Most Vietnam weather guides give one answer for a country that has three different climates. You have probably read that November to April is the dry season. For Ho Chi Minh City that is close to true. For Da Nang it is not. November is one of its wettest months, with about 430 mm of rain on average and 20 rainy days.
This guide splits Vietnam into the North, Central and South. It gives you rain and temperature numbers for each, explains why the regions disagree, and shows you how to pick dates when one trip crosses all three. Every figure comes from published climate averages or a dated news report. The source list is at the end.
If you already know the route you want, our Vietnam group trips run on fixed departures for travellers aged 18 to 35, with a trip captain and internal flights between cities. Vivid Vietnam, our 5 night, 6 day trip, starts from ₹49,999 plus 5% GST. The rest of this guide helps you pick the month.
Key takeaways
- Whole country trip: Mid March to mid April is the one stretch when Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City are all low on rain at the same time. In March the three average 35 mm, 20 mm and 10 mm of rain. In April they average 105 mm, 35 mm and 50 mm.
- North Vietnam: Best from mid March to mid April and from late October to November. Hanoi gets 245 to 275 mm of rain a month from June to September, and 14 to 22°C with grey skies from December to February.
- Central Vietnam: Wettest from September to December. Da Nang averages 650 mm in October. Best from late January to May.
- South Vietnam: Dry from December to April. Ho Chi Minh City averages 15 mm or less a month from January to March. April is the hottest month, at about 35°C.
- Phu Quoc: Dry from December to March. Its wettest month is August (545 mm), not October.
- Typhoons: July to September in the north, September to November on the central coast, and a low risk in the south.
- Tet 2027: Tet starts on 6 February 2027. The official public holiday runs from 4 to 10 February.
Best time to visit Vietnam at a glance
|
Place |
Best months |
Avoid or plan around |
What the averages say |
|
Hanoi |
Mid March to mid April, late October to November |
June to September heat and rain, December to February cold and grey |
March: 35 mm, 16 rainy days, 1.5 hours of sun a day. April: 105 mm. November: 60 mm. August: 275 mm. |
|
Ha Long Bay |
March to April, October to November |
July to September typhoon season, December to February mist and cold |
Winter temperatures of about 15 to 21°C. Cruises are cancelled during storm warnings. |
|
Ninh Binh |
Late May to early June and late September to mid October for golden rice |
August heavy rain, December to February cold nights |
Nights fall to about 8 to 12°C in December, and to about 10°C in January and February. |
|
Sapa, Ha Giang, Mu Cang Chai |
March to May, mid September to November |
June to August mud and cloud, December to February cold and fog |
Sa Pa (1,500 m): 6.2 to 12.5°C in January, 410 to 465 mm of rain a month from June to August. |
|
Hoi An, Da Nang, Hue |
Late January to May. Beaches until August. |
September to December, worst in October and November |
Da Nang: 20 mm in March, 650 mm in October, 430 mm in November. |
|
Nha Trang |
Mid January to March |
October to December |
30 mm in March. 300 mm in October and 330 mm in November. |
|
Da Lat |
December to March |
April to October |
Elevation about 1,500 m. January: 11 to 22°C and 14 mm of rain. September: 280 mm. |
|
Ho Chi Minh City and Mekong Delta |
December to April |
March to May heat, May to October rain |
5 mm in February. 35°C highs in April. 220 to 325 mm a month from May to October. |
|
Phu Quoc |
Late December to February |
May to October, wettest in August |
30 mm in February. 545 mm in August. Sea temperature 27.5 to 30.5°C all year. |
Short answer: Plan the region first and the month second. No single month is good for all of Vietnam, and mid March to mid April leaves the fewest regions unhappy.
Why one answer does not work for Vietnam
Vietnam is long and narrow, and two different monsoons shape it. The central coast gets most of its rain from the northeast monsoon, from September to December. The north and south get theirs from May to September or October. That is why the regions disagree.
The clearest example is October. Here is what the three biggest bases average that month:
- Hanoi: 155 mm of rain, 22 to 30°C, clearing skies.
- Da Nang: 650 mm of rain on 20 days, 23 to 30°C.
- Ho Chi Minh City: 265 mm of rain on 21 days, 24 to 32°C.
October is when Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Ha Giang start to look their best. It is also the wettest month of the year for Da Nang and Hoi An.
Quotable fact: In October, Da Nang averages about 650 mm of rain. Hanoi averages about 155 mm.
How to pick your month when your trip crosses regions
- List the places you will not skip. Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City cover most first trips.
- Check each place's best months in the table above.
- Look for the overlap. Mid March to mid April is the only stretch where Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City are all low on rain. The cost is heat in the south, with highs of 34 to 35°C.
- Shorten the weakest region instead of skipping it. If your dates fall in October or November, spend fewer nights in Central Vietnam. If they fall in January, spend fewer nights in the north.
- Keep one buffer day near the end of the trip. Flights and cruises move in storm months.
Best time to visit North Vietnam
The best time to visit North Vietnam is mid March to mid April and late October to November. The north is the only region with a real winter, and the only one where summer is both hot and wet.
Hanoi, month by month
- December to February: 14 to 22°C. Rain is light (20 mm a month) but skies are grey. February has about 12 rainy days and 1.5 hours of sun a day.
- March: The most overcast month of the year. Hanoi has about 16 rainy days and 1.5 hours of sun a day. It is dry on paper and grey in practice.
- April: Warmer and brighter at 22 to 28°C and about 3 hours of sun a day. Rain rises to 105 mm.
- June to September: 25 to 34°C, with 245 to 275 mm of rain a month. This is the hot, wet and storm prone stretch.
- Late October to November: 19 to 30°C, rain drops from 155 mm to 60 mm, and skies clear. This is the best autumn window.
Ha Long Bay. Cruise guides rate March to April and October to November as the comfortable months, with November the best all round. July to September carries the highest typhoon risk for the north. Operators adjust or cancel departures during storm warnings, and many cruises in those months still run without trouble. December to February is cool (about 15 to 21°C), misty and too cold for swimming. On our group trips, Ha Long Bay is a day cruise from Hanoi, not an overnight stay.
Ninh Binh. The rice fields decide the best time here. They turn golden from late May to early June and again from late September to mid October. From mid June to mid July the fields are bare or flooded, and August rain can flood boat routes. Nights drop to about 8 to 12°C in December. Crowds are thinnest in October and November, after the harvest, though the fields are bare then.
Sapa. Sa Pa sits at about 1,500 m, so it is always cooler than Hanoi. January averages 6.2 to 12.5°C, and the air can fall below freezing. One January, in 2016, the temperature dropped to minus 4°C. Rain peaks at 410 to 465 mm a month from June to August. Sa Pa averages only 3 to 5.5 hours of sun a day in every month, so cloud is the rule, not the exception. Our batches have found that Fansipan stays misty or foggy most of the time. The cable car is 6.3 km long and takes about 20 minutes, and the summit is 3,147 m, so treat a clear view from the top as a bonus, not a plan.
Mu Cang Chai and rice terraces. Fields are flooded and mirror like from late May to mid June, deep green from July to August, and golden from about 15 September to 5 October. The gold moves up the valley over about three weeks, with lower terraces ripening first. Crowds peak in that golden window, and July to August brings landslide risk. Dates shift by year, so check recent local reports before you fix a date around the harvest.
Ha Giang. The loop's best months are March to May and September to October. Terraces are golden in September and October. Buckwheat flowers bloom from late October to November, usually peaking in the second or third week of November, and November is also the busiest month. June to August is rainy, with July the wettest. December to February is cold and foggy, with pass temperatures of about 2 to 12°C from November to February.
Short answer: For Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh, go from mid March to mid April or from late October to November. For the mountains, go for the terraces in September and October, or for dry trails in March to May.
Best time to visit Central Vietnam
The best time to visit Central Vietnam is late January to May. Beaches stay good until August, but it is hot. September to December is the wet season, with the worst of it in October and November.
Da Nang and Hoi An, month by month
|
Period |
Rain and heat |
What it means |
|
Late January to March |
20 to 85 mm a month, 22 to 29°C |
The best sightseeing weather. |
|
April to May |
35 to 85 mm, 24 to 34°C |
Warm and dry, with heat building. |
|
June to August |
85 to 115 mm, 26 to 35°C |
The main beach window. Midday heat is strong. |
|
September |
310 mm, 24 to 32°C |
The wet season starts. Typhoons are possible from early September. |
|
October |
650 mm on 20 days |
The wettest month of the year. |
|
November |
430 mm on 20 days |
Flooding is common in Hoi An's Old Town. |
|
December |
215 mm on 18 days |
Still wet, and easing. Typhoons can pass until about 10 December. |
Hue follows the same pattern as Da Nang and Hoi An, because all three share the same coast and the same northeast monsoon.
Hoi An floods. The Old Town sits on low ground beside a river. In November 2025, Hoi An's Ancient Town flooded three times in 20 days, with water reaching the Japanese Covered Bridge and rising over half a metre on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street. Da Nang is not safe from this either. On 8 October 2026, homes and streets flooded in Da Nang, and in some areas the water was over a metre deep.
Nha Trang. Nha Trang has its own dry season, from January to April, and it does not follow Da Nang's calendar exactly. March averages 30 mm of rain and 8.5 hours of sun a day. April to August is dry but hot, at 31 to 33°C. The wet season runs from September to December and peaks at 300 mm in October and 330 mm in November.
Da Lat and the Central Highlands. Da Lat sits at about 1,500 m. The dry season runs from December to March, with 10 to 50 mm of rain a month and nights of 11 to 13°C. Rain climbs from April and stays between 170 and 280 mm a month until October.
Short answer: For Hoi An, Da Nang and Hue, go from late January to May. If your only free dates are in October or November, keep Central Vietnam short or skip it.
Best time to visit South Vietnam
The best time to visit South Vietnam is December to April. The south has a clean split between a dry and a wet season, with a low typhoon risk all year.
- Ho Chi Minh City: January to March is almost rain free, with 15 mm or less a month. March to May is the hottest stretch, and April averages 35.1°C. From May to October, rain comes as heavy afternoon bursts. Monthly totals run from 220 to 325 mm, but sightseeing mostly continues.
- Mekong Delta: Boat trips run all year. The dry season is more predictable, and the Delta is far less exposed to typhoons than the central coast.
- Phu Quoc: The dry season runs from December to March, with 30 to 60 mm of rain a month and about 8 hours of sun a day. April (150 mm) and November (170 mm) are in between months. The wet season runs from May to October, and August is the wettest month at 545 mm, ahead of September (475 mm) and October (385 mm). Sea temperatures stay between 27.5 and 30.5°C all year. Our separate guide covers the island in detail: best time to visit Phu Quoc.
Short answer: Go to Ho Chi Minh City, the Mekong Delta and Phu Quoc from late December to February. March is still dry but hotter.
Vietnam weather by month
|
Month |
North (Hanoi) |
Central (Da Nang) |
South (Ho Chi Minh City) |
Best for |
|
January |
14 to 20°C, 20 mm |
19 to 25°C, 85 mm |
22 to 32°C, 15 mm |
South, Phu Quoc, Nha Trang. Pack layers for the north. |
|
February |
16 to 22°C, 20 mm |
20 to 26°C, 25 mm |
23 to 33°C, 5 mm |
Da Nang, Nha Trang and the south. Plan around Tet in 2027. |
|
March |
18 to 24°C, 35 mm |
22 to 29°C, 20 mm |
24 to 34°C, 10 mm |
Trips across all three regions. Hanoi is grey, the south is hot. |
|
April |
22 to 28°C, 105 mm |
24 to 31°C, 35 mm |
26 to 35°C, 50 mm |
Trips across all three regions, Ha Long Bay. Ho Chi Minh City is very hot. |
|
May |
24 to 32°C, 165 mm |
25 to 34°C, 85 mm |
25 to 35°C, 220 mm |
Da Nang and Nha Trang beaches. Mu Cang Chai fields flood from late May. |
|
June |
26 to 34°C, 265 mm |
26 to 35°C, 90 mm |
25 to 33°C, 310 mm |
Da Nang and Nha Trang beaches. Hot and wet in the north and south. |
|
July |
26 to 34°C, 255 mm |
26 to 35°C, 85 mm |
24 to 33°C, 295 mm |
Central beaches. Green terraces in the north. Ha Long Bay typhoon risk. |
|
August |
26 to 33°C, 275 mm |
25 to 34°C, 115 mm |
24 to 33°C, 270 mm |
Central beaches. Highest typhoon risk for the north. |
|
September |
25 to 32°C, 245 mm |
24 to 32°C, 310 mm |
24 to 32°C, 325 mm |
Golden terraces from mid September. Central Vietnam turns wet. |
|
October |
22 to 30°C, 155 mm |
23 to 30°C, 650 mm |
24 to 32°C, 265 mm |
Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ha Giang. Skip Central Vietnam. |
|
November |
19 to 26°C, 60 mm |
22 to 28°C, 430 mm |
23 to 32°C, 115 mm |
Hanoi, Ha Giang buckwheat, the south from late November. Central floods. |
|
December |
15 to 22°C, 20 mm |
20 to 25°C, 215 mm |
22 to 32°C, 50 mm |
South, Phu Quoc, Da Lat. Christmas and New Year trips. |
Temperatures are the average daily low to high. Rain is the monthly average. Hanoi stands for the north, Da Nang for the central coast and Ho Chi Minh City for the south.
Vietnam in January and February
The south is dry and sunny, and the north is cold and grey. Ho Chi Minh City gets 15 mm in January and 5 mm in February. Hanoi runs 14 to 22°C, and fog can hide the view at Ha Long Bay and Sapa. Da Nang is easing out of its wet season, at 85 mm in January and 25 mm in February. In 2027, Tet falls on 6 February. See the Tet section below.
Vietnam in March and April
These are the strongest months for a trip across regions. March is low on rain in all three cities, at 35 mm in Hanoi, 20 mm in Da Nang and 10 mm in Ho Chi Minh City, but Hanoi is at its greyest. April is warmer and brighter in the north, but Ho Chi Minh City reaches 35°C. The sweet spot is mid March to mid April.
Vietnam from May to August
May to August is the beach window for Da Nang, Hoi An and Nha Trang, and the wet season for the north and the south. Expect heat and humidity everywhere. Hanoi gets 165 to 275 mm a month and Ho Chi Minh City 220 to 310 mm. Sapa's terraces are green in July and August, but Sa Pa gets 410 to 465 mm of rain a month from June to August. Ha Long Bay carries typhoon risk from July.
Vietnam from September to November
This is the best period for the north and the hardest one for Central Vietnam. Terraces turn golden in September and October, and Ha Giang's buckwheat flowers bloom from late October to November. Meanwhile, Da Nang gets 310, 650 and 430 mm in those three months.
Vietnam in December
December is dry in the south, cold in the north and still wet in Central Vietnam. Ho Chi Minh City gets 50 mm, Phu Quoc 60 mm and Hanoi 20 mm, but Da Nang gets 215 mm. Hanoi runs 15 to 22°C, so carry a jacket. Our Christmas and New Year trips run in this window.
Tet 2027: dates, closures and prices
Tet is Vietnam's lunar new year. In 2027, New Year's Eve is on 5 February and the first day of Tet is on 6 February. The official public sector holiday runs for seven days, from Thursday 4 February to Wednesday 10 February 2027. One tour operator's guide says the 2026 break ran for nine days, so budget for closures from about 4 to 11 February.
What closes. In the first three days, small restaurants, street food carts, local cafes, tailors, family run shops, spas and independent tour desks mostly shut, because families travel home. Museums and mausoleums, including the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum in Hanoi, usually close for those days too. Banks and immigration offices close.
What stays open. Hotels and their restaurants, international chains in big cities, convenience stores on shorter hours, and pagodas, which are at their busiest of the year. Tourist areas such as Hanoi's Old Quarter, District 1 in Ho Chi Minh City and Hoi An hold up better than residential areas.
Prices and tickets. Tickets cost more during Tet and New Year if you do not book early. One tour operator reports that in 2026, flights, trains and sleeper buses sold out four to six weeks ahead, at two to three times normal fares. Book transport and hotels as soon as your dates are fixed, and carry cash before the shops close.
Is it worth going? Our team's view is yes, if you accept the closures. Many shops are shut, but the festival itself is worth being part of. If you want a normal Vietnam trip with open shops and easy transport, avoid 4 to 11 February 2027.
Best time to visit Vietnam for different kinds of trips
Beaches. The three main beach areas run on different calendars:
- Da Nang and Hoi An: February to August, with May to August the peak. Highs hit 34 to 35°C in June and July.
- Nha Trang: Mid January to March for the coolest dry weather. April to August is dry but very hot and humid.
- Phu Quoc: Late December to February.
Ha Long Bay cruises. March to April and October to November. November is the best all round.
Trekking in Sapa, Ha Giang and the northern mountains. March to May and September to November. You want cool air, dry trails and clear views. June to August brings mud and cloud, and December to February brings cold and fog.
Rice terraces. Flooded from late May to mid June, green from July to August, and golden from mid September to early October. See the Mu Cang Chai notes above.
Cities, food and culture. March to April is the easiest window. Hanoi and Ninh Binh are best in mid March to mid April and late October to November, Hoi An from late January to May, and Ho Chi Minh City from December to April.
First time travellers. Go in March or April. A first trip usually covers Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Da Nang, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City, which is three regions with three calendars. Every month leaves one region weaker, so pick the one you can live with. In winter, that is the cold north. In October and November, it is flooded Central Vietnam.
Best time to visit Vietnam from India
For Indian travellers, the best month is the one that matches your route, not only your holiday dates. Check the windows you usually have:
|
Holiday window |
What the weather does |
What to do |
|
October to November break |
Central Vietnam is in its flood season (Da Nang: 650 and 430 mm). Hanoi is at its best. |
Build the trip around Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Ninh Binh and the south. Keep Central Vietnam short. |
|
Christmas and New Year |
Cold north (Hanoi 15 to 22°C), dry south, wet Central coast. |
Spend more nights in the south and Phu Quoc. Pack layers for Hanoi. Book early, because prices rise. |
|
January to February |
Dry south, drying Central coast, cold north. |
Start or end in the south. Watch the Tet dates in 2027. |
|
March to April |
The most balanced weather. Ho Chi Minh City is hot. |
The easiest window for a three region trip. |
|
May to June summer holidays |
Hot everywhere. Wet in the north and south. Dry in Central Vietnam. |
Choose Da Nang, Hoi An and Nha Trang for beaches. Expect afternoon rain in Ho Chi Minh City. |
Visa. Indian citizens need a visa to enter mainland Vietnam. A travel site report dated 8 April 2026 puts the eVisa at US$25 for a single entry and US$50 for multiple entry, valid for up to 90 days, with a processing time of 3 to 7 working days. Your passport needs at least six months of validity and two blank pages. Apply only through the official government eVisa portal, because look alike sites charge more. Check the current rules there before you pay.
Phu Quoc without a visa. The same report says Indian passport holders can enter Phu Quoc for up to 30 days without a visa, but only if you fly straight to the island, stay on it and fly straight out. It says the Indian Embassy in Hanoi issued a travel advisory on this on 6 April 2026. Read that advisory before you rely on this route, and note that you need a visa to reach the mainland.
Flights. A September 2026 flight guide lists direct routes from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Ahmedabad to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, mainly on VietJet, Vietnam Airlines, IndiGo and Air India. It says fares are higher in December and January. Check live fares yourself, because they change daily.
Domestic flights. Bamboo Airways has stopped scheduled flying, with its final scheduled service reported on 22 August 2026. Plan domestic hops on Vietjet or Vietnam Airlines.
Our trips. These are the Vietnam routes we run (prices exclude 5% GST):
- Vivid Vietnam: 5 nights, 6 days, from ₹49,999. Da Nang, Hoi An, Ba Na Hills, Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Ninh Binh. One internal flight is included.
- Vietnam Backpacking: 6 nights, 7 days, from ₹54,999. Ho Chi Minh City, Cu Chi Tunnels, Da Nang, Hoi An, Ba Na Hills, Hanoi and Ha Long Bay. Two internal flights are included.
- Exotic Vietnam: 7 nights, 8 days, from ₹74,999. It starts with 2 nights in Phu Quoc, then Da Nang, Hoi An, Hanoi and Ha Long Bay.
When is the cheapest time to visit Vietnam?
There is no clean public price table for Vietnam, so here is what we can back up:
- Our own prices. On our Vietnam page, the starting price of the Christmas and New Year special is ₹10,000 higher than the regular trip of the same name. Vibrant Vietnam starts from ₹59,999, and its New Year special from ₹69,999. Exotic Vietnam starts from ₹74,999, and its New Year special from ₹84,999.
- Tet. One operator reports fares of two to three times normal in 2026.
- Cruises. One Ha Long Bay guide lists December to February (excluding Tet) and June as the quieter, lower priced months.
- Flights. A flight guide says December and January fares run higher.
A cheap month is not always a good weather month. Hoi An may cost less in November, but flood risk is highest then. Phu Quoc costs less from May to October, but that is its wet season, with 300 to 545 mm of rain a month.
What most Vietnam best time guides get wrong
|
Common claim |
What the numbers show |
|
"November to April is dry across Vietnam." |
Da Nang gets 430 mm in November and 215 mm in December. Nha Trang gets 330 mm in November. Only the south is reliably dry from December. |
|
"Central Vietnam is dry from May to September." |
May to August is dry, but September is already wet: 310 mm in Da Nang, with typhoons possible from early September. |
|
"The south stays dry in summer." |
Ho Chi Minh City gets 220 to 325 mm a month from May to October. It comes as afternoon downpours, not all day. |
|
"Phu Quoc is wettest in September and October." |
August is the wettest month at 545 mm. September has 475 mm and October 385 mm. |
|
"March and April are dry in the north." |
Hanoi has about 16 rainy days in March and only 1.5 hours of sun a day. Dry on paper, grey in practice. |
|
"Hanoi winters are mild." |
January runs 14 to 20°C, and Sa Pa falls to 6°C on an average night, with one recorded night at minus 4°C. |
When to avoid visiting Vietnam
No month is bad for the whole country. Some months are poor for one region:
- Central Vietnam in October and November. The highest flood and typhoon risk. Da Nang gets 650 mm and 430 mm.
- Ha Long Bay from July to September. Typhoon season. Cruises can be cancelled.
- Hanoi, Sapa and Ha Giang from December to February. Cold, with fog and drizzle.
- Ho Chi Minh City in April. Very hot, with highs of about 35°C.
- Phu Quoc from May to October. The wet season, with 300 to 545 mm of rain a month.
- Around Tet. Many shops close and transport is crowded. In 2027, plan around 4 to 11 February.
What to pack by season
- North in December to February: A warm jacket and layers. Hanoi runs 14 to 22°C and Sa Pa 6 to 14°C. Ha Giang passes can hit about 2°C.
- North and Central in March to May: Light layers and a thin rain shell for drizzle.
- Central Vietnam in September to December: A proper rain jacket and shoes that dry quickly. Keep a dry bag for your phone and documents.
- South all year: Light clothes, sunscreen and a hat. Add a rain layer from May to October.
- Any storm month (July to November): One spare day and insurance that covers trip interruption.
Final verdict: what is the best time to visit Vietnam?
Mid March to mid April is the best time to visit Vietnam if you are covering the whole country. For a single region, the answer changes:
- First time travellers: March and April.
- North Vietnam: Mid March to mid April and late October to November.
- Central Vietnam: Late January to May, with beaches good until August.
- South Vietnam: December to April.
- Phu Quoc: Late December to February.
- Beach travellers: Da Nang and Hoi An from May to August, Nha Trang from mid January to March, Phu Quoc from December to March.
- Trekkers: March to May and September to November.
Weather changes from year to year, so treat these months as good odds, not promises. To compare routes and dates, see our Vietnam destination page. If you want beach time with the cities, look at Exotic Vietnam. For the Christmas and New Year dates, see our New Year trips.
