From around mid-February to late April, the Hoi An Light Festival is held in the old town space with a variety of impressive light and art performances. This is not only a nighttime sightseeing event but also an opportunity for visitors to experience the cultural rhythm of Hoi An in a more novel and emotional way. Join Hotel Royal Hoi An Gallery in exploring the schedule and exciting experiences of this event through the article below.
What is the Hoi An Light Festival? Where and when does it take place?
The Hoi An Light Festival (also known as the Light and Heritage Festival) is a cultural and artistic event held from 17/02 to 30/04/2026 at Hoi An Memories Island. The festival stands out for its combination of visual art, drone performances, light installations, and cultural activities to create a distinctive nighttime tourism experience.
Values associated with the ancient trading port of Faifo, the daily life of the Hoi An old town, and Asian cultural symbols are vividly recreated, helping visitors experience heritage not only visually but also emotionally.
Highlights of the Hoi An Light and Heritage Festival
Large-scale drone light performances
The Dragon and Phoenix Drone Light Show is considered the central highlight of the Hoi An Light and Heritage Festival, taking place on the opening night at Hoi An Memories Island. Inspired by the theme “Chau An Thuyen – A Heritage Panorama,” the performance uses modern lighting technology to recreate the spirit of the Faifo trading port in the 17th century, a period marking prosperity in Hoi An’s history.
The images of the Dragon and Phoenix are expressed through contemporary visual language, evoking Asian cultural values while opening up a new way to perceive heritage in the context of an intersection between tradition and the future.
Artistic lantern space and nighttime lighting
An indispensable part of the Hoi An Light and Heritage Festival is the vibrant artistic lantern space at night, arranged extensively across Hoi An Memories Island from the beginning of the festival until its conclusion on 30/04/2026.
The lantern system is deliberately designed, inspired by the cultural panorama of the prosperous Faifo trading port in the 17th century, transforming the entire area into a dynamic light-filled space. In this setting, visitors can leisurely stroll, admire the light installations, and feel the long-standing cultural flow of the Hoi An old town reflected through the shimmering colors of the night festival.
Floating lantern ritual for peace
Bringing the vibrant festival atmosphere to a calm and reflective close, the floating lantern ritual for peace becomes an emotional highlight of the Hoi An Light and Heritage Festival. This activity takes place at Hoi An Memories Island, where small lanterns are gently released onto the water under the soft glow of the festival night.
Each lantern carries wishes for peace, good fortune, and well-being, reflecting spiritual cultural values that have long been connected to the inner life of Hoi An residents. In that moment, the festival space grows quiet, allowing emotions, memories, and heartfelt wishes to drift with the water, concluding the heritage experience with a lasting impression.
Schedule of main activities at the Hoi An Light Festival
Before following the main activities of the Hoi An Light Festival, take some time to review the overall schedule below to easily plan your visit and choose suitable experiences.
Heritage Tet – Experiencing Tet from three regions (17/02 – 01/03/2026)
The festival opens with Heritage Tet, recreating the atmosphere of traditional Vietnamese Tet at Hoi An Memories Island and offering a spring experience rich in cultural identity from the very first days.
During this period, ongoing activities include:
- New Year lucky money festival, recalling the custom of exchanging blessings at the beginning of the year.
- Distinctive Tet spaces representing the North, Central, and South regions, reflecting regional cultural diversity.
- Folk games, music, and traditional cuisine, creating a lively and intimate Tet rhythm of daily life.
The entire festival area is covered in spring colors and decorative lantern systems, forming a warm Tet setting rich in cultural value and bringing a sense of togetherness as visitors begin their festival journey.
Opening night and peak of light performances (04/03/2026)
March 4, 2026 marks the official opening night and is considered the peak of the entire Hoi An Light and Heritage Festival series. The highlight of the opening night is the Dragon and Phoenix Drone Light performance in the festival sky, creating a large-scale visual spectacle. With elaborate staging and modern performance techniques, this moment attracts great attention from visitors and officially launches a series of cultural and artistic experiences throughout the festival season.
Experiencing traditional craft villages
After the opening night, the festival continues with a phase dedicated to traditional craft culture, specifically:
- Silk Week (10/03 – 23/03/2026): Honoring traditional silk reeling and weaving, introducing processes, products, and hands-on workshops with artisans.
- Pottery Week (24/03 – 13/04/2026): Honoring Thanh Ha pottery through artistic light installations, product displays, and direct interaction with artisans.
These activities add cultural depth to the experience, helping visitors better understand the value of traditional crafts of Quang Nam.
Festival closing and end-of-season light ritual (30/04/2026)
The festival concludes on 30/04/2026 with activities rich in spiritual value and light art, creating an emotional pause for the entire journey. On the closing night in Hoi An, the floating sky lantern and water lantern rituals take place on the water in a soft light setting, where visitors send wishes for peace, happiness, and good fortune.
This is considered a complete ending to the light and heritage journey of the Hoi An Light and Heritage Festival 2026, leaving a lasting impression on all participants.
Experience tips for visiting the Hoi An Light Festival
To enjoy a smooth and complete visit to the Hoi An Light Festival, you should review some practical tips in advance regarding timing, transportation, and how to make the most of nighttime activities.
- Entrance ticket notes for Hoi An Memories Island: Festival activities take place within the Hoi An Impression Theme Park, so an entrance ticket is required. Tickets are available in several categories such as ECO, HIGH, and VIP, with reference prices ranging from approximately 600,000 VND (ECO) to 1,200,000 VND (VIP), depending on the type of experience.
- Prioritize evening visits: It is recommended to visit the festival after nightfall, when light performances, lantern spaces, and artistic installations are displayed most vividly, allowing you to fully experience the festive atmosphere of Hoi An.
- Choose the right time during the festival period: The festival runs from 17/02 to 30/04/2026. The opening night on 04/03/2026 is the peak period with very large crowds. If you prefer a more spacious environment, consider visiting on weekdays or during the period after the opening.
- Book tickets and accommodation early: During peak days such as the opening, closing, or weekends, visitor numbers increase significantly. Booking attraction tickets and hotels in advance helps you manage your schedule and avoid overcrowding.
- Combine festival visits with cultural experiences: In addition to watching light performances, you should allocate time to participate in traditional craft village activities, enjoy local cuisine, and stroll through the old town to add depth to your trip.
- Arrive early to choose viewing and photo spots: Arriving before peak hours allows you to select good viewing locations, take photos more easily, and enjoy the festival atmosphere at a more relaxed pace.
- Prepare suitable clothing: Spring evenings in Hoi An can be slightly cool, so bringing a light jacket and wearing comfortable shoes will help you move around easily throughout your visit.
Experiencing refined accommodation at Hotel Royal Hoi An Gallery
If you are looking for a worthy place to stay after exploring the old town and nighttime festivals, experiencing the refined accommodation at Hotel Royal Hoi An Gallery is an ideal choice.
Distinguished by the elegant blend of refined Japanese style and luxurious Indochinese architecture, Hotel Royal Hoi An Gallery draws inspiration from the historical romance between Sotaro Araki and Princess Ngoc Hoa in the 17th century. In the context of Hoi An as a once-bustling international trading port, their love story became a symbol connecting Vietnamese and Japanese cultures, leaving a deep mark on history.
This spirit of cultural fusion is reflected throughout every detail of the hotel, from interior design and spatial arrangement to service experiences. Guests can feel the romantic atmosphere and cultural depth of a timeless love story, enriching their journey of exploring Hoi An heritage.
The hotel features 187 elegantly designed guest rooms equipped with modern amenities, offering a warm and relaxing stay. Its diverse facilities include an infinity pool, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, a relaxing spa, as well as restaurants and bars serving a variety of cuisines.
Thanks to its convenient location, guests can easily visit famous attractions such as the Japanese Covered Bridge, stroll around the old town, explore traditional craft villages, and discover tailor shops. Combined with professional service and a dedicated staff, Hotel Royal Hoi An Gallery delivers a complete and culturally rich accommodation experience in this heritage city.
Hopefully, through this article by Hotel Royal Hoi An Gallery, you have gained useful information about the Hoi An Light Festival – an event offering a fresh perspective on the old town after nightfall. Through light performances and artistic installations, the festival not only highlights the beauty of heritage but also helps visitors more deeply experience the distinctive cultural rhythm of Hoi An, making every visit a memorable journey.
