Hoi An has two very different seasons. The dry months from February to August are generally good for travel, but October and November bring serious flooding. Here is what Singapore travellers need to know.
Hoi An’s weather follows a straightforward pattern, but it has one serious exception that travellers from Singapore need to know about before booking. October and November bring flooding that can submerge parts of the Ancient Town under half a metre of water. This is not an exaggeration and not a rare event. It happens most years.
Plan around this, and you will have a straightforward trip. Ignore it, and you may find your hotel entrance under water.
The Two Seasons
Central Vietnam, where Hoi An sits, operates on a different rainfall calendar from the rest of Vietnam. When the south (Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc) is dry, Hoi An is wet. When the south is getting afternoon showers, Hoi An is often clear.
The dry season runs roughly from February to August. This is when most Singapore travellers visit. The wet season runs from September through January, with the most severe rain and flooding concentrated in October and November.
Month by Month
February is one of the best months to visit. Weather is dry, temperatures are mild (around 22 to 26 degrees Celsius), and crowds are at their lowest point of the year. The weeks just after Tet (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) can be quiet as locals return to normal routines. If your dates are flexible, February is hard to beat.
March and April are the sweet spot for most travellers. Temperatures climb slightly but remain comfortable. Rain is rare. Tourist numbers are moderate: busy enough for the town to feel alive, not so crowded that the Ancient Town becomes frustrating to walk through. This is the best overall window for Singapore travellers who have flexibility.
May and June are still solid. Temperatures rise more noticeably in May and June (28 to 32 degrees Celsius), and humidity increases. Early June sees Singapore school holidays, which pushes demand and prices up. Still a good time to go, but book early if you are travelling during the June school break.
July and August are peak season in Hoi An. Hot, humid, and crowded. Prices for hotels and tours are at their highest. This is also when Singapore’s National Day holiday period falls. If you can go in July or August, start early in the morning to beat the heat and crowds. The upside: long daylight hours, low rain risk, and a lively town atmosphere.
September marks the beginning of the wet season. Rain becomes more frequent and heavier from mid-September onwards. Crowds and prices drop sharply from their August peak. September is manageable if you accept some wet weather: afternoon downpours and occasional full-day rain. The flooding risk is moderate in September but grows as the month progresses.
October and November are the months to avoid if at all possible. The Vu Gia and Thu Bon river systems drain a large catchment in the mountains behind Da Nang and Hoi An. When typhoons and heavy rain hit the region (which happens most years in October and November), the rivers overflow and flood the Ancient Town. Streets in the low-lying parts of town can be knee-deep in water. Restaurants and guesthouses in the Ancient Town flood regularly.
The flooding is not dangerous in most cases, but it disrupts travel significantly. If you are already in Hoi An when flooding starts, riverside accommodation becomes difficult to access. Tours get cancelled. Roads between Da Nang and Hoi An can be affected. Travellers who came specifically for the Ancient Town find it inaccessible.
If you must travel in October or November, stay in Da Nang rather than Hoi An. Book flexible, refundable hotel rates. Avoid riverside accommodation in Hoi An. Have a backup plan if Hoi An is flooded when you arrive.
December is a transitional month. Rain tapers off but can still be significant in early December. The second half of December is generally drier and more reliable. This is also the Singapore school holiday period, which means high demand and elevated prices for flights and hotels. Christmas and New Year week is one of the busiest periods of the year in Hoi An.
January continues to improve. Rain is lighter than November and December. Temperatures are mild. Crowds are moderate, dropping after the holiday period ends. Late January can overlap with Vietnamese Tet preparations, when the town becomes festive and colourful.
What the Crowds Look Like
Peak crowds occur in July, August, December, and around Vietnamese Tet (late January or February). These periods coincide with Singapore school and public holidays, which means Singapore travellers are competing for rooms and guides with a large pool of other visitors.
If you want the Ancient Town to yourself (or as close to it as possible), visit February to April on weekdays. You will still encounter other travellers, but the difference in atmosphere compared to a Saturday in August is significant.
Pricing Patterns
Hotel and tour prices follow the crowd pattern closely. July, August, and December command the highest prices. February to April and September to early October are generally cheaper. If you are flexible on dates and watching the budget, travelling in March or April will typically save you 20 to 30 percent on accommodation compared to peak months.
Practical Advice for Wet Season Travel
If you are visiting in September, December, or January, pack a light rain jacket and expect some disruption. Most rain in these months falls in afternoon and evening bursts rather than all-day downpours, so morning sightseeing is usually unaffected.
If you are visiting in October or November (not recommended but sometimes unavoidable), take these steps. Book refundable accommodation in Da Nang rather than Hoi An. Check flood reports before travelling to Hoi An on any given day. Your private guide will have real-time information on road and town conditions. Avoid booking Hoi An-specific activities that cannot be rescheduled.
The flooding in Hoi An is a known, recurring event. Local businesses handle it with pragmatic efficiency. But it does affect the experience in ways that matter to most travellers.
For a broader look at seasonal patterns across all of Vietnam, including how Hoi An compares to northern and southern Vietnam for each month, read Best Time to Visit Vietnam from Singapore.
Plan Your Trip
Browse our private Vietnam tour packages from Singapore, priced in SGD with no hidden fees. Private guide, 3 to 4 star hotels, and meals included from SGD 448 per person. View Da Nang Tour Packages
Related Reads
- Best Time to Visit Vietnam from Singapore
- Hoi An Ancient Town: The Complete Guide for Singaporeans
- The Perfect Hoi An and Da Nang Itinerary from Singapore
- 4 Days in Da Nang: Full Itinerary for Singapore Families
