When to go to Vietnam?
In the south of the country
The months of July and August are those of the monsoon.
The best period, hot and dry, is between November and June. In the north, winters in Hanoi are cool and humid (from January to mid-March), summers very hot. The best months are November, April, May and June. For the Center (Huế, Đà Nẵng, Hội An), avoid the period between September and November (typhoons) and the end of January, humid and windy.
In the north of Vietnam
In the northwest mountainous region (Điện Biên Phủ) in winter, the climate is much more favorable, less humid and warmer.
The rice terraces of the mountains are beautiful and colorful in May and September.
- From November to the end of April-beginning of May: it’s the Vietnamese winter. The advantage is that it is never too hot in Hanoi and its region (Red River Delta): 15 to 20°C during the day, it can even be a little cool (sometimes less than 10°C at night) . The downside is that the weather is often gray, foggy, or even rainy.
The drizzle can fall for several days, making for example Hạ Long Bay or that of Hoa Lư (Hạ Long Bay on land) quite gloomy. Failed to bring back vivid photos of the azure blue of agency brochures or films. On the other hand, in the mountainous region of the North-West (Điện Biên Phủ) in winter, the climate is much more favorable, less humid and warmer. From February to March, at the end of the evening, however, you can experience nice sunny spells in Hanoi, in the plain regions and on the coast.
Winter is not a good time to visit the Sapa, Bắc Hà and Hà Giang region, where it can be cold. The mountain rice terraces are beautiful and colorful in May and September. After winter, a sort of spring sets in from mid-March to early May.
- From May to October: “summer”. Although it rains, this period is the driest of the year and has the highest temperatures. On average, it's 30 to 40°C (a humid heat that's quite painful at times). At the end of the season, from September to November, the North can experience some fairly powerful typhoons coming from the East Sea (formerly called the China Sea).
- Less good period: the months of July and August. Frequent rains, sometimes heavy and even violent.
In the center of Vietnam
The best period is from February to May.
-Best period: February to May. Avoid the period between November and the end of January: it rains a lot. The weather improves as the Tết festival approaches (moon change). The summer monsoon occurs from May to November. May to August are the hottest (scorching) months of the year. In Đà Nẵng, the average maximum temperature then oscillates between 33 and 34°C.
- On the Highlands: in Dalat, Ban Mê Thuột, Pleiku, the temperature is much cooler than on the coast.
-The microclimate of Nha Trang and Mũi Né: this stretch of coast is renowned for its dry and sunny climate almost all year round.
- Less good period: September and October. Time of monsoon changes; typhoons can form and hit the coast. After the rains in November, some areas are partially flooded, such as around Hội An and Huế.
In the south of Vietnam
-Best period: from December to April, it is the dry and sunny period. February is the least rainy month of the year. March and April are the hottest months, averaging 34-35°C.
- Less good period: from July to September, the rainiest time. For example, there is no point going to the island of Phú Quốc at this time: it rains a lot. Some hotels are even closed during this period.
Fortunately, on the mainland, in the Mekong Delta, it does not rain all day, but only at certain times (late afternoon). It is not unpleasant because the rain brings freshness.
Beware of floods which can occur suddenly in the Mekong Delta between mid-August and mid-September.
Clothing advice
For the north in winter (November to February), bring warm (like a sweater or fleece) and waterproof clothing, as it can be really cold (drizzling + wind). If, during the same trip, you go to the south, also bring light clothing: T-shirts, shirts, light pants.