You might’ve heard that Hoi An’s weather is either red hot or bucketing down! In truth, it’s a little more varied than that. Hoi An officially has two seasons – wet and dry – but there’s often overlap between the two, with a much cooler period at the start of each year.
Dry season begins in February and lasts until the end of August. The weather in Hoi An gets seriously hot from April onwards, often hitting the mid-to-late 30s. The wet season starts in September and lasts until January, although the heaviest downpours tend to occur in October and November.
Bear in mind that, like pretty much everywhere in the world, Hoi An’s weather can be unpredictable at times – it’s not unusual to have tropical downpours in mid-summer or even hot dry days during the rainy season!
Hoi An Weather By Month
‘Spring’: February to March
Hoi An’s unofficial ‘spring’ is warm, dry and less humid than other times of the year. Temperatures hover around the mid-to-late 20s, with March in particular being in that ‘just right’ category – for most of us, anyway!
Understandably, Hoi An’s ‘spring’ is a popular time to visit. The weather is perfect for being outdoors as it’s cool enough to get around. And from Tet onwards Hoi An’s streets are alive with floral color.
Summer: April to August
Hoi An’s weather can hit 40° Celsius over summer, and given the humidity it can feel even hotter. Many local people start their day at 4.30am at this time of year, and rising early really has its benefits. The temperature is cooler, the air crisper and the sea calmer. Before 9am is easily the best time to move around and get things done! Grab an early start if you’re visiting in summer and you’ll feel totally justified to do as the locals do and take a nap through the hottest part of the day.
But if you’re just taking it easy, one of Hoi An’s superb beaches, where the heat is tempered by the sea breeze, is the place to be.
Rainy Season: September to November
Rainy season is at its peak in October and November, with three-day downpours being fairly common. However, there are plenty of dry patches – temperatures remain relatively high for much of Hoi An’s rainy season, and even December can hit the late 20s on a good day.
The Old Town is prone to flooding, given its proximity to the river. And the deluge of rain can easily turn streets and roads into rivers in no time at all.
Flooding doesn’t occur every year in Hoi An, but when it does, life goes on during the rainy season and tourism continues as usual. Should the Old Town flood it’s possible to take a boat tour through the streets and witness an Asian Venice! You’ll also experience a tremendous team-spirit from the local people. Once the water subsides, everyone mucks-in on the clean-up operation, and in no time at all, the streets and buildings are back to normal.
Read our in-depth guide to Hoi An’s rainy season here.
‘Winter’: December to January
January is Hoi An’s coldest month, and pretty much the only time of year to have jumpers at the ready. Whilst it may drop to around 15 degrees, the humidity makes the air feel considerably cooler, so don’t be afraid to bring the odd scarf if travelling early in the year. Having said that, warm days in the mid-20s can be common, so don’t rule out the beach. With a bit of luck it can be one of the best times of year.
Typhoons
Hoi An is not immune to typhoons, but they’re infrequent. The region is more likely to experience torrential rain and strong winds, with these typically occurring during October and November.
Floods
It’s safe to say that Hoi An floods most years, but not every year. October and November are the most likely months for the Old Town to flood, although it can happen any time up until the end of January.
If you’re staying close to the river over summer, you might even see the flood-lines from the previous year. It’s not uncommon for these to rise over a meter, with the worst year in modern times being 1999 – back then the waters rose over 4m in places.
Hoi An Weather Forecast
Hoi An’s weather forecast is usually more predictable than in other parts of the world, but surprises can still happen! Use our forecast to keep a check on maximum and minimum temperatures, sunlight, rain and thunderstorms. If you’re travelling from the area, use the ‘Quick Pick’ option to find the weather forecast for your destination.
Hoi An Weather vs Vietnam Weather
Vietnam’s climate can conveniently be separated into northern, central and southern regions, each with their own weather patterns. Bear in mind that each area has its own diversities – an inland mountainous province will likely have different weather to its coastal neighbour, for example.However, if you’re looking at travelling to Hoi An as part of a north/south excursion, it’s useful to have an idea of the very different climates you might experience en route.
North Vietnam
The north is the only part of Vietnam to experience four proper seasons, although these are officially paired into ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ like the rest of the country. Spring (February to April) and summer (May to August) are hot, humid and prone to downpours. Autumn (September to November) is largely dry and warm – similar in appearance to the fall found in Europe but with much better weather!
Winter hits the north from December to February, when it can get bitterly cold and even snow. Rainy season lasts from May to October, and dry season is from November to April.
South Vietnam
Like Hoi An, South Vietnam has two seasons, although the wet season comes earlier in the year, from May to October. The trend is somewhat different in the south too – it may rain daily during this time, but it rarely rains for long.
South Vietnam is more likely to experience an hour-long downpour – a memorable one, mind – followed by dry weather for the rest of the day. Contrast this with Hoi An’s weather, where a three-day downpour is nothing unusual.
When to Visit Hoi An
Wondering when to visit Hoi An?
Well, the city’s tours and attractions are open all year long, so it’s just a case of choosing the climate that suits you best. The most temperate weather in Hoi An can be found in February and March. In these months it’s usually cool and dry, but not too hot. Getting around is much easier than in summer, yet it’s warm enough to give your shorts and sarongs an airing!
Whilst many may find the heat unpleasant from April to August, it’s worth noting that Hoi An is perfectly situated on the coast. Having the beach nearby as a cooling-down option can really make a difference when the tarmac is cracking.
On paper, rainy season might not sound like the time for a holiday, but the weather is much cooler and it doesn’t rain all the time. Hoi An carries on as normal, and from October you’ll have a lot more elbow room to get around. There are still some sunny days, and in the event of a flood, you might well get to experience Hoi An in a way that few foreigners have seen.
Frequently Asked Questions
From February to March, the weather is warm, dry and around 25°C – great outdoor weather! April to August sees summer temperatures rise to 40° and humidity go through the roof. Rainy season peaks in October and November, and January is considerably colder than the rest of the year.
Hoi An’s Ancient Town floods most years, but there are exceptions. Rainy season starts in September and lasts until January, although October and November are the wettest months.
It depends where you are. The north is largely cold, the south is warm, and the central regions are changeable. A clear blue sky might bring temperatures in the mid-20°s, but a wet and windy day will feel much colder. In towns like Da Nang and Hoi An it is frequently quite chilly.
Christmas technically falls inside the rainy season, but at that time of the month the biggest downpours are usually over. Temperatures will likely be in the early 20°s, but a clear blue sky and sunshine is definitely not unheard of.
The average high is 33°C in summer, but temperatures can easily hit 40° from April onwards.
