Few places in Asia capture the imagination quite like HoiAn. This riverside town in Central Vietnam is a symphony of colour, texture, and light. At twilight, the streets glow under hundreds of handmade lanterns — floating above alleyways, swaying beside riverside cafés, and reflected in the calm waters of the Thu Bon River.
For travellers, it’s pure magic. But for the people of HoiAn, the lanterns tell a deeper story — one of heritage, craftsmanship, and community spirit. For Adventure Proud travellers on our Lanterns & Limestone: A Journey Through Vietnam gay tour, this isn’t just a pretty backdrop; it’s an experience that brings culture and connection vividly to life.
The Light That Never Fades
The lanterns of HoiAn have become one of Vietnam’s most recognisable symbols, but their story begins centuries ago. During the 16th and 17th centuries, HoiAn was a thriving port city where merchants from China, Japan, India, and Europe came to trade silk, ceramics, and spices. With this cultural exchange came new ideas — including the art of lantern-making, introduced by Chinese settlers.
Over time, local artisans gave the craft a uniquely Vietnamese identity. They began using bamboo frames wrapped in colourful silk, creating lightweight, luminous designs that reflected both HoiAn’s charm and its multicultural roots. Lanterns soon became part of daily life — symbols of prosperity, good fortune, and happiness.
Today, they still light up doorways and shopfronts, especially during festivals, weddings, and celebrations. In HoiAn, the glow of a lantern isn’t just decorative — it’s spiritual, a reminder of warmth, hope, and home.
The Full Moon Festival: HoiAn’s Night of Light
On the 14th day of each lunar month, HoiAn transforms into something truly special. Electric lights are switched off across the old town, and in their place, thousands of lanterns illuminate the streets. Locals and visitors alike gather along the riverbanks to release paper lanterns onto the water, each carrying a candle and a wish for happiness and peace.
The Full Moon Lantern Festival is one of Vietnam’s most enchanting celebrations — a blend of Buddhist tradition, community pride, and artistry. Music, dance, and food stalls fill the air with energy, but at its heart is something much quieter: a collective moment of reflection and gratitude.
For Adventure Proud travellers, joining the festival feels almost spiritual. Standing beside the Thu Bon River with your group, releasing a glowing lantern into the current, you become part of a living tradition — one that celebrates light over darkness and unity over division.
A Hands-On Tradition: Make Your Own HoiAn Lantern
One of the highlights of Lanterns & Limestone: A Journey Through Vietnam is the hands-on lantern-making workshop in HoiAn. It’s not just an activity; it’s an invitation to connect with the town’s creative soul.
Under the guidance of local artisans, travellers learn how to bend bamboo frames, wrap them in silk, and finish them with tassels or charms. Every colour carries a meaning — red for luck, yellow for prosperity, blue for hope, and purple for nostalgia.
There’s a quiet joy in creating something by hand, especially in a place where every corner seems to radiate inspiration. And at the end of the session, you don’t just walk away with a lantern — you carry a piece of HoiAn’s spirit home with you.
Lanterns as a Symbol of Inclusion and Connection
For Adventure Proud, the lanterns of HoiAn represent more than just beauty — they embody the inclusive and welcoming spirit that defines our journeys. Each lantern glows individually, yet together they create something truly breathtaking. It’s a perfect metaphor for the LGBTQ+ travel community: diverse, colourful, and radiant when united.
HoiAn itself reflects that same spirit. It’s a town that has always welcomed travellers from across the world, blending cultures into harmony. As a gay-owned and operated travel company, Adventure Proud celebrates destinations that embrace diversity and connection — and HoiAn does exactly that.
When our travellers walk through the ancient streets, sharing laughter beneath the soft light of hundreds of lanterns, it’s not just sightseeing. It’s belonging.
The Craft Behind the Glow
Lantern-making in HoiAn isn’t mass-produced. Many workshops are family-run, with techniques passed down through generations. Each lantern takes patience — from splitting bamboo into delicate strips to stretching vibrant silk across perfectly symmetrical frames.
During your visit, you’ll notice how each artisan has their own style. Some favour classic round shapes, others create lotus-inspired forms or elongated teardrops. The attention to detail is extraordinary. Many shops even personalise designs, allowing travellers to add patterns, initials, or symbols of good fortune.
These artisans aren’t just preserving a tradition — they’re keeping HoiAn’s identity alive. Supporting their craft means supporting the heartbeat of the community. It’s sustainable tourism at its best: meaningful, creative, and human.
From Daylight to Dusk: Experiencing HoiAn’s Glow
HoiAn changes character with the sun. During the day, the old town buzzes with tailors, cafés, and cyclists. But as twilight descends, the lanterns flicker to life, bathing the streets in soft, golden hues. Every reflection on the river feels like a dream.
Adventure Proud travellers often describe it as one of the most romantic and memorable evenings of their lives. Couples stroll hand-in-hand under hanging lanterns, friends sip cocktails along the waterfront, and local musicians play gentle tunes as the night glows around them.
It’s here that the true essence of HoiAn reveals itself — a town that balances history and modernity, tradition and celebration, calm and joy.
Lanterns and Limestone: Connecting the Journey
HoiAn is just one shining chapter of Adventure Proud’s Lanterns & Limestone: A Journey Through Vietnam. The tour travels from Hanoi to Halong Bay, Hue, and HoiAn, uncovering Vietnam’s rich history, natural beauty, and welcoming spirit.
From cruising past karst cliffs on Halong Bay to learning the art of lantern-making in HoiAn, every moment is crafted to celebrate connection — to place, to people, and to one another. The lanterns, in many ways, symbolise the entire journey: bright, soulful, and unforgettable.
Why HoiAn Stays in Your Heart
For many travellers, HoiAn is the highlight of their Vietnam adventure. It’s not just because it’s beautiful — though it absolutely is — but because it feels personal. Whether you’re cycling through rice paddies, sipping Vietnamese coffee at a riverside café, or hanging your handmade lantern in your hotel room window, HoiAn lingers with you.
There’s something deeply moving about this town’s ability to hold on to its traditions while embracing the world with open arms. That’s what makes it so aligned with Adventure Proud’s ethos: inclusive, creative, and proudly authentic.
Light the Way
As night falls and the last lanterns sway gently in the evening breeze, you can’t help but feel part of something bigger. In HoiAn, light isn’t just illumination — it’s connection, compassion, and joy.
For Adventure Proud travellers, it’s a reminder that travel is more than movement. It’s about sharing stories, building friendships, and finding beauty in diversity.
So when you join us on Lanterns & Limestone: A Journey Through Vietnam, come ready to light your own path. Your lantern may burn small, but together, we shine bright.