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Best Time To Visit Vietnam: A Complete Guide

Team AckoOct 5, 2023

Planning a trip to Vietnam? Well, it's always a good idea to know what the weather will be like before you go. Vietnam's weather can be a bit unpredictable, with a mix of sun and rain throughout the year. Vietnam’s best time to visit really depends on which area you're planning to visit because each place has its own climate.

To make things easier for you, we've put together a helpful guide that goes through the best times to visit Vietnam by month. This guide will also give you a closer look at the country's culture and events, which can help you plan your trip even better.

So, let's get started!

Contents

When is the best time to visit Vietnam?

Vietnam can be divided into three regions: the north, the center, and the south. Each region has its unique charm and weather patterns depending on the time of year. But if you want to know which months are generally considered the best, take a look at the table below.

Region	Month	Weather
Hanoi & North	May - October	Hot, humid, high rainfall
-	November - April	Cooler, dry
-	December & January	Particularly cold in far north
Central Vietnam	January - August	Hot, dry (up to mid-30°C)
-	September - November	High rainfall
Southern Vietnam	November - April	Dry, hot
-	May - October	Warm, wet (highest rainfall in June, July, Aug)

Here is a detailed breakdown of the best time to visit Vietnam from India particulars. It might come in handy for your trip planning.

Best months to visit Vietnam from India

Vietnam in January

January is a fantastic time to check out Vietnam. Despite it being winter, the weather is warm, sunny and fairly dry, making it the perfect escape from the cold. Although the temperature and weather patterns may vary depending on where you are in the north, south or central part of Vietnam, you can expect average highs of around 25°C and low humidity levels.

Plus, there's a festive vibe in the air, thanks to the Lunar New Year (Tet) celebrations happening throughout the country. Be sure to join in on the fun as much as possible! Some popular spots to explore during the month of January include the beautiful Hoi An and the stunning southern islands of Phu Quoc and Con Dao. Perfect for soaking up some much-needed sun and sand.

Temperature range to expect: 20 Degrees Celsius to 25 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.

February is also likely to be busy with ongoing Tet festivities, so if you're looking for a break, consider taking a day trip to the Mekong Delta. You'll be able to enjoy the stunning floating markets as long as the water levels are high enough to get the full experience.

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

Events: Tet Festival, Floating Markets

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.

Tip: If you want to try some delicious star fruit and rambutan, March is undoubtedly one of the best months to do so. So, do not skip out on these sweet treats during your trip!

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

Events: Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival

Vietnam in April

April is the best time to travel to Vietnam. The weather is nice and dry, and the temperatures are starting to climb all over the country. It's definitely the warmest in the south, so keep that in mind. Plus, since the monsoon season is on the way, this might be your best chance to do some awesome stuff like trekking, biking, or lounging on the beach in the central and southern beach resorts.

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 not so good 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

Which is the best season to visit Vietnam?

The best Vietnam season to visit are Spring and Autumn. Keep reading to find out why!

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 tourist destinations. 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 the best season for 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.

When is the cheapest time to visit Vietnam?

If you're looking to visit Vietnam on a budget, consider traveling during the low season months of April, May, June, September, October, and November. Although it can be tricky to plan your trip during this time because the weather can be quite hot and rainy in some areas, it's definitely possible to make the most of your visit with a bit of research.

By choosing to travel during these months, you'll be able to avoid the usual crowds of tourists and save some money, too. So, if you're willing to be flexible and adjust your plans to the weather, you're sure to have an unforgettable trip to Vietnam without breaking the bank!

When is the most expensive month to visit Vietnam?

Well, it's between December and January, which happens to be during the holiday season. During this time, there are three major holidays, including Christmas, New Year, and Tet, which attract a lot of foreign and local tourists to the country.

So, if you plan on visiting Vietnam during this time, make your bookings in advance and be prepared to pay a bit more for flights and lodging. It's a wonderful time to visit and celebrate, but just keep in mind that it can be a bit pricier than other times of the year.

When is the best time of year to visit Vietnam beaches?

If you're planning a trip to the beaches in the southern part of the country, then the best time to go would be between December and April. As for the beaches in the central area, like Da Nang, Hue, and Nha Trang, they're fantastic to visit between February and July/August.

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

If you're planning a trip to Vietnam for island tours, the best time to go would be between February and April. During these months, you'll experience lovely spring weather that's perfect for island hopping. Vietnam has some amazing islands, like Phu Quoc, Con Dao, and Cham Island, that are definitely worth a visit.

While you're excitedly planning your adventure in Vietnam, it's crucial to keep one essential aspect in mind – your safety and well-being. Accidents or unexpected incidents can disrupt even the best-laid plans. Hospital expenses in foreign countries are considerably higher, potentially leading to significant financial strain.

To ensure you're protected against such uncertainties, secure travel insurance like Acko International Travel Insurance to protect against unexpected incidents and hospital expenses in foreign countries. To gain a detailed overview of our offerings, please refer to our Travel Insurance for Vietnam.

Frequently asked questions

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

What is the best time 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 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.

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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.