Vietnam’s November 2026 Festival Calendar: Dates, Locations, and How to Attend

November 2026 brings a lively calendar of festivals to Vietnam, with celebrations spanning from the Mekong Delta to the central coast. The Ok Om Bok Festival, also known as the Moon Worship Festival, runs from November 21 to 23 in Soc Trang, Tra Vinh, and other Khmer communities. The main event falls on November 22, when Soc Trang hosts the Ngo boat races, drawing thousands of spectators to the riverbanks. Most public ceremonies, including the lantern-floating rituals and moon worship, are free to attend, but riverfront hotels and guesthouses fill up months ahead. Local buses from Can Tho or Ho Chi Minh City are the most reliable way to reach Soc Trang; expect heavy traffic and plan transfers early, especially on race day.

Earlier in the month, the Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival (Autumn Session) takes place from November 13 to 15 at Sam Mountain in Chau Doc, An Giang Province. This pilgrimage event features incense offerings, folk performances, and traditional rituals. While the autumn festival is less crowded than the main May session, it still attracts regional visitors. Entry is free, though donations are customary. Chau Doc can be reached by bus from Ho Chi Minh City in six to seven hours. For temple visits, modest dress is expected, and early mornings offer cooler temperatures and fewer crowds.

On November 25, Hoi An Ancient Town hosts its monthly Lantern Festival, coinciding with the full moon. The pedestrian-only streets are illuminated with silk lanterns, and visitors can release floating candles on the Thu Bon River. While the festival itself is free, riverboat rides cost from 50,000 VND and lanterns are sold for 10,000–20,000 VND. November is high season in Hoi An, so booking accommodation well in advance is recommended. Arriving before sunset gives the best chance for photos and a quieter stroll before crowds gather.

Soc Trang, the heart of the Ok Om Bok Festival, is most easily reached by bus from Can Tho (about 2.5 hours, tickets from 120,000 VND) or Ho Chi Minh City (6–7 hours, from 250,000 VND). On the main boat race day, November 22, 2026, National Highway 1 and local roads into Soc Trang can become congested from early morning. Arriving a day before the races is wise, and booking both your bus ticket and hotel at least two months ahead is essential. Riverside hotels and guesthouses, especially those with views of the Maspero River, are typically full by late September.

For the Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival in Chau Doc, direct buses from Ho Chi Minh City run throughout the day, with journey times of 6 to 7 hours (fares from 250,000 VND). Chau Doc’s hotel capacity is limited, and demand spikes during festival dates (November 13–15, 2026). Early reservations are strongly recommended, particularly for hotels near Sam Mountain or the temple. Local taxis and xe om (motorbike taxis) are readily available for the short ride from Chau Doc bus station to festival sites.

Hoi An’s Lantern Festival on November 25, 2026, draws crowds from across Vietnam and abroad. The nearest airport is Da Nang, served by frequent flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. From Da Nang Airport, Hoi An is a 45-minute taxi ride (about 400,000 VND) or a 70-minute public bus (bus #1, 45,000 VND). The ancient town’s boutique hotels and homestays, especially those along the Thu Bon River, often sell out three months in advance. Booking early is crucial, and staying within walking distance of the old town saves time during the pedestrian-only festival night.

For all three events, intercity bus and train tickets are released 60–90 days before departure and can be booked online. During festival periods, last-minute options are limited and prices rise quickly. Planning your transport and accommodation well ahead is the best way to secure a comfortable and convenient festival experience.

On November 22, Soc Trang’s riverfront transforms as thousands gather for the Ok Om Bok Festival’s Ngo boat races. Teams of 30 to 40 rowers, dressed in coordinated outfits, compete in long, brightly painted wooden boats. The races start in the late morning and continue into the afternoon, drawing spectators who line the river banks well before sunrise to claim a good view. After sunset, locals and visitors join in the moon worship ceremony, where offerings of young rice, coconuts, and sweet potatoes are made to the moon. Children and elders light small lanterns and set them afloat on the river, creating a moving display of color and reflection. Although public events are free, the atmosphere is busy—expect food stalls, music, and a festive crowd.

At the Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival’s autumn session (November 13–15), pilgrims arrive at Sam Mountain before dawn to pay respects to the Lady of the Realm. The main ritual involves offering incense and symbolic gifts—fruits, flowers, and small sums of money—at the temple altar. Folk music and dance performances take place in the courtyard, often featuring traditional instruments like the dan tranh zither. Visitors are expected to dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) and follow local etiquette: donations are customary, but there is no fixed amount, and you can observe or join the offerings.

Hoi An’s Lantern Festival on November 25 sees the old town’s streets closed to traffic and illuminated by thousands of silk lanterns. Locals sell floating candles for 10,000–20,000 VND, which you can release onto the Thu Bon River from the embankment or during a short riverboat ride (from 50,000 VND per person). Traditional musicians and folk performers set up along the main streets, and many families gather at ancestral altars for small ceremonies. Arriving before sunset lets you watch as the lanterns are lit and the old town gradually glows, making for memorable photos and a lively but welcoming atmosphere.

International visitors will find that most November festivals in Vietnam are accessible without entry fees. Both the Ok Om Bok Festival in Soc Trang and Tra Vinh, and the Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival in Chau Doc, are open to the public at no cost. The main exception is the Hoi An Lantern Festival, where attending the event is free, but certain experiences—such as floating a lantern on the Thu Bon River (10,000–20,000 VND per lantern) or taking a short riverboat ride (from 50,000 VND per person)—require payment. These small costs are typically paid in cash directly to local vendors or boat operators on the night of the festival.

Accommodation is the largest expense for most festival-goers. For basic hotels or guesthouses in festival towns like Soc Trang, Chau Doc, and Hoi An, expect to pay between 300,000 and 800,000 VND per night in November 2026. Prices rise significantly for riverfront rooms during Ok Om Bok or for properties inside Hoi An’s old town during the Lantern Festival, often reaching 1,200,000–2,000,000 VND per night for midrange options. Advance booking is strongly advised, as rooms near festival centers can sell out months ahead, especially in Hoi An and Soc Trang.

Most festival events, including parades, ceremonies, and folk performances, are free to watch. There are no required tickets or passes for entry, and no special permits are needed beyond a standard Vietnam tourist visa. However, visitors should budget for local transportation (buses from Ho Chi Minh City to Chau Doc or Soc Trang cost 200,000–350,000 VND one-way), meals, and small donations at temple sites (20,000–50,000 VND is customary but not mandatory). Overall, a modest daily budget of 800,000–1,500,000 VND covers festival participation, accommodation, and basic expenses, with flexibility for optional activities and upgrades.

November is one of Vietnam’s most comfortable months for festival-going, with dry, cool weather across much of the country. Daytime temperatures typically range from 22°C to 28°C in the north and central regions. However, the Mekong Delta—including Soc Trang and Tra Vinh, key Ok Om Bok Festival sites—can see brief showers even in the dry season. Pack a lightweight rain jacket or poncho for outdoor events and boat races, as riverside areas offer little shelter.

If you plan to attend the Ba Chua Xu Temple Festival in Chau Doc, dress conservatively: long pants or skirts and covered shoulders are expected inside temple grounds. Lightweight, breathable fabrics are best for daytime heat, but bring a light sweater for early mornings. For Hoi An’s Lantern Festival, comfortable walking shoes are essential—the old town is pedestrian-only after sunset and cobbled streets can get slippery if rain arrives.

Crowds swell at major festival events, especially the Soc Trang Ngo boat race and Hoi An’s lantern-lit river night. Arrive at least two hours early to secure riverside vantage points or prime photo spots. Hotels and guesthouses near festival venues fill quickly; book accommodation and intercity transport at least a month ahead. Festival dates sometimes shift with the lunar calendar, and programming may change due to weather or local regulations. Confirm schedules with official tourism sites or your hotel a week before arrival, and stay flexible in case of last-minute adjustments.