Vietnam - Best Time to Visit

Vietnam needs no introduction as it is known for its captivating wildlife, stunning beaches, and bustling cities. It’s a spectacular destination for adventurous travellers looking for memorable experiences. Vietnam’s unique narrow shape divides the topography into three primary regions: north, centre, and south. Each of these regions has distinct rainfall patterns and temperatures.

In north Vietnam, the temperatures are considerably cooler, south Vietnam experiences a tropical climate and the highest rainfall while overall Vietnam has a tropical monsoon climate. The spring month of April and the autumn month of October are the very best times to visit Vietnam, when the temperatures are pleasant and rainfall is much lower, but there are other ideal times of year on either side of these months, depending where you travel and what your interests are.

To help you plan a trip to Vietnam, we’ll start by sharing the best time to visit Vietnam’s five popular safari destinations.

Best time to visit Vietnam’s national parks and game reserves

The table below denotes the best months to visit some of Vietnam’s popular safari spots.

Vietnam through the months

May to September (Summer)

The summers in southern Vietnam are warm, with temperatures rising as high as 35°C. However, in both north and south Vietnam, it also rains heavily from May to September, which makes a lot of safari locations inaccessible during the wet summer months and therefore this is the low season to travel. However, you can enjoy the benefits of visiting Vietnam in the off-seasons such as being able to book more luxury accommodation at affordable prices and cheaper tour packages.

The downside of visiting Vietnam during the rainy summer season includes delays in local transport due to flooded and inaccessible road and train tracks. During the rains, visitors would be better off booking domestic flights to get around in Vietnam. Although the majority of Vietnam experiences rainfall from May to September, visitors can still visit destinations such as Da Nang, Lang Co, beaches near Hoi An, Hanoi, Nha Trang, and Mai Chau.

An ideal time to visit the Phong Nha Caves, located within the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, is from March to May, the driest period in the region. In September, visitors can check out two of Vietnam’s renowned festivals, the Do Son Buffalo Fighting Festival and the mid-autumn festival.

October (Autumn)

The autumn month of October enjoys pleasant warm and sunny weather, making it one of the best times to visit Vietnam, especially Hanoi and Haiphong.

November to March (Winter)

The winter months, also the dry season, is a good time to visit Vietnam, although the temperature in some areas can occasionally drop to below 0°C in the coldest month which is January. During the winter months, most of Vietnam has pleasant weather with minimal rainfall. The northern region can get colder than the rest of the country. In winters, nights can get chilly and frosty in December and January, so pack layers and jackets plus scarves, and gloves.

In the centre of Vietnam, Da Nang and Qui Nhon experience heavy rainfall in November and December. January to August is a better time to visit these regions.

In December, visitors can head over to Vietnam’s stunning beaches to experience its exquisite beauty. Con Dao Archipelago, Phu Quoc Island, Mui Ne Coastal fishing town, and Ha Long Bay are a few locations to check out during your visit.

The ideal time to plan a trip to Vietnam’s inland areas is from December to March. These months experience less rainfall and tolerable heat. In January, visitors can go mountain climbing in the north. Phan Xi Pang, a famous mountain nearby Hano, is easy to climb,ideally taking 1-2 days. It can also be visited from March to May.

If you are visiting Vietnam in February, be aware of the Lunar New Year. Although the four-day event is quite fabulous, most of Vietnam shuts down, including places such as museums and restaurants. It can also be hard to find accommodations during such busy times.

April (Spring)

In April, spring in Vietnam, it’s warming up and there is low rainfall making it an ideal time to visit. . North Vietnam, especially Hanoi, experiences rainfall throughout the year so, there’s always a chance of getting caught in occasional showers.

Tourists who happen to be in Saigon in April can stick around to watch the festivities of Saigon Liberation day on 30th April.