Hoi An Tet Nguyen Tieu: Sparkling First Full Moon Festival in the Heritage Ancient Town

Tet Nguyen Tieu (the 15th day of the first lunar month) is the first full moon night of the New Year. According to popular belief, this is the time of "Heavenly Officials Bestowing Blessings" – heaven and earth grant blessings, opening a smooth start with much good fortune. The people of Hoi An usually call this "the Tet after Tet," as the lively festive atmosphere seems to extend the joy of early spring.

In Hoi An, Tet Nguyen Tieu is not merely a religious ritual, but also clearly demonstrates the unique cultural intersection of the ancient town. The festival combines Vietnamese traditions with activities praying for peace and fortune; blends with the cultural features of the Chinese community through lion and dragon dances, assembly hall activities, and guild cuisine; while reflecting the mark of the ancient international trading port with lantern spaces and ancient town architecture. In 2023, the Tet Nguyen Tieu festival in Hoi An was officially recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage (in the category of traditional festivals, social practices, and beliefs). 

The Tet Nguyen Tieu festival in Hoi An has a very early history of formation, documented in the 1765 record "Inventory of Ceremonial Days of Minh Huong Village". During the period when Hoi An was a bustling international trading port (16th–18th centuries), Chinese community assembly halls such as Quang Trieu, Trieu Chau, and Phuc Kien brought along their Nguyen Tieu customs, which gradually blended with the beliefs and habits of local residents.

Over more than two centuries, the festival has retained its core values: commemorating ancestors, praying for favorable weather, and wishing for peace and prosperity in the village. Today, Tet Nguyen Tieu not only takes place within Hoi An Ancient Town but also spreads to neighboring areas, becoming an important highlight in the cultural life and tourism of former Quang Nam (now Da Nang city).

In the ancient space of Hoi An Ancient Town, the First Full Moon Festival takes place with many unique activities, combining traditional beliefs and community cultural experiences. If you have the chance to visit at this time, do not miss the following highlight activities:

Floating lanterns on Hoai River

This is the experience most favored by many tourists. For just 20,000 – 50,000 VND, you can buy a flower lantern, send your prayers for peace, and release it onto the Hoai River. Thousands of lights reflecting on the water surface create a sparkling scene characteristic of Hoi An every full moon night.

Lion & dragon dance parade and Heavenly Dog procession

The lively sound of lion dance drums echoes through the streets. Energetic lion dance performances along with the procession ritual of Heavenly Dog – a folk belief symbol – contribute to creating a colorful festive atmosphere.

Traditional art performances

Visitors can enjoy various distinct art forms such as Tuong opera performances at Hoi An Communal House, folk Bai Choi singing in the An Hoi area, or traditional musical performances and Chinese song and dance acts at Chinese assembly halls.

Praying rituals for peace and fortune

Spiritual sites such as Chua Cau (Covered Bridge) and Hoi An Quan Cong Temple (Chua Ong) attract a large number of locals and tourists to offer incense and pray for a smooth and peaceful new year. The atmosphere is solemn yet close and warm with community spirit.

Ancient town night resplendent with lantern lights

On the main night of the festival, many streets reduce electric lighting, replacing them with handcrafted silk lanterns hanging under roof eaves. The space becomes magical, creating a characteristic beauty unique to Hoi An.

The blending of traditional rituals, folk arts, and heritage space creates a First Full Moon Festival that is both solemn and deeply emotional, an unforgettable experience for anyone who has attended even once.

Tet Nguyen Tieu is not only an occasion for pilgrimage and sightseeing, but also an ideal time to explore the rich culinary landscape in Hoi An. Amidst the festive atmosphere, visitors can easily feel the harmonious blending of Vietnamese, Chinese cuisine and the marks of the ancient trading port.

Must-try signature dishes

• Chinese cuisine: Roast pork, steamed buns, dim sum, longevity noodles, char siu… often appear at assembly halls and Chinese community areas, offering rich flavors and symbolic luck for the new year.
• Vietnamese cuisine: Cao lau, Quang noodles, Banh mi Phuong, corn sweet soup… are familiar dishes that always allure visitors with their distinctive Central Vietnamese flavors.
• Festive dishes: Banh chung, banh tet, and especially Nguyen Tieu floating rice ball sweet soup – a dish symbolizing completeness, family reunion, and wishes for a smooth new year.

You can visit Fujian Assembly Hall to learn more about traditional Chinese cuisine, enjoy Cao Lau at Thanh Cao Lau restaurant, or try sweet soup at Ba Gia Sweet Soup shop along the Hoai River. Most places offer reasonable prices, ancient ambience, and authentic Hoi An charm.

Tet Nguyen Tieu is not just a traditional festival, but also an opportunity to fully appreciate the cultural depth of Hoi An. Amidst glowing lanterns, echoing lion dance drums, and crowds respectfully praying for peace, the ancient town appears both solemn and full of life. If you want to experience a Hoi An different from ordinary days—rich in identity, filled with festive atmosphere, and brimming with community values—the First Full Moon of the Lunar Year is the ideal time. Once immersing yourself in the Nguyen Tieu night in the ancient town, you will understand why this festival always leaves a deep impression on locals and visitors alike every spring.