If you thought you knew every possible way to enjoy rice, wait till you get to Vietnam. This country has a rich history of rice-based foods, ranging from cakes to vermicelli to rolls. And since the fillings vary, every rice dish tastes spectacularly different from the next one. It’s no wonder many people travel to this country just for the culinary experience. But when you are not busy enjoying the harmonious flavors of Vietnamese foods, there is much more to do. You can hike the natural landscapes, attend the local festivals, shop in the traditional markets, enjoy long beach days, get massages, learn more about Vietnamese culture, and so much more. And while all this seems like a lot of fun, your ability to enjoy any of these activities depends on the time you visit this country. We look at the best time to visit Vietnam per your preferences:
Climate Overview
Vietnam boasts beautiful landscapes, friendly locals, thrilling water adventures, and unique souvenirs. But when is the best time to visit this country to indulge in these attractions? Vietnam’s climate is not the same as it depends on the zone. As such, the northern areas have subtropical weather patterns, while the central and southern regions have tropical climates. Additionally, the winds affect the weather such that the exposed parts of the country (north and south) receive the most rainfall. In contrast, the central areas receive fewer downpours, as hills and mountains provide barriers. Given these variations, consider the following highlights:
- Temperatures: In the cold months, the temperatures can fall to as low as 10°C in the north while the south usually averages 20°C. As the weather gets warmer in the hotter months, the north can experience hikes above 20°C while the south can get as hot as 35°C.
- Rainfall: Vietnam receives a lot of rain, ranging from 1500 mm to 2500 mm annually. Most rain falls in the north and south from May to October and along the coast. The north also receives light and frequent downpours from October to December. Most of the country gets sufficient rainfall, but some areas, like Phan Thiet, have arid regions that receive about 1000 mm of rainfall.
- Sunshine: Northern regions receive less sunshine than the central and southern regions. In fact, northern Vietnam gets about 1500 sunshine hours annually while the south gets up to 2900 hours.
Luckily, the weather patterns are similar across the country, though the rainfall and temperature ranges may vary. For example, many people enjoy traveling to the north, central and south in March, despite these regions having different weather patterns.
Photo: shutterstock.com
Temperature and Weather Conditions
Given the variations in climatic zones, planning the best time to visit Vietnam requires understanding what you should expect in the places you will visit. To make this easier, we have divided the weather conditions into four categories per zone.
The North
Hanoi, Halong Bay, Cuc Phuong, Mai Chau and Ninh Binh are some of the most popular tourist destinations in the north. But what kind of weather should you expect in this region? It boasts winter, summer, rainy, and spring seasons that boast the following characteristics:
- Temperature: The winter months, which last from November to April, are quite harsh, with most regions boasting temperatures below 20°C. For example, Hanoi averages 17°C in the cold months while Tonkin can get as low as 15°C. Summer starts in May and lasts till October, with a rainy season between July and September. Take the example of Sapa – the summer temperatures between June and August can range between 18°C and 24°C.
- Rainfall: The winter season is quite dry. However, due to the moist air from the Gulf of Tonkin, you can expect light and frequent downpours coupled with cloudy skies. The months between November and February are quite cold and often feature snow.
- Sunshine: During winter, you are unlikely to see much sunshine as the sun barely shines. For example, Hanoi usually has misty skies, and the weather often changes with the winds.
The best month to visit Vietnam per these ranges would thus depend on what you want to do. Travelers who want to visit the rice fields often do so in the rainy season when farmers are hard at work.
Central Vietnam
Mountains and hills shield this part of the country, and thus, it does not receive much rainfall during the monsoon winds. Like the north, it has winter, summer, spring, and rainy seasons. So, anyone traveling to regions like Hoi An, Danang, Hue, Dalat, Quy Nhon and Nha Trang can expect the following weather conditions:
- Temperature: Temperatures average 35°C to 40°C in the summer and 19°C to 25°C in the winter. As such, its winter season is quite favorable for outdoor activities, while the summer can be unbearably hot.
- Rainfall: The rainy season starts in September and continues until December. The winter months experience peak rainfall in October and November and often have typhoons accompanying the heavy rains due to the retreating monsoon.
- Sunshine: The central parts of the country get more sunshine hours than the north in winter and in summer. In winter, you can expect about 3 to 4 hours of sun; in the summer, you can expect up to 12 hours of daylight.
Interestingly, there are variations even within this climatic zone. For example, Da Nang averages 20°C in December, while Nha Trang averages 22.6°C in the same month.
The South
Unlike the central and northern parts of the country, the south is hot throughout the year. As such, anyone planning to travel to regions like Ho Chi Minh City, The Mekong Delta, Phu Quoc & Con Dao, Phan Thiet & Mui Ne, Ho Tram and Long Hai is in for two main seasons: wet and dry. The wet season starts in May and continues to November, while the dry season begins in November and lasts till May. Winter thus falls in the dry season, though it is typically hot. Here is what you can expect:
- Temperatures: This part of the country is hot throughout the year, come rain or shine. But like the north and central parts, the rainy season is in summer. On average, the region boasts temperatures between 25°C and 35°C. The end of the dry season often records highs between 35°C and 40°C in most places.
- Rainfall: Most rain falls between June and August, resulting in a humid environment due to the high temperatures. Since most downpours are in the afternoon, organizing outdoor activities is possible.
- Sunshine: Other than frequent downpours in the wet season, this region experiences long daylight hours.
So, when is the best time to go to Vietnam if you’re visiting the south? It all depends on what you want to do and how the weather may affect it. For example, traveling when the temperatures peak can limit your outdoor experiences.
Winter (November to February)
Tourists who want to experience fewer crowds, enjoy cold-weather activities, and soak in Vietnamese hospitality often choose winter as the best time to visit Vietnam. It lasts between November and February when the temperatures range between 15°C and 20°C.
As we have covered in the earlier section, the central and southern regions tend to have higher temperatures. Thus, their winters are not too cold like in the north. Anyone who wants to experience a snowy winter can head north, where the temperature can be as low as 10°C, especially in Sapa. Generally, winters are cool and dry, and present opportunities for the following activities:
- Bathing in hot springs,
- Squid fishing,
- Taking city tours,
- Culinary experiences, e.g., eating sticky rice cakes,
- Visiting flower gardens,
- Cloud-hunting in the mountains, and
- Touring different islands.
Activities depend on the Vietnamese region. People in the south can enjoy beautiful gardens while those in the north can go on mountain hikes to view the clouds.
Spring (March to May)
This season is a balance between winter and summer months and thus boasts dry, sunny days coupled with misty mornings with high humidity. As a result, the weather feels cool in March and gradually warms up as May nears. With comfortable temperatures and blooming flowers, now is the ideal time to:
- Attend festivals like Tet (Lunar New Year),
- Hike the mountains,
- Take pictures with blossoming flowers,
- Go on city tours,
- Visit temples and shrines, and
- Enjoy Vietnamese cuisine.
Since spring signifies the start of a new year, you can also attend many Vietnamese rituals. If you want to learn more about the culture, this could be the best time to visit Vietnam.
Summer (June to August)
Visiting Vietnam in the summer allows you to enjoy long daylight hours while bathed in the sun as you participate in vibrant festivals. By this time, the landscapes are lush with greenery, creating the perfect backdrops for the ideal vacation. On the downside, thunderstorms often hit the country at this time, and travelers must thus beware of any safety alerts, e.g., flooding and avalanches.
Here are some things you can do in the summer:
- Spend days at the beach,
- Enjoy watersports and activities like snorkeling,
- Go island hopping,
- Indulge in cultural tours, and
- Tour the rice fields.
Many travelers consider this season the best time to visit Vietnam. But the temperatures might be unbearably hot if you’re traveling to the south.
Autumn (September to October)
Temperatures start cooling in autumn, creating a pleasant balance between the heat in the summer and the cold winters. This season is thus the best time of year to go to Vietnam if you want to enjoy outdoor activities, including:
- Water activities like scuba diving,
- Hiking the mountains,
- Enjoying local festivals,
- Taking city tours,
- Cycling on the remote roads, and
- Visiting the rice fields.
The temperatures are warmer in the south during this time, though they are not as hot as in the summer.
Crowd Levels
Vietnam experiences high traffic from March to May and October to December, while the other seasons have lower traffic. Of course, different places receive varying numbers of tourists per season due to the variable climatic zones. For example, the south has much higher crowds in spring and autumn than in summer due to its high summer temperatures. Given this pattern, anyone who wants a secluded experience would be better off traveling in the summer. Along the same line, the north has higher crowds in summer as the weather is quite pleasant. Anyone who wants to travel to this region and wants vibrancy would thus choose this peak window. As such, when choosing the best time to visit Vietnam per your crowd preferences, you must consider the zone you want to visit.
Travel Documents
Knowing the best time to visit Vietnam is just one part of planning. You must also ensure you have the correct documents to support your entry and stay in the country. So, what should you get?
1. A passport: All US citizens traveling to Vietnam must have a passport that meets the conditions below:
- It must have at least six months of validity from your departure date from Vietnam: As such, you cannot use an expired passport or one close to expiry. If your passport falls short of this validity, check if you are eligible for renewal and apply for a new passport.
- It must be in good condition: It’s normal for passports to have wear and tear after years of use. But it’s unacceptable for them to have visible signs of damage or alteration, e.g., permanent ink marks. If your passport has such damage, you must get a replacement passport.
- It must have at least one blank visa page, not including the endorsement pages: If you will travel to other countries after Vietnam before returning to the US, you will need more pages. Since the US passport office no longer issues additional pages, you can only get more by renewing your current passport.
- It must not be in the lost or stolen passport records: When you report a passport as lost or stolen, the US passport office invalidates it, making it unsuitable for official use. Using such a passport for travel results in flagging and can land you in legal trouble. Get a new passport instead.
Vietnamese immigration officers only allow you through if your passport meets all these conditions.
2. A visa: Vietnam does not offer visa-free status to US citizens. As such, you must get the correct visa or pre-approval for a visa on arrival before leaving the US. Otherwise, you will get turned back on arrival. Since visa requirements differ based on the visa type, it’s best to research the permit that best suits your stay before starting the application process.
Travel Visa Pro offers expedited passport and visa services for US citizens traveling to Vietnam. Moreover, we offer consultation, document review, and concierge services to reduce the bulk of work on your end and enhance the application process.
Besides the immigration documents above, you may want to consider getting the following travel documentation:
- Travel insurance: This cover helps you meet unexpected costs, e.g., injuries and flight cancellations, so you don’t need to spend more on your trip than planned.
- Legalization: This documentation is integral for any official international transactions, e.g., marriage, as it verifies the integrity of your US-issued documents.
- Translations: Since Vietnam uses Vietnamese as an official language, all the documents you legalize must accompany certified translations.
Travel Visa Pro provides all the services above under one roof, enabling you to sort out your documentation needs in just a few days.
When is the best time to go to Vietnam? This country has such diverse climate zones and patterns that no standard answer fits all travelers. To understand what will work for you, you should consider what weather patterns you enjoy, the events you would like to attend, your crowd preferences, and what’s important in your travel itinerary.
