When to travel to Vietnam: when is the best time in Vietnam?

From its areas of outstanding natural beauty such as the limestone islands of Ha Long Bay, to the bustling motorbike-filled roads of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam is a feast for the senses. Vietnam is sometimes eclipsed by the more trodden route of Thailand, but this hidden gem of a country offers national parks, stunning beaches, mouth-watering food and plenty of exciting history and culture. 

If you are travelling to Vietnam, you should decide your dates depending on the Vietnam weather and the best time to visit Vietnam. Here is the full guide you need.

What is like the Vietnam weather?

Vietnam is an enticing destination at any time of year as it has a pleasant tropical climate. The weather in Vietnam tends to be warm and humid all year round, but picking the time of year to visit Vietnam depends on what kind of trip you want. In Vietnam, summer is hot and humid and winter is cool and rainy. Monsoon season in Vietnam is from May to October, but the amount of rain and temperatures may vary from region to region. There are three regions in Vietnam, the North, the Centre and the South. Vietnam weather will vary in each of these, so let us help you plan your trip accordingly.  

When is the best time to visit Vietnam? 

The weather in Vietnam can be changeable, but here are some detailed suggestions as to what time of year to visit specific regions of Vietnam: 

The UNESCO World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay, is a must-see area. It is protected from hurricanes and cyclones due to its typography. October to December brings blue skies and temperatures from 14 to 21°C. 

Hanoi, the bustling capital of Vietnam, usually has good temperatures of around 20 to 30 °C, which often come accompanied by light, but frequent rain. 

Vietnam offers palm trees, golden sands and turquoise waters to all the beach lovers out there. June, July and August are the best months to visit the coast, although August is peak season so make sure you book well ahead. The whole country will have temperatures of around 30 °C except the far north where it will be colder. 

Ho Chi Minh City, formerly named Saigon, has an average temperature of 24 to 32 °C so it is warm and sunny most of the year, although the ideal time to visit is in the dry season, from December to April. Here you can visit the Reunification Palace, the former home of the president during the Vietnam War and the War Remnants Museum. 

The misty mountainous northern region of Vietnam is usually colder than other parts of the country. In the cold, dry winter, from November to March, the average temperature is 17.2 °C (62.9°F), but the temperatures can fall further and you can even get snow on high peaks like Fansipan, the highest peak in Indochina. 

If you prefer a chillier climate, the mountainous region of Sapa is an ideal place to visit. You can admire its staggering views of rice fields, hike in its forests and immerse yourself in local culture by visiting the ethnic minority markets manned by locals dressed in colorful traditional outfits.

The best time to travel to northern Vietnam is during the dry season, between November and April. At this time the average temperature is between 22 and 27 degrees, and rain is not common.

In central Vietnam, the best time to travel is from January to May. Being the dry season, there will be hardly any rain and the average temperature will be 26-30 degrees.

In southern Vietnam, the best time to travel is during the dry season from December to April. In December, you may still encounter some rainy days, but these will be sporadic, and the average temperature will be between 28 and 32 degrees.

The best festivals in Vietnam 

When you're planning to visit Vietnam you want to know which things to do in Vietnam and what cities in Vietnam to explore. Here are some of the festivals to see in Vietnam:

Tết Nguyên Đán

It is Vietnam´s Lunar New Year, which is usually celebrated in January or February, and it is a busy time in the country as it is the most significant celebration. Tết is a time in Vietnam, where families come together to honor their ancestors and pray for the new year, this means the country may be quieter, but you could be invited to share a meal with a Vietnamese family which is a huge honor. 

Thanh Minh Day

April is an excellent time in Vietnam, as the rainy winter season is coming to an end and there are some interesting festivals going on. Thanh Minh Day, which is on the third day of the third calendar month of the Lunar Calendar, is a time when Vietnamese families honor their deceased ancestors by cleaning and tidying up their graves and making offerings of cold food, incense and flowers.  

Phong Sinh festival

May is a good time to visit the center and northern regions of Vietnam as the weather is likely to be clear and warm. The Phong Sinh festival marks the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha, so it is an ideal time to see temples and pagodas decorated with lanterns and hosting grand celebrations. 

Danang International Fireworks Festival

Some of Vietnam's favorite beaches are An Bang, just 3km north of Hoi An, and My Khe beach in Da Nang, ideal for families as it has shallow waters. During five weekends in June and July it hosts the Danang International Fireworks Festival, which will dazzle with amazing pyrotechnic displays. Nha Trang has a 6 km stretch of golden beach where every two years the Nha Trang Sea Festival takes place in June.

National Day

September, October and November are the lower seasons, but great times to visit the whole country. On the 2nd of September, Vietnam celebrates its national day. It is the time in Vietnam where huge parades, rallies and fireworks are displayed in Hanoi.

Two more festivals which are usually held between September and November worth seeing are Tết Trung Thu  which is a children´s festival centered around toys and Ok Bom Boc which is traditionally celebrated in the Mekong Delta to worship the moon. 

What to pack when you travel to Vietnam 

• A light waterproof jacket can be handy in Vietnam because the tropical climate can bring unexpected showers at any time. 
• A good insect repellent is recommended, although there is low risk of malaria and dengue fever, it´s best to avoid insect bites. 
• Take long-sleeved shirts and trousers in case you want to visit a temple or pagoda, as shoulders and knees must be covered. 
• If you decide to go hiking in the mountains, pack good hiking shoes or trainers as well as thermal clothing.
• Don´t forget to pack your documents to travel and comply all the Vietnam entry requirements to Vietnam!
• Prepare to travel to Vietnam with our thorough travel guide.