When to go to Vietnam
Vietnam is a narrow but very long country, stretching a huge distance from north to south. As a result it has a very varied climate and most visitors will experience different weather conditions as they move around the country. What this means is that you can visit Vietnam at any time of the year and the weather will always be perfect somewhere along the way. We will tailor your itinerary to ensure that you spend maximum time in the areas likely to have the best weather at the time of your visit.
In general from November through to March it is cooler in the north (particularly in the mountains) with some rain, and it is much warmer and generally dry in the south with lots of sunshine. The summer (from April to October) is warm or hot throughout the country with a chance of rain on some days in the north and south, but with lots of sunshine in the middle.
If you are travelling the breadth of Vietnam from Hanoi in the north to Saigon in the south, there isn’t really an ideal time to visit. But if we were pushed, then probably the best time of year would be spring (March – May) or autumn (September – October). However the majority of our travellers visit Vietnam in the summer (July – August) and we just amend the itinerary to include plenty of time in and around Hoi An where the weather is likely to be gorgeous.
January
Overall a great time to visit the south but be prepared for cooler temperatures and some rainfall in the north and centre.
North – There will be sunshine, blue skies and cooler temperatures (average 18°C). There may be some rainfall and it can be misty in coastal areas. Take some warm clothing for the evenings.
Centre – The wet season is coming to an end with rainfall decreasing by the end of the month. Average temperature is around 23°C. There is often good weather on the beach around Danang and Hoi An.
South – Some of the best conditions of the year with blue skies, little rain and lots of sunshine. Phu Quoc will have gorgeous beach weather. Temperatures will average 26°C with low humidity.
February
Overall a great time to visit the south but be prepared for cooler temperatures and some rainfall in the north and centre.
North – There will be sunshine, blue skies and cooler temperatures (average 17°C). There may be some rainfall and it can be misty in coastal areas. Take some warm clothing for the evenings.
Centre – Summer returns! There will be great weather on the beaches, with lots of sunshine and the possibility of a light sprinkling of rain only. Average 25°C.
South – Fantastic weather with blue skies, sunshine and almost no rain. Average temperatures warm but comfortable (27-28°C).
March
Overall a great time to visit.
North – There will be sunshine and clear blue skies. Temperatures are starting to rise (average 19°C) however it will still be cool at times with little or no rainfall. These are excellent conditions for trekking. A great time to visit.
Centre – Excellent weather, warm and sunny conditions with no rainfall expected. Average 28°C. A great time to visit.
South – Temperatures are starting to rise and although the weather remains dry it will be starting to get quite humid as the month progresses. Average temperatures are around 29°C. This is a great time to visit.
April
Overall a great time to visit.
North – Temperatures continue to rise (average 24°C), with perhaps a few rainy days towards the end of the month. These are excellent conditions for trekking and overall this is a great time to visit.
Centre – There will be excellent, hot and sunny conditions with no rainfall expected. Average 28°C. This is a great time to visit.
South – Temperatures rising (average 31°C) and, while clear skies will be the norm, the humidity is high and there could be a few rainy days towards the end of the month. The beaches at Phu Quoc will be ideal. A great time to visit.
May
Overall a great time to visit.
North – Temperatures are rising. The days are mainly dry though there is the chance of some rain. Average temperatures 29°C.
Centre – Excellent, warm and sunny conditions with no rainfall expected. Average 30°C. A great time to visit.
South – The likelihood of rain is increasing although there are still plenty of dry spells. When it rains, it will likely be a short, heavy downpour in the afternoon, followed by blue skies. Average temperatures 28°C.
June
Overall a good time to visit but be prepared for some rain.
North – It is now the middle of summer and you have hot weather (average 30°C) with some rain and the possibility of storms. The northern mountains are becoming very wet so the conditions for trekking are not ideal.
Centre – Excellent, warm and sunny conditions with no rainfall expected. Average 30°C. This is a great time to visit.
South – This is now the wet season so you can expect short, heavy downpours in the afternoons, followed by blue skies and plenty of dry and bright daytime hours. Average temperatures 28°C.
July
Overall a good time to visit but be prepared for some rain.
North – It is now the middle of its summer and you have hot weather (average 30°C) with some rain and the possibility of storms. The northern mountains are becoming very wet so trekking is not ideal although the hilltribe areas are still well worth a visit. Halong Bay and Hanoi are prone to heavy showers at this time of year but still plenty of sunshine too – usually the rain falls in a heavy burst and it is dry for the rest of the day.
Centre – Excellent, warm and sunny conditions. There is the possibility of a little rainfall, which helps offset the high temperatures, but generally lots of sunshine. Average 31°C. A great time to visit.
South – Now in the wet season, you can expect short, heavy downpours in the afternoons, followed by blue skies and plenty of dry and bright daytime hours. Average temperatures 28°C.
August
Overall a good time to visit but be prepared for some rain.
North – It is now the middle of its summer and you have hot weather (average 30°C) with some rain and the possibility of storms. The northern mountains are becoming very wet so trekking is not ideal although the hilltribe areas are still well worth a visit. Halong Bay and Hanoi are prone to heavy showers at this time of year but still plenty of sunshine too – usually the rain falls in a heavy burst and it is dry for the rest of the day.
Centre – Hoi An has excellent, warm and sunny conditions. You can expect some increased rainfall towards the end of the month, especially around Hue. Average temperatures 30°C. This is a great time to visit.
South – Now in the wet season, you can expect short, heavy downpours in the afternoons, followed by blue skies and plenty of dry and bright daytime hours. Average temperatures 29°C.
September
Overall a good time to visit.
North – The end of summer is approaching. There is still plenty of hot weather as well as some rain with average temperatures 28°C. Towards the end of the month temperatures and rainfall should both drop. In the far north, the decline in rains should improve trekking conditions around Sapa and Pu Luong.
Centre – Throughout the month rain will be on the increase around Hoi An and Hue. Temperatures drop a little (average 28°C) and there could be some storms at the end of the month.
South – It remains wet, though rainfall decreases as the month goes on. The temperatures remain quite high (average 28°C) and frequent rain is to be expected though mixed with plenty of sunshine and blue skies in between showers.
October
Overall a reasonable time to visit.
North – This is the end of the wet season and it gets cooler and drier as the month progresses, with average temperatures 26°C. Trekking conditions are some of the best of the year.
Centre – Rainfall is close to its peak and there can be heavy storms. Temperatures can be 24-27°C (Hoi An will be warmer than Hue).
South – The warmest, driest summer months are around the corner and rainfall will decline (especially towards the end of the month). The beaches are recovering from the monsoon months and the sun will be shining more as the month goes on. Average temperatures 27°C.
November
Overall a great time to visit in the north and south, with some rain in the centre.
North – Some of the best conditions of the year. Comfortable temperatures (around 24°C) and light, infrequent rain make for clear views; a great time to visit.
Centre – Rainfall is close to its peak and there can be heavy storms. Temperatures can be 23-25°C (Hoi An will be warmer than Hue).
South – Beautiful summer weather, clear skies and a drop in humidity. Average temperatures are 27°C. The beaches of Phu Quoc and Mui Ne will be sunny with clear skies at this time. A great time to visit the south.
December
Overall a great time to visit the south, but it may be cooler with some rain in the north and centre.
North – Moderate temperatures (average 19°C) and little rain expected, this continues to be a good time to come trekking in the north. Bring warm clothing for the mornings and evenings.
Centre – There should be a significant drop in rainfall this month, however there’s still the chance of some storms early in December. You can expect more rainfall in Hue than in Hoi An. Temperatures average 24°C.
South – Beautiful summer weather, clear skies and a drop in humidity. Average temperatures in Saigon are 26°C and humidity is low. The beaches of Phu Quoc and Mui Ne will be sunny with clear skies at this time. A great time to visit the south.
Call us and we will be happy to provide you with a free-of-charge no obligation itinerary and quotation designed for you.
01728 752751
Vietnam in pictures
