Best Things To Do In Hoi An At Night According To Locals

Hoi An transforms into a magical place once the sun sets, with lantern-lit streets, vibrant night markets, and a peaceful charm that’s hard to resist. Whether you're a first-time visitor or returning to soak up the atmosphere, the town offers countless memorable experiences after dark. Here are the 10 best things to do in Hoi An at night that will make your evening in this ancient town truly unforgettable.

1. Stroll through the Old Town and admire the lanterns at night

When night falls, Hoi An Ancient Town becomes vibrant yet peaceful, lit up by thousands of colorful lanterns. The narrow streets, old houses, and local shops are all beautifully decorated, creating a warm and magical atmosphere.

As you walk along the lantern-lit streets, you’ll experience the calmness and charm that make Hoi An truly unique. The evenings here are quiet and relaxing, making it perfect for a leisurely stroll to enjoy the scenery and soak in the peaceful atmosphere after a long day.

This is also the best time to take photos. The soft glow of the lanterns creates a perfect background, helping you capture memorable moments of your trip. If you're looking for a simple yet meaningful activity to explore Hoi An by night, strolling through the lantern-lit streets is an experience you shouldn't miss.

2. Take a boat ride on the Hoai River and release flower lanterns

One of the most memorable experiences in Hoi An at night is taking a boat ride on the Hoai River and releasing floating lanterns. As the city lights up, the river glows with reflections from the lanterns hanging along the streets and the small candle-lit lanterns gently drifting on the water.

You can rent a small wooden boat, usually rowed by a local. While sitting on the boat, you can release a few lanterns onto the river, making a quiet wish for health, happiness, or peace. It’s a simple yet meaningful activity that captures the spiritual and cultural essence of Hoi An. The calm water, soft light from the lanterns, and the gentle sound of the oars create a peaceful and dreamy atmosphere. It’s a beautiful way to slow down, reflect, and enjoy the moment.

3. Explore the Hoi An Night Market

Visiting the Hoi An Night Market is one of the things to do in Hoi An at night. As the lights begin to shine, the market transforms into a lively and colorful space. Rows of stalls sell handicrafts, clothing, accessories, and especially the famous street food of Hoi An.

As you stroll through the stalls, you’ll easily find exquisite handcrafted items like lanterns, pottery, brocade fabrics, and many unique souvenirs that bear the distinct mark of Hoi An. The handmade products on display are diverse and rich, always attracting the attention of visitors. In addition, the night market is also where you can taste local specialties like cao lầu, Hoi An-style Bánh mì, red bean soup and many other delicious snacks.

4. Watch a water puppet show

Water puppet theater is one of the unique cultural traditions of Vietnam, passed down through many generations. When attending a water puppet show, you will witness skillfully crafted puppets moving on the water, controlled by talented artisans behind the water screen. Folk tales, traditional games, and Vietnamese legends are vividly portrayed through the water puppet performances, offering an exciting and deep experience that reflects the distinctive cultural beauty of the Vietnamese people.

If you want to experience a special water puppet show, you can visit the Water Puppet Theater in Hoi An. This is the perfect place for visitors to enjoy unique water puppet performances, offering unforgettable and unique experiences.

Address: 548 Hai Ba Trung Street, Hoi An City Center, Quang Nam Province.

Opening hours: The theater opens at 6:30 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays

5. Check in at the Moonlight Bridge – Thuong Cang

Check-in at the Moonlight Bridge is a popular activity for tourists visiting Hoi An, especially when they visit this famous bridge at night. The Moonlight Bridge is a small, uniquely designed bridge illuminated by warm light from lanterns and LED lights in the evening, creating a romantic atmosphere perfect for photos and check-ins.

The bridge evokes a mysterious and captivating beauty, especially when the moonlight reflects on the Hoai River, creating a serene and poetic ambiance. This is an ideal spot for visitors to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere and take beautiful photos, capturing memorable moments during their trip to Hoi An.

6. Enjoy the "Hoi An Memories" show

Among the top things to do in Hoi An at night, the Hoi An Memories show stands out as a must-see cultural experience. What makes "Hoi An Memories" especially memorable is its grand stage that stretches across the Thu Bon River, with the stunning backdrop of the ancient town's scenery.

The combination of traditional music, dance, and dramatic storytelling takes you back in time, allowing you to experience the mystical beauty and cultural richness of Hoi An. The show takes place from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM daily, except on Tuesdays. It is an outdoor live performance that lasts around 60 minutes, recreating the history and culture of Hoi An through five impressive acts.

In addition to the main show, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the Hoi An Impression Park also hosts mini-shows and other cultural activities, giving visitors the chance to explore the history and culture of Hoi An before the main performance. To fully enjoy the experience, visitors should arrive at least 30 minutes before the show to collect tickets and choose a suitable seat.

7. Visit the famous “Mót” herbal tea shop

When you visit Hoi An, a must-visit spot is the "Mót" drink shop located at 150 Tran Phu Street, Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province. The shop stands out with its nostalgic and simple atmosphere, which is both familiar and perfectly suited to the charm of the ancient town.“Mót” is not only a place to enjoy refreshing drinks but also an ideal destination to experience the beauty of Hoi An through its ambiance and local specialties.

“Mót” is open daily from 4:30 PM to 10:00 PM, so make sure to visit during these hours to try their signature drinks. On peak days, the shop can get quite crowded, but don’t worry. Just be patient, as the famous Mót drink will surely make the wait worthwhile.

In addition to the famous "Mót" drink, the shop also offers a variety of delicious Hoi An specialties such as Cao Lau, Pho Bo, and other popular snacks and drinks like Banh Mi and Smoothies. The menu is diverse with reasonable prices, ranging from 12,000 VND to 50,000 VND per item, making it suitable for many types of customers.

8. Drop by local bars and clubs

When exploring Hoi An, visitors should not miss the beautiful bars with stunning views. Enjoying unique moments of relaxation at these bars will make your trip even more memorable.

Here are some bars you can check out:

Why Not Bar Hoi An

• Address: 10B Pham Hong Thai Street, Cam Chau, Hoi An, Quang Nam
• Operating hours: 16:00 – 03:00
• Best for: Young people who love a lively atmosphere and socializing

Hair Of The Dog Bar Hoi An

• Address: 15 Thoai Ngoc Hau, Minh An, Hoi An, Quang Nam
• Operating hours: 21:00 – 03:30
• Best for: Those who enjoy a youthful bar space and trendy style.

Kofi Hoi An Bar

• Address: 11 Nguyen Thai Hoc, Minh An, Hoi An, Quang Nam
• Operating hours: 09:00 – 00:00 (Closed on Mondays)
• Best for: Groups of friends looking for a bar with live music and unique cocktails

The Shamrock Irish Pub Hoi An

• Address: 15 Nguyen Phuc Chu, Minh An, Hoi An, Quang Nam
• Operating hours: 10:00 – 01:00 (Open until 02:00 on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays)
• Best for: Those who love Irish pub culture and a lively atmosphere

Mezcal Coctelería

• Address: 38 Phan Chu Trinh, Minh An, Hoi An, Quang Nam
• Operating hours: 18:00 – 23:45
• Best for: Those who enjoy creative cocktails and a relaxed atmosphere

Market Bar Hoi An

• Address: 02 Hoang Dieu, Cam Chau, Hoi An, Quang Nam
• Operating hours: 16:00 – 23:00
• Best for: Couples who want to enjoy a romantic and quiet space

9. Watch the sea at night

If you’re looking for a more tranquil option among the many things to do in Hoi An at night, watching the sea under the moonlight is a serene and unforgettable experience. As night falls, the beaches of Hoi An become calm, romantic, and filled with a touch of magic. The moonlight shimmering on the waves and the soft glow from seaside restaurants and bars create a peaceful and inviting atmosphere.

One of the ideal spots to view the beach at night is Cua Dai Beach. Here, visitors can enjoy the fresh air, listen to the gentle sound of the waves, and experience the serenity of the nighttime beach. If you prefer a livelier atmosphere, An Bang Beach is also a great choice. This area has many bars and restaurants near the beach, where you can sip a cocktail while enjoying the night sea view.

Moreover, if you visit Hoi An during the full moon, the lanterns hanging along the beach create a very distinctive scene, attracting many tourists for sightseeing and photo opportunities.

10. Enjoy the traditional “Bài Chòi” folk singing performances

“Bài Chòi” is a unique form of traditional folk art from Central Vietnam, especially in Hoi An, where you can enjoy traditional "Bài Chòi" performances. It is a cultural activity that cannot be missed when you visit Hoi An, offering a unique experience of music and local folk culture.

“Bài Chòi” combines singing, expressing emotions through songs, and playing traditional games, where participants guess words or sing folk songs. The distinctive melodies and lively tunes mixed with deep emotions will allow you to experience the sincerity and simplicity of Vietnamese folk culture.

The "Bài Chòi" performances in Hoi An take place at An Hoi Sculpture Garden, located in Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province. The performances are held at 7:00 PM every day of the week.

This is a great spot for visitors to enjoy traditional folk art in the atmosphere of the ancient town of Hoi An. An Hoi Sculpture Garden is an attractive destination for those who want to explore Vietnam's traditional culture and music.

Whether you're looking for a romantic evening, a cultural adventure, or simply a place to unwind after a long day, Hoi An always has something special to offer. This charming town continues to captivate and draw travelers in at any moment. And once they leave, the wonderful memories of Hoi An remain forever in the hearts of those who have visited.