Vietnam
Weather Summary
There is not really a right or wrong time to visit Vietnam as during most visits you will experience several weather seasons.
Whilst the country is typically warm and humid, the weather can vary significantly from one region to another due to the countries length (covering over 15 lines of latitude and several weather zones). At times there has been snow (yes white snow!) in the very north whilst on the beaches in the south enjoy 32 °C sunshine!
In most instances, temperatures remain almost constant in Ho Chi Minh City and the south with a rainy season between May and October. The exception to the rule is Nha Trang where the highest rainfall of the year falls between October and December (almost half the annual rainfall falls in November and December).
Vietnam’s weather is marked by a monsoon season, the result of which can mean, especially in the central coastal region, flooding and extreme weather between October and November some years.
In Hanoi and the north there is a marked cooler, more pleasant, season from November through to March and a warmer period during the summer months of April to September (in this case ‘cooler’ is relative - you will not need gloves and scarf!). Rain is also expected during the summer period.
Sapa and the northwest of the country have a very specific climate. September through November and March through May are the best times for trekking and cycling in Sapa. Daytime temperatures range from 10-18°C, and night-time temperatures from 18 down to 10°C. Trekking and cycling are possible at other times too, but the winter can be rather chilly, and the summer a rather wet. .
The weather by destination:
Sapa
Sapa’s climate is divided into two seasons: the dry season and the wet season. The dry season begins in October and ends in March while the wet season lasts from April to September. The climate in Sapa and the area surrounding it is extremely diverse.
Trekking and adventure:
Sapa and the northwest of the country, have a very specific climate. September through November and March through May are the best times for trekking and cycling in Sapa. Daytime temperatures range from 15-28°C, and night-time temperatures from 10-18°C. Trekking and cycling are possible at other times too, but the wintertime can be rather chilly, and the summer rather wet.
The North (Hanoi)
Hanoi and the north of Vietnam has distinct winter and summer seasons. The warm and mainly dry winter lasts from November - April and, despite being winter, you can expect temperatures in the region of 18-20°C. Summer lasts from May to October when it is hot, humid and the region experiences its highest rainfall (July, August and September are the wettest months).
Central (Hoi An, Hue)
Hoi An, Hue & Danang in the centre of the country have hot and dry weather between mid January and mid to late August with temperatures often reaching the the mid-30's °C. During the winter months of September - January you can expect some quite heavy rainfall at times (peaking in October and November).
Sitting on either side of a small ‘mountain’ range the weather in Hue can be the complete opposite of Hoi An’s on any given day – this is despite the fact that it’s only a three hour drive between the two!
The Southern Climate (Qui Nhon, Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh)
With temperatures remaining pretty constant, the climate of the south has just two seasons: the wet and dry seasons. The wet season lasts from May to October/November (June - August see’s the most rain). Rainfall is generally short lasting with hour long downpours usually in the mid-afternoon. The dry season begins in November and ends in April with late February to May being hot and humid. The average temperatures in the south are relatively constant year-around - 25-35°C.
Nha Trang - The exception to the rule is Nha Trang where the highest rainfall of the year falls between October and December (almost half the annual rainfall falls in November and December).
Dalat (Colonial Hill station 350km north -west of HCM City) receives quite heavy rain from June to October (dry season from November to May) and this can make trekking, cycling and travelling in the surrounding countryside a little harder.
When to make the best of Vietnam's beaches
- February – July:Hoi An and Central Vietnam are at there best.
November – April:Phan Thiet will see plenty of sunshine with very low rainfall expected. In fact Phan Thiet is pretty safe all year round with the highest annual rainfall falling in August at just under 15cm.
January – August:Nha Trang and Qui Nhon are both good options, be sure to avoid Nha Trang in October and November.
November – June:The beaches of Phu Quoc see great weather almost all-year round. Only in September/October is any substantial rain and high sea's expected.
Main Festivals and bank holidays
- Most Vietnamese festivals are fixed by the lunar calendar: the majority take place in spring, and the days of the full moon (day one) and the new moon (day fourteen or fifteen) are particularly auspicious.
- Tet Nguyen Dan , or simply Tet is Vietnam's most important annual event; it lasts for seven days and falls sometime between the last week of January and the third week of February, on the night of the new moon.
- February: Water Puppet Festival
- March - April: Buddhist full moon festival.
- April 30th: Reunification Day - A celebration to mark the anniversary of the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam (NFLSV) and North Vietnamese troops capturing Saigon and signalling the end of the Vietnam/American War in 1975.
- May 1st: Labour Day - A day where the country almost comes to a standstill as socialist and labour movements are joined around the world to celebrate the social and economic achievements of the working class.
- Late May-Early June: Tet Doan Ngo , the summer solstice
- September/October: Trung Thu