Hoi An’s evening lanterns are the main event here: after tea at Moire Hoi An, you head into the Old Town and board a boat on the Hoai River to release a lantern. The ride lasts up to about 20 minutes, but the river view at dusk and after dark gives this short outing its pull.
I like two things about the plan: the tea brings Vietnamese flavors into a hotel setting, and the included lantern and boat ride make the evening outing simple to arrange. The main caveat is timing: the tea ends at 5 pm, while lantern departures run from 6:30 to 9 pm, and the pier can be crowded. You will need to fill the gap and allow time to walk through the Old Town.
- Key points to know
- Tea at Moire is the gentler start
- The gap between tea and lantern time
- A short boat ride into Hoi An’s evening scene
- What the price buys, and what it does not
- Who will enjoy this outing most
- Should you book the tea and lantern package?
- FAQ
- How long is the lantern release?
- What time is afternoon tea served?
- Where do I meet for the lantern release?
- What is included in the package?
- Is there an age limit?
- Are food allergies or dietary needs accommodated?
- Is the holiday surcharge included in the price?
- Can I cancel for a refund?
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Key points to know
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7 / 7- Vietnamese flavors at tea: Expect local cakes and savory bites, with Lotus Tea among the signature choices.
- A long pause before the boat: Afternoon tea runs from 3 to 5 pm; the lantern activity is scheduled from 6:30 to 9 pm.
- One lantern per person: The package includes a boat trip, one lantern, and one bottle of tea or water per person.
- Old Town walking is part of the plan: The lantern meeting point is at 114 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street, and vehicles may not enter parts of the Old Town.
- Crowds can affect boarding: Booking ahead can make ticket redemption easier, but it does not guarantee a crowd-free pier.
- Check the current price and hotel details: Prices are advertised from US$18.95, while another listed starting price is $20.80.
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Tea at Moire is the gentler start
Afternoon tea is served from 3 to 5 pm at Moire Hoi An, a five-star resort beside the Hoai River. The setting is a useful change of pace from the narrow streets and shopfronts of the Old Town. You can sit down, take in the river views, and try an afternoon tea built around Vietnamese ingredients and flavors.
The menu is presented as a Western-style high tea with local touches. Expect a selection of sweet and savory items rather than a large buffet or an expansive menu. The exact dishes are not specified, but the tea set is described as including traditional cakes and local delights, and the Lotus Tea is a signature choice. If you enjoy tasting unfamiliar flavors in small portions, this is the part of the package most likely to appeal.
The presentation and attentive service are part of the appeal. Staff have helped with directions and transport, and some have explained the dishes as they are served. A menu card would be useful if you want to remember every ingredient, but you can ask staff to explain what is on the plate. The tea and snack quantity has drawn mixed reactions: some people find the food satisfying, while others describe the servings as small. Go expecting a light meal, not a replacement for dinner.
One practical detail matters if you are counting on unlimited drinks: the package includes one bottle of tea or water per person, and refills are not guaranteed. The restaurant may offer a choice of tea or another drink, but confirm what is included when you arrive. If you have allergies or dietary restrictions, contact the merchant before booking. Ingredient and allergen information is not guaranteed, and outside food and drinks are prohibited.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Hoi An.
The gap between tea and lantern time
The schedule leaves roughly an hour and a half between afternoon tea and the lantern activity. That is not a flaw, but it does mean the experience is not one continuous guided tour. You have time to stroll along Tran Phu Street, browse shops selling silk and handicrafts, visit nearby pagodas, or find an early dinner before heading to the river.
The resort is close to the Old Town, across a small bridge, according to one practical account of the route. Still, allow time for walking. Vehicles are not permitted in parts of the Old Town, so a car may not take you right to the boat meeting point. If you are tired, traveling with young children, or wearing shoes suited only to the hotel lounge, plan accordingly.
Use the pause to enjoy the town at a slower pace rather than rushing through every shop. The package is best suited to people who want a relaxed afternoon followed by a familiar Hoi An evening scene. It is less suitable if you want a tightly scheduled tour with continuous guiding or if you have limited time in town.
The lantern meeting point is given as 114 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street. It is separate from the resort address, so do not assume the boat departs from the hotel. The listed property and address details also use both Moire Hoi An and Bay Resort Hoi An names. The hotel changed hands in December 2024, and the change caused some confusion for visitors at the time. Check the latest directions and meeting instructions before setting out.
A short boat ride into Hoi An’s evening scene
The lantern activity runs between 6:30 and 9 pm, with the release itself lasting up to about 20 minutes. You meet a coordinator, exchange or present your ticket, and board a boat on the Hoai River. The package includes one lantern per person and a boat trip. The brief ride gives you a view of the riverfront and the lantern-lit shops from the water.
The experience is simple rather than elaborate. You make a wish, release the lantern, and watch it drift on the river. The act can feel quiet and personal, but the setting is shared with other boats and people along the riverbank. If you are hoping for solitude, this is not the right activity. If you want a short, memorable way to take part in a familiar Hoi An ritual, it fits well.
Crowds are the chief uncertainty. The pier can be busy, especially on Saturdays, and some people have waited to board. A pre-booked ticket can make redemption smoother, and several people found the ticket process straightforward, but advance purchase does not remove the queue. The coordinator or staff in branded shirts may help you find the counter, yet the meeting area can be confusing at first. Keep the exact address handy and allow extra time to locate the team.
For timing, an early departure around 6:30 pm may give you both sunset light and the later night view, depending on the season and conditions. One useful tip is to aim for that first slot if you want to see the transition from dusk to evening. If it is very hot, consider taking tea later in its service window, then walking out as the day cools. The lantern departure time is not a precise promise of immediate boarding, so avoid scheduling a tight commitment right afterward.
What the price buys, and what it does not
The advertised starting price appears in two forms: from US$18.95 for the package and from $20.80 in the summary. Treat either as a starting figure, not a guaranteed final price. The package bundles afternoon tea, a boat trip, a lantern, and one bottle of tea or water per person. That combination is convenient, especially if you already planned to have tea and take a river ride.
Value depends on how much you care about the hotel setting and the cultural flavor of the food. If you would otherwise pay for a hotel tea service and arrange a boat separately, having both in one booking can be worthwhile. The tea menu is not huge, and drinks are limited, so it may feel less compelling if you expect a lavish spread or a long, refillable tea service. Think of it as an atmospheric snack and a short evening activity, rather than a full meal or a lengthy river excursion.
A holiday surcharge of 102,000 VND per person is excluded. Personal expenses and tips are also not included. Check the current total at checkout, especially if you are booking on a holiday or comparing offers. Promotional vouchers cannot be combined with other Klook offers or in-store promotions.
The experience has a strong service component at the hotel, but the lantern operation is a separate stage with its own meeting point. That division matters: afternoon tea is the more settled portion, while the river visit depends on finding the coordinator and navigating the busy Old Town. Plan for both rather than assuming the hotel will escort you all the way to the boat.
Who will enjoy this outing most
I would consider this package for couples, families, and first-time visitors who want a gentle afternoon and a classic Hoi An evening activity without arranging every piece themselves. The tea introduces local flavors in an easy format, while the short boat trip offers a different view of the riverfront. Children can take part, as there is no age limit stated.
It also suits anyone with a few spare hours who likes a comfortable hotel break between walking sessions. The resort staff have been helpful with directions, explanations, and even transport arrangements in some cases. That kind of practical assistance can make the tea portion especially comfortable.
You may want to skip it if you dislike crowds, need a quiet river experience, or expect a substantial dinner. The boat ride is brief, and a wait at the pier is possible. If your main interest is the river alone, you could look for a standalone boat option instead. If you want a polished tea service with unlimited drinks or detailed dietary guarantees, ask the hotel directly before paying.
Should you book the tea and lantern package?
Book it if the combination is what you want: a calm hotel tea, a few hours to wander the Old Town, then a lantern release from the river. The package is strongest as an easy, varied afternoon and evening, not as a deep or private cultural program. The Vietnamese-inspired food, Lotus Tea, riverside setting, and boat view give it more substance than a lantern ride alone.
Before you commit, confirm the current price, the property name and directions, and the exact lantern meeting point. Keep 114 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street saved, arrive with enough time to find the coordinator, and build in a flexible gap between tea and boarding. If those small logistics suit your plans, this is a pleasant way to pair Hoi An’s food culture with its best-known evening scene.
Lantern Release and Afternoon Tea at Moire Hoi An Resort
“It was a wonderful tour. The hotel was lovely and the food was delicious. In Japan, you can usually get refills for afternoon tea, but here, drinks…”
FAQ
How long is the lantern release?
The lantern release activity lasts within 20 minutes. The listed operating window is 6:30 to 9 pm, so allow extra time for meeting and boarding.
What time is afternoon tea served?
Afternoon tea is scheduled from 3 to 5 pm at Moire Hoi An.
Where do I meet for the lantern release?
The meeting point is 114 Nguyen Thai Hoc Street in Hoi An. It is not the same as the resort meeting point, so check the directions before leaving the hotel.
What is included in the package?
It includes the afternoon tea combo, a boat trip, one lantern per person, and one bottle of tea or water per person.
Is there an age limit?
No age limit is specified for this activity.
Are food allergies or dietary needs accommodated?
Allergen and ingredient information is not guaranteed. Contact the merchant before booking if you have allergies, an allergic reaction history, or dietary requirements.
Is the holiday surcharge included in the price?
No. A holiday surcharge of 102,000 VND per person is listed as an additional cost.
Can I cancel for a refund?
A full refund is available if you cancel at least 24 hours before the activity date, using the destination’s local time.
