What is the best time to visit Hoi An?
February to April is the best time to visit Hoi An. Temperatures sit at 24–28°C, rainfall is minimal, and the beaches are swimmable. May through August is hot and dry — comfortable if you accept the heat. October and November are flood season: the old town regularly submerges under knee-deep water and parts of it close to visitors.
Month-by-month breakdown
January: Cool, dry, and relatively crowd-free. Temperatures 18–22°C. Good for sightseeing but too cool for beach swimming. Tet preparations begin late in the month.
February: The sweet spot starts. Warm (22–26°C), dry, low crowds. Tet usually falls here — a spectacular time if you’re okay with some closures.
March–April: The best months overall. Temperatures 24–28°C, minimal rain, swimmable beaches. Shoulder season crowds. Book accommodation 2–3 weeks ahead.
May: Getting warmer. Still good — less rain than the rest of Vietnam at this point in the season.
June–August: Peak heat (32–38°C), peak domestic tourism. Beaches are packed, especially An Bang on weekends. Budget accommodation fills fast. The old town is genuinely hot midday — plan around shade and air-conditioning.
September: Heat breaks slightly. Rain picks up at the end. A transition month — reasonable but not ideal.
October–November: Flood season. Heavy rains in the mountains send water down the Thu Bon River and into the old town. In bad years, streets flood knee-deep and heritage sites close. The Lantern Festival still happens, but can be disrupted. Not recommended unless you’re comfortable with unpredictable conditions.
December: Flood risk drops sharply after mid-month. Cool temperatures (20–24°C), Christmas holiday atmosphere, and one of the better Lantern Festival nights of the year (Dec 20, 2026).
Summary
| Period | Weather | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb–Apr | Dry, 22–28°C | Low–medium | Best |
| Nov–Jan | Cool, dry | Low | Good (avoid flood months) |
| May–Aug | Hot, 32–38°C | High | Fine with planning |
| Oct–Nov | Rain, flooding | Medium | Avoid if possible |
Beach timing
An Bang and Cua Dai beaches are swimmable February to September. The water turns rough and jellyfish increase from October onward. Cham Islands boat trips operate March to September — boats frequently cancel in the off-season due to rough seas.