Hoi An Night Market: Lanterns, Street Food and Souvenirs After Dark

When the sun goes down, Hoi An lights up. The Hoi An Night Market on An Hoi islet glows with hundreds of silk lanterns and buzzes with street food, souvenirs and riverside energy — one of the most atmospheric evenings you can have in central Vietnam.

Where it is and when to go

The night market runs along Nguyen Hoang Street on An Hoi islet, just across the bridge from the Ancient Town. Stalls come alive in the evening, roughly from around 5:00 PM until late, with the liveliest atmosphere after dark when the lanterns are at their most magical.

What to see and buy

The star of the show is the lantern stalls — rows of glowing silk lanterns in every colour, the perfect souvenir and an unmissable photo. Beyond lanterns you’ll find handicrafts, trinkets, clothing and plenty of friendly haggling. Hop on a small boat to release a floating candle-lantern on the Thu Bon River for a classic Hoi An moment.

Eat your way down the street

The market is a street-food paradise: grilled skewers, fresh spring rolls, banh mi, sweet che desserts and more. For the bigger picture on local specialties, see our guide to what to eat in Hoi An. Time your visit with the monthly Hoi An Lantern Festival for the most spectacular night of all.

Getting there in the evening

The Ancient Town and An Hoi close to vehicles at night, so ride in, park at the edge and stroll across the bridge. Having your own wheels means you can come and go on your schedule and head back whenever you like. A motorbike rental in Hoi An — or a quiet electric scooter from hoianit.com — makes the evening trip easy.

The Hoi An Night Market sits on Nguyen Hoang Street across the An Hoi bridge, an easy walk or a two-minute ride from the Ancient Town. For wider planning around the area, the official Vietnam tourism site is a handy reference before a night out.

A few tips make the Hoi An Night Market more enjoyable: come around 7–9pm when the lanterns are at their brightest but the crowds are still manageable, carry small cash for the food stalls and souvenirs, and always agree a price before buying a custom lantern. Bargaining is normal and friendly — a smile goes a long way. If you are riding in, park at one of the guarded lots near the bridge rather than leaving your bike on the street, then explore the Hoi An Night Market on foot so you can stop wherever the smell of grilled skewers pulls you in.