The best time to visit Hoi An is from February to April, when the weather is dry, sunny and comfortably warm (about 20–31°C). May to August is also good for beaches but much hotter, while October and November are the rainiest months, with a real risk of floods in the Ancient Town. The best time to visit Hoi An, Vietnam follows its two main seasons: the dry season (February to August) and the wet season (September to January).
Hoi An Ancient Town is one of the top choices for Indian tourists visiting central Vietnam, thanks to its lantern-lit streets, beaches and tailor shops. In this guide, we explain the weather month by month, the full-moon lantern nights for 2026–2027 and practical tips to help you pick the right travel dates from India.
Best time to visit Hoi An at a glance (updated November 2026)
- Best months overall: February, March and April (dry, sunny, pleasant).
- Best for beaches: April to August; expect 33–35°C heat from May to August.
- Rainy season in Hoi An: September to December, heaviest in October and November (floods hit the Ancient Town three times in October–November 2025).
- Cheapest and quietest: September and December; busiest: April to August and around Tet.
- Full-moon lantern nights: 22 November 2026, 22 December 2026, 21 January 2027 and every 14th lunar day after that.
- Ancient Town ticket: 80,000–120,000 VND (≈ ₹293–440), depending on the package (2026 prices).
Best Time to Visit Hoi An at a Glance
This month-by-month table shows when to go to Hoi An for weather, crowds and sightseeing.
| Month | Weather | Crowds and prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Cool, cloudy, light rain easing | Moderate | Good for sightseeing, not for swimming |
| February – April | Dry, sunny, 20–31°C | Busy around Tet; moderate after | Best time to visit |
| May – August | Hot (33–35°C), mostly dry, short storms | Peak season, highest prices in July–August | Great for beaches and the Cham Islands |
| September | Transition, more showers | Quiet, lower hotel rates | Good value, some rain |
| October – November | Heaviest rain, typhoon and flood risk | Fewest visitors | Least recommended |
| December | Cooler, frequent drizzle | Quiet until Christmas and New Year | Fine for town walks and food |
Hoi An Weather by Month
Hoi An’s weather follows a clear pattern: February to April is driest, May to August is hottest, and September to December brings most of the year’s rain. The figures below are long-term averages for nearby Da Nang, about 25 km away, which has almost the same climate.
| Month | Average high / low | Rainfall | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°C / 19°C | 82 mm | 12 |
| February | 26°C / 20°C | 24 mm | 6 |
| March | 28°C / 22°C | 25 mm | 5 |
| April | 31°C / 24°C | 35 mm | 5 |
| May | 33°C / 25°C | 81 mm | 9 |
| June | 35°C / 26°C | 83 mm | 8 |
| July | 34°C / 26°C | 93 mm | 9 |
| August | 34°C / 26°C | 141 mm | 12 |
| September | 32°C / 25°C | 351 mm | 15 |
| October | 30°C / 24°C | 628 mm | 20 |
| November | 27°C / 22°C | 448 mm | 20 |
| December | 25°C / 20°C | 218 mm | 19 |
Source: Da Nang climate averages (Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology, via Wikipedia).
Hoi An in the Dry Season (February to August)
The dry season is the best time to visit Hoi An, with mostly sunny days for walking tours, cycling and beach trips. Short afternoon showers can still happen, but they usually pass quickly.
February to April are the best months to travel to hoi an. Days are sunny with highs of about 26–31°C, and mornings and evenings feel fresh. Rainfall is the lowest of the year, with only around 5–6 rainy days a month.
May to July is the hottest part of the year, with daytime highs of 33–35°C. It is the peak season for beaches and island trips, but plan sightseeing for early morning and late afternoon.
August is still mostly sunny but rain starts to increase towards the end of the month as the wet season approaches. It is also one of the busiest and most expensive months.
What to Do in the Dry Season
The Ancient Town is the highlight for most Indian visitors. Its yellow shophouses, wooden assembly halls and narrow lanes are best explored on foot. Don’t miss the Japanese Covered Bridge (restored and reopened in 2024), Tan Ky Old House and the Phuc Kien Assembly Hall.
In the evening, take a boat ride on the Hoai River and release a paper lantern for good wishes. For bars, live music, night markets and shows, see our guide to hoi an nightlife.
April to August is the best time for the beach. An Bang Beach (ranked in CNN’s 100 best beaches in the world in 2013) and Ha My Beach are just 4–7 km from town, and the Cham Islands are perfect for snorkelling from March to August.
You can also visit Tra Que Vegetable Village to learn how local farmers grow herbs and vegetables organically, try planting and watering yourself, and enjoy a vegetarian cooking class, a good choice for Indian travellers.
Dry Season Travel Tips
- Pack light cotton or linen clothes, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
- Cover shoulders and knees when visiting temples and assembly halls.
- Book hotels, shows and transfers early for April to August, when prices are highest.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid long walks between 11 am and 3 pm from May to August.
When Is the Rainy Season in Hoi An?
The rainy season in Hoi An runs from September to January, with the heaviest rain in October and November, when monthly rainfall can exceed 400–600 mm. Typhoons are most likely from September to November, and the Thu Bon River can flood the Ancient Town. In 2025, floods reached the town three times between late October and mid-November, with water about 1 m deep at the Japanese Bridge on 28 October.
September is a transition month with sunny spells and sudden showers, and hotel prices are lower than in summer.
October and November are the wettest months, with around 20 rainy days each. If you are planning a Diwali trip, check our guides to vietnam weather october and weather in hoi an vietnam in november, and keep your Hoi An days flexible.
December is cooler (about 20–25°C) with frequent drizzle, while January sees rain easing and cool mornings and evenings.
What to Do in the Wet Season
Many travellers find Hoi An more romantic in the rain, with fewer crowds and soft light on the yellow walls. Spend rainy hours in cafés and restaurants, take a cooking class, or visit tailor shops to order custom-made clothes, which usually take 24–48 hours.
The Hoi An Memories show (Ky Uc Hoi An) runs in the evening from 8 pm to 9 pm on Hoi An Memories Island, with tickets for foreign visitors from about 600,000 VND (≈ ₹2,200) in 2026. Indoors, the Teh Dar bamboo-circus show at the Lune Center Hoi An is a good rain-proof option, with tickets from about 700,000 VND (≈ ₹2,560).
Wet Season Travel Tips
- Pack a light raincoat, quick-dry clothes, waterproof bags and sandals.
- Follow weather and flood warnings, and choose hotels outside the low-lying riverside streets in October and November.
- Keep a spare day in your itinerary in case boat trips or outdoor shows are cancelled.
- Travel insurance that covers weather delays is strongly recommended.
Hoi An Full Moon Lantern Festival Dates 2026–2027
On the 14th day of every lunar month, Hoi An switches off the street lights in the main Ancient Town streets from about 6 pm. The town is lit only by silk lanterns, people float paper lanterns on the Hoai River, and there are folk games such as Bai Choi singing. It is one of the best times to visit Hoi An for photos.
| Year | Full-moon lantern nights (14th lunar day) |
|---|---|
| 2026 (remaining) | 22 November, 22 December |
| 2027 | 21 January, 19 February, 21 March, 20 April, 19 May, 18 June, 17 July, 15 August, 14 September, 13 October, 11 November, 11 December |
Other key festivals: Tet (Lunar New Year) falls on 6 February 2027, when some shops close for several days, and the Mid-Autumn Festival falls on 15 September 2027, with lantern parades and lion dances.
Best Time to Visit Hoi An from India
For Indian travellers, the best time to visit Hoi An is February to April, which avoids both the Indian summer heat and Vietnam’s rainy season. May and June match Indian school holidays and are great for beaches, but expect hot days and higher prices.
- Getting there: fly direct from India to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, then take a domestic flight of about 1 hour 20 minutes to Da Nang; Hoi An is about 30–45 minutes by road from Da Nang Airport.
- Visa: Indian passport holders can apply for a Vietnam e-visa (US$25, about ₹2,375).
- Diwali trips: Diwali falls on 8 November 2026 and 29 October 2027, both in Hoi An’s flood season, so combine central Vietnam with the south. Our phu quoc packages from india are ideal from November to April.
- Route idea: Hanoi and Ha Long Bay, then Da Nang, Hoi An and Hue, then Ho Chi Minh City; this route is covered in our classic Vietnam tours.
- Food: Hoi An has several Indian and vegetarian restaurants in the Ancient Town, and most local restaurants can make vegetable dishes on request.
Want help choosing the right month and building your Hoi An itinerary? Send us your travel dates below.
FAQs About the Best Time to Visit Hoi An
What is the best month to visit Hoi An?
March is often the best single month, with dry, sunny weather, highs around 28°C and fewer crowds than in summer. February and April are also excellent.
When is the rainy season in Hoi An?
The rainy season in Hoi An is from September to January, with the heaviest rain and flood risk in October and November.
Is November a good time to visit Hoi An?
November is one of the wettest months, with around 20 rainy days and a risk of floods, so it is not ideal. If you go, keep your plans flexible and stay away from riverside streets.
When is the Hoi An lantern festival?
The lantern festival takes place every month on the 14th lunar day; the next dates are 22 November 2026, 22 December 2026 and 21 January 2027.
What is the best time to visit Vietnam from India?
For a trip covering the north, centre and south, February to April is the best time to visit Vietnam from India, as the weather is good in most regions.
Weather data, ticket prices and festival dates in this guide were last checked in November 2026 and may change.
Conclusion
Along with Da Nang and Hue, Hoi An is a favourite destination for Indian travellers in central Vietnam. The best time to visit Hoi An is from February to April, with May to August great for beaches and October to November best avoided because of heavy rain. A Vietnam tour package is an easy way to plan your trip around the right season. Contact us now for expert help with your trip to Hoi An!
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