When is the best time to visit Vietnam
YasyaVietnam stretches in a narrow strip from north to south along the South China Sea. This geographical feature has led to a climatic peculiarity—the weather in different parts of the country can vary greatly during the same period. While tourists in the north gaze at mountain fog, people in the south sip cocktails on the beach and swim peacefully.
When planning a trip here, it’s important to check the calendar, because Vietnam’s entry rules are quite lenient. However, choosing the wrong month can cost you a ruined beach vacation, when instead of azure water, there will be continuous storm waves. In this article, we’ll figure out where and when to catch the perfect sun.
It’s impossible to answer in one word when the season is in Vietnam. In this country, it lasts all year round, simply “migrating” from one region to another. Globally, the country is divided into three climatic zones: south, center, and north.
South
This part of the country is the most popular for a winter escape. It enjoys a classic subequatorial climate, where it’s hot all year round, and air temperatures consistently stay at +27–32°C. The main thing to know is that the year here is divided into dry and wet periods. The high dry season starts in November and lasts until the end of April. This is a time of clear skies and calm seas. From May to October, rains arrive, but they are usually short-lived and warm, so a vacation is possible even in the low season if you are prepared for high humidity.
- Dry season (high): from November to April.
- Wet season (low): from May to October.
Phu Quoc Island: Vietnam’s main beach star. From December to March, the weather here is ideal: the sea is crystal clear, the sky is cloudless, and there is practically no rain. To get here, you need to buy tickets to Ho Chi Minh City on Kupi.com (or with a layover in another Asian country), and from there take a short flight to the island.
Mui Ne and Phan Thiet: these resorts are located on the mainland and have their own microclimate. It’s drier here than on the islands. Even during the rainy season, rainfall here is often short-lived (a downpour passes, and the sun is out again). In winter (December-February), it’s windy season here. This is great for kitesurfers and windsurfers, but high waves and sand blowing in your face can hinder those who prefer calm swimming. For calm swimming, it’s better to choose morning hours or hotels with breakwaters.
Center
The central part of the country, including Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hoi An, and Hue, has a capricious character. The climate here is transitional, and seasons are shifted compared to the south. The beach season here opens later, in February, and lasts until the end of summer.
- Beach season: from February to August.
- Rain and storm season: from October to December (sometimes extending into January).
Nha Trang: this resort often disappoints tourists who habitually fly here for New Year. When is the best time to visit Vietnam for Nha Trang? Definitely not in December. In winter, it’s often stormy here, the sea becomes murky and gray, and red flags prohibit swimming. The ideal time here begins in March and lasts all summer until the end of August. In summer, when it rains in Thailand, Nha Trang is dry and sunny. If you are looking for tickets to Nha Trang (usually with transfers), plan your departure for spring or summer.
Da Nang and Hoi An: these cities are located even further north, so it’s cool here in winter. In January, temperatures can drop to +18…+20°C. Walking around Hoi An’s old town in such weather is pleasant, but swimming will be cold. In autumn (especially October-November), typhoons often hit this region, causing floods. It’s best to refrain from traveling during this time.
North
In the north of the country, in Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, and mountainous Sapa, unlike the south, four distinct seasons are observed. There is a real winter here. From December to February, temperatures can drop to +10…+15°C, often with overcast weather and drizzling rain. In the Sapa mountains, it sometimes even snows during this time, and the famous views of Ha Long Bay can be hidden by dense fog, with cruises canceled due to stormy winds.
Summer in the north, from May to August, on the contrary, is very hot and humid, with frequent tropical downpours. Therefore, the best time to visit the north is the off-season. In spring (March-April) and autumn (September-November), the weather is most comfortable for tourists. September and October are called “golden autumn”: the famous rice terraces turn yellow before harvest, rains cease, and the air becomes clear. To see all this, you will need to buy tickets to Hanoi on Kupi.com.
- Best time: spring (March-April) and autumn (September-November).
- Winter (December-February): cold (from +10 to +15°C), overcast, drizzle. Piercing winds blow in Ha Long Bay.
- Summer (May-August): very hot (+35°C and above) and humid, frequent tropical downpours.
Tet — Vietnamese New Year by the Lunar Calendar
When answering the question of when the season is in Vietnam, one cannot ignore Tet — the Vietnamese New Year by the lunar calendar. Its dates are floating, but it usually falls in late January or early February. This is a twofold time. On the one hand, cities are incredibly decorated with flowers, colorful dragon parades take place, and a festive atmosphere reigns everywhere. On the other hand, prices for accommodation and transport skyrocket several times, train tickets are sold out, and many shops and museums close for the holidays. If your vacation falls during Tet, be prepared for the hustle and bustle and book everything in advance.
