Vietnam is blessed with cultural and natural attractions throughout the three regions which means each region and destination has its distinct ideal time for visiting. For first-time visitors to Vietnam, worry no longer! In this travel guide, we’ll show you in detail what to notice in the weather in Vietnam, the best time to visit Vietnam, and when and best places to visit Vietnam month to month in the most visualized and easiest way to follow. Are you ready?
Table of Contents
North Vietnam – North Central Vietnam: four seasons with winter lasting from December – February, temperature dropping, and low humidity. Summer from June to August is hot, rainy, and humid.
Central Vietnam: Tropical wet climate or a tropical monsoon and trade-wind littoral climate. The hot temperature is almost all year round. Drier months last from November to April while in the summer months the region suffers from storms and flooding.
South Vietnam: only dry and wet season while the temperature remains high all year round. The wet season lasts from November to April and the wet season is from May to October.
For foreign tourists, the peak season of tourism in Vietnam starts around December and goes all the way to the end of March of the next year. These months fall right in the dry season of North Vietnam and Central Vietnam while in South Vietnam, it’s just the perfect time of flooding season in the Mekong Delta when life comes back to the vast plains and wet forests.
The summer months are the time Vietnam is less visited than other months due to the high temperature, and more rains in North and North Central Vietnam. But these months are just perfect for a beach break, photo trip, cheaper prices, and less touristy landscape.If you’re planning to visit several parts of Vietnam, then we should start the real work to find the best time to enjoy the most of your trip.
As you can see from the table above, the best months to travel to all popular attractions in three regions in Vietnam are February, March, April, and March is the best month since it’s one of the ideal months to visit all these destinations.
For more information on where to go and what to do in each month in Vietnam, we’ve made a set of check-list for all 12 months to help you see in the easiest way where you can go in each month.
January in Vietnam is one of the best months for tourism activities and also the month with the most diverse weather characteristics throughout the country. January is the first month of the year in the Gregorian calendar but the last month in the Lunar year. This makes the atmosphere in Vietnam generally bustling, festive, and happy.
North Vietnam in January is blessed with the prime of winter which brings almost no rain, dry air, and low temperature (avg. 10-15 degrees Celsius). Water activities in Halong Bay, Cat Ba island, and other beaches in north Vietnam are quite impossible because of the cold temperature. In Sapa, there’s a chance that it might snow.
Central and South Vietnam in January are warmer than North Vietnam with an average temperature of 20 and 30 degrees Celsius. If you’re seeking some tropical sunlight then we suggest you go south.
| Where you should visit | Where you shouldn’t visit |
| Phu Quoc Island | Fansipan (Sapa) |
| Mui Ne | Cat Ba Island |
| Nha Trang | Ha Giang |
| Hanoi | |
| Mekong Delta | |
| Ban Gioc Waterfall | |
| Moc Chau |
There are a lot of things to do in Vietnam from north to south in January. In the north, you can enjoy the festive atmosphere when the lunar new year comes so close. In central and south, beach paradises and pristine islands are in the best time for swimming, snorkeling, and diving.
Not much different from January, February has dry, bright weather across the country with temperatures raising southward. This month is also the first month of the lunar new year, so you can you the festive atmosphere of the most important holiday in Vietnam everywhere you go.
North Vietnam still is in wintertime, with clear skies with little rain which bring a certain romantic feeling to the new year since people say if it rains on the first day, the whole year will be lucky. Northern mountainous areas are covered in pastel colors of plum, apricot, and peach blossoms with the backdrop of grey mountains.
The weather in Central and South Vietnam offers a great condition for a beach break with clear, sunny skies and warm seawater. The average temperature is from 25-27 degrees Celsius.
| Where you should visit | Where you shouldn’t visit |
| Hoi An | Fansipan (Sapa) |
| Mui Ne | Cat Ba Island |
| Con Dao Island | Ha Giang |
| Phu Quoc Island | |
| Hanoi | |
| Mekong Delta | |
| Sapa |
Like January, you can visit a lot of places in Vietnam during February, especially since February is a season of flowers. As mentioned, this month is lunar new year month, so you should visit major cities to enjoy the culture and cuisine. Come to north Vietnam plateaus to breathe in the fresh air and enjoy the natural landscape of spring blossoms. Drift south if you want to work on your tan and enjoy the water. Da Lat also sees the beautiful sight of cherry blossoms at this time of year. If you have more time, you can also combine your Vietnam Trip with Cambodia. February is one of the best months to visit Vietnam & Cambodia
MarchMarch is one of the best months to discover Vietnam with ideal weather suitable for all kinds of activities.
In North Vietnam, March is not as cold and dry as January and February while in central and south Vietnam, it’s warm and dry. March is the month that many festivals are held throughout the country, of which the most bustling and important is the Perfume Pagoda festival. People from all parts of the country come here to pray for luck, health, and happiness in the upcoming year.
Many central coast cities in this time turn into beach paradises with warm water, mild weather, and pristine culture. Southern islands are still the places to go for high blue sky and sunny beaches.
| Where you should visit | Where you shouldn’t visit |
| Tay Nguyen (Pleiku & Gia Lai) | |
| Hue | |
| Hoi An | |
| Da Nang | |
| Phu Yen | |
| Dien Bien Phu | |
| Quy Nhon | |
| Mui Ne | |
| Ho Chi Minh City | |
| Mekong Delta |
It’s not at all to choose where to visit in Vietnam in March. It’s the month for almost all destinations both famous attractions and off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Tay Nguyen at this time has white coffee flowers season blooming all over the place and also the most bustling festival in the area – Elephant Racing Festival.
The central coastal line Hue – Da Nang – Hoi An is just the right time for you to explore. If you want to visit South Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City in March is perfect to visit.
April marks the end of tourism peak season in Vietnam. It’s the last month of spring, wrapping up the festive season of Lunar New Year as well as the winter in North Vietnam. From this month onward, the average temperature and humidity throughout the country rise. Still, the weather in March is still much milder than the summer months and there’re still many things to do and places to see at this time of year.
Ninh Binh can be visited almost all year round.
In North Vietnam, it’s getting warmer with fewer cold days, and slightly rainier but you can expect plenty of dry days to see around. In Central and South Vietnam, it’s not different much from summer with an average temperature of 25-33 degrees Celsius.
April is also a historical month in Vietnam history, marking the reunification of the whole country after the Vietnam-America War.
| Where you should visit | Where you shouldn’t visit |
| Hanoi | Public beaches on April 30 holiday |
| Sapa | |
| Ly Son Island | |
| Ninh Binh | |
| Ho Chi Minh City | |
| Halong Bay | |
| Hue | |
| Da Nang |
Hanoi in April turns vibrant red with the flags and flowers everywhere you go. Perfume Pagoda in the suburb of Hanoi is also in the month it’s most beautiful and less crowded since the festival ended.
April is also the month to visit Vietnam’s best beaches and islands like Halong Bay, Co To Island, and Ly Son. In North Vietnam, it’s the time farmers water the rice fields, making a gorgeous sight of nature.
In central Vietnam, April is ideal to visit Da Nang city with an average temperature of 27-29 degrees Celsius. The beaches have blue water and calm waves.
Best tours in Vietnam in April:
May is the month right before summer hits north Vietnam. You can see the season changing in north Vietnam so blatantly and beautifully. The sun shines, nice breezes, and the temperature rise slightly to 30 degrees Celsius. However, you can barely feel the heat in early May. The rain happens more frequently but also ends quickly.
Throughout the country, the summer holiday for students is about to start so you can feel a certain excitement of Vietnamese people. In central and south Vietnam, the rain starts to happen more but not as frequently as in the north. May is a great time to visit the major cities of Vietnam.
Like April, May is also a historical month with two important events: Dien Bien Phu Victory on May 7 and Ho Chi Minh’s Birthday on May 19.
| Where you should visit | Where you shouldn’t visit |
| Mu Cang Chai | Public beaches on May 1 holiday |
| Cat Ba Island | |
| Pu Luong | |
| Ninh Binh | |
| Nha Trang | |
| Halong Bay |
| Where you should visit | Where you shouldn’t visit |
| Hue | Hanoi |
| Da Nang | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Con Dao Island | Northwest Vietnam |
| Hoi An | |
| Da Lat | |
| Mui Ne |
Halong bay, southern islands, and coastal line cities are the best destinations in Vietnam during June. Con Dao island has not only endless blue beaches but this month, it’s the month of turtles hatching season. Halong Bay is bluer than ever and Da Lat is one of the best places to stay away from the heat and enjoy the cool air.
Coastal cities have not only pristine beaches but also rich local culture. Nha Trang, Da Nang and Hoi An are the best places to go in this month.
>>> Best Vietnam tours in June:
| Where you should visit | Where you shouldn’t visit |
| Halong Bay | Ho Chi Minh City |
| Phong Nha Ke Bang | Northwest Vietnam |
| Phu Quoc Island | Hanoi |
| Da Lat | Mekong Delta |
| Con Dao Island | |
| Mui Ne |
| Where you should visit | Where you shouldn’t visit |
| Hanoi | Mekong Delta |
| Halong Bay | Northwest Vietnam |
| Hoi An | Coastal beaches when there are typhoons |
| Phong Nha Ke Bang | |
| Nha Trang | |
| Cat Ba Island | |
| Mui Ne |
August is a great month to explore the caves in Phong Nha Ke Bang and Halong Bay, relax on the white beaches of Cat Ba island, Nha Trang, stroll the ancient town of Hoi An, and have fun with sand sliding in Mui Ne. However, Mekong Delta isn’t ideal since it’s the rainy season this month while trekking to mountainous areas in North Vietnam can be dangerous. When there’re typhoons, stay away from the coastal beaches of the area where the typhoons hit.
Recommended Vietnam tours in August:
Spirit of Vietnam and Cambodia – 17 Days
Vietnam Essential Tour – 7 Days
Vietnam Travel Line – 14 Days
Pin our August check-list for later:
As one of the best months to visit Vietnam, September offers diverse weather conditions and natural landscape features across the country. September is also the end of summer with the temperature dropping significantly. In northern Vietnam, there is still rain but not as heavy as rain in June – August. While in central highlands, it rains more frequently. In the south, rain is less and less while Mekong Delta enters its flooding season.
Cat Ba Island and Halong Bay have great conditions to enjoy the water and the scenery. Mountainous areas start their harvesting season: terraced rice fields turning golden.
| Where you should visit | Where you shouldn’t visit |
| Mu Cang Chai | Phong Nha Ke Bang |
| Sapa | Hoi An |
| Bach Ma National Park, Hue | Coastal beaches when there are typhoons |
| Mekong Delta | |
| Phu Quoc Island | |
| Hanoi | |
| Mui Ne |
Northwest Vietnam in general and Mu Cang Chai, in particular, becomes a real cultural paradise with its gorgeous endless terraced rice fields and rich local culture. Bach Ma National Park in Hue should be your off-the-beaten path to explore. Mekong Delta is just so beautiful in the flooding season. September brings a romantic atmosphere to Hanoi.
Phong Nha Ke Bang is closed in its flooding season (September – November) and Hoi An suffers more rains in this month.
Recommended Vietnam tours in September:
Autumn officially arrives in North Vietnam when October starts: the skies are blue, cooler breezes, and bountiful treats. Rain is lesser, the air is drier and the temperature drops a little bit further.
The beauty of the northwest in October is in its prime. When you go to a higher altitude, the air gets chillier. In central Vietnam cities like Hue, Hoi An, and Da Nang, the rain continues but doesn’t make these cities any less beautiful than themselves in any other month.
In the south, the average temperature is fixed at 24-31 degrees Celsius with much less rain.
| Where you should visit | Where you shouldn’t visit |
| Ha Giang | Phong Nha Ke Bang |
| Hanoi | Hoi An |
| Sapa | Coastal beaches when there are typhoons |
| Halong Bay | |
| Can Tho – Mekong Delta | |
| Ba Be Lake – Ban Gioc Waterfall | |
| Da Lat |
| Where you should visit | Where you shouldn’t visit |
| Ha Giang | Phong Nha Ke Bang |
| Hanoi | Hoi An |
| Sapa | Coastal beaches when there are typhoons |
| Halong Bay | |
| Can Tho – Mekong Delta | |
| Moc Chau | |
| Con Dao Island | |
| Mui Ne | |
| Long Hai | |
| Ho Tram | |
| Ho Chi Minh City |
| Where you should visit | Where you shouldn’t visit |
| Moc Chau | |
| Halong Bay | |
| Perfume Pagoda in Hanoi | |
| Ban Gioc Waterfall – Ba Be Lake | |
| Ho Chi Minh City | |
| Phu Quoc Island |
