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August 12, 2026 3,925 Views

Hoi An Ancient Town: Lantern Festivals, Tailor Boutiques & Michelin-Recognized Street Food

Written by Elena Rostova
Hoi An Ancient Town: Lantern Festivals, Tailor Boutiques & Michelin-Recognized Street Food

Hoi An Ancient Town and Thu Bon River. Photo by Unsplash

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A UNESCO World Heritage treasure located along the Thu Bon River in central Vietnam, Hoi An Ancient Town is a living museum where French colonial architecture, Chinese assembly halls, and Japanese covered bridges merge into an intoxicating romantic atmosphere.

The Magic of the Full Moon Lantern Festival

On the 14th night of each lunar month, the entire ancient quarter extinguishes electric lights, illuminating the riverbanks with thousands of handcrafted silk lanterns. Locals and visitors release floating candle lanterns into the gentle current while wishing for peace and good fortune.

"Hoi An has a golden, timeless rhythm. The scent of star anise, jasmine tea, and incense drifts across narrow alleys adorned with bougainvillea," says resident foodie Nguyen Thi Lan.

Must-Eat Culinary Delicacies

  • Cao Lau: Springy noodles made with mineral-rich water from the ancient Ba Le Well, topped with char siu pork, fresh herbs, and crispy croutons.
  • Banh Mi Phuong & Madam Khanh: Crispy baguettes loaded with homemade pate, braised pork, pickled papaya, and aromatic secret chili sauce.
  • White Rose Dumplings (Banh Bao Banh Vac): Translucent rice paper pockets stuffed with spiced shrimp and crispy shallots.

Do not leave without visiting one of Hoi An's world-renowned bespoke tailoring boutiques, where master tailors craft custom linen suits and silk dresses in as little as 24 hours.

Tags: #Travel #Hoi An #Street Food #Culture #Central Vietnam