Hoi An Mid-Autumn Festival 2026: 500 Drones, Fireworks & Lantern Traditions
Updated September 2026.
Quick answer: Hoi An celebrates the Mid-Autumn Festival (Tết Trung Thu) on the full moon of the 8th lunar month with lanterns, lion dances, mooncakes and children’s lantern parades. In 2026 the festival fell on Friday, 25 September, and for the first time ever Hoi An Central Park hosted a 500-drone light show with fireworks. The next Mid-Autumn Festival is on Wednesday, 15 September 2027.
500 drones and fireworks light up Hoi An’s sky (25 September 2026)
The full moon night in the ancient town has never been more spectacular. For the first time ever, Hoi An Central Park hosted a show of 500 high-tech drones and dazzling fireworks, lighting up the Mid-Autumn sky in a breathtaking celebration.
- 500 drones formed stunning patterns above the park, including a giant lion dance head.
- Brilliant fireworks burst across the sky alongside them.
- Modern technology met traditional culture in one unforgettable display.
As thousands of visitors watched in awe, the whole ancient town glowed with wonder and pride. It was a magical Mid-Autumn moment right in the heart of this heritage town, and we were there to film it:
Where: Hoi An Central Park (Công viên Trung tâm Hội An), 2 Trần Hưng Đạo, Hội An.
When: Mid-Autumn full moon night, Friday 25 September 2026.
What is the Mid-Autumn Festival (Tết Trung Thu)?
Tết Trung Thu is one of Vietnam’s most loved festivals, held on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest. Traditionally it celebrates the harvest and family reunion, and today it is above all a festival for children, with lanterns, toys, sweets and performances.
Why is Hoi An’s Mid-Autumn Festival so special?
Every full moon of the 8th lunar month, the ancient town transforms into its most enchanting self of the entire year. The narrow alleyways glow deep red with lantern light, lion dance drums echo from every corner, and crowds flow together in a proud, traditional festival atmosphere.
Mid-Autumn in Hoi An is more than a “reunion festival”. It is a living cultural celebration, held in the heart of Hoi An Ancient Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999, and preserved through generations of Hoi An families.
- Alleyways bathed in red: the warm glow of hundreds of lanterns lights up the old houses.
- Lion and dragon dance drums: performances echo through the streets all evening.
- A living heritage: generations of families keep traditions alive that have been passed down in the ancient town.
- The full moon: moonlight falls over the tiled rooftops and the Thu Bon River below.
If you have ever wanted to witness a truly authentic Vietnamese Mid-Autumn, Hoi An is the place.
See the ancient town on Mid-Autumn night 2026:
How does Hoi An celebrate the Mid-Autumn Festival?
- Lanterns everywhere: the Ancient Town, already famous for its silk lanterns, glows even brighter, and children carry star-shaped and animal lanterns through the streets.
- Lion and dragon dances (múa lân): troupes perform to drums in the streets and outside homes and shops.
- Mooncakes (bánh trung thu): bakeries and stalls sell baked and sticky-rice mooncakes, often filled with lotus seed, mung bean or mixed nuts and salted egg yolk.
- Floating lanterns on the Thu Bon River: visitors release paper lanterns from boats and the riverbank.
- Special shows: in 2026 this included Hoi An’s first drone and fireworks show at Hoi An Central Park.
Where is the best place to watch in Hoi An?
- Hoi An Central Park (2 Trần Hưng Đạo): the venue for the 2026 drone and fireworks show, a short walk from the Ancient Town. Arrive early for a good spot.
- The Thu Bon riverfront and An Hoi islet: the best place for floating lanterns, lantern boats and full-moon photos.
- Ancient Town streets: lion dances and children’s lantern parades pass through in the evening.
Tips for visiting Hoi An during Mid-Autumn
- Expect big crowds: the festival draws thousands of visitors, so arrive before sunset.
- Book accommodation early: hotels near the Ancient Town fill up for festival week.
- Getting there from Da Nang: Hoi An is about 40–50 minutes by Grab or taxi. Book your return ride early, because fares rise and waits get longer late at night.
- Stay longer: September is also golden rice-field season around Hoi An. See our guide to Hoi An from Da Nang for a 3-day plan, and our Da Nang in autumn guide.
When is the Mid-Autumn Festival in future years?
| Year | Mid-Autumn Festival (15th day, 8th lunar month) |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Friday, 25 September 2026 |
| 2027 | Wednesday, 15 September 2027 |
| 2028 | Tuesday, 3 October 2028 |
Hoi An Mid-Autumn Festival FAQ
When is the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hoi An?
On the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. In 2026 it was Friday, 25 September; in 2027 it falls on Wednesday, 15 September.
Was there a drone show in Hoi An for Mid-Autumn 2026?
Yes. For the first time, Hoi An Central Park hosted a 500-drone light show with fireworks on the Mid-Autumn full moon night, 25 September 2026.
Is the Mid-Autumn Festival the same as the Hoi An Lantern Festival?
No. The Full Moon Lantern Festival happens every month on the 14th lunar day, while the Mid-Autumn Festival is a once-a-year national celebration on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. See upcoming lantern nights in our Hoi An guide.
Is Hoi An good for kids during Mid-Autumn?
Yes. Mid-Autumn is a children’s festival, with lanterns, lion dances and sweets everywhere. Keep a close eye on little ones in the crowds.
