The Best Time to Visit Vietnam?

When Is the Best Time to Visit Vietnam?

Best Time to Visit Vietnam: Weather by Month, Seasons & Travel Tips for 2025

A Month-by-Month Guide to Weather, Seasons & Travel Tips

So, you're going to Vietnam? You're going to have a life changingly brilliant time! Vietnam is a country of rich culture, dramatic landscapes, and incredible food — and no matter what time of the year you visit, it's going to bring with it it's own unique magic at different times of the year. And we can say this with total conviction. We were there at the November Hoi An 2024 floodings and had a great time. But in order to answer this question, it really does depend on what you want. If you want the weather, you'll get the crowds. But to what extent and where's the balance? Well, hopefully this blog can give you all the information that you need to plan your Vietnam visit perfectly. In this guide, we’ll break down Vietnam’s weather by region, explain what to expect throughout the year, give you smart packing tips, and include a month-by-month travel chart to help you plan your perfect Vietnamese adventure. And we share some packing tips on what to pack to make sure that you are all set no matter what time you visit Vietnam. Traveling to Vietnam for the first time? Check out My Ultimate Vietnam Guide.

With its unique shape stretching over 1,000 miles from north to south, timing your trip can make a big difference actually. The best time to visit Vietnam depends on where you're going, what you want to do, and your tolerance for heat, rain, or humidity.

Vietnam’s Three Climate Zones

Vietnam has three distinct climate regions:

1. North Vietnam (Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long Bay)

• Seasons: Four distinct seasons

• Winters (Dec–Feb): Cool, misty, sometimes cold (especially in Sapa)

• Summers (May–Aug): Hot and humid with heavy rain

• Best time: March–April & October–November

2. Central Vietnam (Hoi An, Da Nang, Hue)

• Seasons: Dry and wet seasons

• Dry season (Feb–Aug): Sunny, hot, beach-perfect

• Rainy season (Sep–Jan): Flood risk, especially in Hoi An

• Best time: February–May

3. South Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc)

• Seasons: Dry and wet

• Dry season (Nov–Apr): Sunny and warm

• Wet season (May–Oct): Short daily showers, still hot

• Best time: December–March

What to Pack Based on the Weather

For the Dry Season (Nov–Apr):

• Lightweight clothing

• Sunglasses, hat, and sunscreen

• Swimsuits and flip flops

• A light jacket or sweater for the north

For the Rainy Season (May–Oct):

• Quick-dry clothing

• Umbrella or poncho

• Waterproof shoes or sandals

• Backpack rain cover

For Winter in the North (Dec–Feb):

• Warm layers, especially for Sapa

• Closed shoes and socks

• A light puffer or fleece jacket

• Scarf and gloves if going into the mountains

Month-by-Month Weather & Travel Guide

Month	North Vietnam	Central Vietnam	South Vietnam	Notes & Events
January	Cool, dry, misty	Cool, dry	Warm, dry	Great time for whole country; Tet prep begins
February	Warmer, dry	Dry and sunny	Hot, dry	Tet Lunar New Year (travel delays possible)
March	Pleasant, sunny	Ideal beach weather	Hot, dry	Excellent month to travel all over
April	Warm, dry	Very hot, dry	Very hot, dry	Beach lovers’ dream month
May	Hot, start of rain	Hot, occasional showers	Rainy season begins	Green landscapes begin to appear
June	Hot, humid, wet	Hot, humid	Wet season	Good for fewer crowds, but hot & wet
July	Hot, heavy rains	Rain increases	Frequent rain	Best for deals, pack waterproof gear
August	Storms possible	Rainy, chance of flooding	Wet but tropical	Avoid central coast during typhoon season
September	Cooler, rainy	Rainy and wet	Less rain	Northern rice terraces turn golden
October	Dry and cool	Flood risk in Hoi An	Transition to dry season	Best for trekking in Sapa
November	Crisp, dry	Rain easing	Dry season begins	Excellent for exploring all regions
December	Cold in north, dry	Dry, mild	Warm, dry	Christmas travel boom; ideal for all-around trip

So When Is the Best Time Overall?

If you're looking for a sweet spot that works for most destinations in Vietnam:

• March to April and October to November are your perfect times in our opinion.

• These months offer moderate temperatures, minimal rainfall, and lush scenery — perfect for beach trips, hiking, sightseeing, and street food exploration.

Bonus Tip for Family Travelers

Since you're traveling as a family, keep in mind:

• Rainy season doesn’t mean all-day rain — showers are often short and manageable.

• Off-peak months (like May and September) offer lower prices and fewer crowds, which can make family travel more relaxed and budget-friendly.

• Always check local holidays like Tet (Vietnamese New Year), which affects transport and accommodation availability.

  
  

Vietnam is a year-round destination — but choosing when and where to go can make your trip more comfortable and unforgettable. With this guide, you're all set to time your travels right, pack wisely, and make the most of Vietnam’s stunning diversity from north to south.

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I hope you found this weather post helpful. Let me know in the comments when you next go to Vietnam. Also, Don't forget to keep up with our daily updates of our full time travel life where we'll be heading back to Vietnam soon. Check out our handy travel planning tools below to get best prices for flights, hotels and more:

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💡HELPFUL PLANNING TOOLS FOR YOUR VIETNAM TRIP WITH KIDS 💡

✈️ - FLIGHTS WITH KIDS - We use this flight checker to search the best flight tickets fall or our Vietnam flights. We used this flight checker to get flights from Bali to Ho Chi Minh and then internally from Ho Chi Minh (formally Saigon) to Danang. Then again from Da Nang to Phu Quoc with the best prices at the time. Overall we love Skyscanner and cam't fault it for offering the cheapest options.

🚌🚆🚇 - TRAVEL WITH KIDS - We took the overnight sleeper train from HCMC to Da Nang check out our vid of that experience here. Booked via 12Go.

🏨 - ACCOMMODATION WITH KIDS - We Love to Stay at this hotel when in HCMC but we also use this hotels checker to search hotels and accommodation for our Vietnam trip. Use to check dates and costs to hotels and hostels in Vietnam now or go to our Accommodation Planning Page for more

🧭🗺️👣 - VIETNAM TOURS & GUIDES WITH KIDS - We use Get Your Guide for all of the trips in Vietnam. But we also love Klook too. TIP: Use both to compare offerings as trips will be different.

Trips in Ho Chi Minh

This post includes affiliate links that we may receive a small commission from at no extra cost to you. Thank You for supporting our blog!