If you are visiting Hoi An in September, the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hoi An is a wonderful time to discover Vietnamese culture, lanterns, traditional food and local family traditions.
The Mid-Autumn Festival in Hoi An is more than a beautiful night of lanterns. It is a traditional Vietnamese celebration connected with family, children, food, tea, and togetherness.
And if you want to experience more of Vietnamese culture during your visit, why not go beyond sightseeing and learn how to make one of Vietnam’s most popular drinks — Vietnamese coffee?
When Is the Mid-Autumn Festival in Vietnam?
The Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival, known as Tết Trung Thu, takes place on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar.
In 2026, the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on September 25. The days leading up to the festival are also a good time to experience the festive atmosphere in Hoi An, with lanterns, decorations and cultural activities becoming more visible.
Traditionally, Tết Trung Thu is especially associated with children. Families prepare special foods, children carry colorful lanterns, and lion dances can take place in neighborhoods and public areas.
For travelers, it is also a wonderful opportunity to see another side of Vietnamese culture.
What to See During the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hoi An
The Mid-Autumn Festival is one of Vietnam’s traditional celebrations.
For many Vietnamese families, it is a time to spend time together, enjoy mooncakes, drink tea and watch children have fun with lanterns.
The full moon is an important symbol of the festival. It represents togetherness and reunion, which is why family gatherings are an important part of Tết Trung Thu.
You may see children carrying lanterns shaped like stars, fish or other colorful designs. In some areas, lion dance performances add music, movement and excitement to the celebration.
Mooncakes and Vietnamese Tea
No Vietnamese Mid-Autumn Festival feels complete without mooncakes.
Mooncakes are traditionally round, symbolizing the full moon. They can contain different fillings, including lotus seed paste, mung bean, mixed nuts and salted egg yolk.
They are often enjoyed with tea because the sweetness of the mooncake pairs well with the slightly bitter taste of Vietnamese tea.
This combination reflects something important about Vietnamese food culture: drinks are often part of social gatherings, conversations and family moments.
Mid-Autumn Festival in Hoi An
Hoi An is already famous for its colorful lanterns, so the city has a particularly beautiful atmosphere during the Mid-Autumn Festival.
The Mid-Autumn Festival in Hoi An creates a particularly beautiful atmosphere after sunset, when colorful lanterns light up the streets.
The festival is not only about taking photographs.
It is also an opportunity to slow down, observe local life and learn about Vietnamese traditions.
For travelers, this makes the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hoi An a memorable cultural experience.
Enjoy Vietnamese Coffee After Exploring the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hoi An
What Is a Vietnamese Phin Coffee?
A phin is a small traditional Vietnamese metal coffee filter.
Unlike an espresso machine, the phin allows hot water to slowly pass through ground coffee. The coffee gradually drips into the cup below.
For many visitors, watching the coffee slowly drip is one of the most enjoyable parts of experiencing Vietnamese coffee.
The coffee can then be enjoyed black or combined with condensed milk to create the famous Vietnamese cà phê sữa.
Other popular Vietnamese coffee creations include:
- Vietnamese Phin Coffee
- Coconut Coffee
- Egg Coffee
- Salt Coffee
Each drink has a different taste and preparation style.
Why Learn to Make Vietnamese Coffee in Hoi An?
Seeing a Vietnamese coffee on a café menu is one thing.
Learning how to make it yourself is another experience.
A coffee-making class gives you the opportunity to understand what is behind the drink — from Vietnamese coffee beans and roasting to brewing and the ingredients used in popular Vietnamese recipes.
Instead of simply drinking coffee, you can learn the story behind it and recreate the experience after you return home.
This is especially interesting for travelers who enjoy food, drinks and hands-on cultural experiences.
Join a Vietnamese Coffee Making Class in Hoi An
At Trí Long Coffee, our Vietnamese coffee experience combines coffee culture, local knowledge and hands-on preparation.
Our class takes place at:
88 Phan Chu Trinh, Hoi An
Look for the Trí Long Coffee sign when you arrive.
During the class, you can learn about Vietnamese coffee beans, growing regions, roasting and the traditional phin brewing method.
You can also choose your favorite Vietnamese coffee drinks and make them yourself with guidance.
Popular choices include:
- Vietnamese Phin Coffee
- Coconut Coffee
- Egg Coffee
- Salt Coffee
The experience is designed to be easy to follow, even if you have never made Vietnamese coffee before.
See the Real Coffee Roasting Process
One special part of the experience is learning about the roasting process.
If you join the class before 5:00 PM, you may also have the opportunity to watch the real coffee roasting process at the roasting factory.
You can see how green coffee beans change during roasting and learn how heat, time, color and aroma affect the final coffee.
After 5:00 PM, the class can still take place, with the focus on Vietnamese coffee culture, knowledge and hands-on coffee making. However, the live roasting process may no longer be available to watch.
This makes the timing important if seeing real-time roasting is one of the things you want to experience.
A Different Way to Experience Hoi An
Hoi An is famous for its Ancient Town, yellow buildings, lanterns and traditional crafts.
But some of the best travel memories come from doing something rather than simply looking.
During the Mid-Autumn Festival, you can walk through the lantern-filled streets, taste a traditional mooncake, enjoy Vietnamese tea and discover the local atmosphere.
Then, take the experience one step further by learning how Vietnamese coffee is made.
You can learn about the beans, discover the traditional phin filter, watch the real roasting process before 5 PM, and make your own Vietnamese coffee.
It is a simple way to connect two important parts of Vietnamese everyday culture: sharing drinks and sharing time together.
Experience Vietnamese Coffee Culture with Trí Long Coffee
If you are looking for a hands-on cultural experience in Hoi An, our Vietnamese Coffee Making Class is a chance to learn more than just a recipe.
You will discover how Vietnamese coffee is prepared, understand more about local coffee culture and make your own favorite drinks.
You will also receive a Vietnamese coffee recipe booklet and participation certificate, so you can remember the experience and recreate your favorite drink at home.
Whether you visit during the Mid-Autumn Festival in Hoi An or at another time of year, learning to make Vietnamese coffee is a memorable way to experience local culture.
Come for the lanterns. Stay for the culture. And learn to make your own Vietnamese coffee.
Visit Trí Long Coffee
Address: 88 Phan Chu Trinh, Hoi An, Vietnam
Look for the Trí Long Coffee sign when you arrive.
Join our Vietnamese Coffee Making Class and discover Vietnamese coffee from bean to cup.
Make a reservation: +84905454727