When to go to Vietnam? As you know, Vietnam is located in the monsoon zone, it enjoys a hot and humid climate, from North to South. We can say that the surroundings of Danang are the climatic “frontier” of the country because winter only exists in the North, while in the South, it is almost always hot.
Before going to Vietnam, you are really advised to choose your itinerary according to the seasons. Here are our little tips to avoid finding yourself in flip-flops and shorts in the biting cold, or feeling persecuted by the monsoon. Our recommendations were built not only by our experiences of tourism, but also after consultations with the inhabitants of each region of the country.
A few main principles per season
It’s perfect to go not only to South Vietnam (Saigon – Phu Quoc Island – the Mekong Delta), but also to the central highlands and the coast in Mui Ne. During this period, the weather is almost always sunny, which is favorable to tourism. Apart from the fact that these regions do not concentrate on the high tourist places, such as Sapa with rice terraces or Halong Bay, you will not be disappointed by the discovery of magnificent landscapes and local life in the delta of Mekong or in the highlands. Enjoying swimming on the beautiful beaches of the country or by visiting the city of Saigon, very active and lively, you will absolutely be seduced.
March to April:
This is the ideal time to discover a very large part of Vietnam not only in the South, you can ideally go to the Highlands but also to the Center such as Hue and Hoi An, extending along the entire coast such as Nha Trang, Quy Nhon. In this period, the dry season also begins in the North, you can organize tours in Hanoi or its surroundings, trekking in the mountains through minority towns, but it is better to wait a bit if you want to visit the bay of Halong because it is not yet the right season for this great tourist site.
May to June:
This period is also favorable to go to the region of Hue, Hoi An, the coast like Quy Nhon, Nha Trang and the islands of Con Dao. In the South, it is the beginning of the rainy season, the rains often fall there in the form of very strong and fast showers. You can also visit the city of Saigon and the very green highlands. For Halong Bay, the clouds and its drizzle have eased. So you can better enjoy its splendor. Your circuit can be enriched with the discovery of ethnic minorities and magnificent mountain landscapes of the North, then a cultural and historical stopover in the city of Hanoi, Hue and Hoi An, with a beach break and diving in any place on the coast. A small drawback in this period, the weather is extremely hot and humid with frequent showers from the beginning of June, except on the beaches.
July to August:
Although it is the high tourist season with school and professional holidays, few tourist agencies advise you to go to Vietnam in summer. It will therefore necessarily be difficult to get off the beaten track but possible because, as everywhere in the world, tourists tend to confine themselves to the same destinations. It is the rainy season when it is very hot and humid, the heat is stifling, especially in the cities, making visits a little more difficult, but after the frequent very strong and rapid showers, the weather becomes clear and sunny again. What is more, the landscapes of the North are particularly magnificent with the extensive greenery of the rice fields.
As for Halong Bay, the typhoon season arrives in July, which forces the cancellation of cruises for safety reasons. On the other hand, the weather is ideal for kayaking or swimming in the bay.
September to November:
It really is an ideal time to visit the North which concentrates major tourist attractions, including Halong Bay. But typhoons arrive in the region of Hue and Hoi An, on the coast. As for the South, it’s still the rainy season
You can consult our sheets on the best season or rainy season for more additional information.
