When to go · Vietnam
Vietnam, month by month
The best months for Vietnam: Mar, Apr.
Month by month
- JanuaryGoodSouth and centre dry; the north is cool and grey — a jacket for Hanoi, cold nights in Sa Pa.North: cool · Centre: rainy · South: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 6 festivals or holidays
- FebruaryMixedTết week shuts businesses and fills every seat; the rest of the month is good north to south.North: cool · Centre: fine · South: best weatherCrowds: High · 11 festivals or holidays
- MarchGreatBest compromise for a north-to-south trip: north warming, centre and south dry.North: fine · Centre: best weather · South: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 12 festivals or holidays
- AprilGreatWarm and dry in most places; the 30 Apr – 1 May long weekend fills beaches and flights.North: best weather · Centre: best weather · South: hotCrowds: Medium · 13 festivals or holidays
- MayMixedHeat builds in Hanoi and Saigon; the central coast is at its beach best.North: hot · Centre: best weather · South: rainyCrowds: Medium · 9 festivals or holidays
- JuneMixedHumid north, wet afternoons in the south; school holidays fill the beach towns.North: rainy · Centre: hot · South: rainyCrowds: High · 10 festivals or holidays
- JulyMixedCentre still good; the north is hot with storms and Hạ Long cruises can cancel.North: rainy · Centre: hot · South: rainyCrowds: High · 7 festivals or holidays
- AugustMixedStorm peak in the north: keep a spare day around any Hạ Long night.North: storm or typhoon risk · Centre: hot · South: rainyCrowds: Medium · 6 festivals or holidays
- SeptemberMixedTyphoons shift to the centre; the north improves late in the month.North: fine · Centre: storm or typhoon risk · South: rainyCrowds: Medium · 9 festivals or holidays
- OctoberMixedThe north is at its best; Hội An and Huế flood — skip the centre or keep dates loose.North: best weather · Centre: storm or typhoon risk · South: rainyCrowds: Low · 12 festivals or holidays
- NovemberMixedNorth and far south good; the central flood peak makes Hội An a gamble.North: best weather · Centre: storm or typhoon risk · South: fineCrowds: Medium · 12 festivals or holidays
- DecemberGoodNorth and south dry, centre wet; Christmas to New Year lifts beach prices.North: cool · Centre: rainy · South: best weatherCrowds: High · 7 festivals or holidays
Weather by region
How each climate zone rates each month.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NorthHanoi, Hạ Long, Ninh Bình, Sa Pa | Cool | Cool | OK | Best | Hot | Wet | Wet | Storm | OK | Best | Best | Cool |
| CentreHuế, Đà Nẵng, Hội An, Quy Nhơn | Wet | OK | Best | Best | Best | Hot | Hot | Hot | Storm | Storm | Storm | Wet |
| SouthHo Chi Minh City, Mekong, Phú Quốc | Best | Best | Best | Hot | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | Best |