Top Things To Do At Night In Hoi An

Hoi An Ancient Town is stunning during the day but even more engaging after dark. As the sun begins to set, lights and lanterns are lit along the streets, uncovering a sparkling and romantic scenery in your eyes. Long-lasting colonial architecture such as the Japanese Covered Bridge or ancient houses under the night also become more magical. Don't miss some souvenir shops where lots of colorful handicrafts are displayed or some vintage cafes to lay back and enjoy the serenity and slow pace of life in the city.

There are a few night markets in Hoi An but Nguyen Hoang Night Market is highly recommended. It is right on the Hoai River's other bank, opposite the Japanese Covered Bridge. The market is only around 500 meters long but shows up to 50 stalls with plenty of products from clothes, shoes & sandals, brocade bags, accessories to lanterns, ceramic items, etc. Not only a paradise for lovely souvenirs for your loved ones, but many local food stalls lining up along the market will fill your stomach during shopping time.

An unmissable way to discover the beauty of Hoi An's nightlife is to take a sampan boat trip on the Hoai River - a branch of the Thu Bon River. The boats always gather on Bach Dang Street near An Hoi Bridge but the most active time to join this activity is 18:00 - 20:00. Not only for sightseeing, the best part is releasing a paper lantern on the river and making a wish. You can buy paper lanterns for VND 5,000/piece and hire a boat for a group of 2 to 4 for VND 50,000/person. Although it just lasts for 20 - 30 minutes, it would be one of the most memorable experiences in Hoi An at night.

A culture lover cannot ignore a water puppet show in Hoi An - a Vietnamese traditional ethnic art activity. By controlling equipment, sound, and light, the artists highlight the features of Vietnam's rice civilization, tell fairy tales, and recreate daily stories of farmers dating back a thousand years such as a child herding buffalo, farmers fishing or catching crabs,...Located in the heart of the city, Hoi An Water Puppet Theater opens from 18:30 every day except for Wednesday and Sunday. The ticket price is VND 80,000/person and a show lasts for around 30-45 minutes.

Immerse yourself in Hoi An quintessence on a fascinating night walking food tour! Starting at 3:00 or 5:00 pm and lasting for 3-5 hours, the tour unfolds off-the-beaten-path but most favored eateries. Savor authentic flavors of Cao lau, Quang noodles, Banh mi (Vietnamese baguette sandwich), White Rose Dumplings, spring rolls, and many others. A passionate guide will not only share insights into Hoi An's rich cuisine but also connect you to locals through lively conversations and interesting folk games. The tour price ranges from US$ 35 to $55/person and can be booked via your hotel or many agencies in the town. Experience the cuisine like a local, why not?

A fun experience at night is playing Bai choi - the most traditional game in the rich-culture land of Hoi An. Held in a spacious area surrounded by a crowd, the game uses cards and is led by a game master. You need to buy cards at around VND 20,000/card and listen to the songs sung by locals. If you hear the name of your card at the end of the song, you win that shot. For 3 cards you win, you get a gift from them. The game not only retains tradition and folk singing but also makes a fun space for both locals and visitors during their free time.

Lanterns are an iconic image regardless of when you visit Hoi An. However, exploring the city during lantern festivals will be much more satisfying. Locals believe that lanterns symbolize luck. Celebrating festivals is a way for them to wish for luck, preserve cultural beauty, and maintain community spirit. They are usually celebrated in every full moon (14th day in lunar months), and most importantly, in the first full moon and mid-autumn festival. During the festival, all the houses and shops turn off the lights and let the lanterns brighten all the streets. Street performances, traditional games, and the vibrant atmosphere along the river where people release paper lanterns are must-see during this time.

Exuding Hoi An's soul deeply, Hoi An Memories used to be praised as one of the most beautiful shows in the world. The show is a series of outdoor live art performances about the well-preserved history and culture and different development stages of Hoi An lasting for 4 centuries. Organized on a 25,000m2 stage with nearly 500 actors and a glorious light and sound system, this is recorded as the biggest outdoor performance stage and the art performance with the largest number of actors in Vietnam in 2018. You can buy the ticket at the price of US$25 - 50/ticket depending on the position of the seat. The show is held from 20:00 to 21:00 every day except for Tuesday.

After exploring Hoi An's vibrant streets, there's nothing better than sitting back and unwinding at a rooftop cafe. While sipping a cup of coffee, capture the panoramic view of the peaceful town, from the meandering river to the ancient tiled roofs of adjacent buildings, and colorful lanterns sparkling in the night. It would be a blast of pure serenity that you will never forget in life.