What is a Hoi An lantern boat ride?

Every evening the riverfront of Hoi An Ancient Town lights up with hundreds of silk lanterns. Small wooden boats, many decorated with their own lanterns, take visitors out on the Thu Bon River for a short, slow cruise past the old town. Partway along, you set a small paper lantern with a candle on the water and make a wish. It is simple, quiet and one of the most photographed moments of any trip to Vietnam.

Releasing lanterns on the river is linked to the Vietnamese custom of remembering ancestors and wishing for luck and health. Today it is also simply a beautiful way to see Hoi An from the water.

Lantern-decorated wooden boat on the Thu Bon River at dusk
A private lantern boat on the Thu Bon River. You board near the Ancient Town and float a candle lantern partway along.

How much does a lantern boat ride cost?

Prices on the riverfront vary a lot depending on the season, the time of night and how good you are at bargaining. Boat operators on the street may ask anything from 150,000 VND per boat in quiet periods to much more on busy nights, and lanterns are often sold separately.

When you book direct with us the price is fixed:

Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride

Private wooden boat, silk lanterns to release, local boatman, 20–30 minutes past the Ancient Town. Pay on arrival.

150,000 VND per person (~US$6) · minimum 2
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A couple pays 300,000 VND in total for a private boat. There are no extra fees for lanterns. Transport to the boat dock is not included; it is a 5–10 minute Grab or taxi ride from most Hoi An hotels, and we send the exact meeting point on WhatsApp.

When is the best time for a lantern boat?

  • 5:30–6:30 PM (sunset): the sky is still blue, the lanterns are coming on and photos come out sharp. Our favourite time.
  • 6:30–8:00 PM: fully dark and the town is glowing. This is the busiest window, so expect more boats on the water.
  • After 8:00 PM: calmer and more romantic, with fewer boats.

Rides run every evening from 5:00 PM. They last 20–30 minutes, so they fit easily before or after dinner.

Full moon lantern nights

On the 14th day of each lunar month, Hoi An holds its monthly full moon lantern night. Parts of the Ancient Town dim their electric lights, and the river fills with candle lanterns. It is atmospheric but very crowded, and prices from street sellers go up. If you plan to go out on a full moon night, book in advance and try to board before 6:30 PM.

Where do you board?

Boats leave from the riverbank along Bach Dang Street and around the An Hoi bridge, near the night market. Our boat meeting point is close to the Ancient Town; we share the exact location and a map pin when you book.

Tips for a great lantern boat ride

  • Agree the price first if you book on the street, including whether lanterns are included and how long the ride lasts.
  • Use night mode on your phone and keep your hands steady. Boats move slowly, so photos are easier than you expect.
  • Bring insect repellent in the warmer months.
  • Children are welcome. Boatmen provide life jackets and the river is calm in the town section.
  • Rainy season: in October–December heavy rain or high water can stop boats for safety. We will contact you to reschedule if needed.

Combine it with a basket boat ride

The lantern boat is short, so it pairs well with a daytime activity. Our basket boat + lantern boat combo costs 220,000 VND per person (minimum 2): ride a coconut basket boat in the Bay Mau forest in the morning or afternoon, then float on the Thu Bon River at night.