Hoi An: Lantern Boat Ride & Release Lanterns

The lantern boat ride in Hoi An is a captivating experience that allows visitors to enjoy the enchanting atmosphere of this historic Vietnamese town. Gliding along the serene Hoai River, guests can witness the vibrant glow of colorful lanterns and enjoy the soothing sounds of traditional folk songs performed by local artists. This 20-minute journey offers a unique opportunity to connect with the local culture and create unforgettable memories. While the tour may not be suitable for all, the enchanting sights and sounds of the lantern boat ride are sure to leave a lasting impression on those who embark on this captivating adventure.

Key Points

• The lantern boat ride in Hoi An is a 20-minute tour along the Hoai River, priced at $7.17 per person.
• Passengers can release a personal lantern into the river while making a wish and enjoy a sparkling light display.
• The tour includes a boat trip, personal lantern, photo opportunities, and hotel pick-up/drop-off, but excludes personal expenses, tips, and gratuities.
• The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users, individuals over 287 lbs (130 kg), or those over 95 years old.
• Customer reviews indicate a generally positive experience, with praise for the river gliding and lantern releasing, but mixed feedback on guide availability and pricing.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Overview and Pricing

The Hoi An lantern boat ride offers visitors an enchanting experience to explore the ancient town’s beauty at night. Priced from $7.17 per person, the 20-minute tour takes guests on a peaceful trip along the Hoai River.

Travelers can take advantage of free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund, and a "reserve now & pay later" option is available.

However, the activity isn’t suitable for wheelchair users, individuals over 287 lbs (130 kg), or those above 95 years old.

Tour Highlights

With a peaceful boat trip through Hoi An at night, visitors can release a personal lantern into the river while making a wish and enjoy a sparkling light display with brilliant colors.

Along the riverbank, they’ll engage with locals to gain insights into their daily routines.

Visitors can also capture iconic moments of Hoi An ancient town with their phones.

The tour highlights the enchanting beauty of Hoi An, allowing travelers to enjoy the city’s traditions and culture through the unique experience of a lantern boat ride.

Itinerary

Departing from the iconic An Hoi Bridge, the lantern boat ride takes visitors through Hoi An’s ancient town, showcasing the city’s well-preserved traditional architecture, including ancient houses and shops featuring traditional Vietnamese costumes.

The journey continues to the Night Boat Pier, where guests can enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and marvel at the sparkling lights on the Hoai River.

The highlight of the experience is the opportunity to:

• Release a personal flower lantern into the river, making a wish
• Enjoy traditional folk songs performed by local artists
• Capture iconic moments of Hoi An’s ancient town with your camera
• Engage with locals along the riverbank to gain insights into their daily routines

Inclusions and Exclusions

The lantern boat ride includes the boat trip itself, a personal lantern for each participant to release into the river, photo opportunities throughout the experience, insights into the meanings behind the flower lanterns, and hotel pick-up and drop-off services.

However, the tour excludes other personal expenses, tips, and gratuities.

Plus, the experience isn’t suitable for wheelchair users, people over 287 lbs (130 kg), or those over 95 years old.

Participants should bring a camera and cash, and refrain from consuming alcohol or drugs during the tour.

More Great Thing To Do Nearby

Important Meeting Point

The meeting point for the lantern boat ride is opposite 25 Nguyen Phuc Chu in Hoi An.

This centrally located spot is easily accessible and well-known to both locals and visitors. Guests should plan to arrive on time, as the boats depart on a set schedule.

To make the most of the experience, guests are encouraged to:

• Bring a camera to capture the magical moments on the river.
• Have cash on hand for any additional expenses or gratuities.
• Avoid bringing alcohol or drugs, as they aren’t permitted on the boats.
• Be prepared for a peaceful and enchanting journey through the heart of Hoi An’s ancient town.

What to Bring and Restrictions

When embarking on the lantern boat ride, guests should come prepared with a few key items. A camera is essential to capture the enchanting sights along the Hoai River.

Plus, it’s recommended to bring cash as the tour operates on a cash-only basis.

However, certain items aren’t permitted on the tour, such as alcohol and drugs.

It’s important to note that the boat ride isn’t suitable for wheelchair users, individuals weighing over 287 lbs (130 kg), or those over 95 years of age, so guests should keep these restrictions in mind when booking their experience.

Customer Reviews

According to the customer reviews, the overall rating for the Hoi An lantern boat ride experience is 4 out of 5 stars.

Feedback from past participants highlights a few key points:

• The pricing for the boat ride was viewed as reasonable, though some noted it could be a bit steep for solo travelers on a tight budget.

• The availability and presence of English-speaking guides was a mixed bag, with some reporting great interactions and others wishing for more guidance.

• The overall experience of gliding along the river, releasing lanterns, and witnessing the vibrant lights was widely praised as a highlight of visiting Hoi An.

• A few customers mentioned the restrictions on weight and age limiting the accessibility of the activity.

Recap

The Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride offers a serene and enchanting experience along the Hoai River. Guests can release personal lanterns and enjoy vibrant light displays and traditional folk songs performed by local artists. While the tour includes hotel pick-up/drop-off and costs $7.17 per person, it’s not suitable for wheelchair users or individuals over 287 lbs (130 kg) or 95 years old. Nonetheless, it’s a unique opportunity to capture unforgettable moments in Hoi An’s magical atmosphere.

You can check if your dates are available here: