Hoi An Lantern Festival 2025

Hoi An Lantern Festival 2025 | Complete Guide

1. Where is the Hoi An Lantern Festival 2025 held?

The Hoi An Lantern Festival will take place in the ancient town of Hoi An, located in Quang Nam Province, Central Vietnam. The main activities are centered around the Ancient Town, along the Hoai River (a tributary of the Thu Bon River), near the Japanese Covered Bridge and the An Hoi Bridge.

During the festival (usually from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM), all electric lights in the old town are turned off, replaced by the soft glow of thousands of handmade lanterns. Locals and visitors release lanterns onto the river, wishing for health, happiness, and good fortune.

2. Hoi An Lantern Festival 2025 Dates

The festival is held on the 14th day of the lunar calendar every month, coinciding with the full moon. The key dates in 2025 are:

(Note: Dates may slightly change based on local arrangements. It is advised to reconfirm before traveling.)

3. Cultural Stories Behind the Festival

Since the 16th century, Hoi An has been a major international port where Chinese, Japanese, and Vietnamese merchants gathered. Lantern traditions took root here and became part of local culture. Originally, lanterns were hung at house entrances to ward off evil and bring good fortune. In 1988, the local government transformed this custom into a regular community festival, which has grown into today’s Lantern Festival.

On festival nights, all electric lights are turned off, and the streets and riverbanks glow only with lanterns. Visitors and locals join together in releasing floating lanterns, enjoying traditional performances, or sampling local delicacies at the night market. Bài Chòi, a folk performance combining music and games, lion dances, and poetry recitals are common during the festivities, offering an authentic taste of Hoi An’s cultural life.

Lanterns are not just decorations; they are symbols. Lighting a lantern is believed to guide ancestors and bring peace to families. Crafted from bamboo frames and silk, the lanterns are handmade by artisans whose skills have been passed down for generations, forming a key part of Hoi An’s intangible cultural heritage.

4. Economic and Cultural Exchange Value

The Hoi An Lantern Festival is not only a celebration but also a driver of economic growth and cultural exchange.

It boosts the nighttime economy: visitors spend on lantern purchases, riverboat rides, street food, and accommodation, keeping the old town vibrant.

It sustains traditional handicrafts: dozens of lantern workshops in Hoi An produce lanterns that are exported worldwide. Each lantern is not just a souvenir but also a cultural messenger, while providing jobs for local residents.

It strengthens international exchange: as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hoi An showcases its unique cultural identity through the Lantern Festival, enhancing its global reputation and providing opportunities for locals to connect with international visitors.

5. Lantern Designs and Symbolism

Dragon Lanterns
Large dragon-shaped lanterns can often be seen near the Japanese Bridge. Built with strong bamboo frames and covered in painted silk, their eyes glow red when lit, as if guarding the ancient town. Dragons symbolize power and protection, believed to safeguard the river and community.

Lotus Lanterns
Lotus-shaped lanterns are the most popular for floating on the river. As night falls, thousands are gently set adrift on the Hoai River, their flickering flames resembling a flowing galaxy. The lotus symbolizes purity and liberation in Buddhism, and families often release them while making wishes for health and peace.

Butterfly Lanterns
Colorful butterfly-shaped lanterns are commonly hung in pairs along rooftops, their wings trembling in the evening breeze as if ready to fly into the night. In Hoi An, butterflies symbolize love and freedom, making them a favorite for young couples who believe they represent love lighting up the future.

Heart Lanterns
Near the An Hoi Bridge, rows of heart-shaped lanterns glow in shades of red and pink, swaying gently in the wind and reflecting on the water. For tourists, they create a romantic atmosphere; for locals, they symbolize family unity and enduring affection.

Traditional Geometric Lanterns
Perhaps the most authentic to Hoi An are the simple geometric lanterns—hexagonal or octagonal frames covered with silk. The warm glow shining through their delicate patterns is understated yet timeless. These lanterns, often seen hanging under old eaves, are considered the quiet guardians of the ancient town.

6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Where is the best place to see the Hoi An Lantern Festival 2025?
A: The best viewing spots are along the Hoai River and near the Japanese Covered Bridge, where lanterns and floating lights are most concentrated.

Q2: Do I need tickets for the festival?
A: Entrance to the Ancient Town requires a ticket (about 120,000 VND), but the lantern festival itself is open to all visitors.

Q3: How can I take part in releasing lanterns?
A: Visitors can purchase small lanterns from vendors (around 5,000–10,000 VND) and release them onto the river, often with the help of a boat.

Q4: What is the best time for photography?
A: The best time is from sunset until around 8:00 PM, when lantern lights reflect beautifully against the night sky.

Q5: Will there be special events in 2025?
A: In addition to the monthly festivals, special performances and lantern shows are often added during Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) and Mid-Autumn Festival.