Vietnam is one of the most beautiful and fascinating countries of Southeast Asia which is full of surprises. The picturesque scenery of Vietnam features lush paddy fields, crystal clear beaches, mountains, forests, temples, national parks and much more. This astonishing destination has a lot to offer to the visitors of all ages. The country is also a perfect destination for all the outdoor adventure lovers. Though there are unlimited number of attractions in Vietnam, Halong Bay is the most iconic landmark which is visited by millions of tourists every year.
Vietnam is a year-round destination that can be visited anytime. But, if you want to visit the country in any specific month, you must check the weather forecast. Deciding about the best time to visit Vietnam really depends upon whether you want to be in North side or South side. Ideally, December to February is the best time to visit Vietnam when the weather is pleasant and rainfall is also in control. Here’s a guide to the climate conditions of Vietnam in each month:
January
January is ideally the best time to visit Vietnam. Weather in this month is cold mostly in the Northern side of Vietnam but Southern side stays warm. Temperature in Southern regions including remain between 20 C and 30 C. However, the ventral Vietnam remains wet during this month. If you are planning to visit a cooler place during January, then head off to Halong Bay or Hanoi where temperature sometimes drops down to 8 C. Other than Hanoi, Mui Ne, Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc Island are nice destinations to visit in Vietnam during January.
February
February is one of the best times to visit Vietnam as it is pretty dry and bright. Areas in North including Sapa and Hanoi undergo minimal amount of rainfall and experience chilly temperatures in the evening with the average being 18 C degrees. However, Southern side is expected to have a pleasant climate, with its beaches open and in a best state. The temperature in Southern areas including Phan Thiet and Mui Ne remain 27 C making it the best time to visit beaches. You can enjoy swimming and also participate indiving activities around the Con Dao beach and enjoy your time to the fullest.
March
March too marks as one of the best months to plan your trip to Vietnam. The regions in South and in the Central Vietnam offers clear blue skies, dry weather conditions and moderately high temperature. The beaches are the best places to go, and given how the weather is clear and the climate is stabilized, tourists should definitely vouch for trekking, and explore the beauty of the mountains. Average temperature in North Vietnam including Hanoi, Halong Bay and Mai Chau remains 19 C. However, in South side of Vietnam, average temperature is around 29 C. You can visit Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phan Thiet and many other places in South Vietnam during March.
April
In April, the Northern side of Vietnam starts getting hot and humid. The Central side remains pleasant with temperature between 25 C and 33 C. April is the best time to visit beaches in the Central side of Vietnam. However, rainfall season starts in the South during this month but skies are often clearer. You can visit places such as Hanoi, Halong Bay, NinhBinh, Da Nang and Mekong delta in Vietnam during April. If you are visiting Mekong Delta, make sure to see ‘Cai Rang Floating Market’ which is one of the most popular tourist attractions. Ho Chi Minh city is also a great option for April as the weather is dry in city but it may rain in some part.
May
May is the beginning of summer season in Vietnam with temperature of around 32 C degrees all across the country. Southern side may see some downpours but it ends up pretty quickly and won’t cause any trouble during your trip. On the other hand, Northern side gets rainy and pretty humid. The best place to visit during May is Mu Cang Chai where you can witness the breathtaking landscapes. You’ll also see local people performing their duties on the fields. Other places which are recommended to see during Mar include Nha Trang and its beaches, Cat Ba Island and NinhBinh.
June
Trekking activities halt down this month due to the occasional storms. Mountains are engulfed by downpours and stay pretty wet. The north moves towards warmth, and starts to experience high temperatures (30 C) with rainfalls and storms at times. The south has an average temperature of 28 degrees with a lot of downpours and heavy showers. Ha Long Bay is a best place to visit during June as it offers you the most beautiful weather. Other famous tourist attractions worth visiting in June include Mui Ne, Da Lat, Hoi An and Da Nang.
July
July’s weather is pretty similar to June. Weather in Central Vietnam stays hot and dry with little rainfall. However, Southern side sees daily downpours. North Vietnam also experiences high temperatures with usual rainfall.Even though there will be rain, you’ll see plenty of sunshine on beaches. In North, Halong Bay, Hanoi and Sapa are best places to visit. Beaches of Central Vietnam can be visited including Hoi An and Nha Trang which offers plenty of sunshine and clear skies to the visitors. In South, places can get really wet making it impossible to dive into waters specially in the Con Dao Island. July is not much crowded in Vietnam, so if peace is what you are looking for in your trips, July is definitely the right time to explore the country.
August
Weather in August is dry with rainfall. Temperature remains between 27 C and 32 C all over the country. You may experience chilly weather in Highland areas where temperature further drops at night. The west of Central Highlands might get stormy, so diving and other sporting activities are restricted there. Best weather conditions are to be experienced in NhaTarang. The beaches of Danang and Hoi An are dry and bright. In the North, Hanoi is the wettest place, while the rest of the north is hot with occasional rainfall. Trekking is not allowed because of the unstable climate. However, Southern part of Vietnam remains dry and sunny. Green turtle hatchlings can be seen on the beach of Con Dao.
September
Average weather stays around 24 C degrees in Vietnam during September with a lot of rainfall. Central region is delved into heavy showers and a lot of stormy rains and wind. Downpours are pretty frequent there. However, weather conditions in Northern side gets betterwith decreased downpours. In this time of the year, even with rainfalls and humidity, you can still enjoy your trip to Vietnam. The most recommended places to visit in Vietnam in September include Beach Ma, Mekong Delta, Hanoi and Mui Ne.
October
October is the month of sunny skies, warm weather and some rainfalls. Average temperature of Vietnam in October is between 25 C to 30 C. Weather can get really warm in the South side of Vietnam whereas, night gets chilly. Northern side represents beautiful autumn weather making the landscapes look even more beautiful. Central part of Vietnam such as Hoi An and Hue might experience rainfall on some days. Coastal areas of Vietnam may have floods which can affect your trip. It is recommended to check the weather in advance before you visit the Coastal side. However, you can still enjoy your trip to Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa, Da Lat and Ha Giang.
November
Northern Vietnam stays hot and wet during November with average temperature of 24 C. It’s also the bets time to enjoy trekking in the mountains of Sapa, Ha Giang and Mu Cang Chai. You can also enjoy cruise on Halong Bay during November. Southern Vietnam also stays hot and humid with clear skies. Average temperature in South during this month is 27 C. Beaches of Ho Chi Minh City can be explored during this month as the skies are blue and you’ll see plenty of sunshine. You can also visit other places in South such as Mekong Delta, Long Hai and Phu Quoc. Central Vietnam’s weather is just like North with heavy rainfall which may also cause flood in some areas. Recommended areas to visit in Central Vietnam during November are Central Highlands, Hoi An, Quy Nhon and Danang.
December
December is certainly the best time to visit Vietnam. Northern side of the country is windy with bright skies. Temperature remains 20 C during December in this part of the country. Central Vietnam shows average of 24 C degrees with very little rainfall and bright sunny days. The South part of Vietnam also brings sunny days and clear skies with average temperature of 26 C. though you can visit almost any part of the country, the best and most recommended places are; Ha Long Bay, Mui Ne, Ho chi Minh City, Phu Quoc Island and Moc Chau. If you are confused as to what time would be the best to explore Vietnam, December can serve as the most viable option.
CONCLUSION – BEST TIME TO VISIT VIETNAM:
The best time to visit Vietnam is between February to April when its spring season. However, if you want to travel the country in winter season, November and December are the ideal months. We wish you fun filled vacation to Vietnam; and if you want more details about what to plan for and what to expect on your trip to Vietnam, visit the German website Backpackertrail.
