Floating a Lantern Down the Hoai River: Hoi An's Simplest Kind of Magic

Hoi An at night — those two words alone are enough to make the heart of anyone who has set foot in this land flutter. But if you only stroll through the ancient town, admire the lanterns, and return to your hotel, you are missing out on one of the most beautiful moments Hoi An reserves for those who take the time to explore deeper: taking a boat ride to release flower lanterns on the Hoai River. The shimmering candlelight floating on the water, the gentle sound of oars, the faint scent of incense in the wind — this is not a scene from a movie, this is a reality you can touch tonight. This article will tell you how much a flower lantern boat ride in Hoi An costs, where to book it, when to go, and all the “insider tips” that only locals dare to speak frankly.

The Hoai River and the Tradition of Releasing Flower Lanterns — More Than Just a Tourist Activity

A river flowing through 400 years of history

The Hoai River — locally known as the section of the Thu Bon River flowing through Hoi An ancient town — is more than just a river. For four centuries, it was the commercial lifeline of one of Southeast Asia’s busiest trading ports. Japanese, Chinese, Dutch, and Portuguese merchants used to anchor their ships right here, trading silk, ceramics, and spices. The Hoi An port was recognized as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site in 1999, partly because of this river.

Today, the Hoai River is no longer a place for trading ships to anchor, but it remains the soul of the ancient town. Standing on the Bạch Đằng street embankment at dusk, watching the sunset cast a golden hue on the water, you will understand why Hoi An people never want to leave this river.

Flower lanterns — small flames carrying big wishes

The tradition of releasing flower lanterns (also known as releasing floating lanterns or releasing paper lanterns on the river) originates from Vietnamese folk beliefs and is influenced by Buddhist culture. People believe that when a flower lantern is released into the river, its small flame will carry prayers, memories of departed loved ones, or wishes for something good to come.

In Hoi An, this tradition has been maintained and developed into a distinctive cultural feature, especially flourishing on the full moon nights of each month — when the ancient town turns off its lights, leaving only the glow of lanterns and flower lanterns floating on the river. But you don’t have to wait for the full moon to release flower lanterns. Every night, small boats carry tourists onto the Hoai River to perform this beautiful ritual.

[!NOTE] Flower lanterns in Hoi An are usually made of colored paper in the shape of lotus flowers or circles, with a small candle placed inside. If the lantern floats far away without extinguishing, it is believed that the wish will come true. This is a folk belief, but the feeling of sitting and watching your small flame drift further away on the river at night is truly indescribable.

How Much Does a Flower Lantern Boat Ride on the Hoai River in Hoi An Cost?

This is the question that 90% of first-time visitors to Hoi An wonder about — and it’s also where many people get “ripped off” if they don’t research beforehand.

Detailed Reference Price List (Updated 2024–2025)

[!WARNING] The prices above are for reference only. In reality, prices can fluctuate significantly depending on the time of year (peak season, holidays, summer prices are higher), your negotiation skills, and especially… the boat rower you encounter. I will discuss this in more detail in the practical experience section below.

Where to buy the cheapest and most beautiful lanterns?

Here’s a tip not everyone knows: don’t buy lanterns on the boat. Prices on the boat are usually double, even triple, compared to buying them on shore.

Best places to buy lanterns:

• Along Bach Dang street (riverbank): Many elderly women and ladies sell lanterns for 10,000–24.000đ (≈$1)/piece. A little gentle bargaining is fine.
• Hoi An Night Market (Nguyen Hoang street): Also sells them, but prices are slightly higher due to the crowds.
• Souvenir shops in the Ancient Town: Sell more beautiful, more colorful lanterns for 20,000–36.000đ (≈$1), but with better quality, less likely to go out midway.

[!TIP] If you go on the full moon night (the 14th day of the lunar month), you should buy lanterns before going to the riverbank because it will be extremely crowded, items sell out quickly, and prices will be pushed up. I usually suggest customers buy between 5–7 PM, before it gets completely dark.

Do I need to book in advance?

Usually, no booking is required — just go to Bach Dang riverbank, and you’ll find a boat immediately. However, there are two situations where booking in advance is recommended:

1. Monthly full moon nights: Customer numbers surge, and boats can be fully booked after 8 PM.
2. Lunar New Year and festival occasions: Especially the Lantern Festival (15th day of the first lunar month) and Mid-Autumn Festival, boats are booked up very early.

Some resorts and hotels in Hoi An offer package boat and lantern services for their guests. If you are staying at these places, ask the reception for assistance with booking.

Practical Experience on the Boat — The Most Worthwhile Hour in Hoi An

Where to board the boat?

The main pier for boat rides and lantern releases is on Bach Dang street, the section from the Japanese Covered Bridge extending towards An Hoi Bridge. This is the road running along the riverbank, where most of Hoi An’s tourist boats are concentrated.

Alternatively, you can also depart from:

• An Hoi Bridge (connecting the Ancient Town to Con Island): There are more boats on the Con Island side, and it’s less crowded than the main bank.
• Cam Nam boat pier: About 1km from the center, fewer tourists, and prices are usually a bit softer.

What is the river journey like?

A typical boat trip lasts 30–45 minutes. The boat rower (usually an elderly or middle-aged woman, wearing a traditional ao dai) will paddle the boat to the middle of the river, where there is the best view of the Ancient Town.

You will sit in a small wooden boat, surrounded by the shimmering light of lanterns from both riverbanks and other boats. Once you reach a beautiful spot, the boat rower will help you light the lantern’s candle and release it into the river. Some boats have dan bau musicians or folk singers performing right on the boat — this is an upgraded experience worth the extra cost.

[!TIP] When releasing your lantern, close your eyes for a moment and truly think about what you want to wish for. Don’t just release it and immediately grab your phone to take pictures — that moment deserves to be lived more fully. You can take photos later!

The best photo spots from the boat

Having taken boat trips on the Hoai River countless times, I can confidently sayYour perspective:

• View of the Japanese Covered Bridge (Lai Vien Kieu): This is the most classic viewpoint. Ask the boatman to take you to a position opposite the Japanese Covered Bridge, shoot just as it gets dark (around 7–7:30 PM) when the lanterns start to glow brightly.
• View towards An Hoi Bridge: An Hoi Bridge is beautifully decorated with lanterns at night, reflecting on the river and creating shimmering streaks of color.
• Shooting floating flower lanterns: Set your phone/camera to Night Mode, hold your hand steady, or use a mini tripod clipped to the side of the boat. The small candlelight on the dark water makes for a beautiful photo subject.

Guide to Traveling to Hoi An for Releasing Flower Lanterns

From Da Nang to Hoi An — Don’t Let Travel Ruin Your Evening

Hoi An is about 30km from Da Nang, taking approximately 45–60 minutes to travel depending on the mode of transport. This distance, though seemingly short, can be a headache for many travelers, especially when traveling at night.

Problems with Taxis and Grab:

Many tourists choose Grab or traditional taxis to go to Hoi An, but in reality, there are quite a few drawbacks:

• Grab is often difficult to book a ride back at night (after 9–10 PM) from Hoi An to Da Nang, as few drivers operate on this route late at night.
• Traditional taxis sometimes take detours or charge higher prices to unfamiliar customers.
• You have to manage the entire journey yourself, from booking a ride there to booking a ride back, arranging parking…

A Better Solution — All-Inclusive Shuttle Service by Faifo Express:

If you want a truly relaxing evening releasing flower lanterns without worrying about transportation, I highly recommend using Faifo Express’s Da Nang – Hoi An shuttle service. This is a professional tourist car service with local drivers who are familiar with the area, ready to pick you up and drop you off on time, even if you want to return at 11 PM.

What sets Faifo Express apart from regular taxis:

• Local drivers, who know Hoi An like the back of their hand and can offer additional advice on dining and sightseeing spots.
• Fixed, transparent pricing — no worries about being overpriced during peak hours or at night.
• Book in advance, pick up on time — you have control over your schedule, no need to wait for a car in the middle of the night.
• Clean, air-conditioned vehicles, suitable for families with children or the elderly.

If you are flying into Da Nang and want to go directly to Hoi An, Faifo Express’s Da Nang airport transfer service is also a very convenient option — the driver will pick you up directly, so you don’t have to worry about booking a car after a long flight.

[!TIP] If you plan to visit multiple destinations on your trip (Hoi An + Ba Na Hills + Hue), ask Faifo Express about their daily car rental packages. Their Ba Na Hills car service or Hue car rental service is also highly rated, helping you optimize costs and time for your entire trip.

Getting Around Hoi An

From your pick-up point (usually Hoi An city center or your hotel) to Bach Dang River:

• Walking: If you are in the ancient town, most places are within walking distance. Hoi An Ancient Town has a radius of only about 500m–1km.
• Bicycle rental: 50,000–96.000đ (≈$4)/day, very popular and enjoyable. However, the ancient town streets are crowded at night, so walking is more comfortable.
• Intra-city electric cars: Hoi An has electric cars that run within the ancient town, costing about 20,000–36.000đ (≈$1) per trip.

Suggested Itinerary for a Perfect Evening of Releasing Flower Lanterns

Golden Hours and Detailed ItineraryHere’s the translated content:

This is the itinerary I usually suggest for guests who want a complete evening in Hoi An:

5:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Stroll through the Ancient Town at Sunset This is the best time for photography in the ancient town. The gentle golden afternoon sun shines through the old tiled roofs, and lanterns begin to be lit. Don’t miss Tran Phu, Nguyen Thai Hoc, and Le Loi streets.

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM: Dinner in Hoi An Hoi An boasts a rich culinary scene. Some must-try dishes include:

• Cao Lau: Hoi An’s signature dish, featuring chewy noodles, pork, and fresh herbs. Enjoy it at Truong Son restaurant (Tran Phu street) or the Hoi An market area.
• Mi Quang: The Hoi An version has a richer broth and is served with sesame rice crackers.
• Banh Mi Phuong: The legendary Hoi An banh mi. Expect a queue, but it’s worth it.
• Com Ga Ba Buoi: Hoi An’s chicken rice is unlike any other. The rice is cooked in chicken broth, and the shredded chicken is mixed with Vietnamese mint.

7:30 PM – 8:00 PM: Buy Lanterns and Head to the Riverside Go to Bach Dang street, buy lanterns from the stalls along the riverbank (remember the tip above), and then negotiate the boat price.

8:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Boat Ride with Floating Lanterns This is the most beautiful hour – it’s completely dark, the lanterns are glowing brightly, and the river surface is shimmering. Fully immerse yourself in this moment.

9:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Explore the Night Market, Have Coffee Hoi An at night has much more to offer: the An Hoi night market, bars along the river, or simply sit at a cafe overlooking the river.

Estimated Costs for an Evening of Floating Lanterns

Summary of Actual Costs

[!NOTE] Transportation costs from Da Nang to Hoi An by Faifo Express vary depending on the vehicle type and number of passengers. Contact them directly for an accurate quote and potential package advice for larger groups.

Practical Experience — Things I Wish I Knew Sooner

Getting Fair Prices at the Boat Dock

I have to be blunt: the Hoai River boat dock area is one of the places where tourists are most likely to be overpriced in Hoi An. Not all, but some boatmen (especially those who are overly enthusiastic in their invitations) tend to inflate prices for foreigners or unfamiliar visitors.

How to Avoid It:

• Ask for the price before getting on the boat, and clarify if the price includes lanterns and how many.
• Agree on a specific price, ideally write it down or record it (it might sound extreme, but it’s genuinely helpful).
• Do not get on the boat before agreeing on the price – once you’re on, it’s very difficult to negotiate.
• Going with a group gives you more leverage when negotiating the price for a whole boat.

Best Time of Year for Floating Lanterns

• Full Moon every month (14th day of the lunar calendar): This is the most special night – the ancient town turns off its lights, leaving only the glow of lanterns and floating lights. The atmosphere is magical and enchanting in the most beautiful sense. However, it gets very crowded.
• Tet Nguyen Tieu (Full Moon of the First Lunar Month): The biggest festival of the year in Hoi An, with the river filled with floating lanterns, fireworks, and art performances. Special but extremely crowded.
• Mid-Autumn Festival: Lanternsespecially many, children carrying lanterns on the street, the atmosphere is very joyful.
• Regular evenings: Less crowded, easier to negotiate prices, can be more relaxed. I actually prefer regular nights over full moon nights because there’s no jostling.

Suitable Attire

• Traditional Ao Dai: Many tourists (especially women) choose to wear Ao Dai when taking a boat to release flower lanterns. It’s very beautiful for photos, but be aware that Ao Dai can easily get wet if splashed by water.
• Avoid very short skirts or shorts: When getting on and off the boat, the posture is quite awkward. Long pants or midi skirts are more comfortable.
• Bring a light jacket: Bu