Hoi An Flood Season: What Foreigners Need to Know

💡 Central Vietnam's flood season peaks in October and November, with Hoi An Ancient Town regularly seeing water on its main streets. If you are there when it floods: move valuables to upper floors, avoid wading in floodwater, and follow hotel staff guidance. For any medical emergency, call 115.

When does Hoi An flood, and how often?

The UK Government's official Vietnam travel advice confirms that seasonal flooding in central Vietnam peaks in October and November. Tropical cyclones can affect the eastern coast from May to November, though October and November bring the most persistent rain and the highest flood risk for Hoi An.

Hoi An sits at the mouth of the Thu Bon River, on a low-lying floodplain. A significant rainfall event upstream, or a typhoon offshore, can push the river over its banks and into the ancient town streets within hours. This is not unusual: the town has coexisted with seasonal flooding for centuries, and local traders and guesthouses are practiced at responding quickly.

What happens to Ancient Town streets when Hoi An floods?

Bach Dang Street along the riverfront fills first, followed by Tran Phu, Nguyen Thai Hoc, and the narrow lanes connecting them. In a moderate flood, water on the main streets reaches ankle to shin height. In a severe year, knee-deep water or higher is possible across much of the old quarter.

Hotels and guesthouses in the old quarter have standard flood responses. They move furniture to upper levels, stack sandbags at doors, and keep guests informed. Street vendors and shop owners do the same within minutes of the water rising: they have long experience with this. Many restaurants simply shift tables upstairs and keep operating.

Many buildings in the old quarter have painted flood-level marks on their walls, showing how high the water reached in past years. These are a genuine historical record and a reminder that serious flooding is a recurring feature of life in Hoi An, not a rare disaster.

Is it safe to stay in Hoi An during flood season?

Staying in Hoi An between October and November does not mean your trip will be ruined by flooding: many visitors travel through the full season with only heavy rain. But you should prepare for the possibility.

Choose accommodation on an upper floor, or confirm your guesthouse has one you can access quickly. Pack your passport, cash, cards, and electronics in a waterproof bag you can grab fast. Take out travel insurance before you travel: most policies require you to buy cover before a named storm is announced, not after.

If a major typhoon is forecast to make landfall near Hoi An, official storm track and flood warnings are published by Vietnam's National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting at nchmf.gov.vn. Your hotel will receive these alerts and should advise you directly.

What should you do when you are in Hoi An and the water starts to rise?

The moment you see the street outside is wet from rising river water rather than rainwater runoff, take these steps:

• Move your passport, phone, cash, and cards to the highest accessible shelf or upper floor immediately. Do not wait to see how high it gets.
• Do not wade through floodwater unless absolutely necessary. Drains and manholes may be open and invisible under the surface. Fallen power lines can electrify standing water. This is the same guidance the UK Government gives for any flood situation.
• Stay in your accommodation and follow staff guidance. Hoi An guesthouses deal with flooding every year: they know when to sandbag, when to move guests upstairs, and when the water will recede.
• Keep your phone charged and check your accommodation's front desk or group chat for updates. Mobile networks generally stay operational during normal flooding events.
• If you need to leave urgently, use a Grab car rather than a motorbike through deep water.

Emergency contacts for foreigners in Hoi An during a flood

Save these numbers before you travel. Operators answer in Vietnamese - ask hotel staff to make the call on your behalf if there is a language barrier.

• 115 - Ambulance, 24/7, nationwide. Call for any medical emergency.
• 113 - Police, 24/7. Use for crime, a serious incident, or to file a report for insurance purposes.
• 112 - National search and rescue line, for serious disaster situations such as a major flood or typhoon. Note: this is not a general emergency line. The full guide to Vietnam's emergency numbers is at the Da Nang Help hub.
• (0236) 3 550 111 - Da Nang Tourist Support Center, 108 Bach Dang, Da Nang. English assistance available; can help foreigners navigate the local emergency response. Confirm this number is still current before relying on it.

The nearest major hospitals to Hoi An are in Da Nang, roughly 30 km north. For help navigating a Vietnamese hospital with a language barrier, see Da Nang Help: hospital interpreter assistance.

FAQ

Is Hoi An Ancient Town still worth visiting during flood season?

Yes, for most of the season. October and November bring rain and flood risk, but many visitors see only atmospheric weather rather than serious inundation. The old town is beautiful in the off-season and far less crowded than summer. Travel with an upper-floor room, a waterproof bag for your documents, and travel insurance, and you can manage the risk well.

How long does a Hoi An flood usually last?

A typical event driven by sustained heavy rain lasts one to three days before the Thu Bon River recedes. After a direct typhoon hit, flooding can persist longer. The guesthouse staff will tell you when conditions are safe enough to move around outside: local experience is the most reliable guide to timing.

Should I evacuate Hoi An if a typhoon warning is issued?

Follow official guidance and your accommodation's instructions. If a category 3 or stronger typhoon is forecast to make direct landfall near Hoi An, local authorities may issue evacuation orders for low-lying areas. Your hotel or guesthouse will advise you. If you choose to leave early, a Grab or bus to Da Nang or inland are common options. Check nchmf.gov.vn for official storm track and landfall forecasts.

What if my belongings are damaged by flooding: can I claim on travel insurance?

That depends on your specific policy. Most travel insurance covers trip disruption and damage caused by natural disasters, but requirements vary by provider. Document everything: photograph flood damage, get a written statement from your accommodation, and keep proof of any cancelled transport bookings. See the Da Nang Help travel insurance guide for the full documentation checklist.

Are there flood warning signs in Hoi An Ancient Town?

Yes. Many buildings in the old quarter display painted or etched flood marks on their walls showing how high the water reached in past years - typically dated and labelled in Vietnamese. These are useful for understanding how serious the town's flooding history is. For live warnings, the official source is nchmf.gov.vn; your hotel's staff will also receive local alert notifications.

Official sources

• UK Government, Vietnam travel advice: safety and security - confirms seasonal flooding peaks in October and November in central Vietnam, and that tropical cyclones affect the eastern coast from May to November. Verified September 2026.
• Vietnam National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF, nchmf.gov.vn) - the official Vietnamese government weather authority, publishing live typhoon tracks and flood warnings. Verified September 2026.