Best Time to Visit Vietnam: Complete Month-by-Month Guide

Vietnam stretches over 1,600 kilometers from north to south, which means the weather in Hanoi, Hoi An, and Ho Chi Minh City can be completely different at the same time. There's no single "best month" that works for the entire country.

Trying to visit during perfect weather everywhere is impossible. The north might be sunny while the center gets hammered by rain. The south stays hot year-round, but the monsoon turns streets into rivers for half the year.

This guide breaks down Vietnam's climate by region, explains what to expect each month, and helps figure out the best time to visit based on which parts of the country matter most for the trip.

Best Time to Visit Vietnam: Quick Answer

Best overall months for most of Vietnam:
February to April (dry, warm, fewer crowds than peak season)

Best for North Vietnam (Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa):
October to April (dry season, cooler temperatures)

Best for Central Vietnam (Hoi An, Hue, Da Nang):
February to May (dry, sunny, calm seas)

Best for South Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta):
November to April (dry season, less humid)

Avoid if possible:
September to November in Central Vietnam (typhoon season)
Late January to early February (Tet holiday—everything shuts down, prices spike)

Understanding Vietnam's Climate (It's Not One Season Everywhere)

Vietnam has three distinct climate zones, each with different weather patterns.

North Vietnam (Hanoi, Halong Bay, Sapa, Ninh Binh)

• Four seasons: Actual winter (Dec-Feb), spring (Mar-Apr), summer (May-Aug), autumn (Sep-Nov)
• Winter can be genuinely cold—Hanoi drops to 10-15°C, Sapa even colder
• Summer is hot and humid (30-35°C) with occasional heavy rain
• Best time: October to April (dry, cooler, clearer skies)

Central Vietnam (Hoi An, Hue, Da Nang, Phong Nha)

• Two main seasons: Dry (Feb-Aug) and wet (Sep-Jan)
• Typhoon season (Sep-Nov) brings serious rain and rough seas
• Hot year-round but more pleasant Feb-May before extreme heat kicks in
• Best time: February to May (dry, warm, beaches are perfect)

South Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc)

• Two seasons: Dry (Nov-Apr) and wet (May-Oct)
• Hot year-round (27-35°C)—temperature barely changes
• Wet season = daily afternoon storms, not all-day rain
• Best time: November to April (dry season, slightly cooler mornings)

This split climate is why most multi-region Vietnam itineraries work best February to April—the north is dry and pleasant, the center is perfect, and the south hasn't hit peak heat yet.

North Vietnam: Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay (Best: Oct-Apr)

October to December: Autumn (Ideal)

This is peak season for the north, and for good reason. Clear skies, comfortable temperatures (18-25°C), low humidity. Halong Bay looks its best with blue skies and calm waters. Sapa's rice terraces turn golden in late September through October—arguably the most photogenic time to visit.

Downsides: Popular spots get crowded. Halong Bay tours and Sapa homestays book up fast. Prices rise compared to shoulder months.

January to February: Winter (Cold but Clear)

Hanoi gets genuinely cold—15°C or lower, sometimes dropping to 10°C. It's not freezing, but buildings don't have heating, so indoors feels colder than the temperature suggests. Pack layers.

Sapa can hit near-freezing temperatures and occasionally sees frost or even snow on the peaks. Trekking is still possible but requires warmer gear.

Halong Bay stays operational but expect fewer tourists. The mist and cooler air create a moody, atmospheric vibe—some travelers prefer it to the clear summer skies.

Watch out for Tet (Lunar New Year), usually late January or early February. Everything shuts down for a week. Hotels and tours spike in price. Domestic tourists flood popular spots. More on Tet below.

March to April: Spring (Perfect)

Warm but not hot (20-28°C), dry, blooming flowers everywhere. Probably the best weather window for North Vietnam. Halong Bay is stunning. Ninh Binh's karst landscapes are lush and green. Hanoi's streets are pleasant for walking.

This overlaps with the ideal time for Central Vietnam, so it's great for north-to-south itineraries.

May to September: Summer and Monsoon (Hot, Humid, Rainy)

May through August is brutally hot and humid in Hanoi (30-35°C with high humidity). Sapa stays cooler but gets frequent rain. Halong Bay is warm and humid; storms can cancel boat trips.

September marks the start of the rainy season—expect frequent downpours, especially in the mountains. Trekking in Sapa becomes muddy and less enjoyable.

Skip the north in summer unless heat and humidity don't bother you or the trip is unavoidable.

Central Vietnam: Hoi An, Hue, Da Nang (Best: Feb-May)

February to May: Dry Season (Ideal)

Central Vietnam shines during these months. Sunny, warm (25-32°C), calm seas, minimal rain. Hoi An's beaches are perfect. Da Nang's coast is swimmable. Hue's imperial city is pleasant to explore without getting drenched.

March and April are peak comfort months—not too hot, not rainy, perfect beach weather.

June to August: Hot and Humid

Temperatures climb (32-38°C), humidity is oppressive. The beaches are still usable, but midday heat makes sightseeing exhausting. This is technically dry season, so rain is rare, but the heat can be brutal.

If visiting in summer, stick to early mornings and late afternoons for exploring. Beaches and pools become essential.

September to November: Typhoon Season (Avoid)

This is when Central Vietnam gets hit hardest. Typhoons and tropical storms roll in from the South China Sea, bringing torrential rain and flooding. Hoi An's old town regularly floods knee-deep or higher. Beaches are rough and unswimlable.

October and November are the worst months for Central Vietnam. Avoid if possible. If the trip is locked in, be prepared for indoor days and potential itinerary changes.

December to January: Transition (Cool but Rainy)

The weather starts improving, but rain is still common. Temperatures drop to a comfortable 18-24°C, which feels pleasant compared to the summer heat. Seas are calmer, but occasional storms still happen.

Not ideal, but manageable if avoiding the north's winter cold or the south's heat.

South Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta (Best: Nov-Apr)

November to April: Dry Season (Ideal)

The south's dry season is the most comfortable time to visit. Temperatures stay hot (27-33°C) but humidity is lower. Mornings are pleasant. Rain is rare, though occasional showers can still happen.

December to February are the coolest months (still 25-30°C)—perfect for exploring Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta, and Phu Quoc Island.

May to October: Wet Season (Hot and Rainy)

The monsoon kicks in. Expect daily afternoon thunderstorms—short but intense. Streets flood temporarily, then drain within an hour or two. Mornings are usually dry, but by 2-4 PM, the rain hits.

Temperatures stay high (30-35°C) with brutal humidity. It's not unlivable, but it's not pleasant either.

Upsides of wet season:

• Fewer tourists
• Lower hotel prices
• Mekong Delta is lush and green
• Rain cools things down briefly

Downsides:

• Daily disruptions from rain
• High humidity makes everything sticky
• Some rural roads flood and become impassable

If visiting during wet season, plan indoor activities for afternoons and keep a rain jacket handy.

Month-by-Month Breakdown

January

• North: Cold but dry. Good for Halong Bay, cool in Sapa.
• Central: Rainy and cool. Not ideal.
• South: Dry, warm, excellent.
• Watch out: Tet (Lunar New Year) usually falls late Jan or early Feb.

February

• North: Cool and dry. Great weather.
• Central: Rain decreases, warming up. Getting better.
• South: Dry, warm, ideal.
• Overall: One of the best months for all regions.

March

• North: Warm and dry. Perfect.
• Central: Sunny and pleasant. Excellent.
• South: Hot and dry. Still good.
• Overall: Peak month for multi-region trips.

April

• North: Warm, occasional rain starts.
• Central: Hot but dry. Beach weather.
• South: Hot, dry season ending soon.
• Overall: Still great, getting hotter.

May

• North: Hot and humid, rain increases.
• Central: Very hot. Dry but uncomfortable.
• South: Wet season begins. Daily rain.
• Overall: Transition month, not ideal.

June to August

• North: Hot, humid, rainy. Avoid.
• Central: Very hot but dry. Beach-focused only.
• South: Wet season. Daily afternoon storms.
• Overall: Low season for a reason.

September

• North: Rainy, cooler. Avoid.
• Central: Typhoon season starts. Worst month.
• South: Still wet, but improving.
• Overall: One of the worst months.

October

• North: Autumn begins. Perfect weather returns.
• Central: Typhoons continue. Avoid.
• South: Wet season ending. Getting better.
• Overall: North is great, center is terrible.

November

• North: Cool and dry. Excellent.
• Central: Typhoons taper off, still rainy.
• South: Dry season starts. Ideal.
• Overall: Good for north and south, skip center.

December

• North: Cool and dry. Peak season.
• Central: Improving but still occasional rain.
• South: Dry, warm, perfect.
• Overall: Great for north and south.

Peak Season vs Shoulder Season vs Low Season

Peak Season (Nov-Apr, especially Dec-Mar)

Pros:

• Best weather across most of Vietnam
• All tours and services fully operational
• Festive atmosphere, especially around Christmas and New Year

Cons:

• Higher prices for accommodation and flights
• Popular spots (Halong Bay, Hoi An, Sapa) get crowded
• Book ahead or risk limited availability

Shoulder Season (Feb, Apr, Oct-Nov)

Pros:

• Fewer crowds than peak season
• Prices lower than Dec-Jan peak
• Weather still decent in most regions

Cons:

• Slightly less predictable weather
• October-November still risky for Central Vietnam

Best value months: February, April, and November.

Low Season (May-Sep)

Pros:

• Cheapest accommodation and flights
• Fewer tourists
• Lush, green landscapes (especially in the north)

Cons:

• Rain disrupts plans
• High heat and humidity
• Some rural roads and trails become impassable
• Beaches less enjoyable due to rough seas

Only visit in low season if:

• Flexible with itinerary
• Don't mind rain and heat
• Budget is tight

Practical Tips for Planning Around Vietnam's Weather

Don't try to see everything in one trip

Vietnam is long. Trying to hit Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay, Hoi An, Ho Chi Minh City, and the Mekong Delta in two weeks means constant travel and weather compromises.

Better approach:

• Focus on 2–3 regions
• Match trip timing to the region's best weather
• Save other regions for a future trip

Plan itineraries based on season

Visiting Feb-Apr? Do a north-to-south route (Hanoi → Hoi An → Ho Chi Minh City). All regions are good.

Visiting Nov-Dec? Skip Central Vietnam or keep it short. Focus on north and south.

Visiting summer? Skip the north entirely. Stick to Central (beaches only) or head to South Vietnam and deal with afternoon rain.

Use flights to skip bad weather zones

Vietnam's domestic flights are cheap. If Central Vietnam is getting hammered by rain, fly from Hanoi directly to Ho Chi Minh City instead of stopping in Hoi An or Da Nang. Skyscanner and Google Flights make comparing routes easy.

Book transport and tours ahead in peak season

December through February is peak season. Halong Bay overnight cruises, sleeper trains, and Sapa homestays fill up fast. Booking a few weeks ahead avoids disappointment. Platforms like GetYourGuide or Viator handle tour bookings easily, though booking directly with operators sometimes saves money.

Pack for multiple climates if doing a north-south trip

Hanoi in January might be 12°C. Ho Chi Minh City the same week is 32°C. Layering works better than overpacking. A light rain jacket is useful year-round.

Accommodation flexibility

Prices vary wildly by season. Booking.com and Agoda show seasonal pricing clearly—comparing dates helps decide if shifting the trip by a week saves significant money. Cancellation-friendly rates give flexibility if weather forecasts look terrible.

Stay connected and check weather updates

Typhoons and storms in Central Vietnam develop quickly. Having mobile data helps monitor weather and adjust plans. Grabbing an eSIM through Airalo or Holafly before arriving avoids the hassle of finding a local SIM card at the airport. Both work across Southeast Asia, so the same eSIM continues working if hopping to Thailand or Cambodia.

Final Thoughts: When Should You Actually Go?

The "best time to visit Vietnam" depends entirely on the itinerary.

For a classic north-to-south trip: February to April is unbeatable. The north is pleasant, the center is dry and sunny, the south is warm but not unbearable.

For northern Vietnam only (Hanoi, Sapa, Halong Bay): October to April, with March-April being the sweet spot.

For Central Vietnam (Hoi An, Da Nang, Hue): February to May. Avoid September to November at all costs.

For southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc): November to April. Dry season makes everything easier.

On a tight budget and flexible with weather? May to September offers the cheapest prices, but prepare for rain, heat, and occasional itinerary changes.

Vietnam doesn't have one perfect season for the entire country, which is actually a good thing—it means there's always somewhere worth visiting. The key is aligning the trip with the regions that matter most and accepting that weather won't be perfect everywhere.

Pick the region, check the season, and book accordingly. The rest works itself out.