As night falls, the Hoai River glows with hundreds of floating lanterns. A boat ride with lantern in Hoi An is the classic way to see it: a 20-minute trip along the river past the lit-up Ancient Town, where you release your own paper lantern onto the water and make a wish. We arrange the boat, the lanterns and the meeting point for you, so there is no haggling on the riverbank.
| Activity | Evening boat ride with lantern release |
|---|---|
| Duration | 20 minutes |
| Where | Hoai River, Hoi An Ancient Town |
| Best time | 7:30 – 9:00 PM (boats usually run 6:00 – 9:30 PM) |
| Price | From $8 per boat (1–2 people) |
| Included | Boat ride, life jacket, 1 free lantern per guest |
Why Take a Boat Ride with Lantern in Hoi An?
- See the town from the water: sail up the Hoai River and enjoy the Old Town’s lights reflected on the river.
- Make a wish: set your own lotus-shaped paper lantern free on the water, a local tradition for good luck.
- Beautiful photos: one of the most photogenic experiences in Hoi An.
- Hassle-free: we send you the exact meeting point and connect you with the boat lady or uncle.
The Hoai River and the Lantern Tradition
The Hoai River is a 1.5-kilometre waterway through the heart of Hoi An, separating the Ancient Town to the north from An Hoi Island to the south. Its name means “the missing”, a reminder of the homesickness felt by traders who settled here from far away.
For generations, locals have celebrated the full moon by hanging red lanterns and releasing candle-lit paper lanterns on the river, a practice rooted in Buddhist tradition, to pray for happiness and for loved ones. Boat rides let visitors take part directly from the water. Since 2018, regulations keep the experience safe and authentic, with each boat carrying one lantern at the bow and one at the stern.
How It Works
- Book: tell us your date, time and group size.
- Get the meeting point: we send you the location and clear directions to meet your boat driver.
- Enjoy the ride: 20 minutes on the river, enough to admire the lantern town and release your lanterns.
Boat Ride with Lantern: Packages and Prices
Prices are per boat, not per person, so the more friends you bring, the cheaper it gets.
| Group size | Duration | Price | Lanterns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 or 2 people | 20 minutes | $8 / group | 1 per guest |
| 3 – 4 people | 20 minutes | $12 / group | 1 per guest |
| 5 – 7 people | 20 minutes | $16 / group | 1 per guest |
| 7 – 10 people | 20 minutes | $20 / group | 1 per guest |
| 10+ people | 20 minutes | $30 / group | 1 per guest |
Included and not included
- Included: 20-minute boat ride, life jackets, 1 free lantern per guest
- Not included: transport to the meeting point (it is within walking distance of most Old Town hotels)
Best Time for a Boat Ride with Lantern
Boats usually operate from 6:00 to 9:30 PM daily, depending on the season and crowds. For the brightest lanterns and the liveliest atmosphere, go between 7:30 and 9:00 PM. The ride is especially magical on the monthly Hoi An Lantern Full Moon Festival, when the town hangs red lanterns and fills with folk games and performances.
What to Do After Your Boat Ride
- Hoi An Night Market on Nguyen Hoang Street, with over 150 stalls of souvenirs, snacks and crafts.
- Bai Choi, a traditional central-Vietnamese folk game, played near An Hoi Bridge.
- The Japanese Covered Bridge, beautifully lit at night.
- Riverside dinner on Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa food street, then drinks on Nguyen Phuc Chu pub street.
- A big show: the Hoi An Memories Show, Vietnam’s largest outdoor performance.
Tips for a Perfect Boat Ride with Lantern
- Go on a full-moon night if you can. The monthly lantern festival makes a boat ride with lantern even more atmospheric.
- Set your camera to night mode. Hold still for a second when you release the lantern for the best shot.
- Make a wish. Locals release the lantern with a wish for health and happiness for their loved ones.
- Keep valuables close. The boats are small; a phone strap or zipped bag is a good idea.
Why Book Your Boat Ride with Lantern Through Us?
On a busy evening the riverbank is full of boat operators, and it can be hard to know the right price or where to go. When you book your boat ride with lantern with Hoi An Fairy Tour, the price per boat is clear in advance, a life jacket and one free lantern per guest are included, and we send you the exact meeting point so you can walk straight to your boat. It is the easiest way to enjoy one of the most famous experiences in the UNESCO-listed Ancient Town.
Groups save the most, because the boat ride with lantern is priced per boat rather than per person: a boat for 3–4 people is $12, and a big group of 10 or more pays just $30 in total.
Plan your evening: a boat ride with lantern takes only 20 minutes, so it pairs perfectly with dinner by the river, the night market or a show.
How to Book Your Boat Ride with Lantern
Send us your date, time and group size using one of the options below. We confirm within 15 minutes and send you the meeting point.
Contact the organizer directly
Leave your name and how to reach you. The organizer's contact and QR code will appear right away, so you can message them about the lantern boat ride.
Contact person
Phone / WhatsApp / Line / Zalo
Let Hoi An Fairy Tour contact you
Not sure yet? Tell us your plan and our local team will reach out with free advice, prices and availability.
Thank you! We've got your request.
Our team usually replies within 15 minutes (8am – 10pm Vietnam time) via the app you chose.
Payment options: pay directly, by domestic bank transfer, or by PayPal (3% transaction fee).
More Evening Ideas in Hoi An
- Paddle to the lantern town at dusk on a sunset kayak tour in Hoi An.
- A different kind of show: the Teh Dar Show in Hoi An.
- After dark: the best bars for Hoi An nightlife.
- More short activities: quick activities in Hoi An.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is a boat ride with lantern in Hoi An?
With Hoi An Fairy Tour the price is per boat: $8 for 1–2 people, $12 for 3–4, $16 for 5–7, $20 for 7–10 and $30 for groups of 10 or more. A free lantern for every guest and life jackets are included.
How long is the lantern boat ride?
The standard ride lasts 20 minutes, which is enough to admire the lantern-lit Old Town and release your lanterns.
What is the best time for the boat ride?
Between 7:30 and 9:00 PM, when the lanterns are brightest. Boats usually run from 6:00 to 9:30 PM depending on the season.
Is the boat ride included in the Hoi An Old Town ticket?
No. The boat ride is a separate activity and is not included in the Old Town entrance ticket.
Where do I meet the boat?
After booking, we send you the exact location and directions to meet your boat driver on the Hoai River in the Old Town.
From Vincent – the Author
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