S1 E51 | Hoi An Lantern Festival Night – Street Food and Magic by the River

In this episode, we stepped out in the evening to see Hoi An Old Town transform under lantern light. As daylight faded, every shop, street, and home lit up with glowing lanterns and fairy lights, creating a scene so enchanting that Hoi An truly lived up to its reputation as the “city of lanterns.”

We were lucky to be there during the festival of the new moon, when the river was filled with floating lanterns. Unlike on regular days, the atmosphere was filled with more locals than tourists, making it feel even more authentic and magical.

Along the way, we tasted unique local street food. We tried an ice-based dessert that was crunchy, sticky, and unlike anything we had eaten before. We also discovered a snack that reminded us of Indian masala papad, filled with potato, spring onions, and chili sauce in the vegetarian version. Later, we sat down for Hoi An’s signature dish, cao lau. These special noodles, unique to Hoi An, were served with tofu, crispy rice crackers, lettuce, and a mild soy-based flavor. The preparation took hours and reflected the heritage of the town’s food culture.

We ended the night walking through the romantic streets, covering nearly 10,000 steps without even realizing it. The yellow walls, colorful lanterns, and festive vibe made it one of the most beautiful evenings we had on our travels. Before heading back, we stopped at a supermarket to grab some plain yogurt for dessert in our room, a small but comforting routine in the middle of an extraordinary day.

Hoi An at night was truly unforgettable, and the Lantern Festival made it even more magical.