Vietnam November Weather: Region Guide and Where to Go

Vietnam November weather by region

In November, rain in Vietnam depends almost completely on where you are: Ha Long Bay gets about 39 mm for the month, while Hue gets more than 16 times that. Temperatures are easier to plan for, from 10°C nights in Sapa to 32°C afternoons in Ho Chi Minh City.

Sources: Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology climate normals (Hanoi 1991 to 2020, via WMO); Hoi An uses the Da Nang station. Averages, not forecasts. Checked October 2026.

These are long-term averages, and Vietnam weather in November also changes from year to year, since a single storm can change a week. For 2026, the national forecasting centre (NCHMF) said in July that a strong El Niño could leave October and November 20 to 40% drier than usual from Nghe An to the south-central coast, but it also warned that rain in El Niño years tends to come in short, heavy bursts.

Northern Vietnam in November: the best month of the year

November is one of the best months to visit northern Vietnam, because the rain has mostly stopped and the winter cold has not arrived yet. Hanoi weather in November stays between 20 and 27°C with about 8 rainy days, and Ha Long Bay gets only about 6, which makes boat trips easy to plan.

Hanoi is pleasant for walking all day, though evenings can feel cool on a motorbike, so a light jacket helps. Ha Long Bay in November usually has calm water and clear views, and the storm season is over in the north. If you only have one day, you can book a 5-star Halong day cruise with buffet from Hanoi, or take a public bus to the port and join a shorter boat trip there for less money. In the mountains the weather changes more. Sapa in November has cool, often sunny days around 16°C, but nights drop to about 10°C and the record low is 1°C, so read up on trekking and homestays in Sapa before you pack. Further east, buckwheat flowers usually bloom along the Ha Giang Loop from late October into December.

Central Vietnam in November: the wettest stretch

Central Vietnam is the hardest region to visit in November, because Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An are at the peak of their rainy season. Hue averages 642 mm of rain over 21 days, Da Nang 448 mm, and Nha Trang has its wettest month of the year, with about 382 mm.

The rain often brings floods. In November 2025, record rain in the south-central provinces left at least 72 people dead, most of them in Dak Lak and Khanh Hoa, and Typhoon Kalmaegi hit the coast earlier that month. Hoi An weather in November often means flooded streets near the Thu Bon River, closed lantern boats and a few days of grey sky between storms. Most rain falls in long spells, so you may still get two or three dry days in a row. If you want to see Hoi An's old town and lantern streets, book a hotel above street level with a free cancellation policy and keep a day spare.

Da Lat is the exception in the center: it sits at 1,500 m, its rain drops to about 94 mm in November, and days reach around 22°C. If the coast is wet, a few cool days in Dalat can replace a beach stop.

Southern Vietnam in November: the dry season begins

November is when the dry season starts in southern Vietnam, so Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc get more sun each week. Ho Chi Minh City averages about 9 rainy days and 200 hours of sunshine, with highs near 32°C, so the heat is a bigger issue than the rain.

Afternoon showers still happen in early November, but they are shorter than in September and October. River trips in the Mekong Delta on a day trip are easy to plan, and the fruit markets are still busy. Phu Quoc in November is close to its best, with rain falling from 164 mm in November to 59 mm in December, so travelers who arrive in the second half of the month usually get more beach days. The Khmer community in the Mekong Delta celebrates Ok Om Bok around the full moon of the 10th lunar month, with boat races in Soc Trang, now part of Can Tho City; in 2025 the festival ran from 3 to 5 November.

Where to go in Vietnam in November

The best plan for November is to spend most of your time in the north and the south, and keep the central coast short and flexible. A two-week trip can start in Hanoi, add Ha Long Bay and Sapa, then fly south to Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc.

If you travel later in the year, December is drier in the center and the south but colder in the north, so the month-by-month weather by region can help you compare. Don't plan a whole beach week in Da Nang, Hoi An or Nha Trang in November; choose Phu Quoc instead, where the sea is calmer at this time of year.

What to pack for Vietnam in November

Pack for three climates: a warm layer for the north, a rain jacket for the center and sun protection for the south. A fleece or light down jacket is enough for Sapa nights near 10°C, and quick-dry shoes help when Hoi An's streets flood after heavy rain.

• North: a light jacket for Hanoi evenings, plus a fleece, a hat and warm socks for Sapa or Ha Giang.
• Center: a packable rain jacket, sandals or quick-dry shoes, and a dry bag for your phone.
• South: sunscreen, a hat and light clothes for highs around 31 to 32°C.

Festivals and events in November 2026

The main November event for visitors is the full moon lantern night in Hoi An, which falls on 22 November 2026, the 14th day of the 10th lunar month. Shops turn off their electric lights and people float paper lanterns on the Thu Bon River, but the town can cancel the event if the river floods.

In the Mekong Delta, Ok Om Bok brings Khmer boat races and lantern releases around the full moon of the 10th lunar month. Vietnamese Teachers' Day on 20 November is a normal working day, but restaurants in big cities can be busier than usual that evening.

FAQ

Is November a good time to visit Vietnam?

Yes, for the north and the south. Hanoi and Ha Long Bay are dry and mild, and the south enters its dry season. The center is the weak point, since Hue, Da Nang and Hoi An get 450 to 650 mm of rain on average, so keep that part of the trip short.

Is it cold in Hanoi in November?

Not really. Days in Hanoi usually reach about 27°C and nights fall to about 20°C, so a T-shirt works in the afternoon and a light jacket in the evening. The real cold starts in late December and January, when temperatures can drop below 15°C.

Does it rain every day in Hoi An in November?

Not every day, but on about 20 of the 30 days on average. Rain often comes in spells of several days, and the heaviest ones can flood the old town. Check the forecast a week before you go and keep your Hoi An nights refundable.

Is Phu Quoc good in November?

It is good and getting better through the month. Phu Quoc averages 164 mm of rain in November, and it gets about 210 hours of sunshine, so most days have long dry spells. The second half of November is usually drier than the first.