When to Travel to Vietnam?

General Overview

For the South, July and August are the monsoon months.The best period, warm and dry, extends from November to June.

  • In the North, winters in Hanoi are cool and humid (from January to mid-March), while summers are very hot. The best months are November, April, May, and June.

  • In the Central region (Huế, Đà Nẵng, Hội An), avoid the period between September and November (typhoons) and late January, which is humid and windy.

Northern Vietnam

In the Northwest mountains (Điện Biên Phủ) during winter, the climate is much more favorable, less humid, and warmer. The terraced rice fields are at their most beautiful and colorful in May and September.

  • November to late April–early May: This is the Vietnamese winter.

    • Advantages: it never gets too hot in Hanoi and its region (Red River Delta), with daytime temperatures between 15–20 °C, though it can feel chilly at night (sometimes below 10 °C).

    • Disadvantages: the weather is often gray, misty, or rainy. Light drizzle can last for days, making places like Hạ Long Bay or Hoa Lư (the inland “Halong Bay”) look rather gloomy—not ideal for photos.

    • In the Northwest mountains (Điện Biên Phủ), however, the winter climate is more pleasant: warmer and less humid. From February to March, evenings can be clear in Hanoi, the plains, and along the coast.

    • Not recommended: Sapa, Bắc Hà, and Hà Giang in winter, as it can be very cold.

  • May to October: “Summer.”

    • Although it rains, this is also the driest part of the year and the hottest, with average temperatures between 30–40 °C, often very humid.

    • From September to November, the North may experience strong typhoons coming from the East Sea (formerly South China Sea).

  • Less favorable months: July and August, with frequent and sometimes violent rains.

Central Vietnam

The best period is February to May.

  • Best period: February–May. Avoid November to late January when rainfall is heavy. The weather improves as the Tết (Lunar New Year) approaches.

  • Summer monsoon: May to November. From May to August, temperatures are scorching, with Da Nang averaging 33–34 °C.

  • Central Highlands (Dalat, Ban Mê Thuột, Pleiku): cooler than the coast.

  • Microclimate of Nha Trang & Mũi Né: famous for its sunny, dry climate almost all year round.

  • Less favorable period: September–October, when monsoon shifts bring typhoons and heavy flooding (notably around Hội An and Huế).

Southern Vietnam

  • Best period: December to April (dry and sunny). February is the driest month of the year. March and April are the hottest, with averages around 34–35 °C.

  • Less favorable: July to September. This is the wettest season. On Phú Quốc Island, it rains heavily, and some hotels even close. On the mainland, in the Mekong Delta, it does not rain all day—showers usually occur in the late afternoon and can be refreshing.

  • Warning: sudden floods may occur in the Mekong Delta between mid-August and mid-September.

Clothing Tips

  • For the North in winter (November–February): pack warm clothing (sweaters, fleece) and rain gear, as it can be cold, drizzly, and windy.

  • For the South: bring light clothing such as T-shirts, short-sleeved shirts, and lightweight trousers.