Is Vietnam Good to Visit in November? Weather, Crowds & Prices
✅ Last verified on-the-ground: 2026-07-17
Yes, November is a genuinely good month to visit Vietnam, but only if you pick the right region. The country is roughly 1,650 km long, and the weather in November splits cleanly into three stories: the south is drying out into its best window, the centre is winding down from typhoon season, and the north is sliding into cool, dry autumn. If you are flying in for a 10 to 14 day trip, the south and the north are the plays; the centre (Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang) is the gamble. For related planning, see our guide on Sea Backpacking Hub.
Quick Answers
| What | Answer | Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Is November a good month overall? | Yes, especially south and north | ₹18,000 (~$186.86) round trip (Delhi. HCMC) |
| Best region in November | Southern Vietnam (HCMC, Mekong, Phu Quoc, Mui Ne) | ₹920 (~250,000 VND or ~$9.55) dorm bed |
| Worst region in November | Central coast (Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang) | ₹552 (~150,000 VND or ~$5.73) dorm bed |
| Is it monsoon season anywhere? | Centre winding down, south still sees late showers | , |
| Should I book Ha Long Bay in November? | Yes, calmest seas of the year | ₹1,288 (~350,000 VND or ~$13.37) day tour |
Price snapshots are checked against Booking.com and Agoda for the date of publication. FX used: 1 VND ≈ ₹0.0037 (1 INR ≈ 268 VND). Dorm beds reflect Hanoi and HCMC mid-November rates. You may also find Monsoon Travel Guide for Indian Backpackers June October Deals Trends Tips useful for this trip.
Region-by-Region Weather in November
Vietnam does not have one climate in November. It has three, and the further north or south you fly, the more different the trip will feel. See also: Visiting Vietnam in June Weather Crowds Prices What to Expect.
Northern Vietnam (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa, Ninh Binh)
November in the north is cool and dry, the most comfortable month of the year after the brutal August heat and the September typhoons. Hanoi sits around 18 to 24°C during the day and drops to 14 to 17°C at night. Rainfall drops to roughly 40 mm for the whole month, and the fog that rolls through Ha Long Bay on a few early mornings usually burns off by 10 a.m. For related planning, see our guide on Dalat Weather By Month Best Time Highland Escape.
- Hanoi: 18 to 24°C, mostly dry, light jacket weather at night
- Ha Long Bay: 17 to 23°C, calm seas, occasional morning fog
- Sapa: 12 to 18°C, clear mountain views, can drop to 8°C at night
- Ninh Binh: 18 to 25°C, dry, ideal for cycling and boat rides You may also find Vietnam February Weather Month By Month useful for this trip.
This is the window northern Vietnam locals look forward to. The rice terraces in Sapa and Mu Cang Chai are post-harvest, the crowds thin out from the October peak, and the cafes in Hanoi’s Old Quarter finally have open windows.
Central Vietnam (Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang, Da Lat)
Central Vietnam in November is the weather gamble. Typhoon season officially runs from August through November, and while the worst of it is usually September and October, you can still get a tropical depression in the first or second week of November that drops 200 to 300 mm of rain in 48 hours and floods Hoi An’s old town ankle-deep.
- Hue: 20 to 25°C, high humidity, 300 to 400 mm rain expected
- Hoi An: 22 to 26°C, river can flood after heavy rain
- Da Nang: 22 to 26°C, occasional typhoon warnings
- Da Lat (highland): 15 to 22°C, misty mornings, light rain
By late November the typhoon risk drops sharply, and the second half of the month is often genuinely pleasant. The first half is where trips get cancelled and Hoi An’s lantern-lit riverside turns into a wading pool.
Southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong, Phu Quoc, Mui Ne)
Southern Vietnam in November is the sweet spot. The southwest monsoon is fading, daily downpours are shorter and less frequent, and humidity is still high but not the suffocating wall of October. Ho Chi Minh City sees 4 to 7 days of meaningful rain in November versus 15+ in September.
- HCMC: 25 to 32°C, 4 to 7 rain days, humidity dropping
- Mekong Delta (Ben Tre, Can Tho): 25 to 31°C, river levels normal, floating markets in full swing
- Phu Quoc: 26 to 30°C, sea calm by mid-month, beach weather returns
- Mui Ne: 25 to 31°C, dry and sunny, sand dunes accessible
If you are picking one region for a November trip and you want guaranteed beach or boat weather, this is it.
Month-by-Month Breakdown
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Cost Level (₹/night dorm) | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | Wet everywhere, typhoons central | Low | Budget (₹600-₹900 (~$6.23-$9.34)) | Cheapest, riskiest |
| October | North drying, centre still wet, south rain tapering | Low-Medium | Budget (₹600-₹1,000 (~$6.23-$10.38)) | Mixed bag |
| November | North dry, centre risky, south drying | Medium | Shoulder (₹800-₹1,200 (~$8.30-$12.46)) | Strong pick, region matters |
| December | Dry everywhere, north cold | Medium-High | Shoulder-Peak (₹1,000-₹1,500 (~$10.38-$15.57)) | Best all-round month |
| January | Dry, north cool, south perfect | High | Peak (₹1,200-₹1,800 (~$12.46-$18.69)) | Peak season, book ahead |
| February | Dry, Tet season overlap | High | Peak (₹1,400-₹2,000 (~$14.53-$20.76)) | Tet, prices spike |
November in Vietnam: Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Southern Vietnam enters its best 4-month window (Nov to Feb) for beaches, boat rides, and the Mekong
- Northern Vietnam cools down to comfortable daytime temperatures, with clear skies and the lowest typhoon risk of the cool season
- Shoulder-season pricing on flights and hostels, lower than December and January
- Rice terraces around Sapa and Mu Cang Chai are post-harvest and still photogenic in early November
- Phu Quoc’s sea is calmest of the year, ideal for snorkel tours
Cons:
- Central Vietnam (Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang) can still get hit by a late typhoon, particularly in the first two weeks
- Rain in Hoi An can flood Ancient Town’s narrow lanes and shut riverside restaurants for a day
- November is a transition month, so packing for Hanoi (jacket) and HCMC (shorts) in the same trip means two wardrobes
- Some Mekong boat tours operate reduced schedules in early November while river levels stabilise
- Late-month bookings around Western Christmas start to tighten, especially in Hanoi and HCMC
On-the-ground detail: Flight prices from Delhi or Mumbai to HCMC in November hover around ₹18,000 (~$186.86) to ₹24,000 (~$249.15) round trip on VietJet or Indigo, roughly 20 percent below December. Hanoi routes are similar. Ha Long Bay day tours drop to ₹2,944-₹4,416 (~800,000-1,200,000 VND or ~$30.56-$45.84) in November before the December holiday surge. Hoi An dorm beds at places like Tribee Bana Hostel sit at ₹552-₹736 (~150,000-200,000 VND or ~$5.73-$7.64) versus 250,000+ VND in January.
What to Pack Specifically for November
November is a packing puzzle because you can plausibly need a fleece and sunscreen in the same trip.
- Light fleece or hoodie: Hanoi and Sapa nights drop to 12 to 16°C
- Compact rain jacket: Not a poncho, a proper shell. November central Vietnam can drop 50 mm in a single afternoon
- Quick-dry trousers and shirts: Humidity is still high in the south, cotton stays damp for hours
- Sandals that grip: Hoi An floods mean rubber sandals you can wade in beat leather boots
- Sunscreen (SPF 30+): The UV index in southern Vietnam stays at 9 to 11 even in November
- Universal adapter: Vietnam uses Type A, C, and D. A single multi-adapter saves the daily outlet hunt
- Mosquito repellent with DEET: Mekong and Phu Quoc mosquitoes do not care what month it is
Subodh’s Pro Tip: If you are doing north-to-south in one trip, ship a jacket home from Hanoi before flying to HCMC. Hostels let you store bags for free on checkout day, and carrying a fleece through 32°C Ho Chi Minh is a punishment.
Season Costs Comparison
| Item | Peak Season (Dec-Feb) | Shoulder Season (Nov) | Low Season (May-Oct) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight (Delhi. Hanoi, round trip) | ₹26,000 (~$269.91) | ₹18,000 (~$186.86) | ₹14,000 (~$145.33) |
| Dorm bed (Hanoi) | ₹1,288 (~350,000 VND or ~$13.37) | ₹920 (~250,000 VND or ~$9.55) | ₹662 (~180,000 VND or ~$6.88) |
| Dorm bed (Hoi An) | ₹920 (~250,000 VND or ~$9.55) | ₹552 (~150,000 VND or ~$5.73) | ₹386 (~105,000 VND or ~$4.01) |
| Dorm bed (HCMC) | ₹1,104 (~300,000 VND or ~$11.46) | ₹810 (~220,000 VND or ~$8.40) | ₹552 (~150,000 VND or ~$5.73) |
| Dorm bed (Da Nang) | ₹920 (~250,000 VND or ~$9.55) | ₹662 (~180,000 VND or ~$6.88) | ₹442 (~120,000 VND or ~$4.58) |
| Ha Long Bay day tour | ₹5,520 (~1,500,000 VND or ~$57.30) | ₹3,680 (~1,000,000 VND or ~$38.20) | ₹2,944 (~800,000 VND or ~$30.56) |
| Phu Quoc snorkel tour | ₹4,416 (~1,200,000 VND or ~$45.84) | ₹3,312 (~900,000 VND or ~$34.38) | ₹2,576 (~700,000 VND or ~$26.74) |
| Banh mi (street) | ₹92 (~25,000 VND or ~$0.96) | ₹92 (~25,000 VND or ~$0.96) | ₹74 (~20,000 VND or ~$0.76) |
| Pho (street bowl) | ₹147 (~40,000 VND or ~$1.53) | ₹147 (~40,000 VND or ~$1.53) | ₹129 (~35,000 VND or ~$1.34) |
| Bottled water (500ml) | ₹26 (~7,000 VND or ~$0.27) | ₹26 (~7,000 VND or ~$0.27) | ₹18 (~5,000 VND or ~$0.19) |
November pricing tracks about 20 to 30 percent below December peak. Dorm beds in the south tend to be cheaper than the north in November because the central coast and south compete for the same weather-conscious backpackers.
Where to Eat in November
You will be eating through the same restaurants in Hanoi or HCMC regardless of month, but a few spots are worth flagging because they handle the November shoulder-season crowd well.
Hanoi and the north:
For authentic northern Vietnamese food, the family-style setup at Hello Hanoi Restaurant in the Old Quarter serves pho, bun cha, and bun dau the way locals eat them, no English menu, no frills. The vegetarian set menu at Nhà An is the cleanest plant-based option in central Hanoi, with vegan versions of bun cha and pho that do not feel like an afterthought. The classic Hanoi breakfast of pho ga and a strong Vietnamese coffee costs ₹129-₹184 (~35,000-50,000 VND or ~$1.34-$1.91) at a street stall or ₹221-₹331 (~60,000-90,000 VND or ~$2.29-$3.44) in a sit-down place.
Ho Chi Minh City and the south:
In District 1, Vietnamese Soul Food runs a tight menu of southern street classics, including banh xeo and com tam, at the kind of prices backpackers need (₹221-₹368 (~60,000-100,000 VND or ~$2.29-$3.82) a dish). Hong Hoai’s Restaurant in District 3 is the safer call for groups who want a sit-down meal with a non-spicy menu that still covers Vietnamese staples.
For the dal-chawal fix:
Vegetarian restaurant in HCMC is the go-to for a quiet, all-veg meal when the Vietnamese food has been too much fish sauce and lemongrass. Now Restaurant - Nhà hàng Cơm Niêu in Da Lat serves Vietnamese hotpot and claypot rice that works for vegetarians if you flag it on arrival. Aldente DaLat is the Italian fallback in the highlands, a small pasta-and-pizza kitchen that handles vegetarians cleanly and gives a break from rice three meals a day.
Getting Connected
A working SIM is non-negotiable in November for checking real-time typhoon and flood alerts, especially if you are anywhere along the central coast. Viettel and Mobifone tourist SIMs at the airport cost ₹368-₹552 (~100,000-150,000 VND or ~$3.82-$5.73) for 30 days with 3 to 5 GB/day. Pickup at the airport kiosk takes 10 minutes. If you would rather not queue after a 5-hour flight from Delhi, an eSIM is the cleaner option. Get Nomad eSIM lets you activate before takeoff and land online.
FAQ
Is November a rainy month in Vietnam?
It depends on the region. The south is drying out, the north is dry, and the centre is winding down from typhoon season. If you want to avoid rain, fly into Hanoi or HCMC, not Da Nang.
Is Ha Long Bay worth visiting in November?
Yes, this is one of the best months for it. Seas are calm, skies are clear by mid-morning, and day tour prices are 20 to 30 percent below December. The only risk is a foggy morning that delays boats for an hour or two.
What should I wear in Vietnam in November?
Pack for two climates. Hanoi and Sapa need a light fleece at night, while HCMC and Phu Quoc need linen and sunscreen. A compact rain jacket is essential if you are touching the central coast.
Is it safe to travel to Vietnam in November?
Vietnam is generally safe for Indian travellers year-round. The main November risk is weather-related: typhoon warnings in the central coast and localised flooding in Hoi An. Check the Indian Ministry of External Affairs travel advisory (mea.gov.in) and the Vietnamese government’s own updates before departure, and monitor alerts daily if you are in Hue, Da Nang, or Hoi An during the first half of the month.
Are prices higher in November than October?
Slightly. October is the low-season floor, November is shoulder season, and December jumps to peak. Expect flights and hostels to be 10 to 15 percent above October rates but well below the December-January peak.
Should I book Vietnam in November or December?
December is the cleaner all-round choice if your dates are flexible. November is the better value pick if you are willing to skip the central coast and focus on the south and north, where weather is reliably good.
Can I get a Vietnam e-Visa in November?
Yes, Vietnam e-Visas for Indian passport holders are open year-round. Apply at least 3 business days before departure via the official portal: https://evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. The fee is ₹2,408 (~25 USD) for a 90-day, multiple-entry visa. No visa-on-arrival is available for Indian passport holders, pre-apply online.
Subodh’s Take
November is the smartest month to book a Vietnam trip if you are working with a backpacker budget and can route around the central coast. Skip Hue and Hoi An for this one window, build a route that starts in Hanoi and Ha Long, flies south to HCMC, and finishes with 3 nights in Phu Quoc, and you will have dry weather from start to finish at shoulder-season prices. The first half of the month is the gamble in central Vietnam; the second half is genuinely good everywhere except the far north highlands. Pick the dates that match your route, not the other way around.
Safety Alert: Before you fly, check the latest India MEA travel advisory for Vietnam (mea.gov.in) and the official Vietnamese government advisory page. November weather shifts week to week, and a tropical depression in the first 10 days can disrupt Da Nang, Hue, and Hoi An flights. Have a 24-hour buffer in your itinerary if you are flying through Da Nang.
