Best Time to Visit Vietnam
Vietnam has no single season: the north has four distinct seasons, while the centre and south follow their own dry and rainy periods. The month-by-month table below describes Hanoi and northern Vietnam. In that region, autumn and spring are generally the most comfortable for sightseeing, while summer is hot, humid and prone to heavy rain, and winter is cool and often overcast.
In the north, October to November, and March to April: drier, milder conditions that are good for city walks and day trips.
In the north, December to February: cool and often overcast with drizzle, still workable for sightseeing with warmer layers.
In the north, May to September: hot, very humid, frequent monsoon downpours and occasional typhoons that can disrupt Ha Long Bay cruises.
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Prices | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Cool and often damp, drizzle common | Moderate | Moderate | Tet (Lunar New Year) can affect prices and availability depending on the year. |
| February | Cool and often overcast with crachin drizzle | Moderate | Moderate | Some of the coolest, greyest days of the year in the north. |
| March | Mild and drier, spring weather sets in | Moderate | Moderate | A pleasant transition month for city walks and countryside trips. |
| April | Mild and pleasant, gradually warming | Moderate-High | Moderate-High | One of the more comfortable months before the heat and rains arrive. |
| May | Turning hot and humid, rains increasing | Moderate | Moderate | Early monsoon month; outdoor plans benefit from an early start. |
| June | Hot and very humid, frequent showers | Low-Moderate | Moderate | Ha Long Bay cruises can occasionally be affected by storms. |
| July | Hot and very humid, peak monsoon rains | Low | Low-Moderate | Typhoon season in the region; some cruise itineraries may change at short notice. |
| August | Hot and very humid, heavy rain possible | Low | Low-Moderate | Similar to July, with continued risk of tropical storms. |
| September | Still hot and humid, slowly easing | Moderate | Moderate | Typhoon risk persists into early autumn. |
| October | Drier and more comfortable | High | High | One of the most pleasant months for city and countryside trips. |
| November | Dry, mild and pleasant | High | High | A popular month combining good weather with fewer rain disruptions. |
| December | Turning cool and damp, drizzle returns | Moderate-High | Moderate-High | Cool evenings; pack layers for the northern cities and any highland trips. |