Asia

Vietnam in November

A superb month for Hanoi, Ha Long, Saigon, and the Mekong. Watch forecasts before committing central-coast days.

BestDry and mild north and south; center still storm-prone

Limestone karsts of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam — VietnamPhoto: Fré Sonneveld fresonneveld, CC0

The straight answer

November is one of the best months of the year to visit Vietnam. A superb month for Hanoi, Ha Long, Saigon, and the Mekong. Watch forecasts before committing central-coast days.

Weather: Dry and mild north and south; center still storm-prone
Crowds: 3 of 5
Prices: 3 of 5

What November is like in Vietnam

November is superb in the north and the south. Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Saigon, and the Mekong Delta are dry and mild, with comfortable days for walking. The center is still storm-prone, so check forecasts before committing to Hue or Hoi An. Crowds and prices are moderate.

This month suits first-timers, couples, and families who can shape a trip around Hanoi, Ha Long, and the south. It is one of the best months of the year. If the central coast is a must, you will have better odds from February through August.

Make the most of November

What is especially good about Vietnam this month.

Hanoi street food walks

Mild evenings make the Old Quarter perfect for a guided food walk on your first night.

Mekong Delta overnight

Dry days make floating markets and canal villages around Can Tho a pleasure.

Cu Chi Tunnels

Go in the morning before the tour buses for a calmer visit.

What to pack for November

A light jacket for Hanoi evenings
Breathable clothes for the south
A compact umbrella
Comfortable walking shoes

Our timing tip

Save a flexible day in the middle of the trip for the central coast so you can move it if a storm rolls in.

Book Vietnam for November.

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Hotels. Expedia
Hotels in Vietnam
Opens a hotel search for Vietnam in November, dates filled in. Book early for the best months: the good rooms go first.
Hotels for November
Vacation rentals. Vrbo
Vacation rentals in Vietnam
Whole homes, condos and villas. Usually the better deal for families and groups, with a kitchen and room to spread out.
Rentals on Vrbo
Tours and tickets. Expedia
Tours and tickets in Vietnam
Timed-entry tickets, day trips and guided tours in Vietnam for November. Popular slots sell out in the best months.
Tours and tickets

What's on in November

Hoi An Full Moon Lantern Festival

The 14th night of each lunar month, year round

The old town dims its electric lights and glows by lantern and candle. Beautiful and busy; book a riverside table early.

Things to do in Vietnam

Full guide

Ha Long Bay overnight cruise

Sleeping among the karsts beats any day trip. Book a mid-range or better boat; October, November, March, and April offer the clearest odds. Summer storms can cancel sailings.

Official site ↗Tickets and tours →

Hoi An's Old Town

Lantern-lit streets, tailor shops, and riverside cafes. Best February through August; the monthly full-moon lantern nights are magical and busy.

Tickets and tours →

Hanoi's Old Quarter and street food

Thirty-six ancient trade streets of motorbikes, pho steam, and egg coffee. Take a guided street-food walk your first night and eat braver every day after.

Tickets and tours →

Sapa and the northern terraces

Trek village to village among some of the world's great rice terraces. Green in late summer, golden at the September harvest, cold and misty in winter.

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Hue's Imperial City

The Nguyen dynasty's citadel and royal tombs along the Perfume River. Pair it with the Hai Van Pass drive to or from Hoi An.

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Cu Chi Tunnels and Saigon's war history

The tunnel network and the War Remnants Museum are sobering, essential context. Mornings beat the afternoon tour-bus surge.

Tickets and tours →

Beat the crowds

Run the country north to south or south to north in one direction; backtracking through hub airports wastes days and doubles your exposure to the busiest routes.
Book an overnight Ha Long cruise midweek and skip the one-day bus loops, which all arrive at the same caves at the same hour.
In Hoi An, do the old town at 7am and after 9pm; between those hours, rent a bike for the rice paddies and An Bang beach while the day-trippers hold the bridge.
Avoid intercity travel during Tet week and the April 30 holiday cluster unless booked long in advance; those are the nation's own travel peaks.

Know before you go

Tet (late January or February, shifting yearly): for several days museums, restaurants, and shops close and intercity transport is either sold out or empty. Cities are decorated and calm; just stock your plans accordingly.
Central Vietnam's typhoon and flood season (roughly September through November) periodically closes Hoi An's riverside streets, cancels boat trips, and delays flights. Late-fall central itineraries need flexibility.
Ha Long Bay cruise sailings are suspended by the port authority during storms, most often in summer and early fall; itineraries build in refunds or reroutes, but a buffer day protects your onward flight.
Sapa and the high north are cold December through February, with mist that can erase the views for days; trekking runs year round, but winter is for atmosphere, not panoramas.

Vietnam in November, quick answers

Is November a good time to visit Vietnam?

November is one of the best months of the year to visit Vietnam. A superb month for Hanoi, Ha Long, Saigon, and the Mekong. Watch forecasts before committing central-coast days.

What is the weather like in Vietnam in November?

Dry and mild north and south; center still storm-prone.

Is Vietnam crowded in November?

Crowds in Vietnam are moderate in November; timed bookings still help at the biggest sights.

What is happening in Vietnam in November?

Hoi An Full Moon Lantern Festival (the 14th night of each lunar month, year round).