When is the Best Time to Visit Vietnam?

For an enriching holiday, filled with food, culture and beauty pick the best time of year to see Vietnam.

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Best time to visit

As Vietnam is a long, vertical country, it has varied weather patterns, which change between regions. In one month, it could be cold in the north, rainy in the middle and have beautiful sunshine in the south. Go prepared for mixed weather, particularly if you want to cover a lot of ground on your holiday. Overall, the best time of year to visit Vietnam is from January to May when there is the least rainfall in both the cultural areas and on the coast. Read on for more detailed advice about the best time to visit Vietnam.

Monthly Climate Guide for Vietnam

, Vietnam

Average temperatures (Celsius) and rainfall (mm)

Jan
29°C 10mm
Feb
31°C 5mm
Mar
33°C 9mm
Apr
36°C 6mm
May
38°C 5mm
Jun
39°C 3mm
Jul
39°C 4mm
Aug
38°C 4mm
Sep
37°C 10mm
Oct
33°C 17mm
Nov
32°C 19mm
Dec
30°C 16mm
Jan
24°C 7mm
Feb
26°C 6mm
Mar
28°C 11mm
Apr
31°C 18mm
May
34°C 11mm
Jun
36°C 13mm
Jul
36°C 20mm
Aug
34°C 23mm
Sep
33°C 16mm
Oct
31°C 8mm
Nov
29°C 7mm
Dec
25°C 7mm
Jan
26°C 8mm
Feb
29°C 6mm
Mar
32°C 11mm
Apr
35°C 14mm
May
38°C 15mm
Jun
38°C 16mm
Jul
37°C 21mm
Aug
36°C 29mm
Sep
35°C 22mm
Oct
33°C 10mm
Nov
31°C 8mm
Dec
26°C 7mm
Jan
33°C 2mm
Feb
34°C 1mm
Mar
36°C 1mm
Apr
36°C 17mm
May
36°C 14mm
Jun
34°C 13mm
Jul
34°C 17mm
Aug
33°C 16mm
Sep
34°C 19mm
Oct
33°C 17mm
Nov
33°C 10mm
Dec
32°C 7mm
Jan
34°C 1mm
Feb
35°C 1mm
Mar
37°C 1mm
Apr
37°C 5mm
May
36°C 6mm
Jun
36°C 8mm
Jul
35°C 5mm
Aug
34°C 7mm
Sep
34°C 10mm
Oct
34°C 10mm
Nov
34°C 6mm
Dec
34°C 4mm
Jan
30°C 2mm
Feb
31°C 1mm
Mar
32°C 1mm
Apr
34°C 4mm
May
34°C 8mm
Jun
34°C 13mm
Jul
33°C 23mm
Aug
32°C 19mm
Sep
32°C 19mm
Oct
31°C 16mm
Nov
31°C 8mm
Dec
31°C 8mm
Jan
22°C 10mm
Feb
25°C 9mm
Mar
29°C 16mm
Apr
31°C 24mm
May
31°C 20mm
Jun
29°C 21mm
Jul
27°C 33mm
Aug
29°C 28mm
Sep
28°C 18mm
Oct
26°C 13mm
Nov
25°C 9mm
Dec
21°C 10mm

Largely, Vietnam’s weather is split into dry and rainy seasons, which differ slightly from the north to the south of the country. The dry season brings hot temperatures and humidity in places, while in the rainy season, you can expect tropical downpours, flooding and even typhoons.

The central region of Vietnam (Hue, Hoi An and Nha Trang) has a tropical climate. The dry season is from March to August when the maximum temperature can reach 40°C. Then there is the colder, rainy season, from September to January, when temperatures can drop to 20°C and lower. The best time to travel to Vietnam’s central areas, including its beaches, is between February and April before the heat becomes too intense and the rains arrive.

North Vietnam’s rainy season is between July and September when you will get intense downpours and possibly typhoons. May and June are often very hot and humid, while December to February brings cold temperatures (as low as 10°C) and drizzle. This makes February to April, and September to November the best times to visit places like Hanoi, Halong Bay and Mai Chau. During these dryer months, the temperatures range from 15°C to 30°C depending on where exactly you are.

Southern Vietnam is hot year-round, with an average annual temperature of 27°C. The best time to visit is from December to April as this is the dry season with only occasional rain. The weather in Vietnam is hottest there in April/May and coolest in December. May to November is the wet season with showers almost every day and flooding in the Mekong Delta can occur.


Seasonal Guide for Visiting Vietnam

Vietnam doesn’t follow a typical seasonal weather pattern, but there is variation in the weather month by month, making each one suitable for different experiences, from cruises in Halong Bay to trekking in the hills.

Best Times to Go to Vietnam for…

Whether you want winter sun on a desert island or to soak up the culture of Vietnam’s captivating cities, there’s a good time of year for everything.

Beach Lovers

Vietnam in July is one of the best times to head to the central beaches near Hoi An and Hue, which have idyllic weather from March to August. Temperatures in the high 30s and little rainfall are perfect for sunbathing, water sports and general relaxation. Make your way to the likes of Six Senses Ninh Van Bay, which is great for families and honeymooners alike or Zannier Hotels Bai San Ho set in a pristine tropical bay. Further south, beach lovers will be in their element between January and April, when hot, dry days and calm waters are excellent for diving and snorkelling in Con Dao or Phu Quoc. Vietnam’s beaches are framed by lush jungles and turquoise waters, and with the tropical weather, plus top-notch five-star hotels, we highly recommend tagging on a few days of relaxation to the end of a tour of Vietnam.

Visiting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Travelling from the south to the north of Vietnam is a classic itinerary which allows you to take in the highlights of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh and everything that’s in between. The best time of year to visit Vietnam for this kind of cultural experience is from December to April, when temperatures range from the mid-20s to mid-30s, making it relatively cooler than other times of year and ideal for outdoor activities and sightseeing.

Visitors heading to Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, can explore popular attractions such as the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum, the Temple of Literature, and the Old Quarter. The city also comes alive with festive decorations during the festive season, offering a unique atmosphere in December. Similarly, the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh City is home to a multitude of cultural and historical sites like the War Remnants Museum, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Reunification Palace. Exploring these attractions during the cooler months during Vietnam’s dry season is definitely a more enjoyable experience than when it’s hot and humid.

Food enthusiasts will be very happy in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh too, trying out local delicacies like pho, banh mi, and fresh spring rolls. While vibrant markets, such as the Dong Xuan Market in Hanoi and the Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh are also well worth a visit this time of year.

Avoiding Crowds

The best time to go to Vietnam to avoid the crowds is between April and June and between September and November. The busiest times are December and January – particularly over the festive period – and July and August, which is Vietnam’s summer and when lots of people go to the beach. Heading to the most popular places, such as Halong Bay, in October/November helps make the most of the beauty and tranquillity of the place, without it being overwhelmed with tourists, and you still get good weather.

Travelling during off-peak periods gives you more flexibility in terms of accommodation options. You'll be able to find better deals and have a wider range of choices when it comes to hotels and resorts. Additionally, visiting Vietnam during the shoulder seasons means you'll have a more authentic experience, with the opportunity to interact with locals on a deeper level and get a better understanding of the culture and way of life without crowds.

Visit during Typhoon Season

Vietnam is a beautiful destination to explore, but it's important to be aware of the typhoon season when planning your trip. The rainy season typically occurs from May to November, with the highest risk of typhoons between July and October, depending on where you’re travelling to. During this period, Vietnam’s weather can include heavy rainfall, strong winds, and potential flooding, which might disrupt travel plans and pose safety risks. However, not everywhere is affected and it can be hard to predict just how heavy the downpours will be. Halong Bay, for example, is best avoided during typhoon season, but the central coastal beaches are usually dry at this time of year.

Talk to your travel expert who will plan your itinerary around the best time to travel to Vietnam.

Lucien Lau

Asia Specialist

I believe that travel broadens our horizons and allows one to be completely immersed in a different world, a great way to escape the pulls and pushes of daily life for awhile - like a wonderful reset button. I also believe that it means something different and unique to each of us.

Best Time to Visit Vietnam FAQs

  • When is the best time to visit Vietnam's beaches?

    The best time of year to visit Vietnam for beaches depends on the region. For beaches in Central Vietnam, the best time to go to Vietnam is during the dry season from February to August. In Southern Vietnam, the best months to visit Vietnam for beaches are from November to April, coinciding with the dry season and good weather in Vietnam.

  • When is the best time to visit for a honeymoon?

    The best time to visit Vietnam for a honeymoon is March and April, or October and November, when you can make the most of all the highlights of the country, from sightseeing to the glorious beaches.

  • When is the best time to visit with family?

    The best time to go to Vietnam with your family is during the Easter holidays, which usually fall in March and April, and the summer holidays, in July. This is when the weather is driest, and you’d have enough time to visit several different destinations.

  • When is the best time to visit Vietnam and Cambodia?

    The best time to travel to Vietnam and Cambodia is from November to April, avoiding the rainy seasons in both countries, which falls between May and September.

  • When is the best time to visit Vietnam and Thailand?

    The best time to visit Vietnam and Thailand is between November and February, this avoids the rainy season in both countries. Thailand’s rainy season is between July and October.

  • When is the best time to visit Vietnam and India?

    This depends a lot on where in India you’d like to go. However, the best time to go to Vietnam and India together is between December and March, after which India starts to get very hot, and the monsoon season is from June to September.

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