Hoi An Rainy Season Guide
September to January: lower prices, fewer tourists, flooding risks, and why rainy season Hoi An rewards those who embrace it
The rainy season in Hoi An (September to January) is the most debated period in central Vietnamese tourism. Unlike southern Vietnam where monsoon rain falls in predictable afternoon bursts, Hoi An's rainy season can bring extended periods of heavy rain and, in October-November, genuine flooding in the Ancient Town when the Thu Bon River overflows. This is not a rainy season to underestimate.
However, the rewards are real. Hotel prices drop 30-50% below peak season. The Ancient Town feels intimate and uncrowded. Cooler temperatures (20-27C) make walking and cycling more comfortable than the scorching summer months. The countryside is lush and brilliantly green. And Hoi An's best indoor activities — cooking classes, custom tailoring, lantern workshops, and cafe culture — are genuinely world-class, not rainy-day compromises. If you pack waterproof gear, keep a flexible itinerary, and time your visit right (September or December-January over October-November), the rainy season can deliver a memorable, atmospheric Hoi An experience.
Month-by-Month Rainy Season Breakdown
September
~350mm rainfallSeptember marks the start of the rainy season with increasing rainfall that typically comes in afternoon and evening bursts. The rain is less intense and less persistent than the October-November peak. Temperatures remain warm at 24-31C. Tourist numbers drop noticeably and hotel prices soften. The Mid-Autumn Festival (Tet Trung Thu) brings lantern processions and mooncakes. The Cham Islands snorkelling season is winding down. A reasonable gamble for travelers seeking value with manageable weather.
October
~600mm rainfallOctober is the wettest and most challenging month. Heavy monsoon rains can cause flooding in the Ancient Town — the Thu Bon River overflows after sustained heavy rain upstream. Flooding events typically last 1-3 days, reaching ankle to waist depth in the lowest areas. Some streets, shops, and restaurants close temporarily. However, the town recovers quickly, locals adapt with remarkable resilience, and the flooded Ancient Town creates surreal, photogenic scenes. Prices are at their lowest. Only visit if you are genuinely flexible with your plans.
November
~500mm rainfallNovember is the second-wettest month with continued flooding risk, especially in early November. Conditions improve toward the end of the month as the monsoon begins to ease. Rain can be persistent — multi-day wet periods are possible. The countryside is at its most lush and green, and the rice paddies shimmer with water. The Full Moon Lantern Festival without the usual crowds is a uniquely intimate experience. Prices remain very low and the town feels peacefully quiet. Late November is a better bet than early November.
December
~250mm rainfallDecember sees the rainy season clearly winding down. Rainfall decreases throughout the month, with late December often dry. Temperatures are the coolest of the year at 20-25C — perfect for walking and cycling. Christmas and New Year bring festive energy. Tourist numbers start rising for the holiday period. This is a transitional month: you still benefit from lower prices (except Christmas-New Year week) while enjoying improving weather. December is the best month for rainy season travelers seeking minimal risk.
January
~150mm rainfallJanuary marks the tail end of the rainy season with decreasing rainfall and gradually warming temperatures (19-24C). Tet preparations begin as Vietnamese New Year approaches (late January or February). Some showers persist but all-day rain is uncommon. The transition to dry season is underway. Prices are moderate, rising toward Tet. January is a good option for travelers who want cooler temperatures and fewer crowds without the heavy rain of October-November. The Ancient Town is fresh and beautiful after the monsoon.
What to Expect
The Silver Linings
- 30-50% lower prices on hotels and flights. Mid-range hotels from 300,000-600,000d/night versus 800,000-1,200,000d in peak season.
- Far fewer tourists — the Ancient Town feels peaceful, intimate, and more authentically local. Heritage sites, restaurants, and the market are uncrowded.
- Cooler temperatures (20-27C) — walking, cycling, and exploring are far more comfortable than the 33-34C heat of May-August.
- Lush green countryside — rice paddies, vegetable villages, and riverside landscapes are at their most vibrant and photogenic after the rains.
- Dramatic photography — moody skies, rain-slicked streets, reflections in puddles, and the lanterns glowing against grey backgrounds create atmospheric images.
The Challenges
- Ancient Town flooding (October-November) — the Thu Bon River overflows 2-4 times per season, flooding streets to ankle or waist depth for 1-3 days. Shops and restaurants close temporarily.
- Extended rain periods — unlike southern Vietnam's predictable afternoon bursts, central Vietnam can see rain lasting days. Multi-day wet spells are possible, especially October-November.
- Beach and island closures — An Bang Beach is less appealing in rain, and Cham Islands snorkelling closes from October to February due to rough seas.
- Outdoor plan disruption — cycling tours, My Son Sanctuary visits, and Tra Que Village trips can be rained out. Flexibility is essential.
- Cool + wet combination — December-January temperatures of 20-24C combined with rain can feel chilly. Bring layers and waterproof gear.
Best Rainy Season Activities
World-class indoor activities that make rainy days in Hoi An genuinely rewarding
Hoi An's cooking classes are among Vietnam's best — and they are the perfect rainy season activity. Classes start with a market tour (mornings are often dry), followed by hands-on cooking in a covered kitchen. Learn to make cao lau, spring rolls, banh xeo, and white rose dumplings. Red Bridge Cooking School, Thuan Tinh Island Cooking, and Morning Glory offer excellent half-day classes (500,000-800,000d including market visit and lunch). A skill you take home with you.
Hoi An is world-famous for its tailor shops, and the rainy season is actually ideal for tailoring. Tailors are less busy, giving more attention to each customer. Multiple fitting sessions over 2-3 days produce the best results. A custom suit costs 2,000,000-5,000,000d, dresses from 500,000d, and shoes from 800,000d. Yaly Couture, BeBe Custom Tailor, and A Dong Silk are well-established options. Start fittings on day one to allow time for adjustments.
Learn to create Hoi An's iconic silk lanterns from bamboo frames and colourful fabric. Several workshops in the Ancient Town offer 1-2 hour sessions (150,000-300,000d per person). Your lantern makes the most authentic Hoi An souvenir — far better than a mass-produced market purchase. The workshops are entirely indoors, making them perfect for rainy afternoons. Some also offer pottery and leather craft classes.
The Ancient Town's heritage houses, assembly halls, and museums are mostly indoors and covered — perfect for exploring between rain showers. The Museum of Trade Ceramics traces Hoi An's history as an international trading port. Tan Ky House is a beautifully preserved merchant home. The Fujian Assembly Hall's ornate temple is atmospheric in any weather. Your Ancient Town ticket (120,000d) covers entry to 5 heritage sites.
Hoi An's cafe culture comes alive in the rainy season. Watching rain fall on the Ancient Town from a cosy riverside cafe with a Vietnamese iced coffee (ca phe sua da, 25,000-40,000d) is one of travel's simple pleasures. Reaching Cafe offers Ancient Town views, The Espresso Station has excellent specialty coffee, and Rosie's Cafe is a charming heritage house setting. Cafe hopping between showers is a legitimate rainy-season activity in Hoi An.
Rainy afternoons are made for Hoi An's affordable spa scene. A 60-minute Vietnamese massage costs 200,000-350,000d at quality spas — a fraction of Western prices for excellent treatments. Palmarosa Spa, La Luna Hoi An, and Hoi An Herbal Spa use local herbs and traditional techniques. For a luxury experience, the spas at Four Seasons Nam Hai or Anantara offer world-class treatments. Combine with a morning cooking class for the ultimate rainy-day itinerary.
The Perfect Rainy Season Day
How to structure your day around the weather and make the most of every hour
Early Morning: Market Breakfast
Mornings are often the driest part of the day. Head to the Central Market for a street food breakfast — banh mi (15,000-25,000d), cao lau, or a bowl of mi quang (turmeric noodles). The market is covered, so even if it is raining, you stay dry. The morning atmosphere is bustling with locals shopping for fresh produce. A Vietnamese iced coffee from a market vendor sets you up for the day.
Morning: Outdoor Window or Indoor Activity
Check the weather. If dry: cycle to Tra Que Vegetable Village (3km), explore the Ancient Town heritage houses and assembly halls, or walk to the Japanese Covered Bridge. If rainy: start a cooking class (most begin with a market tour at 8-9 AM), visit a tailor for initial fittings, or take a lantern-making workshop. The morning is the most productive part of a rainy season day.
Midday: Long Lunch
Enjoy a leisurely lunch at a riverside restaurant. Try white rose dumplings, fried wontons, or a warming bowl of pho. The Ancient Town's restaurants are atmospheric in the rain — covered terraces with views of the wet, gleaming streets. Morning Glory, Mango Mango, and Cargo Club offer excellent food with river views. This is a good time to linger, read, and enjoy the pace.
Afternoon: Indoor Pursuits
The afternoon is prime indoor time. Options: a spa session (200,000-350,000d for a 60-minute massage), tailor fitting follow-up, the Museum of Trade Ceramics, cafe hopping through the Ancient Town, or simply a nap at your hotel. If the rain breaks, grab a bicycle and explore the quiet lanes — the post-rain Ancient Town, with its wet cobblestones and glistening lanterns, is gorgeous for photography.
Evening: The Lantern Magic
Rain or shine, the Ancient Town's evening transformation is magical. As darkness falls, silk lanterns illuminate every street, casting warm reflections on wet surfaces. The night market on Nguyen Hoang Street sells street food, souvenirs, and paper lanterns to float on the river (10,000d). Find a riverside spot for dinner and watch the lanterns reflect in the Thu Bon River. On Full Moon nights, the experience is amplified tenfold — and without peak-season crowds.
Flooding: What You Need to Know
When & Why It Happens
- Peak risk: October and November, when sustained heavy rain causes the Thu Bon River to overflow into the low-lying Ancient Town
- Frequency: The Ancient Town typically floods 2-4 times per rainy season, with each event lasting 1-3 days
- Severity: Water levels range from ankle-deep (common) to waist-deep (less common but possible during major events)
- Recovery: The town recovers remarkably quickly — within hours of the water receding, shops reopen and life resumes
- Lower risk months: September, December, and January see much less flooding than the October-November peak
Tips for Visiting During Floods
- Stay in higher ground: Hotels outside the Ancient Town (Cam Thanh area, An Bang Beach area) are rarely affected by flooding
- Waterproof everything: Keep electronics, passport, and valuables in waterproof bags. Wear waterproof sandals or shoes you do not mind getting wet
- Do not walk through deep water: Floodwater can hide debris, open drains, and is unsanitary. If water is above ankle-deep, wait it out or take a different route
- Embrace the experience: Many travelers find flooded Hoi An surreal and beautiful — locals paddle boats through the streets, children play in the water, and the town takes on a dreamlike quality
- Have a backup plan: If the Ancient Town is flooded, use the day for spa treatments, cooking classes at higher-ground venues, or a day trip to Da Nang
Rainy Season Budget Advantage
Rainy Season vs Dry Season Prices
- Budget homestay: 150,000-300,000d/night (vs. 300,000-500,000d in Mar)
- Mid-range hotel: 300,000-600,000d/night (vs. 800,000-1,200,000d in Mar)
- Flights to Da Nang: 20-30% cheaper than dry season
- Cooking classes: Same prices (500,000-800,000d) but easier to book
- Street food: Same prices year-round (20,000-50,000d meals)
- Total savings: 30-40% compared to March-April peak
Sample Rainy Season Budget (3 Days)
- Mid-range hotel (3 nights): 900,000-1,800,000d
- Food (3 days, mix of street food & restaurants): 400,000-800,000d
- Cooking class: 500,000-800,000d
- Ancient Town ticket: 120,000d
- Bicycle rental (3 days): 90,000-150,000d
- Spa session: 200,000-350,000d
- Total: 2,210,000-3,920,000d (approximately $90-160 USD) for 3 days
Rainy Season Pro Tips
Choose Your Month Wisely
Not all rainy season months are equal. September is the gentlest entry point with increasing but manageable rain. October-November is the riskiest with flooding. December-January sees the monsoon winding down with improving conditions. If you want rainy season value with the least weather disruption, choose December (especially late December) or January. Avoid October unless you are genuinely prepared for flooding.
Book Flexible Accommodation
Book hotels with free cancellation on Booking.com or Agoda. If a major weather event is forecast, you can adjust dates or switch to a hotel on higher ground. Hotels outside the Ancient Town (Cam Thanh, An Bang, Cam Kim) are less affected by flooding and often cheaper. Many offer free bicycle rental and shuttle services to the Ancient Town.
The Full Moon Festival in the Rain
The monthly Full Moon Lantern Festival takes place regardless of weather. Experiencing it during the rainy season — with fewer tourists, cool air, and the lanterns reflecting in wet streets — is arguably more atmospheric than the crowded dry-season version. If it rains during the festival, the celebrations move partially indoors but the lantern-lit streets remain magical. Check lunar calendar dates and plan your visit around a Full Moon night for the best rainy season experience.
Cycling in the Rain
Do not let rain stop you from cycling — it is the best way to explore Hoi An. Buy a cheap poncho (20,000-30,000d) that covers you and the handlebars. Light rain while cycling through rice paddies is actually a wonderful, atmospheric experience. Avoid cycling in heavy downpours or on the main road to Da Nang during rain. Stick to the quiet lanes between the Ancient Town, Tra Que Village, and An Bang Beach.
Photography Opportunities
Rainy season Hoi An is a photographer's dream. Moody grey skies give the Ancient Town a more dramatic, atmospheric quality than sunny postcards suggest. Reflections in puddles, rain-slicked streets, and lanterns glowing against overcast backgrounds create images with genuine depth. The post-rain golden hour — when clouds break and warm light floods the wet streets — is spectacular. Bring a waterproof camera bag and consider a waterproof phone case for spontaneous shots.
Rainy Season Hoi An FAQs
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