Ho Chi Minh City in November: Season Transition, Marathon Month & Improving Weather

November is the transition month — rain easing significantly (47% chance), humidity dropping, and the city beginning its return to the comfortable dry-season character. The HCMC International Marathon is held in November; the Vietnam Culture Day cultural events take place on the 24th; and the city’s restaurant and bar scene is picking up as conditions improve. November is one of the best underrated months to visit — better conditions than October with lower prices than January.

Weather in Ho Chi Minh City in November

• Temperature: 23–31°C (74–88°F) — easing from the wet-season peak
• Rainfall: Moderate (47% chance) — transitional month
• Humidity: 80%
• Wind: 9.6 mph
• Daylight: 11.6 hours

Events in November

• Vietnam Culture Day (24 November): Cultural performances and events at the Opera House and cultural centres across the city
• HCMC International Marathon (November): One of Vietnam’s largest running events; the course runs through the city centre including past the major historic landmarks
• Saigon International Guitar Festival: Concert series featuring Vietnamese and international performers at various venues

Best Things to Do in Ho Chi Minh City in November

Cu Chi Tunnels

November is one of the better wet-season months for Cu Chi — the rain is easing and the morning window is increasingly reliable. The wet-season lushness of the forest around the tunnels is still present; the tunnel paths are drying out from October’s peak. A 7–8 AM departure gives a comfortable half-day at the complex with the tunnel crawl-throughs, the above-ground displays, and the historical presentation. November’s lower visitor numbers (pre-dry-season) give the tunnel guides more time per group for an attentive, contextual visit.

Ben Thanh Market

November’s Ben Thanh Market is transitioning from the wet-season produce abundance to the dry-season variety — the tropical fruit stalls have their last mangosteens and the first citrus and sapodilla of the approaching dry season. The market in November has a good everyday character; the night market (from 6 PM) in November’s increasingly comfortable evenings is excellent street food at the year’s improving conditions. A morning Ben Thanh visit followed by the War Remnants Museum (10 minutes’ walk) covers a strong morning programme in increasingly comfortable November weather.

Bui Vien & Evening Culture

November is one of the best months for Bui Vien’s evening walking street — the rain is less frequent, the humidity is dropping, and the evenings are genuinely comfortable for outdoor bar-sitting and street food. The Saigon International Guitar Festival brings live music to various venues across the city; the Opera House on Dong Khoi Street programmes November cultural performances worth checking. The combination of the cultural events (Vietnam Culture Day, Guitar Festival, Marathon) and the improving weather makes November one of HCMC’s most rewarding months for visitors who want more than just the historic sites.

Also Worth Doing

• HCMC Marathon: Good for spectators as well as runners — the route through the city centre historic district passes the Opera House, Reunification Palace, and Notre Dame Cathedral
• Mekong Delta day trip: November’s improving weather makes the Mekong Delta day trip viable again — the floating markets and river life are good value for the 2-hour distance from the city
• Reunification Palace: November’s lower temperatures make the palace gardens and exterior more pleasant; a morning palace visit before the Vietnam Culture Day events makes a good combination

Practical Tips for November

• Best underrated month: November combines good weather (improving fast), lower prices than the dry season, and active cultural events — a strong alternative to January for value-conscious visitors
• Marathon weekend: The race closes parts of the city centre; book accommodation and restaurants away from the route if not participating
• Evenings are the reward: November evenings are the first good outdoor dining conditions since March — use them for the best outdoor street food and riverside dining of the transitional season