HOI AN LANTERN FESTIVAL
Hoi An Lantern Festival. The Hoi An lantern festival, held on the 14th day of the lunar month, is a unique characteristic of Hoi An. This also provides a chance for travelers from all over the world to visit and appreciate the old town's distinctive charm.
Hoi An Lantern Festival:
The Hoi An Lantern Festival is a unique event that draws not only international visitors but also Vietnamese residents, who come to view a more appealing Hoi An when the town is illuminated with colorful lanterns. This is a one-of-a-kind experience that should not be missed when visiting Hoi An.
The Hoi An Lantern Festival takes place on the 14th day of the lunar month, when the moon is at its largest and brightest, from 6 p.m. until around 10 p.m. Many guests choose to arrive early, frequently before 6 p.m., to enjoy the sunset and dinner before the dazzling rainbow lanterns take center stage. The event is enjoyed throughout the historic town, notably along the Hoai River, Japanese Covered Bridge, and Hoi Bridge. Hoi An Ancient Town is transformed into a magnificent sight at night by the enchanting light of lanterns.
- What can you discover about the origins of the Hoi An Lantern Festival?
The Hoi An Lantern Festival goes back to the 16th and 17th centuries when Hoi An was a thriving commerce hub. The Chinese and Japanese who settled in Hoi An carried lanterns to hang in front of their doors as a memento of their home countries.
Lantern-making evolved into a tradition in family enterprises, festivals, and celebrations. Locals in Vietnam also began to hang lanterns in the hopes of bringing good fortune and happiness. The bright lanterns have become a hallmark of Hoi An. Local officials decided to hold the lantern festival on the full moon day of each month. Residents are advised to replace electrical lights with lanterns, which provide a soft glow.
- How does the Hoi An Lantern Festival focus on location?
On the day of the event, from around 5 p.m. until 10 p.m., all cars in town are momentarily suspended. Meanwhile, all the homes, businesses, and cafés turn out their lights. The full moon and thousands of lanterns illuminate the entire neighborhood, casting a magnificent radiance.
Coming here at this time allows you to easily stroll about and take up the tranquil atmosphere. This is also an excellent opportunity to see a variety of outstanding acts along the river, such as music or poetry recitals. A variety of traditional activities, such as folk games, are also organized. At the Hoi An Lantern Festival, you may not only feast your eyes but also satisfy your culinary sensations.
On this joyful day, car and electric lights are shut off, allowing you to explore Hoi An's picturesque streets. Even if you don't have enough time to see all of the attractions, you can still experience the enchanting ambiance of the town's greatest festival by simply roaming about and enjoying the hanging lanterns that brighten up Hoi An.
If Hoi An has captivated you with its serene beauty during the day, on the festive night, it will assume a new stunning coat, promising to leave an indelible impact.
As you travel around the historic village, you'll notice folks enjoying board games, folk performances, and live music. The music frequently includes lovely folk singing, poetry recitals, and native instruments like bamboo flutes, fiddles, and drums.
Furthermore, during the Hoi An Lantern Festival, Bai Choi, a traditional performance combining music, poetry, and acting, is quite popular. It was included in UNESCO's Intangible Heritage list in 2017. The event comprises music and poetry recitals, which highlight the people's pride in their daily lives and labor.
In between the singing, there is a bingo-style card drawing game. You can engage in the game to become fully immersed in the environment. If not, even watching others play is enough to get into the joyous spirit of the Hoi An Lantern Festival.
At the riverfront, you may purchase paper flower lanterns to release into the Hoai River, which is one of the most anticipated activities of the Hoi An Lantern Festival. The flower lanterns here are constructed of brightly colored paper, painstakingly cut and folded, and cost around 5,000 VND a piece. You may take a sampan, a traditional wooden boat, along the river and discharge your lantern on the water. Each lantern, according to local belief and custom, signifies a desire for happiness, good fortune, and inner serenity. The floating lights will transform a large length of river into shimmering reflections that flutter in the middle of the night.
Taste a variety of delicious Hoi An Cuisine:
Hoi An has some of Vietnam's greatest cuisine. When attending the Hoi An Lantern Festival, you should not miss out on the delicious Hoi An street cuisine, which includes
Cao Lau: This Hoi signature cuisine is made out of Japanese udon-like noodles, roasted pork resembling Chinese char siu, fresh greens, beansprouts, crispy croutons, and a special sauce produced by the locals.
Banh Mi Hoi An is loaded with a variety of contents, including pork, fried eggs, pate, chicken, and homemade sour sauce. It also contains a variety of veggies, including lettuce, cucumbers, pickled carrots, and coriander. Every mouthful of a banh mi contains the ideal balance of spicy, salty, sweet, and crunchy tastes.
Com ga (chicken rice): The main components in this meal are seasoned pilaf rice and shredded poached chicken. It is frequently served with salads of shredded green papaya and carrots, onions, and herbs to balance the flavors.
Mi Quang (Quang noodles): A bowl of mi Quang often includes flat rice noodles, bone broth, slices of pig, beef, or chicken, shrimp, and quail eggs. The meal is accompanied by rice crackers, fresh veggies, and herbs such as basil, peanuts, mint, and coriander.
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