Hoi An lanterns at Full Moon Festival

The Hoi An Full Moon Festival is held on every 14th day of the lunar month. During the evening, the old town is transformed by flickering candlelight, multi-colored lanterns and hoards of visitors.

VietNamNet Bridge - The Hoi An Full Moon Festival is held on every 14th day of the lunar month. During the evening, Hoi An ancient town switches off its electric lights and bans motor vehicles. The old town is transformed by flickering candlelight, multi-colored lanterns and hoards of visitors.

This is a magical festival that gives you a glimpse of what life may have been like when Hoi An was a booming and affluent port 400 years ago.

The festival is not only a full moon event, but a time to worship the ancestors, the founders of the city and the souls of the dead, and to wish for a peaceful and prosperous year.

On the riverbank, you will be accosted by locals selling cardboard lotus flower-shaped lanterns, which come with a tiny candle. These, when released on to the river, are said to bring happiness, luck and love. Thousands of people partake, leaving the water twinkling with lit flowers and positive vibes.

The Hoi An Lunar full moon festival activities recall the real life of Hoi An people over 4 centuries ago. Some groups of Hoi An old men play Chinese chess in front of their houses on the street, and the local people and young couples go around the city under the moonlight to feel hope and enjoy life.

As you battle your way through the crowds on the street, you’ll be rewarded with bands playing bamboo flutes, drums and fiddles, as well as traditional games. On the banks of the Hoai River young men and women exchange folk songs.

Traditional lanterns are special products from Hoi An. Vietnamese believe that hanging a couple of lanterns in front of their houses will bring warmth and happiness to the family.

Hoi An lanterns attract visitor’s love because of skill in design and durability. There are many shapes such as circle, garlic, diamond… and variety of colors. Prices range from ten to hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese dong depending on the size, colors, and quality of fabric. Hoi An lanterns are produced from brocade or silk because it’s beautiful, impervious to water and easy to clean and packageswell for transport. Hoi An lanterns are now certified by the Intellectual Property Department to protect local workshops.

One great thing about them is that they are all foldable, so they’ll fit easily in any suitcase or backpack. It’s better to buy them at night, as you’ll be able to see how they’ll look lit up.