Full Moon Rituals: The Magical Full Moons of Hoi An

Full moon rituals have been performed by various cultures for centuries. They can be a powerful tool for manifestation, connection and self-reflection. Hoi An – on Vietnam’s central coast – is a UNESCO listed world heritage site of incomparable beauty where monthly Full Moon festivals are guaranteed to inspire and delight.

The History Of Full Moon Rituals

Many countries, including Vietnam, China and India consider the Full Moon to be one of the most important times of month, with some of their biggest cultural events linked to the cycles of the Moon.

A time for manifestation and to tune into deeper emotions, full moon rituals are important around the world. In Vietnam’s Hoi An, these monthly celebrations combine the magic of the Full Moon with a number of traditional Full Moon rituals that make this a unique travel destination.

One of the most important Full Moon festivals in Vietnam happens in the autumn each year, with special rituals invoked to harness the Moon’s energies and bring family together. The beginning of the 8th lunar month (between mid September to October) marks the end of the rice harvest season. After a very busy period harvesting from the fields, families take the time to meet, relax and enjoy each other’s company.

This Full Moon is also an important time for spiritual reflection, where households make offerings to various deities in thanks for a bountiful year. Magic happens by the light of the Moon as lanterns are lit and prayers are offered. Nowhere is this more spectacular than in Hoi An.

In Western countries, the mid Autumn Full Moon is known as the Harvest Moon, a time to celebrate the bounty of all the summer produce. The spiritual significance of this Harvest Moon is celebrated around the world, although the stories behind these festivals differ from culture to culture. Vietnam is host to one of the most spectacular Harvest Moon Festivals in the world, with the town of Hoi An famous for its spectacular river and full moon rituals .

The Taurus/Scorpio Full Moon is another important time, especially revered around the world because it coincides with a time of major significance for Buddhists everywhere. The festival of Wesak is celebrated each year when the Moon travels through the sign of Scorpio while the Sun transits Taurus– otherwise known as the April or May Full Moon.

This is a time of great spiritual importance, commemorating the birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha.

Every year, at the time of the Wesak Full Moon, the Buddha is said to return to earth. Full Moon rituals are performed to help guide humanity along the path of spiritual evolution and prayers are offered to invoke divine energy. The April/May Full Moon offers those on the spiritual path an opportunity for deeper spiritual wisdom by focussing on qualites that can assist in transforming one’s life.

Connecting With The Moon’s Energy

In some spiritual circles, it is taught that meditating is easier during specific periods in the Earth’s cycle as it makes its way around the Sun. These periods correspond with the Circle of The Zodiac, and are marked as either lunar cycles or transition points when changes of season occur. These are specific days during which the position of the Earth, Sun, and Moon align to offer an increase in available spiritual energy. Spending time in meditation is especially enlightening under the rays of a Full Moon.

In Hoi An, the Full Moon is considered especially sacred. Each Full Moon offers a unique opportunity to harness an increased amount of energy that is reflected to all living beings on Earth. These abundant energies create tidal changes, influences the reproduction of many biological systems, as well as our emotions, mental states and even the female reproductive cycles.

The residents of Hoi An mark this significance by lighting ritual lanterns which they then send as an offering down the Thu Bon River, a major avenue for trade and cultural exchange for millenia. Visitors to the town can also do the same and every Full Moon hundreds gather on the banks fo the river to place paper lanterns into the currents, allowing the river to carry their hopes and dreams

Full Moon Rituals in Hoi An 

Hoi An lantern festival is held on the 14th day of the lunar month, when the moon is at its fullest and brightest, from 6 pm to around 10 pm. Many people arrive in the late afternoon to enjoy walking through the Old Town before the glimmer of colorful lanterns steal the show.

The festival is celebrated in and around the ancient town, and you can find lots of great places to take unforgettable pics. On the night of the Full Moon, the Old Town becomes even more beautiful as it shimmers in the moonlight and is made even more magical by the light of hundreds of lanterns.

The Hoi An lantern festival dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries, when Hoi An was a busy trading post. The Chinese and Japanese who settled in Hoi An brought lanterns and hung them in front of their door as a reminder of their homelands. All over the Old Town you will find incredibly beautiful and well preserved examples of East Asian architecture. Celebrating the lunar cycle has always featured in Asian cultures and Hoi An is blessed with many temples and shrines dedicated to the magic of the moon.

Lantern making has now become a staple of local businesses, festivities, and celebrations. All over the Old Town you will find shops and makers who can bring your wildest lantern dreams to light. Vietnamese hang lanterns in the hopes of bringing good fortune and happiness. Tourists flock to buy the brightly coloured ornaments, taking something unique with them back home.

Colorful lanterns are now a symbol of Hoi An. A lantern festival is organized on The Full Moon day of every month. Lanterns pop up everywhere and cars are cleared from the streets. The festival has become one of the most anticipated and magical events for locals and visitors to Vietnam.

What If it’s not Full Moon?

What makes Hoi An so memorable is that it is an exceptionally well-preserved example of a 15th to 19th century trading port with influences brought in from other countries of Southeast and East Asia as well as the rest of the world. In fact its decline in the later 19th century has preserved much of this heritage and ensured that it has retained its traditional character to a remarkable degree.

The town reflects a fusion of indigenous and foreign cultures (principally Chinese and Japanese with later European influences) that combined to produce this unique city.

Like many places in South East Asia, Hoi An is a fascinating and bustling place, with many tourist drawn to the busy markets, tailors stores and incredible history.

While the Full Moon festivities do add an extra air of magic to the place, Hoi An is great to visit at any time of year because there is so much to see and do.

Tips For Enhancing Your Full Moon Experience in Hoi An

Make sure you take time to wander around the Old Town. You will find magic around every corner. The Full Moon festivals can be very busy, so it is often best to wander in the cool off the early morning or later in the day. Maybe spend the day shopping for a tailor made outfit or down at the beach, especially during summer months.

Coming here at any time lets you freely wander around and soak in the peaceful ambiance. The town is host to many impressive performances, which are held along the river, including music or poetry recitals. The Memories of Hoi An show should not be missed.

However, Hoi An is more than just a trading town. Hoi An also boasts mile after mile of stunning beachfront that makes for the perfect get away. Whilst many tourist come here for the lanterns, the full moon festival and famous markets, there is another side to Hoi An that should not be overlooked

Only a short taxi or bike ride away from the Old Town lie the beaches of Cua Dai and An Bang, offering a much more laid back and hassle free way to enjoy all that Hoi An has to offer. In fact, some of the most beautiful beaches in South East Asia are found in this area.

If your idea of a holiday includes plenty of time on a sun lounge with a great podcast, playlist or book then staying by the seaside rather than the Old Town offers you the best of both worlds – an amazing World Heritage experience full of colour and light to enjoy plus a chance to relax under coconut palms, and consider a dip in either the pool or the sea.

You can make your way to the coast for meditation, contemplation, personal reflection or just to really boost the manifestation powers of your Full Moon rituals. Journalling under the moonlight as you gaze out over the South China Sea is especially beneficial.

To make the most of the Moons energies as well as your time in Hoi An, visit the beautiful beach fronts at An Bang, dine by night amongst the fantastic local restaurants along Cua Dai beach and still be close enough to enjoy all the magic that the Old Town has to offer.

In fact getting away from the Old Town means getting away from the tourist bustle, which can be really important to make the most of the Full Moon energies.

Where to Stay – Hoi An Full Moon Festival

Close to the old Town and only a ten minute trip by car or bike, Cua Dai beach is a fantastic location to base yourself for your Hoi An Full Moon trip.

There are lots of accomodation options available from guesthouse to five-star hotels. You can start each day with a dip in the sea or bike ride through the rice fields before sipping on an ice cold Saigon coffee, enjoying a fresh fruit juice whilst deciding which direction you want to head that day.

The Wyndham Garden Hoi An was our hotel of choice. Offering a choice of rooms either overlooking the river or the sea, you can relax in style and comfort with plenty of time to just enjoy the opportunity to relax.

The Stars Like You tip is to take a room on the river side of the hotel. The view here far surpasses the street view on the beach side of the hotel. Also it is a little quieter if you like to sleep in! In Hoi An, people are up and about around 5am. Staying on the quiet side of the hotel means you wont hear the construction works happening on the beach side.

The hotel pool at Wyndham Garden Hoi An is large and spotlessly clean, with plenty of lounges to enjoy. The staff are incredible helpful and welcoming. Be sure to ask if you need any help- they will be happy to do what they can.

Every morning breakfast is served in the dining room or poolside, offering a fantastic selection of traditional and contemporary breakfast options. Our favourite on the breakfast menu was the local speciality Cao lầu – a noodle dish famous in this part for of Vietnam for its fresh delicious flavour. What makes this  noodle dish so delicious is that the rice noodles are soaked in lye water and wood ash, giving them a distinctive texture that should not be missed

The chef will make yours while you watch and offer a selection of fresh herbs and condiments to let you season it your way. Fresh lime and some extra chilli is a must!

Thankyou Wyndham Garden Hoi An for a wonderful stay.

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Damian Rocks

I’m a professional astrologer, coach, and Ayurvedic consultant, originally from Australia but now travelling the world. At Stars Like You, the focus is on happiness. We publish great astrology articles, as well as well-researched pieces on nutrition, wellness and Ayurveda drawn from years of clinical experience.
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