Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride Guide 2026: Times, Prices & Tips

A romantic and essential experience for any trip to Hoi An, Vietnam – the iconic lantern boat ride!

In the past, this was often a stressful experience, with persistent hawkers and the need to haggle over prices. But now, things have changed for the better!

The pricing has become standardized, making it much easier and more relaxed to hop aboard.

Today, I'll break down everything you need to know about the Hoi An lantern boat rides: operating hours, current prices, where to find them, and essential tips.

Hoi An Lantern Boat Rides

Operating Hours: 4:00 PM to 9:30 PM

(Please note: these times can vary based on local conditions or weather)

Recommended Time: For the most magical experience, we highly recommend taking your ride after 7:00 PM to enjoy the stunning night views.

Duration: Approximately 20 minutes

Where to Catch a Boat

The primary area to find lantern boats is along the Thu Bon River, adjacent to Hoi An's Old Town.

Before you board, you'll need to purchase your tickets. The official ticket booth is located at the 'Lantern Boat Boarding Point' marked on the map above.

Be cautious of private vendors in other areas, especially those not marked in pink on local maps, and always aim to purchase from the official booth!

*Authentic Lantern Boats: Rowboats

*Imitation Lantern Boats: Motorized boats

Pricing

Hoi An lantern boat rides currently operate under a standardized pricing system.

Standardized Prices (as of September 2026):

For 1-3 passengers per boat: 170,000 VND (approximately ~$7 USD)

For 4-5 passengers per boat: 220,000 VND (approximately ~$8 USD)

Ride Duration: Approximately 20 minutes

Wish Lanterns: Purchased separately

Purchasing Wish Lanterns

You'll find many vendors selling wish lanterns, so feel free to haggle a bit!

Most vendors charge around 10,000 VND (under ~$1 USD) per lantern. At this price, there's no real need to haggle. I personally bought mine from a lovely older woman on the bridge.

Can I book in advance?

While you can pre-book tickets that include a wish lantern through platforms like Klook, the price difference isn't significant. In fact, for groups of two or more, buying tickets directly at the booth tends to be cheaper. So, there's generally no need to book ahead!

What if our group has 6 people? Can we all ride in one boat?

True lantern boats (the traditional rowboats) have a maximum capacity of 5 people. So, if you're a group of 6, like we were, you'll need to split into two boats (e.g., three in each). This is for safety reasons, so you can't all ride together!

If you find a boat that allows 6 people to ride at once, it's likely an imitation (motorized) boat.

As a side note, my group of 6 actually opted for one of the motorized imitation boats so we could all stay together! 🤣 We prioritized riding as a family over the romantic charm of a rowboat.

Our Experience

Once you've purchased your wish lanterns, head down to the riverbank and hand your tickets to a boatman, who will help you board.

Typically, passengers wear life jackets, but since we went during the day, we weren't asked to wear them.

About halfway through the ride, you'll light your wish lantern. Hold it for a moment, make a wish, and then gently release it onto the river's surface.

I wished for a lottery win (fingers crossed!) and for my family's health and happiness. 😊

By the way, tipping your boatman is not mandatory. The person on our boat didn't ask for one. If you do wish to leave a tip, around 20,000 VND (~$1 USD) is a thoughtful gesture.

My schedule only allowed for a daytime ride, but I truly recommend going in the evening! The night views are absolutely stunning and perfect for capturing incredible photos!

Before or after your boat ride, exploring the Old Town is a must. You can grab lunch or dinner and soak in the vibrant atmosphere. There's so much more to Hoi An than just the lantern boats!

Even though it was a short 20-minute ride, it was a wonderful experience. Enjoying the cool breeze, admiring the beautiful scenery, and watching the colorful lights float by brought a sense of calm and happiness.

If you're planning a trip to Hoi An, I highly recommend adding the lantern boat ride to your itinerary!