After dark, Hoi An becomes exceptionally spectacular. If planning to stay overnight or visiting this ancient heritage town, at least travelers know that it’s “decorated” by so many colorful lanterns. Lanterns are hung up at every house, in every street, in markets and the paper ones float randomly on the river every night. This is one reason to make the town well-known all over the world. In the busiest year, nearly 10 million Vietnamese and foreign people visited Hoi An. On Instagram, 4,700 posts were tagged #hoiannight and on Google, the number of results on search “hoi an night” is 27,000. Yes, a night experience in Hoi An is very popular and somehow, it is exactly a perfect reason to skip Da Nang (for staying, not visiting).
In addition to some of the best things to do in Hoi An, in this article, there are other activities travelers can do in the night.
Read also:
- How to Get from Hoi An to Golden Bridge
- My Son Sanctuary Travel Guide
- Basket Boat Ride in Hoi An
- Unique Things to Do in Hoi An
Table of content
- 1 Hoi An Ancient Town: City of Lanterns at Night
- 2 Hoi An Full Moon Lantern Festival
- 3 Nguyen Hoang Night Market (aka the Hoi An Night Market)
- 4 Lantern Boat Ride on Hoai River
- 5 The Hoi An Memories Show
- 6 Hoi An Lune Center for Performing Arts
- 7 Hoi An Evening Walking Street Food Tour
- 8 Pubs and Bars in Nguyen Phuc Chu Road
- 9 Play Bai Choi with Locals
- 10 Learn How to Prepare Vietnamese Foods
- 11 Da Nang: Dragon Bridge Fire Show, Fireworks Festival
- 12 Related Posts
- 13 Non Nuoc Beach: The Famous Beach of Da Nang
- 14 How to Get from Da Nang to My Son Sanctuary
- 15 Thieu Tri Tomb: The Peaceful Royal Tomb of Hue
- 16 Bach Ma National Park: Hiking, Trekking in Da Nang and Hoi An
- 17 Hoi An Wet Season: What to Do in Hoi An When It Rains?
- 18 Hue to Da Nang By Train: The Best Train Ride in Vietnam
- 19 Hue Royal Tombs: A Complete Guide and What is Best?
- 20 The Hue Abandoned Water Park (Thuy Tien Lake Waterpark)
- 21 Minh Mang Tomb Complete Visitor Guide
- 22 Tu Duc Tomb Complete Visitor Guide
- 23 Thanh Ha Terracotta Park
- 24 Vinwonders Nam Hoi An Theme Park (formerly Vinpearl Nam Hoi An)
- 25 Am Phu Cave Complete Travel Guide
- 26 Hoi An or Hue: Which is Better?
- 27 Asia Park and Sun Wheel in Da Nang (Sun World Da Nang Wonders)
- 28 The Official Hoi An Travel Guide (MUST READ)
- 29 The Hoi An Market (Hoi An Central Market) Complete Guide
- 30 Hoi An Memories Show: The Best of Hoi An Impression Theme Park
- 31 How to Get to Golden Bridge from Da Nang
- 32 Hoi An Bridge: Famous Bridges in Hoi An
- 33 Da Nang Food Specialties: What to Eat in Da Nang
- 34 How to Get From Hoi An to My Son Sanctuary
- 35 Hoi An’s Chinese Assembly Halls and Chinese Temples
- 36 Hoi An Walking Tours: Heritage, Foods, Photography & Locals
- 37 Hoi An Self Guided Walking Tour (Hoi An By Yourself)
- 38 How to Visit Golden Bridge Vietnam
- 39 Da Nang Shore Excursions: Guided Tours From Tien Sa Port
- 40 Unique Experiences in Hoi An and Why?
- 41 Han Market (Cho Han): Where to Shop in Da Nang?
- 42 An Bang Beach: A Guide to Hoi An’s Best Beach
- 43 Experiences in Hoi An: Get Insight Into Hoi An’s Local Culture
- 44 Da Nang Cathedral (Da Nang Pink Church)
- 45 Things to Do in Ba Na Hills Besides Golden Bridge
- 46 Hoi An Nightlife: What to Do in Hoi An At Night?
- 47 Hoi An Countryside: Villages, Rice Fields & Tours
- 48 How to Get to Golden Bridge From Hoi An
- 49 Hoi An Entrance Fee: Old Town, Golden Bridge, My Son, More
- 50 Hoi An Airport: Everything You Need to Know
- 51 Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride on Hoai River
- 52 Da Nang Half Day Tours
- 53 Hoi An Private Car and Driver
- 54 Da Nang Private Car and Driver
- 55 What to Do in Hoi An Ancient Town
- 56 Da Nang and Hoi An Itinerary for Visitors Staying Overnight in Hoi An
- 57 Hoi An 3 Day Itinerary: A Travel Plan for 3 Days in Hoi An
- 58 Hoi An Free Things to Do: Budget Travel in Hoi An Vietnam
- 59 Hoi An One Day Itinerary: A Travel Plan for One Day in Hoi An
- 60 Da Nang Things to Do: Guide to What to Do in Da Nang Vietnam
- 61 Da Nang Best Things to Do and Reasons
- 62 Hoi An Half-Day Tours: Guide to Half Day Trips From Hoi An
- 63 Hoi An Day Tours: A Guide to Best Day Trips From Hoi An
- 64 Hoi An Beach: A Guide to All Beaches in Hoi An Vietnam
- 65 Hoi An Food Specialties
- 66 How to Get From Hoi An to Da Nang
- 67 Hoi An Cheap Things to Do: All Solo Travelers Need to Know
- 68 Hoi An Best Things To Do: Recommendations from Local Experts
- 69 Hoi An Things to Do: All What Can You Do in Hoi An Vietnam
- 70 Hoi An Things Not to Miss: A Guide to Must Do in Hoi An
- 71 Hoi An or Da Nang: Which is Better?
- 72 Hoi An Pottery Village: A Guide to Thanh Ha Pottery Village
- 73 Hoi An Ancient Town Tour
- 74 Hoi An Old Town Ticket: Price, Sellers, Included Sites, More
- 75 My Son Sanctuary Tour
- 76 Hoi An Lanterns: Festival, Making Class, Where to Buy, More
- 77 Hoi An Best Area to Stay: Guide to Where to Stay in Hoi An
- 78 Hoi An Weather by Month: Guide to Hoi An Monthly Weather
- 79 Da Nang Best Area to Stay: Guide to Where to Stay in Da Nang
- 80 Da Nang Cave Tour: Best Underground Activities in Da Nang
- 81 Da Nang Best Time to Visit: Guide to Best Weather in Da Nang
- 82 Da Nang Weather by Month: Guide to Monthly Weather in Da Nang
- 83 What to Do in Da Nang At Night
- 84 Lang Co Vietnam Travel Guide
- 85 Hoi An River Cruise: Guide to The Best Boat Tour in Hoi An
- 86 What to Do in Da Nang for 3 Days
- 87 Hoi An Old Town Boats: Guide to Boat Rides in Hoi An Town
- 88 Hoi An 2 Day Itinerary: Traveler Guide to 2 Days in Hoi An
- 89 Cham Island Hoi An
- 90 Hoi An Basket Boat Ride
- 91 Hoi An Coconut Village: A Guide to Cam Thanh Coconut Village
- 92 My Khe Beach: A Complete Guide to Da Nang’s Best Beach
- 93 Thien Mu Pagoda: Guide to Hue’s Most Famous Buddhist Temple
- 94 Perfume River Cruise: Guide to Best Boat Tour in Hue Vietnam
- 95 Tomb of Khai Dinh: The Most Unique Royal Tomb of Hue
- 96 Da Nang Day Trips: Guide to Best Day Tours From Da Nang
- 97 Museums in Da Nang
- 98 Linh Ung Pagoda: Trio of Da Nang’s Holiest Mountain Temples
- 99 Da Nang Night Market: A Thing To Do in Da Nang at Night
- 100 Guide to Son Tra Mountain aka Monkey Mountain Vietnam
- 101 Ba Na Hills Tour
- 102 Hoi An Cham Temples: My Son Sanctuary & Quang Nam Temples
- 103 Da Nang Cable Car
- 104 How to Get from Da Nang Airport to Hoi An
- 105 Da Nang to Hoi An: Best Da Nang Airport Transfer and More
- 106 Hoi An Tour Guide: How to Find a Private Tour Guide in Hoi An
- 107 Hoi An Ancient Town Attractions
- 108 Hai Van Pass Da Nang: Map, Route, Weather, History, Tour
- 109 Hoi An Old Town Map
- 110 Tra Que Vegetable Village
- 111 Hoi An Lantern Festival
- 112 Hue Imperial City and Forbidden City
- 113 Featured Tours and Experiences
- 113.0.1 Golden Bridge and Ba Na Hills Night Tour
- 113.0.2 Golden Hands Bridge Tour In Sunrise or Sunset (1/2 Day)
- 113.0.3 Cam Kim Island Bicycle Tour From Hoi An
- 113.0.4 Cham Island Tour From Hoi An (Group Tour)
- 113.0.5 Cham Island Tour From Da Nang (Group Tour)
- 113.0.6 Hoi An Vegetarian Food Tour
- 113.0.7 Hoi An Evening Walking Food Tour Through Laneways
- 113.0.8 Private Hoi An Basket Boat Tour (Shuttle Bus, Bicycle, Bike)
- 113.0.9 Half-day Am Phu Cave Tour (Private)
- 113.0.10 Hoi An Countryside Tour (Bicycle, Car, Electric Shuttle)
- 113.0.11 Da Nang Tour Package From Singapore
- 113.0.12 Hoi An Evening Tour From Da Nang
- 113.0.13 Hoi An Walking Food Tour Through Laneways
- 113.0.14 My Son Sanctuary and Hoi An Old Town Tour with Thu Bon River Cruise
- 113.0.15 My Son Day Trip From Hoi An including Marble Mountains and Basket Boat
- 113.0.16 Half Day Hoi An City Tour With River Cruise
- 113.0.17 Son Tra Peninsula Tour with Marble Mountains (Private/Small Group)
- 113.0.18 Hue Day Trip From Hoi An with Hai Van Pass, River Cruise & Lunch
- 113.0.19 Hoi An Ancient Town and Countryside Tour (Bests of Hoi An Tour)
- 113.0.20 Hoi An Tour From Da Nang Airport (Private, Optional Lunch)
- 113.0.21 Hoi An Day Trip From Da Nang (Marble Mountains, Basket Boat, Old Town)
- 113.0.22 Da Nang City Tour From Airport (Private, Optional Lunch)
- 113.0.23 Hoi An City Tour with Lantern Class, Lantern Boat, Night Market & Local Food Sampling
- 113.0.24 Marble Mountains, Basket Boat Ride & Hoi An Old Town Walking Tour
- 113.0.25 Marble Mountains & Golden Bridge Day Tour with Buffet Lunch
- 113.0.26 Marble Mountains & Monkey Mountain Tour (Half-day, Private)
- 113.0.27 Private Golden Bridge Sunrise Tour (Half-day, Optional Lunch)
- 113.0.28 Hoi An Ancient Town & Golden Bridge Day Tour (Private/Small Group)
- 113.0.29 My Son Sanctuary & Golden Bridge Day Tour (Private/Small Group)
- 113.0.30 Private My Son Sanctuary Sunrise or Sunset Tour
- 113.0.31 Full Day Hoi An Ancient Town & Countryside Experience With Local
- 113.0.32 Full Day My Son Sanctuary & Hoi An Countryside Tour With Local
- 113.0.33 Full Day Hoi An Ancient Town & Coconut Village Experience
- 113.0.34 Son Tra Peninsula, Marble Mountains and Hoi An City Tour
- 113.0.35 Half-day Marble Mountains Tour from Da Nang or Hoi An
- 113.0.36 Da Nang Cave Tour (Half Day Underground Tour in Da Nang)
- 113.0.37 Hoi An Old Town & Lantern Making Class (Morning Tour, Half-day)
- 113.0.38 Full Day Bests of Da Nang & Hoi An Old Town Walking Tour
- 113.0.39 Full Day My Son Tour From Da Nang with Da Nang City Tour
- 113.0.40 My Son Sanctuary Tour From Hoi An or Da Nang With Local Guide
Hoi An Ancient Town: City of Lanterns at Night
There are so many lanterns in Hoi An’s old quarters, especially within pedestrian streets, so this lovely town has a nickname “the lantern town”. Chinese people brought them here several centuries ago when they migrated for living and business. Today, the culture of hanging red lanterns (to pray for fortune) and making lanterns by hand are still alive. In the evening, most families light up lanterns, and by that, their hometown is really colorful, romatic and shimmering. Lanterns themselves vary in size, shape and materials. That’s so perfect for visitors to see and photograph some memorial pictures. In addition to lanterns, the town also provides a diversity of delicious street foods, atmospheric restaurants, nightlife spots and traditional local entertainments (singing, games, etc). There are reasons why nobody misses a night experience in Hoi An.
Read also: Things to Do in Hoi An Ancient Town
Hoi An Full Moon Lantern Festival
Traditionally, locals in Hoi An celebrate the full moon every month, on the 14th day. They light and hang up lanterns in their houses to pray for fortune, peace and happiness. By the river, they also release paper lanterns down the water and make wishes for themselves and beloved persons. Candles are used instead of electric lights. Today, when so many tourists visit Hoi An, this point is one of a few differences between it and the rest of the month. In the moonlight, locals wander around to enjoy the lanterns, take pictures and play folk games. See further information and official dates of the year in Hoi An’s lantern festival.
Note: Hoi An’s lantern festival on full moon is a must see and sure, among the best cultural events in this world heritage city.
Read also: Hoi An Night Tour from Da Nang
Nguyen Hoang Night Market (aka the Hoi An Night Market)
A night experience (tour) in Hoi An can’t be complete without the Night market. Located on an island opposite to the Ancient town, in Nguyen Hoang street, this vibrant place is the largest of its kind in Hoi An. There are around 150 stalls selling foods, souvenirs, clothes and lanterns here. By the entrance, so many visitors stop at lantern shops and wait to take pictures with a perfect backdrop (a small fee is charged by owners!). Street foods for sale include some town’s specialty dishes, such as cao lau noodle, mi quang noodle, banh mi sandwich, pho noodle soup, grilled pork and rice papers, and sweet soup. Read our Hoi An night market guide for further details.
Read also: Hoi An’s Markets
Lantern Boat Ride on Hoai River
Cruising the Hoai river by a lantern boat is one of favourite things to do in Hoi An at night today, for many travelers. It’s the latest fascinating activity that locals “design” for visitors. Every single night, by Hoi An’s ancient town heritage, many boats leave Bach Dang quay to carry passengers to enjoy the gorgeous beauty of the town. In addition, they also light up candle paper lanterns, release and make wishes. That is a perfect experience and an opportunity to take nice shoots, including ones for social media. Tickets are sold by the river, at different locations. The price doesn’t cover paper lanterns but visitors can buy them easily from nearby vendors. See everything you need to know in Hoi An lantern boat ride on Hoai river.
Note: From 1 to 3 people, adult passengers pay 150,000 VND for one lantern boat; Between 3 and 5 people, it’s 200,000 VND; Five people are maximum and the tickets are sold in small booths by the river;
Read also: Thu Bon River Cruise
The Hoi An Memories Show
The Hoi An memories show is the highlight of the Hoi An Impression theme park (now the Hoi An memories land). First introduced to the audience in March 2018, this world-class show is a series of amazing performances carried out by around 500 artists. It’s the largest outdoor visual art performance in Vietnam. It seems that there will be no competitors in the near future. On the stage, male and female artists will tell the viewers different stories about Hoi An, its people and its history. From 15th to 19th centuries, the town was busy with merchants and their boats visiting for trading. The ticket price is quite high, from 600,000 VND for adults but it’s actually worth it to watch. You can see more information in Hoi An memories show.
Read also: Hoi An Self Guided Walking Tour
Hoi An Lune Center for Performing Arts
The Lune center provides world-class performances and experiences in Hoi An, after great successes in Ho Chi Minh city. The team got many international awards and their productions are praised to be one of most worthy shows in the country. Vietnamese signatures and highlights in culture, history and art are all depicted. The audience can expect to see professtional, exceptionally-trained artists performing with bamboo, basket, fishing traps, rice trays, from countryside. City images are also put into the show, in order to emphasize the future of Vietnam. Created by distictive instruments from different ethnics, the music is really loved by viewers that supports their emotion. Located in An Hoi island – by the Old town and Night market, it’s very convenient to get Hoi An center’s theatre. For those who would like to make a fantastic evening journey, add one of the performances into the plan!.
Read also: Hoi An Countryside: Villages, Rice Fields and Tours
Hoi An Evening Walking Street Food Tour
Hoi An boasts its unique culinary culture thanks to diversity of local cooking ingredients and exchange of local and foreign cuisines. In this town, visitors have so many choices of delicious foods to try, especially in the evening. A guided walking food tour is suitable for those who love tasting different dishes and learning about them. The local guide will share what he or she knows about tastings, including their name, origin and meaning of their name, how to pronounce, ingredients, how to cook, how to eat like a Hoianian. Besides photo opportunities, foodies also have a chance to watch how makers prepare the dishes and chat with them. In the itinerary of our Hoi An evening walking food tour, some hidden historical sites, links between them and local gastronomy are shown.
Read also: Hoi An’s Food Specialties
Pubs and Bars in Nguyen Phuc Chu Road
On the other side of An Hoi bridge to the Ancient town, Nguyen Phuc Chu road is a riverside road and designed for walking at night. All venues here face lightful and colorful Hoai river, including many restaurants, pubs and bars. After trolling for a few hours in the town or night market, they are nice spots to stop for food and drinks. Happy hours and cheap beers are provided around the sunset there. At some places, live music, DJs, fun games and other activities are organized until midnight when local authorities request it to close. If looking for an oasis to chill, have alcohol and make friends, don’t forget to visit the Nguyen Phuc Chu road.
Read also: Hoi An Night Tour from Da Nang
Play Bai Choi with Locals
Bai Choi is a Vietnamese traditional game that people organize in rural villages to celebrate the spring or a new year. It has been alive for many centuries. In 2017, this form of folk culture was declared by Unesco as an intangible cultural heritage of our humanity. So, recently, Hoi An’s local authorities decided to introduce it to visitors in the Ancient town. Any people can join, including foreigners (English is also used today to make sure they understand what is going on). It’s a wonderful chance to know better one of the long-standing traditions in Vietnam.
By An Hoi bridge, at the crossroad of Hai Ba Trung, Nguyen Thai Hoc and Bach Dang streets, an outdoor stage is set there. Bamboo huts stand around an yard where the hosts of the game are. They hold a bamboo tube, filled with cards and each card has some words. Players sitting in the huts or around them, also have three cards. The hosts shake the tube, to select a card that dropped out. Then, they have singing and dancing performances, as long as the ones are linked to words on the card. One round ends when a player has all cards matching.
Read also: Unesco Intangible Cultural Heritage in Vietnam
Learn How to Prepare Vietnamese Foods
A cooking class is amongst the most popular activities for tourists in Hoi An. Instead of learning in the daytime, it’s possible to book a class in the evening and the learners will prepare food for their dinner. In the menu, there are Vietnamese classic dishes, such as fresh and fried spring rolls, pancakes, noodles, salad, and fish in a clay pot. Locals eat them with steamed rice. The recipe that the chief shares is authentic. Within a couple of hours, learners have a fun time with new cooking ingredients and utensils, especially childrens. Some classes are arranged in the Ancient town, and by that, conveniently they can enjoy other experiences and activities. Text us in whatsapp number +84968009827 to know more details about an evening cooking class in Hoi An;
Read also: Cooking Classes in Hoi An
Da Nang: Dragon Bridge Fire Show, Fireworks Festival
Da Nang is 30 kilometers away from Hoi An (or 45 minutes drive). If traveling by airline, visitors definitely know this city because the nearest airport to Hoi An is in it. By night, its Han river and waterfronts turn into a special focal point for both locals and tourists. Five bridges, different in design and the 115-meters-tall wheel mark an iconic image of the city. The most unique bridge is the Dragon bridge. Here, every weekend, the dragon breathes fire and water in turn, attracting so many watchers. Before the show time, the Son Tra night market is a good place to stroll around, in order to taste local street foods and buy souvenirs. Read details in the Dragon bridge travel guide.
Each summer, the city authorities celebrate an international fireworks festival, aiming to build a signature event. During its time, people are excited to see great performances in the air and by the river, from different country candidates. Those who stay overnight in Hoi An also buy a ticket and ride to Da Nang, to see. Recently, competitions have been held every week or every month. Read Da Nang international fireworks festival for further information.
Read also: What to Do in Da Nang at Night?
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