightly upstream from the cluster near An Hoi Bridge. Wear comfortable shoes, carry small notes in dong, and take a light layer.
Combine the evening with a tailor visit or a daytime walk: our Hoi An tailor guide covers fittings and turnaround, and how many days in Hoi An explains how long the town needs. Hoi An sat between Hue and Da Lat on our route; see the Hue to Hoi An guide and our 4-week Vietnam route, plus the Hoi An guide.
It is held monthly on the 14th lunar day: 21 Jan, 19 Feb, 21 Mar, 20 Apr, 19 May, 18 Jun, 17 Jul, 15 Aug, 14 Sep, 13 Oct, 11 Nov and 11 Dec 2027. These dates are calculated, not officially announced.
Yes, on the night before the full moon, the 14th day of each lunar month.
One 2026 guide gives 6 pm to 10 pm, with the busiest period about 7:30 to 9:30 pm.
About 90,000 to 120,000 VND (≈ $3.5–4.7) per boat in 2026 guides. Floating flower lanterns cost roughly 5,000 to 20,000 VND (≈ $0.19–0.78). Agree prices first.
February to April is the driest and mildest. October to December is the rainy season, with flood and typhoon risk.
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