Hoi An is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world known for its well-preserved ancient town and proximity to beautiful beaches. In this article, we will be looking at the best time to visit Hoi An, months to avoid, and the weather per month.
Located in central Vietnam, Hoi An has two seasons: the dry season and the wet season. It has warm weather all year round with a lot of sunshine and average temperature of 29°C.
The dry season is from February to August. March is the driest month of the year, with an average temperature of 30°C. The hottest months of the year are from May to July with temperature ranging from 21°C (at night) to 38°C (during day time).
The rainy season is from September to January. November to January are the coldest months of the year with temperatures ranging from 19 to 24°C.
When is the best time to visit Hoi An?
In my experience, The dry season is the best time to visit Hoi An. Any month, except the peak of the rainy season (October, November and early December), is a good time to go to Hoi An. During these months, the town often has heavy rains, occacional typhoons and flooding.
February to April has the best weather with mild temperature, low humidity, and little rain. May to July are hotter months with more sunshine. These months are perfect weather to enjoy your time on the beaches of An Bang and Cua Dai.
Hoi An in January
January is a good time to visit Hoi An. It marks the end of the rainy season and the start of the dry season. It has less rain and drier than the peak wet season (October from December) with temperatures ranging from 18°C-25°C (warmer than the north Vietnam).
You can wear shorts and t-shirts during the day, but I recommend bringing jeans, long sleeve shirts, and light jackets in case you get cold in the evening.
January is also a busy month for locals when everyone prepares for Lunar New Year celebrations or Tet holiday. Locals decorated their houses and shops with more lanterns and cumquat trees. You can experience the festive atmosphere and learn more about Vietnamese culture.
You can explore popular attractions in the old town, do shopping, enjoy the night market, and take a river boat on the Hoai River to release lanterns. You can visit the traditional craft villages such as Thanh Ha pottery village or Moc Kim Bong village. The Coconut Boat Ride is also a popular activity for visitors.
Hoi An in February
February is the start of the dry season, making it one of the best months to visit Hoi An. It has a mild temperature (20°C to 26°C) with some rainfall, ideal for sightseeing and enjoying outdoor activities.
You can explore the old town with ancient buildings such as the Fujian Assembly Hall, the Japanese Bridge, Tan Ky Old House. You can enjoy the bustling nightlife scene along Hoai River, especially the area around An Hoi Bridge.
You can rent a bicycle to explore the countryside with its beautiful rice fields and traditional craft villages. Cam Thanh Coconut Village is a great place to experience the traditional bamboo basket boat tour.
You can experience and join cultural events such as dragon dances during the Vietnamese New Year which usually happens late January and early February.
I recommend bringing long-sleeve shirts, or light cardigans as it can be chilly at night. Shorts and shirts are fine during day time. Also carry a rain coat/ umbrella in case it rains.
Hoi An in March
March is one of the best times to go to Hoi An and Central Vietnam. It is a part of the dry season that has lots of sunshine, mild temperature, low humidity, warm weather (not hot), and little rain. You have pleasant weather to explore the old town and take a leisure stroll along the beaches.
March is warmer (21°C to 26°C) compared to January and February, but I still recommend carrying light jackets for evening and early morning.
March is the perfect month to explore the old town, do shopping, try local foods such as Cao lau, Com Ga, or My Quang. You can cycle to explore the countryside and the beaches of Cua Dai and An Bang.
Hoi An in April
April is one of the best months to visit Hoi An as it has pleasant climate and is not very crowded. The town has warmer weather (24°C to 30°C) compared to March and has lots of sunshine. It is a great time for sightseeing, and enjoy beach activities such as swimming and sunbathing.
You can explore the old town, the countryside, the beaches, and take day trips to Hai Van Pass or Cham islands. I recommend bringing comfortable clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses in April.
Hoi An in May
I recently visited Hoi An in mid May and it was very hot and humid during the day (25°C to 32°C), sometimes up to more than 37°C. The temperature drops a few degrees celsius at night. It is great weather for beach activities such as swimming, sunbathing, or diving.
If you want to explore the old town without crowds and don’t mind the heat, you can explore it during the daytime. In the afternoon, the weather cools down and everyone goes out, making it a busy place.
May is the high tourist season in Hoi An, so be sure to book flights and accommodations in advance to have a good deal. As in hot weather, I recommend bringing breathable clothing, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses. Also drink a lot of water and avoid going out mid day.
Hoi An in June
Similar to May and July, June is in the dry season and is one of the hottest months of Hoi An. This month is very hot and humid with clear skies with an average temperature of 33°C, sometimes up to more than 37°C. It is a great month to explore the ancient town and its beaches.
To avoid the heat, you can explore attractions during early morning and late afternoon. If you don’t mind the sun and want to explore the city when it is less crowded, you can do sightseeing during the day. Just wear a hat, apply lots of sunscreen, and drink lots of water.
You can relax on An Bang/ Cua Dai Beach, sunbathing or drinking at one of its many beach bars and cafes. You can stroll around the ancient town at night, take a boat trip to Cu Lao Cham islands for snorkeling and diving.
June is of the the peak tourist month in Hoi An, so I recommend booking your hotels, tours, and flights well in advance. Also pack lights and bring essentials to protect you from the sun.
Hoi An in July
Similar to June and May, July is one of the greatest months to visit Hoi An. It is part of the dry season with hot weather and lots of sunshine (average temperature of 35°C).
You can explore the historical and cultural attractions in the ancient town, explore the countryside, or spend your time at An Bang beach or Cua Dai beach.
Take note that the summer holiday of Vietnam usually starts from mid July so it can be crowded during this time. I recommend packing your beach wear and essentials for hot weather.
Hoi An in August
August is still a good time to visit Hoi An. It is the last month of the dry season that has hot weather and high humidity. It also transitions to the rainy season, so you will occasionally see showers. The rain increased slightly compared to previous months.
August is a great time to visit Hoi An on a budget. You can find cheap deals for hotels and flights. You can explore the old town, check out trendy cafes, nice restaurants, and go shopping.
Hoi An in September
September is the beginning month of the rainy season in Hoi An which typically starts from September to Japanary. The temperature begins to reduce compared to previous months, but rain is more frequent.
You can join local festivals in September such as the Mid-Autumn Festival. The 2nd of September is a public holiday, so be sure to book your flights early if you visit during this time.
September still is a good month to visit Hoi An. You can enjoy the ancient town with less crowds, greener scenery, and lower price of accommodations. Be sure to bring your raincoat or umbrella with you when going out. There is the possibility of flooding, though it is not overly common in September.
Hoi An in October
October is one of the rainiest months in Hoi An. Rain is more frequent and there is the chance of flooding and typhoons. The weather in the rainy season is much cooler compared to previous months. If you still visit Hoi An in October, be prepared for the rain!
Hoi An in November
Similar to October, Hoi An and the Central Coast of Vietnam experience lots of rain in November. It can cause flooding and typhoons (weather can be variable), so check the weather before you go. But most visitors avoid visiting Hoi An during these months.
Hoi An in December
December is part of the rainy season in Hoi An. The rainfall has decreased compared to October and November. Temperature is pleasant ranging from 19°C to 27°C. You can enjoy the Christmas atmosphere in Hoi An and lower-cost hotels.
See more:
- Best places to stay in Hoi An
- 2 to 3 Days in Hoi An Itinerary
- 14 Best Things to Do & See in Hoi An
- 10 Best Family Hotels in Hoi An
- One Day in Hoi An Itinerary
These are my notes on the best time to visit Hoi An. In general, the best months are in the dry season from February to July. February to April has the most pleasant weather, ideal for sightseeing and outdoor activities. May to July are the hottest months, ideal for beach activities and exploring the old town.
In my experience, you can visit Hoi An at any month of the year; just avoid the peak rainy season from October to December, as it can be flooded and not pleasant for exploring.