Traditions of Hội An
An old trading port on the central coast, where lanterns light the river on every full moon.
Hoi An was a trading port from the fifteenth to nineteenth century, with Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese merchants living side by side. Its old quarter of yellow shophouses, assembly halls and a Japanese covered bridge is well preserved. The town is famous for silk lanterns and for its cooking.
Lantern nights
On the fourteenth day of each lunar month, the old town switches off its electric lights and uses silk lanterns instead. Visitors and residents float paper boats with candles on the Thu Bon river and make a wish. Tet, the lunar new year, is the main family festival, with family altars set with fruit and food for ancestors.
At the table
Cao lau, thick noodles with pork and herbs, is said to be made only with water from a local well. White rose dumplings are filled with shrimp, and banh mi is stuffed with pate and fresh herbs. Seafood is served with local greens on the river terraces.
Signature traditions of Hội An
Also part of it, and being written: Cao lầu (The noodle dish unique to Hoi An.).
A trail idea for Hội An
- Japanese Covered Bridge A small bridge built in the seventeenth century.
- Central Market Visit at dawn for noodles and fresh herbs.
- Tan Ky House An old merchant house kept as it was.
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, markets and festival dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Tết Trung Thu: The imperial government of the Nguyễn Dynasty, French Indo-China., Public domain, source
- Bánh mì: Andrea Nguyen, CC BY 2.0, source
- Tết: vi:Lưu Ly, Public domain, source