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There’s no wrong time to visit Vietnam as the country is deemed to be a year-round destination. However, the best time to visit Vietnam depends on the region you want to visit. Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate and sometimes monsoon rains can become too heavy to move around. Thus, if you plan to enjoy trekking and outdoor activities, you need to work around the regional weather differences.
The north experiences distinct seasonal variations with four seasons spring, summer, autumn, and winter. In the spring and autumn months, you'll experience the most pleasant weather which is perfect for a Halong Bay cruise and trekking through the rice terraces of Sapa. Winter nights can get chilly and you'll need a jacket when visiting Halong Bay. Sa Pa even has snow on the coldest days in the winter.
Terraced Fields in Sapa
In the southern part, the climate is tropical monsoon with two seasons (rainy and dry). The driest months for visiting the south (Saigon) are between December and April. From May to September, the summer monsoon brings rain to the west-facing slopes and the two deltas.
Yet, before monsoon rains begin to cool things off, temperatures and humidity levels in March and April can be suffocating. Between December and April is a great time to enjoy Phu Quoc beaches or witness flowers blooming in the Mekong Delta. From February to August is the best time to spend in the central coast areas. Avoid October–November when typhoons hit the seashore.
Enjoy Phu Quoc beach
If you intend to visit the whole country on a trip, autumn (September to December) and spring (March and April) are probably the most favorable seasons. If you want to see a bit of everything, read our guide below to work out when is the best time to visit Vietnam.
It is not always easy to plan a trip to a destination on its favorable traveling time. Most destinations can still be enjoyed during monsoon season and Vietnam is no exception. If you are going to Vietnam during its off-season periods (April to October), there are some caveats for you.
First, comes the good news. You will meet far fewer travelers during the rainy season. It becomes easier to negotiate better prices for accommodation and tours.
Now come the warnings. During long periods of heavy rain, roads become flooded and transportation delays happen. Buses may not run; the flooded north-south railway causes delays in train service. Outdoor activities become soggy experiences.
If you are planning to travel between the north and south, a flexible itinerary will be ideal in case of delays. During monsoon season, it is better to fly off into the country's part you wish to visit rather than travel long distances overland.
Be aware of the typhoon season! Vietnam has a long-distance coast which makes typhoons big trouble. Tropical depressions and typhoons can create week-long downpours that disrupt trip plans. Flights might be delayed or diverted. Beaches or Halong Bay may be closed during the typhoon to ensure guests' safety.
Pinwheel maker in Hue
The start date of the typhoon season is in August generally, though it still depends on the part of the country (north, central, or south). The hardest time tends to be in October and ends around December each year.
If you are coming to Vietnam this season, keep an eye on the weather forecast. Typhoons are usually forecasted before they sneak up on the country. Follow the moving of the storm to better rearrange your trip.
The north of Vietnam enjoys drizzly, colder temperatures by December. The Central is gradually emerging from its rainy season. The south experiences a dry condition and basks in sunshine. So there’s no doubt to head to the southern coast to soak up some rays on Vietnam’s gorgeous beaches. The island of Phu Quoc or beaches and dunes in Mui Ne are great this month. Ho Chi Minh City also enjoys a pleasant time with temperatures averaging 26ºC.
Oc Bom Boc Festival in Soc Trang - Boat Race
Plan ahead because things get booked up way in advance, especially at Christmas time. December is also a good time for outdoor activities in the north. It is somewhat chilly, especially in the bay or mountains but you will not be tired due to the heat.
Events & Festivals
The Oc Bom Boc Festival in Soc Trang, so-called the Festival of Worshiping the Moon. This is an annual event of the Khmer people in the Mekong Delta. It takes place on the tenth full moon in the Vietnamese Lunar calendar (November or December).
January delivers cold weather to the north which is often accompanied by fine persistent mists. This is not a good time for a Halong Bay cruise as the mists could spoil your views. January is the coldest month in mountainous areas, thus, ground frost or snowfall may happen in higher regions.
However, rainfall is at its lowest during this month, making perfect trekking conditions as in Sa Pa. Hanoi enjoys a pleasant 20ºC, great for some tours in the city or nearby countryside.
The southern part of the country is still in the dry season. So it’s a good time to explore cities, the Mekong Delta, or beaches at Phan Thiet and Mui Ne. Water-related activities, such as diving, around Phu Quoc, are worth to try.
Events & Festivals
It's the time of the biggest festival of the year: Tet – Lunar New Year. It starts at the beginning of the year and is seen as a fresh start to everything. Vietnamese declutters tidy up their houses to remove all the bad or unlucky things of the past year.
Streets preparing for Tet in Vietnam
They send best wishes to their friends and family as they believe it will bring good luck to the New Year. Red and yellow spread in the streets, because these colors are considered good luck. The scent of incense floats in the air and glorious firework displays fill the skies.
Traditional shows and dragon dance performances are played to celebrate the event. Many shops, restaurants, museums, and travel sites shut for the holiday. The date is on the first 3 days of the lunar calendar which normally takes place between late January and early February.
The north of Vietnam says goodbye to the chill. The sky is clear and the warmth approaches, making it perfect for hiking and exploring the region. Early February may be the time for Tet - Lunar New Year, the biggest festival in the country. Be aware of the shutdown of restaurants and museums.
Hoi An at Night
The south and the central beach are fantastic. Perhaps just a smattering of rain on the beaches between Hoi An and Da Nang. If not the beaches, let's stay in the city for some of the best street food in Vietnam.
If you want to see the whole country, the weather in March is perhaps the best. Temperatures in the north are rising but not too hot, a perfect time for adventure and highland trekking. March is also ideal for a boat tour in Halong Bay with clear skies all day around. It is worth spending at least 1 night at the beguiling Cat Ba Island.
Dry weather creates a great condition to visit the world’s biggest cave in Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park. It is also a good time to travel to the central highlands, to the heart of the coffee land in Buon Ma Thuot. Beaches and water activities are a must and might be best at Nha Trang.
Don't hesitate to visit the cities of the south and the Mekong Delta, you can be sure of sunshine and hot days. A morning tour to visit the Mekong floating market or a Saigon city tour by scooter or Vespa is great to try.
Events & Festivals
Phu Giay Festival at Phu Giay Temple, Nam Dinh province. The festival is to pay tribute to Lieu Hanh, one of the four immortal gods in Vietnamese culture. It takes place in the third month of the lunar calendar, either March or April each year.
Thay Pagoda Festival at Thay village, located at the foot of Sai Son Mountain, Quoc Oai District. It comes with a procession and water puppetry performances to commemorate the life of inventor Tu Dao Hanh.
As summer approaches, temperatures in the north are rising and it starts with some light rain. Not as ideal as March but it’s still very pleasant for hiking. It is also a good time to admire spring flowers in full bloom.
Don't miss out on the central of Vietnam with the charming Hoi An the nearby An Bang beach, and the broad sands at Da Nang. Further south, temperatures in Hue City are agreeable. Nha Trang is at its best. The highlands enjoy great weather.
In southern Vietnam, temperatures hit 31ºC and it sometimes rains, but with mostly clear skies, it’s still great for lazy days on beautiful beaches.
Events & Festivals
Thay Pagoda Festival takes place in either March or April each year.
Hung King Festival is a national holiday. It is one of the most important and sacred festivals of the Vietnamese people that commemorates the first kings in Vietnam. People gather at the temple to make offerings and then celebrate the event with traditional performances.
The second half of May is the starting of monsoon season which makes the south becoming wetter. But the downpours are often short in the afternoon so it’s easy to avoid.
The north is getting hotter and seeing more rain but it is still convenient for exploring the great outdoors.
Ba Chua Xu Festival
The central coast is waiting for you this month. Come to enjoy the hot, sunny days.
Events & Festivals
Ba Chua Xu Festival is a famous festival in An Giang province. It is also known as worshiping the goddess festival hold in Ba Chua Xu Temple.
The holy day Phat Dan is a traditional Buddhist holiday in Vietnam.
The north is becoming hotter and getting wetter too. This can be a hazardous time for trekking; so if that’s on your itinerary, bring appropriate footwear and outer layers. It is best to spend your trip to Mai Chau Valley which is still mostly dry.
June is the starting month of the monsoon season in the south. The rainy season is in full swing and floods are expected but it still has plenty of dry hours in the day. The situation is even worse in the central highlands.
Just forget the rain to enjoy your heaven days on the central coast. It is a perfect time for idling away on the beaches near Hoi An, Da Nang, and Lang Co.
Events & Festivals
Tet Doan Ngo, known as the summer solstice, is celebrated on the fifth day of the fifth month of the lunar calendar.
July is a continuous story of June with heavy downpours in both the northern and southern parts of the country. In the north, temperatures reach their highest point. The central coast averages at 31ºC.
King Bao Dai's palace in Dalat
Rain in the central highlands creates a poor trekking condition. Floods may cause transport difficulties, wash out roads, and cut off the more remote villages sometimes.
August is the month you should avoid if you are looking for a trekking trip in Vietnam. As in this month, the northern mountains and the central highlands experiences peak rainfall.
A Halong Bay cruise is also not a good idea this month because of heavy rain or even storms. Whilst, conditions on the central coast are still pretty good, although the fine days are coming to an end.
The south is at its peak of the wet season. But it’s not exactly a bad time to visit because rains are just like showering and there are still plenty of rain-free hours in the day to enjoy. How about a walking street food tour to explore Saigon downtown at night?
Events & Festivals
On the full moon day of the seventh month of the lunar year, Tet Trung Nguyen is held to feed the dead souls released from hell. People give offerings of food to the homeless and release animals such as birds to be forgiven for their faults.
In both the north and south, it’s getting hotter and drier, opening up the possibility of trekking in the north. The central highlands and central coast are still very wet with storms on the horizon.
Events & Festivals
Mid-Autumn Festival takes place on the full moon between September and October. This harvest festival is to celebrate gathering, thanksgiving, and praying. It is also considered to be a children's festival and children will be gifted with sweets and toys. People gather to enjoy dragon and lion dances and lit lanterns.
Vietnam National Day on 2nd September is a national holiday. It is to commemorate the Vietnam Declaration of Independence from France in 1945. The government celebrates this day with a parade through Hanoi's capital.
October is a great month for trekking and other outdoor adventure activities. It’s a good time to explore Sa Pa and the Dong Van Karst Plateau Geopark in Ha Giang province. Dry weather creates ideal conditions in the picturesque Mai Chau Valley. Sunshine brings a golden color to its rice fields, it's harvest time! Trek through jagged mountains and learn more about the minority White Thai villages.
Local market in Mai Chau
It’s best to avoid central Vietnam as the rain dumps down, and storms make it difficult to get around. Hoi An, in October and November, has serious flooding. Water in the streets can be knee- or waist-high, which means you can only get around by boat!
Meanwhile, the rainy season is gradually leaving the south. The warmth and dry weather make for a great month to visit the Mekong Delta and its floating markets.
Events & Festivals
Mid-Autumn Festival.
November is a great month to visit both ends of the country. Balmy temperatures in the south are ideal for leisure days on the beaches. Cool and dry weather in the north creates a great trekking condition in the north. November is also the best time of year for a Halong Bay cruise. Either a deluxe cruise or a luxury cruise, you will have a wonderful experience in heaven on Earth.
The central coast in November is the same picture as in October with rain, wet, and monsoon. The riptides between Da Nang and Hoi An will become particularly dangerous during this month.
Events & Festivals
The Oc Bom Boc Festival in Soc Trang with a boat race takes place between November and December.
Finally, hope that after our article, tourists will have useful information for traveling to Vietnam. Furthermore, don't forget to visit our website to get more useful and important information for traveling in Vietnam in particular and Southeast Asia in general.
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