Hoan Kiem Lake hosts lantern parade on 25 September
Published on 09/27/2026 at 08:46 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Hoan Kiem Lake and the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival came together in Hanoi on 25 September 2026, when a lantern procession moved through the pedestrian area around the lake (H? Hoàn Ki?m). The event formed part of the Luu Trang Pho Co 2026 cultural programme and brought traditional Vietnamese toys and folk performance into a central public space.
The procession was held around the lake in central Hanoi, making the event relevant to visitors already exploring the Old Quarter. It was organised by the Hoan Kiem Lake and Hanoi Old Quarter Management Board with the Dinh Lang Viet Club.
Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival filled Hoan Kiem Lake on 25 September
The 2026 Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival featured 14 groups. Lion and dragon dances, festival drums, a Moon Palace float, traditional lanterns, toys, a ceremonial guard and children carrying lanterns formed the procession.
The programme also displayed lanterns recreated and made by artists and artisans. Reported designs included carp, moons, stars, scrolls and animal figures. The procession presented traditional craft alongside familiar symbols connected with Hanoi and the lake.
The event was a retrospective cultural programme rather than a future attraction: it took place on 25 September 2026. The parade moved around the lake, linking the pedestrian streets with the public spaces used by residents and visitors.
Pen Tower and Ink Stand connect the parade with Hoan Kiem Lake
A large model of Pen Tower and Ink Stand appeared among the procession’s cultural images. Both symbols are associated with the lake and with Hanoi’s tradition of valuing education and knowledge.
Hoan Kiem Lake is a freshwater lake in central Hanoi, between Hang Khay, Le Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang streets. Ngoc Son Temple, The Huc Bridge, Turtle Tower, Pen Tower and Ink Stand are among the historical and cultural features associated with the lake and its surrounding area. guide to the lake and its landmarks
The procession’s route gave those symbols a practical role within the programme. Rather than presenting them only as fixed landmarks, the event carried related images through the pedestrian area in a celebration intended for children, residents and visitors.
Visiting Hoan Kiem Lake: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival procession took place on 25 September 2026 around Hoan Kiem Lake in central Hanoi.
- The event has finished, so travellers arriving after 25 September 2026 will not find this procession taking place. The lake and its surrounding landmarks remain in place.
- The procession used the pedestrian area around the lake and was linked with the H? G??m Cultural Information Centre at 2 Le Thai To Street. The Old Quarter lies beside the lake.
- The lake is an urban walking environment with paved streets and public spaces around the water; the reported procession route continued through streets surrounding the lake.
- Vietnam’s official language is Vietnamese and its national currency is the Vietnamese ??ng.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
Searching for Hoan Kiem Lake on social platforms
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Frequently asked questions about Hoan Kiem Lake
When did the Mid-Autumn Lantern Festival take place at Hoan Kiem Lake?
The 2026 procession took place on 25 September 2026 around the lake’s pedestrian area in Hanoi.
What is Hoan Kiem Lake?
It is a freshwater lake in central Hanoi, associated with landmarks including Ngoc Son Temple, Turtle Tower, Pen Tower and Ink Stand.
Where is Hoan Kiem Lake and how do you get there?
The lake is between Hang Khay, Le Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang streets, beside Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The procession used the pedestrian area surrounding the water.
