gowhereandwhen.comFor the whole country at once, go in spring, March to April, or autumn, October to November. The north suits October to April, the centre February to August, and the south is warm and dry from December to April.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Hanoi. Higher is better. Some booking links earn us a commission, at no extra cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Jan.
Other months to compare; prices and crowds depend on your destination and dates.
Typhoon season.
The year at a glance
Vietnam is long and narrow, so its weather splits into three. The ratings key off Hanoi in the north, where spring and autumn are the loveliest, summer is hot and wet and winter is cool and grey.
Because the regions are out of step, the safest bets for seeing the whole country are the shoulder months of spring and autumn. Pick a single region and the window widens: central Hue and Hoi An are driest from February to August, while the southern Mekong and Ho Chi Minh City have their dry season from December to April.
Vietnam month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Hanoi.
JanuaryMild and dryIdeal 100
- Daytime high
- 20°C / 68°F
- Overnight low
- 14°C / 57°F
- Rainfall
- 20 mm
Mild and dry.
FebruaryMild and dryIdeal 100
- Daytime high
- 20°C / 68°F
- Overnight low
- 16°C / 61°F
- Rainfall
- 28 mm
Mild and dry.
MarchWarm and dryIdeal 100
- Daytime high
- 23°C / 73°F
- Overnight low
- 18°C / 64°F
- Rainfall
- 40 mm
Warm and dry.
AprilWarm with a little rain.Ideal 82
- Daytime high
- 28°C / 82°F
- Overnight low
- 22°C / 72°F
- Rainfall
- 90 mm
Warm with a little rain.
MayHot and wet.Good 49
- Daytime high
- 32°C / 90°F
- Overnight low
- 25°C / 77°F
- Rainfall
- 190 mm
Hot and wet.
JuneHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Fair 41
- Daytime high
- 33°C / 91°F
- Overnight low
- 27°C / 81°F
- Rainfall
- 240 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
JulyHot and very wet, monsoon rains.Fair 33
- Daytime high
- 33°C / 91°F
- Overnight low
- 27°C / 81°F
- Rainfall
- 290 mm
Hot and very wet, monsoon rains.
AugustHot and very wet, storm season.Avoid 9
- Daytime high
- 32°C / 90°F
- Overnight low
- 26°C / 79°F
- Rainfall
- 320 mm
Hot and very wet, storm season.
SeptemberHot and very wet, storm season.Avoid 18
- Daytime high
- 31°C / 88°F
- Overnight low
- 25°C / 77°F
- Rainfall
- 260 mm
Hot and very wet, storm season.
OctoberHot and wet, storm season.Good 44
- Daytime high
- 29°C / 84°F
- Overnight low
- 22°C / 72°F
- Rainfall
- 130 mm
Hot and wet, storm season.
NovemberWarm and dry, storm season.Ideal 78
- Daytime high
- 26°C / 79°F
- Overnight low
- 18°C / 64°F
- Rainfall
- 45 mm
Warm and dry, storm season.
DecemberMild and dry.Ideal 100
- Daytime high
- 22°C / 72°F
- Overnight low
- 15°C / 59°F
- Rainfall
- 22 mm
Mild and dry.
Where you go changes when you go
Hanoi and the north
Best in spring and autumn. Summer is hot and humid with typhoon risk on the coast, winter is cool and damp, with cold in the far north.
Hue, Hoi An and the centre
Driest and sunniest from February to August. The heaviest rain and flooding come in October and November.
Ho Chi Minh City and the south
Warm year round, with a dry season from December to April and afternoon rains from May to November.
Best time to visit Vietnam for
The whole country
March to April and October to November, the shoulder months when no region is at its worst.
Halong Bay and the north
October to April for cooler, clearer days, avoiding the summer storms on the bay.
Beaches in the centre
February to August for Hoi An, Da Nang and Nha Trang, before the autumn rains arrive.
The Mekong Delta
December to April, the southern dry season, for easy travel and sunny days.
What is on, and when
Autumn in Hanoi, October
Mild, golden weather makes the capital and the northern mountains at their most photogenic.
Central beach season, Mar to Aug
Hoi An and Da Nang enjoy their driest, sunniest stretch.
Watch out
Typhoon season
Aug to Nov.
Rainy season
May to Oct.
Where to stay in Vietnam
Compare places to stay around Hanoi. Choose your dates on the booking site.
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- Compare the full price, including taxes and fees.
- Read cancellation terms before you book.
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Good to know
What is the best time to visit Vietnam?
When is typhoon season in Vietnam?
When is the best time for the south of Vietnam?
Where else, and when
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