When Should I Travel to Vietnam?
When it comes to Vietnam, the weather is as diverse as the country's geography, with temperatures and rainfall varying significantly from north to south. No matter when you travel you’ll be hot, wet, or cool at some stage (well not always cool, it is the tropics).
We find Vietnam the one country where it’s really hard to suggest a best month to visit as you travel through different climate zones on your journey. Really you can travel throughout the year and so without giving a definitive ‘here’s the two months when it’s best to travel’ read on to get confused or gain clarity on when you choose to visit.
You’ll see that all times of year require a bit of a compromise. Go early in the year for cooler weather and less rain but it might cold and misty in the north and you might not be swimming at Halong Bay. March to May are the hottest time of year in the south. And for the whole second half of the year it is likely to be raining somewhere.
One point we always like to make is about the wet season in South East Asia. While the rainfall numbers are high it generally rains in huge downpours that last up to a few hours. A lot of rain also falls overnight. The rivers come to life and the rice fields start to flood. It is a beautiful time of year.
As always with weather there has to be a very loose following of averages. If a typhoon hits the Central Coast of Vietnam it will rain for days and there is likely to be flooding. Year to year variations are unpredictable. So don’t write to us complaining that the weather was no good on your trip. Despite our immense knowledge of Vietnam we do not control the weather!
Foggy Hanoi
Tourist Season
Firstly a quick note about tourist seasons. There are two main peak seasons in Vietnam. Dec-Mar is busy over Christmas/New Year and even more so over the Lunar New Year. The weather is cooler at this time of year. The other peak is Jul-Aug when Europeans have their summer holidays and Aussies and Kiwis escape their winter.
The North
Dec - Mar: cool to cold, misty, cloudy
Apr - Jun: warm to hot, clear skies, sunny
Jun - Aug: hot, humid, rainy
Sep - Nov: cool, clear skies, sunny
Want to visit Hanoi at the best time? Then plan your trip from April to June or from September to December! April days are hot and sunny, with temperatures occasionally reaching above 30 degrees. In September to November, you can explore the capital in perfect weather conditions with cooler temperatures of around 25 degrees and sunny skies. June can be a different story, with soaring temperatures and humidity highs of 40 degrees, plus the rainy season in full swing (June to August). Come December, you can enjoy a cool, misty and atmospheric vibe, but from late December until March, prepare for surprisingly cold temperatures with lows of 10 degrees. Better bring your warm layers!
For a splendid Halong Bay trip, aim for April-June or September-November when the weather is warm and dry. Other seasons might drench you with heavy rain or mist and even cancel your cruise due to a tropical storm. Yet, a trip on the water during this time is mystical as the fog shrouds the famous karsts. In January, temps can drop to chilly levels, so bundle up with warm layers!
Check out Sapa for a cooler climate in Vietnam's North, especially from December to March. You might even catch a rare snowfall in January, so bring your warmest gear. No worries though, hotels have heated blankets and herbal baths are offered at local spas to keep you cozy. For picture-perfect Sapa, plan your trip for late April when the flowers are in bloom and the skies are crystal clear. Or visit in early October to see the breathtaking rice paddies turn a golden hue just before harvest time.
When the weather gets hot, hit the beach.
Central Vietnam
Sep-Feb: cool to cold, rainy, cloudy
Mar-Aug: warm to hot, sunny, clear skies
Hue, the former seat of the Nguyen Dynasty, experiences a late rainy season, so expect wet and cool days with occasional storms from September to February. September to November can bring some flooding, so keep an eye on weather if traveling at this time. In the early months of the year, temperatures can drop to as low as 15 degrees and January can be a bit misty. But don't worry, the rest of the year is typically dry and warm.
Hoi An is a dreamy destination, but Central Vietnam's tropical storms hit hard from September. If you want to see Hoi An at its floral best, visit in March when the town is bursting with vibrant blooms and lush greenery. When it gets hot from May to August, head to the beach to beat the heat. From September to November, the town is drenched with rain and there are occasional small floods. Temperatures start to drop, hitting their lowest point in January, just before the Vietnamese New Year when it starts to warm up.
In the South when it rains it is still warm.
The South
May to Nov: sporadic rainfall, hot, humid
Dec to Apr: clear skies, hot, sunny
Ho Chi Minh City in maintains a consistent temperature all year round, typically around 30 degrees with plenty of sunshine. Expect some fresh and pleasant days early in the year, while mid-year can get pretty scorching. During the wet season from May to November, the city experiences a daily afternoon downpour that usually lasts a few hours. So, make sure you have an umbrella or raincoat handy!
Month by Month
January
Winter temperatures in the north with even snow possible in the mountain. Mild weather in the central and south.
January is peak tourism season so be sure to prebook as much as you can.
Tet Festival takes place late Jan or early Feb. Transport gets very busy and government offices and some businesses close. If you get your transport sorted well in advance you should be fine. But if you plan to travel at this time staying in one place and joining the fun is recommended.
February
Still quite cool in the north and mild but getting hot in the south.
Tet Festival takes place late Jan or early Feb. Transport gets very busy and government offices and some businesses close. If you get your transport sorted well in advance you should be fine. But if you plan to travel at this time staying in one place and joining the fun is recommended.
March
The north is still cool but pleasant while the south is getting very hot.
April
A very pleasant throughout most of the country however the south is in its hottest month.
Holiday of the Dead (Thanh Minh) - also known as the "Tomb-Sweeping Day," is an important traditional holiday dedicated to paying respects to ancestors and visiting their grave sites to perform rituals and offer tributes.
May
A great time for travelling in the north and centre. South Vietnam is very hot at this time and with rain increasing.
Buddha’s Birth, Enlightenment and Death (Phong Sinh) - an important Buddhist festival that takes places at temples. On the 15th day of the 4th lunar month.
June
The humidity and rains start to build but it’s still a fine time to travel and comes just before the mid-year peak tourism season.
Tet Doan Ngo - also known as the "Mid-Year Festival" it takes place on the 5th day of the 5th lunar month. The festival is a time for Vietnamese people to celebrate the arrival of summer, protect their health, and ward off negative energies.
Danang International Fireworks Festival - a huge festival and fireworks competition taking palce along the rivers and bridges of Danang. website
July
One of Vietnam’s peak tourism season kicks off during humid and wet weather. But the rain isn’t so bad and helps freshen the air after a humid day.
August
The hottest and wettest time of the year overall is also peak tourism season so book early and expect prices to be higher.
Wandering Souls Festival - also known as "Ngày Rằm" or "Vu Lan," is a significant Vietnamese Buddhist holiday observed on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month. It is a time when people pay respects to their deceased ancestors by making offerings, performing rituals, and releasing lit paper boats on water to guide wandering spirits back to the afterlife.
September
Peak season is past and the weather cools down. While the rain in Central Vietnam is still increasing, the north and south are heading out of the wet season.
Vietnam National Day (2 Sep) - big celebrations around the country including fireworks at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi.
Mid-Autumn Festival - taking place on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month so it can be in Sep or Oct. It features lantern parades, mooncake sharing, lion dances, and moon-gazing, symbolizing family unity, harvest season, and fostering a sense of community.
October
Generally nice clear weather in the north and south while the centre sees a lot of rain.
Mid-Autumn Festival - taking place on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month so it can be in Sep or Oct. It features lantern parades, mooncake sharing, lion dances, and moon-gazing, symbolizing family unity, harvest season, and fostering a sense of community.
November
Prime season for the south of Vietnam while the north starts cooling down and the centre rains are still at their peak.
December
Good weather in the south with it’s coolest days (still hot though) while the north gets very chilly and the centre is cool and rainy.
Peak season kicks in late in the month so you need to prebook as much as you can over the New Year period.
Christmas Day - there is a sizable Christian community in the south of Vietnam so Christmas is widely celebrated.
Vietnam’s average temperatures and rainfall for from north to south.
Empower your inner adventurer and DIY an awesome holiday in Vietnam.
