1. Overview

Hoi An is an ancient city famous not only for Vietnamese people but also for tourists from all over the world. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering a fascinating glimpse into port life in 18th-century Vietnam. Hoi An is famous for its perfectly preserved cultural features and streets lined with red lanterns. vibrant and bustling local markets Hoi An is also home to a beautiful beach, just a few kilometers from the city center. Hoi An belongs to Quang Nam province in the South Central region, with weather influenced by the tropical monsoon climate. With drastic changes in Hoi An, before deciding to go to Hoi An, it is best to learn carefully about the weather characteristics of each season in order to choose the best time to visit Hoi An, Vietnam.Hoi An’s climate is divided into two seasons: the dry season from February to August and the rainy season from September to January. The average annual temperature in Hoi An is about 25.6 oC; the highest temperature reaches 39.8 oC from June to August, and the lowest temperature drops to 22.8 oC. From November to January, Hoi An’s temperature ranges from 19 to 24 oC. 

2. When Is The Best Time To Visit Hoi An, Vietnam?

Hoi An Ancient Town is the ideal location for your vacation. You can visit this place at any time of the year; each season in Hoi An brings a different and unique beauty. However, the time most tourists choose to travel to Hoi An is from February to April, because at this time the weather is very pleasant and cool. Around this time, visitors also have the opportunity to participate in some famous festivals in Hoi An.

2.1. The best time to visit Hoi An according to the season:

2.1.1. Dry season

The dry season in Hoi An starts in February and ends at the end of August. The driest month is March, when the humidity is relatively low. February to April have the mildest temperatures, with an average high of 30°C, making it a popular choice for tourists visiting the ancient city of Hoi An. The weather will be hot from May onwards, reaching its peak in the months from June to August, when the highest temperature measured during the day is 38°C–39.8°C.

The dry season in Hoi An offers a great opportunity to explore the city’s rich culture and natural beauty without the interruption of showers. This is the best time to visit Hoi An, walking to explore the ancient, historic town and cycling around the countryside. This is also the ideal time for you to visit and rest at Hoi An beaches such as An Bang Beach and Cua Dai Beach, which are places to relax, sunbathe, and escape the bustle and hustle of urban life.

2.1.2. Rainy season

The rainy season in Hoi An falls from September to January of the following year. This time of year in Hoi An, there is often monsoon rain, and frequent storms can cause floods in the area, especially in October and November. Floods do not happen every year in Hoi An, but if you travel to Hoi An during this time, it is best to check the latest situation and forecast. December and January are the coldest months in Hoi An, with an average temperature of 22°C. It’s quite humid, but there are still a few sunny days.

The rainy season in Hoi An is considered the low tourist season because the number of visitors here is not as high as in the dry season. With this advantage, you can clearly feel the peaceful beauty, ancient fortune, poetry, and dreams of society. At the same time, when going to sightseeing and entertainment spots, you don’t have to be crowded with people; it’s quite comfortable.

For those who want to experience an economical journey, the rainy season (August–January) can be the most ideal time to visit Hoi An. During this time, hotels and tourist attractions often offer promotions to attract tourists. In addition, airfare prices tend to decrease at this time.

2.2. The best time to visit Hoi An with festivals

In addition to its breathtaking scenery, Hoi An is also famous for its vibrant Vietnamese festivals and cultural events that take place all year. Below are some suggested festivals for you to visit in Hoi An:

2.2.1. Hoi An Lantern Festival: 18:00 p.m – 22:00 p.m., night of the 14th lunar month

The Old Town Lantern Festival is organized by the Hoi An government every night of the 14th lunar month, starting in 1988, at Hoi An Lantern Street. It is a unique idea that comes from the desire of a Polish architect who has devoted a lot of effort to preserving two Vietnamese heritage sites, Hoi An and My Son.

During the festival, all houses, restaurants, and shops turn off the electricity. The whole town will be immersed in the light of lanterns and the full moon. You will participate in many interesting activities such as lion dancing, costume dancing, etc. Visitors to the old town on a full moon night will live in an urban space from the last century, full of nostalgia but also extremely bustling and splendid.

2.2.2. Mid-Autumn Festival

The Mid-Autumn-Autumnal, also known as the Harvest Festival or Children’s Festival, will be held for 4 days, lasting from August 12 to August 15 of the lunar calendar every year, usually falling in September. Although held throughout Vietnam, Hoi An is still a particularly ideal place to go. The evening of the big day is a grand procession with drums, cymbals, dragons, and crowds throughout the town.

The Mid-Autumn-Autumnal in Hoi An offers visitors many exciting activities and experiences, such as watching the colorful lantern street, enjoying a unique lion dance, taking a boat ride and releasing flower lanterns on the river, and folk games, etc.

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2.2.3. Nguyen Tieu Tet

Tet Nguyen Tieu is a festival that takes place on the full moon day of January every year. The Lunar New Year in Hoi An is the most anticipated time for many people and tourists because at this time special festivals will be held, accompanied by many attractive entertainment activities. The Lunar New Year festival is held to pray for a good new year. Within the framework of the festival, you can participate in folk games in Hoi An such as singing Bai Choi, playing drums blindfolded, folding pandan leaves, folding origami paper, etc.

3. Where to visit in Hoi An and what to eat?

When visiting here, you should definitely not miss the tourist attractions in Hoi An that are most loved by many tourists: Covered bridge, Phuc Kien Assembly Hall, Tan Ky ancient house, Toc Tran Church, and Trieu Chau Assembly Hall, Cua Dai beach, Cu Lao Cham island, Kim Bong carpentry village, An Bang beach, etc. These destinations are places that preserve many historical and cultural values of Hoi An, helping you understand more about the land and people here. You can see more about the Hoi An itinerary here.

And don’t forget to enjoy Hoi An cuisine with countless Hoi An specialties such as chicken rice, cao lau, Quang noodles, bread, wet cakes with grilled meat, etc.

4. Top Hoi An travel tips for each season

4.1. In the dry season

Remember to bring light clothing, protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, and umbrellas to avoid direct sunlight. 

Don’t forget to apply sunscreen and moisturizer to protect your skin. 

Don’t forget to bring your swimsuit to participate in many exciting water activities. 

The dry season is the peak season in Hoi An, therefore, you should book your flight tickets and accommodations as early as possible.

4.2. In rainy season

Always remember to bring an umbrella, raincoat, waterproof shoes, hat, and waterproof bag for electronic devices. 

Check the weather forecast constantly to plan your trip. 

Bring some necessary medicine in case you get sick from the rain. 

You should not wear high heels to avoid tripping and falling on slippery roads.

4. Conclusion

Above is the information about the best time to visit Hoi An that Metta Voyage shares; hopefully it will help you have more useful information and choose the most suitable time to travel to Hoi An for yourself. If you want to completely plan your trip to Hoi An or other upcoming trips, you can contact us immediately.

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