The land of staggering natural beauty, Vietnam is the cheapest destination for all solo travelers around the world in Southeast Asia. From beaches to mountains and from skyscrapers to little village houses, Vietnam will surely leave you in awe if you ever decide to explore it. Covered in beautiful greenery, contrasted with steel and bustling cities, Vietnam is undoubtedly a fully-packaged travel destination. If you have a passion for travel, it is highly recommended that you visit Vietnam at least once.
But the story doesn’t end here, does it? A successful trip can never be planned on a whim; rather, it requires careful assessment beforehand. You need to plan your calendar first, and that is the trickiest part: when to visit Vietnam? It’s not easy to conclude what is the best time to visit Vietnam when you’re a foreigner. So, here we are, sorting out your travel calendar. Take a look.
Season-Change in Vietnam
Before we help you shape your calendar, it’s important to understand how the seasons change in Vietnam and the temperatures throughout the year. Being a country with various natural wonders, Vietnam’s seasons differ from one region to another. Thus, we have classified the seasons in Vietnam according to regions rather than by the usual seasonal changes.
1. The North (Sapa, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Ha Giang, Ninh Binh and Mai Chau)
The northern part of Vietnam generally enjoys warm and sunny weather throughout most of the year, except during the winter months. The hottest period in the northern part of Vietnam is from April to August, with temperatures reaching a maximum of 40ºC or more. September is the monsoon season here. Among all the places in northern Vietnam, Halong Bay and Hanoi are prone to heavy showers. From September to December, tourists can enjoy warm weather with an average temperature of 25ºC to 30ºC.
Winter is not that cold in northern Vietnam. From January to March, the temperatures range from a maximum of 15ºC to 19ºC. Rain is also a common occurrence in this region. Although we can categorize Vietnam by temperature, heavy showers are an integral part of the northern region.
2. Central Part (Hoi An, Danag, Hue, Nha Trang, Dalat and central highlands)
As the central part of Vietnam is home to many beaches, the weather changes here. The rainfall pattern is reversed in central Vietnam, and the weather remains quite sunny and warm throughout the year. Summer lasts from March to August in central Vietnam. The monsoon season doesn’t last long, but the northern part of central Vietnam receives a little rainfall during September and October. With an average temperature of 20ºC, the winter is quite comfortable in central Vietnam. However, the coasts of central Vietnam are more likely to be hit by typhoons during August to November.
3. Southern Part (Ho Chi Minh City, Phan Tiet, Mui Ne, Mekong Delta, Ho Tram and Con Dao)
Southern Vietnam has a slightly unusual weather pattern, where the summer or dry season lasts from December to May. The maximum temperature during this period can range from 35ºC to 40ºC. The monsoon season hits southern Vietnam from late May and continues until November. However, the rains mostly occur in the afternoon. The Mekong Delta is a flood-prone area during September to November. The maximum temperature during the rainy season never exceeds 30ºC. So, it is safe to say that southern Vietnam only has two seasons—summer and the rainy season.
Best Times to Visit Vietnam
As Vietnam is located in the tropical region, it’s not easy to pinpoint the best time to visit. In addition, the country has a complicated weather pattern, making it difficult to decide on a travel calendar. However, September to December and March to April are considered the two best times to visit Vietnam if you plan to cover the whole country.
1. Most crowded season
Since the best time to visit Vietnam is from September to December, most people try to visit during this period. You’ll also encounter a foreign crowd if you visit Vietnam at the edge of March and April.
2. Less crowded season
The less crowded season in Vietnam is from July to August. As the crowds from March and April start to decrease, July to August are the months when fewer people visit Vietnam. Also, due to the heavy rains and the possibility of typhoons in central Vietnam, travelers avoid this time for a country-wide tour.
3. Offbeat season
The offbeat season in Vietnam is from January to mid-March. Due to the hot and humid summer months, most people avoid Vietnam during this period. As fewer people visit, you can find great hotel deals everywhere in Vietnam. This is a good time to travel if you can tolerate temperatures of 40ºC. However, you can easily visit the mountains of Vietnam during the summer.
4. Festive season
The festive season in Vietnam spans from January to May. During these months, you can witness famous festivals like the Tet Festival, Perfume Pagoda Festival, Hue Festival, Hung Kings Temple Festival, and Phu Giay Festival. September and October also showcase many festivals such as the Hoi An Lantern Festival and the Mid-Autumn Festival. But the main festive season in Vietnam is from January to May.
With all this detailed information, I hope you won’t face any trouble arranging a trip to Vietnam. Check and cross-check all the dates from the above information and mark the best time when you can visit Vietnam, ensuring you can cover all the regions in one go. Have a great journey!