Seasons in Vietnam

The weather in Vietnam changes from North to South and region to region. Influenced in tropical monsoon climate, Vietnam has 4 distinct seasons in the North: spring, summer, autumn and winter but 2 seasons in the South: dry season and rainy season. Each season has its own features and characteristics, which bring you different experiences about places and landscapes. To know more about seasons in Vietnam and explore when is the best time to come here, keep reading and find your answer in the following article:

Table of Contents

Spring (February – April)
Summer (late April – late August)
Autumn (September – November)
Winter (December – February)
Monsoon in Vietnam

Spring (February – April)

Spring is a short season in Northern Vietnam which lasts from February to early April. The weather starts to rise up, making it more pleasant and not too cold and dry like winter. Spring features a peaceful atmosphere, blue sky, bright sunshine and warm breezes. However, it expects to have drizzling rains sometimes.

This is also festival time in Vietnam with the longest Tet holiday – Vietnamese Traditional Lunar New Year and many other cultural, historical and religious events. So come to Vietnam during spring time, you will have chance to immerse in yourself in festive atmosphere. In spring, you can see a lot of the flowers blooming, especially apricot and peach – two of the most characteristic flowers for Tet holiday.

making Banh Chung in Tet holiday in Vietnam

Two women are making “Banh Chung” – a traditional food in Tet holiday of Vietnamese people

March and April must be the best months to visit the whole country of Vietnam. It becomes warmer and drier in the North, ideal for adventure and trekking in mountains such as Sapa, Mai Chau or take a cruise trip on Halong Bay to admire the beauty of UNESCO Heritage Site. In the Central and the South, you can enjoy sunny days, mild weather, blue skies and calm sea.

As the high tourism season with pleasant weather and climate, Vietnam welcomes a large number of tourists during springtime so it is recommended to plan your trip and book all services as soon as possible to get best experience.

Summer (late April – late August)

The weather is hot and humid in the whole country during the summer time in Vietnam. The average temperature is around 34°C but it can rise up above 40°C. It is very hot so people often avoid going out between 10am and 3pm. If you are traveling to Vietnam this time, remember to apply sun cream, wear hat and drink more water. However, keep in mind that heavy downpours and thunderstorms can occur in the afternoons.

Summer is a good time for swimming and water activities, especially in Central beaches of Vietnam

This period is rainy season in the South Vietnam, lasting from May to November with the highest rainfall occurring from June to August. During the rainy time, you will most likely see sudden and heavy downpour rain in mid-afternoon in Ho Chi Minh City and other surrounding provinces. Also, frequent heavy rains sometimes cause flooding. After raining, it comes back to hot and humid.

In contrast, the Central portion is at its best. It enjoys a dry and sunny weather, making it perfect for idling getaway from summer heat and tropical rain. Summer is also the high season of domestic tourism. It is crowded in some famous beaches such as Nha Trang, My Khe and other popular destinations including Hue, Hoi An…

Autumn (September – November)

The autumn in Vietnam is very short. It is a transition between summer and winter, just lasts between September and November. You can feel clearly the autumn atmosphere in Hanoi and North Vietnam, especially in October, when the weather is mild, a bit cool, windy and sunny. And Hanoi is the best place for you to experience the sense of autumn in Vietnam. This is considered as the most romantic season and also called “wedding season”. It is perfect to go sightseeing or just sip a cup of coffee and enjoy the most beautiful time of the year.

If you are into trekking and outdoor activities, October and November are best months to do in the North, such as Sapa, Ha Giang, Mai Chau, Mu Cang Chai… It is also a good time to explore the golden rice paddies in the harvest season in these places.

Best time to see the golden rice terraced rice fields in Northern mountainous region is during autumn time, from September to November

However, the weather in Central and South Vietnam is experiencing another story. The precipitation reaches its peak in these month. Many tropical rains and storms cause flooding in Central Vietnam like Hoi An, Hue, Quang Binh… so you should avoid to visit these places during October and November.

Meanwhile, the rainfall of South Vietnam gradually decreases and it becomes drier and warmer, especially in November. It’s not exactly a good time to visit but there are still some sunny and clear days to explore the places.

Winter (December – February)

Winter in North Vietnam is from December to early February. It is relatively cold and dry. The temperature ranges between 14 – 20°C, sometimes drops to below 10°C and even 0°C in remote mountainous areas like Sapa, Ha Giang, Lang Son…. January is the coldest month of the year. It often accompanies with fine persistent mists, which could spoil your views at Ha Long Bay.

The rainfall during these months in Central Vietnam decreases significantly but it is still wet, making it a bit cool and chilly at nights. The temperature is around 17 – 25°C, which is good to go a sightseeing in Hue Imperial Citadel or explore Hoi An Ancient Town.

Hoi An, the destination you can visit each seasons in Vietnam

The poetic Thu Bon River in Hoi An at sunrise

While the South Vietnam moves to dry season, lasting roughly from December to April with the glorious, warm, sunny weather. The sun shines almost all day, the skies are blue, the colors are brilliant, the air is clear, the heat is dry, the humidity is low, and temperatures in the mornings and evenings drop to pleasantly mild levels. All make the dry season is the best time to visit Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta, Can Tho, Chau Doc…. For those who want to have sunbathing, head to Phu Quoc Island or Mui Ne.

If you plan to travel from the North to the South Vietnam during these months, you should be wise in choosing clothes as the weather changes from cold to hot.

Monsoon in Vietnam

Southwest Monsoon (May to September):
From May to September, Vietnam is influenced by the south or southwesterly monsoon. This period marks the rainy season in the northern and southern regions of the country. The southwest monsoon brings heavy rainfall, especially to the mountainous areas and the coastal regions, making it the wettest time of the year.

Northeast Monsoon (October to April):
The northeast monsoon prevails from October to April, dominating the weather in the northern regions and central coastal areas. During this season, northern Vietnam experiences cooler and drier conditions, while central Vietnam faces significant rainfall, particularly in October and November. The southern region enjoys its dry season during this time, with plenty of sunshine and minimal rainfall.

In 2025, the monsoon seasons in Vietnam are expected to follow the typical patterns, with the southwest monsoon beginning in May and lasting through September, bringing heavy rains and humid conditions. Travelers planning to visit northern and southern Vietnam during these months should be prepared for frequent showers and potential flooding in some areas. The northeast monsoon will take over from October to April, providing cooler weather in the north and dry, sunny conditions in the south.

About Monsoon in Vietnam

Rainfall Distribution:
- The northern region, including Hanoi, receives the majority of its annual rainfall during the southwest monsoon.
- Central Vietnam, particularly areas like Da Nang and Hue, experiences the heaviest rainfall during the northeast monsoon.
Temperature Variations:
- During the southwest monsoon, temperatures remain high, often exceeding 30°C (86°F) with high humidity.
- The northeast monsoon brings cooler temperatures to the north, with averages ranging from 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F).
Impact on Travel:
- The monsoon seasons can affect transportation and travel plans, with potential delays due to heavy rains and flooding.
- Tourist activities such as trekking and beach visits may be limited during peak rainy periods.
Best Time to travel to Vietnam:
- For those looking to explore the northern regions, the best time to visit is during the northeast monsoon from October to April when the weather is cooler and drier.
- The southern region is best visited during the same period, enjoying the dry season’s pleasant and sunny weather.
Cultural Significance:
- The monsoon season is vital for agriculture in Vietnam, particularly for rice cultivation, which relies heavily on the seasonal rains.

In conclusion, there is no wrong time to visit Vietnam. With the temperatures and weather varies from North to South, region to region, month to month, you will find your own most suitable period to come to Vietnam, depending your interests, purposes and travel styles. In case, you don’t still figure out when and where to go in Vietnam, just contact us to get useful advices.

For more information about Vietnam weather by month, check the below list: