Hoi An Mid-Autumn Festival | Dates & Things to Do
Each year during the Mid-Autumn Festival, Hoi An lights up even more than usual. Lanterns everywhere, children in costumes, and drums echoing through the alleys… You don’t need posters or a program to know it’s coming, you can feel the festival approaching just by the buzz in the streets and the sound of the drums.
I’m not a big fan of crowds, but I go every year, if only to take in the incredible energy. This isn’t a festival designed for tourists, it’s a real neighborhood celebration, noisy, messy, and completely alive.
What is the Mid-Autumn Festival?
The Mid-Autumn Festival, known here as Tết Trung Thu, falls each year on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. It’s a highly anticipated holiday, especially for children. Originally tied to the harvest and the full moon, today it’s a mix of tradition, folklore, and popular celebration.
Children parade with colorful lanterns, there are lion dances in the streets, drums pounding everywhere, and of course, the famous mooncakes shared among family and friends. If you don’t like noise, this isn’t for you. But if you want to see the city come alive, it’s a moment you shouldn’t miss.
When is the Mid-Autumn Festival in 2025?
The Mid-Autumn Festival takes place every year on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, so the exact date changes according to the Gregorian calendar. Usually, it falls between early September and early October. In 2025, the Mid-Autumn Festival will be celebrated from October 2 to October 6.
What to Do and See During the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hoi An
If you’re in Hoi An during the Mid-Autumn Festival, there’s more than enough to fill your evening without any official program. Start by wandering through the ancient town in the late afternoon. As soon as the light fades, the lanterns switch on, families pour into the streets, and drums echo from every corner.
You’ll come across groups of children of all ages, sometimes barely three years old, dressed up as lions, banging drums and parading through the alleys. It’s often hilarious to watch, especially when the lion costume is twice as big as the kid wearing it.
But there are also much more impressive teams, with trained performers climbing metal poles, pulling off acrobatic stunts, breathing fire in the middle of town, and even performing Dragon dances. These shows are absolutely spectacular. You’ll usually find them at hotels, resorts, or even on Phan Chau Trinh street if you’re lucky.
Tradition says you should place a banknote on the ground, which the lion picks up with its mouth, it’s meant to bring good luck. Some shops even hire these teams to bless their storefronts, adding even more energy to the atmosphere. And once a show starts, the crowd gathers instantly, creating real human traffic jams in the narrow streets.
You might also stumble upon impromptu stages, traditional games, and of course, stalls selling bánh trung thu (mooncakes).
Don’t expect a plan, a schedule, or any logic. The best approach is simply to go with the flow, wander around, and enjoy the chaotic but joyful spirit of it all.
Mooncakes and Traditional Treats
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, you’ll see mooncakes everywhere. These are small round pastries, often beautifully decorated, filled with red bean paste, lotus seed paste, or sometimes a savory mix with salted egg yolks. Honestly, they’re not to everyone’s taste, especially if you expect a light and sweet dessert.
Here, they’re exchanged between friends, neighbors, and colleagues, a symbol of family and prosperity. Some families still make their mooncakes at home, but most people buy them from shops or temporary stalls set up for the occasion.
Alongside mooncakes, you’ll also find beautifully carved fruit, colorful candies, and sometimes sticky rice cakes. These little treats are usually enjoyed with tea, shared during evening gatherings, or handed out to children during the parades.
Practical Tips for the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hoi An
Where to see the best performances?
Professional teams usually don’t go into the ancient town, since they can be called by shops, hotels, or even private families, and they need to move around quickly. As scooters are banned in the old town, they generally avoid it to be able to perform multiple shows in one evening.
- Inside the ancient town, it’s more random, but you’re bound to come across a group at some point.
- Phan Chau Trinh Street is a great spot to see lion dance teams in action.
- Another good location is the square near Bebe Tailor.
- Some hotels or resorts also bring in professional troupes: if you’re staying there, it’s often the best way to enjoy the shows up close without the heavy crowds.
Otherwise, just follow the crowds of Vietnamese on scooters, they usually know where the action is.
What time should you go?
Things really get going around 6:30–7:00 PM, when night falls and the lanterns are fully lit.
Parades, dances, and performances usually continue until 9–10 PM, sometimes later if the atmosphere is good.
Should you expect crowds?
Yes. Expect a lot of people, and moving around the narrow streets can be tricky. Wear comfortable shoes, leave the stroller at the hotel, and bring patience if you’re coming with family.
Where to try mooncakes?
You’ll find them everywhere, but if you want something a little more refined, check out local bakeries or ask the locals for recommendations. Most of the time, you’ll even be offered a mooncake when you step into a shop or a tea house.
My Opinion
If you’re in Hoi An during the Mid-Autumn Festival, make the most of it. This isn’t an event organized for tourists, it’s a real local celebration, with everything that comes with it: noise, unpredictability, funny moments, and sometimes complete chaos. You won’t understand everything, and that’s perfectly fine.
It’s lively, messy, but authentic. It’s one of those times when Hoi An shows a different, more spontaneous side. Personally, I go every year, not for the mooncakes or the photos, but just to take in the atmosphere, watch the overexcited kids, and listen to the drums echoing all over the city.
