Weather and Climate in Vietnam: When is the Best Time for Traveling?

Because of the long distance between the north and south, Vietnam's weather varies greatly. The nation stretches from the mountainous Van Don province to the north and 1,600 kilometers south to the mouth of the lush Mekong Delta. If you plan to visit this beautiful country, here are some basics about the weather and climate in Vietnam to help you make a good preparation. Keep reading!

What is the weather like in Vietnam all year round?

Weather and Climate in Vietnam

Welcome to Vietnam, a country with more than 2,000 miles of coastline and three different weather systems. 

Overall, the climate in Vietnam is typically warm and humid, and the weather can change significantly from one region to another, along with the country's length. 

Nowadays, due to weather changes, in Vietnam, there has been snow in the mountainous area in the north while the beaches in the south can reach up to 32°C and sunshine. 

Scroll down to check out the weather patterns of some popular destinations!

► See more: How does humidity affect weather?

Weather in Halong Bay

December - March: Cool with an average of 17 - 22°C and the coldest in December, January, misty April - June: Nice day, clear skies, sunny June - August: Have a lot of rainfall, hot, humid September - November: Mix of sun and clouds, become cool gradually

If you are planning a trip to Halong Bay, try to visit from April to June or from September to November. That time, you can feel you have chosen the right weather to travel the whole trip with a sunny and comfortable atmosphere. 

Halong Bay is a good destination

You can experience an unforgettable trip to Halong once you visit there. 

If you are on the water during this time, you can see a more mystical side of Halong Bay yourself, with its famous karsts shrouded in mist. Temperatures in January can be frigid, so make sure you bring enough cold weather outfits. 

Travel to HaLong Bay, tourism should try Cha Muc (Grilled Chopped Squid), Sam (Horseshoe crab), Drunken Prawn and Lobster, or Sá Sùng (Sipunculus Nudus).

These are special local foods marking the name of HaLong Bay. They are not only delicious but also provide lots of healthy nutrients.

Cha Muc

Weather in Hanoi

November - May: Quite hot, clear skies, sunny, pleasant weather June - October: Burning hot, humid, rainfall most in August

Looking at the above information on the weather in Hanoi, the best time to visit Hanoi is usually from Nov to May when the weather is pleasant, cloudy, and suitable for traveling. 

Hanoi is the capital of Vietnam

On hot days in Hanoi, you will experience the burning hot summer days with the temperature over 30°C. You should be careful to avoid catching summer season diseases due to the scorching sunshine. 

In the evening, when the temperature goes down, trying special street dishes and drinking lemon tea or tamarind iced tea will give an interesting experience. 

Being famous all over the world, Banh mi is one of the best street foods you should try in Vietnam. Pho and Bun Cha (Kebab rice noodles) are also good ideas for you.

The rice noodles (made from rice flour), the fragrant broth from ginger, cinnamon, anise, and grilled cardamom, mixed with the sweetness of the pig bone, all of them create an unforgettable smell. 

Pho is a must-try food when you travel to Vietnam

Weather in Sapa

December - March: Chilly, misty, cloudy April - June: Warm, clear skies, sunny June - August: Stormy, warm, humid September - November: Cool, clear skies, dry

Sapa lies in Vietnam’s Northern area. It presents the unique, cool, pleasant climate and weather in Vietnam. It has a much cooler climate than the rest of the country, particularly from late December until March. 

If you want to see snow, let’s go to Sapa in January; however, make sure that you wear proper outfits to avoid health problems in cold weather. 

Sapa features the unique cool, pleasant weather

Sapa is near-perfect in late April when peach flowers bloom everywhere, and the skies are clear and fresh. Early October is also perfect; you will be impressed by tiered rice paddies turning golden just before harvest.

Visiting Sapa, you should try mountainous dishes like Thang Co, Bamboo sticky rice, or Pau Pau cake. Pau Pau cake has been in Vietnam for a long time since the Hung King's reign, and it is a unique feature of Vietnamese culture.

Bamboo sticky rice

Weather in Huế

September - February: Cool to cold, rainy, cloudy March - August: Warm to hot, sunny, clear skies

Hue has two distinct seasons: dry and rainy seasons. 

In the late rainy season, it can be rainy at any time, with storms and days that are wet and cool from September to February. Be careful because floods often occur from September to November. 

Hue features an ancient beauty

Besides, in the early months of the year, temperatures go down to 15°C, and January often sees a bit of mist. 

Otherwise, the rest of the year will be dry but not uncomfortable, like in Hanoi, and in July, you’ll have perfect beach weather, with a temperature of 35°C.

When it comes to Hue cuisine, it’s predominantly sweet and spicy in flavor from fresh herbs. 

You will know it when tasting Bun Bo Hue (Hue Beef Noodle Soup), Nem Lui (Hue Lemongrass Skewers), Banh Loc Goi (Tapioca Dumplings), Banh Xeo (Vietnamese Sizzling Crepes), or Banh It Ram (Fried Sticky Rice Dumplings). 

Banh xeo

Weather in Hoi An

September - January: Rainy, cool, cloudy February - August: Warm to hot, sunny, clear skies

Hoi An is one of the country’s picturesque places; however, in September, tropical storms hit Central Vietnam hard. It is a feature of Vietnam weather and climate.

March is an excellent time to travel to Hoi An; you can admire the fields, gardens, and streets awash in bright blossoms and soothing greens. 

Hoi An is a famous destination in Vietnam

From May to August, the weather can be hot, and you’ll want to dive into the cool sea to cool off. In the late months of the year, from September to November, Hoi An has a lot of rain and even a few small floods. 

The temperatures begin to drop and reach their coldest point in January, warming up just before the Vietnamese New Year.

Being in Hoi An, what should you eat? Let’s try Cao lau (Rice Noodles With Barbecued Pork, Greens, and Croutons), Banh Bao Vac (White Rose Dumplings), or Chicken rice. 

Special foods here impress you with a variety of dishes mainly from Chinese food culture.

Cao Lau

Weather in Da Nang

April - August: Dry season September - March: Monsoon season June - August: Scorching hot with the highest average temperature of 35°C November - January: Coolest with lowest average temperature of 18°C

For a long time, Da Nang has become one of the most favorite tourist destinations in Vietnam. The reason may be that, at any time I go here, it always seems good weather to travel. 

From February to May, Da Nang weather sees sunny skies and low humidity levels so you can explore here by foot or motorcycle. 

The temperature at Da Nang’s beaches is about 25°C; therefore, you can soak up the sun and enjoy beach games during this time of the year.

Weather and climate in Da Nang

Danang is the only place in Vietnam where you may experience cuisines from the country's north, central, and south.

Mi Quang (Vietnamese Turmeric Noodle) is a distinct blend of noodle soup and salad. It features turmeric-colored rice noodles and a small amount of bone broth.

Moreover, Banh trang cuon thit heo (sliced pork in rice paper rolls) is also tasty. The fat from the meat will be tempered by the freshness and the sweet, spicy, sour, and salty fish sauce.

Banh trang cuon thit heo

Weather in Da Lat

April - October: Rainy, warm to hot, cloudy November - May: Cool to cold, dry, clear skies

Located in the central highlands, this charming mountain city is loved for its temperate climate. 

The air in Da Lat is always fresh, making visitors feel relaxed. The mountains provide consistent cool temperatures and pleasant breeze, making it a perfect place to escape the cities' heat and smoke. 

Da Lat, Vietnam

Da Lat’s rainy season is from April until October. Therefore, you should avoid going during this period. In general, temperatures here are consistent, with under 20°C in January and over 30°C in July.

Blessed with a cool central highland climate, vegetables and fruits are plentiful here. Some of the best foods here include strawberries, asparagus, artichokes, grapes, tea, and coffee. 

To start a day trip exploring Da Lat, it is perfect with a crispy baguette and meatball soup, along with hot soybean milk.

There are many fruits in Da Lat

Weather in HCMC & the Mekong Delta

May to November: Sporadic rainfall, hot and humid December to April: Clear skies, hot, sunny

The Mekong Delta and Ho Chi Minh City have consistent temperatures year-round, and there are two distinct seasons: dry and rainy seasons. 

HCM City is either hot dry, or hot and rainy. In rainy seasons, rain occurs regularly, but it is still hot and not wet or humid. 

Ho Chi Minh City is hustle and bustle

However, there are some pleasant fresh days early in the year and some scorching days mid-year. Hot temperatures are normally appropriate at 30°C, with not too strong, burning sunshine like in the North. 

From May to November, it rains like cats and dogs and usually lasts a few hours.

If you are a food enthusiast, just enjoy your trip to Vietnam! Let’s try Banh Xeo (Crispy Pancake) or Goi Cuon (Vietnamese Spring Rolls). 

Fresh leafy greens mix other ingredients like shrimp, pork, and vegetables to make you palatable and not feel hot inside. Dip it in a mix of freshly ground chili and hoisin-based dipping sauce topped with crushed peanuts. It will impress you a lot. 

 Goi Cuon (Vietnamese Spring Rolls)

Weather in Phu Quoc

July - September: Stormy, hot, humid October - June: Clear skies, hot, sunny

Do you want to sunbathe at a beach with blowing wind, white sand, and sunshine? The island of Phu Quoc will be the best choice for you. 

Being the largest island in Vietnam, Phu Quoc promises balmy weather year-round. 

The feature of the weather and climate in Vietnam is that there often occurs floods and storms in mid-year. Therefore, you should avoid visiting in the rainy season, from July through September. 

During this period, some storms roll through. It will be dangerous for you due to the storm since you will mainly travel by ships and canoes. 

Weather in Phu Quoc

The rest of the year is hot and dry, and Phu Quoc is a relaxing place for you and your family in December and January.

Being considered the most unique Phu Quoc food, Bun Quay (shrimp noodles) will definitely give you an unforgettable culinary experience. 

The special feature of this dish is that pureed fish paste and shrimp paste are mixed well and then stirred around the bowl. 

After that, they pour the boiling noodles water immediately into the bowl to cook them. So that you can taste the freshness and sweetness of the broth. 

Bun Quay (shrimp noodles)

How to Check the Weather and Climate in Vietnam Today?

Many users favor GoWeatherForecast due to its unique features. When you visit the site, on the first page, you will see a full weather report of your current location, including weather forecast and wind direction, temperature, UV index, sunrise, and wind direction. 

It also reports real-time, in-minute forecasts in a pretty, friendly- design interface. It is so simple to use, and you will be able to handle a lot of information or ads like other forecast sites.

GoWeather is a useful tool

Moreover, articles in the news toolbar will be useful for you, providing you with helpful weather tips, knowledge of weather phenomena, etc. 

Another great thing about this weather app is that it is available on both Android and IOS operating systems; apart from visiting the site on browsers, you can now search for and install it freely.

Conclusion

Before heading to Vietnam, you should use the Weather Forecast site or download it on your phone to check the weather and climate in Vietnam or wherever you want to know. Vietnam is famous for its many picturesque destinations. With the information above, we hope you can choose a suitable one to enjoy an amazing trip!