HOI AN’S FULL MOON FESTIVALS FOR 2013, 2014

Famous Full Moon Festival:
First thing to note is it’s not like the full moon parties in Thailand. Ok? For Hoian it is an opportunity to show off their heritage and culture. The Full Moon Festival is held on every 14th day of the lunar month. Hoi-An old town shuts down to motorised vehicles and the laterns come out! This is a magical festival and gives you a glimpse of what life may have been like when Hoi An was a booming and affluent port 400 years ago.

Hoi An Full Moon Festival dates 2013 are listed below:

25 January 2013	21 July 2013
23 February 2013	19 August 2013
25 March 2013	18 September 2013
23 April 2013	18 October 2013
23 May 2013	16 November 2013
22 June 2013	15 December 2013

Hoi An Full Moon Festival dates 2014 are listed here:

14 January 2014	10 July 2014
13 February 2014	09 August 2014
14 March 2014	07 September 2014
13 April 2014	07 October 2014
12 May 2014	06 November 2014
11 June 2014	05 December 2014

Under the light of the full moon, Hoian becomes one big centre stage where all the locals & tourists come out and participate in reviving the golden days of prosperity and folklore with music, plays & parties. They shut down the streets in the old town to all motorbikes, so it’s safe to roam around and gaze at the lovely shop fronts full of brightly coloured lanterns. Great time to have a meal in one of the many open restaurants. Very romantic!

Activities

The Hoi An Lunar full moon festival activities recall the real life of Hoi An people over 4 centuries ago. Some groups of the Hoi an old men play the Chinese chess in front of their houses on the street, the local people & the young couples go around the city under the moonlight to feel their hope & enjoy the life. As you battle your way through the crowds on the street, you’ll be rewarded with bands playing bamboo flutes, drums and fiddles, as well as traditional games. On the banks of the Hoai River young men and women exchange folk songs. You will feel the life very worthy for living when you join the lunar lantern festival in Hoi An ancient town.

More of the important festivals celebrated in Hoi An are listed below. Some of the dates are vague because they are based on the lunar calendar.

Feb 09-14 2013: Tet Festival (Vietnam New Year)
April 30: Liberation Day (Liberation of Saigon ’75)
Mid July: All Souls Day (Pray for wandering souls)
September 02: National Day (Hochi’s speech ’45)
October 01-09: Autumn Festival (Dragon Dancing)