When is the best time of year to visit Vietnam?
As it’s a long, skinny tropical country there is real variety across the region, so you will find rain and shine in different corners no matter what time you visit. When to visit will depend on how you want to spend your time as well. Below is a little breakdown to help you plan your Vietnam holiday.
Have a chat with our specialist about your priorities so we can make a bespoke recommendation on the best time to visit.
South Vietnam (Mui Ne, Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Phu Quoc, Mekong Delta) has a warm, tropical climate all year round with temperatures ranging from 25 to 35 degrees. The dry season tends to run from November to early May, while the wet season is from May to November. The highest rainfall is in June to August where there are heavy but short downpours that often occur mid-afternoon. It is unlikely to rain all day.
Central Vietnam (Hoi An, Da Nang, Hue and Nha Trang) is the most vulnerable part of the country for typhoons – which can hit the coast in October and November. It is hot and dry in Hoi An, Hue and Da Nang from mid January to late August when temperatures often reach the mid 30s. Nha Trang’s dry season extends to the end of September as it is further south. The rainy season hits central Vietnam from October to December – with the rainiest months being October and November.
The North (Hanoi, Halong Bay, Mai Chau and Ninh Binh) has two distinct seasons: summer is from May to October and winter from November to April. The winter is mostly dry and temperatures will drop to about 17 to 22 degrees. The summer is hot and humid but does bring more rainfall – especially between July and September, which can occasionally prevent boats from sailing in Halong Bay (on Government orders).
The Mountainous North (Sapa and Ha Giang) has two seasons – the dry season runs from October to late March and the wet season runs from April to September. It is best to travel in the dry season but bear in mind that it can get very cold in December and January. The best time for trekking in Sapa and around is September to November and March to May. Temperatures in the day range from 15 to 28 degrees and 10 to 18 degrees at night.
Do you fancy having a chat about When To Go? Personally, it's one of our favourite things to talk about.
