The Best Time to Visit Vietnam
Vietnam stretches 1,600km from misty northern mountains to tropical southern deltas, and its three regions run on three different weather calendars. There's no month when all of it is perfect - but a few months when all of it is good. Those are the ones to aim for.
When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
The best time to visit Vietnam overall is February to April and October to November - the windows when the north (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay), centre (Hoi An, Hue) and south (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta) are all dry or drying. The regions differ: the south is dry December-April, the north is cool and dry October-April with a misty winter, and the central coast is best February-August but takes typhoons and floods September-November. Summer is hot and wet in most places, with the year's lowest prices.
Best time to go
February–April & October–November
Cheapest time
May–September (wet season)
When to avoid
September–November on the central coast (typhoons)
Vietnam climate at a glance
Avg daytime high (°C / °F) · rainfall · season- 31°88°FJan
- 32°90°FFeb
- 33°91°FMar
- 34°93°FApr
- 34°93°FMay
- 33°91°FJun
- 33°91°FJul
- 32°90°FAug
- 32°90°FSep
- 31°88°FOct
- 31°88°FNov
- 31°88°FDec
Every month in Vietnam is rated for weather, crowds and price. Drag the slider to find your sweet spot — the greener the month, the better value the trip.
Cheapest window: May–September (wet season)
May: $ · Low crowds · 34°C, hot, first rains
Vietnam month by month
Every month rated for weather, crowds and price, so you can match the trip to the month.
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Price | What it's like |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 31°C south, cool north | High | $$ | Dry and warm in the south, cool and misty in Hanoi. Tet (Lunar New Year) often falls late month - festive, but transport sells out and much closes. |
| Feb | 32°C south, mild north | High | $$ | One of the best months everywhere: the south is dry, the centre's beaches restart and the north's mist begins lifting. |
| Mar | 33°C, dry, warming | High | $$ | All three regions in step - dry, sunny and warm. Prime time for the full north-to-south route. |
| Apr | 34°C, hot, dry | Moderate | $$ | Still excellent countrywide, though heat builds in the south before the rains. Hoi An's beaches are in top form. |
| May | 34°C, hot, first rains | Low | $ | The southern wet season begins with afternoon downpours; the centre stays sunny and prices fall everywhere. |
| Jun | 33°C, hot, humid | Low | $ | Hot and green: brief heavy showers in the south and north, but Hoi An and Da Nang are at their beach-season best. |
| Jul | 33°C, wet south & north | Moderate | $$ | Peak domestic beach season on the central coast; elsewhere expect daily bursts of rain between sunny spells. |
| Aug | 32°C, wet, lush | Moderate | $$ | Rice terraces in Sapa glow green, the centre stays mostly dry, and the south runs on its afternoon-shower rhythm. |
| Sep | 32°C, storm season starts | Low | $ | Typhoon season arrives on the central coast - Hoi An and Hue can flood. The north begins drying out; the south stays wet. |
| Oct | 31°C, drying north & south | Moderate | $$ | The north hits its stride - golden rice harvests, clear Ha Long cruises - while central-coast storms remain the one caveat. |
| Nov | 31°C, dry, pleasant | Moderate | $$ | One of the most reliable months: the south's dry season returns and the north is cool and clear. Central floods taper late month. |
| Dec | 31°C south, cool north | High | $$$ | Dry and sunny in the south, crisp in Hanoi, Christmas-season prices at the beach resorts - book Phu Quoc early. |
Time it right: Vietnam's seasonal highlights
Tet (Lunar New Year)
Late January–mid-February (varies)Vietnam's biggest holiday: flowers, fireworks and family feasts - but trains, flights and hotels sell out and many businesses close for a week.
Ha Long Bay cruise season
October–December & March–AprilThe clearest skies over the karsts. Winter (January-February) brings atmospheric mist; summer brings haze and occasional storm cancellations.
Sapa rice terrace season
May–June (planting), September (golden harvest)The northern terraces are mirror-flooded in early summer and turn gold just before the September harvest - the region's two photo peaks.
Hoi An Lantern Full Moon Festival
Monthly (full moon)The old town switches off its lights and floats candle lanterns down the Thu Bon river - time your central-coast stop to the lunar calendar.
Central-coast typhoon season
September–NovemberTropical storms and flooding hit the Hoi An-Hue stretch most years - keep central plans flexible in these months.
Best time to visit Vietnam: FAQ
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