Hoi An’s Full Moon Festivals

Hoi An’s Full Moon Festivals

Famous Full Moon Festival:
First thing to note is it’s not like the full moon parties in Thailand. Ok? For Hoian it is an opportunity to show off their heritage and culture. The Full Moon Festival is held on every 14th day of the lunar month. Hoi-An old town shuts down to motorised vehicles and the laterns come out! This is a magical festival and gives you a glimpse of what life may have been like when Hoi An was a booming and affluent port 400 years ago.

Hoi An Full Moon Festival dates 2017 are listed below:

Hoi An Full Moon Festival dates 2018 are listed here:

Under the light of the full moon, Hoian becomes one big centre stage where all the locals & tourists come out and participate in reviving the golden days of prosperity and folklore with music, plays & parties. They shut down the streets in the old town to all motorbikes, so it’s safe to roam around and gaze at the lovely shop fronts full of brightly coloured lanterns. Great time to have a meal in one of the many open restaurants. Very romantic!

Activities

The Hoi An Lunar full moon festival activities recall the real life of Hoi An people over 4 centuries ago. Some groups of the Hoi an old men play the Chinese chess in front of their houses on the street, the local people & the young couples go around the city under the moonlight to feel their hope & enjoy the life. As you battle your way through the crowds on the street, you’ll be rewarded with bands playing bamboo flutes, drums and fiddles, as well as traditional games. On the banks of the Hoai River young men and women exchange folk songs. You will feel the life very worthy for living when you join the lunar lantern festival in Hoi An ancient town.

More of the important festivals celebrated in Hoi An are listed below. Some of the dates are vague because they are based on the lunar calendar.

Feb 28 Jan 2017: Tet Festival (Vietnam New Year)
April 30: Liberation Day (Liberation of Saigon ’75)
Mid July: All Souls Day (Pray for wandering souls)
September 02: National Day (Hochi’s speech ’45)
October 01-09: Autumn Festival (Dragon Dancing)