Do you like your holidays to be hot and lively? Or do you prefer a cooler climate and getting away from the crowds? Here’s a month-by-month guide, so you can find the best month to visit Vietnam for your tastes.
January
During January, the north of Vietnam is experiencing its coldest time of year, with locations north of Hanoi the coolest. Although there can be frost and sometimes even snow at night, there is often bright sunshine during the day, with average temperatures of 18°C. In central Vietnam – including Hoi An and Danang – the temperature is hot and dry, reaching highs of 35°C. In southern Vietnam, the climate is dry and hot too, averaging 26°C.
February
Usually the month Tet – the Vietnamese New Year – falls in, February is the time to join locals in the biggest celebration of the year. The festivities can last for up to a week. While the weather is still cool and dry in northern Vietnam, temperatures reach highs of 30°C in central Vietnam and 28°C in southern Vietnam.
March
Considered by many to be one of the best months to visit Vietnam due to the dry weather and sunny skies throughout the country, temperatures range between 19°C in the north and 29°C in the south. It’s a particularly good time for beaches, diving and generally being out on the water.
April
The month of Reunification Day – 30 April – which marked the end of the Vietnam War, this is a time to get together with locals on their public holiday. There’s a momentary in international visitor numbers around April, despite the dry conditions throughout the country – perfect for those who like quieter holidays. In the north, temperatures average around 24°C, while in the south they reach 31°C.
May
This is the month when locals celebrate Buddha’s birthday on 29 May, when the streets are full of colourful bunting and festivities. Hanoi and the northern region are hot and humid at this time of year, with some chance of rain. In central Vietnam, it’s hot and dry with blue skies, with temperatures averaging 30°C. In the south, the temperature is about the same, with short and sharp bursts of rain in the afternoons.
June
In June, the northern region is experiencing summer temperatures of 30°C, with intermittent sun and downpours. While central Vietnam remains hot and dry, the south of the country is a mixture of warm and wet, experiencing some of the highest rainfall of the year – perfect for keeping the crops growing in the Mekong Delta – known as Vietnam’s ‘rice bowl.
July
For those who love dry, sunny weather, central Vietnam is the place to be at this time of year. Both the north and south of the country remain warm, but both experience exciting bouts of rain.
August
This is the month when the Vu Lan festival, or the ‘Ghost Festival’, usually falls. This is the country’s second most celebrated festival after Tet, and it’s when wandering souls are believed to return to their former homes. This is the best month to visit Vietnam for a festival like no other in the world. In terms of the weather, central Vietnam remain hot and dry, while the north and south are warm with some rainfall.
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September
Vietnam’s National Day is celebrated on 2 September, marking President Ho Chi Minh’s Declaration of Independence in 1945. A national holiday, this is a great time to mark local traditions with Vietnamese people. The weather in Hanoi and the north is hot and humid. Although there is still a chance of rain, many people say this is a good month for trekking, given the mild temperatures day and night. In central Vietnam, this is a time of higher rainfall, while the south is warm and a little wet at times, with rainfall decreasing as the month progresses.
October
Trekking conditions remain good in northern Vietnam at this time of year. While temperatures in central Vietnam hover around a pleasant 25°C, there can be some rainfall and storms. In southern Vietnam, the region is moving towards its hot and dry period, with temperatures averaging 27°C.
November
For those who love hot and dry weather, this is a time to visit the south of Vietnam, including Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta. In the north, it remains a good time for trekking, while central Vietnam is still warm but with higher rainfall.
December
The north of Vietnam can be cool at this time of year at around 19° C – and colder at night – but it’s also very dry. The temperature in central Vietnam is around 24°C, with a lessening chance of rain as the month goes on. In southern Vietnam, it’s typically dry and hot.
Whichever month you think suits you best to visit Vietnam,
Mr Linh’s Adventures has a number of authentic and original tours to suit the season.