“Is November a bad time to visit Hoi An?” I get this question every autumn, usually from someone who has just seen a rain icon on every day of the forecast. My honest answer: Hoi An in November is wet, quiet and green, and it is a great month for the right kind of traveller. You won’t get beach days, but you get a calmer Old Town, softer prices and a town that feels lived in rather than performed. Here is what November is really like, what still works, what doesn’t, and how to plan so the rain never ruins a day.
| Weather | Warm but cooler than summer, roughly 21–27°C, often grey with rain |
|---|---|
| Rain | One of the two wettest months with October. Rain often comes in spells of a few days, then clears |
| Sea | Northeast monsoon: rough sea, red flags on the beach, Cham Island boats often stopped |
| Crowds | Low season. Quieter streets and easier bookings |
| Full moon night | Sunday 22 November 2026 (14th day of the 10th lunar month) |
| Best for | Food, classes, shows, tailoring, slow travel, photographers |
| Not ideal for | Beach holidays, island trips, anyone with zero flexibility |
Hoi An Weather in November: What It Really Feels Like
November sits in the heart of the rainy season in central Vietnam. The numbers say “lots of rain”, but the day-to-day reality is more mixed than that. What usually happens is a spell of two or three grey, rainy days, followed by a few drier days with clouds and even some sun. Some days it drizzles on and off; some days it pours for hours.
Temperatures stay pleasant for walking, around 21–27°C, and the evenings can feel almost cool by Vietnamese standards. Bring a light long-sleeve layer. The air is humid, so clothes take time to dry: pack quick-dry fabrics rather than jeans.
The thing to understand is the difference between rain and flood. Rain in town is normal and just means wet streets. Floods need heavy rain across the whole region plus water released from the reservoirs upstream, and they are announced in advance. I explain how it works in my guide to the Hoi An flood season.
Why November Might Be the Best Time to Really Know Hoi An
It doesn’t rain every day
November is still beautiful. Between the rainy spells come soft, clear days with patches of blue sky, rice fields fresh and green after the rain, and cool clean air. Those days are some of the prettiest of the whole year.
Even in the rain, the Old Town can breathe
Rain is when the Old Town finally has room to breathe. No tour groups pushing through the lanes, no queue for photos at the Japanese Covered Bridge, no loudspeakers. Instead you get quiet streets where you can stop, look at the carved wooden facades, step into an assembly hall and actually understand the town you came to see, instead of just walking through it.
Lower prices, better service
Low season also means better value. Many hotels and homestays lower their rates, and shops, tailors and restaurants are happy to see you. Owners who are not rushed off their feet have more time and energy for each guest: a longer chat over coffee, a more careful tailor fitting, a cook who takes time to explain the dish. In November, service is simply better.
Is November a Good Time to Visit Hoi An?
Some people love it and some don’t. It depends on what you came for.
- You will probably love November if you enjoy food, crafts and culture, you like a town without crowds, you travel slowly and don’t mind a raincoat, or you want good tailoring without the high-season rush.
- You will probably be disappointed if your dream is sunbathing at An Bang, snorkeling at Cham Island, or a tightly packed itinerary where every day must be a perfect outdoor day.
A useful way to think about it: in November you don’t plan days, you plan options. Keep two lists, one for dry hours and one for rainy hours, and pick each morning. The section below gives you both.
7 Things Still Worth Doing in Hoi An in November
1. Walk the Old Town in the rain (yes, really)
The yellow walls get a deeper colour when they are wet, the lanterns glow brighter against a grey sky, and the streets that are packed in summer feel almost private. Go early in the morning or right after a shower. The streets along the river can flood in a big event, so check conditions first; on a normal rainy day there is no problem. My self-guided walking tour works just as well with an umbrella.
2. Learn to cook while it pours
A cooking class in Hoi An is the classic rainy-day plan for a reason: a market visit, a covered kitchen and five dishes you can cook again at home. If a dry morning shows up, choose the version with the basket boat ride in the coconut forest.
3. Make your own silk lantern
A lantern making class takes 1.5 to 2.5 hours, works for all ages and gives you the most Hoi An souvenir possible, folded flat in your suitcase. Listening to the rain on the roof while you glue silk is honestly part of the charm.
4. Brew Vietnamese coffee with a phin
November is coffee weather. The coffee making class takes about two hours and covers four drinks, including egg coffee, which tastes even better on a cool, grey afternoon.
5. Carve something with your own hands
Two quieter craft classes are perfect for a wet day: the wood carving class in a riverside village, and the bamboo root sculpture class with an artisan. Both take around three hours and you leave with a piece nobody else has.
6. Spend an evening at a show
Teh Dar is indoors, at the Lune Center near the Old Town, which makes it the safest evening plan in November. Hoi An Memories is a huge outdoor show. On a wet evening, consider the VIP seats, which are under a roof; guests in the other zones are given raincoats.
7. Use the dry days for a day trip
When the forecast shows a clear day, use it. My Son Sanctuary is beautiful with low clouds on the hills. Ba Na Hills sits at around 1,400 m, so it is much cooler than Hoi An and often inside the clouds in November: go only on a clear day, or you may see the Golden Bridge in thick fog.
What’s Closed or Not Worth It in November
- Cham Island. Boats are controlled by the Border Guard and are often suspended when the sea is rough. Day trips and especially overnight stays are not recommended. More in my Cham Island guide.
- Swimming at the beach: be careful. On rainy-season days the sea can be rough, with big waves and red flags. A walk at An Bang on a dry afternoon is lovely; if you want to swim, think twice, choose a calm day, stay near the lifeguards and never go in under a red flag. Cua Dai beach is also under repair, with work expected to last until 2027–2028.
- Boat trips on open water. Snorkeling at Son Tra and sea activities depend on the day. River activities like the basket boat usually still run, unless the water is high.
- Tight schedules. Don’t book anything non-refundable on the last day before your flight if it depends on weather.
The November Full Moon: Lantern Night on 22 November 2026
Every month, on the 14th day of the lunar calendar, the Old Town holds its full moon lantern night. In November 2026 that falls on Sunday 22 November. Families make offerings, the town is decorated with lanterns, and the river fills with floating paper lights. Even in the rain the evening has a special feeling.
If the sky is clear, the easiest way to be part of it is a boat ride with lantern on the Hoai River (motorboats run 5–10 PM, from 200,000₫ (≈ $7.7) for a small boat of 1–2 people, children under 5 free); go once it’s fully dark, when the river is brightest. You can read more about the tradition in my Hoi An Lantern Festival guide.
A Flexible 3-Day Plan for Hoi An in November
| Day | If it’s dry | If it rains |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Old Town walk in the morning, lantern boat ride at night | Lantern making class, Teh Dar show at 6 PM |
| Day 2 | My Son morning tour or Ba Na Hills (only if clear) | Cooking class, then a tailor fitting in the afternoon |
| Day 3 | Bicycle ride to the vegetable village and the rice fields | Coffee class, wood carving class, a long lunch of Mi Quang |
Not sure how to fit it all in? Send us your dates on WhatsApp +84 903 532 168 and we’ll suggest a rain plan and a dry plan for each day. If a flood is forecast, we can also arrange a private taxi to move you to a drier area or to Da Nang.
Practical Tips for Hoi An in November
- Avoid the river only when a flood is forecast. Lots of rain does not automatically mean a flood, and a riverside room on An Hoi or Bach Dang is lovely most of the month. If a flood warning is announced, move to the town center or the beach area for a night or two. My Hoi An flood season guide explains how to read the warnings, and my guide on where to stay in Hoi An compares the areas.
- Buy a proper poncho. The cheap plastic ones tear in one day. A hooded poncho that also covers your backpack is worth the few extra dollars, especially on a motorbike.
- Use the tailors. November is a good month for tailoring: shops are less busy and you have time for a second fitting. Read my Hoi An tailor guide first.
- Eat the warm dishes. Cool, rainy days are made for a bowl of Mi Quang or Cao Lau. Fresh noodle soup simply tastes better when it’s raining outside.
- Ask before you go. Your host or the café owner next door will tell you more about the next few days than any weather app.
Hoi An is a UNESCO-listed trading port that has lived with the rainy season for centuries. November is when you see that everyday side of the town most clearly.
Final Thoughts
Hoi An in November is not the postcard version, and that is exactly why some travellers end up loving it most. Expect rain, plan two options for every day, skip the islands and the beach, and fill the wet hours with food, crafts and shows. When the sun does come out, the town is green, fresh and almost empty. Pack a good poncho and keep a little flexibility, and you’ll be fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is November a good time to visit Hoi An?
It is a good time if you enjoy food, classes, shows and a quiet town, and don’t need beach days. It is one of the wettest months, the sea is rough and island trips are often cancelled.
How much does it rain in Hoi An in November?
November and October are the two wettest months. Rain usually comes in spells of a few days, followed by drier, cloudy days, rather than nonstop rain all month.
Can you go to Cham Island in November?
Usually not reliably. Boats are often suspended when the sea is rough, and you can get stuck on the island. Plan Cham Island between March and August instead.
When is the full moon lantern night in Hoi An in November 2026?
Sunday 22 November 2026, the 14th day of the 10th lunar month. The Old Town is decorated and boats with paper lanterns go out on the Hoai River in the evening.
Will Hoi An be flooded in November?
Not necessarily. Rain in town does not cause floods. Floods need heavy rain across the region plus reservoir releases, and they are forecast in advance. Most November days are simply wet.
From Vincent – the Author
If you find this post useful and would like to show your appreciation, you can support me by making a donation via PayPal. Your generosity helps me continue creating helpful content. Thank you!
Paypal Link: [Click here]
HOI AN FAIRY TOUR – HOME – TOURS & ACTIVITIES – TAXI – TRAVEL ESSENTIALS – HOI AN TRAVEL TIPS – ABOUT US
