Planning your trip and wondering when to visit Vietnam? In this guide, we tell you the best time to visit Vietnam as well as the best time to go to Hanoi, the best time to visit Hoi An weather wise, the best time to go to Ho Chi Minh City and many other specific destinations in Vietnam.
Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate (rainy or wet seasons). The weather in Vietnam is dictated by two seasons – the southwest monsoon from April to September and the northeast monsoon from October to late March or early April.
The best time to visit Vietnam weather wise depends on monsoon periods. Every year there are around 100 rainy days and the average rainfall is 1,500 to 2,000 mm. The humidity ranges around 80%.
The good news is that the wettest periods differ depending on where you are going in Vietnam. The country is long and diverse. In the north spots like Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Sapa will differ from further along the coast Hue, Da Nang or Hoi An or cities in the south, like Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City, so at any time of year you can pick a great spot to visit.
What is the coldest month in Vietnam?
January is usually the coldest month in Vietnam. During winter, average temperatures can fall below 20 °C.
What is the hottest month in Vietnam?
In summer, mean temperatures vary between 25 to 30 °C . The highest temperatures normally occurs in March–May in the south and May–July in the north. Depending on where in Vietnam you are, the larger cities can regularly hit mid 30s each day during summer.
When is the very best time to visit Vietnam?
Depending on what you are looking for in your holiday, and where you go in Vietnam, usually the best time to go to Vietnam is November to February. There is less rainfall at these times and it’s not as humid.
Note that visiting in the rainy season is often not a big deal. Showers tend to last a couple of hours maximum or even happen at night.
What are the holiday dates in Vietnam?
The other thing to consider with the Vietnam best time to visit is holiday times. December and January can see the most tourists, as well as Lunar New Year, making this a more expensive time to visit. Vietnam school holidays can also have an impact. These fall from mid-February, end of April, mid-June to the end of August and mid-December to mid-January.
If you are looking for a good time to visit Vietnam for festivals, Lunar New Year is a big one as well as the Tet Nguyen Dan, or Tet for short, is considered the biggest and most popular festival of the year in Vietnam. Celebrated on the first day of the first month in Lunar Calendar, Tet’s celebration is the longest holiday which may last up to seven to nine days. In 2020 this will be in January.
Best time to honeymoon in Vietnam?
If you are looking for the best time to visit Vietnam for honeymoons, then it depends where along the coast you are planning to go. If Hoi An is your dream honeymoon location, then May to July is the best time with fewer tourists and good weather for the beach.
So, when is the best time to visit Vietnam?
Vietnam does have similar weather year round, but generally the best time to visit Vietnam is November to February when you can avoid the peak times but still get great weather.
If you want more specific information about the best time of year to visit Vietnam based on your destination, keep reading!
Best time to visit Hanoi
If you are looking for the best time to travel to Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, you should head there in spring, from February to April or autumn, during October and November. There is less rainfall at this time and it’s noticeably less humid. Temperatures range from low 20s to low 30s degrees at this time.
However, the best time for Hanoi is also impacted by peak visitor numbers (statistics say up to 15 million visitors went to Hanoi in 2018) which occur during these cooler months in spring and autumn.
This makes the very best time to visit Hanoi a little outside these peak tourist times: November, December and April when temperatures are still good but tourist are fewer.
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When is the best time to visit Hoi An?
The best time to go to Hoi An is during the dry season from February until July. These months provide plenty of sunshine, with warm temperatures; mid-20s to mid-30s. Some feel the best time to visit Hoi An is between February and April, when rainfall is low and temperatures are comfortable. Others think it is best to wait a little longer, until May and June.
If you want to know the absolute best time to travel to Hoi An, it is March and April for the most reliable weather.
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When is the best time to visit Hue?
Hue is a fantastic place to visit during January to August, and a not so great during September to December. The best time is from January to April. Yet, whether it is dry or wet season, you should always prepare carefully for whenever the weather changes.
This is a popular time to visit so you should book ahead. The best time to go to Hue during the dry season is April or May if you want less tourists.
When is the best time to visit Da Nang?
February to May is the best time to visit Da Nang. This is the time when the rainfall level is not very high, making it comfortable for the visitors to enjoy their vacation.
December is the worst time to visit Da Nang in terms of bad weather and January is typically the coldest month to visit.
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When is the best time to visit Nha Trang?
Nha Trang weather is usually warm and humid for the first eight months of the year. It’s a popular destination for sunbathing and enjoying beach activities. We loved Vinpearl Land and its waterslides and rides!
Nha Trang has 6km of sandy beaches and clear waters. There are also quiet islets surrounding the coastal town.
The best time to visit is between February and May. Nha Trang weather enjoys an average mean temperature between 26 and 27°C. If you are heading to Nha Trang to go diving, the peak diving season in Nha Trang runs between January and October. However, the very best time to enjoy clear waters and coral-rich dive sites is from April to August. That’s when rainfall is at its lowest in Nha Tang.
The very best time to visit Nha Trang for excellent weather and to avoid the peak tourist season is February or March.
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When is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City?
It can be argued that the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City is anytime! There is so much to do and the warm weather and reliable sunshine is a huge drawcard for the city also known as Saigon.
However, many people prefer visiting HCMC during the drier months of December to March, when temperatures range between 21°C and 34°C. Ho Chi Minh City is a great place to celebrate the Tet Festival (Vietnamese Lunar New Year) in late January or early February.
The absolute best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City is February or March.
