Hotels near Thu Bôn River Boat Ride

After sunset, the Thu Bon River transforms into a corridor of coloured light. Hundreds of paper lanterns float on the water and line the bridges, while wooden rowboats carry visitors downstream past the Ancient Town's waterfront. The ride itself is short - roughly 20 to 30 minutes - but it is one of the defining experiences of Hoi An. Boats seat two to four passengers and depart continuously from the Bach Dang Street riverfront between 18:00 and 21:30.

A boat ride costs 50,000 to 100,000 VND (2 to 4 EUR) per person, including one or two paper lanterns to release onto the water. The experience is most dramatic on the 14th day of each lunar month, when the Ancient Town switches off electric lights for the Hoi An Lantern Festival and the entire Old Town is lit only by candles and lanterns. Negotiate the price before boarding - the first price quoted is usually double the going rate.

Pro Tip: Skip the boats closest to the An Hoi Bridge where crowds concentrate. Walk 200 metres east along Bach Dang toward the market end, where boatwomen charge less and the ride is calmer.