We spent 4 months based in Da Nang which is just 20-30 minutes up the road from Hoi An in Vietnam and we visited Hoi An in both the dry season and the rainy season.
In total I’ve been to Hoi An over 10 times and explored some of the best things to do in Hoi An, I even had my wedding dress made in Hoi An and visited 6 times within 2 weeks!
So I’m hoping this guide to the best time to visit Hoi An will help you decide on the best time to go to Hoi An on your Vietnam itinerary.
I would generally suggest visiting between February-May but depending on whether you prefer cooler temperatures or want more heat for a beach holiday, you can find a more detailed breakdown below of the best time to go to Hoi An, Vietnam.
Hoi An
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Understanding the weather in Hoi An
Central Vietnam is unique in that it doesn’t have 4 seasons like the North of Vietnam. Instead it has two main seasons - the rainy season and the dry season.
Within those seasons though, there are better and worse times to go (as I discovered!)
The Hoi An rainy season is: September - January
The Hoi An dry season is February - August
However there are shoulder seasons, for example September might have some rain but you might have some great days too.
Hoi An Streets
So here’s the Hoi An weather by month:
Note: this is based on my experience and general patterns of Hoi An weather averages in previous years. Climate change unfortunately means that these weather forecasts are no longer guaranteed and the rainy season did last longer in 2023-24 than usual.
January: Coldest month. Towards the end of the rainy season. Some rainy days, lots of clouds.
February: end of rainy season, still some cloudy/rainy days but sunshine too. Temperature is comfortable around 25C and not too humid (this was my favourite month in Central Vietnam)
March: best months for hot, sunny days without humidity
April: best months for hot, sunny days without humidity
May: hot and sunny, temperature and humidity are increasing.
June: incredibly hot and humid, consistently over 35C and not dropping below 20C even at night
July: incredibly hot and humid, consistently over 35C and not dropping below 20C even at night (this was the first month we visited in and it was disgustingly hot)
August: incredibly hot and humid, consistently over 35C and not dropping below 20C even at night
September: start of the rainy season, some cloudy days and rain, humidity still high
October: Peak rainy season. Typhoons regularly cause flooding in Hoi An as it’s below sea level, there can be days of rain
November: Peak rainy season. Typhoons regularly cause flooding in Hoi An as it’s below sea level, there can be days of rain
December: Coldest month in Hoi An, around 20-22C. Less chance of typhoons but still some rain, lots of cloud.
If you’re looking for Hoi An temperature by month, it generally peaks in the middle of the year, similar to western hemisphere summers, just with a lot more heat and humidity than you might be used to!
So when is the best time of year to visit Hoi An?
I would recommend visiting between February - May depending on how comfortable you are with hot temperatures.
Between these months is generally the high season for tourists as it’s when the weather is most manageable.
February is the coolest with the least humidity. You might still get some cloudy days but if you don’t like hot weather then this is when I recommend! It’s also usually the expat’s favourite month in Hoi An and Da Nang.
May will be a lot warmer with humidity increasing towards the peak in June, July and August. But if you’ve booked a beach resort and are planning a holiday with lots of time in the sea or pool then it could be the perfect time for you.
When is the worst time of year to visit Hoi An?
When it's the rainy season, Hoi An can floody badly. It doesn’t flood every year but there have been years where the water comes 1-2 metres deep and floods most of the Hoi An ancient town area.
I would avoid travelling in October, November and into December.
December and January are the coolest months. We found January to be chilly and about half the days had rain, other days were beautiful. January-February is also the best time of year for surfing as the waves are biggest so you’ll find a big surf crowd coming into Da Nang and the central coast area around this time.
FAQs
When is the best time to visit Da Nang and Hoi An?
Between February and May.
Is Hoi An worth visiting?
Absolutely! It’s one of the most famous places in Vietnam for a good reason! Don’t miss the charming old buildings in the ancient town, the thousands of colourful lanterns, the candle lanterns and boats floating in the river, plus all the beautiful crafts, clothing and stalls.
The history and culture in Hoi An are like nowhere else in Vietnam and it’s absolutely worth a visit!
Is December a good time to visit Hoi An?
I know a Christmas trip is so tempting! December isn’t the worst time to visit but it’s the end of the rainy season in Hoi An so I would still expect lots of cloudy and rainy days. It’s also the coldest month in Hoi An, with day time temperatures around 20-22C.
If you are planning a trip in December, check if it’s been a heavy rainy season as Hoi An is liable to flooding in October and November. If it’s been a bad flooding year then many places could be closed still or making repairs.
Lantern shop in Hoi Ann
Summary: When is the best time to visit Hoi An?
I recommend visiting between February and May for the most temperate weather, least humidity and to generally be more comfortable.
While Da Nang is on the coast and has a lot more breeze from the sea, Hoi An is slightly inland and the small streets can mean no breeze and it gets very hot, very fast!
I would avoid travelling in July and August as the heat was almost unbearable without frequent stops for iced drinks. However this is the low season (due to the heat) prior to the rainy season starting so you might find a bargain!
