The Hoi An Lantern Festival is a fantastical festival held on the 14th day of each lunar month (the night of the full moon). In April 2026 it will be heldonly on Wednesday, April 1,and although April 30 falls on the 14th of the lunar month, it won't be held because it overlaps with Vietnam's Reunification Day (a public holiday) in the south. For Japanese travelers planning to visit for the next occasion from May onward, we bring you the latest complete guide for 2026.
Lantern Festival dates in 2026 (April–June)
| Dates | Lunar calendar | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wednesday, April 1 | 14th of the 3rd lunar month | Already held |
| Thursday, April 30 | 14th of the 4th lunar month | Not held(Reunification Day in the south) |
| Saturday, May 30 | 14th of the 5th lunar month | Held on a Saturday = watch for crowds |
| Monday, June 29 | 14th of the 6th lunar month | Rainy season; crowds somewhat calmer |
For those who couldn't go in April, Saturday, May 30 is the next chance, but being a weekend it's extremely crowded. If you have leeway, aiming for the weekday event on Monday, June 29 is wise.
What happens at the Lantern Festival
From around 6 p.m. on the 14th of the lunar month, lanterns begin to light up along the Thu Bon River in Hoi An's Old Quarter. The electric lights for tourists are turned off, taking on the appearance of a "candle festival" where only the lantern light illuminates the Old Quarter. The peak from 7:30 to 9 p.m. is when the center of the Old Quarter is most crowded.
The main highlights are:
- Floating lanterns on the Thu Bon River: An experience of getting on a small boat and floating lanterns on the river (2–50,000 VND per go). A ceremonial beauty similar to Japan's floating-lantern rituals
- Old Quarter lantern decorations: A fantastical sight where the yellow townscape with 800 years of history overlaps with the orange of the lanterns
- Traditional music performances: Live folk-music performances take place throughout the Old Quarter
- Around the Faifo Bridge (Japanese Bridge): The historic bridge built by Japanese in the Edo period is decorated with lanterns and is popular as a photo spot
How Vietnamese people take it: complex feelings about touristification
Among Vietnamese people from Hoi An, feelings about the Lantern Festival are complex. While there's the conflict that "a spiritual ritual handed down from ancestors has become a tourism product," the realistic assessment that "the Lantern Festival supports Hoi An's economy, and without it many families couldn't make a living" also coexists.
The more visitors increase, the more local shops' sales rise, but the aging and successor shortage among artisans making handmade lanterns is a serious challenge. To tell a genuine handmade lantern from a Chinese factory product, you can judge by the neatness of the stitching and the translucency of the fabric.
Practical guide for Japanese travelers
Access: From Da Nang International Airport to Hoi An is about 30–45 minutes by car or bus. Because vehicle access into Hoi An's Old Quarter is restricted on the day of the Lantern Festival, staying within walking distance of the Old Quarter is ideal.
Avoiding crowds: To avoid the 7:30–9 p.m. peak, the early time before 6–7 p.m. or after 9 p.m. is somewhat calmer. Popular photo spots (the Japanese Bridge, in front of Hoi An market) hit maximum crowds around 7 p.m.
Clothing and belongings: Nights can be cool in some seasons, but April–June is muggy. Insect repellent spray is a must. There are many mosquitoes along the river. You don't need a tripod for the camera; a smartphone's night mode is enough to shoot with.
Budget guide: Admission is free, but there's a paid zone for the Old Quarter (ticket 120,000 VND / about 700 yen). The lantern-floating experience is 2–50,000 VND, and a meal is around 5–100,000 VND.
For café information around Hoi An and Da Nang, seeEvery Half CoffeeAlso refer to the article. For Vietnam travel in general,Nagocha matcha caféwe also compile information on unique spots and more.
The mindset for truly enjoying the Lantern Festival
The reason many travelers feel "it was crowded and less moving than I expected" is that they go to the center of the Old Quarter at peak time. The angle of viewing the Old Quarter from the opposite bank of the Thu Bon River (the An Hoi Island side), where the lantern light reflects on the water's surface, is a hidden gem where you can enjoy the superb view without crowds.
Also, if you book a small boat in advance, you can do the lantern floating without lining up on the day (arrangeable at travel agencies in the Old Quarter or at your hotel). The morning after the Lantern Festival, the Old Quarter is quiet, as calm as if the previous night's bustle were a lie. The day after the festival is also an ideal time for strolling the Old Quarter.
Summary
The Hoi An Lantern Festival in April 2026 is only on April 1 (April 30 is not held). The next occasions are Saturday, May 30 and Monday, June 29. If you nail the three points — visiting at an early time avoiding the crowd peak, viewing from the opposite bank of the river, and booking a small boat in advance — you can get a genuine, fantastical experience even amid the crowds.
Source:Sara Travel – Lantern Festival dates 2026、Danang Holic、Tabi Spa
