Best time to visit Vietnam

Seasons in Vietnam

• Cool, dry season, Dec–Mar: Cool in the north (15–20°C in Hanoi and Ha Long), dry and sunny in the south and on Phu Quoc. In season: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc.
• Hot season, Apr–Aug: Hot and humid everywhere. The central coast (Da Nang, Hoi An) is at its beach best; the north and south get afternoon showers from June. In season: Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang.
• Rainy and typhoon season, Sep–Nov: Rain and storms on the central coast; the north turns dry and pleasant from October and the south dries out in November. In season: Hanoi, Sapa, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay.

Peak, shoulder and off season in Vietnam

• Peak season, Dec–Mar: Dry weather across most of the country, with Christmas and Tet (late Jan or Feb) price surges. Book Ha Long cruises and Tet travel early.
• Shoulder season, Apr–May, Sep–Nov: Good weather in at least two of the three regions with fewer crowds: Sapa's harvest in September, the north in October and November.
• Off season, Jun–Aug: Hot, with showers in the north and south and typhoon risk for Ha Long. The central coast is the exception, busy with domestic beach holidays.

Vietnam in January

Cool, dry season · Peak season

Dry and cool north; Tet (lunar new year) may fall late Jan/Feb — book early.

In season: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc.

Vietnam in February

Cool, dry season · Peak season

Tet surge in some years; great beaches in the south.

In season: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc.

Vietnam in March

Cool, dry season · Peak season

One of the best all-round months — dry across most of the country.

In season: Hanoi, Sapa, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc.

Vietnam in April

Hot season · Shoulder season

Warm everywhere, still dry; ideal for a north-to-south trip.

In season: Hanoi, Sapa, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang, Da Lat, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc.

Vietnam in May

Hot season · Shoulder season

Hot north, Sapa terraces filling with water; central coast at its best.

In season: Sapa, Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang.

Vietnam in June

Hot season · Off season

Hot and humid; central beaches excellent, south starts wet afternoons.

In season: Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Nha Trang.

Vietnam in July

Hot season · Off season

Peak central-coast beach season; north rains, south showers.

In season: Da Nang, Hoi An.

Vietnam in August

Hot season · Off season

Central still good; north wet with typhoon risk for Ha Long cruises.

In season: Da Nang, Hoi An.

Vietnam in September

Rainy and typhoon season · Shoulder season

Shoulder: Sapa harvest gold, fewer crowds; storms possible in the north/centre.

In season: Sapa.

Vietnam in October

Rainy and typhoon season · Shoulder season

North turns dry and pleasant; central rains begin.

In season: Hanoi, Sapa, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay.

Vietnam in November

Rainy and typhoon season · Shoulder season

Great in the north and Phu Quoc; central coast wet.

In season: Hanoi, Sapa, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Da Lat, Phu Quoc.

Vietnam in December

Cool, dry season · Peak season

Cool north, dry south and islands; peak prices around Christmas.

In season: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Ha Long Bay, Da Lat, Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc.