Best Time to Travel to Vietnam

Last Updated: June 10,2020

If your trip to Vietnam involves a tour of the entire country, it's difficult to decide the best time to travel to Vietnam. This is because Vietnam is a long, narrow shape country comprising of 3 different regions i.e. north, south and central. Each one has different climatic conditions and season throughout the year. This guide will help you out to make your mind regarding the trip.

The beautiful country of Vietnam is enjoyable throughout the year, however, if you are planning to do outdoor activities like trekking etc. it is very important to have an idea about the weather condition of each region. In North and Hanoi, months from November to April are dry and cool whereas duration from May to October is usually hot and humid with heavy rainfalls. Similarly, far north is cold during December & January. Central Vietnam has a different weather condition. Here, from January till August weather is dry and hot with the temperature hitting in mid-30°C's while from September to November there is usually high rainfall. Southern Vietnam is dry between November and April and warm from May to October with maximum rainfall in June to August.

Mountainous Far North

Mu Cang Chai, Sapa, Ha Giang, Bac Ha

The climate in Mu Cang Chai (north-west of Vietnam) and Sapa is separated into two seasons: October to end of March is dry while the wet season lasts from April to September. The best and recommended time to travel in north-east (Ha Giang) is during October to April, the dry season. However, even among these months December and January are very cold and frosty especially at nights and it's better to avoid traveling during this time. The wet season is filled with heavy rains and it can ruin many of your plans, therefore, they are not recommended.

Trekking and adventure:

Trekking and cycling in Sapa and Mu Cang Chai is possible throughout the year although winters are chilly and frosty, and summers are rather wet with heavy rains, therefore, the recommended duration is from September to November or March to May. During this time the temperature is around 15-28°C in daytime and 10-18°C at night. This is ideal for trekking, cycling or other similar outdoor activities.

Vietnam tours which include Sapa:

North of Vietnam: 9 days Hanoi - Sapa - Ninh Binh - Halong Bay

Northern off the beaten track: 15 days Hanoi - Sapa - Halong Bay - Hue - Hoi An - Mekong Delta - Ho Chi Minh City

All these can be customized according to your interests, schedule, budget and hotel taste etc. Contact us for a super customized tour!

North Vietnam

Cuc Phuong, Mai Chau, Hanoi, Halong Bay, & Ninh Binh

The winters and summers in Hanoi and North Vietnam are distinct. November to April are usually dry, hot months with temperatures around 17-22°C while January to March are recorded to be coldest

May to October is summer time which has a maximum number of rainfalls, especially from July to September. Although such conditions are rare sometimes the weather can be severe enough to prevent junk sailing in Halong Bay.

Halong Bay weather tips:

Halong Bay is usually covered in fog this is good for the temperature but it reduces visibility. Skies are usually clear and blue from March to May, with pleasant weather. Summer lasts from May to November which is hot and humid with drizzling in afternoons. The remaining time i.e. from December to February, the weather is quite cold. Spring or autumn is the best time to travel. Clear skies and warm days are the perfect combos for cruising

Tours for inspiration:

Essence of Vietnam: 8 days Ho Chi Minh City-Hoi An-Hanoi-Halong Bay Over 80% clients chosed this tour in their first Vietnam tour!

Central Vietnam

Danang, Hue, Hoi An, Dalat, Quy Nhon & Nha Trang

Hue & Danang and Hoi An are in the center of Vietnam. The climate here is hot and dry from mid-January to late August, with average temperatures in mid-30's °C. The weather in the remaining year is cold with October and November being the coldest due to peak levels rainfall. Sometimes even in the form of typhoons

Hoi An is hotter than Hue. Plus there are other factors that influence weather condition example: sitting on a small mountain range on two opposite sides.

Quy Nhon a place just six hours away from south of Hoi An has pretty much similar weather conditions. However, due to its close location to the southern side, the dry seasons is longer here.

Nha Trang located on far South from Central Vietnam has comparatively great weather conditions. The dry season is longer here starting from January to September. October to early December is cold with rains.

Dalat is dry between November to May but December and January are really cold and kind of unfit for the trip. Similarly, the wet season i.e. from June to October can make outdoor activities less fun and more troublesome

South Vietnam

The Mekong Delta, Ho Chi Minh City, Phan Thiet & Mui Ne, Phu Quoc & Con Dao, Ho Tram & Long Hai

Temperature is pretty much same here throughout the year Although the climate can be of two types either dry or wet. Wet seasons are between May to early November, among which June, July, and August receiver the maximum amount of rainfall. Although rainfalls are heavy they are for short time and usually happen in midafternoon. The temperature is very suitable and its average about 25 - 35°C.

The islands of Phu Quoc and Con Dao located in far south have a pleasant weather throughout the year. Sunny days are great for outdoor activities. Although afternoon rainfall is expected if you visit any time other than dry season.

Southern Vietnam Beach tour tips:

Vietnam is filled with amazing beaches. They are almost everywhere, from Central Vietnam to all the way Southern Vietnam. Each beach has a different season depending upon your time of travel. Here are some lists of beaches with their appropriate season.

Danang and Hoi An's coastline is warm throughout the year with temperature ranging around 38°C (100°F) in July and August and about 24°C (75°F) in winter

February till July is the dry season if you prefer hotter temperature go at the end of dry season, if not you can also visit here at the beginning of dry season. August to November is not recommended due to rainfalls and occasionally there are typhoons.

Southside beaches are warm throughout the year with temperature about 30°C (86°F).

September to January is monsoon season in Nha Trang. Occasionally when typhoons do hit, they cause long drizzly days with very heavy rainfall. Phu Quoc and Mui Ne experience wet season between June and September although Mui Ne climate is not so drastic and has little rains. Sometimes unexpected light afternoon drizzling is possible. Con Dao is usually warm all through the year. May to November is, however, a wet season. During this time, generally brief Afternoon showers are witnessed although heavy rain is seen during July to September.

If you like southern Vietnam, consider these two itneraries:

South of Vietnam: 10 days Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho - Da Lat - Nha Trang

South - Central of Vietnam Unique Foodie Tour: 7 days Ho Chi Minh City - Mekong Delta - Da Nang - Hoi An