Christmas & New Year in Hoi An 2026: Warm Gatherings, Quiet Joy
Hoi An in December carries a cosy atmosphere rarely found during the festive season. While winter holidays elsewhere shimmer with snow and spectacle, Central Vietnam celebrates in gentle rhythms – lanterns instead of neon, riverside gatherings instead of bustling squares, mindful rituals in place of hurried revelry.
For travellers seeking wellness, connection, romance, or a slower pace, December in Hoi An, especially at Namia River Retreat, becomes a season of quiet magic. Below is your guide to the best things to do in Hoi An this Christmas and New Year’s Eve 2026.
On Christmas Eve, Walk Around the Ancient Town
Early December is the ideal moment for slow discovery and photography in Ancient Town. From Namia River Resort’s quiet islet, a gentle 15-minute bicycle ride on bamboo bicycles leads you toward the Ancient Town.
Attend Christmas Mass at the Catholic Church in Hoi An
Address: 106 Nguyen Truong To, Minh An Ward, Hoi An
Nguyen Truong To Cathedral is Hoi An’s central Catholic parish and the heart of Christmas celebrations for both locals and visiting travellers. On December 24, the church grounds come alive with festive decorations and a warm, joyful atmosphere. Christmas Eve Mass often features choir performances, nativity displays and candlelight rituals, typically starting between 6:30 PM and 8:00 PM. For a quieter experience, the Christmas Day Mass on December 25 is a more peaceful option.
Enjoy a Vietnamese Soulful Festive Buffet
Hoi An’s riverside becomes especially atmospheric in December. For a crafted dining experience, here are the recommended restaurants:
The Merchant (Namia River Retreat)
Inspired by the ancient trading heritage of Hoi An and the Vietnamese’ Earth element, The Merchant offers Soulful Festive Feast Buffet crafted with local spices, seasonal ingredients, and culinary storytelling. The evening begins with a Lantern Lighting Ceremony, Welcome Cocktails, and a Christmas Choir Performance, followed by a soulful Vietnamese buffet dinner filled with warmth and connection.
Address: 232 Tran Nhan Tong Street, Cam Chau, Hoi An
Time: 18:00–21:00, 24 December 2025 | Price: VND 3,480,000++ per guest (15% off for Vietnam residents)
Morning Glory Signature
Address: 41 Nguyễn Phúc Chu, An Hoi, Hoi An
An elegant Vietnamese fine-dining destination where traditional flavours are reimagined with refined techniques. Set in a heritage-inspired space, it’s ideal for a calm, celebratory Christmas or New Year dinner.
Salt Hoi An
Address: 32 Nguyễn Phan Vinh, Cam An, Hoi An
A festive beachfront venue offering a Christmas BBQ buffet with ocean views. Expect grilled favourites, holiday décor, and a cheerful visit from Santa – perfect for families and relaxed holidaymakers.
The DeckHouse – An Bang Beach
Address: An Bang Beach, Cam An, Hoi An
A lively Christmas Eve hotspot featuring live music, sunset cocktails, and a vibrant social atmosphere. Ideal for travellers looking to celebrate by the sea with energy and festive spirit.
Experience Hoi An’s Art & Cultural Performances
December brings poetic evenings shaped by heritage and creativity:
- Hoi An Memory Island: An open-air cultural performance staged under the stars and featuring hundreds of artists.
- The show reenacts key moments from Central Vietnam’s history through large-scale choreography, music, and dance, enhanced by dramatic lighting, elaborate costumes, and stunning visual effects.
- Ticket price: Around ₫550,000
- Address: Con Hen, 200 Nguyen Tri Phuong Street, Cam Chau, Hoi An
- Lune A O Hoi An: a world-class cultural performance by Lune Production.
- Teh Dar brings Vietnamese ethnic minority life to the stage through powerful physical theatre, traditional dance, daring acrobatics, and live indigenous-inspired music.
- Ticket price: Around ₫1,000,000, depending on the seat and show
- Address: 1A Nguyen Phuc Chu Street, Minh An Ward, Hoi An
- Christmas Choir Performance (Namia River Retreat’s Event): A heartwarming, community-driven choir guided by Lara Nova to celebrate connection, hope, and the gentle joy of the season.
- Time: 15:00–17:00
- Dates: Wednesdays, Nov 12–Dec 17; Final show Dec 24
- Venue: The Merchant
- Price: VND 300,000 per class / VND 1,500,000 for 6 classes (50% donated to charity)
짜꾸에 채소 마을 자전거 여행하기
나미아 리버 리트리트에서 대나무 자전거 트레일을 타고 10분 정도 달리면 마을 도로와 푸른 논밭, 아침 바람의 부드러운 촉감을 느낄 수 있는 트라케에 도착합니다. 정원을 거닐며 일상의 농장 생활을 관찰하고 호이안 특유의 고요한 시골을 느껴보세요.
Sip Festive Drinks in Hoi An’s Cosy Bars
Hoi An’s intimate bars offer the kind of warmth and atmosphere that suit Christmas gatherings – small spaces, attentive hosts, and drinks crafted with care.
Here are the festive spots worth visiting:
- Speakeasy Moon Bar: A discreet, atmospheric hideaway offering craft cocktails in an intimate setting- ideal for a quiet evening away from the crowds.
- Mộng Nguyệt (Secret Bar): A hidden bar above a café. An enchanting, tucked-away venue with a cosy, almost mystical ambience. Perfect for late-night conversations and thoughtfully crafted drinks.
- KoFi Hội An – Cocktail Bar: Known for its creative cocktail menu and laid-back vibe, KoFi captures the relaxed energy of Hội An’s Old Town while still feeling contemporary and social
Visit Hoi An’s Most Famous Photography Spots
Christmas in Hoi An is naturally soft, perfect for cinematic frames.
Top photogenic spots:
- Lantern Street Hoi An (Tran Phu or Bach Dang streets): Narrow alleys glow with colourful lanterns, creating one of the most iconic and photogenic scenes in the Ancient Town.
- Hoai River: As night falls, shimmering reflections dance across the water, offering a dreamy backdrop for evening strolls and photos.
- VinWonders Nam Hoi An: A vibrant, family-friendly attraction filled with festive energy – perfect for bright, lively holiday snapshots
Back at Namia River Retreat, guests often find the quiet beauty of nipa palms, private pools, and river reflections to be their most treasured photographs.
Drop Into Hoi An’s Christmas-Themed Coffee Shops
Several cafés transform into Christmas-inspired hideaways throughout December, offering gingerbread lattes, cinnamon pastries, and restful playlists.
Here are our recommended Christmas cafés for you to stop by:
- Uncle Huan Coffee: A well-loved café in Hoi An Old Town, known for its rich Vietnamese brews and relaxed local vibe. A favourite stop for both travellers and locals, the café is especially popular for egg coffee and salted coffee.
- Bonte Cafe & Food: known for its relaxed atmosphere and Christmas-themed setup. By day, the space serves quality coffee, brunch dishes, and refreshing drinks; by night, it transforms into a laid-back spot to unwind.
- Moments: A multi-function café – during daytime it’s a cosy brunch/coffee spot, and in the evening it turns into a relaxed cocktail bar.
- Memories Brunch & Cafe: A rooftop café at the centre of the Old Town, where you can try a traditional Vietnamese drip coffee or trendy drinks such as salted iced coffee.
- Hoi An Roastery: Artisan Vietnamese brews and inviting interiors, brings you the finest Vietnamese coffees such as Robusta, Arabica, and Espresso
- Faifo Coffee: Famous for its panoramic rooftop overlooking the Ancient Town – an iconic stop for photos and a dose of Hoi An’s timeless beauty.
- Cam Coffee n More: A cosy, home-style café featuring delightful festive décor, making it an ideal stop for a relaxed holiday-season coffee break.
Customise Your Best Suit at Hoi An Tailors
Hoi An is renowned for its 24-hour tailoring boutiques, where skilled artisans craft custom garments with remarkable speed and precision – making it the ideal place to create a bespoke outfit for Christmas dinner or a New Year’s Eve celebration.
Visit trusted tailor shops for custom outfits before year-end events:
Ease Your Mind at Hoi An Wellness Spots
Ease your mind at Hoi An’s most soothing wellness spots. Begin your day with morning yoga at An Bang Beach or Naia Yoga to the gentle rhythm of the waves, and restore a natural sense of calm.
For a deeper, slower retreat, unwind at Namia River Retreat – a wellness-inclusive sanctuary with daily rituals: Dưỡng Sinh – Vietnamese Tai Chi, Yang yoga, Yin yoga, Partner yoga and Sleep yoga. Rooted in Vietnamese herbology and river-inspired serenity, Namia River Retreat provides a meaningful path to renewal for travellers seeking a reset before 2026.
Welcome the New Year 2026: What to Do in Hoi An
As the year turns, Hoi An offers heartfelt and reflective ways to welcome a fresh beginning. Here are recommended spots to celebrate the New Year in Hoi An:
- Thu Bon River Lantern Release: Float a lantern for good fortune and join the Lantern Lighting Ceremony at Namia River Retreat.
- Ancient Town Countdown: Mango Mango Hoi An hosts one of the most popular New Year’s Eve countdown parties, combining DJ-led music, creative cocktails, and a lively international crowd in a prime riverside setting.
Where to Have Christmas Fun Near Hoi An?
Just 30 minutes north of Hoi An, Da Nang is a vibrant city with holiday festivities for travellers looking to extend their seasonal journey with these interesting activities:
See Da Nang’s Most Festive Christmas Trees
- Vincom Plaza Mall: 910A Ngo Quyen Street, Son Tra District
- Lotte Mart Da Nang: 06 Nai Nam Street, Hai Chau District
Both locations feature towering Christmas trees, themed holiday displays, and seasonal pop-up shops.
Best Firework Spots in Da Nang
Celebrate with spectacular city-wide fireworks from Da Nang’s most iconic viewpoints:
- Dragon Bridge: Famous for its fire and water shows every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday starting at 9:00 PM. This iconic bridge offers dramatic river views and a festive atmosphere.
- Han River Bridge: Located in the heart of Da Nang, it’s surrounded by lively dining spots, rooftop bars, and nightlife. A great place to enjoy the countdown energy along the riverside.
- Thuan Phuoc Bridge: The city’s longest suspension bridge provides a sweeping vantage point over the bay and skyline, ideal for panoramic views and capturing New Year’s fireworks.
Visit the Da Nang Christmas Market
Wander through a festive European-style Da Nang Christmas market, offering handmade crafts, mulled wine, seasonal snacks, and joyful activities – perfect for families, couples, and travellers wanting a lively holiday atmosphere.
Namia River Retreat - Where Holidays Feel Timeless
Set on the quiet Con Ba Xa, Namia River Retreat transforms the festive season into something meaningful and enduring. With 60 private-pool villas overlooking nipa palm forests and the Thu Bon River, Namia River Retreat is a wellness sanctuary in Hoi An of slow living – perfect for Christmas and New Year moments that linger long after your stay:
A Festive Season Rooted in Culture & Wellness
At Namia River Retreat, the festive season glows with the spirit of Hoi An—light as warmth, gathering, and hope. Our celebrations honour the earth, local artisans, and timeless traditions, inviting guests to slow down and reconnect through rituals rooted in Vietnamese herbology and ancient wellbeing.
At The Merchant, both in-house and visiting guests can enjoy soulful festive menus inspired by historic trading ports, regional spices, and earth-inspired design. Throughout December, lantern-lit moments, artisan cocktails, and thoughtful touches create a warm, radiant atmosphere for meaningful holiday gatherings.
Festive Calendar Highlights at Namia River Retreat
December 24, 25, 31 & January 1
Happy Hour by the Pool – Buy 1 Get 1 Free (selected beverages)
- Time: 15:00 – 18:00
- Venue: The Fisherman
Christmas Eve – December 24
- Lantern Lighting Ceremony: 18:00-18:15
- Welcome Cocktails & Christmas Choir: 18:15-18:30
From Earth to Light: Vietnamese Soulful Feast
- Time: 18:30-21:00
- Buffet Price: VND 3,480,000++, *15% off for Vietnamese and Residents of Vietnam
- Venue: The Merchant
Christmas Day – December 25
Christmas Set Menu at The Merchant
- Time: 11:00-22:00
- Price: VND 1,250,000++
- *15% off for Vietnamese and Residents of Vietnam
Gingerbread Cookie Decoration
- Time: 14:00-15:00
축제 커뮤니티 합창단
- Time: 15:00-17:00
Boxing Day – December 26
Cacao Origins: Afternoon Tea of Stories & Chocolate
With a violin performance
- Time: 15:00-17:00
- Price: VND 800,000++ per guest, *15% off for Vietnamese and Residents of Vietnam
- Venue: The Merchant
New Year’s Eve – December 31
- Lantern Lighting Ceremony: 18:30-18:45
- Welcome Champagne & Canapés Ritual: 18:45-19:15
Glow & Gather: Tropical Hoi An Nights Buffet
With traditional music
- Time: 19:15-21:00
Complimentary Shuttle to Ancient Town
- Time: 22:00-01:30
- All Experiences Price: VND 3,480,000++, *15% off for Vietnamese and Residents of Vietnam
New Year’s Day – January 1
Spice Roots: Afternoon Tea of Stories & Spices
With a violin performance
- Time: 15:00-17:00
- Price: VND 800,000++ , *15% off for Vietnamese and Residents of Vietnam
Happy Hour by the Pool
- Time: 15:00-18:00, The Fisherman Pool Bar
In Hoi An, Christmas is intimate, New Year’s feels hopeful, and time slows down just enough for you to truly be present. At Namia River Retreat, every detail is designed to help you return to stillness. The private pool villas overlook nipa palms and the Thu Bon River, creating a peaceful sanctuary for renewal this Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
Namia River Retreat’s living invites your body and spirit to soften, guiding you gently into the new year with intention and ease.
Location: 232 Tran Nhan Tong Street, Hoi An Dong Ward, Hoi An, Việt Nam
Phone: +84 (0) 235 3533 777
Email: hello@namiariverretreat.com
