From August 28 to September 2, Hoi An's old town transforms from a city of lanterns into a city where visitors can meet the makers. "Hoi An Creative Week 2026 (Hội An Creative Week)", announced by Da Nang City, is a six-day program built around craft workshops in the old town and a GPS rally that crosses the whole city, running right into the September 2 National Day holiday. For anyone traveling to central Vietnam over the holiday, or residents of Da Nang and Hoi An looking for a weekend outing with kids, the event offers a way to explore the old town beyond the usual night-time lantern photos.
On the evening of August 28, the "Hoi An Creative Spaces Map" will be unveiled at the opening ceremony on Song Hoai Square
The heart of the opening day is the ceremony held at 7:30 pm on August 28 at Song Hoai Square (1 Cao Hồng Lãnh Street). Local artisans, artists, and creative groups will be introduced there, and the "Hội An Arts and Creative Spaces Map" will be officially unveiled. It condenses onto a single map where in the old town each workshop and creative space is located, and it becomes the starting point for exploring during the event. The theme is "Embrace Heritage, Inspire Creativity." It also doubles as a cultural program tied to National Day, which marks its 81st anniversary on September 2.
The old town, once reliant on lanterns, turns into a showcase of workshops and makers
Hoi An is best known for its night-time lanterns and floating candle lights, and many itineraries end with "head to the riverside after sunset." Creative Week fills in the time before that, the daytime hours. Venues are spread across Song Hoai Square, the An Hoi Sculpture Garden (Nguyễn Phúc Chu Street), Hoi An Theatre, city museums, nearby craft villages, and creative spaces throughout the old town, with exhibitions, performances, talks, and workshops running in parallel. Talks themed around craft villages are also planned, drawing a path to meet the actual makers behind wood carving, lanterns, and pottery. What defines this event is that venues aren't concentrated in one place — from the large gathering at Song Hoai Square, to outdoor displays at the An Hoi Sculpture Garden, performances at Hoi An Theatre, to small creative spaces tucked into back alleys, the more you walk the old town, the more you find. Students and young makers revived a fading craft village through social mediaThis summer's craft village camphas now taken shape in Hoi An as an official city program following the same trend.
An AI experience zone for kids and a GPS rally turn the old town itself into a playground
Two features stand out this year. One is an AI experience zone for children, blending cutting-edge tech play into a craft-focused event. The other is a GPS challenge trail across the old town, guiding participants to designated spots on a map as they cross the city. Rather than just visiting workshops one by one, the design turns the walk itself into a game so kids stay engaged — well suited to a half-day plan for repeat visitors or families. For travelers on their second or third trip to Hoi An who feel they've "already photographed the lanterns," this GPS rally hits the mark. Instead of fixed photo spots, following the map to the next stop naturally leads into alleys off the usual tourist route. Take a break from walking, and visit famous shops with set prices along the wayHoi An banh mi food crawlas a break, and the workshop tour and food scene flow together seamlessly.
How to combine Hoi An and Hue over the September 2 holiday
The real payoff for readers is that the holiday in central Vietnam can be strung together into a single route. From Hoi An, Hue is a 3-4 hour drive north, and a free three-night music festival starts there on August 30, making it possible to visit both ancient cities within the same National Day holiday. Visit workshops in Hoi An by day, then in Hue at nighta large-scale free music festival— for anyone who wants to tie central Vietnam together as a "tour of heritage cities," this holiday is a rare opportunity. From Japan, early September overlaps with the lingering summer heat and airfares tend to move, making a short trip focused on central Vietnam via Da Nang a good fit.
Key dates and venues to check before touring the old town
- The event runs August 28 - September 2. The opening ceremony starts at 7:30 pm on the 28th at Song Hoai Square
- Main venues — Song Hoai Square, the An Hoi Sculpture Garden, Hoi An Theatre, city museums, and nearby craft villages
- The AI experience zone and GPS rally assume you'll be on foot. It's more realistic to move in the morning or evening to avoid the midday heat
- Outdoor programs at the squares and gardens are free to drop into. That said, some old-town heritage houses and historic sites still require the usual sightseeing tickets
- September 2 will be crowded everywhere. Parking is limited in Hoi An, so it's easier to move around by taxi or ride-hailing app from Da Nang
Pick up the Creative Spaces Map on the night of the 28th, then connect the workshops the next day
You can photograph the lanterns any time. But the six days when makers turn out across the old town all at once only line up with this particular window, the September 2 holiday. If you decide to go, first pick up the Creative Spaces Map at Song Hoai Square on the night of the 28th, then plan out the workshops and craft villages on the map before heading out the following days. That's the quickest way to bring home a Hoi An beyond its lanterns.
