Vietnam is known for its monsoon-influenced tropical weather because of its special location – close to the equator and next to the South China Sea. For first-time visitors to Vietnam, you might keep asking “when is the best time to visit Vietnam”, “which month I should head to this beautiful country?”, “is it too hot to visit Vietnam in the summer?”…
Well, it’s true that every season in Vietnam has its especially charm, so it really depends on which parts of the country you’re planning to go to, which season you choose actually fits your traveling expectations. The north, the central and the south of the country experience a great difference in weather, thus why you may often hear something like “there is not really a right or wrong time to visit Vietnam,” that there is always good weather somewhere to be found in Vietnam that travellers can always visit Vietnam year-round.
However, in our opinion, the best time to travel in Vietnam is December – March, the good time is September to November or April- May and the Okay time is June – August.
You may wonder why December – March considered the ideal season to visit the country then we will explain in detail the weather conditions in the north, the central and the south of Vietnam in this period of time so you can clearly understand why we say that.
The North
Four distinctive seasons play out across the year in Northern Vietnam, and if you come during December – March, then you can enjoy a bit of the country’s winter and spring.
The weather in the north of Vietnam in December – January range from mild to cold, the temperature varies from 15 – 20 Celsius degree. If you visit the country in February and March, the temperature is a bit higher (18-22 Celsius degree). The rain is not frequent at this time of the year.
Comes with the mild weather is a clear sky, providing excellent views of the breathtakingly beautiful landscapes in the north. Obviously, there is no better activity to do in the north of Vietnam than trekking. The highlands of Vietnam is the most picturesque in spring, too. Peach and apricots flowers are in bloom when spring comes, coating the grand mountain ranges in pink and white. So trekkers, you would not want to miss a hike when exploring Ha Giang, Mu Cang Chai or Sapa (Lao Cai) during this season! As you are heading up to the mountains, the temperature is no doubt lower and may even drop to 0 Celsius degree (especially in December – January), so make sure to pack some warm clothes for hiking.
The weather in December – March is perfect for visiting the mountains, but it is also ideal to see the big cities like Hanoi or Quang Ninh (home of the famous Halong Bay). You can walk around the Old Quarter of the capital without sweating buckets, instead, you’ll be welcome with breezy wind and warm sunlight. A small tip from us: go for a hot bowl of Pho in the early morning, the cool (or cold) weather makes the dish even tastier. It’s the perfect start for a day of travelling!
The Central and the South
These two regions bear similar weather conditions. The central and southern areas are both affected by the monsoon season, and their location closer to the equator resulting in higher temperatures (25 – 30 Celsius degree) and humidity compared to the north.
While it is obviously hotter in the central and the south during December – March, this is an excellent season for beachgoers. There is plenty of sunshine in January – March, thus you can get that beautiful tanned skin on some of the most idyllic beaches in Vietnam, and afterward head into the water for some swimming or surfing, sounds awesome, right?! The beaches of Danang, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc island and Mui Ne are on the top of the list. If your holiday is a getaway from the freezing wind at home, the coastline of Vietnam will be a brilliant choice of destination. A nice BBQ on the beach with all the fresh seafood is another activity you can put on your to-do list in Vietnam. The best thing yet?! At the end of a day, reward yourself by simply enjoying the spectacular view of sunset from the beach, and don’t forget to get a cocktail to make it perfect!
Moreover, a holiday in December – March will let you avoid the typhoon season (typically from August – November) as well as escape the monsoon season (April – October) when it rains more often! After March, the temperature in both the central and the south begin to go up significantly in April, around 35 Celsius degree. In May – August, the temperature can hit as high as 40 Celsius degree. The hot and humid weather can make a holiday a bit less exciting, and you may need to adapt your plan for the day if a heavy shower happens.
To sum up, if your goal is to visit Vietnam and do loads of different activities from the north to the south, the best time is December – March. Not only that, Christmas holiday will make it easier since you and your family have more time to travel, and why not experience celebrating the New Year Eve in Vietnam? Otherwise, you can opt to see this beautiful country in February when it’s Tet holiday, we are sure you will love to see how Vietnamese families celebrating the biggest event of the year.
Once again, Vietnam’s climate varies from region to region, in case a trip between December – March does not work for you, you can always travel another time. Apart from December – March, September and October are also good times to visit with cooler temperatures, but like a trip to any parts of the world, be sure to look at the weather forecast to make the best out of your holiday in Vietnam.
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