Hoi An’s nightlife scene comprises trendy bistros, cafés, bars, artistic lounges, and live music venues, most of which are set within the bustling Ancient Town and Riverside. When the sun sets, the pedestrian-friendly streets of Hoi An transform into a vibrant display of traditional lanterns, folk dance performances, and lit candles floating down Thu Bon River.
NIGHTIME FUN
Traditional Folk Games (Bai Choi)
- Address: Hoi An Ancient Town; MAP
The most interesting part of Hoi An ancient town at night is the area near the Hoai river bank and the pedestrian streets. Golden lights from the houses on Bach Dang Street reflect themselves into the river creating a picturesque scene. This is why Hoi An is known as the Venice of Vietnam.
You can participate in Folk Games (Bai Choi) – a kind of traditional entertainment – near the Hoai River from 7pm every day. This is food for the mind not only for Hoi An locals, but also for tourists looking to gain an insight into the culture here.
Across the river is Nguyen Phuc Chu with many restaurants and souvenir shops. This street is also a place to purchase beautiful pictures of Hoi An as well as other famous tourist destinations around Vietnam.
A Radiant River
- Address: Hoai River; MAP
Hoi An tourism at night is not only attractive due to the ancient town, but also because of the shimmering lights of the Hoai River. It’s common to buy a paper lantern to place in the river and make a wish for you and your family. This is thought to bring good health, luck and happiness. Sitting on a boat you can observe Hoi An from a calm setting while listening to the stories of this land from the boatmen.
The beautiful paper lanterns are sold along the streets of Hoi An and you should bargain with the vendors when you buy them. Every night of 14th of the Lunar month, all electric lights in Hoi An ancient town will be turned off and replaced colorful lanterns. This is an unforgettable experience.
Another attraction when traveling to Hoi An at night is that visitors will have the opportunity to explore the rich cuisine along the river. After strolling around the Cau Pagoda, cruising on a boat down the river, visitors can stop at the culinary street next to the river to enjoy the famous dishes of Hoi An. Chicken and rice, Cao Lau, pancakes, dumplings, along with snacks such as Tao Pho and sweet soup, are all available here.
Memories Forever
- Performance 1: Life – Hoi An’s memories of the early land reclamation A picture of the daily activities of Hoi An people in the past.
- Performance 2: Wedding – Hoi An Memories during Champa period Through this performance, the visitors will understand more about the economy, political regime and cultural customs of Hoi An during the Champa period of 9th -10th century.
- Performance 3: Boats and Sea – Hoi An Memories of transition period The main message of this performance is the development of Hoi An to become a crowded commercial port in the 16th-17th century, told through the story a girl waiting for a sailor who was always away from home due to business. The performance combines sound, light, poetry, music, and dancing to create an emotive picture of a changing place.
- Performance 4: Ben Bo – Hoi An Memories of multilateral cultural interference period This will bring to you the atmosphere of the busiest international port in the ASEAN region during 16th – 19th century.
- Performance 5: Ao dai – the combination of ancient “Hoi An Memories” with modern breath
- The show ends with a picture of the traditional ‘Ao dai’ dress passing through Hoi An’s ancient architecture. Girls ride bicycles along light roads, through every corner of the ancient town, eventually bringing the audience to modern day life in Hoi An, a place that is both active and gentle. The show will start from 5 p.m. every day (except for Tuesday)