Weather in Vietnam in November
November marks an end to autumn and welcomes winter in Vietnam. In November, this South-Eastern Peninsula is sharply affected by the Southeast Monsoon, leading to wet weather in Central Vietnam. However, it is the best month to visit North and South Vietnam, which glisten under clear skies and sunshine - superbly suitable for highlands trekking, beach vacations, and exotic adventures. The weather is cool and dry in Vietnam, with an average temperature of around 25°C this month, and the average humidity level remains 90%.
Northern Mountain Region - Sapa, Ha Giang, Bac Ha, Mu Cang Chai, Haiphong, Mai Chau
November is a cool and dry month in the northern mountain region; hence, trekking is joyful in SaPa and Ha Giang. November marks a peak month to visit Sapa, Ha Giang, and areas around Mu Cang Chai. This is the month when golden rice crops sway under light showers of rain and are ready to be harvested. Sun appears for plenty of daylight hours, but the temperatures begin to drop by the month’s end. The average temperature remains around 26°C.
North Vietnam - Hanoi, Halong Bay, Cuc Phuong, & Ninh Binh
By November, North Vietnam is at the beginning of the dry and sunny phase with an average temperature of 24°C. Outdoors have plenty of warmth, which tends to decrease by the end of the month. All the major cities in North Vietnam are good to go in the fall season. Hanoi remains temperate, and Halong Bay is great to explore on a cruise. Since November is the middle of winter and autumn, explorers can face chilly winds all of a sudden.
Central Vietnam - Hoi An, Danang, Hue, Dalat, Quy Nhon & Nha Trang
Central Vietnam experienced a northeast monsoon in November at its peak. Central Vietnam has average temperatures of 23-26°C with large amounts of rainfall. Along with stormy weather, prolonged rains may cause floods in the coastal region. Dalat and Central Highlands have clear skies; sometimes, it may drizzle, but the outdoor sights are enjoyable. Hoi An, Nha Trang, and Phong Nha may get flooded. Central Vietnam is prone to typhoons in November.
South Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City, The Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc and Con Dao, Phan Thiet & Mui Ne, Ho Tram & Long Hai
During November, rains affect South Vietnam pretty much less than in the monsoon months, with an average temperature of 27°C. Saigon and Mekong Delta share soothing weather and clear skies. Southern beach resorts dazzle under the warm sun, visiting Phan Thiet & Mui Ne, and the islands of Phu Quoc & Con Dao remain fruitful. The end of the month is mostly dry.
Events and Festivals in Vietnam in November
1. Khmer Oc Bom Boc Festival
Khmer Oc Bom Boc Festival is the festival of worshipping the moon on the 15th day of the 10th lunar month. It’s also about thanksgiving and worshipping for abundant crops. It is one of the biggest festivals of the Khmer community in Tra Vinh and Soc Trang province in Vietnam. The ethnic community celebrates a year’s end on this day. At midnight, offerings of a variety of agricultural products (coconuts, sweet potatoes, new sticky rice) to the moon take place.
2. Hoi An Lantern Festival
Spectacular night views on the 14th night of every month in Hoi An, Vietnam, is worth experiencing as the city celebrates the festival of lights. Lighting lanterns is considered to be a good luck and fortune charm in Vietnam. Hoi An Lantern festival is considered to be an incredible moment to follow the rituals of worshipping deceased relatives. The festival not only brings closeness and happiness but is a wise method to save electricity.
Places to Visit in Vietnam in November
Why visit in November? What are the things to take care of?- November welcomes beach time in the South and reopens the opportunity for hiking in Dalat and Central Highlands after a long time. It is a great time for recreational activities in North Vietnam, especially in Hanoi, Sapa, Mu Cang Chai, and Halong Bay. Overall, it is a picturesque month in rural areas of Vietnam.
- In HaGiang, it’s the Buckwheat flower season, and Canola flower blossoms in Moc Chau, brimming the streets with their unique scent.
- November attracts a large number of foreign tourists to North Vietnam and popular beach areas of South Vietnam so you can still expect reasonable airfares. However, cheap prices of hotels and accommodations are hard to find by the month’s end.
Where one major place is known for its art, another excites the beach vibes, and another is an attraction point for its nightlife, all-in-all Vietnam wisely preserves its culture. Below is the list of the cities places from North Vietnam to South Vietnam to visit in November.
1. Sapa
Located in the Northwest Mountain region of Vietnam, this beautiful town Sapa has various small villages. Sapa is cool, with an average temperature ranging between 17°C and 11°C, but clear skies and dry winds make the surroundings amicable in November. There might be drizzling, but 4-5 hours of sunshine and fresh air make November the best month for trekking in Sapa.
Travelers must visit the ‘Sapa Museum’ and ‘Cat Cat Village’ (one of the oldest villages of Sapa) to learn the history of people here and ‘Cloud Yard’ to complement the beauty of clouds. Sapa gives an opportunity to hike Vietnam’s Highest Peak ‘Mt. Fansipan’s viewpoint is called Heaven's Gate.
Not to miss: Fairy Cave, Silver Waterfalls, Tram Ton Pass, Muong Hoa Valley, and Muong Khuong Bird Market.
2. Mu Cang Chai
Mu Cang Chai is a northwest mountainous rural district in Vietnam that creates jaw-dropping scenery in November, which is a fall season here. If lucky, you will see ready-to-harvest golden rice crops swaying proudly on the terraces in early November. This is the high time to know the lifestyle of Mong Ethnic farmers.
Mu Cang Chai consists of many small villages with beautiful terraces and weather. Khau Pha Pass, called ‘Sky’s Horn’ develops magnificent scenery. There are other small villages in the city to visit to adore the beauty of paddy farming and to experience their local culture by the homestay. Visit to Mu Cang Chai is incomplete without visiting two of its breathtaking waterfalls - Mo and Phu Nu waterfalls. Mu Cang Chai has its market, so you can carry the memories with you.
Not to miss: Ba Nha Bridge, Mam Xoi Hill, Kim Noi Village.
3. Moc Chau
Moc Chau is a beautiful and attractive mountainous district in Northwest Vietnam. November is a blend of autumn and winter in Moc Chau, which makes it the best month for trekking and other engaging activities. International visitors arrive at Moc Chau to immerse themselves in the natural colors as white mustard, wild sunflowers, and green tea plants blossom in November. You can take a bicycle ride to enjoy the tricolor beauty of the land. Ba Phach Village in Moc Chau is famous for cauliflower blooming in November.
You can soak up the authentic local culture and spellbinding scenery at Hua Tat Village, trek the pine forest or attend cooking, embroidery, and paper workshops. Know the romantic beauty of Dai Yem Waterfall or Pink Blouse Waterfall and hike the Pha Luong Mountain in Moc Chau. Emblazed with karst formations are On Village’s ’Five Caves’ depicting five natural elements - Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. Do not skip the Five-colored sticky rice when visiting Moc Chau.
Not to miss: Son Moc Huong Cave, Tan Lap Hill, Na Ka Valley
4. Ha Giang
Ha Giang is a province in the northeast mountainous region of Vietnam. Its pink-coloured atmosphere due to buckwheat blooming attracts tourists in November every year. In early November, visitors can witness the beauty of layers of golden rice crops in Hoang Su Phi. By the end of the month, you may even witness snow in Ha Giang.
Ha Giang Loop is better known as Happiness Road and was the first road built in Ha Giang. To explore the mountain view, visit Quan Ba, where you get to witness the Twin Mountains and Heaven's Gate. Right above it is the picturesque ‘Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark’ showcasing huge mountain peaks like Mount Mieu Vac (1971m) and deep canyons like Tu San (800m).
Not to miss: Ma Pi Leng Pass, Dong Van town, Meo Vac mountain pass, Ha Biang museum, Khau Vai Love Market, Vuong mansion
5. Hanoi
Hanoi is the only capital of a country which isn't its largest city. The capital of Vietnam - Hanoi, is a place for every traveler. Hanoi’s weather in November is cool with breezes; it’s the time when you witness autumn’s end. November is a peak month to explore Hanoi and to witness the blooming of ‘Milk Flower’ or Alstonia scholars. I definitely taste ‘Com’ - a green-colored rice flake that originates from Vong Village.
Not to miss: Hanoi Train Street, Cau Giay Park, Dong Xuan Market, Rose Park, Smiley Ville, Lotte Observation Deck, Long Bien Bridge, Ba Vi National Park, Perfume Pagoda.
6. Halong Bay
HaLong Bay, located in North Vietnam, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so there’s much to explore and spend a perfect November here. The weather starts to cool down with fewer sunshine hours, so it isn’t a great time to get tanned on beaches and islands. Near the end, nights become chilly. Nevertheless, travelers can go for a cruise, swimming, and cooking classes. It is a good month for kayaking and snorkeling.
Not to miss: HaLong Queen Cable Car, Sun World HaLong Complex, Stacking Rocks, Tuan Chau Island, and Cannon Fort.
7. Cat Ba Island, Halong Bay
Cat Ba Island is one of the most amazing and highly visited Islands connected to HaLong Bay. November is the beginning of the dry season in Cat Ba Island, with an average temperature of around 25˚C.
There are three famous sand beaches- Cat Ba 1, 2 and 3- where you can enjoy time under the sun or swim in the water. If you want to explore caves, visit Surprise Caves to enjoy the colorful atmosphere of Hospital Cave to learn how this secret hospital functioned during the Vietnamese War. There’s Cat Ba Island Resort, which offers a water park and spa centers.
Not to miss: Dinh Lagu Lam, Cat Ba Archipelago, and Monkey Island.
8. Da Lat
Da Lat, a city in Central Vietnam, is recognized as a garland of flowers where the average temperature remains 22 degrees celsius in November. Travelers get to enjoy the pleasant weather with light, drizzling, adorning flowers everywhere.
Da Lat showcases French Colonial times, which can be explored in Colonial Palaces - Da Lat Palace I, II, III. Truc Lam Temple - Zen Buddhist Temple and Linh Phuoc Pagoda are the best places to adore art and worshipping. Get crazy in the Crazy House, a guest house with weirdly interstitial architecture. Natural beauty can’t be skipped in Da Lat; route your tour towards Datanla Waterfall, Valley of Love, Clay Tunnel, Elephant Waterfalls, and Xuan Huong Lake.
Not to miss: Dalat Railway Station, Clay Tunnel of DaLat, Smurf Village, Dalat Heaven Gate, and Prenn Waterfall.
9. Ho Chi Minh City
In the Southern part of Vietnam, Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City, is the largest city in the country. November is the end of the rainy season with 31-degrees-celsius temperature which makes it the best month for a trip.
Travelers visit Saigon every year mainly for its diverse cuisine, magnetic nightlife, french architecture and fascinating skyscrapers. This major city offers spectacular recreational spots: Saigon Zoo and Botanical Garden, Ho Chi Minh City Opera House, Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, Chu Chi Tunnel, and Buddhist Cultural Theme Park. Hit ‘Ban Than Market’, ‘Binh Tay Market’, ‘An Thong Market’ for shopping. The night is alive in Saigon through rooftop bars, lush nightclubs, casinos, music bars and Ben Thanh Night Market.
Not to miss: Artinus 3D Art Museum, September 23rd Park, Tao Dan Park, Ngoc Hoang Pagoda, Cao Dai Temple.
10. Phu Quoc Island
Phu Quoc Island lies in Southwest Vietnam, apart from the mainland. Located in the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc is the largest island in Vietnam, with its own international airport. November is the peak tourist season in Phu Quoc as beaches dazzle in sunlight.
The island is distributed in three different parts, out of which downtown Duong Dong is highly visited for shopping. Duong Dong offers Duong Dong Market and Dinh Cau Night Market, where travelers can buy souvenirs, pearls, funky jewelry, and delicious seafood. Do not go back from Phu Quoc without buying the world's best fish sauce and Vietnam’s tastier black pepper.
Not to miss: Vinpearl Safari, Sun World Hon Thom Nature Park, Trúc Lam Ho Quoc Zen Monastery.
11. Can Tho
Can Tho is the biggest city in the Mekong Delta in South Vietnam. Famous for its floating market, Can Tho has a temperature of around 31 degrees Celsius in October, when nights can be warm and sticky; nevertheless, it's a good month for traveling. Different-sized boats are adorned with vibrant flowers and fresh fruits in the Cai Rang floating market. Some of the tropical fruits include dragon fruit, durian, jackfruit, and pomelo. So, if you are a vegetarian or a botany lover, this is a place to visit in August.
Can Tho Bridge, Mai Khanh tourist village, and Bang Lang Stork Garden are some of the outdoor attractions. The city also offers historic art displays at Binh Thuy Ancient House and Can Tho Museum. Can Tho have tremendous sites for worshipping - Nam Nha Pagoda, Binh Thuy Temple, and Quang Duc Pagoda.
Not to miss: Kai Khe Market, Phong Dien Floating Market, Can Tho Cathedral, Ninh Kieu Park, Luu Huu Phuoc Park.
12. Bac Son Valley
A sigh of relief from hot days comes at Bac Son Valley in South Vietnam. November is the best month for nature lovers and photographers in the valley. The land is full of swaying golden rice crops where natives live in stilts houses. The tasty local food (sticky rice, sausage, grilled spring rolls) of Bac Son Valley are a must try in Quynh Son Village. The viewpoint of the valley is on the zenith of Na Lay Mountain. To feel the freshness of Bac Son, Bac Son Flower Valley and Dang Mo Waterfall are spellbinding sites.
Not to miss: Tam Canh Pass, Nong Luc Temple
13. Phan Thiet - Mui Ne
To the south of Vietnam lies a coastal port area, ‘Phan Thiet,’ which is, again, one of the best places to visit in November. It is divided between the city center and the famous Mui Ne Beach and has plenty of accommodations. Right from tropical forests to mesmerizing beaches to ancient architecture, Phan Tiet has some or other engaging parts for every traveler.
Not to miss: Mui Ne Fishing Village, Cham Tower, Ta Ch Pagoda, and Ganh Beach.
Vietnam in November is a great place to visit. Most of the country's peak international tourism begins during this month, and each part of the country has something different to offer. Let us know in the comments below what your favourite experience in Vietnam is.
