REVIEW · HOI AN
Hoi An Old Town Entrance Ticket +Boat Lantern Release Ticket
Book on GetYourGuide →Operated by HOI AN GO · Bookable on GetYourGuide
Hoi An goes from quiet streets to lantern magic fast, and this ticket package is built for that rhythm. I like that your Old Town entrance ticket covers more than just a stroll, and I like that the Hoai River lantern release adds a memorable, low-effort ending to your day. The one thing to watch is the time balance: the Old Town sightseeing portion is limited, and some stops may feel harder to fit in if you start late.
The biggest practical consideration is that you only get a slice of the full sightseeing list, so you’ll want to choose what matters to you. With this ticket, you can visit 05 of 25 sights plus a traditional art performance program, then you shift gears to the lantern boat part later.
In This Review
- Key points to know before you go
- One ticket, five Old Town stops: what you really get
- Meeting at 153 Tran Phu: where the day starts to click
- Old Town on foot: how the lantern streets shape your route
- Covered Bridge, Assembly Halls, and temples: the kind of stops worth choosing
- Timing matters: why starting earlier feels smarter
- Hoai River lantern boat release: the 20-minute moment people remember
- Price and value: is $16 good, or just convenient?
- Who this suits best (and who should skip it)
- Practical tips to make the day smoother
- Should you book this ticket package?
- FAQ
- What’s included in the Hoi An Old Town Entrance Ticket + Boat Lantern Release Ticket?
- How many sightseeing places can I visit with the entrance ticket?
- How long is the boat ride and lantern release at Hoai River?
- Where is the meeting point to exchange the voucher?
- What are the hours for the meeting point?
- Can I cancel for a refund?
Key points to know before you go

- One entrance ticket = 5 sights out of 25, so you’ll get a curated route, not everything
- Lantern streets on foot are the main way the Old Town portion comes together
- Hoai River boat time is short (about 20 minutes), which makes the lantern part easy to schedule
- You release a single flower lantern and get a water or soft drink
- English support is available from the experience provider, HOI AN GO
- You exchange a voucher for a physical ticket at 153 Tran Phu
One ticket, five Old Town stops: what you really get

This package is a great example of “pick your highlights.” Your Hoi An Ancient Town Entrance Ticket lets you visit 05 of the 25 sightseeing places tied to the ticket. That sounds small, but it can actually be a win. Hoi An Old Town is easiest when you don’t overload your schedule and when you leave time to wander the lantern lanes at your own pace.
You also get access to a traditional art performance program included with the ticket. Even if you only catch part of it, it’s the kind of local touch that makes the old streets feel more lived-in than museum-only sightseeing.
The trade-off is simple: you won’t be doing a full checklist of everything. If your dream is to see every single ticketed site, this won’t match that goal. But if you want the core feel of Hoi An, this does a good job of keeping the day focused.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Hoi An
Meeting at 153 Tran Phu: where the day starts to click

The exchange point is at 153 Tran Phu street, Cam Pho ward, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province. The opening hours listed are Monday–Sunday, 08:00 AM to 21:00 PM, so you’re not stuck with a single early slot.
Practically, this matters because it keeps your day flexible on paper. In real life, flexibility is only useful if you plan around when sights are open and when you want to be on the river. If you’re aiming for lantern-lit streets, you’ll likely want the Old Town walking part earlier, then leave room for the boat and release.
There’s also a contact listed: Mr. Viet (0905900717). If you have questions during the voucher exchange, having a real name tied to the contact helps. Keep your voucher ready on your phone so you can swap quickly for a physical ticket.
Old Town on foot: how the lantern streets shape your route

After you exchange and enter, the experience is set up for walking. Hoi An Old Town is famous for its lantern-lined streets, and the ticket format encourages you to use your own feet to connect the key stops.
Here’s the style of sightseeing you can expect from the ticketed list: you’ll be able to include major highlights such as the Japanese Covered Bridge, an Old Assembly Hall, museums/temple stops (depending on which of the five you select), and the Walking Street area. The exact order isn’t the point. The point is that the Old Town portion is not just “look, then leave.” You’re meant to move from one landmark to the next while the lantern vibe builds around you.
One useful way to think about the route: landmarks give you anchors, but the best part is the in-between streets. So choose your five sights to maximize variety (bridge, hall/temple, a museum-style stop, and time on the lantern walking streets). Then let the smaller lanes fill in the story.
Covered Bridge, Assembly Halls, and temples: the kind of stops worth choosing

Let’s talk about why these specific sights fit well with a one-day plan.
Japanese Covered Bridge is the kind of stop that gives you a clear photo moment and an immediate sense of how Hoi An blended influences over time. Even if you don’t linger long, it works because it’s visually strong and centrally located in the Old Town flow.
An Assembly Hall (like the Old Assembly Hall on the ticket list) typically gives you contrast. You go from streets and river views to the more formal, crafted feel of communal architecture. It’s also a nice pause from walking, and it helps break up your day so you don’t feel like you’re just moving from one street corner to another.
Temple and museum stops add another layer—especially if you like learning while still keeping things casual. Since you can only pick five sites, you’ll be happier if you choose at least one stop that feels more “indoors” or more detailed, rather than choosing five landmarks that all work the same way.
The Walking Street piece matters too. It’s where the Old Town vibe becomes your experience, not just your itinerary. If you’re hoping to feel Hoi An rather than just see it, make sure at least one of your selected sights keeps room for time there.
Timing matters: why starting earlier feels smarter

One of the most helpful lessons I’d take from this kind of ticket package is timing. Some sightseeing points tend to feel less available as darkness falls. If you show up late, you may find the sightseeing portion doesn’t give you much beyond what you can fit quickly before it closes.
That means your best move is to treat the lantern boat and release as the reliable highlight, and treat Old Town sightseeing as the portion you should not rush. If you’re trying to escape heat, you might want to go in the afternoon—but in practice, a late start can squeeze the ticketed sights down to just a couple of quick stops.
So I’d plan it like this: do your five Old Town selections in the earlier part of the day, then transition toward the river later. That way you get the best of both worlds: daytime exploring and lantern-lit atmosphere, without feeling like you’re sprinting.
You can also read our reviews of more boat tours in Hoi An
Hoai River lantern boat release: the 20-minute moment people remember
This is the heart of the package for a lot of people, and it’s easy to understand why. After your Old Town portion, you return to the meeting point area for the boat activity.
The boat experience is described as a Lantern Boat Release at Hoai River with a duration of about 20 minutes. You’ll get a boat ride, and you release a flower lantern. The included items are simple and practical: one water or soft drink plus one lantern flower.
What makes this part work is the time length. Twenty minutes is long enough to feel like an actual event, but short enough that you won’t spend your whole evening waiting around. It’s also the kind of activity that feels meaningful even if you’re not trying to create a big spectacle. You do one clear action—release the lantern—and then you’re done.
If you care about photos, this is also the part where you’ll likely get the best visual reward. The river setting changes the look of everything. Even if you’re not a “photo person,” you’ll probably want a minute to watch the lantern float away before you move on.
Price and value: is $16 good, or just convenient?

This package lists at $16 per person for the combination of:
- Hoi An Ancient Town entrance access (with the ability to visit 05 of 25 sights)
- Lantern boat release by Hoai River (about 20 minutes)
- One flower lantern
- One water or soft drink
Here’s how I’d judge value. If you were already planning both parts—Old Town sightseeing plus a lantern release—then bundling them is usually worth it. You avoid the stress of piecing together separate tickets and timings, and you get a clear “one day plan” structure. The voucher exchange for a physical ticket also helps reduce uncertainty on-site.
But there’s a fair warning built into the world of ticket packages: sometimes buying separately can be cheaper. If you’re the type who likes to shop around on the spot and you’re confident navigating ticket options yourself, you might find better pricing for individual components. Still, the package can be the better choice if you want convenience and less planning friction.
So my practical answer: this is good value if you want both experiences and you like a set schedule. If you only want the lantern boat, you should at least compare—don’t assume bundles are always cheaper than separate tickets.
Who this suits best (and who should skip it)

This is well-suited for:
- First-time visitors who want the main Hoi An feel without building a complex route
- Travelers who like walking and lantern streets but want the day anchored by one clear “event”
- People who prefer a simpler plan with included items (lantern flower and a drink)
It’s less ideal for:
- Anyone trying to check off everything in Old Town’s ticketed list (you only cover 5 of 25)
- People who arrive late and hope to squeeze in many sights before dark
If you’re unsure, your decision should be based on the five-sights limit. If those five can match your must-see list, you’ll likely be happy. If your must-see list is bigger, look for a fuller ticket option.
Practical tips to make the day smoother

A few details will help you get more out of your ticket.
- Choose your five sights intentionally. Don’t let it become random. Pick places that give you variety: bridge + at least one indoor/detail stop + time for Walking Street.
- Wear comfortable shoes. The Old Town portion is all about walking between key stops and drifting through lantern streets.
- Plan around the light. Treat daytime for sightseeing and lantern time for atmosphere. Starting too late can reduce what you can fit.
- Have your voucher ready on your phone so you can exchange it quickly at 153 Tran Phu.
- Keep water in mind. You get a drink included, but you’ll still likely want to pace yourself in the heat before you reach the river.
If something feels off with timing, use the contact listed (Mr. Viet) to clarify what point you should be heading to next.
Should you book this ticket package?
I’d book this when you want a simple one-day plan that covers both the Old Town walk and the Hoai River lantern release without heavy logistics. For the money, the included lantern flower, boat ride (about 20 minutes), and the drink make the evening part feel complete, not improvised.
Skip or reconsider if you’re aiming to see nearly everything in Old Town’s ticketed list, or if your schedule makes an earlier start unlikely. In that case, you might feel like you’re paying for a structure that doesn’t match how much sightseeing you can actually fit in.
If you’re flexible and you’re happy picking the highlights, this ticket package is a satisfying way to experience Hoi An in one day: sights during the day, lantern magic on the river at night.
FAQ
What’s included in the Hoi An Old Town Entrance Ticket + Boat Lantern Release Ticket?
It includes the Hoi An Ancient Town entrance ticket, a boat lantern release ticket by Hoai River (about 20 minutes), one lantern flower, and one water or soft drink.
How many sightseeing places can I visit with the entrance ticket?
With one entrance ticket, you can visit 05 of the 25 sightseeing places included with the ticket.
How long is the boat ride and lantern release at Hoai River?
The boat lantern release activity is listed as about 20 minutes.
Where is the meeting point to exchange the voucher?
You exchange the voucher for a physical ticket at 153 Tran Phu street, Cam Pho ward, Hoi An city, Quang Nam province.
What are the hours for the meeting point?
The listed opening hours are Monday to Sunday, from 08:00 AM to 21:00 PM.
Can I cancel for a refund?
Yes. You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.































