Vietnam Weather – Best Time to Visit
When Is the Best Time to Visit Vietnam?
Vietnam stretches more than 1,650 km from north to south – a little longer than New Zealand – so it doesn’t have one climate, it has three. So while it may not have four seasons in one day like we can have here, it can have totally different seasons happening at the same time through the country – cool and misty in Hanoi while hot and sunny in Saigon. So like New Zealand – it’s complicated 🙂
The good news: there’s always somewhere in Vietnam with good weather. The trick is matching your route to the time of year you want to travel.
The short answer: for a trip that covers the north, centre and south, late February to April is the most reliable time, with mostly dry, pleasant weather across the whole country. October to early December is lovely in the north and south, but it’s the wettest time of year in central Vietnam (Hoi An, Hue and Danang). December to February means it’s cooler in the north (Hanoi) but generally pretty warm weather elsewhere.
Vietnam’s Three Weather Regions
North Vietnam – Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ninh Binh and Sapa
- Winter (December to February): cool and often grey, with daytime highs around 20–22°C in Hanoi and lows of 14–16°C. Light drizzle and mist are common. Sapa and the mountains can get close to freezing – pack a warm jacket.
- Spring (March to April): warming up to the mid to high 20s, with less drizzle. One of the best times to visit.
- Summer (May to September): hot and humid, around 32–34°C, and the wettest time of year. Heavy downpours are common and storms can affect Halong Bay cruises, particularly from July to September.
- Autumn (October to November): drier, clearer and warm (mid 20s to around 30°C). Our favourite time for Hanoi, Halong Bay and Sapa.
Central Vietnam – Hoi An, Hue, Danang
- Dry season (February to August): warm to hot and mostly dry. Highs rise from around 27°C in February to 33°C from June to August. Great beach weather from April to August.
- Rainy season (September to December): the wettest months are October and November, when heavy rain, flooding in Hoi An’s Old Town and typhoons are all possible. December is cooler (around 26°C) with rain easing.
- January: mild (mid 20s) with some showers – fine for sightseeing, a little cool for swimming.
South Vietnam – Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc
- Hot all year: daytime highs of 31–35°C and nights in the low to mid 20s. April is usually the hottest month.
- Dry season (December to April): sunny and dry – the best time for Phu Quoc’s beaches.
- Wet season (May to November): usually a short, heavy afternoon downpour rather than all-day rain, so sightseeing carries on. Phu Quoc’s seas are rougher from about June to October.
Vietnam Weather Month by Month
A quick guide to what to expect in each region. Temperatures are typical daytime highs.
| Month | North (Hanoi, Halong Bay) | Central (Hoi An, Hue) | South (Saigon, Mekong) | Our verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Cool, grey, drizzle. ~20°C | Mild, some showers. ~26°C | Dry and sunny. ~32°C | Good – pack layers for the north |
| February | Cool, misty. ~21°C | Drying out. ~27°C | Dry and sunny. ~33°C | Very good |
| March | Warming, less drizzle. ~24°C | Dry and warm. ~28°C | Dry, hot. ~34°C | Excellent everywhere |
| April | Pleasant. ~28°C | Dry and warm. ~30°C | Hottest month. ~35°C | Excellent everywhere |
| May | Hot, rain starting. ~32°C | Hot and dry. ~32°C | Wet season begins. ~34°C | Good – central is best |
| June | Hot and wet. ~34°C | Hot and dry. ~33°C | Afternoon showers. ~33°C | Good for central beaches |
| July | Hot, wet, storm risk. ~34°C | Hot, mostly dry. ~33°C | Afternoon showers. ~33°C | Central coast is the pick |
| August | Wettest month, storm risk. ~33°C | Hot, rain building late. ~33°C | Afternoon showers. ~32°C | Mixed – plan around the rain |
| September | Wet early, clearing late. ~32°C | Rainy season starts. ~31°C | Afternoon showers. ~32°C | Mixed – north improving |
| October | Dry and warm. ~30°C | Wettest month, typhoon risk. ~29°C | Rain easing. ~32°C | Great north and south; avoid central |
| November | Dry, clear, mild. ~26°C | Very wet, flood risk. ~27°C | Drying out. ~32°C | Great north and south; avoid central |
| December | Cool and dry. ~22°C | Rain easing, cooler. ~26°C | Dry and sunny. ~32°C | Good north and south |
The Best Time to Visit Vietnam for…
- A trip from north to south: late February to April. From December is fine if you’re ok with cooler weather in the north.
- A Halong Bay or Lan Ha Bay cruise: March to May and September to November. December to February winter cruises are often misty which can be amazing and adds to the mystery and atmosphere; summer has the highest chance of storm cancellations.
- Hoi An and the central beaches: March to August.
- Sapa and the northern mountains: March to May, and September to November. The rice terraces are at their golden best around harvest in September.
- Phu Quoc and the south: December to April.
Typhoons and the Rainy Season
The monsoon and typhoon seasons hit different regions at different times. Typhoons mainly affect the north and centre between about June and November, with the central coast most exposed in October and November. In 2025, six typhoons hit central and/or northern Vietnam between June and November. In 2024, one typhoon affected the north in September and another hit central Vietnam in October, and in 2023 there were three between July and October.
Storms are usually forecast several days ahead. When the authorities suspend Halong Bay cruises for safety, operators normally reschedule or refund, and because we plan your whole trip we can often reshuffle the itinerary around it. We always recommend travel insurance that covers weather disruption.
Vietnam During New Zealand School Holidays
- April holidays: one of the best times of the year – dry and warm across most of the country.
- July holidays: Good for the beach areas of Hoi An and Danang for hot, dry beach weather. Expect showers in Hanoi and Saigon which can be ok as it’s tropical and showers don’t often last too long, or overnight.
- Late September to October holidays: good for the north and south, but don’t expect any beach time in central Vietnam.
- Christmas and summer holidays (December to January): sunny in the south and cool in the north – bring a jacket for Hanoi and Halong Bay. Central Vietnam can still be showery in December.
Not Sure When to Go?
Tell us when you can travel and what you’d like to do, and we’ll suggest the best route for the weather. We’ve been planning trips to Vietnam for more than 25 years. See our Vietnam holidays from NZ, read how to plan your Vietnam itinerary, or use the form below to start planning your trip.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Vietnam?
For a trip covering the north, centre and south, late February to April is the most reliable time, with mostly dry and pleasant weather across the country. October to early December is also lovely in the north and south, but it’s the wettest time of year in central Vietnam.
When is the rainy season in Vietnam?
It depends on the region. In the north (Hanoi, Halong Bay) the wet season runs from about May to September. In central Vietnam (Hoi An, Hue, Danang) it runs from September to December and is heaviest in October and November. In the south (Saigon, the Mekong Delta) it runs from about May to November, usually as short afternoon downpours.
When is typhoon season in Vietnam?
Typhoons mainly affect northern and central Vietnam between about June and November. The central coast is most exposed in October and November.
Is it worth visiting Vietnam in the rainy season?
Yes, with the right route. In the south the rain usually comes as a short afternoon downpour, and there are fewer crowds and better prices. The main thing to not expect a beach holiday in central Vietnam in October and November.
What is the weather like in Vietnam in July?
July is hot everywhere. It’s the best month for central Vietnam’s beaches around Hoi An and Danang, which are mostly dry. Hanoi, Halong Bay and Saigon are hot and humid with regular showers, and storms are possible in the north.
How cold does Hanoi get in winter?
From December to February, Hanoi’s daytime highs are around 20–22°C, with nights of 14–16°C and frequent drizzle or mist. Sapa and the northern mountains can get close to freezing, so a warm jacket is a must.
Can Halong Bay cruises be cancelled because of the weather?
Yes. When a storm is forecast, the authorities can suspend all cruises for safety, most often between July and October. Operators normally reschedule or refund, and because we manage your whole trip we can rearrange the itinerary around it.
