Boat Ride on Hoai River & Releasing Lanterns in Hoi An: Best Time, Prices & Tips

When the Hoi An Ancient Town lights up, the Hoai River shimmers with hundreds of floating lanterns drifting across the water. Sitting in a small wooden boat, releasing a lantern with your own hands, and gazing at the ancient town from the river is an experience almost every visitor to Hoi An wants to try. This article compiles tips for a Hoai River boat ride and lantern release: what time to go, how much it costs, and what to keep in mind.

What Is a Hoai River Boat Ride?

The Hoai River is a branch of the river running along the Hoi An Ancient Town (now part of Da Nang City). Small wooden boats carry passengers on a short cruise of around 20–30 minutes to admire the ancient town glowing with lanterns and to release floating lanterns for good luck.

The Hoai River glittering with lanterns and floating lights on a full moon night. Photo: Christophe95 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

What Time Is Best to Go?

• Around 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM is the most beautiful window, when the ancient town begins to light up and the glow reflects on the river.

• Full moon nights (14th and 15th of the lunar month): the ancient town holds full moon festivities with many cultural activities — truly magical, but also very crowded.

• For great photos with fewer crowds, go right at sunset or after 8:30 PM.

Reference Prices for Boats and Floating Lanterns

• Boat: typically charged per boat, around 100,000–200,000 VND for a group of 2–4 people, with each trip lasting about 20–30 minutes.

• Floating lanterns: around 10,000–20,000 VND each; you can buy them on the riverbank or directly on the boat.

• Combo tickets: many ticketing platforms sell combo packages including a boat ride and floating lanterns, convenient for visitors who prefer not to haggle.

Prices vary depending on the time of year, especially on full moon nights and during peak season. Always agree on the price and duration before boarding.

Wooden boats moored on the river, waiting to take guests on a cruise of the ancient town. Photo: Christophe95 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Tips for the Hoai River Boat Ride

• Always wear a life jacket on the boat, especially when traveling with young children.

• Bring cash, as most boats do not accept cards.

• Hold your phone and camera securely when leaning over to release a lantern.

• October to December is the rainy season and may bring flooding; water levels can rise and boat services may be temporarily suspended.

• Combine with a stroll through the ancient town first — visit the Japanese Covered Bridge, historic houses, and assembly halls — then head to the river after dark.

The iconic yellow-walled ancient houses that define Hoi An. Photo: Steffen Schmitz / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Suggested Evening Itinerary in Hoi An

• Afternoon: stroll through the ancient town, enjoy a coffee, visit the Japanese Covered Bridge and historic houses.

• Dusk: take a Hoai River boat ride and release floating lanterns.

• Evening: dine on Cao Lau, Hoi An chicken rice, and Hoi An-style Banh Mi; browse the night market across the river.

If you are staying in Da Nang, you can head to Hoi An in the afternoon and return the same evening. However, spending one night in Hoi An allows you to enjoy the peaceful ancient town in the morning.

Prices and regulations are subject to change. Please verify before your visit.

Photo Credits

Cover photo: "Hoi An - HoiAn1441" – lumoplank / Wikimedia Commons, CC0. Photos within the article are credited directly below each image.