Best time to visit Vietnam

Updated: May 30

When planning a trip to Vietnam, determining the ideal time to visit can be a challenge due to the diverse weather conditions across different regions. This comprehensive guide will provide insights into the weather patterns of Vietnam's top destinations, helping you choose the perfect time for your travels.

01 The best time to visit Vietnam by region

Northern Vietnam

The weather patterns consist of four distinct seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter. In northern regions like Ha Noi, the climate is characterized by hot and humid conditions with regular rainfall from May to October, while it is relatively cool and dry from November to April. However, in the far north, the weather can be very cold from December to January.

Month	Best destinations to visit
Spring (March to May)	Moc Chau, Ninh Binh
Summer (June to August)	Cat Ba, Tam Dao, Co To, Thanh Hoa
Autumn (September to November)	Ha Noi, Sapa, Ha Long Bay, Ha Giang, Cao Bang
Winter (December to February)	Sapa, Mau Son, Moc Chau, Mai Chau

Central Vietnam

The typical weather conditions in central Vietnam are classified as tropical monsoon, also known as humid tropical climate. From January to August, this region experiences hot and dry weather with temperatures reaching up to around 30 degrees Celsius. Conversely, the heaviest rainfall usually occurs in September, October, and November.

Month	Best destinations to visit
Spring (March to May)	Hue, Hoi An, Da Lat, Quang Binh
Summer (June to August)	Hue, Hoi An, Da Lat, Quang Binh
Autumn (September to November)	Da Lat, Hoi An
Winter (December to February)	Da Lat

Southern Vietnam

In the southern region, there are only two distinct weather seasons: dry season and rainy season. The dry season typically lasts from November to April and is characterized by hot temperatures. On the other hand, the rainy season occurs from May to October and is marked by warm temperatures and increased rainfall. The months of June to August typically experience the highest rainfall during this period.

Month	Best destinations to visit
Spring (March to May)	Phu Quoc, Nam Du
Summer (June to August)	Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Autumn (September to November)	Vung tau, Ho Tram, Con Dao, Long Hai
Winter (December to February)	Mekong Delta

02 The best time to visit Vietnam by month

Month	Must-visit destinations	No recommendation
Jan	Phu Quoc Island, Mui Ne, Nha Trang, Ha Noi, Mekong Delta, Moc Chau, Ban Gioc waterfall	Fansipan (Sapa), Cat Ba, Ha Giang
Feb	Hoi An, Mui Ne, Con Dao, Phu Quoc Island, Hanoi, Mekong Delta, Sapa	Fansipan (Sapa), Cat Ba, Ha Giang
Mar	Tay Nguyen (Pleiku & Gia Lai), Hue, Hoi An, Da Nang, Phu Yen, Dien Bien Phu, Quy Nhon, Ninh Thuan, Ho Chi Minh City
Apr	Ha Noi, Sapa, Ly Son Island, Ninh Binh, Ho Chi Minh City, Halong Bay, Hue, Da Nang	Public beaches on holiday season (Apr 30th)
May	Mu Cang Chai, Cat Ba Island, Pu Luong, Ninh Binh, Nha Trang, Ha Long Bay	Public beaches on holiday season (May 01st)
Jun	Hue, Da Nang, Con Dao, Hoi An, Da Lat, Mui Ne	Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, Northwest Vietnam
Jul	Ha Long Bay, Phu Quoc Island, Phong Nha Ke Bang, Da Lat, Con Dao Island, Mui Ne	Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Northwest Vietnam
Aug	Ha Noi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An, Phong Nha Ke Bang, Nha Trang, Cat Ba Island, Mui Ne	Mekong Delta, Coastal beaches where storms occur, Northwest Vietnam
Sep	Ha Noi, Sapa, Mu Cang Chai, Bach Ma National Park, Hue, Phu Quoc Island, Mui Ne	Phong Nha Ke Bang, Hoi An, Coastal beaches where storms occur
Oct	Ha Giang, Ha Noi, Sapa, Can Tho – Mekong Delta, Ha Long Bay, Da Lat, Ba Be Lake – Ban Gioc waterfall	Phong Nha Ke Bang, Hoi An, Coastal beaches where storms occur
Nov	Ha Noi, Ha Giang, Sapa, Ha Long Bay, Can Tho - Mekong Delta, Moc Chau, Mui Ne, Con Dao, Long Hai, Ho Tram, Ho Chi Minh City	Phong Nha Ke Bang, Hoi An, Coastal beaches where storms occur
Dec	Moc Chau, Ha Long Bay, Ban Gioc waterfall – Ba Be Lake, Ho Chi Minh City, Phu Quoc Island

03 Annual festival in Vietnam

Tet Nguyen Dan (Lunar New Year): This is the most important and widely celebrated festival in Vietnam. It usually takes place at the end of January or early February and marks the beginning of the lunar calendar. During Tet, families gather, streets are decorated with vibrant colors, and people participate in traditional activities such as giving lucky money, visiting relatives, and enjoying special traditional foods.
Mid-Autumn Festival: Also known as the Children's Festival, this holiday occurs on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, usually in September. It is a time for families to come together, children to participate in lantern processions, dragon dances, and enjoy mooncakes.
Hung Kings Temple Festival: This festival is held annually on the 10th day of the 03rd lunar month, usually in April to honor the Hung Kings, who are considered the founders and the first emperors of Vietnam. It takes place at the Hung Kings Temple in Phu Tho province and includes rituals, processions, and ceremonies to pay respect to the ancestors.
Hue Festival: This biennial festival takes place in the city of Hue in central Vietnam. It showcases cultural performances, historical reenactments, traditional music, dance, and art exhibitions. The festival aims to celebrate the rich heritage of the former imperial capital of Vietnam.
Da Nang International Fireworks Festival: The Da Nang International Fireworks Festival is an annual event held in Da Nang, Vietnam. It features spectacular fireworks displays from teams around the world, competing to create the most impressive and captivating shows. The festival attracts a large number of tourists and locals who gather along the Han River to witness these breathtaking performances. The event also includes various cultural activities and diverse entertainment, drawing visitors to Da Nang.

These are just a few examples of the many festivals held in Vietnam throughout the year. Each festival has its own unique traditions, customs, and regional differences, providing wonderful opportunities for locals and tourists to immerse themselves in Vietnam's rich cultural heritage.