Vietnam's seasons and climate are so different that when travelling through Vietnam it almost seems as if we were going from one country to another! That's why it can be quite difficult to say when is the best time to go to Vietnam. Of course, like its neighbouring countries, it is better to travel during the so-called "dry" season from the month of October to April, since the climate is very humid the rest of the year. Although we do not really talk about "monsoon" in Vietnam - this term is more appropriate for countries like India or bordering countries, Vietnam witness heavy rainfalls in certain regions.
Throughout the circuits of the country, from north to south, the Vietnam temperatures and seasons change considerably. Any traveller can at least find his pick in one of the different parts of the country: when the climate is rather cold in the north in winter, it is good to go to get warm in the south or vice versa. Or when it rains abundantly in the centre of the country in autumn, it's nice to escape the drops and go to the south or north. In any case, when deciding the best time to go to Vietnam, be prepared that you will be crossing different types of temperatures and environment, and that is one of the attractions of the country.
We divide the Vietnam seasons into 3 parts to better understand the situation and the best time to go to Vietnam.
The climate in north has the most contrasting temperature in the country and is complemented by 4 Vietnam seasons.
Summer, from May to August, is a very wet season with temperatures ranging from 28 to 40°C. Winters are rather cold to the surprise of many travellers. From December to March, the temperature varies between 7 and 17°C, but with such high humidity, 7°C can be icy! In the mountains, temperatures can reach 0 °C, and during this winter period, the sky is mostly dark and grey.
The "mid-seasons", of April-May and September-November, are the most pleasant times of the year and the best time to go to Vietnam, that is to say rather dry with small breezes and temperatures, quite mild, this is when to go to North Vietnam.
In the central region of the country, it is rather hot all year round.
The coastal areas can be very hot, but you can enjoy a nice breeze coming from the sea nevertheless. Thunderstorms and heavy daily rains take place inevitably between October and December. During these 3 months, it rains almost every day, at least from the end of the afternoon until the next day, not the best time to go to Vietnam if you are looking for nice weather.
Inland, the weather is generally quite good (20-30 ° C) and sunny from the month of October to May, making it the best time to go to central Vietnam. Be prepared for large differences in the temperatures throughout the day! From June to September, it can be very hot (30-40 ° C) with very high humidity. Nevertheless, in the central mountains, you can breathe fresh air throughout the year. It is also said that the city of Dalat is like a European city as its climate is quite hospitable and allows a breath of fresh air as compared to the cities housed in lower altitude or on the coasts.
The seasons of South Vietnam are classified into the dry season and the wet season. All year-round, the sky is blue and the temperatures range between 30°C and 35°C. But from the month of May to October, you will experience heavy rainfalls. Note that on the islands and the coasts, this rainy season can vary significantly (sometimes even from one year to another). For example, in Nha Trang, the rainy season is from September to January and in Con Dao, it is from May to October. During the rainy season, the weather is variable during the day. The climate is very humid, and there are sudden and untimely rainfalls.No matter what time of the year you explore Vietnam, you will enjoy a peaceful climate in at least one of the country's regions. In our opinion, there is no real "best time to go to Vietnam", you can find a little bit of all season throughout the year!
Regarding the tourist season, it is useful to know that the two peak seasons that are considered the best time to go to Vietnam are the months of April and November. Prices reach their highest point during this period and many hotels are fully-booked. We recommend booking well in advance if you plan to visit Vietnam during the high season.
It is also worth noting that the Tet period: the Vietnamese New Year, which generally takes place between the end of January and the end of February, is a time when the country is in "standby" for a dozen days. Get enthralled by the festivities that accompany this important date in the Vietnamese calendar. But keep in mind that the services are less organized and your stay in Vietnam must be planned well in advance.
