Hoi An Lantern Festival 2026: Full Moon Dates and Rain Tips
The Hoi An Lantern Festival takes place on the 14th night of every lunar month, the evening before the full moon. The remaining 2026 dates are Friday 23 October, Sunday 22 November and Tuesday 22 December. Hoi An is also holding its first International Lantern Festival from 3 to 6 December 2026. October and November are the wettest months of the year, so check the forecast and the river level on the day before you set off from Da Nang.
Hoi An Lantern Festival 2026 dates
Some websites list different dates, so we checked each night against the lunar calendar (updated October 2026).
| Date | Day | Lunar date | What's on | Weather outlook |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 October | Friday | 14th of the 9th month | Monthly lantern night | Peak of the rainy season |
| 22 November | Sunday | 14th of the 10th month | Monthly lantern night. Heritage Day activities start the next day | Still wet |
| 23 Nov – 7 Dec | Vietnam Cultural Heritage Day activities in the Ancient Town | Rain easing | ||
| 3 – 6 December | Thursday – Sunday | International Lantern Festival (first edition) | Rain easing | |
| 22 December | Tuesday | 14th of the 11th month | Monthly lantern night | Driest of the three |
| 24 – 25 December | Thursday – Friday | Christmas events in the Ancient Town |
The full moon itself falls the following day (24 October, 23 November and 23 December), but the lantern night is held on the 14th.
What happens on a lantern night
On lantern nights the Ancient Town switches off its electric lights after dark and the streets are lit by silk lanterns instead. People float small paper lanterns with candles on the Hoai River, and boats take visitors out on the water.
- Time: roughly 18:00 to 22:00.
- Cost: walking around on the night is free. A paper lantern to float on the river costs around 10,000 VND.
- Boat rides: available when the river is calm. In high water they can be suspended.
The International Lantern Festival, 3–6 December
This is a new event organised by the city to mark the 27th anniversary of Hoi An's UNESCO World Heritage listing (4 December 1999). Under the theme "Hoi An – Heritage Colors", the programme covers Hoai River Square, the An Hoi sculpture garden, the riverbank and several Ancient Town streets.
According to the organisers' plans reported in Vietnamese media, it includes:
- Around 15 large artistic lantern installations in public spaces
- Lantern-making demonstrations and workshops
- A food space called "Hoi An Flavor Space"
- A performance programme with traditional opera, folk songs, folk orchestras and áo dài shows
- A lantern photography contest and an online lantern design contest
Because it runs Thursday to Sunday, it's the easiest of the year's lantern events to fit around a working week.
Getting there from Da Nang
Hoi An is about 40–45 minutes by car from central Da Nang. Most long-stayers book a Grab car for the evening:
- Leave Da Nang mid-afternoon, so you arrive in daylight and can walk the Ancient Town before the lanterns go on.
- Have dinner in Hoi An.
- Stay until around 21:00, then book your ride back inside the Grab app and check the plate number before you get in.
If the forecast shows heavy rain, don't ride a scooter there and back at night. A car is safer and keeps you dry.
The rainy-season catch
October and November are Hoi An's wettest months, and the Ancient Town sits right on the river. When the water is high, the lantern release and boat rides can be cancelled or cut short.
This isn't a theoretical risk. In late October and November 2025, Hoi An flooded three times in three weeks, and in November 2025 the Thu Bon River reached 5.62 m, higher than the historic flood of 1964.
The 2026 outlook is a little kinder. Vietnam's national hydro-meteorological forecasting centre said on 1 October 2026 that October rainfall along the central coast should be 5–20% below the long-term average, but that heavy rain spells are still likely. Below average still means rainy.
Before you go:
- Check the forecast that morning, and search the news for "Hội An ngập" (Hoi An flooding).
- Pack a raincoat and sandals you don't mind getting wet.
- Have a plan B. If the river is up, our rainy-day guide to Da Nang has indoor options closer to home.
- Our honest guide to the Da Nang rainy season explains what October to December is really like.
Which night should you choose?
| If you… | Pick |
|---|---|
| Are only in town in October | 23 October, with a backup plan |
| Want the lantern night plus cultural events | 22 November, then come back during Heritage week |
| Want the biggest lantern displays | 3–6 December (International Lantern Festival) |
| Prefer a quieter weekday and better odds of dry weather | 22 December |
| Want Christmas in an old town | 24–25 December |
Staying a month makes it easier
The lantern night is fixed to the calendar, but the weather isn't. If you're in Da Nang for a few days, you get one shot. If you're here for a month, you can skip a stormy evening and go to the International Lantern Festival or the December night instead.
That's one reason people choose a monthly rental in the city rather than a hotel in Hoi An. Hai Chau, on the west bank of the Han River, is the practical base: the airport, supermarkets and hospitals are close, and Hoi An is an evening trip away. Our comparison of Hai Chau and An Thuong covers the trade-offs.
AVE Apartment is a five-unit building at 25 Hóa Sơn 10 in Hòa Cường, Hai Chau, 150 m from the Han River and a 1–2 minute walk from Lotte Mart. Leases start from one month, Wi-Fi is free, and every unit has its own washer-dryer, which helps after a wet evening in Hoi An. Balcony studio 3A is 55 m², as roomy as a one-bedroom, with the sleeping area behind a sliding door.
Current units and availability:
| Unit | Size | Rent / month | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Balcony studio 2A | 55 m² | 16,000,000 VND (~$615) 15,000,000 VND (~$575) / month on a 6+ month lease | Available now |
| Studio 2B | 50 m² | 14,000,000 VND (~$540) 13,000,000 VND (~$500) / month on a 6+ month lease | Available now |
| Studio 3B | 50 m² | 14,000,000 VND (~$540) 13,000,000 VND (~$500) / month on a 6+ month lease | Available now |
| 4th-floor 1-bedroom | 100 m² | 22,000,000 VND (~$845) 20,000,000 VND (~$770) / month on a 6+ month lease | Available now |
| Balcony studio 3A | 55 m² | 16,000,000 VND (~$615) 15,000,000 VND (~$575) / month on a 6+ month lease | Rented · free again ~Oct 2027 |
Updated 6 Oct 2026 · Prices in VND. Electricity and water are billed separately (see costs).
FAQ
When is the Hoi An Lantern Festival in 2026?
The monthly lantern nights left in 2026 are Friday 23 October, Sunday 22 November and Tuesday 22 December. Hoi An's first International Lantern Festival runs from 3 to 6 December 2026.
Is the lantern festival cancelled when it rains?
Light rain doesn't stop the evening, but when the river is high the lantern release and boat rides can be cancelled or cut short. Check the forecast and local flood news on the day.
How do I get from Da Nang to the Hoi An lantern night?
Most people take a Grab car, which takes about 40–45 minutes from central Da Nang. Book your return trip inside the app and check the plate number before getting in.
Does the lantern night cost anything?
Walking around the Ancient Town on the night is free. Floating a paper lantern on the river costs around 10,000 VND, and boat rides are paid separately.
What is the Hoi An International Lantern Festival?
It's a new four-day event (3–6 December 2026) marking 27 years since Hoi An's UNESCO listing, with large lantern installations, workshops, food and performances around the Hoai River.
