Vietnam
The best time to visit
When to go to Vietnam
For 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 links on this page are affiliate links, at no cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Jan.
Either side of peak, with thinner crowds and better rates.
Typhoon season.
In short
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.
Month by month
Vietnam month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Hanoi.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rating | What it is like |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°C / 68°F | 14°C / 57°F | 20 mm | Ideal 100 | Mild and dry. Hanoi hotels in January |
| February | 20°C / 68°F | 16°C / 61°F | 28 mm | Ideal 100 | Mild and dry. Hanoi hotels in February |
| March | 23°C / 73°F | 18°C / 64°F | 40 mm | Ideal 100 | Warm and dry. Hanoi hotels in March |
| April | 28°C / 82°F | 22°C / 72°F | 90 mm | Ideal 82 | Warm with a little rain. |
| May | 32°C / 90°F | 25°C / 77°F | 190 mm | Good 49 | Hot and wet. |
| June | 33°C / 91°F | 27°C / 81°F | 240 mm | Fair 41 | Hot and very wet, monsoon rains. |
| July | 33°C / 91°F | 27°C / 81°F | 290 mm | Fair 33 | Hot and very wet, monsoon rains. |
| August | 32°C / 90°F | 26°C / 79°F | 320 mm | Avoid 9 | Hot and very wet, storm season. |
| September | 31°C / 88°F | 25°C / 77°F | 260 mm | Avoid 18 | Hot and very wet, storm season. |
| October | 29°C / 84°F | 22°C / 72°F | 130 mm | Good 44 | Hot and wet, storm season. |
| November | 26°C / 79°F | 18°C / 64°F | 45 mm | Ideal 78 | Warm and dry, storm season. |
| December | 22°C / 72°F | 15°C / 59°F | 22 mm | Ideal 100 | Mild and dry. |
By region
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.
Go for
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.
On the calendar
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.
Typhoon season
Aug to Nov.
Rainy season
May to Oct.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Vietnam
Compare hotels and rentals around Hanoi, then book the month you want.
Ready to book?
Rates climb in peak season, so the best-weather months pay to book early. Shoulder and low months are the value windows.
Prefer to sort flights first? Compare flights
Questions
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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