Best Time to Visit Hoi An

February to April: the sweet spot

February and March are the best months here, and the data backs that up. Days are warm but not heavy, with plenty of dry hours. February is the driest month, with rain on only six days. You can walk the Old Town lanes at midday without feeling wrung out. Evenings are mild enough for dinner by the Thu Bon River.

Beach people should lean towards March and April. An Bang and Cua Dai are warmer then, and the sea is calmer than in winter. By April it's getting hot, but it's still a good time to go. If you want cycling through the rice fields toward Tra Que village, this is when it's most pleasant.

This is also high season, along with the Lunar New Year (Tet), which falls in late January or February. Many local shops close for a few days, but the town is hung with lanterns and feels festive. Hotels fill up, so you'll want a room sorted early.

May to August: hot, with sea days

It's hot and sticky from May on. June is the warmest month, with highs of 33°C. Rain is more frequent in May, July and August, but it often comes as short showers rather than all-day downpours. That's why it's rated Poor for comfort, yet it suits beach lovers on a budget.

Vietnamese school holidays run through the summer, so the beaches and Da Nang's coast get busy with domestic tourists, especially at weekends. If you hate crowds, aim for weekdays. Do your sightseeing early in the morning or after the heat fades, and spend the middle of the day in the sea or a café.

September to January: wet and flood-prone

This is the rainy season, and it's no joke. October is the wettest month by far, with 693 mm of rain over 25 days. September and November are also very wet. The Thu Bon River can rise and flood the Old Town streets. Locals move furniture upstairs and get around by boat. It's a striking sight, but it can wreck your plans. Typhoons can also hit this coast.

December and January are cooler, grey and drizzly, with very little sun. January is still wet, but it's far better than October. If you come now, you'll find quiet streets, low prices and tailors with time for you. Bring a flexible plan and a poncho.

The monthly Full Moon Lantern Festival happens on the 14th day of the lunar month. Traffic is stopped in the Old Town, and candle-lit paper lanterns are floated on the river. It's lovely on a clear night, so it's another reason to choose a drier month.