Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride on the Thu Bon River
A rowboat through the lantern-lit old town, releasing a wish-lantern onto the Thu Bon river.
Images marked "AI illustration" were made with AI for visual reference only; the route, inclusions and prices are real. A real photograph replaces each one as it arrives.
Included: A private wooden rowboat for two to four on the Thu Bon, about 30 minutes, rowed by an English-speaking host; A paper wish-lantern to set on the river; Che, a Vietnamese sweet soup, in the old town afterwards. Everything included →
Highlights
- Private rowboat for 2–4
- Wish-lantern release
- Old-town dessert stop
- Best photo hour in Vietnam
- English-speaking boat host
Is it right for you?
- Seniors
- Good for seniors: You sit in the rowboat throughout, so there is very little walking beyond the jetty and the stroll back through the old town
- Getting around
- Little walking
- Children
- Young children should be comfortable sitting still in a small rowboat after dark
- Setting
- Outdoors
- Time of day
- Evening, Night
- Pickup
- No hotel pickup
From the operator's and venue's own published information. Tell your captain about anyone's mobility, age or food needs and we confirm the details for your date.
The story
Hoi An saves its best self for after dark. Drift the Thu Bon in a wooden rowboat as a thousand silk lanterns double themselves in the water, release your own wish-lantern (biodegradable, promise), and end with dessert in the old town.
What happens on board
Boarding time and point are confirmed for your date.
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Board at the riverside jetty at lantern hour, which is shortly after sunset when the old town switches over and the silk lanterns along both banks come on. The boat is a small wooden rowboat for two to four with a host who rows rather than motors, so the whole thing is quiet.
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Roughly thirty minutes on the Thu Bon, which is narrow here and lined with two-storey merchant houses from the town's trading centuries, now lit from inside. You light a paper wish-lantern and set it on the water, which everyone on every boat is also doing, so the river fills with drifting colour.
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Ashore for che, which is a Vietnamese sweet soup served in a glass with beans, jelly and coconut milk and is better than that description, then a walk back through the old town while it is still glowing. Full-moon nights, on the fourteenth of the lunar month, turn the electric lights off entirely.
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Inclusions
- A private wooden rowboat for two to four on the Thu Bon, about 30 minutes, rowed by an English-speaking host
- A paper wish-lantern to set on the river
- Che, a Vietnamese sweet soup, in the old town afterwards
Exclusions
- Transport to the meeting point (pickup notes shared on booking)
- Personal expenses
Know before you go
- Arrive 30 minutes before your slot for check-in and briefing
- Weather holds power over outdoor slots — reschedules are free and instant
- Carry a government photo ID
Policies
Payment policy
Full amount at booking — activities are slot-based.
Pay by UPI or bank transfer as per your quote.
5% GST and 2% TCS apply to overseas packages and are shown in your written quote before you pay.
Confirmation policy
We confirm on WhatsApp and email once your payment is received and our suppliers have confirmed.
If we ever have to cancel your trip ourselves, you choose a full refund or a free date change.
Refund policy
Full refund if you cancel within 48 hours of booking and 30+ days before departure.
Refunds are processed to the original payment method within 7 working days of approval.
Cancellation policy
Free reschedule up to 48 hours before your slot.
Under 48 hours: no refund, but you may transfer your slot to a friend.
Weather cancellations by the operator: full refund or free reschedule, your choice.
Why book with Travelers Clan
- Boarding details confirmed. We confirm the boarding point, time and what is on board before you pay.
- Paperwork guidance. Visa requirements and applicable taxes confirmed in your quote.
- Clear payment terms. Deposit and cancellation conditions set out before payment.
- Know your support. Your final plan confirms local contacts and any guide or trip-captain services.
Before you book
Questions travellers ask
How much does Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride on the Thu Bon River cost?
Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride on the Thu Bon River starts at ₹1,999 per person. GST and TCS are added and shown in your written quote before payment. The final price depends on your date, time slot and group size.
What is included in Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride on the Thu Bon River?
Included: A private wooden rowboat for two to four on the Thu Bon, about 30 minutes, rowed by an English-speaking host; A paper wish-lantern to set on the river; Che, a Vietnamese sweet soup, in the old town afterwards.
What is not included in Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride on the Thu Bon River?
Not included: Transport to the meeting point (pickup notes shared on booking); Personal expenses.
How long is Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride on the Thu Bon River, and when does it run?
2 hours in Hoi An, Vietnam. Time slots: 6:00 PM; 7:00 PM; 8:00 PM. Ask the team for a different time slot, or to add transfers.
What should I know before booking Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride on the Thu Bon River?
Arrive 30 minutes before your slot for check-in and briefing. Weather holds power over outdoor slots — reschedules are free and instant. Carry a government photo ID.
What is the cancellation policy for Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride on the Thu Bon River?
Free reschedule up to 48 hours before your slot. Under 48 hours: no refund, but you may transfer your slot to a friend. Weather cancellations by the operator: full refund or free reschedule, your choice.
Is Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride on the Thu Bon River suitable for seniors or elderly parents?
Yes, it suits seniors. You sit in the rowboat throughout, so there is very little walking beyond the jetty and the stroll back through the old town. Little walking.
Can children do Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride on the Thu Bon River, and is there a minimum age?
Young children should be comfortable sitting still in a small rowboat after dark.
Is Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride on the Thu Bon River indoors or outdoors?
It is outdoors, so plan around the heat and the weather.
How do I book Hoi An Lantern Boat Ride on the Thu Bon River?
Send your requirements from the trip page or on WhatsApp. The planning team reviews your enquiry during planning hours (10am–10pm IST) to confirm costs and availability. An enquiry is not a booking — a booking exists once a captain confirms it and your deposit clears.
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