When is the best time to visit Vietnam

Vietnam weather & the best time to visit Vietnam

When you are planning for a vacation to Vietnam, you may wonder when is the best time to visit Vietnam for an enjoyable holiday ! The answer is anytime in any season depending on how you would like to spend your holidays : beach breaks, adventure travel or honeymoon.When you like to have suntan swimming in beautiful white sandy beaches, relax with fresh air from the sea,travelling to Da Nang, Nha Trang, Mui Ne or Phu Quoc island in between May and July (the hottest time of year with strong sunlight) could be a right choice, or you can escape yourselves for a romantic honeymoon or an adventure trekking tour  to cool highlands of breathtaking landscapes such as Sapa in the north or Da Lat in the south to avoid the heat of the lowlands.In this article, we will share about Vietnam's weather in different months,in different regions & best time to visit Vietnam for your good reference and plan well for your best exploration of Vietnam's beauty

Brief Information on Vietnam Weather Characteristics.

At a first glance, anyone knows that Vietnam is a long country, stretching vertically and is divided into three main distinct climate zones: North, Central and South.

In general, weather in Vietnam is deeply influenced by monsoon season which brings each region different weather characteristics, partly affected by the oceanic climate.

Therefore, even though Vietnam is located in tropical area and adjacent to the equator, the climate of Vietnam is still milder than that of a lot of countries that are located on the same latitude thanks to a winter season in the northern part.

Sunset in Lan Ha bay - the view from Cannon fort

Vietnam's climate in different regions

South Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City, The Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc & Con Dao, Phan Thiet & Mui Ne

The southern climate is featured by two main seasons : the rainy one(between May and November) and the dry one ( from December to April).The temperature does not fluctuate much in the south with average one of 33oC.Between March and May is the hottest time of the year. For tourists from the countries of cold winter, it could be a great way to enjoy warm weather with swimming or suntaning.

In the dry season (December – April ), it does not rain much, the sky is clear & blue, especially between January and March, there is almost no rainfall at all and you can expect a little lower temperature during those months.

The rainy season starts in May and ends in November, together with a lower temperature from September to February, so I would like to say that the best time to visit the south of Vietnam is from November to February –also the high season of tourist industry in Ho Chi Minh city.It is great to escape your frosting winter time of Chrismas or new year to spend your holiday in southern part of Vietnam for its warmer weather.

Ho Chi Minh city

Northern Vietnam : Far-North Mountain region & Red River Delta

Different from the southern Vietnam, the climate in the north of the country has four seasons : Spring (Feb –April), Summer (May- August), Autumn( September to October), Winter (November to January).Travelling to Northern Vietnam, you expect to have the hot & humid summer and the cool & dry winter, you may face up with some extreme weather phenomenons.If you visit Hanoi in June or July, you may encounter a really hot day of 40oC with sweating & sticky feeling! Or you travel to the far-northern highlands… in cold wintertime, the temperature may sometimes decrease below 0oC with snowing & frosting so that you should pre-check weather forecast and well-prepare yourselves with warm clothes before your trip to Northern Mountain Vietnam.

The best time to visit the north of Vietnam is in the spring ( Feb - April) & the autumn ( Sep- October) when the weather is pleasant without extreme climate phenomenons.

Central Vietnam: Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Quy Nhon, Nha Trang & Da Lat

Danang,Hoi An & Quy Nhon in the centre of Vietnam have hot and dry weather from mid-January to late August, with temperatures often reaching the mid-30's °C. During the months from September to December, the rainfall normally takes place and increases its peak levels in October & November, occasionally in the form of typhoons.

Hoi An ancient town

Hue is often cooler than Hoi An, especially early in the year. In addition, with each sitting on opposite sides of a small mountain range the weather can often differ between the two greatly on any given day.
Quy Nhon is a six hour drive south of Hoi An and shares a similar weather pattern although the dry season is slightly longer due to its proximity to the southern system.

At the far south of Central Vietnam, Nha Trang benefits from a longer dry season (typically January to September), with high temperatures and little rain . The rainy season runs from October to early December with almost half the annual rainfall falling in October and November.
Dalat, in the central highlands, is wet from June to October making outdoor pursuits problematic. From November to May it is far drier although cold in December & January.  

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Best time to visit Vietnam

When you’re planning a visit to different regions of Vietnam, then, you'd better do your real work to find the best time to visit Vietnam for your coming great Vietnam Vacation.

Then the best time to visit Vietnam for budget price is May, September & October, when you can expect a lot of hotel promotion, air ticket discount, Halong bay cruises' deals as well as cheaper Vietnam tours' prices.

For more information on where to go and what to do in each month in Vietnam, we’ve made a set of check-list for all 12 months to help you see in the easiest way where you can go in each month.

Vietnam Weather by Months & suggested places to visit in each month

January

Vietnam weather in January

January in Vietnam is one of the best months for tourism activities and also the month with the most diverse weather characteristics throughout the country. January is the first month of the year in the Solar calendar but the last month in Lunar year. This makes the atmosphere in Vietnam generally bustling, festive and happy.

Nghi Tam flower market in Hanoi

North Vietnam in January is blessed with the prime of winter which brings almost no rain, dry air and low temperature (avg. 10-15 degrees Celsius). Water activities in Halong Bay, Cat Ba island and other beaches in north Vietnam are quite impossible because of the cold temperature. In Sapa, there’s a chance that it might snow.

Central and South Vietnam in January are warmer than North Vietnam with average temperature at 20 and 30 degrees Celsius. If you’re seeking some tropical sunlight then we suggest you to go south.

Suggested places to visit in January

There are a lot of things to do in Vietnam from north to south in January. In north, you can enjoy the festive atmosphere when lunar new year coming so close. In central and south, beach paradises and pristine islands are in the best time for swimming, snorkeling and diving.

February

How is the weather like in February?

Not much different from January, February has dry, bright weather across the country with temperature raising southward. This month is also the first month of lunar new year, so you can you the festive atmosphere of the most important holiday in Vietnam everywhere you go.

North Vietnam still is in wintertime, clear skies with little rains which bring a certain romantic feeling to the new year since people say if it rains in the first day, the whole year will be lucky. Northern mountainous areas are covered in pastel colors of plum, apricot, peach blossoms with the backdrop of grey mountains.

Weather in Central and South Vietnam offers a great condition for a beach break with clear, sunny skies and warm sea water. The average temperature is from 25-27 degrees Celsius.

Vietnam's places to visit in February?

Like January, you can visit a lot of places in Vietnam during February, especially since February is a season of flowers. As mentioned, this month is lunar new year month, so you should visit major cities to enjoy the culture and cuisine. Come to north Vietnam plateaus to breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the natural landscape of spring blossoms. Drift south if you want to work on your tan and enjoy the water. Da Lat also sees a beautiful sight of cherry blossoms in this time of year.

March

Weather in Vietnam during March?

March is one of the best months to discover Vietnam with ideal weather suitable for all kinds of activities.
In North Vietnam, March is not as cold and dry as January and February while in central and south Vietnam, it’s warm and dry. March is the month that many festivals are held throughout the country, of which the most bustling and important is Perfume Pagoda festival. People from all parts of the country coming here to pray for luck, health and happiness in the upcoming year.

Many central coast cities in this time turn into a beach paradise with warm water, mild weather and pristine culture. Southern islands are still the places to go for high blue sky and sunny beach.

Vietnam's destination to admire in March?

It’s not difficult at all to choose where to visit in Vietnam in March - regarded as the best time to visit Vietnam.It’s the month for almost all destination both famous attractions and off-the-beaten-path destinations.

Tay Nguyen in this time has white coffee flowers season blooming all over the places and also the most bustling festival in the area – Elephant Racing Festival.

The central coastal line Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An is just in the right time for you to explore. If you want to visit south Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh city in March is perfect to visit.

April

Vietnam climate in April?

April marks the end of tourism peak season in Vietnam. It’s the last month of spring, wrapping up the festive season of Lunar New Year as well as the winter in North Vietnam. From this month onward, the average temperature and humidity throughout the country rise. Still, the weather in March is still much milder than summer months and there’re still many things to do and places to see in this time of year.

In North Vietnam, it’s getting warmer with less cold days, slightly rainier but you can expect plenty of dry days to see around. In Central and South Vietnam, it’s not different much from summer with average temperature 25-33 degrees Celsius.

April is also a historical month in Vietnam history, marking the reunification of the whole country after Vietnam-America War.

Places to visit in April?

Hanoi in April turns vibrant red with the flags and flowers everywhere you go. Perfume Pagoda in the suburb of Hanoi is also in the month it’s most beautiful and less crowded since the festival ended.

April is also the month to visit Vietnam best beaches and islands like Halong Bay, Co To Island and Ly Son. In north Vietnam, it’s the time farmers watering the rice fields, making a gorgeous sight of nature.

In central Vietnam, April is most ideal to visit Da Nang city with average temperature of 27-29 degrees Celsius. The beaches have blue water and calm waves. 

May

How is the weather like in May?

May is the month right before summer hits north Vietnam. You can see the season changing in north Vietnam so blatantly and beautifully. The sun shines, nice breezes and temperature rises slightly to 30 degrees Celsius. However, you can barely feel the heat in early May. The rain happens more frequently but also end quickly.

Throughout the country, the summer holiday for students is about to start so you can feel a certain excitement of Vietnamese people. In central and south Vietnam, the rain starts to happen more but not as frequently as the north. May is great time to visit the major cities of Vietnam.

Like April, May is also a historical month with two important events: Dien Bien Phu Victory on May 7 and Ho Chi Minh’s Birthday on May 19.

Top places to visit in May?

Come to mountainous areas in north Vietnam to see the terraced rice fields turn into mirroring patches filled with water in preparation for the next crop. This sight in Mu Cang Chai is just heavenly to beholders. Visit Ninh Binh for its butterfly season from late April and May. Beach paradise like Nha Trang and pristine island like Cat Ba have the best condition of sea water for you to enjoy.

June

Vietnam weather in June?

June is the first month of summertime in Vietnam, overwhelming you with a serious rise of temperature and humidity. This month also belongs to the wetter southwest monsoon in Vietnam, starting from May and ending in October. The rain will be much more frequent with intensity, storms might happen at the end of hottest days. When it’s sunny the skies are clear and blue, suitable for photo taking.

In northern mountain areas, there is a real threat of landslides and flash floods so we suggest you to stick to the lowlands or southern Vietnam for safest conditions.

Best places to visit in June?

Halong bay, southern islands, coastal line cities are the best destinations in Vietnam during June. Con Dao island has not only endless blue beaches but in this month, it’s the month of turtles hatching season. Halong Bay is bluer than ever and Da Lat is one of the best place to stay away from the heat and enjoy the cool air.

Coastal cities have not only pristine beaches but also rich local culture. Nha Trang, Da Nang and Hoi An are the best places to go in this month.

July

Weather in Vietnam in July?

Temperature in July can reach to 40 degrees on hottest day and last just below that all the way until midnight. Like June, downpours happen around day’s end often with strong winds and thunders which might pose certain threats.

However, this month is perfect to enjoy beach break across the country. You can choose the hottest days for a little trip to Halong, Phu Quoc or Nha Trang. In south Vietnam, the rainy season just hits its peak with daily downpours, especially in Mekong Delta. Central Vietnam enjoys a decent weather with sunny, warm weather with less rain than north Vietnam.

Vietnam's places to visit in July?

Halong Bay, Cat Ba Island, and Southern Islands are the best places to enjoy the cool ocean, sunny skies and savory seafood. July is also a great time to visit the cities of the central coastal line: Da Nang, Hoi An and Hue.

While major cities are places you should avoid because the heat might make you exhausted. Floods and landslides in northwest can happen after long, heavy rains.

August

Vietnam weather in August?

The temperature in August is still high but not as severe as in June and July and the rains can cool down the heat. Temperature ranges from 27 to 32 degrees in Hanoi and slightly lower in Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh city.

In Mekong Delta, August marks the start of the flooding season caused by the Mekong River. Life slowly comes back to the wet forests, swamps, and plains. Storms might happen in north and central of Vietnam. While rainy season still goes on northwest mountainous areas.

Where to visit in August?

August is a great month to explore the caves in Phong Nha Ke Bang and Halong Bay, relax on the white beaches of Cat Ba island, Nha Trang, strolling the ancient town of Hoi An and have fun with sand sliding in Mui Ne. However, Mekong Delta isn’t ideal since it’s the rainy season in this month while trekking to mountainous areas in north Vietnam can be dangerous. When there’re typhoons, stay away from coastal beaches of the area where the typhoons hit.

September

How is the weather like in September?

As one of the best months to visit Vietnam, September offers diverse weather conditions and natural landscape features across the country. September is also the ending of summer with the temperature dropping significantly. In northern Vietnam, there is still rain but not as heavy as rain in June – August. While in central highlands, it rains more frequently. In the south, rain is less and less while Mekong Delta enters in its flooding season.

Cat Ba Island and Halong Bay have great conditions to enjoy the water and the scenery. Mountainous areas start their harvesting season: terraced rice fields turning golden.

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Vietnam's places to admire in September?

Northwest Vietnam in general and Mu Cang Chai, in particular, becomes a real cultural paradise with its gorgeous endless terraced rice fields and rich local culture. Bach Ma National Park in Hue should be your off-the-beaten-path to explore. Mekong Delta is just so beautiful in the flooding season. September brings a romantic atmosphere to Hanoi.

Phong Nha Ke Bang is closed in its flooding season (September – November) and Hoi An suffers more rains in this month.

October

Weather in Vietnam during October?

Autumn officially arrives in North Vietnam when October starts: the skies are blue, cooler breezes and bountiful treats. Rain is lesser, the air is drier and temperature drops a little bit further.

The beauty of the northwest in October is in its prime. When you go to higher altitude, the air gets chillier. In central Vietnam cities like Hue, Hoi An and Da Nang, the rain continues but doesn’t make these cities any less beautiful than themselves in any other month.

In the south, the average temperature is fixed at 24-31 degrees Celsius with much less rain.

Top destinations in October?

Ha Giang appeals to visitors from all over the world with its beauty of golden terraced rice fields and pink fields of buckwheat flowers. Hanoi is best to visit in autumn and trekking in Sapa would be too strenuous when the heat is gone.

In October, Da Lat becomes a romantic foggy town with all the colorful flowers blooming. Ba Be Lake and Ban Gioc Waterfall show their full beauty in this time of year.

November

How is the weather like during November?

If you’re planning to visit Vietnam in November, you should expect to stay longer than you plan. Because Vietnam in November is incredibly beautiful.

In the north, the flowers start to bloom when the temperature drops even further down, the air is clearer and humidity is lower. Central Vietnam is still in the rainy season but it’s not a reason to not visit these destinations, in fact, people visit Hoi An for the rain. South Vietnam sees sunny weather, suitable for all kinds of activities.

Where is Vietnam's best places to visit in November?

There are a lot of places to visit in Vietnam in November from north to south. Hanoi still can enchant its visitors with its nostalgic, transparent autumn. Northwest Vietnam takes the cake as the best destination to visit in this month, boasting the unique ethnic culture and traditions. In the south, beaches and islands offer calm waves and cool water to stay away from the tropical heat.

December

How is the weather like in December?

As the most suitable month to visit Vietnam with the least rain, you can visit many destinations in Vietnam without any weather hindrances. December is the beginning of winter in north Vietnam, average temperature dropping down to 20 degrees Celsius, with bright skies and chilly breezes.

In central Vietnam, the rainy season has ceased, returning the beaches to their original beauties. The average temperature is about 24 degrees Celsius.

In the south, the sunny days continue with a temperature of 26 degrees Celsius, sunny days and less humidity.

Vietnam's places to visit in December?

If you want to stay away from the winter in North Vietnam, head south for some sunny beaches and warm water in Phu Quoc island. However, if the cold doesn’t bother you, then Moc Chau is the best place in North Vietnam to explore the nature and culture of Vietnam.

Ban Gioc waterfall, the most beautiful waterfall in Vietnam is still a true beauty in this time of year. Perfume Pagoda sees a poetic beauty of Yen river covered in full lilies blooms. Visiting Perfume Pagoda in its off-season is just so relaxing and you can truly appreciate nature.

We hope that this Vietnam weather information : Best time to visit Vietnam, Vietnam climate in different months.... is useful for you to plan your vacation toVietnam. If you are in need of travel consultancy or Vietnam travel service of car transfer, Vietnam Tour Packages,feel free to drop us email to goldenholidaytravel.vn@gmail.com or contact us at +84.988451530 (whatsapp, viber), we are pleased to support you.

We wish you an enjoyable Vietnam holiday of lifetime experiences !

Golden Holiday Travel Team