Best Time To Visit Vietnam: A Complete Guide

With its lush green paddy fields, cultural uniqueness, azure waters, and fine cuisine, Vietnam remains an unskippable tourist heaven. This southeast Asian destination is very popular among tourists from all over the world. Whether you want to go on a trekking expedition up north in Sa Pa, explore the urban centers of Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City, or just want to explore the many islands in Halong Bay, Vietnam can provide many memorable experiences that you can treasure for a lifetime.

Vietnam is divided into three regions: the north, the center, and the south. Each region has distinct appeal and weather patterns throughout the year, making it difficult to decide the best time to visit Vietnam. Read on to know more!

When is the best time to visit Vietnam? 

The best time to visit Vietnam can be between July and August, as it is the peak season. However, the best time comes down to understanding the climate each region experiences in a particular month and which activities one can enjoy in these regions.

The best time to visit the country's northern parts would be between March, April, May, September, October, and November when the weather is mostly dry and sunny. Hanoi, Sa Pa, and Halong Bay are the most visited destinations during this time.

The southern areas, such as Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, Ho Tran, Con Dao, and Phu Quoc, are best visited between December and April, with March being the best time to visit south Vietnam to enjoy the lovely beaches there. April can also be a great time to explore this part of the country. The monsoon season between June and August/September can see rains that can lead to flooding in the Mekong Delta. However, you can visit the region all year round. This is because the rains only last for a short time in some places.

The central regions, such as Da Nang, Hue, and Hoi An, are best visited between February and July. This region is known for its beaches and the many opportunities it offers for trekking and cycling. 

Which is the best season to visit Vietnam?

Peak season

The peak season for Vietnam falls between July and August. Since the weather varies from region to region here, you may have to alter your plans depending on what you want to do and which part you want to visit. During July and August, the central areas and their famed beaches are popular destinations among tourists. The northern regions may experience a downpour during this time.

Shoulder season

The months between December and March can be the Vietnam tourist season’s shoulder months. This season combines winter and spring, which makes the weather a combination of cold, dry, and warm, depending on which part of the country you are visiting.

Low season

The months between April and November (excluding the peak season) can be considered the low season. This is a great time to explore Vietnam, as there aren’t many tourists around, and if you get the weather calculations right across the regions, you may be able to travel most of the country during the low season.

A month-by-month guide to travel in Vietnam

Vietnam in January

January is a cold and dry month. The north is more mountainous and, therefore, colder than the south, which is warm and more pleasant. The central parts of the country can witness some rain. The Lunar New Year, also known as Tet Nguyen Dan or Tet Festival, can fall either in January or February. Since this is the time of festivities, you will find that hotel prices are higher than usual. Some businesses are also closed due to the holidays.

Temperature range to expect: 20 Degrees Celsius to 26 Degrees Celsius

Events: Tet Festival, Dalat Flower Festival

Vietnam in February

The northern regions are still cold, with misty conditions prevailing. The southern regions are warm, while the central regions are pleasantly cool, which makes it a good destination for cycling and trekking. Beaches along the coast are ideal places to relax and soak up the sunshine. If the Tet Festival falls in February, expect locals to be on the move and hotel prices to rise. 

Temperature range to expect: 20 Degrees Celsius to 26 Degrees Celsius

Events: Tet Festival

Vietnam in March

Spring is in the air, and the spring sunshine makes March the best time to travel to Vietnam. Since temperatures are rising in most parts of the country with little to no rain, this is a fantastic time to explore the country and the best weather to visit Vietnam. You can trek in the northern and central parts and bask on the beaches in the south. The southern islands of Con Dao and Phu Quoc provide lovely getaways. The temperature can climb to unbearable levels in the south towards the end of the month.

Temperature range to expect: 20 Degrees Celsius to 40 Degrees Celsius

Events: Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival

Vietnam in April

April is the best month to visit Vietnam, as the weather is warm and dry. The temperatures are rising across the country, with the south being the hottest. As the monsoon is in the offing, this could be your last chance to choose from a wide range of activities such as trekking, cycling, or just being a beach bum in the central and southern beach resorts all at the same time. 

Temperature range to expect: 20 Degrees Celsius to 40 Degrees Celsius

Events: Hue Festival; Thanh Minh

Vietnam in May

Southern Vietnam is hot, and temperatures here can touch 40 degrees Celsius. Towards the end of the month, the southern regions can start experiencing some showers due to the rainy season in Vietnam. The northern and central areas are a better option to visit at this time of the year.

Temperature range to expect: 30 Degrees Celsius to 40 Degrees Celsius

Events: Phong Sinh

Vietnam in June

It is time for the central regions such as Hue, Nha Trang, Hoi An, and Da Nang to shine due to the Vietnam weather in June. The south sees rain due to the onset of monsoons, while the north also experiences rain and sunshine. The rains in the north can put a stop to trekking activities through the mountains there.

Temperature range to expect: 30 Degrees Celsius to 40 Degrees Celsius

Events: Nha Trang Sea Festival

Vietnam in July

July is the best time to visit Vietnam beaches in the country's central regions, as they are warm and dry. The south is still in the grips of the monsoon season, which may sometimes lead to flooding. But overall, the rains come down in short spells, which may have too much of a bearing on your plans. Some parts of the north also witness heavy rains this time of the year.

Temperature range to expect: 30 Degrees Celsius to 40 Degrees Celsius

Events: Da Nang International Fireworks Festival

Vietnam in August

Vietnam in August is hot and wet. Some parts of the country, such as the north and south, see rain, while the central areas remain mostly dry and hot. To escape the grey, rain-laden clouds elsewhere in the country, the beaches in the central regions are the best place to go.

Temperature range to expect: 30 Degrees Celsius to 40 Degrees Celsius

Events: Wandering Souls Day, Children’s Festival

Vietnam in September

Weather patterns are changing this month. While the first half of the month may mimic Vietnam's August weather patterns, things change in the second half of September. The southern and northern parts of the country may see a decrease in rainfall by the end of the month, but the central regions will not remain dry or sunny as the typhoon season begins, making this the worst time to visit Vietnam's central region.

Temperature range to expect: 20 Degrees Celsius to 25 Degrees Celsius

Events: Vietnam National Day; Hanoi Pride, Trung Thu

Vietnam in October

The southern and northern regions see dry weather, with the rains ending and humidity levels dropping. But, the central areas see heavy rains and storms. The central highlands, however, become more trekking and cycling-friendly towards the end of the month. The northern town of Sa Pa, surrounded by mountains and other northern mountainous areas, is also an excellent place to go as far as trekking is concerned due to the prevalence of dry weather.

Temperature range to expect: 20 Degrees Celsius to 25 Degrees Celsius

Events: Trung Thu

Vietnam in November 

November is the best time to visit Vietnam from India, as the south and north of the country are blessed with good weather. Everyone is heading to the north for trekking and the south for beaches. Except for the central highlands, it's raining heavily in the rest of the central regions.

Temperature range to expect: 20 Degrees Celsius to 25 Degrees Celsius

Events: Khmer Ok Om Bok Festival

Vietnam in December

Vietnam's weather in December is generally great in almost all parts of the country. The north is warm during the day and chilly at night. The southern beaches are pleasant year-end escape destinations. The rains in the central region are on the decline towards the end of the month. December is an excellent time to visit Vietnam, especially for those looking to close the year with a vacation. So make your bookings well in advance to enjoy the holiday season in Vietnam.

Temperature range to expect: 20 Degrees Celsius to 25 Degrees Celsius

Events: Christmas, New Year’s Eve

When is the cheapest time to visit Vietnam? 

The low season months of April, May, June, September, October, and November are considered the cheapest times to visit Vietnam. Since this season is a mixture of extreme heat and extreme rain in certain parts of the country, it can be challenging to figure things out. But with some research, you can zero in on a time frame where you can see most of the country in these months on a budget and avoid the usual tourist traffic, too, if you can adjust your plans according to the weather.

When is the most expensive time to visit Vietnam?

The most expensive time to visit Vietnam would be during the holiday season, between December and January. You have three major holidays, such as Christmas, New Year, and Tet, around this time, so a lot of foreign and local tourism is happening. As a result, bookings must be made well in advance during this period, and expect to pay more for flights and lodging. Even though this is Vietnam's best time to visit for those looking to make merry, you will have to shell out money accordingly.

When is the best time to visit Vietnam beaches?

The best time to visit the beaches in the southern part of the country would be between December and April. The central area's beaches, such as Da Nang, Hue and Nha Trang, are great between February and July/August. 

When is the best time to visit Vietnam for island tours?

The best time to visit Vietnam for island tours would be between February and April. These months fall in spring, and the weather is gorgeous and pleasant to go island hopping. Some of the famous islands here are Phu Quoc, Con Dao and Cham Island.

Frequently asked questions

Here are some commonly asked questions and their answers regarding the best time to visit Vietnam.

Which are the best months to visit Vietnam?

The best months to visit Vietnam would fall between November and April. The weather remains cool and dry in the first half of the stretch and warms up comfortably in the second half, making this time period the best time to visit Vietnam weather-wise. The months of December and January can see an influx of tourists.

Which are the hottest months in Vietnam?

The summer season kicks off in May and can go on until August. These are considered the hottest months in Vietnam, especially in the south, where the temperatures can touch an uncomfortable 40 degrees Celsius.

How many days in Vietnam are enough?

Ten days to 2 weeks can give you enough time to explore all the main tourist attractions in Vietnam. If you have the time, you can stretch your vacation here to 3 weeks and have enough things to see and do. While 5 to 7 days may not be enough to explore all of Vietnam, you can still visit some of the well-known tourist destinations and partake in the activities for which they are known.

When is the best time to visit Vietnam for hiking?

The best time to visit Vietnam for hiking would be between March and May for the central regions and September and October/November for the northern parts. Northern Vietnam’s SaPa, Cao Bang, and Ha Giang are well-known for their hiking trails. Phong Nha Ke-Bang National Park and Bach Ma National Park in central Vietnam provide scenic trekking routes.

Is Vietnam safe for tourists?

While Vietnam is a safe country to travel to, there are incidents of petty theft where you may end up losing your valuables. It's best to keep your bag close to you and not extend your phone or camera to take pictures at crowded spots or into oncoming traffic where they can be snatched. Also, remember not to flaunt your money or gadgets in public. Take out only what is required and quickly put it back once done.

Explore More:

• Best time to visit Singapore

• Best time to visit Dubai

• Best time to visit Maldives

• Best time to visit Thailand

• Best time to visit Europe

Disclaimer: The content on this page is generic and shared only for informational and explanatory purposes. It is based on several secondary sources on the internet, and is subject to changes.