Best Time to Visit Vietnam: Why Weather isn’t Everything To Consider?
Why Vietnam Weather isn’t everything you should consider when determining the best time to visit Vietnam?
Imagine yourself in Vietnam on a beautiful morning in February, when the temperature is mild and the weather is perfect, yet almost no restaurants, spas, museums, or any kind of entertainment is open, would you still think it is the best time to visit Vietnam? Or when you are staying at a luxury resort in Vietnam and realize you are paying double the price yet having access to fewer amenities than normally, would you still feel happy about your visit?
I surely didnât enjoy those experiences, and I know that most people wouldnât! In this article, I will share with you important knowledge to truly determine the best time to visit Vietnam, not just based on weather!
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From my personal experiences: When is the best time to visit Vietnam weather-wise?
I grew up in Hanoi, the capital city of Vietnam, and left for the US when I was seventeen. After living in North America and Europe for 10 years, I came back to Vietnam and lived as an expat in Ho Chi Minh City for almost two years. The nature of my job and my passion for traveling led me to explore many places in Vietnam, from north to south, during different seasons.
You can enjoy plenty of beautiful sunny days in Vietnam year-round, as long as you visit the right places at the right time of the year. In general, March to early May is the best time to visit Vietnam as the weather is nice and warm across the country. It’s the perfect time to cruise Halong Bay and Cat Ba Island before the summer crowds hit the town.
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From June to August, it gets very hot in northern Vietnam, but the weather tends to be milder in central and southern Vietnam. My favorite vacation spot during these hot summer months is Ba Na Hills, a recreational area in Truong Son Mountains, about an hour west of Da Nang. It was originally founded in the early 20th century by the French colonists as a luxury vacation spot for high-ranking officers due to its cool weather and fresh air up in the mountain.
If you want to experience the contrasting weather between the north and south of Vietnam, December would be your best bet. While it can be chilly in the north, it is hot in the south.
You may think that a couple of hours in distance would not make the weather change very much, but that may not be true in Vietnam, and I actually learn this the hard way! A couple of years ago, I was visiting Nha Trang in July and the weather was gorgeous.
My original plan was to go to Ho Chi Minh City next, but I spontaneously changed my mind and added Dalat to my itinerary – which was only a three-hour drive away. I thought it would have similar weather to Nha Trang because of the close distance, so I didnât bother checking the weather. Little did I know, July was the start of the rainy season in Dalat. During the three days that I was there, it never stopped raining!
It wasn’t a huge problem for me as I had the chance to go back to Dalat during the dry season not long after that. However, if your trip to Vietnam is only for a few weeks or a few days with less flexibility, you will want to plan ahead to visit the places with the best weather.
I will go into more details about the weather in different places of interest in Vietnam, but before that, I want you to be mindful of a few other factors that would influence the best time to visit Vietnam.
When should you travel to Vietnam?
Vietnam’s vast and diverse terrain offers something to suit every traveler at almost any time of the year. In this section, you will find the most important factors to consider when it’s best to travel to Vietnam. As you read on, you will also find the best months to visit Vietnam based on different destinations and regions.
Factors influencing the best time to visit Vietnam
1. Vietnamâs Climate, Weather, & Temperature
The weather in Vietnam varies considerably from north to south due to the long and narrow shape of the country. While the variety in climates makes Vietnam a year-round destination, it is important to be aware of the weather in all of the destinations that you are planning to visit in Vietnam.
Northern Vietnam – Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Northern Vietnam offers a humid tropical climate with four distinct seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall. Summer in northern Vietnam (June to August) is typically very hot and humid. There are days that the temperatures can get to 43 degrees Celcius. The winter in northern Vietnam (December to February) is tricky.
Most of the time it’s has a mix of cool and warm days, just like the fall in the US. However, Northern Vietnam experiences very cold and rainy days when there is northeast monsoon. Although it almost never snows and the temperatures barely gets below 44 degrees Fahrenheit (7 degrees Celcius), the high humidity makes it feel so much colder.
Central Vietnam – Dry & Rainy Season
The coast of central Vietnam often faces typhoons during its wet season, especially between November and January. The rainy season usually ends in February, when you can expect warmer temperatures and more sunshine.
Southern Vietnam – Dry & Rainy Season
It is typically warm and sunny in Southern Vietnam year-round. During the rainy season (May to October), it may rain occasionally throughout the days. However, it didn’t bother me that much when I lived in Ho Chi Minh City, because it’s typically downpouring for a short period of time and then it’s sunny again!
When is the Best Weather in Vietnam?
Because the weather is so diverse across the country, you will find a place with the best weather every month! No kidding. You will just have to choose the places of interest that you want to visit during your trip to Vietnam and then figure out when they have the best weather. My guide below will help you do that! However, my favorite time to visit Vietnam is in December because it allows me to experience different weather across different regions in Vietnam.
What are the hottest months in Vietnam?
The hottest months in Northern and Central Vietnam are June and July, while the hottest months in Southern Vietnam are March and April. Due to the humidity levels, June and July in Northern and Central Vietnam feel much hotter than March and April in the south.
What is the coldest month in Vietnam?
Only northern Vietnam has four distinctive seasons and January is the coldest month in the north. Central and Southern Vietnam has quite consistently warm weather throughout the year.
2. Vietnam’s Festivals
Attending a festival in Vietnam is one of the best ways for you to learn about its culture, myths, and customs. In addition, some Vietnamese local dishes and snacks are only available during the annual festivals.
These are, in my opinion, some of the best festivals in Vietnam:
- đĽŽMid-Autumn Festival: Typically held on the 14th and 15th day of August in the lunar month (typically September in the solar calendar). Mid-Autumn Festival celebrates the full moon and features activities including paper lantern parades and lion dances. Many houses along the main streets in the Old Quarter of Hanoi, District 5 of Ho Chi Minh City, and Hoi An will have red lanterns hanging at the front doors. Even if you miss the exact date of celebration, visiting Vietnam in September will allow you to find a wide variety of moon cakes, which are not typically available other times of the year.
- đ˛Cold Food Festival: The annual Cold Food festival takes place on the 3rd of march in the lunar month (typically falls in late March or early April in the solar calendar). The food that is very popularly served during this festival are chilled dishes such as floating rice cake (banh troi) and glutinous rice balls with mung bean paste (banh chay).
- đPerfume Pagoda Festival: There are many religious festivals in Vietnam, but Perfume Pagoda Festival is probably one of the biggest. Pilgrims from all over Vietnam travel to Hanoiâs iconic Perfume Pagoda, on the 15th of the January in lunar calendar, to pray for a prosperous year and pay their respects to Buddha.
3. Vietnamâs Public Holidays – When You May Want to Avoid Vietnam
Public holidays in Vietnam are basically when workers get the day off work. During these holidays, there is a surge in domestic travel, leading to a hike in prices for hotels and tours all over Vietnam. Not only the prices will be higher, but it is also much more crowded. These are some of the public holidays in Vietnam that I typically try to avoid:
- Apr 30: Liberation Day of South Vietnam and Saigon
- May 1: Labour Day
- Sep 2: Independence Day
4. Vietnamese New Year (Tet)
Vietnamese New Year, locally called Tet Nguyen Dan or Tet, is the biggest annual festival and the most important celebration in Vietnam. Students and workers can typically get 7 to 14 days off for the Tet celebration. As this is the biggest festival as well as the longest public holiday in Vietnam, it can be both the best and the worst time to visit Vietnam!
đ§§Learn more about Vietnamese New Year Traditions to better prepare for your trip!
Vietnamese New Year is on the first day of January in the lunar calendar, which falls on a different date every year in late January – early February according to the solar calendar. For 2022, the Vietnamese New Year takes place on February 1st. If you visit big cities in Vietnam (especially Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City) just a few days right before the lunar new year, you will most likely have a great time. There are decorations and year-end sales everywhere. On the sidewalks, you will find many pop-up shops selling cherry blossoms and kumquats (look like baby mandarine orange trees). On New Year’s Eve, big cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City will have plenty of night shows and fireworks.
However, starting from New Year Day, you will find the cities fall into sleep! Almost no businesses would be open. In fact, you may barely even see people on the streets, as most people would return to their hometown to gather with their families. Most places will close for one week till the 6th or the 7th of the lunar new year. As a result, I would not recommend taking your trip to Vietnam during the week after Lunar New Year’s Eve.
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The Best Time/Best Months to Visit Vietnam Based on Destinations
The long and narrow shape of Vietnam makes the weather vary considerably as you go from one part of the country to another. While this variety makes Vietnam a year-round destination, it’s important to plan ahead of time when and where you want to visit. In general, the best time to visit Vietnam is from March to May, when the days are long and temperatures are moderate. However, it also depends on what you want to see and do. For example, Sa Pa in December is rainy and foggy, but it is indeed the best time to visit if you are into “catching the clouds” on the peak of Fansipan.
My detailed guide below will help you decide the best time to visit different places in Vietnam.
1. Hanoi
Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam and one of the must-see attractions in the North. It has a rich and fascinating culture that is blended with Chinese and French influences.
Best Time to visit Hanoi in Northern Vietnam
The best time to visit Hanoi is from September to November or from March to April when the weather is warm, not too hot or too dry. From December to February, the weather is generally cool and pleasant, but there is a chance that the city will be influenced by the Northeast monsoon, making it super cold for a few days.
Things You Don’t Want to Miss in Hanoi
Best Day Trips from Hanoi
Where to Stay in Hanoi
- Apricot Hotel: is located at the edge of Hoan Kiem Lake, a few steps to Thang Long Water Puppet Theater and St. Joseph Cathedral of Hanoi. The famous street for nightlife in Hanoi â Ta Hien â is just a short walk away. If you stay in Hanoi during special occasions such as Independence Day and New Yearâs Eve, this is hands down the best luxury hotel in Hanoi. Instead of sweating in the multitude of people trying to catch a glimpse of the fireworks, you can watch the celebration from your balcony or rooftop pool at Apricot Hotel.
- Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi Hotel: since its opening at the turn of last century, the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi has been a legendary landmark in Hanoi. The Sunday brunch ($80++/person) offers a limited selection but high quality gourmet food. Sunday Brunch at Metropole is very popular among locals and may be fully booked a week in advance
- Hilton Hanoi Opera: Hilton is a well-maintained hotel conveniently located 1 minute walk from Hanoi Opera House.
2. Ha Long Bay
Ha Long Bay is the UNESCO World Heritage Site and popular travel destination in northeast Vietnam, about 2.5 hours by car from Hanoi. Ha Long Bay is known for its emerald waters and thousands of towering limestone islands topped by rainforests.
Best Time to visit Ha Long Bay in Northern Vietnam
The best time to visit Ha Long Bay in Vietnam is from April to June as well as from September to November, as it is almost always sunny and the water is warm enough for swimming.
Where to Stay in Ha Long Bay
- Stellar of the Seas is a luxury 5-star all-inclusive cruise that will take you around the bay for two days one night. It wraps up the experience in Ha Long Bay very nicely, and has definitely been my favorite place.
- Vinpearl Resort & Spa Ha Long: built on a man made island in Ha Long Bay, Vinpearl has a private beach, outdoor pool and speedboat transfer. The food at Vinpearl Ha Long is mediocre, but the service is excellent.
- Yoko Onsen Quang Hanh is where guests can enjoy a hot springs bath near Ha Long Bay. The hotel adopts the onsen hot springs resort style from Japan and is adored by Vietnamese tourists.
3. Sa Pa
As a popular trekking base, Sa Pa overlooks the terraced rice fields of the Muong Hoa Valley and is the gateway to the Fansipan peak – the highest mountain in the Indochinese Peninsula. You can take a night sleeping bus from Hanoi at 22:00 PM to arrive at Sa Pa roughly around 6:00 AM.
âOnly $124 for Sa Pa 3 Days 2 Nights Cultural and Trekking Tour
Best Time to visit Sa Pa in Northern Vietnam
The best time to visit Sa Pa depends mostly on what you want to experience in this beautiful mountain village.
- February to May: This is the best time to visit Sa Pa to admire the beautiful regional flowers such as cherry blossoms and climbing roses.
- June to August: Sa Pa is a widely popular destination during these months as the pleasantly cool temperatures at high altitude makes it an ideal vacation spot to run away from the burning summer heat in other regions.
- September to October: This is the ripe rice season in Sa Pa. The gorgeous natural landscapes will leave you at awe as the lush rice terraces turn into shiny golden fields under the sun
- December: Sa Pa will typically be rainy and foggy in December, yet it still attracts a great number of tourists because of the opportunity to “catch the clouds” in Fansipan. When you take the cable car from Sa Pa to Fansipan, you will go through the clouds. As you reach the peak, it will be sunny and provide the perfect backdrop for gorgeous pictures of you “floating” above the clouds.
- January: As I said, Vietnam almost never snowes, but when it does, it happens in Sapa in the last week of January. Many professional photographers flock to Sapa during this time, trying to catch pictures of white snow on the cherry blossom trees.
Where to Stay in Sa Pa
- Hotel de la Coupole MGallery is an award-winning 5-star luxury hotel in the heart of Sapa at a very affordable price. The hotel is connected to Muong Hoa funicular, which would conveniently take you to the departure terminal of Fansipan cable cars. From there, you can easily conquer the peak of Fansipan, also known as âthe Roof of Indochinaâ.
- Silk Path Grand Resort and Spa: secluded location but the hotel does provide shuttle to the city center. Each room has a beautiful rose garden that would bloom typically bloom in the spring and summer.
- Paoâs Sapa Leisure Hotel: offers many good deals with beautiful views of the rice terraces. However, if you book the lowest tier rooms, it may have the views of the tribal cemetery.
4. Da Nang – Hoi An – Hue
Central Vietnam is home to the famous luxury beach resort town Da Nang, the exceptionally well-preserved ancient town Hoi An, and the stunning royal complexes in Hue. This is the perfect combination of places to visit in Vietnam if you want to explore more than one city with limited time.
Best Time to visit Danang – Hoi An – Hue in Central Vietnam
The best time to visit Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue in Central Vietnam is from February to May before it gets hot in the summer. You should try to avoid visiting Central Vietnam between November and January during the stormy season as it can be quite dangerous.
Where to Stay in Danang – Hoi An – Hue
- Senna Hue Hotel is probably the cheapest 5-star hotel you will ever find in Vietnam! You will be able to stay at this centrally located hotel in Hue starting at $50 per night
- InterContinental Danang Sun Peninsula Resort is a luxury five-star beach resort in Son Tra Peninsula, about 30 minutes to Ngu Hanh Son and 45 minutes from Da Nang airport. It currently houses the only Michelin-starred restaurant in Vietnam.
- Anantara Hoi An Resort is within walking distance from the historic quarter of Hoi An. The hotel offers riverfront dining and a variety of activities such as Chinese painting, Vietnamese conversational class, and Yoga.
5. Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) is one of the largest cities in Vietnam, with modern architecture and vibrant nightlife. You will find traces of the Vietnam War in historical attractions such as the Independence Palace and Cu Chi Tunnels.
Best Time to visit Ho Chi Minh City in Southern Vietnam
The weather in southern Vietnam is consistently warmer than in the north. The rainy season in Ho Chi Minh City lasts from May to November and the dry season lasts from December to April of next year. The best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City is during the dry season when it’s warm and sunny, but I honestly didn’t mind the rainy season that much. You may see occasional downpouring rains that last about 10 to 30 minutes, and then it’s sunny again. The rains make it a bit cooler in Ho Chi Minh City during the rainy season, but keep in mind that it is still generally warm.
Where to Stay in Ho Chi Minh City
Rex Hotel Saigon: an affordable upscale hotel at the prime location in the city center, right on the famous walking Nguyen Hue Street. Within a 15-minute walk from the hotel, you can explore most major attractions, such as Ho Chi Minh City Hall, Opera House, Takashimaya Mall, Bitexco, Ben Thanh Market, and the General Post Office.
âCu Chi Tunnels & Mekong Delta Full-Day VIP Tour from Ho Chi Minh City only $79â
6. Mekong Delta
The Mekong Delta, also referred to as Western Region, is one of my favorite destinations in Vietnam because of its impressive rivers and canals network. The best way to explore the Mekong Delta at your own pace is to hire a car with a private driver from Ho Chi Minh City. You can stop at My Tho for the famous âhu tieuâ (rice noodles) and Ben Tre for fresh coconut juice, before reaching Can Tho â the largest city in the Mekong Delta that is best known for the floating markets. You can book the boat tours on your own or ask your driver to coordinate the boat tours for your visit.
Best Time to visit Mekong Delta in Southern Vietnam
The best time to visit Mekong Delta is between May and August, during the harvest season of fruit orchards. You can take the boat to visit the gardens and pick the fruits to eat for free or buy in bulk to bring home at a very cheap price.
Where to Stay in Mekong Delta
Azerai Can Tho is a beautiful resort with a mix of Vietnamese traditional and contemporary decor on an islet off Hau River. The booking rate includes a complimentary speedboat transfer from Ninh Kieu pier. It is also very convenient as you can rent a boat to take you directly from the resort to the Floating Markets in the morning.
7. Da Lat
Dalat, known for its distinctive temperate climate, was developed by the French as a resort town in the early 1900s. It later became the favorite vacation spot of the Vietnamese royalty, so much that Bao Dai, the last emperor of the Nguyen Dynasty in Vietnamâs feudal regime, built multiple palaces and luxurious residences in Dalat.
Best Time to visit Dalat in Southern Vietnam
Dalat features a subtropical highland climate, in contrast to the weather in other parts of southern Vietnam. The most ideal time to visit Dalat is in the dry season from November to June because of the nice weather and beautiful flowers in full bloom. In late December, Dalat celebrates the flower festivals with plenty of creative flower decorations around town.
Where to Stay in Dalat
Dalat Palace Heritage Hotel was built in 1922 and still retains some of its original character and colonial style. Spanning over five acres of woodland, the picturesque hotel is at a prime location near Ho Xuan Huong Lake, Prenn Falls, Dalat Central Market, and Bao Daiâs Summer Palace. Some of the hotel rooms feature the lake and cathedral views.
8. Nha Trang
Nha Trang is a coastal city in southern Vietnam, known for its pristine beaches, diving sites, and offshore islands.
Best Time to visit Nha Trang in Southern Vietnam
The best time to visit Nha Trang is in the dry season from January to September. The weather is beautiful and ideal for island tours.
Where to Stay in Nha Trang
The main beach in Nha Trang runs along Tran Phu Street, filled with promenades, hotels, and seafood restaurants. In addition, there are several luxury resorts on private islands off the coast of Nha Trang. Six Senses Ninh Van Bay is one of the best luxury villa complexes that is a speedboat ride away from Nha Trang. Every villa at Six Senses Ninh Van Bay resort features its own private pool with and a garden terrace or sundeck. Whether you pick a villa on the beach, over the water, between rocks, or perched on the mountainsides, you will enjoy panoramic ocean views of the East Vietnam Sea.
9. Phu Quoc
Phu Quoc is a Vietnamese island off the coast of Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand. It used to be known for its beautiful white-sand beaches, relaxing vibe, and rugged beauty, but has now become a more developed island filled with European-style luxury hotels and resorts.
Best Time to visit Phu Quoc in Southern Vietnam
The best time to visit Phu Quoc is the dry season from the end of October to mid-May of next year. Although it’s possible to visit Phu Quoc during the rainy season, you may risk being stuck on the island for days if it’s hit by a storm.
Where to Stay in Phu Quoc
The newest and biggest project that has gone into operation in 2021 is the Grand World âsleepless cityâ, filled with round-the-clock shows, Venetian-style shophouses, and gondola rides, bars, clubs, and the Corona Casino. Since Grand World, together with other popular attractions in Phu Quoc like VinOasis and VinSafari, are practically owned by VinGroup, you will enjoy certain perks for staying at Vinpearl resort such as free shuttle and easy access to main attractions.
There are 5 different Vinpearl Hotels on Phu Quoc. Since hotel rooms and services at Vinpearl are quite standardized across the country, itâs safe to say that your experience wonât vary much when you stay at any of these 5 Vinpearl Resorts in Phu Quoc. If you are celebrating your honeymoon, make sure you make a note in your reservation as the hotel may provide complimentary flower bed decoration and a small cake.
Key Takeaways: The Best Time to go to Vietnam
One of the most important decisions you will make before visiting Vietnam is deciding when to go. Although the weather is an important factor, it isn’t everything you should consider when deciding the best time to visit Vietnam. Knowing when the country celebrates annual festivals and public holidays (especially Vietnamese New Year) would help you enhance your cultural experiences or avoid pricing surges in Vietnam.
I hope my detailed guide about the weather in Vietnam and other factors to consider has helped you pick the best places of interest as well as the best time to visit this beautiful country.
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