The night market at a glance
The Hoi An Night Market runs along Nguyen Hoang street on An Hoi, the small island opposite the old town core. You reach it over the An Hoi bridge. Stalls sell lanterns, souvenirs and street food, and the riverbank next to it is where the short lantern boat rides start.
Do not confuse it with the other market and riverside strip on Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa. It is a different place, not another name for the same street. For more to do in town, see our things to do in Hoi An list.
What you find there
Lanterns, food and souvenirs, plus the river next door.
Lanterns
Lanterns hang over the stalls and are sold as souvenirs. If you buy one, check that it folds flat for your suitcase before you pay.
Street food
Food stalls fill the lanes, and cao lau noodles are the dish most visitors try in Hoi An. Pick a stall where you can see the food being cooked.
Souvenirs
Lanterns and other souvenirs are the main goods. Guides disagree on how many stalls there are, from about 50 to about 150, so the market may feel larger or smaller than you read.
The river
The embankment beside the market is where boat owners wait for passengers. It is a separate service with its own price, not part of the market.
Our picks: evening tours
A trip with the night market and a boat ride, and a food tour with a boat ride.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Evening food tour with a boat ride
Seven dishes at four stops, coffee and a drink, a 15-minute boat ride and a lantern for each guest. The Ancient Town ticket, hotel transfer and tips are not included.
Check availability →
Old town, night market and boat ride from Da Nang
Hotel transfer, a basket boat ride, an old town tour, a regional dinner, a Hoai River boat ride, a flower lantern and the night market. Tips and personal expenses are not included.
Check availability →Night tours and food walks in Hoi An
Evening food tours, lantern boat trips and guided old town walks, with live prices and availability.
Lantern boat rides on the river
Small rowing boats take two to four people out on the Hoai River for about 15–20 minutes, on the river beside the market. A local guide quotes VND 150,000–200,000 per boat in 2026. A second local guide lists VND 150,000 for 1–3 passengers and VND 200,000 for 4–5. The two groupings differ, so agree the price and the group size before you step in.
Floating paper candles are sold on the bank for roughly VND 5,000–20,000 each. These figures are observed prices, not a posted tariff, so confirm them on the spot.
This is a short ride beside the market. It is not a longer cruise on the Thu Bon River. If you want something slower, look at our tours page or the basket boats in the Cam Thanh coconut forest.
Entry, tickets and getting there
The practical points, with the parts that depend on the day marked.
| Topic | What to know |
|---|---|
| Market entry | One local guide describes the market as free. An airline guide says the old town ticket is needed. Ask at the bridge, and keep your ticket handy. |
| Old town ticket | Monuments are charged per building. From 10 August 2026 the rate is VND 20,000 per person and site, according to a resolution reproduced on secondary sites. Packages of VND 80,000 and VND 120,000 were still described in March 2026. See the ancient town guide. |
| Walking | Streets and the riverfront are described as free to walk. Only the interiors of heritage houses and halls are charged. |
| Traffic | In March 2026 the old town core was limited to pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles from 09:00 to 21:30 in summer and 09:00 to 21:00 in winter, and Phan Chau Trinh from 17:30. Ask your hotel for current hours. |
| Pickup | Do not expect a car to reach your stall. Plan a pickup point at the edge of the pedestrian area. |
| Parking | Nearby lots are quoted at VND 5,000–10,000 for a motorbike. Treat that as a range, not a city tariff. |
When to go
Stalls open from about 17:00, so you can arrive in the late afternoon and stay into the evening. Closing times are not uniform: the usual figure is about 22:30, and some guides say 23:00.
On the 14th night of each lunar month the old town holds its lantern night, with music and traditional performances. Local calendars list 23 October, 22 November and 22 December 2026. These are secondary figures, so check them before you plan around one. Our lantern festival page has the full calendar.
October and November are the wettest months in the region, and the area has flooded in recent years. After heavy rain, check with your hotel before you cross the river. The weather page has the monthly rainfall.
Hoi An Night Market: frequently asked questions
What time does the Hoi An Night Market open?
Most guides give about 17:00 as the start, with closing at 22:30 or 23:00. Hours are not set by one published schedule, so treat them as approximate.
Is the night market free?
Sources disagree. A local guide calls it free, and an airline guide says the old town ticket is needed. Walking the streets and riverfront is generally described as free, while heritage house interiors are ticketed. Ask at the bridge if you are unsure.
How much is a lantern boat ride?
Local guides quote VND 150,000–200,000 per boat for a ride of 15–20 minutes, depending on group size. Agree the price before boarding. Paper candles cost around VND 5,000–20,000.
Where exactly is the night market?
On Nguyen Hoang street on An Hoi, across the An Hoi bridge from the old town core. Cong Nu Ngoc Hoa is a separate market and riverside area.
Can I get there by car or taxi?
Not all the way. Motor traffic is restricted in the old town core at set hours, and you should not expect a car to reach individual stalls. Ask your driver to meet you at the edge of the pedestrian area.