Hoi An Weather in December

December: damp and mild

December is mild rather than cold, but it's a damp month, and Hoi An rates it a poor 3/10. Rain falls on about 21 days, and the humidity sits around 87%, so you'll probably feel clammy even on the days that stay dry. Skies are often overcast, with only about 2 hours of sunshine a day. The rain does ease compared with November, but it's still much wetter than January, so if you have flexibility, the best time to visit is February or March.

That doesn't mean you can't enjoy the town. You can still wander Hoi An Ancient Town between showers, ducking into the Japanese Covered Bridge or a riverside café when the clouds open. A cooking class makes a good rainy-day plan, and the evenings suit a bowl of cao lầu, Hoi An's chewy noodle dish. Just don't count on long, sunny beach days at An Bang, or on dry roads for cycling through the rice fields.

Festive, with a year-end lift

December does have its own charm. Christmas brings decorations and a festive feel to the Old Town, and New Year's Eve draws visitors to the riverside. Because of this, the month isn't as quiet as the drier shoulder months, though it's not as reliably busy as February and March either. Visitor numbers and prices tend to rise around the holidays, and if you'd rather avoid the crowds, try the lantern-lit streets earlier in the evening, before the busiest riverside hours.

Make a rainy-day route

Build your day around sheltered sights in the Ancient Town, then save a boat ride on the Thu Bon River for a dry spell. Rain can make the riverfront slippery, so take care on the stone steps near the water. If showers linger, head to the covered stalls at Hoi An Central Market for local food and a look around without committing to an outdoor trip. With short daylight and little sunshine, it's worth keeping plans flexible rather than setting aside a full day for the beach.