Best time to visit Vietnam

The best time to visit Vietnam is between December and April, when you tend to get the least rain and the best weather conditions across the whole country. Stretching for more than 1,600km, with three separate climates ranging from temperate to tropical, the weather can vary dramatically from north to south – it’s not unheard of to have snow in the mountains of the far north, and temperatures above 30C in the beaches at the southern tip.

If you’re only planning to visit one part of Vietnam, you’ll have more flexibility about when to travel, but if you’re hoping to get a taste of the whole country, the peak months of March and April top the list of when to go to Vietnam.

You’ll find dry, pleasant weather throughout most of the country during January, making this month one of the best times for a holiday in Vietnam, although you can expect cruises along the Mekong Delta to be busy.

North Vietnam

In the northern regions, it can get positively chilly, especially during the mornings and late evenings, so go prepared if you’re visiting the highlands and rice fields of Sapa and meeting the remote tribes in the mountains at Ha Giang where the temperatures can drop as low as 5C. Bring layers if you’re heading to Bai Tu Long Bay as well.

For a less chilly experience in the mountains, head to Mai Chau for a first-hand experience of life with the hill tribes. The cooler weather can make it the perfect month to go trekking, whether you’re visiting the lakes and waterfalls of Ba Be National Park near Hanoi, walking through the countryside around Pu Luong, cycling around Ninh Binh or discovering the Hmong village of Mu Cang Chai.

Hanoi itself isn’t as cold, with highs of around 20C, so you’ll have clear bright days to explore the whirl of activity in the city’s maze of streets, although hazy mist means you may not get the best views of the famous limestone peaks in Halong Bay this month.

Central Vietnam

Central Vietnam is enjoying hot, dry weather after the end of the wet season so now’s when to go to the beach – Nha Trang is a fantastic option this month, or try tiny Palm Island. And it’s around 25C in Hoi An and Danang, a few degrees cooler in Hue, so it’s a lovely time to explore before the heat rises during the summer. Head to the beach near Hoi An or Phu Loc near Hue for some downtime after exploring the towns. Dalat and the lakes of the Central Highlands are dry too but chilly at night so you’ll still need layers if you’re heading up into the hills or venturing into Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.

South Vietnam

South Vietnam enjoys tropical warmth year-round but it’s drier this month with very little rain, and can be quieter than peak holiday seasons making it one of the best times to visit. Head to the islands of Phu Quoc and Con Dao for some blissfully sunny beach time, as well as the beaches near Ho Chi Minh City, including Mui Ne. It’s a great month to see Ho Chi Minh City itself too, with low humidity and temperatures hovering around 25C. Away from the coast, the rainfall is lower this month in the jungle at Cat Tien National Park where you can spot some of the country’s endangered and rare wildlife, from golden-cheeked gibbons to bears and wildcats.

Festivals: While there are some New Year celebrations on January 1, Vietnam saves its energy for Tet Nguyen Dan (or simply Tet), the Lunar New Year which falls towards the end of the month (or early February). Transport is busier and some businesses close, but you’ll also get to see traditional ceremonies, enjoy the bright colours and explosion of firecrackers everywhere, and try some of the special foods to mark the beginning of the year.

Best for: Visiting the whole country, beach weather, exploring the cities, trekking and hiking, getting outdoors

February is another excellent month to explore Vietnam from north to south, with hot, dry weather across most of the country and the chillier temperatures of the far north warming up but still cool enough to enjoy hiking.

Beach

If you’re looking for some time at the beach, you can have your pick in Central and South Vietnam, before it gets too hot and humid. Revel in the tropical warmth at of Phu Quoc and Con Dao, where the water visibility makes it a great month for diving, or team your sunbathing with city sightseeing, winding down at Mui Ne after some time in Ho Chi Minh City, hitting Hoi An and the beach, or Phu Loc near Hue. You can also add Nha Trang and Palm Island to the list of tempting beaches in Vietnam in February.

Nature

Now’s when to get outdoors to make the most of the dry weather too. Find lakes and waterfalls at Ba Be National Park near Hanoi, or discover the lakes of the Central Highlands. You can explore the national parks as well, including Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and Cat Tien National Park with its fantastic wildlife. Pull on your hiking boots this month and you can walk through rice fields and meet remote tribes, everywhere from Sapa and the mountains at Ha Giang to the Hmong village of Mu Cang Chai. Throw in a chance to explore Pu Luong, Dalat and Ninh Binh and you’re spoiled for choice whether you stick to Central Vietnam or head further north.

One of the few areas where you’ll need to watch out for the weather is in Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay where the mist is often still hanging over the famous limestone peaks. If you want to get out on the water, it’s a perfect time to cruise along the Mekong Delta though, with floating markets and a chance to learn more about life by the river.

Festivals: Tet Nguyen Dan (or simply Tet), the Lunar New Year often falls towards the beginning of the month (or late January). Transport is busier and some businesses close, but you’ll also get to see traditional ceremonies, enjoy the bright colours and explosion of firecrackers everywhere, and try some of the special foods to mark the beginning of the year.

Best for: Visiting the whole country, beach weather, exploring the cities, trekking and hiking, getting outdoors

This is peak season for a holiday to Vietnam, with temperatures getting warmer in Central Vietnam if you’re looking for some beach time, and dry weather across the country. It’s also the best time to visit Vietnam’s iconic Halong Bay with clear blue skies and fantastic views of the limestone formations in the water as you cruise through the water.

South Vietnam

It’s getting hotter in the south too, with temperatures reaching around 30C in Con Dao and Mui Ne, although it’s slightly cooler (while still deliciously sunny) in Phu Quoc. If you’re planning some sight-seeing in Ho Chi Minh City, it’s even hotter this month, one of the warmest months of the year, although breezes on the Mekong Delta help a little with the heat here. Cat Tien National Park is hot too, although this is the driest month until December, so it’s worth making the most of the chance to see the wildlife, including golden-cheeked gibbons, bears and wildcats.

Central Vietnam

If you want some beach time without the high temperatures, Central Vietnam is a great bet this month. Temperatures are hovering between 25-28C in Hue, Hoi An and Danang and there are plenty of places to get outdoors – relax on the beach at Nha Trang, laid-back Palm Island, Hoi An beach and Phu Loc. Or discover a slice of Vietnam’s magical countryside at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park in the Central Highlands where you can spy caves, float down the river and eye up the oldest karst mountains in Asia, as well as Lak Lake and Dalat.

North Vietnam

Further north, this month sees some of the best conditions for hiking and trekking in the mountains. By this month, the temperature is around 20C in Sapa, ideal for wandering through the rice valleys here or at Mu Cang Chai. There’s wonderful walking in the mountains at Ha Giang, where you could spend the night in a Hmong homestay or learn more about life with the hill tribes at Mai Chau.

Find lakes and waterfalls in Ba Be National Park, rivers and rice paddies at Pu Luong and Ninh Binh, or drift between the limestone peaks at Bai Tu Long Bay, less famous than Halong Bay but quieter and with its own spectacular scenery. In Hanoi itself, it’s now pleasantly warm, at around 25C as you soak up the sounds, smells and sensory overload in this enticing city.

Festivals: Love coffee? This month sees the Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival in Dak Lak province, with a festival in the Central Highlands around the middle of March. As part of the event to promote and celebrate the drink in Vietnam’s coffee capital, there are special tours to plantations and plenty of tastings.

Best for: Exploring the whole country, Ha Long Bay, Central and South Vietnam beaches, trekking and hiking, national parks

Like March, you’ll get great weather to explore across all of Vietnam in April, but temperatures are rising even further this month before the rainy months begin, so South Vietnam can be searingly hot. It’s the hottest month of the year in Ho Chi Minh City and around the Mekong Delta, which makes exploring hard work, although it’s slightly cooler on the beaches if you need to escape – Con Dao, Mui Ne and Phu Quoc all have temperatures in the 30Cs, although you can also expect slightly more rain in the south.

North Vietnam

If you’re looking for cooler days, northern Vietnam has some of its warmest weather too, plus the area also sees the beginning of the rainy season this month – you can expect late afternoon downpours and thunderstorms as the weeks go on, but you’ll still have some of the best conditions for walking until October. Sapa, Ha Giang and Mu Cang Chai are all still a good pick this month, and you can seize the chance to experience Vietnam’s fascinating mix of cultures first-hand before the wettest weather arrives – spend the night in a Hmong homestay or head into hill country at Mai Chau to meet the White Thai Tribe.

Or cycle and walk among the rice valleys at Pu Luong and Ninh Binh, as well as exploring by bike and kayak in the Ba Be National Park, while the warmer weather makes a cruise in Bai Tu Long Bay even more enjoyable. Hanoi itself is still relatively dry this month too.

Central Vietnam

The beaches in Central Vietnam are at their best, escaping most of the increasingly wet weather to north and south – head to Nha Trang or Palm Island for a laid-back escape, while Hoi An beach and Phu Loc near Hue are good for combining with time in the towns. Peak season crowds are also leaving, so you’ll find you won’t have to share the main sites in Hoi An, Hue and Halong Bay with as many others. There’s also good weather in the Central Highlands, at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Lak Lake and Dalat.

Festivals: The Hung Festival is a national holiday, commemorating the birth of the first kings of Vietnam, on the 8th to the 11th day of the third lunar month, with processions and ceremonies at the Hung Temple in Phu Tho province.

The Hue Festival takes place every two years, usually in April (sometimes May/June) focused on traditions and culture, with a string of events in the city.

Reunification Day is also celebrated on April 30 (or on the following weekday) with a public holiday, marking the end of the Vietnam War and the reunification of the country after the conflict.

Best for: Central Vietnam beaches, trekking and hiking, getting outdoors, escaping the crowds

May marks the start of the rainier months across Vietnam, but you can still find great weather and escape the crowds of peak season if you visit this month, with dry, sunny days in Central Vietnam in particular.

Central Vietnam

There’s a higher chance of rainy days in the Central Highlands, including Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Lak Lake and Dalat, but you can still enjoy getting outdoors and exploring the countryside. If you’re looking for time on the beach, this is the best place for a holiday in Vietnam in May, whether you head to the golden sands of Nha Trang, chilled-out Palm Island, the beach near Hoi An or Phu Loc near Hue.

And it’s a good time to visit Hoi An and Hue after the biggest crowds have left. There’s more rain at Halong Bay, but the longer days mean you have longer to gaze at the views, while the breeze off the water helps cut through the more humid weather.

Elsewhere, rainfall is increasing in both the northern and southern regions, but it’s still more likely to be a mid-afternoon shower than day-long torrential downpours. It’s hot hot hot in the south though, with the showers a welcome relief amid the humidity. Ho Chi Minh City sees its hottest month, as temperatures rocket to around 35C, plus it’s a hot and sticky month to try a Mekong river cruise. But you can still enjoy quieter days on the beaches of the south, including Phu Quoc, Con Dao and Mui Ne if you’re happy to dodge the showers.

North Vietnam

Expect wetter conditions to walk in the north as well, with rainy season firmly underway, although a cruise through Bai Tu Long Bay is tempting, with warmer weather and water if you’re kayaking, and less mist over the water here. It’s best to avoid Ha Giang and the far north, as the weather makes it harder to explore the mountains at this time of year, although you can still find some good trekking in Sapa and around Mu Cang Chai, especially towards the start of the month.

If you’re looking for ways to cool down in the often humid days of summer, you can get out on the water at Ba Be National Park, or trek by rivers and waterfalls at Pu Luong and Ninh Binh. It’s still comparatively dry in Hanoi, although temperatures are spiking to around 33C so sightseeing is getting harder.

Festivals: Phat Dan celebrates the birth, death and enlightenment of Buddha (known as Vesak Day elsewhere in the world) and you can expect to see decorated temples and ceremonies marking the occasion.

Best for: Escaping the crowds, central Vietnam beaches, trekking in parts of north Vietnam

The hottest month of the year in much of Vietnam, the rainy season is well underway in both northern and southern Vietnam.

Central Vietnam

The weather means it’s a much quieter month for a holiday in Vietnam, but it’s still a good time to explore the central region, where there’s little rain and the sun is out. Make the most of being able to explore Hoi An and Hue without the crowds, while you can still relax by the sea at Nha Trang and Palm Island, or the beach near Hoi An and Phu Loc near Hue. It’s hot and humid at Halong Bay but still mostly dry, so it’s also a good month to enjoy a more peaceful cruise through the water here.

You can still get out exploring at Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, with its caves, limestone peaks and chance to float down the river, although the Central Highlands see the official start of the rainy season this month, with wetter weather around Dalat.

South Vietnam

If you can cope with the daily downpours, there’s sunshine to be found on the beaches of the south. It’s also the start of green turtle nesting season on the beaches of Con Dao, with an opportunity to learn more about conservation efforts in the area. If you’re ready to embrace the rain, the scenery across the Mekong Delta lends itself to some great photographs, with emerald green rice fields and swirling thunderclouds.

North Vietnam

In the north, temperatures have soared to the low 30Cs, with storms and more rain, so it’s not just trekking in the mountains which is off the cards this month, as many trails and hill destinations are too hard to reach or hike in by June.

Festivals: Vietnam marks the summer solstice (using the lunar calendar, this is normally in June), known as Tet Doan Ngo. One of the best-known parts of the celebrations is the Dragon Boat Festival, with plenty of traditional fun including a string of activities featuring dragons, boat races, and lots of food.

Danang International Fireworks Competition also normally takes place in June, with teams from Europe and China, as well as from Vietnam, competing with displays of fireworks and music.

Best for: Central Vietnam beaches, Hoi An and Hue, turtle nesting at Con Dao, escaping the crowds

July’s weather is similar to June, with rainy and unsettled weather across the north and south, but sunny dry days in much of Central Vietnam. As school holidays begin, you’ll find more people heading back to Vietnam despite the weather, so it won’t be as quiet as June. The Central Highlands and Dalat are best avoided this month though, as it’s now too rainy for trekking and exploring the national parks. But while there’s the occasional rainy day and high summer temperatures, a visit to Hoi An and Danang and Hue is still a good option.

Or make the most of the glorious sunshine in Nha Trang, where the temperatures hover around 33C, or escape to little Palm Island. It’s easy to combine coast and town with the beach near Hoi An and Phu Loc near Hue. If you’re planning a cruise through Halong Bay, there’s a chance these might not go ahead though, with any severe storms causing sailing to be cancelled.

Trekking is still off the cards in the north, with more heavy rain and high temperatures, and even Hanoi is sweltering through one of its hottest months, as well as one of the wettest of the year. You’ll get daily downpours in the south too, where it’s as hot and humid as ever.

Best for: Central Vietnam beaches, Hoi An and Hue

The best place for a holiday in Vietnam in August is still the centre of the country, although rain is increasing here throughout the month and there’s even a chance of typhoons. Although it’s hard to predict when they might hit this part of the coast, it tends to be between August and September.

There’s still likely to be plenty of sunshine on the beaches of Central Vietnam though, especially around Hoi An and Danang – it’s hot and humid, so afternoon showers can come as a relief.

The rainy season is showing no signs up letting up in the south, although you’ll get warm sunny spells to. And if you love turtles, now is the month to head to Con Dao where the sea turtles are beginning to hatch and return to the ocean.

Trekking is still out this month as well, both in the northern mountains and hills, and in the Central Highlands, thanks to the weather. August is definitely not when to go to Vietnam if you want an active escape. It’s one of the wettest months of the year in Hanoi too.

Festivals: The Feast of the Wandering Souls and Hungry Ghosts, or Tet Trung Nguyen, takes place this month and is one of the country’s most popular festivals. Families make offerings in temples and banyan trees and pray to Buddha for any souls who have undeservedly been condemned to the underworld.

Best for: Spotting turtles, Central Vietnam beaches, Hoi An

The monsoon is arriving in full force on the central coast this month, with regular downpours and floods in some areas, including Hoi An. While you might still find sunshine along the coast at the start of the month, there are more storms and lower temperatures across this previously drier part of Vietnam. Typhoons are more likely to occur in September as well.

Central Vietnam

Dalat and the Central Highlands are very wet, so trekking is not recommended this month, and the Phong Nha caves may also be flooded. At the southern edge of Central Vietnam, there’s a slightly longer dry season in Nha Trang, so you’ve got more chance of sunny days here if you are planning a holiday in Vietnam for September.

South Vietnam

The rainy days are also continuing in the south, with the monsoon weather sticking around for the rest of the month, so it’s better to postpone your trip until the weather improves in October.

North Vietnam

However in the north, conditions are changing with less and less rainfall in September, and trekking is an option once again in Sapa. It’s still hot and you won’t escape the showers entirely, but there are bonuses this month including the rice fields turning gold as the crop becomes ready to harvest, especially around Mu Cang Chai although you can find similar sights in Ha Giang, Pan Hou, Ninh Binh and Pu Luong.

The humidity drops at Bai Tu Long Bay this month as well, and while it’s not totally dry, the temperatures are more pleasant for a cruise amid the limestone peaks. The rain is also easing off in Hanoi, although it’s still over 30C there this month.

Festivals: The Mid-Autumn Festival takes place on the full moon in September (sometimes October), with lanterns lit to make the most of the darker nights, dragon and lion dances, as well as a chance for people to get together and give thanks for the harvest. Don’t miss the mooncakes.

Vietnam National Day also takes place on September 2 with a parade through Hanoi, marking the country’s declaration of independence from France in 1945.

Best for: Trekking, seeing the rice harvest, Bai Tu Long Bay, festivals

October is one month that isn’t the best time for a holiday in Vietnam if you want to hit the beach. But there’s plenty to tempt away from the coast, and this is one of the quieter months to explore the country. The sun returns in the north of the country making it one of the best months for trekking, with lush green growth after the months of rain, and the chance to get out and explore in the hills and the mountains before the temperatures drop too far.

Visit in early October, and you can still see the golden fields of rice ready to harvest. The valley around Mu Cang Chai is one of the best places to enjoy the sight, or you can cycle past the fields around Ninh Binh and Pu Luong. There are plenty more adventures to find too: ride the Ha Giang loop by motorbike, or meet one of the many ethnic groups living in the area at Pan Hou. It’s a perfect time to find out more about Vietnam’s hill tribes; head out trekking in Sapa, sleeping in a homestay for an experiences that’ll transport you far from the usual tourist track, stay in a stilted house in Mai Hich, or visit the Thai tribe in Mai Chau

October is also a great month to get out onto the water, for some of the clearest days at both Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay, where it’s pleasantly warm with cooling breezes and far less rain this month. Or head out onto the lakes at Ba Be National Park, where you can kayak or trek to waterfalls.

South Vietnam

The sun is also slowly coming back in the south. It can be windy this month in Mui Ne, but is usually dry, while the rain is also easing off in Phu Quoc and Con Dao, where the last of the baby turtles are hatching this month. Ho Chi Minh City is less rainy too, though still as hot as ever, and while you could plan a Mekong river cruise or visit to Cat Tien National Park this month, it pays to put these two off for even better weather in November.

Central Vietnam

In Central Vietnam, it’s the rainiest time of the year, with heavy storms, floods and even a chance of typhoons, and even the beaches of Nha Trang in the south will be wet – around half their annual rain falls in October and November. While the weather isn’t quite so bad in Dalat and the Central Highlands, the rainy season doesn’t finish here until the end of the month, so it’s another one to postpone.

Festivals: The Mid-Autumn Festival takes place on the full moon which sometimes falls in early October, with lanterns lit to make the most of the darker nights, dragon and lion dances, as well as a chance for people to get together and give thanks for the harvest. Don’t miss the mooncakes.

Best for: Trekking and hiking in northern Vietnam, cruising in the bays, rice harvest

The high season begins again this month, with warm dry weather in the north and less humid sunny days in the south. Central Vietnam hasn’t escaped the rain yet though, with some stormy weather across the middle of the country.

One of the exceptions is Dalat and the Central Highlands, where the drier weather has already begun and it’s not yet as cold as the temperatures in December and January – the ideal time to make the most of the adventures to be found there.

South Vietnam

In the far south, it’s a beach-goer’s delight with blue skies and plenty of sunshine. Whether you fancy relaxing at Phu Quoc, Con Dao or Mui Ne, you’ll have gentle breezes, clear water and golden sand to chill out on. The dry, less humid conditions are also perfect for a Mekong river cruise, or chance to discover the Mekong Delta, as well as spotting the wildlife in Cat Tien National Park. Don’t miss a day or two in Ho Chi Minh City as well for a few urban adventures.

North Vietnam

And in the north, the temperatures are pleasantly warm for trekking, with far less rainfall – an unbeatable combination to get you out and hiking in the mountains, or cycling through the hills and rice fields. Sapa, Ha Giang, Pan Hou, Mu Cang Chai, Pu Luong, Ninh Binh, Mai Hich are just a few of the choices, whether you want a more challenging hike or a chance to soak up the views on foot, visit hill tribes and ethnic groups, check into a homestay or learn more about local communities.

Hanoi is cooler and dry too, so it’s easy to get a taste of Vietnam’s vibrant capital alongside some time exploring the countryside, plus it’s one of the best months for a cruise on Halong Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay.

Festivals: The Ooc Om Bok festival takes place in late November (or early December), celebrated by the Khmer people living around the Mekong Delta, in particular in Vietnam’s Soc Trang province. The highlight is a boat race, although you’ll find singing, dancing, feasting and thanks to the moon god for the year’s harvest.

Best for: Trekking, hiking and cycling in the north and Central Highlands, cruising in the bays, Mekong cruise, south Vietnam beaches

The worst of the rain is over in central Vietnam, and the north and south are both hot and dry – ideal for beaches or for trekking in the hills and mountains. One of the best months to visit Vietnam, although it’s quieter towards the start of December

North Vietnam

In northern Vietnam, it’s one of the driest months of the year, although temperatures do start to drop at night, so be prepared for chilly mornings and evenings out in the hills – Hanoi is pleasantly warm at around 22C. You’ll need to wrap up warm if you take on the Ha Giang loop or head out into the mountains at Sapa, Pan Hou and Mai Hich, although a visit is well worth it. You’re spoiled for choice when it comes to getting outdoors this month, including the remote hill villages at Mu Cang Chai and the rice fields of Pu Luong and Ninh Binh. It’s a fantastic time to see the karst mountains from the water too, including a cruise on Bai Tu Long Bay and Halong Bay, or a visit to Ba Be National Park.

Central Vietnam

It can be cool in the Central Highlands as well, but the dry sunny days make it a great option for exploring around Dalat and Lak Lake. There’s still a chance of storms in the rest of the centre, especially in Hue, although conditions improve throughout the month, and you’ll see Christmas celebrations starting early in towns like Hoi An.

Beaches

Beach season is well underway in the south with sun, sun and more sun along the coast, low humidity, and temperatures hovering around 26C – the perfect time to relax at Phu Quoc, Con Dao or Mui Ne. Towards the end of the month, Nha Trang, at the southern edge of central Vietnam, is a good option once more. The drier, less humid weather is good for exploring Ho Chi Minh City, as well as the Mekong Delta – including a Mekong river cruise – and spotting the wildlife of the Cat Tien National Park.

Festivals: The Ooc Om Bok festival takes place in early December (or late November), celebrated by the Khmer people living around the Mekong Delta, in particular in Vietnam’s Soc Trang province. The highlight is a boat race, although you’ll find singing, dancing, feasting and thanks to the moon god for the year’s harvest.

While Vietnam isn’t a Christian country, Christmas is celebrated enthusiastically in the cities, and you’ll also see firework displays on New Year’s Eve.

Best for: Trekking and hiking in northern Vietnam, Central Highlands, cruising in the bays, southern Vietnam beaches, Mekong cruise, Ho Chi Minh city