The best time to visit Hoi An and Da Nang is February to May. The weather is warm and dry, the sea is calm, and the crowds are thinner than summer. I host villas here year round, so this is the honest month-by-month guide I give my guests, including the rainy months to plan around and the one festival worth timing your trip for.
The quick answer
Go February to May for the best mix of warm, dry days and lighter crowds. June to August is hot and busy but great for beach time. September to November is the wet season, with real flood risk in Hoi An during October and November. December and January are cooler and can be grey.
Season by season
February to May: the sweet spot
Warm, dry, and comfortable. The sea is calm for swimming and the Ancient Town is pleasant to walk. This is when I tell families to come. Book early for the March and April window.
June to August: hot beach season
Long sunny days and warm water, perfect for the beach and the pool. It is also the busiest and hottest stretch, so plan beach mornings and pool afternoons. A private pool earns its keep in this season.
September to November: the wet months
This is the rainy and typhoon season for Central Vietnam. October and November bring the heaviest rain, and Hoi An’s old town can flood. Travel is still possible and cheaper, but keep plans flexible and watch the forecast.
December to January: cooler and quieter
Cooler, sometimes grey, with occasional rain. Fewer crowds and a calm mood. Pack a light layer for the evenings. Note that Tet, the Lunar New Year, falls in late January or February and gets busy, with some local closures.
Time it for the Lantern Festival
Once a month, on the full moon, Hoi An dims its electric lights and the old town glows with lanterns. If you can, line your trip up with it. Check the lunar calendar and aim for the 14th day of the lunar month.
Where to stay, any season
Whatever month you pick, a private villa with a pool handles the heat of summer and the rain of autumn better than a single hotel room. Our Manor villa near Cua Dai and our La Marble villa in Da Nang both give you space, a kitchen, and your own pool. For families, see our Hoi An with kids guide.
Month by month at a glance
- February to April: warm, dry, calm sea, lighter crowds. The best window for most travelers.
- May: hot and bright, still lovely, the start of the busy run.
- June to August: peak heat and peak crowds. Best for beach and pool days.
- September: the shoulder. Warm, with the first rains arriving.
- October to November: the wettest months, with flood risk in Hoi An’s old town. Cheapest, but plan loosely.
- December to January: cooler, sometimes grey, quiet. Pack a light layer.
Crowds and prices
The busiest and priciest stretch is June to August, plus the Tet holiday and the week around Christmas and New Year. Rates and demand ease in the shoulder months of February, May, and September. If you want the best weather without the summer crush, aim for March and April. Book a villa early for those months; the good ones go first.
What to pack by season
For the dry months, light clothes, strong sun protection, and swimwear. For the wet season, add a rain shell and shoes that handle puddles. For December and January, throw in a light sweater for the cooler evenings. Whatever the month, a hat and a reusable water bottle earn their place.
Beyond the lanterns: Tet
If you visit in late January or February, you may land on Tet, the Lunar New Year. It is a beautiful, deeply local time, with flowers, family, and quiet streets. But many shops and kitchens close for several days and travel gets busy. Plan around it: come for the atmosphere knowing some places shut, or sidestep the exact holiday week.
FAQ
What is the rainy season in Hoi An?
September to November, with the heaviest rain and flood risk in October and November. Keep plans flexible if you travel then.
What is the best month to visit Da Nang?
March to May offers warm, dry weather with calmer beaches and lighter crowds before the summer peak.
When is the Hoi An Lantern Festival?
Every month on the full moon, the 14th day of the lunar month, when the old town switches off electric lights for lanterns.
The best time to visit Hoi An and Da Nang comes down to February to May for most travelers, summer for beach lovers, and a full moon if you want the lanterns. Pick your month, book a base with a pool, and let the season set the pace.
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Written by
Tin NguyenI am Tin, one of the people behind Ovuigo. I was born in Hoi An and still live here, so I would not call myself an expert, just a local who knows this stretch of Central Vietnam because it is home. For the last few years I have spent most of my time helping visitors make the most of it: where to stay, where to eat that locals actually eat, and the parts of Hoi An, Da Nang, and Hue worth your time. I host a few villas myself, so what I write comes from real guests, not a guidebook. If a place is not worth it, I will say so.