The festival marks the first full moon of the lunar year. In folk belief, it is the occasion of “Heaven’s Blessing of Four Graces” and has long been regarded by Hoi An residents as the “Lunar New Year Festival (Tet) after Tet,” opening a new year of smoothness, harmony and prosperity.
Accordingly, traditional rituals are solemnly conducted at Ong Pagoda, Ba Pagoda, Chinese assembly halls, communal houses, clan ancestral houses, heritage sites in the ancient town and surrounding areas. The offering ceremony, commemorations of the founding ancestors and incense offerings for peace embody the principle of “remembering the source when drinking water,” preserving the enduring spiritual traditions of the Hoi An community across centuries.
This is not only an important religious activity for local residents but also an opportunity for visitors to fully experience the cultural depth and spiritual life of a World Cultural Heritage urban area and a UNESCO Creative City.
The incense offering and procession celebrating the first full moon festival will take place at 8:30am on March 4 (the 16th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Horse) at Hoi An Communal House (No. 27 Le Loi Street) and Quan Cong Temple (No. 24 Tran Phu Street), Hoi An Ward, along with other solemn activities imbued with local traditional cultural identity, expressing hopes for luck, prosperity and peace in the new year.
The reenactment of “Night in Hoi An Ancient Town in the early 20th century” on the evening of March 2 (the 14th day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Horse) will take visitors back in time to old Hoi An, where shimmering candlelight, warm lantern glow, flowing Ao Dai and a tranquil rhythm of life blend with poetry, music and painting echoing through narrow streets.
Throughout the festival, traditional cultural and artistic activities such as tuong (classical opera) performances, bai choi folk games and photo exhibitions on the first full moon festival will take place. The space of Hoi An Ancient Town becomes enchanting under the spring moonlight and colourful lanterns, creating an experience that is both sacred and poetic for residents and visitors alike.
The event is not only a festival but also a vivid expression of a heritage city, where tangible and intangible cultural values are preserved within the rhythm of community life.
