Best Time to Visit Southeast Asia

There is no single best month, because the region has several different weather patterns. As a rule, November to April is the dry season across most of mainland Southeast Asia, including Thailand’s Andaman coast, Cambodia, Laos and southern Vietnam, while Bali and much of Indonesia are driest from April to October. Use the month search above to see which destinations have had the best weather for your travel dates.

Bali is the standout from June to August, with dry, sunny weather that lines up with the NZ school holidays. Koh Samui, Hoi An and Da Nang, Nha Trang and Malaysian Borneo are also good at that time of year. Phuket and Krabi are in their wet season then, although many travellers still enjoy them at lower prices.

December to February is a great time for Phuket, Krabi and Khao Lak, northern Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, southern Vietnam and Phu Quoc. Bali is in its wet season, but the rain usually comes as short afternoon downpours. Koh Samui and central Vietnam can still be wet in December.

Often, yes. In most places the rain comes as a heavy afternoon or evening downpour rather than all day, the countryside is green, and hotels are usually quieter and cheaper. The main things affected are boat trips and island hopping, which can be disrupted by rough seas, and areas in the path of typhoons.

Typhoons mostly affect northern Vietnam, including Ha Long Bay, from July to September, and central Vietnam (Hoi An, Da Nang and Hue) from September to November, when flooding is also common. Ha Long Bay cruises can be cancelled at short notice during storms. Southern Vietnam is rarely affected.

April to October is Bali’s dry season, with lower humidity and calmer seas for boat trips to Nusa Lembongan and the Gili Islands. July and August are the busiest months. November to March is wetter and more humid, but quieter and still warm.

It depends on the coast. Phuket, Krabi and the Andaman coast are best from November to April. Koh Samui and the Gulf of Thailand are good through the middle of the year and wettest from October to December. Bangkok and Chiang Mai are most comfortable from November to February. March and April are very hot, and late February to April can be smoky in the north.

November to February is dry and comfortable, ideal for the temples of Angkor and for Luang Prabang. March to May is very hot, and May to October is the green season, when the countryside is lush and the temples are quieter.

The ratings are based on daily weather records for the last four years from Open-Meteo, averaged over an area of roughly 10 km, so beaches and mountains can differ from the figures shown. Weather also varies from year to year, so treat the ratings as a guide and talk to us about your plans.